Words on Trust
“Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”
--From an ancient song of trust
Let's begin this week with a few words about this line from an old Hebrew hymn. This Psalm is a litany of the many ways God demonstrates steadfast love. It is as though the writer is concluding the song saying, “OK folks, if you are wise you will look at all these examples and trust in the steadfast love of the Lord.” Psalm 107 is filled with good observations that still ring true today—around 3,000 years later.
Popular writer, Max Lucado, has a deck of cards known as “Comfort Cards.” This 50-card set is a contemporary example echoing the sentiments of the Psalms. Here is a card that seems to capture the intent of the song writer.
One side of the card says, “You can trust God.” The other side affirms this simple statement with these words; “You are not a candidate for insecurity. You are no longer a client of timidity. He has given His love to you; why don’t you give your doubts to Him? On the days you don’t feel close to God, trust your faith and not your feelings.”
The steadfast love of God is trustworthy. Have a good day and a good week as you explore new ways of trusting in God’s steadfast love.
--Ben Keckler
02.28.11
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, February 25
This is the Moment
This is the last devotion for this week using Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, as our “textbook”. I hope you have gained some insights from these devotions.
“Moments of true compassion will remain engraved
on our hearts as long as we live.
Often these are moments without words:
moments of deep silence.”
Noise, noise, noise. Everywhere there is noise. I remember a young man who felt totally abandoned one day back in the early 1980s. As he described it, he thought he was going crazy and his body started shaking out of control. He started crying, then screaming, then pounding the walls with his fists and then his feet. He had to be placed in isolation. It was a scary time for him and an equally scary time for several of us who just stayed there with him. We didn't say anything, we were just there with him. A couple of hours later, he calmed down. We simply sat on the floor with him, gave him some water and said nothing. Simple silence. Safe silence.
He began to get better in the weeks that followed. He said what helped him was that we stayed with him and didn't say anything. The friendship grew immensely. I'm glad we were silent. Who do you need to just spend some time with this weekend? Enjoy each moment as you practice compassionate care with other important participants on the life journey.
--Ben Keckler
02.25.11
This is the last devotion for this week using Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, as our “textbook”. I hope you have gained some insights from these devotions.
“Moments of true compassion will remain engraved
on our hearts as long as we live.
Often these are moments without words:
moments of deep silence.”
Noise, noise, noise. Everywhere there is noise. I remember a young man who felt totally abandoned one day back in the early 1980s. As he described it, he thought he was going crazy and his body started shaking out of control. He started crying, then screaming, then pounding the walls with his fists and then his feet. He had to be placed in isolation. It was a scary time for him and an equally scary time for several of us who just stayed there with him. We didn't say anything, we were just there with him. A couple of hours later, he calmed down. We simply sat on the floor with him, gave him some water and said nothing. Simple silence. Safe silence.
He began to get better in the weeks that followed. He said what helped him was that we stayed with him and didn't say anything. The friendship grew immensely. I'm glad we were silent. Who do you need to just spend some time with this weekend? Enjoy each moment as you practice compassionate care with other important participants on the life journey.
--Ben Keckler
02.25.11
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, February 24
This is the Moment
Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, is serving as our “textbook” for this week’s devotional thoughts. Dr. Nouwen has many excellent writings. He has been a mentor to me through his writings and my participation at two seminars where he was the keynote speaker.
“Do you have a clear goal in life? The athletes whose clear goal
is the attainment of the Olympic gold are willing
to let everything else become secondary.
The way they eat, sleep, study and train
are all determined by that one clear goal.”
Disciplined living is very difficult. We are surrounded by so many possibilities that it is hard to focus on what are goal is. Another way of saying this might be, “What is your passion?” Once a person has absolute clarity about their goal or passion, the puzzle of life will fall into place.
Listening each week to nearly one hundred grieving persons (some individually and many in group) I hear many things. One thing I hear time and time again is: “I don't know what I am supposed to be doing now.” The gray cloud of grief, loss and transition that hovers over us in our difficult times seems to leave us feeling lost in the wilderness. Discovering your passion, defining your goal is critical.
How? Reading helps, even if you don't feel you are comprehending. Listening to your “soul” helps. Turning off the music, the TV, the radio and just living with silence helps. A healthy diet and a good night's rest help. The cloud will lift and a clear, probably demanding, goal will emerge. Developing these practices for each and every moment are necessary if you want to experience joy. Why not take this moment to develop your disciplines?
--Ben Keckler
02.24.11
Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, is serving as our “textbook” for this week’s devotional thoughts. Dr. Nouwen has many excellent writings. He has been a mentor to me through his writings and my participation at two seminars where he was the keynote speaker.
