Blending Some New and
Some Old Quotes
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us.”
“For, in fact, the kingdom of God is within you.”
As part of my devotional life, I enjoy finding new quotes that seem to echo Biblical quotes from centuries ago. I invite you to ponder the two quotes above. I hope you will find this as helpful as I do.
The first quote today is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a lecturer, essayist and philosopher who lived in New England from 1803-1882. Self-awareness and living in the present moment are two wonderful gifts that his quote emphasizes as I read it. The second quote comes from Luke's research into various quotes from Jesus of Nazareth. So often we talk about God's realm beyond this life. I find this teaching a refreshing truth.
May your day be filled with peace amid the storms you face! God is within!
--Ben Keckler
08.31.11
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 30
Blending Some New
and Some Old Quotes
“Each day is a paint box of wonder awaiting your brush.”
“O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
Today we continue to blend newly discovered quotes with old teachings that I remember from my childhood. I found this exercise helpful; hopefully you will too!
Today's first quote is attributed to Linda Boychuk, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with ALS (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease). Linda has had to face many transitions in her life. Her attitude, captured in the quote above, is remarkable! The second quote is over 3,000 years old. The song writer, like Linda, appears ready to write yet another song extolling the steadfast love of God.
I hope you have your brush ready. I wonder what the lyrics will be to your new song! Enjoy your day.
--Ben Keckler
08.30.11
and Some Old Quotes
“Each day is a paint box of wonder awaiting your brush.”
“O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
Today we continue to blend newly discovered quotes with old teachings that I remember from my childhood. I found this exercise helpful; hopefully you will too!
Today's first quote is attributed to Linda Boychuk, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with ALS (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease). Linda has had to face many transitions in her life. Her attitude, captured in the quote above, is remarkable! The second quote is over 3,000 years old. The song writer, like Linda, appears ready to write yet another song extolling the steadfast love of God.
I hope you have your brush ready. I wonder what the lyrics will be to your new song! Enjoy your day.
--Ben Keckler
08.30.11
Monday, August 29, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 29
Blending Some New and
Some Old Quotes
“There's one thing you can do in your lifetime that will be free
and cost you nothing and that is to be nice to people.”
“The fruit of God's Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”
One exercise I find helpful is taking new quotes and thinking about what old teaching might parallel my new discovery.
Today's first quote was given to former major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson. He received this insight from his father when he was 11 years old. The second quote is a couple of thousand years old and was written in a letter to folks in a town of Asia Minor. These people were trying to figure out what characteristics were important for living “centered” lives. Blending these two quotes suggests that acts of mercy and kindness help build peaceful, lasting relationships.
May you find meaning in your work this week. May your actions be accented with deeds of kindness. Enjoy being nice!
--Ben Keckler
08.29.11
Some Old Quotes
“There's one thing you can do in your lifetime that will be free
and cost you nothing and that is to be nice to people.”
“The fruit of God's Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”
One exercise I find helpful is taking new quotes and thinking about what old teaching might parallel my new discovery.
Today's first quote was given to former major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson. He received this insight from his father when he was 11 years old. The second quote is a couple of thousand years old and was written in a letter to folks in a town of Asia Minor. These people were trying to figure out what characteristics were important for living “centered” lives. Blending these two quotes suggests that acts of mercy and kindness help build peaceful, lasting relationships.
May you find meaning in your work this week. May your actions be accented with deeds of kindness. Enjoy being nice!
--Ben Keckler
08.29.11
Friday, August 26, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, August 26
As the Work Week Ends
As we close another week in the workplace and anticipate the renewal that comes from a time where the rhythm of life changes, we’ve examined ways that we live and ways that God jumps into our living with a steadfast loving embrace. The following is a favorite hymn of millions and your mind deserves to hear it throughout the day. Here are the words; the melody will come to your mind as you read:
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wreck like me
I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
“‘Tis grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
A merciful God accepts you at the very point where you are in your pilgrimage. Why not be still enough to at least experience the embrace of steadfast love. Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend.
