Quiet Centers
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
From Psalm 23
One aspect of our spiritual journey during chaotic times falls into the area of self-care. “Come and Find the Quiet Center” is a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. The last two days we focused on the first two verses of the hymn. Today, verse 3:
“In the Spirit let us travel; open to each other’s pain,
Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:
There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care,
In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!”
Take a few moments and find the restoration your soul deserves.
Have a great day!
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.22.12
Showing posts with label Quiet Center. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quiet Center. Show all posts
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Friday, July 1, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, July 1
A Holiday Weekend
I can’t help but wonder if it is still possible to get the feeling that Samuel Smith might have had as he penned these words 179 years ago. And, I can’t help but wonder if these words can still generate a sense of patriotism like they did when they were first heard in a public performance July 4, 1832 in Boston.
My country ‘tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty: of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride
From every mountainside let freedom ring.
My native country—thee
Land of the noble free thy name I love:
I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills
My heart with rapture thrills like that above.
Let music swell the breeze
And ring from all the trees sweet freedom’s song.
Let all that breathe partake, let mortal tongues awake
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
Our fathers’ God to thee
Author of liberty, to thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light
Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
It seems to me that nationalism which lacks a reverent fear of the Holy One is very hollow. May our priority be the discovering and honoring of the quiet center of our lives. If we struggle with that priority, America will truly be blessed.
A prayer: God of this world, create a sensitive and seeking spirit within me and within all my brothers and sisters who live in this nation. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.01.11
I can’t help but wonder if it is still possible to get the feeling that Samuel Smith might have had as he penned these words 179 years ago. And, I can’t help but wonder if these words can still generate a sense of patriotism like they did when they were first heard in a public performance July 4, 1832 in Boston.
My country ‘tis of thee
Sweet land of liberty: of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride
From every mountainside let freedom ring.
My native country—thee
Land of the noble free thy name I love:
I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills
My heart with rapture thrills like that above.
Let music swell the breeze
And ring from all the trees sweet freedom’s song.
Let all that breathe partake, let mortal tongues awake
Let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
Our fathers’ God to thee
Author of liberty, to thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light
Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King.
It seems to me that nationalism which lacks a reverent fear of the Holy One is very hollow. May our priority be the discovering and honoring of the quiet center of our lives. If we struggle with that priority, America will truly be blessed.
A prayer: God of this world, create a sensitive and seeking spirit within me and within all my brothers and sisters who live in this nation. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.01.11
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, March 24
Quiet Space for Reflection
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay on course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
My whole life being one long, obedient response.”
--From Psalm 119
As written in The Message
Chaos, complete with devastation, destruction and death is a part of our world once again. People in every part of this world are now faced with the reality of emotions that disaster brings. New occasions teach new duties. Lessons for living are being taught even as we read these words.
Why not take time to find a quiet space to pause and spend prayerful time learning the lessons you need for living. Finding the quiet center of life is very important.
Finding a place where your personal space is respected will help you to center and be still. May your moments of prayer help you stay on course.
Sometimes a specific time for gathering (like worship) is important. Today, allow me to simply encourage you to find a safe space for quiet reflection.
A prayer: God of my journey, give me insight and bring peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.24.11
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay on course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
My whole life being one long, obedient response.”
--From Psalm 119
As written in The Message
Chaos, complete with devastation, destruction and death is a part of our world once again. People in every part of this world are now faced with the reality of emotions that disaster brings. New occasions teach new duties. Lessons for living are being taught even as we read these words.
Why not take time to find a quiet space to pause and spend prayerful time learning the lessons you need for living. Finding the quiet center of life is very important.
Finding a place where your personal space is respected will help you to center and be still. May your moments of prayer help you stay on course.
Sometimes a specific time for gathering (like worship) is important. Today, allow me to simply encourage you to find a safe space for quiet reflection.
A prayer: God of my journey, give me insight and bring peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.24.11
Monday, November 22, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, November 22
Finding Your Quiet Center
Daily I am presented with the task of staying in the quiet center of my life, the place of peace and contentment. The initial struggle to find that place, to name and claim that sacred space is probably the most difficult task that confronts us. The on-going challenge of staying in the quiet center needs continual attentiveness and tweaking. Recently I read the following insight by Alban Goodier, the archbishop emeritus of Bombay, India. Hope this helps you center and enjoy your week, complete with a meaningful Thanksgiving holiday:
“Those who face that which is actually before them,
unburdened by the past,
undistracted by the future,
these are they who live, who make the best use of their lives;
these are those who have found the secret of contentment.”
Good stuff to contemplate. Have a good Monday.
--Ben Keckler
11.22.10
Daily I am presented with the task of staying in the quiet center of my life, the place of peace and contentment. The initial struggle to find that place, to name and claim that sacred space is probably the most difficult task that confronts us. The on-going challenge of staying in the quiet center needs continual attentiveness and tweaking. Recently I read the following insight by Alban Goodier, the archbishop emeritus of Bombay, India. Hope this helps you center and enjoy your week, complete with a meaningful Thanksgiving holiday:
“Those who face that which is actually before them,
unburdened by the past,
undistracted by the future,
these are they who live, who make the best use of their lives;
these are those who have found the secret of contentment.”
Good stuff to contemplate. Have a good Monday.
--Ben Keckler
11.22.10
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, March 20
Wanting a More Peaceful World?
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay on course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
My whole life being one long, obedient response. ”
--From Psalm 119
As written in The Message
War, complete with devastation, destruction and death continues to be a part of our world. People around our global village face the reality of emotions that accompany war. Lessons about life are being taught even as we read these words.
Finding a quiet space that is available for you to pause and spend prayerful time learning the lessons you need for living is important. Finding the quiet center of life is very important. May your moments of prayer help you stay on course.
A prayer: God of my journey, give me insight and bring us peace. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.20.08
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay on course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
My whole life being one long, obedient response. ”
--From Psalm 119
As written in The Message
War, complete with devastation, destruction and death continues to be a part of our world. People around our global village face the reality of emotions that accompany war. Lessons about life are being taught even as we read these words.
Finding a quiet space that is available for you to pause and spend prayerful time learning the lessons you need for living is important. Finding the quiet center of life is very important. May your moments of prayer help you stay on course.
A prayer: God of my journey, give me insight and bring us peace. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.20.08
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