Restoring the Soul
“He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul….”
--An ancient song
Psalm 23:2, 3
Another week of work and today is a day for many of us to anticipate the renewal of the weekend. The week has been demanding for each of us—every week is. Soon, very soon, we can move from the labors of the week to the fulfillment that comes in resting, relaxing, playing, partying and doing tasks around the house. The “honey-do” list may even be longer than we want it to be!!
Renewal is critical. We have to rest in order to be healthy. We need to have some time to “let loose” of the stuff that has piled up within. Max Lucado writes, “The bow cannot always be bent without fear of breaking. For the field to bear fruit, it must occasionally lie fallow. SLOW DOWN and God will heal you. He will bring rest to your mind, to your body, and most of all, to your soul. God will lead you to green pastures” (even if it is a lawn to be mowed!).
Slowing down… important stuff. May your weekend give you enough time to mow your green pasture and then sit in a lawn chair and sip on a beverage and enjoy the beauty of your world.
A prayer: God, I’m looking forward to a weekend that allows you to restore my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.29.11
Showing posts with label Max Lucado quote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Max Lucado quote. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, July 27
Enough for Today
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life…”
--An ancient song
Psalm 23:6
How easy it is to think about all the days of our lives. Some of us (like me) are looking forward to some vacation days; it is easy to allow thoughts to drift toward a sunny beach or the deck of a cruising ship or some special time in the mountains with grandchildren. Some of us are aware that we, or members in our family, are scheduled for a visit to the doctor because of some health problems. The list is probably endless. We tend to think more about tomorrow and how the goodness and mercy of the Lord will be experienced in our tomorrows.
Max Lucado, popular writer and pastor, reminds us that we need to spend our time with today. “Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems UNTIL tomorrow. You don’t have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for TODAY. We don’t need to know what will happen tomorrow.” Wow—pretty tough stuff to hear! (Even though we know he is right on target.)
So, here we are. Right here. Right now. What is this moment all about?
A prayer: God, grant me enough of what I need today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.27.11
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life…”
--An ancient song
Psalm 23:6
How easy it is to think about all the days of our lives. Some of us (like me) are looking forward to some vacation days; it is easy to allow thoughts to drift toward a sunny beach or the deck of a cruising ship or some special time in the mountains with grandchildren. Some of us are aware that we, or members in our family, are scheduled for a visit to the doctor because of some health problems. The list is probably endless. We tend to think more about tomorrow and how the goodness and mercy of the Lord will be experienced in our tomorrows.
Max Lucado, popular writer and pastor, reminds us that we need to spend our time with today. “Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems UNTIL tomorrow. You don’t have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for TODAY. We don’t need to know what will happen tomorrow.” Wow—pretty tough stuff to hear! (Even though we know he is right on target.)
So, here we are. Right here. Right now. What is this moment all about?
A prayer: God, grant me enough of what I need today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.27.11
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, July 12
How Can I Be Certain?
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life…”
--An ancient song, Psalm 23:6
How easy it is to think about all the days of our lives. Some of us are looking forward to some vacation days and it is easy to allow our thoughts to drift toward a sunny beach or the deck of a cruising ship. Some of us are aware that we, or members in our family, are scheduled for a visit to the doctor because of some health problems. The list is probably endless. We tend to think more about tomorrow and how the goodness and mercy of the Lord will be experienced in our tomorrows.
Max Lucado, popular writer and pastor, reminds us that we need to spend our time with today. “Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems UNTIL tomorrow. You don’t have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for TODAY. We don’t need to know what will happen tomorrow.” Wow—pretty tough stuff to hear! (Even though we know he is right on target.)
So, here we are. Right here. Right now. Lord, what is this moment all about?
A prayer: God, grant me enough of what I need today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.12.11
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life…”
--An ancient song, Psalm 23:6
How easy it is to think about all the days of our lives. Some of us are looking forward to some vacation days and it is easy to allow our thoughts to drift toward a sunny beach or the deck of a cruising ship. Some of us are aware that we, or members in our family, are scheduled for a visit to the doctor because of some health problems. The list is probably endless. We tend to think more about tomorrow and how the goodness and mercy of the Lord will be experienced in our tomorrows.
