Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
This week we’ve spent our devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. We’ve looked at a number of various passages in the life journey – baptism, transitioning to adolescence, guiding teenagers, and personal relationships. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched.
It seems fitting, as we come to the end of a week, to think about those difficult rhythms of adulthood (healing moments and moments of passage into eternal spaces). A meditation by Elias Amidon:
“Friend, you lie quiet, watching the dawn light color your heart,
Dreaming of healing for your hurt body,
laying there unanswerable to your will.
You breathe deep and your breath has two sides: inside and outside.
You are on both, being breathed.
The future approaches. You will heal
or you will go back to being God.
Which will you do?
“Oh by all that is beautiful—may it be that you live!
May your body heal happy and whole! May energy fill and delight you!
May we join the dance your presence gives.
May you live!
“And if you die? Oh dear self, by all that is beautiful,
Know you are Safe! Everything is All Right Forever and Ever and Ever!
The most wonderful, exquisite, familiar truth is what is True,
and welcomes you.
It will be very easy.
“You lie quiet now, praying.
A great healing is coming and you want to be ready.
The colors of your heart blend with the light of the morning and
YOU ARE BLESSED!”
Have a good weekend!
--Ben Keckler
05.06.11
Showing posts with label Life Journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Journey. Show all posts
Friday, May 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, July 20
A Companion in a Dark Valley
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil…”
--An ancient song
Psalm 23: 4
Have you ever spent some time in a dark valley; some years ago I was privileged (?) to do so. The mission was in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch had devastated the countryside. Some years before the great hurricane hit, warring political forces had occupied the mountains surrounding the valley. It was a dark valley. The nearest dusk to dawn light was 15 miles away. The town that became our home only had 4 houses with electricity and each of those houses had one 60-watt bulb. Believe me, it was a dark, dark valley. Yet, none of the mission team felt fear. As we built homes with the Nicaraguans, we could sense God’s hope pouring into that dark valley.
Sometimes we are in the dark valley but more often we encounter folks in their own form of a dark valley. For the sick we bring God’s rays of healing. For the grieving we point them toward the glimmering stars of reunion. For the dying we spend time encouraging them to feel the flame of the eternal within. For those who are confused we journey beside them with gentle compassion. In the dark valleys of the personal journey, there is enough light. May your day present you with opportunities to bring light to those in darkness; and, if your valley is particularly dark know there are caring listeners for you.
A prayer: God of mountain and God of valley, be with me today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.20.10
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil…”
--An ancient song
Psalm 23: 4
Have you ever spent some time in a dark valley; some years ago I was privileged (?) to do so. The mission was in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch had devastated the countryside. Some years before the great hurricane hit, warring political forces had occupied the mountains surrounding the valley. It was a dark valley. The nearest dusk to dawn light was 15 miles away. The town that became our home only had 4 houses with electricity and each of those houses had one 60-watt bulb. Believe me, it was a dark, dark valley. Yet, none of the mission team felt fear. As we built homes with the Nicaraguans, we could sense God’s hope pouring into that dark valley.
Sometimes we are in the dark valley but more often we encounter folks in their own form of a dark valley. For the sick we bring God’s rays of healing. For the grieving we point them toward the glimmering stars of reunion. For the dying we spend time encouraging them to feel the flame of the eternal within. For those who are confused we journey beside them with gentle compassion. In the dark valleys of the personal journey, there is enough light. May your day present you with opportunities to bring light to those in darkness; and, if your valley is particularly dark know there are caring listeners for you.
A prayer: God of mountain and God of valley, be with me today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.20.10
Friday, May 14, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, May 14
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week we’ve spent our devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. We’ve looked at a number of various passages in the life journey: the baptism/blessing of a child, adolescence, advice/instructions to youth, marriage.
Today we end the week with this meditation by Elias Amidon:
“Friend, you lie quiet, watching the dawn light color your heart,
Dreaming of healing for your hurt body, laying there unanswerable to your will.
You breathe deep and your breath has two sides: inside and outside.
You are on both, being breathed.
The future approaches. You will heal or you will go back to being God.
Which will you do?
“Oh by all that is beautiful—may it be that you live!
May your body heal happy and whole! May energy fill and delight you!
May we join the dance your presence gives. May you live!
“And if you die? Oh dear self, by all that is beautiful,
Know you are Safe! Everything is All Right Forever and Ever and Ever!
The most wonderful, exquisite, familiar truth is what is True, and welcomes you.
It will be very easy.
“You lie quiet now, praying. A great healing is coming and you want to be ready.
The colors of your heart blend with the light of the morning and
YOU ARE BLESSED!”
Have a good weekend!
--Ben Keckler
05.14.10
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week we’ve spent our devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. We’ve looked at a number of various passages in the life journey: the baptism/blessing of a child, adolescence, advice/instructions to youth, marriage.
Today we end the week with this meditation by Elias Amidon:
“Friend, you lie quiet, watching the dawn light color your heart,
Dreaming of healing for your hurt body, laying there unanswerable to your will.
You breathe deep and your breath has two sides: inside and outside.
You are on both, being breathed.
The future approaches. You will heal or you will go back to being God.
Which will you do?
“Oh by all that is beautiful—may it be that you live!
May your body heal happy and whole! May energy fill and delight you!
May we join the dance your presence gives. May you live!
