Pink Poppies
“O magnify the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name together.”
--A request to sing of God’s goodness
A couple weeks ago I started planting flower seeds. Most of them are from our flowers last year. Some of them have quite a history, connecting us with special people in our lives.
• Today the story of the Pink Poppy. My wife’s mother lives in a retirement community in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A couple of years ago my wife was visiting her mom and met one of the master gardeners at Brethren Village. This master gardener was not an employee. This master gardener was a resident, around 90 years old. Her flowerbeds were meticulously groomed. Because she has macular degeneration, her gardening efforts are done more by feel than by sight. We were privileged to receive several types of seeds, one of which was the Pink Poppy. We are certain that pink poppies would not be a part of our gardening except that a master gardener shared her seeds with us.
• The flowerbed near the bird feeders will have delicate pink poppies dancing in the summer breezes this year. We will take some time to reflect on wonderful master gardeners, particularly those who don’t let aging change their love for the beauty of the earth.
• Today is Wednesday. Take some time today to think of some master gardeners who have helped make you the person you are.
A prayer: Through the seed and soon the budding flower, help me to remember and give thanks for people like the master gardener. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.31.10
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 30
Moonflowers
“O magnify the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name together.”
--A request to sing of God’s goodness
A couple weeks ago, I started planting flower seeds. Most of them are from our flowers last year. Some of them have quite a history, connecting us with special people in our lives.
• Today the story of the Moonflower seeds. A few years ago I was Senior Pastor of a church in Tell City, IN. Our next door neighbors were Jeff and Carla. I was privileged to officiate at their wedding which was celebrated by a lake in the Hoosier National Forest on a beautiful Tuesday morning in October. They were gifted gardeners. Often their backyard was featured as part of the Perry County garden tour. We enjoyed numerous poolside visits adoring their flowers. Jeff introduced us to the Moonflower, a vine whose white flowers open at dusk and look like a full moon.
• A portion of the fence in our back yard will again have Moonflower as a celebration of our friendship with Jeff and Carla. We miss them and we miss our pool side visits. We still remember them and the ways that they graced our lives.
• Today is Tuesday. Take some time today and call a friend or two.
A prayer: Through the seed and soon the budding flower, remind me of friends that you’ve given me. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.30.10
“O magnify the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name together.”
--A request to sing of God’s goodness
A couple weeks ago, I started planting flower seeds. Most of them are from our flowers last year. Some of them have quite a history, connecting us with special people in our lives.
• Today the story of the Moonflower seeds. A few years ago I was Senior Pastor of a church in Tell City, IN. Our next door neighbors were Jeff and Carla. I was privileged to officiate at their wedding which was celebrated by a lake in the Hoosier National Forest on a beautiful Tuesday morning in October. They were gifted gardeners. Often their backyard was featured as part of the Perry County garden tour. We enjoyed numerous poolside visits adoring their flowers. Jeff introduced us to the Moonflower, a vine whose white flowers open at dusk and look like a full moon.
• A portion of the fence in our back yard will again have Moonflower as a celebration of our friendship with Jeff and Carla. We miss them and we miss our pool side visits. We still remember them and the ways that they graced our lives.
• Today is Tuesday. Take some time today and call a friend or two.
A prayer: Through the seed and soon the budding flower, remind me of friends that you’ve given me. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.30.10
Monday, March 29, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, March 29
Morning Glory
“O magnify the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name together.”
--A request to sing of God’s goodness
A couple weeks ago, I started planting flower seeds. Most of them are from our flowers last year. Some of them have quite a history, connecting us with special people in our lives.
• There’s the morning glory seed. Our original morning glory seeds came from the wife of a cancer patient some years ago. She brought the seeds to me and told me how during the last months of her husband’s life they would get up and walk in their back yard sipping on their morning coffee. She told me about his favorite line as they walked by their morning glory beds. “Good morning glory, it is going to be a glorious day.” She gave me the seeds and told me that she was giving them to people who would keep her husband living in this world.