“Do you have a clear goal in life? The athletes whose clear goal
is the attainment of the Olympic gold are willing
to let everything else become secondary.
The way they eat, sleep, study and train
are all determined by that one clear goal.”
Disciplined living is very difficult. We are surrounded by so many possibilities that it is hard to focus on what are goal is. Another way of saying this might be, “What is your passion?” Once a person has absolute clarity about their goal or passion, the puzzle of life will fall into place.
Listening each week to nearly one hundred grieving persons (some individually and many in group) I hear many things. One thing I hear time and time again is: “I don't know what I am supposed to be doing now.” The gray cloud of grief, loss and transition that hovers over us in our difficult times seems to leave us feeling lost in the wilderness. Discovering your passion, defining your goal is critical.
How? Reading helps, even if you don't feel you are comprehending. Listening to your “soul” helps. Turning off the music, the TV, the radio and just living with silence helps. A healthy diet and a good night's rest help. The cloud will lift and a clear, probably demanding, goal will emerge. Developing these practices for each and every moment are necessary if you want to experience joy. Why not take this moment to develop your disciplines?
--Ben Keckler
02.24.11
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, February 23
This is the Moment
We continue the week’s devotions using Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now. His writings and lectures have been a great learning experience for me.
“So much of our pain remains hidden. When we feel lonely,
do we go to someone we trust and say:
'I am lonely. I need your support and company.'
When we feel anxious, sexually needy, angry or bitter,
do we dare to ask a friend to be with us and receive our pain?”
This devotion is a tough one. Our culture tends to push us towards a journey through life's tough times in isolation. We shy away from expressing our suffering and pain outwardly. Recently I was in communication with a person who asked about joining a support group for their pain. They wrote, “I am just mad at myself for staying isolated and insisting I continue to try and change myself for three years.” That expression is how we tend to be.
I remember when I was inspired to write the book Incredibly Lonely, That's Me. I specifically asked the nine year old girl what emotion she was having the most trouble with as she worked through the pain of her sister's death. She identified her pain as “lonely”. Because she stepped out of her isolation and let a friend help her, she has discovered a sense of joy amid the pain. And... her story is now helping thousands across the North American continent. Pretty cool!
I am grateful that Melissa was willing to live in this moment!
--Ben Keckler
02.23.11
We continue the week’s devotions using Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now. His writings and lectures have been a great learning experience for me.
“So much of our pain remains hidden. When we feel lonely,
do we go to someone we trust and say:
'I am lonely. I need your support and company.'
When we feel anxious, sexually needy, angry or bitter,
do we dare to ask a friend to be with us and receive our pain?”
This devotion is a tough one. Our culture tends to push us towards a journey through life's tough times in isolation. We shy away from expressing our suffering and pain outwardly. Recently I was in communication with a person who asked about joining a support group for their pain. They wrote, “I am just mad at myself for staying isolated and insisting I continue to try and change myself for three years.” That expression is how we tend to be.
I remember when I was inspired to write the book Incredibly Lonely, That's Me. I specifically asked the nine year old girl what emotion she was having the most trouble with as she worked through the pain of her sister's death. She identified her pain as “lonely”. Because she stepped out of her isolation and let a friend help her, she has discovered a sense of joy amid the pain. And... her story is now helping thousands across the North American continent. Pretty cool!
I am grateful that Melissa was willing to live in this moment!
--Ben Keckler
02.23.11
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 22
This is the Moment
This week Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, is serving as the “textbook” for our devotional thoughts. While most of his mentoring came to me through his writings, I was privileged to participate in two seminars where he was the keynote speaker. They were wonderful experiences.
“We are inclined to think that when we are sad we cannot be glad, but in the life of a God-centered person, sorrow (all other emotions, too) and joy can exist together. That isn't easy to understand...”
Today is a good day to learn about joy. Joy is an attitude. Joy is not an emotion. Mad, glad and sad are emotions (one person authored a book listing and describing about 365 different emotions). Joy is an attitude we choose to keep developing and nurturing when we experience those moments when our emotions are “a bit out of balance.” We cannot choose our emotions, but we can choose our attitude.
A little example might help: Have you ever noticed how some people feel bitter about a particular life event while other people feel excited about the same event? One person has cultivated an attitude of resentment, the other an attitude of joy. Every moment in life presents us with opportunity to cultivate an attitude of joy. So today, whatever emotion comes your way (mad, glad or sad), I challenge you to express your emotion and examine how you can cultivate a spirit of joy. Honestly, I've discovered joy in every moment by believing that “nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of God.”
Enjoy each moment today.
