Reflecting on Last Week
Realizing that the poor will always be a part of our lives and that most of us could be there quickly if our fortunes changed, I offer this prayer to conclude our two weeks of devotions focused on challenging us to live lives of gratitude:
All-knowing God, show us the poor—
Not just the ones who have been pushed aside in the wake of competition,
but the ones who are losing self-confidence,
the ones who are victims of the system they helped to build,
the ones whose jobs no longer exist.
Show us that there also is a poverty of the heart
when saving is more important than sharing.
Help us to find security in sharing all our resources so that through our total effort,
we will answer your call
we will learn the value of kinship with all
and we will discover that sharing by all can mean scarcity for none.
Have a wonderful weekend in whatever you do.
--Ben Keckler
12.02.11
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, April 23
The Creator and Creation
“The eyes of all look to you, Father of all,
and you give them all they need at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”
--an old song
Springtime, the season of new life and resurrection, surrounds us. Religions of the world take time to recognize and affirm the open hand of God upon a world that has been cold and dark throughout the winter. A common theme clearly emerges in all – even though language, expression and methodology vary greatly – the Creator watches over the creation and the creation is filled with gratitude to the Creator for the gifts of redemption and life. St. Francis offers this prayer:
“My Father, thank you for the gift of this life… full of wonders… full of people I can love for your sake. Thank you that I am surrounded above and below, behind and before, by you. Today and all days… let me fix my eyes upon you… So that I may be filled with the inner fire of your presence!”
As you take time to meditate on your spiritual journey for today, may thanksgiving fill your soul.
--Ben Keckler
04.23.09
“The eyes of all look to you, Father of all,
and you give them all they need at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.”
--an old song
Springtime, the season of new life and resurrection, surrounds us. Religions of the world take time to recognize and affirm the open hand of God upon a world that has been cold and dark throughout the winter. A common theme clearly emerges in all – even though language, expression and methodology vary greatly – the Creator watches over the creation and the creation is filled with gratitude to the Creator for the gifts of redemption and life. St. Francis offers this prayer:
“My Father, thank you for the gift of this life… full of wonders… full of people I can love for your sake. Thank you that I am surrounded above and below, behind and before, by you. Today and all days… let me fix my eyes upon you… So that I may be filled with the inner fire of your presence!”
As you take time to meditate on your spiritual journey for today, may thanksgiving fill your soul.
--Ben Keckler
04.23.09
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, September 25
Devotions of Gratitude
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them,
‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth…
I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants’…
--From the story of Noah (Genesis 9, selected verses)
In a few weeks I will celebrate a wonderful moment. I have to share its significance with you. 80 years ago my grandfather (Ben Keckler, Sr.) was ordained as a minister. My father (“Junior” as his brothers and sisters knew him) is still an active ordained minister and, of course, Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after 35 years of active ordained ministry. Just as the story of family and covenant relationship with God is told in the Noah story, so centuries later I can tell a story of God’s blessing. I am grateful for family.
I think of people listening to more than 1,500 sermons delivered by three generations with the name Ben Keckler. I think about the hundreds of weddings and even more funerals. I think about the more than 30,000 plus home and hospital visits that grandpa, dad and I have had the privilege of experiencing. I think of the literally thousands of people who have invited us into their lives to share God’s covenant love with them.
I am filled with gratitude today for a loving God, a faithful family and a wonderful heritage. Believe me when I tell you that God is good. In the midst of all the STUFF we go through, I can honestly tell you that God is in love with this world and will not keep it a secret. Have a great day.
A prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of family and the gift of your love. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.25.08
Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them,
‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth…
I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants’…
--From the story of Noah (Genesis 9, selected verses)
In a few weeks I will celebrate a wonderful moment. I have to share its significance with you. 80 years ago my grandfather (Ben Keckler, Sr.) was ordained as a minister. My father (“Junior” as his brothers and sisters knew him) is still an active ordained minister and, of course, Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after 35 years of active ordained ministry. Just as the story of family and covenant relationship with God is told in the Noah story, so centuries later I can tell a story of God’s blessing. I am grateful for family.
I think of people listening to more than 1,500 sermons delivered by three generations with the name Ben Keckler. I think about the hundreds of weddings and even more funerals. I think about the more than 30,000 plus home and hospital visits that grandpa, dad and I have had the privilege of experiencing. I think of the literally thousands of people who have invited us into their lives to share God’s covenant love with them.