• The western fence in our back yard will be filled with morning glory again this year as I remember a dear man of God, still living even though cancer called him from this life prematurely.
• Today is Monday. Good morning glory! It is going to be a glorious day.
A prayer: Through the seed and soon the budding flower, connect me, O God, with you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.29.10
“O magnify the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name together.”
--A request to sing of God’s goodness
A couple weeks ago, I started planting flower seeds. Most of them are from our flowers last year. Some of them have quite a history, connecting us with special people in our lives.
• There’s the morning glory seed. Our original morning glory seeds came from the wife of a cancer patient some years ago. She brought the seeds to me and told me how during the last months of her husband’s life they would get up and walk in their back yard sipping on their morning coffee. She told me about his favorite line as they walked by their morning glory beds. “Good morning glory, it is going to be a glorious day.” She gave me the seeds and told me that she was giving them to people who would keep her husband living in this world.
• The western fence in our back yard will be filled with morning glory again this year as I remember a dear man of God, still living even though cancer called him from this life prematurely.
• Today is Monday. Good morning glory! It is going to be a glorious day.
A prayer: Through the seed and soon the budding flower, connect me, O God, with you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.29.10
Friday, March 26, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, March 26
Transformation
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world and those who live in it.”
--Observations by a wisdom writer
Finally, it appears the long awaited warm-up weeks have arrived, offering the transformation people long for after the gray days of winter. This is a life-giving transformation — barren trees bud; brown grass becomes green; cocoons yield butterflies…. The list could go on and on!
In addition to the visible transformation observed in nature, religion (particularly Christian religion) reminds us of spiritual transformation, too!
Transformation is more than just changing. “Trans” is a Latin word meaning, “to move across.” A working definition of transformation is “the moving of our formation.” This may make resurrection, that Easter term, a bit more understandable.
You may want to try this concept on a passage of Scripture. Try reading John 20: 11-18. How does Mary experience transformation?
Or, you may want to try the following exercise to aid in understanding resurrection/transformation: Find a tree that is starting to bud and observe the transformation of those buds in the next 6 weeks. It will still be the same tree, but it will have a totally different look.
Have a good day.
A prayer: God of transformation, walk beside me on the roads that lie ahead.
--Ben Keckler
03.26.10
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world and those who live in it.”
--Observations by a wisdom writer
Finally, it appears the long awaited warm-up weeks have arrived, offering the transformation people long for after the gray days of winter. This is a life-giving transformation — barren trees bud; brown grass becomes green; cocoons yield butterflies…. The list could go on and on!
In addition to the visible transformation observed in nature, religion (particularly Christian religion) reminds us of spiritual transformation, too!
Transformation is more than just changing. “Trans” is a Latin word meaning, “to move across.” A working definition of transformation is “the moving of our formation.” This may make resurrection, that Easter term, a bit more understandable.
You may want to try this concept on a passage of Scripture. Try reading John 20: 11-18. How does Mary experience transformation?
Or, you may want to try the following exercise to aid in understanding resurrection/transformation: Find a tree that is starting to bud and observe the transformation of those buds in the next 6 weeks. It will still be the same tree, but it will have a totally different look.
Have a good day.
A prayer: God of transformation, walk beside me on the roads that lie ahead.