--Ben Keckler
02.22.11
This week Henri Nouwen’s book, Here and Now, is serving as the “textbook” for our devotional thoughts. While most of his mentoring came to me through his writings, I was privileged to participate in two seminars where he was the keynote speaker. They were wonderful experiences.
“We are inclined to think that when we are sad we cannot be glad, but in the life of a God-centered person, sorrow (all other emotions, too) and joy can exist together. That isn't easy to understand...”
Today is a good day to learn about joy. Joy is an attitude. Joy is not an emotion. Mad, glad and sad are emotions (one person authored a book listing and describing about 365 different emotions). Joy is an attitude we choose to keep developing and nurturing when we experience those moments when our emotions are “a bit out of balance.” We cannot choose our emotions, but we can choose our attitude.
A little example might help: Have you ever noticed how some people feel bitter about a particular life event while other people feel excited about the same event? One person has cultivated an attitude of resentment, the other an attitude of joy. Every moment in life presents us with opportunity to cultivate an attitude of joy. So today, whatever emotion comes your way (mad, glad or sad), I challenge you to express your emotion and examine how you can cultivate a spirit of joy. Honestly, I've discovered joy in every moment by believing that “nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of God.”
Enjoy each moment today.
--Ben Keckler
02.22.11
Monday, February 21, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, February 21
This is the Moment
A mentor of mine was Dr. Henri Nouwen. While the majority of the mentoring came through his writings, I was privileged to participate in two seminars where he was the keynote speaker and had the pleasure having meals with him. I felt like I had been invited to the captain's table for dinner while enjoying a cruise! This week his book, Here and Now, serves as the “textbook” for our devotional thoughts.
“A new beginning! We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new.”
As a person who listens to the stories of people trying to make sense of life's tough travels, it is very clear to me that most of us get stuck in the past, stuck trying to accept that the past is over and done, stuck struggling to forgive ourselves, stuck refusing to believe that THIS MOMENT is the only moment I really have to make a difference.
Learning to open our minds and our hearts to the inner prompting we truly can feel, learning to listen to that prompting, learning to trust that prompting we can discover the splendor that is available to us each and every moment. This is YOUR moment – enjoy it!
--Ben Keckler
02.21.11
A mentor of mine was Dr. Henri Nouwen. While the majority of the mentoring came through his writings, I was privileged to participate in two seminars where he was the keynote speaker and had the pleasure having meals with him. I felt like I had been invited to the captain's table for dinner while enjoying a cruise! This week his book, Here and Now, serves as the “textbook” for our devotional thoughts.
“A new beginning! We must learn to live each day, each hour, yes, each minute as a new beginning, as a unique opportunity to make everything new.”
As a person who listens to the stories of people trying to make sense of life's tough travels, it is very clear to me that most of us get stuck in the past, stuck trying to accept that the past is over and done, stuck struggling to forgive ourselves, stuck refusing to believe that THIS MOMENT is the only moment I really have to make a difference.
Learning to open our minds and our hearts to the inner prompting we truly can feel, learning to listen to that prompting, learning to trust that prompting we can discover the splendor that is available to us each and every moment. This is YOUR moment – enjoy it!
--Ben Keckler
02.21.11
Friday, February 18, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, February 25
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Dr. Henri Nouwen, a renowned priest, caregiver and writer, was in an accident several years before his death. It took him to the very door of death. He wrote a book reflecting on his experience, Beyond the Mirror. It is a short book and worthy of your reading. In the chapter that deals with his recovery he writes:
“When I awoke from my operation and realized that I was not yet
in God’s house but still alive in the world, I had an immediate
perception of being sent: sent to make the all-embracing love
of the Father known to people who hunger and thirst for love,
but often look for it within a world where it cannot be found.”
Henri fully recovered and went on to conduct many seminars around the world, two of which I was most privileged to attend. This “all-embracing love”, as he calls it, is something he shared daily. Life presents us with fragmentation, separation and pain. Through loving, caring actions we can help that “all-embracing love” to be experienced.
Have a blessed day of caregiving and a wonderful weekend experiencing renewing energy, crowned by God's “all-embracing love.”
--Ben Keckler
02.18.11
Dr. Henri Nouwen, a renowned priest, caregiver and writer, was in an accident several years before his death. It took him to the very door of death. He wrote a book reflecting on his experience, Beyond the Mirror. It is a short book and worthy of your reading. In the chapter that deals with his recovery he writes:
“When I awoke from my operation and realized that I was not yet
in God’s house but still alive in the world, I had an immediate
perception of being sent: sent to make the all-embracing love
of the Father known to people who hunger and thirst for love,
but often look for it within a world where it cannot be found.”