I am filled with gratitude today for a loving God, a faithful family and a wonderful heritage. Believe me when I tell you that God is good. In the midst of all the STUFF we go through, I can honestly tell you that God is in love with this world and will not keep it a secret. Have a great day.
A prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of family and the gift of your love. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.25.08
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, September 24
Devotions of Gratitude
Do not forsake your friend….
--A wisdom phrase (Proverbs 27:10)
One of the joys of life can be found at tailgate parties all across our land. Some tailgates are on Friday evening – high school events; some are on Saturday – college events; and some are on Sunday – professional events. For a number of years our family purchased season tickets from our football college of choice and had different friends join us for each weekend.
I still remember the weekend when our very special friends from Pennsylvania joined us for a victory over the Irish. Some years ago our sons were offensive linemen for their high school championship team and their son went on to a very wonderful career at Cornell University. The great part of the weekend was that we were able to pick up right where we left off. While we do stay in touch through e-mail and occasional phone visits, it was really super to spend the weekend laughing and filling in the details of recent years. Friendship is very special!
Next month some very special friends will arrive in Indianapolis and we will celebrate their daughter's wedding. We won't tailgate this time, but once again we will enjoy the gift of friendship.
Honoring the gift of friendship is important. It takes commitment and energy, but the feeling in the heart at the conclusion of a great weekend is difficult to match. Enjoy the friends you have and expand your circle of friends. You will be surrounded by one of life’s great treasures.
A prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of friendship. Accept my gratitude today.
Ben Keckler
09.24.08
Do not forsake your friend….
--A wisdom phrase (Proverbs 27:10)
One of the joys of life can be found at tailgate parties all across our land. Some tailgates are on Friday evening – high school events; some are on Saturday – college events; and some are on Sunday – professional events. For a number of years our family purchased season tickets from our football college of choice and had different friends join us for each weekend.
I still remember the weekend when our very special friends from Pennsylvania joined us for a victory over the Irish. Some years ago our sons were offensive linemen for their high school championship team and their son went on to a very wonderful career at Cornell University. The great part of the weekend was that we were able to pick up right where we left off. While we do stay in touch through e-mail and occasional phone visits, it was really super to spend the weekend laughing and filling in the details of recent years. Friendship is very special!
Next month some very special friends will arrive in Indianapolis and we will celebrate their daughter's wedding. We won't tailgate this time, but once again we will enjoy the gift of friendship.
Honoring the gift of friendship is important. It takes commitment and energy, but the feeling in the heart at the conclusion of a great weekend is difficult to match. Enjoy the friends you have and expand your circle of friends. You will be surrounded by one of life’s great treasures.
A prayer: Thank you, God, for the gift of friendship. Accept my gratitude today.
Ben Keckler
09.24.08
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, September 23
Devotions of Gratitude
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.
--A follower (Ephesians 1: 15)
What a privilege to work side by side with people who care! At the hospital where I work we have a chaplaincy program known as Teddy Bear Ministry. A longtime volunteer had the vision of providing solace objects for cancer patients. This ministry has now been expanded in a variety of directions beyond the cancer patients. We are grateful for that volunteer’s vision.
Just this week one of the area churches dropped off 174 stuffed animals as their annual participation gift in the Teddy Bear Ministry. We are grateful for the participation of the community in a ministry that benefits so many of our patients.
As a side, there are some communities that have a Teddy Bear Ministry through the Police Department. The police cars carry the stuffed animals in their car trunks. When the officers find a situation where a child would benefit from a solace object, the “teddy bear” is right there.
A prayer: Thanks be to you, O God, for compassion demonstrated in the workplace. Show me ways I can provide solace to others in the workplace and beyond.
Ben Keckler
09.23.08
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.
--A follower (Ephesians 1: 15)
What a privilege to work side by side with people who care! At the hospital where I work we have a chaplaincy program known as Teddy Bear Ministry. A longtime volunteer had the vision of providing solace objects for cancer patients. This ministry has now been expanded in a variety of directions beyond the cancer patients. We are grateful for that volunteer’s vision.
Just this week one of the area churches dropped off 174 stuffed animals as their annual participation gift in the Teddy Bear Ministry. We are grateful for the participation of the community in a ministry that benefits so many of our patients.
As a side, there are some communities that have a Teddy Bear Ministry through the Police Department. The police cars carry the stuffed animals in their car trunks. When the officers find a situation where a child would benefit from a solace object, the “teddy bear” is right there.
A prayer: Thanks be to you, O God, for compassion demonstrated in the workplace. Show me ways I can provide solace to others in the workplace and beyond.
Ben Keckler
09.23.08
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