--Ben Keckler
03.26.10
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, March 25
Finding the Quiet Center
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
This week we are focusing on the spiritual journey, particularly the journey that comes during chaotic times. The question we are working on might be summarized in this way: “When life is moving too fast, how can I demonstrate healthier self-care?” Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. On Tuesday and Wednesday we focused on the first two verses of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. Today, verse 3:
“In the Spirit let us travel; open to each other’s pain,
Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.25.10
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
This week we are focusing on the spiritual journey, particularly the journey that comes during chaotic times. The question we are working on might be summarized in this way: “When life is moving too fast, how can I demonstrate healthier self-care?” Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. On Tuesday and Wednesday we focused on the first two verses of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. Today, verse 3:
“In the Spirit let us travel; open to each other’s pain,
Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.25.10
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, March 24
Finding the Quiet Center
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
-- From Psalm 23
One aspect of the spiritual journey during chaotic times falls into the arena of self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. In yesterday’s devotions we focused on the first verse of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. Today, verse 2:
“Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.24.10
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
-- From Psalm 23
One aspect of the spiritual journey during chaotic times falls into the arena of self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. In yesterday’s devotions we focused on the first verse of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. Today, verse 2:
“Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.24.10
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 23
Finding the Quiet Center
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
The spiritual journey is difficult and probably one of the most difficult things about spirituality is maintaining good self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that really addresses some of the realities we have to face as we work at self-care. I’d like to share a verse of this hymn with you as the week begins. The hymn is titled, “Come and Find the Quiet Center.”
“Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and focus on the restoration your soul deserves. Clearing the chaos and clutter so that we can see the things that really matter is not easy. But, if we are going to practice responsible self-care, then it is time to act! Have a good, good week.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.23.10
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
The spiritual journey is difficult and probably one of the most difficult things about spirituality is maintaining good self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that really addresses some of the realities we have to face as we work at self-care. I’d like to share a verse of this hymn with you as the week begins. The hymn is titled, “Come and Find the Quiet Center.”
“Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and focus on the restoration your soul deserves. Clearing the chaos and clutter so that we can see the things that really matter is not easy. But, if we are going to practice responsible self-care, then it is time to act! Have a good, good week.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.23.10
Monday, March 22, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, March 22
Acknowledge Our Feelings
“Out of the depths I call to you.
O God, hear my voice!
I wait for the Holy One.
My soul waits, and in God’s word I hope.”
--A song from a hurting heart
The songwriter was not afraid to express the feelings that were written on the heart. The same should be said for us.
As a new week of work begins, many of us are pretty silent this morning. Working in the health care field we know that life is so very delicate, but we find ways to insulate/protect ourselves from the fragile. Sometimes we find we can’t do that, however! We find that we, too, are brought to our knees, that we, too, are crying tears that won’t quit coming from our eyes, that we, too, are aching deep in our souls.
Staying in touch with our feelings and acknowledging them to one another and to the Almighty One is the best that we can do. Sing your heartsong today, know that your hurting soul is heard.
God of compassion,
Watch over the ways of all of us
And weave out of terrible happenings,
A blanket of love that will sustain us as we experience
A cold day that has brought chilling reality to our workplace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.22.10
“Out of the depths I call to you.
O God, hear my voice!
I wait for the Holy One.
My soul waits, and in God’s word I hope.”
--A song from a hurting heart
The songwriter was not afraid to express the feelings that were written on the heart. The same should be said for us.
As a new week of work begins, many of us are pretty silent this morning. Working in the health care field we know that life is so very delicate, but we find ways to insulate/protect ourselves from the fragile. Sometimes we find we can’t do that, however! We find that we, too, are brought to our knees, that we, too, are crying tears that won’t quit coming from our eyes, that we, too, are aching deep in our souls.
Staying in touch with our feelings and acknowledging them to one another and to the Almighty One is the best that we can do. Sing your heartsong today, know that your hurting soul is heard.
God of compassion,
Watch over the ways of all of us
And weave out of terrible happenings,
A blanket of love that will sustain us as we experience
A cold day that has brought chilling reality to our workplace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.22.10
Friday, March 19, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, March 19
A Last Little Prayer
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
Tomorrow is the first day of spring. We anticipate a beautiful spring is waiting for us. The little prayers we have focused on this week can help our souls dance with praise to God. We close this week with one verse from the Chinook Song Book.
“O Lord,
May we today be touched by grace, fascinated and
Moved by this your creation,
Energized by the power of new growth at work in your world.
May we move beyond viewing this life only through a frame, but
Touch it and be touched by it,
Know it and be known by it,
Love it and be loved by it.