Henri fully recovered and went on to conduct many seminars around the world, two of which I was most privileged to attend. This “all-embracing love”, as he calls it, is something he shared daily. Life presents us with fragmentation, separation and pain. Through loving, caring actions we can help that “all-embracing love” to be experienced.
Have a blessed day of caregiving and a wonderful weekend experiencing renewing energy, crowned by God's “all-embracing love.”
--Ben Keckler
02.18.11
Daily Devotion - Thursday, February 17
What Do You Mean, God?
“Be still and know that I am God!” --Psalm 46:10
What does it mean to “be still”? We know what it means when we give that directive to children! But, what might it mean for you or for me? Today let's take time with the following prayer. Maybe this will offer some new insights; maybe it will pose new questions. With all the busyness of business, maybe taking a moment with this prayer could be helpful----
A prayer for today:
As you already know, all-knowing Creator,
stillness seems the hardest for me.
My life is filled with clanging and clattering.
There are even times I deliberately create noise to fill the silence.
Sometimes it’s the radio and sometimes I just talk to myself.
In some silent moment today
Give me courage to look inward and
meet you in the deep places of my heart.
Come to me and bring the healing, restoration, forgiveness
and reconciliation I long for.
And, as you already know, I probably won’t stay still long enough.
My agenda seems so full.
Could you teach me how to “be still” in the midst of motion?
Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.17.11
“Be still and know that I am God!” --Psalm 46:10
What does it mean to “be still”? We know what it means when we give that directive to children! But, what might it mean for you or for me? Today let's take time with the following prayer. Maybe this will offer some new insights; maybe it will pose new questions. With all the busyness of business, maybe taking a moment with this prayer could be helpful----
A prayer for today:
As you already know, all-knowing Creator,
stillness seems the hardest for me.
My life is filled with clanging and clattering.
There are even times I deliberately create noise to fill the silence.
Sometimes it’s the radio and sometimes I just talk to myself.
In some silent moment today
Give me courage to look inward and
meet you in the deep places of my heart.
Come to me and bring the healing, restoration, forgiveness
and reconciliation I long for.
And, as you already know, I probably won’t stay still long enough.
My agenda seems so full.
Could you teach me how to “be still” in the midst of motion?
Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.17.11
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, February 16
A Welcome Change
Mother Nature seems to have sent a warming trend to the Midwest this week and it seems people are coming to work with some new found energy and ready to tackle the demands of the day. All of a sudden positive emotions are replacing the experiences that have been part of enduring a cold, icy, relentless winter. The following prayer may give some insight.
A prayer for today:
Ah God, I would thank you for your constant renewal.
Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m blue, I fluctuate and vacillate.
Sometimes my heart sings, sometimes it sobs.
But your Spirit comes—
Sometimes when I pray for the coming and
Sometimes when I least expect it.
Keep coming, O Lord,
For I often get too busy, too harried and too preoccupied
with the details of the day
and fail to ride on the wind of your Spirit.
I need to stop and look at my surroundings more often than I do.
Perhaps I will be more aware from now on, but maybe not.
So keep coming, Lord.
I desperately need you, especially today.
--Ben Keckler
02.16.11
Mother Nature seems to have sent a warming trend to the Midwest this week and it seems people are coming to work with some new found energy and ready to tackle the demands of the day. All of a sudden positive emotions are replacing the experiences that have been part of enduring a cold, icy, relentless winter. The following prayer may give some insight.
A prayer for today:
Ah God, I would thank you for your constant renewal.
Sometimes I’m happy, sometimes I’m blue, I fluctuate and vacillate.
Sometimes my heart sings, sometimes it sobs.
But your Spirit comes—
Sometimes when I pray for the coming and
Sometimes when I least expect it.
Keep coming, O Lord,
For I often get too busy, too harried and too preoccupied
with the details of the day
and fail to ride on the wind of your Spirit.
I need to stop and look at my surroundings more often than I do.
Perhaps I will be more aware from now on, but maybe not.
So keep coming, Lord.
I desperately need you, especially today.
--Ben Keckler
02.16.11
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 15
The Day after Valentine’s Day
“Everyone has forgotten me, as though I were dead;
I am like something thrown away.”
--An observation by Job (31:12)
One of the books in my library is a book by Malcolm Muggeridge, probably known best for his broadcasts for the British Broadcasting Company. The book is about Mother Teresa, titled Something Beautiful For God. One chapter of the book is a dialog between them as Muggeridge tries to understand what motivated Mother Teresa and the sisters to compassionately reach out to people who felt a lot like Job felt (see the above quote). Here is what she shared about her work among the poor in Calcutta:
“In these twenty years of work amongst the people,
I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted
that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.
Nowadays we have found medicine for lepers and lepers can be cured.
