Competition or Compassion
“May your constant love be with us, Lord,
as we put our hope in you.”
--From an ancient song (Psalm 33:22)
Happy Valentine’s Day
A quote to ponder: “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 the 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.”
--Here and Now, p. 98 – Henri Nouwen
May each act of Valentine’s Day 2012 be filled with compassion as you care for self and others!
--Ben Keckler
02.14.12
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Compassion. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
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
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, November 12, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, November 11
Reflections on Little Gems
“When people say you can’t, turn the other ear.”
--Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne
“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”
--Jesus, as recorded in Matthew’s gospel (6:39)
• No one likes hearing, “You can’t do that.” No one likes the feeling of being “slapped in the face.”
• Each saying tells us a lot about appropriate attitude in the midst of painful moments.
• Turning the other ear is a way of saying, “I hear what you have said and now I am ready to listen to another voice.”
• Turning the other cheek is a way of saying, “You have hurt me but I am willing to travel more miles with you.”
May your life be graced with enough self-love and enough compassion that you are able to turn the other ear and turn the other cheek.
--Ben Keckler
11.11.10
“When people say you can’t, turn the other ear.”
--Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne
“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”
--Jesus, as recorded in Matthew’s gospel (6:39)
• No one likes hearing, “You can’t do that.” No one likes the feeling of being “slapped in the face.”
• Each saying tells us a lot about appropriate attitude in the midst of painful moments.
• Turning the other ear is a way of saying, “I hear what you have said and now I am ready to listen to another voice.”
• Turning the other cheek is a way of saying, “You have hurt me but I am willing to travel more miles with you.”
May your life be graced with enough self-love and enough compassion that you are able to turn the other ear and turn the other cheek.
--Ben Keckler
11.11.10
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, September 8
Musings about Water and Waterfalls
“O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
--A song of praise
Psalm 8
This week we have a specific focus for our devotions, water and waterfalls.
Six weeks ago I was privileged to see a part of the earth I’d never visited. Because of a generous gift, we vacationed in the Canadian Rockies. We spent time in Montana’s Glacier National Park, as well. The trip included visits to Calgary, Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. We were also privileged to spend time on the Columbia Icefields. The list of experiences was and still is rather phenomenal.
Majestic doesn’t seem a powerful enough description for the awe I felt as we spent time at Athabasca Falls! The passage for the falls is quite narrow, especially compared with the wide river behind it filled with the melted snows from the mountains. The scene was filled with energy as rushing water made its way through the passage to another wide river bottom below. It is as though I can still hear and feel the power of the moment all these weeks later. I concur with the ancient song of praise, “O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Now I am back into the daily routine of work following a memorable vacation and a relaxing weekend. I am trusting that we can have the power of a waterfall in our daily contact with others. I am trusting that this power can be filled with compassion and grace bringing them to a better place. Compassionate care gives others the opportunity to experience the majesty and power of God.
A prayer: Holy One, may our simple acts of care bring the restoring, healing touch that others need. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
09.08.09
“O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
--A song of praise
Psalm 8
This week we have a specific focus for our devotions, water and waterfalls.
Six weeks ago I was privileged to see a part of the earth I’d never visited. Because of a generous gift, we vacationed in the Canadian Rockies. We spent time in Montana’s Glacier National Park, as well. The trip included visits to Calgary, Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. We were also privileged to spend time on the Columbia Icefields. The list of experiences was and still is rather phenomenal.
Majestic doesn’t seem a powerful enough description for the awe I felt as we spent time at Athabasca Falls! The passage for the falls is quite narrow, especially compared with the wide river behind it filled with the melted snows from the mountains. The scene was filled with energy as rushing water made its way through the passage to another wide river bottom below. It is as though I can still hear and feel the power of the moment all these weeks later. I concur with the ancient song of praise, “O Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”
Now I am back into the daily routine of work following a memorable vacation and a relaxing weekend. I am trusting that we can have the power of a waterfall in our daily contact with others. I am trusting that this power can be filled with compassion and grace bringing them to a better place. Compassionate care gives others the opportunity to experience the majesty and power of God.
A prayer: Holy One, may our simple acts of care bring the restoring, healing touch that others need. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
09.08.09
Monday, June 29, 2009
Daily Devoition - Monday, June 29
More Than a Simple Sentence
“Truly I tell you, just as you cared for one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
--from Matthew’s gospel (26:40)
A new work week is with us. We will be in contact with people in a variety of ways – over the phone, by letter or email, face-to-face. We will have passing words or in-depth conversations. At my place of employment, we stress the importance of compassion in our daily dealings.
About 200 years ago a philosopher, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, shared the following observation.
“The way you see people is the way you treat them
and the way you treat them is what they become.”
Initially, this may seem like a simple sentence. I encourage you to meditate on it today. I believe Goethe’s words are much more than a simple sentence.
Prayer: God be in my every word and deed. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
06.29.09
“Truly I tell you, just as you cared for one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
--from Matthew’s gospel (26:40)
A new work week is with us. We will be in contact with people in a variety of ways – over the phone, by letter or email, face-to-face. We will have passing words or in-depth conversations. At my place of employment, we stress the importance of compassion in our daily dealings.
About 200 years ago a philosopher, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, shared the following observation.
“The way you see people is the way you treat them
and the way you treat them is what they become.”
Initially, this may seem like a simple sentence. I encourage you to meditate on it today. I believe Goethe’s words are much more than a simple sentence.
Prayer: God be in my every word and deed. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
06.29.09
Monday, September 29, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, September 29
Providers of Compassion
“Our values state that we will provide compassionate health care services through quality improvement. Part of continuous quality improvement is investigating ways we can better serve our community by keeping our facilities up-to-date.”
--Dennis Dawes, president/ CEO of Hendricks Regional Health
How would you define compassion? In the health care field at HRH we do our work in a specific way. We do our work compassionately. What does this mean?
It means that we are first and foremost passionate people. We have a love within us that pervades our spirit and moves us to acts of mercy for and with people who seek health care services.
Compassion can be demonstrated in any field of work, not just health care. Daily we should take a serious look at ourselves. Are we/ Will we continue to demonstrate the value of compassion when all of a sudden we are faced with difficult challenges? It is important to keep our action focused on the value of compassion. As we continue to be providers of compassion we will stand in solidarity with the people with whom we work and associate.
Let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to God.
--Jesus, as recorded by Matthew (5:16)
A Prayer: God, empower me to be a provider of compassion. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.29.08
“Our values state that we will provide compassionate health care services through quality improvement. Part of continuous quality improvement is investigating ways we can better serve our community by keeping our facilities up-to-date.”
--Dennis Dawes, president/ CEO of Hendricks Regional Health
How would you define compassion? In the health care field at HRH we do our work in a specific way. We do our work compassionately. What does this mean?
It means that we are first and foremost passionate people. We have a love within us that pervades our spirit and moves us to acts of mercy for and with people who seek health care services.
Compassion can be demonstrated in any field of work, not just health care. Daily we should take a serious look at ourselves. Are we/ Will we continue to demonstrate the value of compassion when all of a sudden we are faced with difficult challenges? It is important to keep our action focused on the value of compassion. As we continue to be providers of compassion we will stand in solidarity with the people with whom we work and associate.
Let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to God.
--Jesus, as recorded by Matthew (5:16)
A Prayer: God, empower me to be a provider of compassion. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.29.08
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