May spring come to us, be in us and recreate life in us. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
03.19.10
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
Tomorrow is the first day of spring. We anticipate a beautiful spring is waiting for us. The little prayers we have focused on this week can help our souls dance with praise to God. We close this week with one verse from the Chinook Song Book.
“O Lord,
May we today be touched by grace, fascinated and
Moved by this your creation,
Energized by the power of new growth at work in your world.
May we move beyond viewing this life only through a frame, but
Touch it and be touched by it,
Know it and be known by it,
Love it and be loved by it.
May spring come to us, be in us and recreate life in us. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
03.19.10
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, March 18
The Vibrancy of Springtime
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
We are moving towards the beauty of spring and today’s wonderful little prayer, written by Anne Baring, demonstrates the vibrancy of God’s springtime.
“Beehive source
Trellised womb
Mother of all beginnings
Hold me
Gather me
Feed me
With the honey-nectar
From the hive.
Nourished
I will sing
The Bee-song
The long-forgotten threnody
Of praise to thee.”
--Ben Keckler
03.18.10
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
We are moving towards the beauty of spring and today’s wonderful little prayer, written by Anne Baring, demonstrates the vibrancy of God’s springtime.
“Beehive source
Trellised womb
Mother of all beginnings
Hold me
Gather me
Feed me
With the honey-nectar
From the hive.
Nourished
I will sing
The Bee-song
The long-forgotten threnody
Of praise to thee.”
--Ben Keckler
03.18.10
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, March 17
Another Little Prayer
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
It’s the middle of the traditional work week. Here is another little prayer that can help our souls dance with praise to God. Today I encourage you to spend some time with this prayer ascribed to Mohammed.
“O God, give me, I pray Thee,
light on my right hand
and light on my left hand
and light above me
and light beneath me.
O Lord, increase light within me
and give me light
and illuminate me.”
--Ben Keckler
03.17.10
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
It’s the middle of the traditional work week. Here is another little prayer that can help our souls dance with praise to God. Today I encourage you to spend some time with this prayer ascribed to Mohammed.
“O God, give me, I pray Thee,
light on my right hand
and light on my left hand
and light above me
and light beneath me.
O Lord, increase light within me
and give me light
and illuminate me.”
--Ben Keckler
03.17.10
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 16
Dancing with Praise
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
We are moving toward the beauty of spring. This week we are focusing on little prayers that can help our souls dance with praise to God. Today I encourage you to spend some time with this observation from French philosopher and theologian, Pierre Theilhard de Chardin.
“We are one, after all, you and I;
together we suffer,
together we exist
and forever we will recreate each other.”
--Ben Keckler
03.16.10
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
We are moving toward the beauty of spring. This week we are focusing on little prayers that can help our souls dance with praise to God. Today I encourage you to spend some time with this observation from French philosopher and theologian, Pierre Theilhard de Chardin.
“We are one, after all, you and I;
together we suffer,
together we exist
and forever we will recreate each other.”
--Ben Keckler
03.16.10
Daily Devotion - Monday, March 15
Helping Our Souls Dance with Praise
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
As we move toward the beauty of spring, we will focus on little prayers that can help our souls dance with praise to God. Today, a proverb from our Native American brothers and sisters:
“May your life be like a wildflower,
growing freely in the beauty
and in the joy of each new day.”
--Ben Keckler
03.15.10
“Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of God’s name,
Give to God glorious praise.”
--A song from a joyful heart (Psalm 66:1)
As we move toward the beauty of spring, we will focus on little prayers that can help our souls dance with praise to God. Today, a proverb from our Native American brothers and sisters:
“May your life be like a wildflower,
growing freely in the beauty
and in the joy of each new day.”
--Ben Keckler
03.15.10
Friday, March 12, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, March 12
Tuesday on Friday
“Teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.”
--An old hymn of Israel
As you probably know, I write a lot of devotions. I repeat this one from time to time because I believe it contains one of the most important, if not the most important, lessons we can learn as we journey through this life. Meditate on this one, friends.