There’s medicine for TB and consumptives can be cured.
For all kinds of diseases there are medicines and cures.
But for being unwanted, except there are willing hands to serve
and there’s a loving heart to love,
I don’t think this terrible disease of unwantedness can ever be cured.”
Just thought you might want to ponder this quote as you go about how you live on the day after Valentine’s Day.
--Ben Keckler
02.15.11
“Everyone has forgotten me, as though I were dead;
I am like something thrown away.”
--An observation by Job (31:12)
One of the books in my library is a book by Malcolm Muggeridge, probably known best for his broadcasts for the British Broadcasting Company. The book is about Mother Teresa, titled Something Beautiful For God. One chapter of the book is a dialog between them as Muggeridge tries to understand what motivated Mother Teresa and the sisters to compassionately reach out to people who felt a lot like Job felt (see the above quote). Here is what she shared about her work among the poor in Calcutta:
“In these twenty years of work amongst the people,
I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted
that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.
Nowadays we have found medicine for lepers and lepers can be cured.
There’s medicine for TB and consumptives can be cured.
For all kinds of diseases there are medicines and cures.
But for being unwanted, except there are willing hands to serve
and there’s a loving heart to love,
I don’t think this terrible disease of unwantedness can ever be cured.”
Just thought you might want to ponder this quote as you go about how you live on the day after Valentine’s Day.
--Ben Keckler
02.15.11
Monday, February 14, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, February 14
Reflections about Compassion
Happy Valentine’s Day
“If there is one notion that is central to all great religions
it is that of 'compassion.' The sacred scriptures of the
Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews and Christians all speak
about God as the God of compassion.
In a world in which competition continues to be a dominant mode
of relating among people, be it in politics, sports or economics,
all true believers proclaim compassion, not competition,
as the way of God.”
--Henri Nouwen
Here and Now, page 98
To be with others and be present with them right where they are, to willingly enter into a time of fellowship, even if their times are conflicted – these are the ways that we build paths of peace and justice. When each of us can pause long enough to really hear our neighbor, then compassion will be the greatest good.
I trust you will have a good Valentine’s Day.
--Ben Keckler
02.14.11
Happy Valentine’s Day
“If there is one notion that is central to all great religions
it is that of 'compassion.' The sacred scriptures of the
Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews and Christians all speak
about God as the God of compassion.
In a world in which competition continues to be a dominant mode
of relating among people, be it in politics, sports or economics,
all true believers proclaim compassion, not competition,
as the way of God.”
--Henri Nouwen
Here and Now, page 98
To be with others and be present with them right where they are, to willingly enter into a time of fellowship, even if their times are conflicted – these are the ways that we build paths of peace and justice. When each of us can pause long enough to really hear our neighbor, then compassion will be the greatest good.
I trust you will have a good Valentine’s Day.
--Ben Keckler
02.14.11
Friday, February 11, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, February 11
Something to Ponder
There is a wonderful book entitled, The Prophet, and author Kahil Gibran observes:
“Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.”
As we approach Valentine’s Day, think about the really important gift that our children, our loved ones and our friends really want. My now grown-and-on-their-own children may want to know my thoughts and if they do they will ask.
In the meantime, my tasks are:
1. Assuring them that their father’s deep and endless love faithfully surrounds them.
2. Pointing them toward the steadfast love of the Eternal Creator, a love that endures forever.
Authentically performing these two tasks is my Valentine’s Day challenge! Have a meaningful weekend!
--Ben Keckler
02.11.11
There is a wonderful book entitled, The Prophet, and author Kahil Gibran observes:
“Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.”
As we approach Valentine’s Day, think about the really important gift that our children, our loved ones and our friends really want. My now grown-and-on-their-own children may want to know my thoughts and if they do they will ask.
In the meantime, my tasks are:
1. Assuring them that their father’s deep and endless love faithfully surrounds them.
2. Pointing them toward the steadfast love of the Eternal Creator, a love that endures forever.
Authentically performing these two tasks is my Valentine’s Day challenge! Have a meaningful weekend!
--Ben Keckler
02.11.11
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, February 10
A Simple Question for Today
How would it be if just for today
We thought less about contests and rivalries,
Profits and politics,
Winners and sinners,
And more about helping and giving,
Mending and blending,
Reaching out and pitching in?
How would it be?
--Ben Keckler
02.10.11
How would it be if just for today
We thought less about contests and rivalries,
Profits and politics,
Winners and sinners,
And more about helping and giving,
Mending and blending,
Reaching out and pitching in?
How would it be?
--Ben Keckler
02.10.11
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, February 9
Exploring Feelings
Faith Reflections on emotions we experience
“You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance!”
