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
Showing posts with label Being Still. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Being Still. Show all posts
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, November 19
Responses from Our Souls
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--Psalm 46: 10
“Be still!” we are told. How can we be still?
● There are leaves to rake and very little daylight left when we get home from work.
● There are only 35 more days until Christmas.
● Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
● There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
● And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.
“Be still!” we are told.
● Claiming some centering time each day is a healthy discipline, maybe Islamic prayer disciplines could help us be still.
● Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate.
● Learning from master teachers can guide us as we seek personal stillness. Henri Nouwen writes in Making All Things New, “We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure.”
“Be still!” we are told.
● May your day have enough time for you to practice stillness!
● May the stillness be so enjoyable that it becomes a discipline for you.
Prayer: “Guide me to a quiet place, O God. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
11.19.09
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--Psalm 46: 10
“Be still!” we are told. How can we be still?
● There are leaves to rake and very little daylight left when we get home from work.
● There are only 35 more days until Christmas.
● Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
● There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
● And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.
“Be still!” we are told.
● Claiming some centering time each day is a healthy discipline, maybe Islamic prayer disciplines could help us be still.
● Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate.
● Learning from master teachers can guide us as we seek personal stillness. Henri Nouwen writes in Making All Things New, “We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure.”
“Be still!” we are told.
● May your day have enough time for you to practice stillness!
● May the stillness be so enjoyable that it becomes a discipline for you.
Prayer: “Guide me to a quiet place, O God. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
11.19.09
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 13
Being Still Enough
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord,
and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.”
--An ancient song
Psalm 25: 6
This week we are looking at a primary aspect of spiritual development – the recognition of mercy and grace. We are using the above verse from scripture for starting the meditations.
Working in the health care field can be particularly stressful. In fact many of us (myself included) tend to be rather attached to the high tension/high demand role of caregiving. Within many of us (myself included) we recognize the spirit working in and through us. One difficulty we can face is the cultivation of good spiritual disciplines which, if not used, can lead to the feeling of being “spent”. Spiritual development happens best when spending time in quiet, receptive openness and meditation.
Gerald May writes, “Even mild addiction to stress becomes rapidly evident for many modern spiritual pilgrims. The mind can generate wondrous excuses to do something instead of just being open and present. … we might rather avoid the self-knowledge that comes to us in quiet. Now, increasing numbers of us are discovering that we would rather not experience the discomfort of being peaceful.” (P.89, Addiction and Grace)
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. AND THEN, get back to – whatever!
Prayer: God, slow me down, allow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.13.09
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord,
and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.”
--An ancient song
Psalm 25: 6
This week we are looking at a primary aspect of spiritual development – the recognition of mercy and grace. We are using the above verse from scripture for starting the meditations.
Working in the health care field can be particularly stressful. In fact many of us (myself included) tend to be rather attached to the high tension/high demand role of caregiving. Within many of us (myself included) we recognize the spirit working in and through us. One difficulty we can face is the cultivation of good spiritual disciplines which, if not used, can lead to the feeling of being “spent”. Spiritual development happens best when spending time in quiet, receptive openness and meditation.
Gerald May writes, “Even mild addiction to stress becomes rapidly evident for many modern spiritual pilgrims. The mind can generate wondrous excuses to do something instead of just being open and present. … we might rather avoid the self-knowledge that comes to us in quiet. Now, increasing numbers of us are discovering that we would rather not experience the discomfort of being peaceful.” (P.89, Addiction and Grace)
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. AND THEN, get back to – whatever!
Prayer: God, slow me down, allow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.13.09
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, November 13
Responses from Our Souls
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--Psalm 46:10
“Be still” we are told. How can we be still?
• There are leaves to rake and there is very little daylight left when we get home.
• There are only 41 more days until Christmas.
• Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
• There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
• And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.
“Be still” we are told. To claim some centering time each day, particularly when we realize that we aren’t being still, is a healthy discipline. In Islamic religious practices, prayer times are scheduled throughout the day for people to be still. Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate. In Making All Things New, Henri Nouwen writes, “We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure.”
“Be still” we are told. May your day (and your coming days) have enough time in them for you to practice stillness!
Ben Keckler
11.13.08
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--Psalm 46:10
“Be still” we are told. How can we be still?
• There are leaves to rake and there is very little daylight left when we get home.
• There are only 41 more days until Christmas.
• Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
• There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
• And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.
“Be still” we are told. To claim some centering time each day, particularly when we realize that we aren’t being still, is a healthy discipline. In Islamic religious practices, prayer times are scheduled throughout the day for people to be still. Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate. In Making All Things New, Henri Nouwen writes, “We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure.”
“Be still” we are told. May your day (and your coming days) have enough time in them for you to practice stillness!
Ben Keckler
11.13.08
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, February 12
What Do You Mean, God?
“Be still and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--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 our business busy-ness, 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
02.12.08
“Be still and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--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 our business busy-ness, 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
02.12.08
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