One book that can be a helpful devotional book is Tuesdays with Morrie. Morrie, as you may know, is a retired college professor who is dying from ALS. His former student, hearing of Morrie’s illness, decides to take some of his Tuesdays flying from Detroit to Boston just to learn some more from Morrie. For today, Morrie’s thoughts about our emotions:
“If you hold back on the emotions—if you don’t allow yourself to go all the way through them—you can never get to being detached, you’re too busy being afraid. You’re afraid of the pain, you’re afraid of the grief. You’re afraid of the vulnerability that loving entails. By throwing yourself into these emotions, by allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience them fully and completely. You know what pain is, what love is, what grief is.”
He then shares this powerful observation:
“I know you think this is just about dying
but it’s like I keep telling you: When you learn how to die,
you learn how to live.”
This seems to be the message of today’s verse from the Psalms. May your day and your weekend be filled with wonderful (difficult) encounters with the emotions of your soul.
Prayer for today: O God, give me courage to face the emotions of my soul.
--Ben Keckler
03.12.10
“Teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.”
--An old hymn of Israel
As you probably know, I write a lot of devotions. I repeat this one from time to time because I believe it contains one of the most important, if not the most important, lessons we can learn as we journey through this life. Meditate on this one, friends.
One book that can be a helpful devotional book is Tuesdays with Morrie. Morrie, as you may know, is a retired college professor who is dying from ALS. His former student, hearing of Morrie’s illness, decides to take some of his Tuesdays flying from Detroit to Boston just to learn some more from Morrie. For today, Morrie’s thoughts about our emotions:
“If you hold back on the emotions—if you don’t allow yourself to go all the way through them—you can never get to being detached, you’re too busy being afraid. You’re afraid of the pain, you’re afraid of the grief. You’re afraid of the vulnerability that loving entails. By throwing yourself into these emotions, by allowing yourself to dive in, all the way, over your head even, you experience them fully and completely. You know what pain is, what love is, what grief is.”
He then shares this powerful observation:
“I know you think this is just about dying
but it’s like I keep telling you: When you learn how to die,
you learn how to live.”
This seems to be the message of today’s verse from the Psalms. May your day and your weekend be filled with wonderful (difficult) encounters with the emotions of your soul.
Prayer for today: O God, give me courage to face the emotions of my soul.
--Ben Keckler
03.12.10
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, March 11
Saint: What's the Name?
We know the names of those wintertime saints that visit us – Nicholas, Valentine and next week, Patrick. What about some of those lesser known saints that visit in unexpected ways? One hymn that is sometimes sung in mainline Christian churches is, “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” The hymn talks about all the different places we meet saints, the types of people they are. The hymn concludes with “for the saints of God are folks like me and you and I mean to be one too!”
A few weeks ago I was facilitating a support group and one of the members was telling a story about a her spouse's recent hospitalization, a pretty scary time in the valley for them. She was just gushing with praise for the care he received, but she had more to say. She said “This hospital says they 'Treat People Better' and I KNOW you mean it.
She went on to tell how some anonymous associate had given her his “punch filled” card for her to get a coffee or whatever she wanted at our Coffee Shop. She couldn't figure out how he knew her “journey through the valley” time. She just knew that some saint had done something when she needed it the most. She was overflowing with gratitude.
The story of how this saint found out about the situation is complicated and interesting. When the story was heard, he was moved to offer a coffee and whatever for her to enjoy.
Thanks, Saint, you really made a difference!
--Ben Keckler
03.11.10
We know the names of those wintertime saints that visit us – Nicholas, Valentine and next week, Patrick. What about some of those lesser known saints that visit in unexpected ways? One hymn that is sometimes sung in mainline Christian churches is, “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.” The hymn talks about all the different places we meet saints, the types of people they are. The hymn concludes with “for the saints of God are folks like me and you and I mean to be one too!”