--A line from an ancient Hebrew hymn (30:11)
I just love this line. It tells me that sad and glad are never far apart. We tend to think that a person cannot experience them at the same time. I think you can! I still recall spending some very precious moments with a family who experienced their last moments with another family member. Yes, death had come to visit this family. What I experienced tells me that sad and glad are like “heads and tails on a coin.”
There was sadness. A woman who had graced this world with her presence for 80 plus years was no longer breathing. We cried and told a story or two.
There was gladness. A woman who had graced this world with her presence for 80 plus years was no longer breathing. We saw her peaceful look, smiled and told a story or two.
Both feelings were dancing inside of the family members and they kept “flipping the coin” between sad and glad.
We paused in silence, we prayed, we expressed sad and glad. I’d like to submit today that whenever you are glad, make sure you explore the sad side of the coin. AND, whenever you are sad, make sure you look on the glad side. Seems to me it is a pretty good way to journey through life. Have a great week.
--Ben Keckler
02.09.11
Faith Reflections on emotions we experience
“You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance!”
--A line from an ancient Hebrew hymn (30:11)
I just love this line. It tells me that sad and glad are never far apart. We tend to think that a person cannot experience them at the same time. I think you can! I still recall spending some very precious moments with a family who experienced their last moments with another family member. Yes, death had come to visit this family. What I experienced tells me that sad and glad are like “heads and tails on a coin.”
There was sadness. A woman who had graced this world with her presence for 80 plus years was no longer breathing. We cried and told a story or two.
There was gladness. A woman who had graced this world with her presence for 80 plus years was no longer breathing. We saw her peaceful look, smiled and told a story or two.
Both feelings were dancing inside of the family members and they kept “flipping the coin” between sad and glad.
We paused in silence, we prayed, we expressed sad and glad. I’d like to submit today that whenever you are glad, make sure you explore the sad side of the coin. AND, whenever you are sad, make sure you look on the glad side. Seems to me it is a pretty good way to journey through life. Have a great week.
--Ben Keckler
02.09.11
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 8
Keeping Perspective
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice.”
--Psalm 130: 1
Today we will perform a variety of tasks as we work. Hopefully a sense of peace and calm will surround us. I hope we will also be mindful that there are thousands of parents who are crying from the depths of their souls because their sons and daughters are on assignments to keep the world peaceful. Young people probably feeling the terror of terrorism as they supposedly bring about world peace. It seems that our souls should be crying forth to the Almighty in behalf of these military personnel and their extended families.
I remember a few years ago on a Sunday morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee following a church service, a friend was crying. Her son was in the Navy. As we entered into conversation she shared,
“I haven’t heard from him since New Year’s Eve
(it was now the end of January).
I realized today how much I’ve missed hearing his voice.”
My friend realized she might not be hearing from her son for a while and she was dealing with that reality. My heart joined hers in “crying to the Lord.” I am/we are so very privileged to live here and have regular conversations with our children!
Today we will perform a variety of tasks and there will be relative peace and calm. Maybe we can all take some time to feel the deep longings thousands are having as military rhetoric continues and the rumors of unrest take on new meaning. Take time to “cry to the Lord.”
A prayer for today: Lord, hear our voices today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.08.11
“Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice.”
--Psalm 130: 1
Today we will perform a variety of tasks as we work. Hopefully a sense of peace and calm will surround us. I hope we will also be mindful that there are thousands of parents who are crying from the depths of their souls because their sons and daughters are on assignments to keep the world peaceful. Young people probably feeling the terror of terrorism as they supposedly bring about world peace. It seems that our souls should be crying forth to the Almighty in behalf of these military personnel and their extended families.
I remember a few years ago on a Sunday morning, while enjoying a cup of coffee following a church service, a friend was crying. Her son was in the Navy. As we entered into conversation she shared,
“I haven’t heard from him since New Year’s Eve
(it was now the end of January).
I realized today how much I’ve missed hearing his voice.”
My friend realized she might not be hearing from her son for a while and she was dealing with that reality. My heart joined hers in “crying to the Lord.” I am/we are so very privileged to live here and have regular conversations with our children!
Today we will perform a variety of tasks and there will be relative peace and calm. Maybe we can all take some time to feel the deep longings thousands are having as military rhetoric continues and the rumors of unrest take on new meaning. Take time to “cry to the Lord.”
A prayer for today: Lord, hear our voices today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.08.11
Monday, February 7, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, February 7
Soul Work
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
--Psalm 25: 1
I love book reviews that call me to attention and challenge me to read. Sam Keen offered this magnetic two-sentence review of the book, Care of the Soul (Thomas Moore).