A prayer: God, be with me in my tension moments and slow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.26.11
As we close another week in the workplace and anticipate the renewal that comes from a time where the rhythm of life changes, we’ve examined ways that we live and ways that God jumps into our living with a steadfast loving embrace. The following is a favorite hymn of millions and your mind deserves to hear it throughout the day. Here are the words; the melody will come to your mind as you read:
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wreck like me
I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
“‘Tis grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
A merciful God accepts you at the very point where you are in your pilgrimage. Why not be still enough to at least experience the embrace of steadfast love. Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend.
A prayer: God, be with me in my tension moments and slow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.26.11
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 25
The Meaning of Life
Good morning God,
It is good to believe that you know more about me than I know about myself. Today I am feeling like I don’t practice being sensitive to your voice; like I don’t take enough time to see the connection between this moment and the vast continuum of time; like I’m so caught up in my stuff that I may be missing You in the midst of life’s rhythmic pace.
Yet, there is reason why I am numb and uncertain — that’s right you already know about it don’t you.
God, I’m not sure that I can be what I feel you nudging me to be and to become. Help me to seek you and to find you in the moment, in each and every moment. Help my words and my deeds to be in concert with the spirit that is beyond my petty desires.
It isn’t that I want to or need to do anything great to find meaning in my life, God. It is just that I’m still trying to find balance in my journey toward your realm. I’ll be still now — that is probably all you wanted me to do when I began this prayer. In your name, I pray. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.25.11
Good morning God,
It is good to believe that you know more about me than I know about myself. Today I am feeling like I don’t practice being sensitive to your voice; like I don’t take enough time to see the connection between this moment and the vast continuum of time; like I’m so caught up in my stuff that I may be missing You in the midst of life’s rhythmic pace.
Yet, there is reason why I am numb and uncertain — that’s right you already know about it don’t you.
God, I’m not sure that I can be what I feel you nudging me to be and to become. Help me to seek you and to find you in the moment, in each and every moment. Help my words and my deeds to be in concert with the spirit that is beyond my petty desires.
It isn’t that I want to or need to do anything great to find meaning in my life, God. It is just that I’m still trying to find balance in my journey toward your realm. I’ll be still now — that is probably all you wanted me to do when I began this prayer. In your name, I pray. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.25.11
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, August 24
A Hot, Dry Summer
“There are trees that seem to die at the end of autumn.
There are also the evergreens.”
--Gilbert Maxwell
This has been a tough summer here in Indiana. Recently we traveled west for a summer vacation and discovered that it has been hotter and drier in other places. Hard to believe! Around us we see trees browning prematurely; in early August there were trees in Arkansas and Oklahoma that were dead!
Evergreens seem to be resilient, always hinting that there is life. Even during a hot, dry summer the evergreen seems to say, “Life is eternal.”
As we struggle through these remaining days of August heat and long for cooler weather and rainfall, keep in mind that the rhythm of life goes on.
--Ben Keckler
08.24.11
“There are trees that seem to die at the end of autumn.
There are also the evergreens.”
--Gilbert Maxwell
This has been a tough summer here in Indiana. Recently we traveled west for a summer vacation and discovered that it has been hotter and drier in other places. Hard to believe! Around us we see trees browning prematurely; in early August there were trees in Arkansas and Oklahoma that were dead!
Evergreens seem to be resilient, always hinting that there is life. Even during a hot, dry summer the evergreen seems to say, “Life is eternal.”
As we struggle through these remaining days of August heat and long for cooler weather and rainfall, keep in mind that the rhythm of life goes on.
--Ben Keckler
08.24.11
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 23
Steadfast Love Surround You
These days there seems to be a great deal of chaos surrounding us. From economic chaos to the recent chaos that surrounds us as Hoosiers deal with the tragedy at the State Fair. May the following adaptation of a prayer by Nancy Meeker be helpful for you today and in the future:
“I watch.
I watch, I wait
And am still,
Abiding the cycle that moves
As it wills.
“I welcome the fruits,
I welcome the new birth,
I welcome the wound that heals
Through the joy
Of being with mother earth.”
--Ben Keckler
08.23.11
These days there seems to be a great deal of chaos surrounding us. From economic chaos to the recent chaos that surrounds us as Hoosiers deal with the tragedy at the State Fair. May the following adaptation of a prayer by Nancy Meeker be helpful for you today and in the future:
“I watch.
I watch, I wait
And am still,
Abiding the cycle that moves
As it wills.