A few weeks ago I was facilitating a support group and one of the members was telling a story about a her spouse's recent hospitalization, a pretty scary time in the valley for them. She was just gushing with praise for the care he received, but she had more to say. She said “This hospital says they 'Treat People Better' and I KNOW you mean it.
She went on to tell how some anonymous associate had given her his “punch filled” card for her to get a coffee or whatever she wanted at our Coffee Shop. She couldn't figure out how he knew her “journey through the valley” time. She just knew that some saint had done something when she needed it the most. She was overflowing with gratitude.
The story of how this saint found out about the situation is complicated and interesting. When the story was heard, he was moved to offer a coffee and whatever for her to enjoy.
Thanks, Saint, you really made a difference!
--Ben Keckler
03.11.10
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, March 10
A Day with St. Francis of Assisi
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.”
--From an old hymn, Song 139
A few years ago writer David Hazard did some research on Francis of Assisi and was inspired to write a book of 40 meditations, A Day in Your Presence. St. Francis wrote from a Christian perspective. Some minor editing may be done from time to time for our multi-faith staff here at the hospital.
“I am awed at the glory of it, amazed at the great and holy gift that is ours—to have a Creator who cares. Deep within me the very wonder of it burns with a holy fire. When I am faced with my own sin, it warms me with consolation. When I face a world of cruelty and vices, it brightens my soul with its beauty and with flames of holy wonder. To have a God who has willingly and lovingly promised to be ours forever!”
--St. Francis, from his second letter to the faithful
As we continue through this week, realize the gift that is within you, within those who entrust us and within our fellow workers.
A prayer for today: “In this moment, I want to be with you so that I may walk today in this thirsty world and carry with me a cool drink of your presence. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
03.10.10
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.”
--From an old hymn, Song 139
A few years ago writer David Hazard did some research on Francis of Assisi and was inspired to write a book of 40 meditations, A Day in Your Presence. St. Francis wrote from a Christian perspective. Some minor editing may be done from time to time for our multi-faith staff here at the hospital.
“I am awed at the glory of it, amazed at the great and holy gift that is ours—to have a Creator who cares. Deep within me the very wonder of it burns with a holy fire. When I am faced with my own sin, it warms me with consolation. When I face a world of cruelty and vices, it brightens my soul with its beauty and with flames of holy wonder. To have a God who has willingly and lovingly promised to be ours forever!”
--St. Francis, from his second letter to the faithful
As we continue through this week, realize the gift that is within you, within those who entrust us and within our fellow workers.
A prayer for today: “In this moment, I want to be with you so that I may walk today in this thirsty world and carry with me a cool drink of your presence. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
03.10.10
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 9
Learning from Another
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God,
When shall I come and behold the face of God?”
--An old song (Psalm 42:2)
Over the years we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having spent time listening to Henri Nouwen in a conference and having sat at dinner with him, he feels like a friend, but a better term is a brief acquaintance. Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death, but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.
The rhythms of the past week have brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following excerpt, from the chapter on recovery:
“The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection, the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being ‘better again’ was indeed the best thing for me.”
Maybe these reflective words from a fellow journeyer can help in understanding what it feels the songwriter was wrestling with centuries ago. Have a good day and enjoy every minute of life.
A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.09.10
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God,
When shall I come and behold the face of God?”
--An old song (Psalm 42:2)
Over the years we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having spent time listening to Henri Nouwen in a conference and having sat at dinner with him, he feels like a friend, but a better term is a brief acquaintance. Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death, but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.
The rhythms of the past week have brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following excerpt, from the chapter on recovery:
“The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection, the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being ‘better again’ was indeed the best thing for me.”
Maybe these reflective words from a fellow journeyer can help in understanding what it feels the songwriter was wrestling with centuries ago. Have a good day and enjoy every minute of life.
A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.09.10
Monday, March 8, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, March 8
A Prayer of Thanks
“O give thanks to the Lord,
for God is good and God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
--The beginning of a hymn of praise (Psalm 136)
For today, a contemporary expression echoes the theme.