Max Lucado, popular writer and pastor, reminds us that we need to spend our time with today. “Don’t start tackling tomorrow’s problems UNTIL tomorrow. You don’t have tomorrow’s strength yet. You simply have enough for TODAY. We don’t need to know what will happen tomorrow.” Wow—pretty tough stuff to hear! (Even though we know he is right on target.)
So, here we are. Right here. Right now. Lord, what is this moment all about?
A prayer: God, grant me enough of what I need today. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.12.11
Monday, February 28, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, February 28
Words on Trust
“Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”
--From an ancient song of trust
Let's begin this week with a few words about this line from an old Hebrew hymn. This Psalm is a litany of the many ways God demonstrates steadfast love. It is as though the writer is concluding the song saying, “OK folks, if you are wise you will look at all these examples and trust in the steadfast love of the Lord.” Psalm 107 is filled with good observations that still ring true today—around 3,000 years later.
Popular writer, Max Lucado, has a deck of cards known as “Comfort Cards.” This 50-card set is a contemporary example echoing the sentiments of the Psalms. Here is a card that seems to capture the intent of the song writer.
One side of the card says, “You can trust God.” The other side affirms this simple statement with these words; “You are not a candidate for insecurity. You are no longer a client of timidity. He has given His love to you; why don’t you give your doubts to Him? On the days you don’t feel close to God, trust your faith and not your feelings.”
The steadfast love of God is trustworthy. Have a good day and a good week as you explore new ways of trusting in God’s steadfast love.
--Ben Keckler
02.28.11
“Let those who are wise give heed to these things,
and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.”
--From an ancient song of trust
Let's begin this week with a few words about this line from an old Hebrew hymn. This Psalm is a litany of the many ways God demonstrates steadfast love. It is as though the writer is concluding the song saying, “OK folks, if you are wise you will look at all these examples and trust in the steadfast love of the Lord.” Psalm 107 is filled with good observations that still ring true today—around 3,000 years later.
Popular writer, Max Lucado, has a deck of cards known as “Comfort Cards.” This 50-card set is a contemporary example echoing the sentiments of the Psalms. Here is a card that seems to capture the intent of the song writer.
One side of the card says, “You can trust God.” The other side affirms this simple statement with these words; “You are not a candidate for insecurity. You are no longer a client of timidity. He has given His love to you; why don’t you give your doubts to Him? On the days you don’t feel close to God, trust your faith and not your feelings.”
The steadfast love of God is trustworthy. Have a good day and a good week as you explore new ways of trusting in God’s steadfast love.
--Ben Keckler
02.28.11
Monday, January 17, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, January 17
N or V?
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.”
--Psalm 119: 41, 42
Today is set aside as a day to remember a faith-filled leader who became a voice of the people during the Civil Rights turmoil several decades ago. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not dream of a day set aside as a holiday in his name. He did dream of a nation, this country we love, living the principles of liberty and justice for all. We’ve made some strides, but we have a long way to go!
King’s boldness was strengthened by his unwavering faith. He was aware that God would not turn against him. He went about his work with this inner confidence. Max Lucado writes:
“Your family may turn against you, but God won’t.
Your friends may betray you, but God won’t.
You may feel alone in the wilderness, but you’re not.
God is with you. And because God is with you,
everything is different.
You are different. God changes your n into a v.
So go from lonely to lovely.”
Have a good day and a good week. Bask in the sunshine of an eternal, steadfast love embracing you.
Prayer for today:
Grant wisdom and courage for the facing of each hour, O God. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.17.11
“Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.”
--Psalm 119: 41, 42
Today is set aside as a day to remember a faith-filled leader who became a voice of the people during the Civil Rights turmoil several decades ago. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not dream of a day set aside as a holiday in his name. He did dream of a nation, this country we love, living the principles of liberty and justice for all. We’ve made some strides, but we have a long way to go!
King’s boldness was strengthened by his unwavering faith. He was aware that God would not turn against him. He went about his work with this inner confidence. Max Lucado writes:
“Your family may turn against you, but God won’t.
Your friends may betray you, but God won’t.
You may feel alone in the wilderness, but you’re not.
God is with you. And because God is with you,
everything is different.
You are different. God changes your n into a v.
So go from lonely to lovely.”
Have a good day and a good week. Bask in the sunshine of an eternal, steadfast love embracing you.
Prayer for today:
Grant wisdom and courage for the facing of each hour, O God. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.17.11
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