“I welcome the fruits,
I welcome the new birth,
I welcome the wound that heals
Through the joy
Of being with mother earth.”
--Ben Keckler
08.23.11
Monday, August 22, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 22
A New Week Begins
English novelist Jane Austen died almost 200 years ago. I feel her prayer is helpful as each of us begins the tasks related to a new week:
“Incline us, O God,
To think humbly of ourselves,
To be saved only in the examination of our own conduct,
To consider our fellow-creatures with kindness,
And to judge all they say and do with the charity
which we would desire from them ourselves!”
May this week be even better than last week!
--Ben Keckler
08.22.11
English novelist Jane Austen died almost 200 years ago. I feel her prayer is helpful as each of us begins the tasks related to a new week:
“Incline us, O God,
To think humbly of ourselves,
To be saved only in the examination of our own conduct,
To consider our fellow-creatures with kindness,
And to judge all they say and do with the charity
which we would desire from them ourselves!”
May this week be even better than last week!
--Ben Keckler
08.22.11
Friday, August 19, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, August 19
Prayers for Healing
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
I found this prayer by Belleruth Naparstek; I think it prepares us for the possibilities of the weekend ahead:
“Just give me this:
A rinsing out, a cleansing free of all my smaller strivings
So I can be the class act God intended,
True to my purpose,
all my energy aligned behind my deepest intention.
“And just this:
A quieting down, a clearing away of internal ruckus,
So I can hear the huge stillness in my heart
And feel how I pulse with all creation,
part and parcel of your great singing ocean.
“And this, too:
A willingness to notice and forgive the myriad times I fall short,
Forgetting who I really am, what I really belong to.
“So I can start over, fresh and clean like sweet sheets
billowing in the summer sun,
My heart pierced with gratitude.”
May your day and your weekend give you opportunity for refreshment.
A prayer: Holy One, bring me what I need for this time in my life. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.19.11
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
I found this prayer by Belleruth Naparstek; I think it prepares us for the possibilities of the weekend ahead:
“Just give me this:
A rinsing out, a cleansing free of all my smaller strivings
So I can be the class act God intended,
True to my purpose,
all my energy aligned behind my deepest intention.
“And just this:
A quieting down, a clearing away of internal ruckus,
So I can hear the huge stillness in my heart
And feel how I pulse with all creation,
part and parcel of your great singing ocean.
“And this, too:
A willingness to notice and forgive the myriad times I fall short,
Forgetting who I really am, what I really belong to.
“So I can start over, fresh and clean like sweet sheets
billowing in the summer sun,
My heart pierced with gratitude.”
May your day and your weekend give you opportunity for refreshment.
A prayer: Holy One, bring me what I need for this time in my life. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.19.11
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 18
Prayers for Healing
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
Today, May Sarton offers some words of wisdom worthy of your thought and meditation. While we yearn for happy, peaceful times, May’s prayer reminds us that compassionate souls emerge out of painful experiences.
“Pain is the great teacher.
I woke before dawn with this thought.
Joy and happiness are what we take and do not question.
They are beyond question, maybe. A matter of being.
But, pain forces us to think, and to make connections,
to sort out what is what,
to discover what has been happening to cause it.
And, curiously enough, pain draws us to other human beings
in a significant way,
whereas joy or happiness to some extent, isolates.”
Today, as you encounter others in their pain or come face to face with your own pain, may your life and the lives of others be strengthened by the significance of your time together.
A prayer: Holy One, teach me to be present with others in their pain. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.18.11
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
Today, May Sarton offers some words of wisdom worthy of your thought and meditation. While we yearn for happy, peaceful times, May’s prayer reminds us that compassionate souls emerge out of painful experiences.
“Pain is the great teacher.
I woke before dawn with this thought.
Joy and happiness are what we take and do not question.
They are beyond question, maybe. A matter of being.
But, pain forces us to think, and to make connections,
to sort out what is what,
to discover what has been happening to cause it.
And, curiously enough, pain draws us to other human beings
in a significant way,
whereas joy or happiness to some extent, isolates.”
Today, as you encounter others in their pain or come face to face with your own pain, may your life and the lives of others be strengthened by the significance of your time together.
