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
Showing posts with label Helping others. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helping others. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Friday, January 29, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday,January 29
Refuge and Strength
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.”
--Psalm 46: 1
This song can be helpful when the perceived pressures of the day appear to be more than we can bear. Take time with Psalm 46 today and with the following prayer for healing:
“God of All, you have so fashioned the world that it possesses the potential to repair its imperfections. And, O Eternal One, you have fashioned humankind by endowing us, as your partners, with the creative ability to help the repairing. You gave us the insight to transform the simple herb into a healing balm for the body. May we, as your servant people, realize our responsibility to transform the herb of human caring into a healing balm for the aching soul. Like us, many are in need. We know the inner yearning for fulfillment, for purpose and meaning in our lives. May we come to know that as we help others to feel fulfilled, so shall we. And then, may we recognize the strength, the will, the dedication, and the commitment to do that for which we were created, to serve you realizing that, as you said in your word, “The kingdom of God is within us.”
A prayer for today: God of life, teach me stillness so that I can know strength. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.29.10
“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.”
--Psalm 46: 1
This song can be helpful when the perceived pressures of the day appear to be more than we can bear. Take time with Psalm 46 today and with the following prayer for healing:
“God of All, you have so fashioned the world that it possesses the potential to repair its imperfections. And, O Eternal One, you have fashioned humankind by endowing us, as your partners, with the creative ability to help the repairing. You gave us the insight to transform the simple herb into a healing balm for the body. May we, as your servant people, realize our responsibility to transform the herb of human caring into a healing balm for the aching soul. Like us, many are in need. We know the inner yearning for fulfillment, for purpose and meaning in our lives. May we come to know that as we help others to feel fulfilled, so shall we. And then, may we recognize the strength, the will, the dedication, and the commitment to do that for which we were created, to serve you realizing that, as you said in your word, “The kingdom of God is within us.”
A prayer for today: God of life, teach me stillness so that I can know strength. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.29.10
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, June 18
How Can I Help?
“So these three men stopped answering Job,
because he was righteous in his own eyes.
But Elihu, son of Barakel, became very angry with Job
for justifying himself rather than God.”
--From the story of Job, chapter 32
The story of Job in the sacred writings of Scripture is a great story! It is a story of a person who loses everything and a story of friends who try to offer help. We’ve picked up the story at the point where Job’s friends are really ticked off. They have been trying to offer insights to help Job understand his grief from their belief system about God. This old story could have happened yesterday. This old story could happen tomorrow.
The book, How Can I Help?, written by Jim Miller offers 12 things that we can do when someone we know suffers a loss. Think about this list when you have friends that are dealing with losses:
1. Acknowledge what has happened.
2. Listen. Listen. Listen.
3. Respond in your own authentic way; avoid using cliches.
4. Accept the other as he or she is.
5. Offer to help, and make your offers specific.
6. Allow the other her or his privacy.
7. Relate to the other as a whole person.
8. Trust the other to lead you.
9. Radiate genuine hope.
10. Carry the other in your heart and soul.
11. Journey with the other in the search for meaning.
12. Open yourself to what this experience holds just for you.
Following these guidelines is challenging, but rewarding. Jim concludes with this observation: “It’s likely you’ll become not just wiser but gentler, not just more forgiving but more loving. Ultimately, you’ll become not just a better listener but a better friend, not just a better caregiver but a better human being. And that’s not a bad trade-off.”
--Ben Keckler
06.18.09
“So these three men stopped answering Job,
because he was righteous in his own eyes.
But Elihu, son of Barakel, became very angry with Job
for justifying himself rather than God.”
--From the story of Job, chapter 32
The story of Job in the sacred writings of Scripture is a great story! It is a story of a person who loses everything and a story of friends who try to offer help. We’ve picked up the story at the point where Job’s friends are really ticked off. They have been trying to offer insights to help Job understand his grief from their belief system about God. This old story could have happened yesterday. This old story could happen tomorrow.
The book, How Can I Help?, written by Jim Miller offers 12 things that we can do when someone we know suffers a loss. Think about this list when you have friends that are dealing with losses:
1. Acknowledge what has happened.
2. Listen. Listen. Listen.
3. Respond in your own authentic way; avoid using cliches.
4. Accept the other as he or she is.
5. Offer to help, and make your offers specific.
6. Allow the other her or his privacy.
7. Relate to the other as a whole person.
8. Trust the other to lead you.
9. Radiate genuine hope.
10. Carry the other in your heart and soul.
11. Journey with the other in the search for meaning.
12. Open yourself to what this experience holds just for you.
Following these guidelines is challenging, but rewarding. Jim concludes with this observation: “It’s likely you’ll become not just wiser but gentler, not just more forgiving but more loving. Ultimately, you’ll become not just a better listener but a better friend, not just a better caregiver but a better human being. And that’s not a bad trade-off.”
--Ben Keckler
06.18.09
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, April 28
A Hospital Experience
“When God gives anyone wealth and possessions
and enables that person to enjoy them,
to accept their lot and be happy in their work—
this is a gift of God.”
--A wisdom saying (Ecc. 5:19)
Thirty-four years and a few days ago at about 7 AM we arrived at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our household was about to have a memorable hospital experience. For the next 15 hours I sat with my wife as she went through the pains of birthing our 5 pound, 13 ounce baby boy. The hospital stay was extended a few more days than anticipated due to some complications that, in the scope of things, were significant but minor. Today my son is a healthy young man, married and enjoying life. He is happy in his work, happy in his role as a volunteer firefighter and is able to enjoy the wealth and possessions that have come his way. I agree with the wisdom writer. My son is truly a gift of God experiencing God’s gifts for him. He too is enjoying family life with a young daughter and preparing for the birth of their second child.
I still remember the work of the child birth team. We had a good hospital experience over three decades ago. The people who helped us through that important moment in life impressed me. The same is going on in hospitals today. Teams are working together to make a good experience for the patient.
Today, wherever we are at work and play, we will have opportunities to help people – as a team or as an individual, in big ways or in small, quiet ways. May we be aware of others and their needs and then have the compassion and care to respond to them. Blessings to you.
Prayer: God, be with me today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
04-28.09
“When God gives anyone wealth and possessions
and enables that person to enjoy them,
to accept their lot and be happy in their work—
this is a gift of God.”
--A wisdom saying (Ecc. 5:19)
Thirty-four years and a few days ago at about 7 AM we arrived at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our household was about to have a memorable hospital experience. For the next 15 hours I sat with my wife as she went through the pains of birthing our 5 pound, 13 ounce baby boy. The hospital stay was extended a few more days than anticipated due to some complications that, in the scope of things, were significant but minor. Today my son is a healthy young man, married and enjoying life. He is happy in his work, happy in his role as a volunteer firefighter and is able to enjoy the wealth and possessions that have come his way. I agree with the wisdom writer. My son is truly a gift of God experiencing God’s gifts for him. He too is enjoying family life with a young daughter and preparing for the birth of their second child.
I still remember the work of the child birth team. We had a good hospital experience over three decades ago. The people who helped us through that important moment in life impressed me. The same is going on in hospitals today. Teams are working together to make a good experience for the patient.
Today, wherever we are at work and play, we will have opportunities to help people – as a team or as an individual, in big ways or in small, quiet ways. May we be aware of others and their needs and then have the compassion and care to respond to them. Blessings to you.
Prayer: God, be with me today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
04-28.09
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