Loving God, we offer you thanks and praise
For all the surprising graces which come to us,
For those that sustain our lives and those that change them:
For food—familiar diets and startling new aromas and tastes;
For homes—places of steady surroundings and settings for redemptive love;
For friendships—old friends who are willingly open in their affection and their correction
and new friends who remind us that your spirited presence still dwells within us and others;
For tasks to perform—routine actions which we do well and which bring order to our days
and tasks at which we have failed, restoring a needed humility in us;
For your steadfast love—reminding us of our heritage
and enabling us to move into our tomorrows with confidence and courage.
We offer you thanks and praise, great and mighty God. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.08.10
“O give thanks to the Lord,
for God is good and God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
--The beginning of a hymn of praise (Psalm 136)
For today, a contemporary expression echoes the theme.
Loving God, we offer you thanks and praise
For all the surprising graces which come to us,
For those that sustain our lives and those that change them:
For food—familiar diets and startling new aromas and tastes;
For homes—places of steady surroundings and settings for redemptive love;
For friendships—old friends who are willingly open in their affection and their correction
and new friends who remind us that your spirited presence still dwells within us and others;
For tasks to perform—routine actions which we do well and which bring order to our days
and tasks at which we have failed, restoring a needed humility in us;
For your steadfast love—reminding us of our heritage
and enabling us to move into our tomorrows with confidence and courage.
We offer you thanks and praise, great and mighty God. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.08.10
Friday, March 5, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, March 5
A Sense of Humor
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
We’ve made it to Friday and I share with you one of my favorite prayers.
God,
Give me a sense of humor
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some pleasure out of life
And pass it on to other folk.
Have a good day and a wonderful weekend.
--Ben Keckler
03.05.10
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
We’ve made it to Friday and I share with you one of my favorite prayers.
God,
Give me a sense of humor
Give me the grace to see a joke,
To get some pleasure out of life
And pass it on to other folk.
Have a good day and a wonderful weekend.
--Ben Keckler
03.05.10
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, March 4
God Always Present
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A prayer for times when life is filled with health and blessings:
When the wind blows
That is my medicine.
When it rains
That is my medicine
When it hails
That is my medicine.
When it becomes clear after a storm
That is my medicine.
For when I am healthy,
I sense God’s medicine in all that surrounds me.
--Ben Keckler
03.04.10
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A prayer for times when life is filled with health and blessings:
When the wind blows
That is my medicine.
When it rains
That is my medicine
When it hails
That is my medicine.
When it becomes clear after a storm
That is my medicine.
For when I am healthy,
I sense God’s medicine in all that surrounds me.
--Ben Keckler
03.04.10
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, March 3
St. Teresa of Avila Prayer
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
Today’s devotional life takes us back almost 500 years. This is a prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila:
“Let nothing disturb you
Nothing frighten you,
All things are passing;
Patient endurance
Attains all things:
One whom God possesses
Wants nothing
For God alone suffices.”
--Ben Keckler
03.03.10
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
Today’s devotional life takes us back almost 500 years. This is a prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila:
“Let nothing disturb you
Nothing frighten you,
All things are passing;
Patient endurance
Attains all things:
One whom God possesses
Wants nothing
For God alone suffices.”
--Ben Keckler
03.03.10
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 2
God Everywhere
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A prayer for the day:
The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
--Ben Keckler
03.02.10
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A prayer for the day:
The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
--Ben Keckler
03.02.10
Monday, March 1, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, March 1
A New Week
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A new week begins.
Filled with new challenges and opportunities, a new week begins.
Filled with chaos and surprise, a new week begins.
Faith is an option for all our experiences; a new week begins.
--Ben Keckler
03.01.10
“Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?”
Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A new week begins.
Filled with new challenges and opportunities, a new week begins.
Filled with chaos and surprise, a new week begins.
Faith is an option for all our experiences; a new week begins.
--Ben Keckler
03.01.10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