“This book may help you give up the futile quest for salvation and get down to the possible task of taking care of your soul. A modest, and therefore marvelous, book about the life of the spirit.”
Thomas Moore is concerned about “soul” feeding. Centuries ago the Psalm writer felt the need to do “soul work.” It is still the cry of millions today. Daily soul work helps us discover the sacred in our routines. Sometimes we become concerned about the long-term (salvation), forgetting to see the gifts that surround us. Taking time in each moment to sense the divine is an excellent way to care for your soul.
Nurturing the “core of our being” (Paul Tillich’s way of describing our souls) can provide many insights about how the Holy One dwells within us. Have a good week attending to your “soul work”.
A prayer for today: God of my life and of all creation, guide me as I learn to take better care of my soul.
--Ben Keckler
02.07.11
“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
--Psalm 25: 1
I love book reviews that call me to attention and challenge me to read. Sam Keen offered this magnetic two-sentence review of the book, Care of the Soul (Thomas Moore).
“This book may help you give up the futile quest for salvation and get down to the possible task of taking care of your soul. A modest, and therefore marvelous, book about the life of the spirit.”
Thomas Moore is concerned about “soul” feeding. Centuries ago the Psalm writer felt the need to do “soul work.” It is still the cry of millions today. Daily soul work helps us discover the sacred in our routines. Sometimes we become concerned about the long-term (salvation), forgetting to see the gifts that surround us. Taking time in each moment to sense the divine is an excellent way to care for your soul.
Nurturing the “core of our being” (Paul Tillich’s way of describing our souls) can provide many insights about how the Holy One dwells within us. Have a good week attending to your “soul work”.
A prayer for today: God of my life and of all creation, guide me as I learn to take better care of my soul.
--Ben Keckler
02.07.11
Friday, February 4, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, February 4
Struggles of the Soul
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
--From an ancient song
(Psalm 46: 10)
A saying to consider:
“The Tree of Life was impregnated with forces so
harmonious and beneficial that its leaves healed
every illness and its fruits bestowed eternal life.”
--Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov
As we come to the end of a week I want to end our devotional reflections by giving you a “struggle of the soul” to think about during the weekend.
“To heal something or someone is to ‘make it whole’ as indicated by the common root for the words ‘heal’ and ‘whole’. To bring wholeness to something is to complement discord with harmony and pain with wisdom, not to replace or somehow overcome the discord and pain. To be whole does not mean to be perfect in any way; instead it means to include everything. To heal, therefore, is to bring together the component parts of any system – be it a human, animal, plant or ‘inanimate’ system – in an including rather than excluding way. When we do this we bring about true healing rather than just the kind of ‘healing’ which is concerned with fixing pain, disguising discord or in some way treating the symptom rather than the cause.” (The Elements of The Qabalah, Will Parfitt, p. 101)
So a possible question of the weekend might be: Am I willing to be a participant in the healing of self and others?
Have a meaningful weekend whether you are cheering for the Packers or the Steelers!
--Ben Keckler
02.04.11
“Be still, and know that I am God!”
--From an ancient song
(Psalm 46: 10)
A saying to consider:
“The Tree of Life was impregnated with forces so
harmonious and beneficial that its leaves healed
every illness and its fruits bestowed eternal life.”
--Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov
As we come to the end of a week I want to end our devotional reflections by giving you a “struggle of the soul” to think about during the weekend.
“To heal something or someone is to ‘make it whole’ as indicated by the common root for the words ‘heal’ and ‘whole’. To bring wholeness to something is to complement discord with harmony and pain with wisdom, not to replace or somehow overcome the discord and pain. To be whole does not mean to be perfect in any way; instead it means to include everything. To heal, therefore, is to bring together the component parts of any system – be it a human, animal, plant or ‘inanimate’ system – in an including rather than excluding way. When we do this we bring about true healing rather than just the kind of ‘healing’ which is concerned with fixing pain, disguising discord or in some way treating the symptom rather than the cause.” (The Elements of The Qabalah, Will Parfitt, p. 101)
So a possible question of the weekend might be: Am I willing to be a participant in the healing of self and others?
Have a meaningful weekend whether you are cheering for the Packers or the Steelers!
--Ben Keckler
02.04.11
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, February 2
Struggles of the Soul
“Therefore do not worry, saying
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What will we wear?”
--A teaching from Jesus (Matthew 6:31)
A saying to consider:
Worry is the darkroom for developing negatives.
Just completed a phone call with a person that I am privileged to counsel. Her road has been plagued by some pretty disastrous stuff. The journey has been so troubled that I find myself wondering at times how she has even survived. I asked her how her week had been and she said the “baggage” or “stuff” from the week gone by was really not all that important.