A prayer: Holy One, teach me to be present with others in their pain. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.18.11
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, August 17
Prayers for Healing
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
Today, we think globally and meditate on this prayer written more than 3 decades ago for the Week of Prayer for World Peace:
“We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding; and the endurance to accept
the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall no longer lead men
to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration
and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we were created.”
As the Sacred writings state, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
A prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.17.11
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
Today, we think globally and meditate on this prayer written more than 3 decades ago for the Week of Prayer for World Peace:
“We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving;
the patience to be understanding; and the endurance to accept
the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil
and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe
in a world emancipated from violence,
a new world where fear shall no longer lead men
to commit injustice,
nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy
to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration
and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we were created.”
As the Sacred writings state, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
A prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.17.11
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 16
Prayers for Healing
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62: 8
Today, a blessing from the Pueblo tribe:
“Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth;
Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree that stands by itself;
Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here;
Hold on to life, even if it is easier to let go;
Hold on to my hand, even if I have gone away from you.”
May your soul be inspired to hold on for this moment… and forever.
A prayer: God, tighten your grip on me and mine on you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.16.11
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62: 8
Today, a blessing from the Pueblo tribe:
“Hold on to what is good, even if it is a handful of earth;
Hold on to what you believe, even if it is a tree that stands by itself;
Hold on to what you must do, even if it is a long way from here;
Hold on to life, even if it is easier to let go;
Hold on to my hand, even if I have gone away from you.”
May your soul be inspired to hold on for this moment… and forever.
A prayer: God, tighten your grip on me and mine on you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.16.11
Monday, August 15, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 15
Prayers for Healing
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
This week I want to share with you several prayers for healing. Today’s centering prayer is from Persia and focuses on inner (spiritual) healing.
“All that we ought to have thought and have not thought,
All that we ought to have said, and have not said,
All that we ought to have done, and have not done;
“All that we ought not to have thought, and yet have thought,
All that we ought not to have spoken, and yet have spoken,
All that we ought not to have done, and yet have done;
"For thoughts, words and works, pray we, O God, for forgiveness.”
May your week be blessed with the thoughts, the words and the deeds that come from souls forgiven and empowered to do that which needs to be done.
A prayer: God, be in all that I do. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.15.11
“Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.”
--A call to faith, Psalm 62:8
This week I want to share with you several prayers for healing. Today’s centering prayer is from Persia and focuses on inner (spiritual) healing.
“All that we ought to have thought and have not thought,
All that we ought to have said, and have not said,
All that we ought to have done, and have not done;
“All that we ought not to have thought, and yet have thought,
All that we ought not to have spoken, and yet have spoken,
All that we ought not to have done, and yet have done;
"For thoughts, words and works, pray we, O God, for forgiveness.”
May your week be blessed with the thoughts, the words and the deeds that come from souls forgiven and empowered to do that which needs to be done.
A prayer: God, be in all that I do. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.15.11
Friday, August 12, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, August 12
Daily Devotion
This week’s theme “Listening to Your Heart” concludes today
“And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God.”
--A prophetic word, Micah 6:8
To conclude our week on listening, focus on the words above.
As you listen, what do you hear?
A prayer: Holy God, may I walk the walk and share the talk of a person graced by Your divine love. Amen.
Have a blessed weekend!
--Ben Keckler
08.12.11
This week’s theme “Listening to Your Heart” concludes today
“And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
And to walk humbly with your God.”
--A prophetic word, Micah 6:8
To conclude our week on listening, focus on the words above.
As you listen, what do you hear?
A prayer: Holy God, may I walk the walk and share the talk of a person graced by Your divine love. Amen.
Have a blessed weekend!
--Ben Keckler
08.12.11
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 11
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening To Our Heart”
A story for today: “Chad”
There is a very thoughtful book in our chaplaincy library entitled Chad, written by his father. It is a tribute to Chad who died of a stroke at age 22. The book contains many heart stories from a father, now forced to listen to his heart. Here is one insight; I feel it is a real gem:
“In life we don’t have all of the answers.
We won’t have all of the answers.
Sometimes we have to go forward without the answers.
The answers from the tragedy become clearer----down the road.
We will never understand all of life
before we need to start living life.
We have to live first to learn the answers.”