“And if you die? Oh dear self, by all that is beautiful,
Know you are Safe! Everything is All Right Forever and Ever and Ever!
The most wonderful, exquisite, familiar truth is what is True, and welcomes you.
It will be very easy.
“You lie quiet now, praying. A great healing is coming and you want to be ready.
The colors of your heart blend with the light of the morning and
YOU ARE BLESSED!”
Have a good weekend!
--Ben Keckler
05.14.10
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, May 13
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week’s devotional time is spent with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. The month of May is busy, busy, busy: end of school and graduations, births, weddings, even funerals, and just the general routine of daily living. Today’s verse is Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation of Psalm 1, recast in the setting of personal relationship of two souls merging into one.
“Blessed are the woman and the man
Who have grown beyond their greed
And have put an end to their hatred
And no longer nourish illusions.
“But they delight in the way things are
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.”
--Ben Keckler
05.13.10
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week’s devotional time is spent with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. The month of May is busy, busy, busy: end of school and graduations, births, weddings, even funerals, and just the general routine of daily living. Today’s verse is Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation of Psalm 1, recast in the setting of personal relationship of two souls merging into one.
“Blessed are the woman and the man
Who have grown beyond their greed
And have put an end to their hatred
And no longer nourish illusions.
“But they delight in the way things are
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.”
--Ben Keckler
05.13.10
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, May 12
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week we are spending our devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. May is a busy month: births, end of a school year, graduations from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too! Today an anonymous prayer, probably of a parent attempting to summarize some important lessons for their “already mature” teenager:
“If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, get permission.
If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
If it will brighten someone’s day, by all means, say it!”
--Ben Keckler
05.12.10
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week we are spending our devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. May is a busy month: births, end of a school year, graduations from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too! Today an anonymous prayer, probably of a parent attempting to summarize some important lessons for their “already mature” teenager:
“If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, get permission.
If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
If it will brighten someone’s day, by all means, say it!”
--Ben Keckler
05.12.10
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, May 11
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week we are spending some devotional time with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. The month of May usually means our schedules are hectic: children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too!
Today a Mary Mackintosh prayer, filled with the spirit of Irish descendants, offers this prayer for a child transitioning into adolescence:
“Power of raven be yours,
Power of eagle be yours,
Power of the Fianna.
“Power of storm be yours,
Power of moon be yours,
Power of sun.
“Power of sea be yours,
Power of land be yours,
Power of heaven.
“Goodness of sea be yours,
Goodness of earth be yours,
Goodness of heaven.
“Each day be joy to you
No day be too sad for you,
Honour and tenderness embrace you always.”
Note: Fianna refers to a listing of heroes and heroines of Irish folk legends.
--Ben Keckler
05.11.10
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announce his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week we are spending some devotional time with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. The month of May usually means our schedules are hectic: children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too!
Today a Mary Mackintosh prayer, filled with the spirit of Irish descendants, offers this prayer for a child transitioning into adolescence:
“Power of raven be yours,
Power of eagle be yours,
Power of the Fianna.
“Power of storm be yours,
Power of moon be yours,
Power of sun.
“Power of sea be yours,
Power of land be yours,
Power of heaven.
“Goodness of sea be yours,
Goodness of earth be yours,
Goodness of heaven.
“Each day be joy to you
No day be too sad for you,
Honour and tenderness embrace you always.”
Note: Fianna refers to a listing of heroes and heroines of Irish folk legends.
--Ben Keckler
05.11.10
Daily Devotion - Monday, May 10
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week I’d like for us to spend some devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. This month is usually filled with more than enough: children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too! These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Today a prayer for a baptism or blessing of a child, as written by The Rev. Mark Belletini:
“We bless this child with the elements of our common being,
With earth, air, fire and water.
“With earth, which is as solid as your given frame, my child, we bless you.
Take care of yourself as a body; be good to yourself, for you are a good gift.
“With air, which is as fluctuating as your given passion my child, we bless you.
You will know sorrow and joy, rage and contentment, resentment and ecstasy.
Feel your passions my child, they are good gifts.
“With fire, which is as illuminating as your given intelligence my child, we bless you.
Reason with care, test the world, and think with care, for your mind is a good gift.
“With water, which is as clear as your spirit my child, we bless you.
Grow in conscience, be rooted in good stories, and grow spiritually,
for spirit too is a good gift.
“Bless you, my child.”
--Ben Keckler
05.10.10
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week I’d like for us to spend some devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. This month is usually filled with more than enough: children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too! These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Today a prayer for a baptism or blessing of a child, as written by The Rev. Mark Belletini:
“We bless this child with the elements of our common being,
With earth, air, fire and water.
“With earth, which is as solid as your given frame, my child, we bless you.
Take care of yourself as a body; be good to yourself, for you are a good gift.
“With air, which is as fluctuating as your given passion my child, we bless you.
You will know sorrow and joy, rage and contentment, resentment and ecstasy.
Feel your passions my child, they are good gifts.
“With fire, which is as illuminating as your given intelligence my child, we bless you.
Reason with care, test the world, and think with care, for your mind is a good gift.
“With water, which is as clear as your spirit my child, we bless you.
Grow in conscience, be rooted in good stories, and grow spiritually,
for spirit too is a good gift.
“Bless you, my child.”
--Ben Keckler
05.10.10
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