I listened. I found her able to detail in a couple of minutes what previously would have taken her an hour to tell. I found her capable of processing small stuff that just a couple of weeks ago would have been overwhelming. She is moving out of worry. She is less negative. She is learning not to sweat the small stuff. She is discovering that many of the things that used to be troubling aren’t worth it!
It is a struggle to resist worry. It is truly a blessing when trust comes into a life clouded by overwhelming difficulty. If you are struggling with some extra baggage, I would encourage you to name it, claim it and leave it in a darkroom.
Have a better day; may you find your worries minimized.
--Ben Keckler
02.02.11
“Therefore do not worry, saying
‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What will we wear?”
--A teaching from Jesus (Matthew 6:31)
A saying to consider:
Worry is the darkroom for developing negatives.
Just completed a phone call with a person that I am privileged to counsel. Her road has been plagued by some pretty disastrous stuff. The journey has been so troubled that I find myself wondering at times how she has even survived. I asked her how her week had been and she said the “baggage” or “stuff” from the week gone by was really not all that important.
I listened. I found her able to detail in a couple of minutes what previously would have taken her an hour to tell. I found her capable of processing small stuff that just a couple of weeks ago would have been overwhelming. She is moving out of worry. She is less negative. She is learning not to sweat the small stuff. She is discovering that many of the things that used to be troubling aren’t worth it!
It is a struggle to resist worry. It is truly a blessing when trust comes into a life clouded by overwhelming difficulty. If you are struggling with some extra baggage, I would encourage you to name it, claim it and leave it in a darkroom.
Have a better day; may you find your worries minimized.
--Ben Keckler
02.02.11
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 1
Struggles of the Soul
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it.”
--An ancient Hebrew song
(Psalm 24: 1, selected verses)
A question to consider:
Is everything on this earth the Lord’s?
Here is how one person responded:
"Teach your children what we have taught our children –
that the earth is our mother.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
If they spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.
This we know:
The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
This we know:
All things are connected like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves…"
Thanks to Chief Seattle for this insightful prayer.
--Ben Keckler
02.01.11
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it.”
--An ancient Hebrew song
(Psalm 24: 1, selected verses)
A question to consider:
Is everything on this earth the Lord’s?
Here is how one person responded:
"Teach your children what we have taught our children –
that the earth is our mother.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
If they spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.
This we know:
The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
This we know:
All things are connected like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.
We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves…"
Thanks to Chief Seattle for this insightful prayer.
--Ben Keckler
02.01.11
Daily Devotion - Monday, January 31
Struggles of the Soul
“Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
--An ancient Hebrew song
(Psalm 106: 1, selected verses)
An important question to consider:
How do I keep believing in the unifying, restoring power of God’s love when all I experience is fragmentation and separation?
If it is trustworthy to believe that God’s steadfast love endures forever, then it seems fair to examine how we respond to God’s steadfast love. What I frequently observe is that God’s steadfast love is trusted so long as nothing “hits the fan.” I can honestly say that I can remember times when I really questioned God’s steadfastness. I can remember times when I really felt victimized. There are difficult struggles in my soul and I am willing to admit it.
Over the years, I have developed a deepened confidence that God’s love is steadfast. Here is a simple, two-step axiom for life that proves helpful to me:
Step 1: Prepare yourself for whatever you may believe “the worst” to be.
Step 2: Pray to the Lord, seeking whatever you may believe “the best” to be.
For me, the struggles of my soul are reduced tremendously. Trusting in the steadfast love of God is becoming clearer. Every breath comes to me as a gift.
--Ben Keckler
01.31.11
“Praise the Lord!
O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
For God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
--An ancient Hebrew song
(Psalm 106: 1, selected verses)
An important question to consider:
How do I keep believing in the unifying, restoring power of God’s love when all I experience is fragmentation and separation?
If it is trustworthy to believe that God’s steadfast love endures forever, then it seems fair to examine how we respond to God’s steadfast love. What I frequently observe is that God’s steadfast love is trusted so long as nothing “hits the fan.” I can honestly say that I can remember times when I really questioned God’s steadfastness. I can remember times when I really felt victimized. There are difficult struggles in my soul and I am willing to admit it.
Over the years, I have developed a deepened confidence that God’s love is steadfast. Here is a simple, two-step axiom for life that proves helpful to me:
Step 1: Prepare yourself for whatever you may believe “the worst” to be.
Step 2: Pray to the Lord, seeking whatever you may believe “the best” to be.
For me, the struggles of my soul are reduced tremendously. Trusting in the steadfast love of God is becoming clearer. Every breath comes to me as a gift.
--Ben Keckler
01.31.11
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