A prayer for today: God, may I live today fully aware that I can learn more answers as I listen to my heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.11.11
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening To Our Heart”
A story for today: “Chad”
There is a very thoughtful book in our chaplaincy library entitled Chad, written by his father. It is a tribute to Chad who died of a stroke at age 22. The book contains many heart stories from a father, now forced to listen to his heart. Here is one insight; I feel it is a real gem:
“In life we don’t have all of the answers.
We won’t have all of the answers.
Sometimes we have to go forward without the answers.
The answers from the tragedy become clearer----down the road.
We will never understand all of life
before we need to start living life.
We have to live first to learn the answers.”
A prayer for today: God, may I live today fully aware that I can learn more answers as I listen to my heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.11.11
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, August 10
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A story for today: attributed to philosopher Chuang Tzu
“The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish
And when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten.
The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits.
When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.
The purpose of the word is to convey ideas.
When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.
Where can I find a person who has forgotten words?
This is the one I would like to talk to.”
Remember: Even in silence there is a great deal that is being said. Enjoy listening today.
--Ben Keckler
08.10.11
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A story for today: attributed to philosopher Chuang Tzu
“The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish
And when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten.
The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits.
When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.
The purpose of the word is to convey ideas.
When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.
Where can I find a person who has forgotten words?
This is the one I would like to talk to.”
Remember: Even in silence there is a great deal that is being said. Enjoy listening today.
--Ben Keckler
08.10.11
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 9
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today: attributed to St. Francis
“Lord,
Make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant
That I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Have a better day today as you listen to your heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.09.11
This week’s devotions focus on “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today: attributed to St. Francis
“Lord,
Make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant
That I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Have a better day today as you listen to your heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.09.11
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 8
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today:
Expand my awareness, O God,
to others whom I will see today and tomorrow.
Help me to look for the signs of our common humanity
as we share our lives with each other.
Help me to listen to the song my heart is singing and,
help me to listen and discern the songs others are singing
in their hearts!
May I capture both the words they speak and
the unspoken realities within their soul.
Sensitize me to the cries for help
that all of us bury deep in our hearts.
Remind me of your steadfast love and
help me to reflect your love to others.
Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.08.11
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today:
Expand my awareness, O God,
to others whom I will see today and tomorrow.
Help me to look for the signs of our common humanity
as we share our lives with each other.
Help me to listen to the song my heart is singing and,
help me to listen and discern the songs others are singing
in their hearts!
May I capture both the words they speak and
the unspoken realities within their soul.
Sensitize me to the cries for help
that all of us bury deep in our hearts.
Remind me of your steadfast love and
help me to reflect your love to others.
Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.08.11
Monday, August 1, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 2
A Week Begins
The Lenape Indians lived with an ethical code; I think we might all benefit from reading their belief.
“We are minded to live at Peace:
If we intend at anytime to make War upon you,
we will let you know of it,
and the Reasons why we make War with you;
and if you make us satisfaction for the Injury done us,
for which the War is intended, then we will not make War on you.
“And if you intend at any time to make War on us,
we would have you let us know of it,
and the Reasons for which you make War on us,
and then if we do not make satisfaction for the Injury done unto you,
then you make War on us, otherwise you ought not to do it.”
Long and prayerful meditation on this bit of wisdom is in order this week, at a personal level, at the level of the workplace and in this seemingly crazy, mixed-up world. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of the Holy One, the Creator of the universe.
--Ben Keckler
08.01.11
The Lenape Indians lived with an ethical code; I think we might all benefit from reading their belief.
“We are minded to live at Peace:
If we intend at anytime to make War upon you,
we will let you know of it,
and the Reasons why we make War with you;
and if you make us satisfaction for the Injury done us,
for which the War is intended, then we will not make War on you.
“And if you intend at any time to make War on us,
we would have you let us know of it,
and the Reasons for which you make War on us,
and then if we do not make satisfaction for the Injury done unto you,
then you make War on us, otherwise you ought not to do it.”
Long and prayerful meditation on this bit of wisdom is in order this week, at a personal level, at the level of the workplace and in this seemingly crazy, mixed-up world. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of the Holy One, the Creator of the universe.
--Ben Keckler
08.01.11
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