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 Restoring our souls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Restoring our souls. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, May 24
Reflections on Psalm 23
It is only Tuesday morning and, while it’s still very early in the week, we may be longing to experience the soothing words of Psalm 23. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” There are still many more hours in the week and the demands on each of us will be great.
As this spring season unfolds, it would be really nice to go over to the park, spread out a blanket, lie down surrounded by green grass, and observe the budding of new life around us. It would be equally nice to go over to the park and walk next to the stream, listening to the waters gently flowing, making just enough noise to relax our anxious souls. We long for our souls to be restored.
The author of this song seems to say, “God leads me to the places he does and I know my shepherd is providing for my renewal. Yes, God is enabling me to recapture my energy and move ahead.” There are still many more hours this week. Listen closely and you will find your gentle shepherd is framing ways for you to discover wonderful treasures within your soul.
A Prayer attributed to John Neale: “Lord, one day I will live with you where you are. Live with me where I am now. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
05.24.11
It is only Tuesday morning and, while it’s still very early in the week, we may be longing to experience the soothing words of Psalm 23. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.” There are still many more hours in the week and the demands on each of us will be great.
As this spring season unfolds, it would be really nice to go over to the park, spread out a blanket, lie down surrounded by green grass, and observe the budding of new life around us. It would be equally nice to go over to the park and walk next to the stream, listening to the waters gently flowing, making just enough noise to relax our anxious souls. We long for our souls to be restored.
The author of this song seems to say, “God leads me to the places he does and I know my shepherd is providing for my renewal. Yes, God is enabling me to recapture my energy and move ahead.” There are still many more hours this week. Listen closely and you will find your gentle shepherd is framing ways for you to discover wonderful treasures within your soul.
A Prayer attributed to John Neale: “Lord, one day I will live with you where you are. Live with me where I am now. Amen.”
--Ben Keckler
05.24.11
Friday, July 23, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, July 23
In Need of Soulful Restoration
“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
I don't know how this week has been for you; I hope it has been meaningful. I do know that I've had to deal with yet another loss of a friend I have grown to love and respect, a friend who wasn't that much older than I am. I do not like these moments because the pastures don't feel green and the waters don't seem still when death visits.
I am hopeful that my friend's dear family will spend these next days and weeks, possibly even months and years discovering their green pastures, their still waters, their restoration of soul that feels depleted because a meaningful love has died.
The weekend is very near! I trust that I can start my restoration. I plan to spend time in Mother Earth tending to weeds that seem to forever spring up in my green pasture. Once again I'll need to mow the growing grass that has been encouraged by summer rainfalls. While working I'll think of men who left this sacred garden way too early – John, Dennis, Kipp, Mike, Estes, Jerry. I'll give thanks for their gifts I was privileged to receive. Come soulful restoration, come!
--Ben Keckler
07.23.10
“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
I don't know how this week has been for you; I hope it has been meaningful. I do know that I've had to deal with yet another loss of a friend I have grown to love and respect, a friend who wasn't that much older than I am. I do not like these moments because the pastures don't feel green and the waters don't seem still when death visits.
I am hopeful that my friend's dear family will spend these next days and weeks, possibly even months and years discovering their green pastures, their still waters, their restoration of soul that feels depleted because a meaningful love has died.
The weekend is very near! I trust that I can start my restoration. I plan to spend time in Mother Earth tending to weeds that seem to forever spring up in my green pasture. Once again I'll need to mow the growing grass that has been encouraged by summer rainfalls. While working I'll think of men who left this sacred garden way too early – John, Dennis, Kipp, Mike, Estes, Jerry. I'll give thanks for their gifts I was privileged to receive. Come soulful restoration, come!
--Ben Keckler
07.23.10
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, March 25
Finding the Quiet Center
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
This week we are focusing on the spiritual journey, particularly the journey that comes during chaotic times. The question we are working on might be summarized in this way: “When life is moving too fast, how can I demonstrate healthier self-care?” Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. On Tuesday and Wednesday we focused on the first two verses of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. 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 moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.25.10
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
This week we are focusing on the spiritual journey, particularly the journey that comes during chaotic times. The question we are working on might be summarized in this way: “When life is moving too fast, how can I demonstrate healthier self-care?” Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. On Tuesday and Wednesday we focused on the first two verses of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. 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 moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.25.10
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, March 24
Finding the Quiet Center
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
-- From Psalm 23
One aspect of the spiritual journey during chaotic times falls into the arena of self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. In yesterday’s devotions we focused on the first verse of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. Today, verse 2:
“Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.24.10
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
-- From Psalm 23
One aspect of the spiritual journey during chaotic times falls into the arena of self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that expresses feelings related to this subject. In yesterday’s devotions we focused on the first verse of “Come and Find the Quiet Center”. Today, verse 2:
“Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace,
God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,
Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun,
Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.24.10
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 23
Finding the Quiet Center
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
The spiritual journey is difficult and probably one of the most difficult things about spirituality is maintaining good self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that really addresses some of the realities we have to face as we work at self-care. I’d like to share a verse of this hymn with you as the week begins. The hymn is titled, “Come and Find the Quiet Center.”
“Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and focus on the restoration your soul deserves. Clearing the chaos and clutter so that we can see the things that really matter is not easy. But, if we are going to practice responsible self-care, then it is time to act! Have a good, good week.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.23.10
“God leads me beside still waters, restoring my soul.”
--From Psalm 23
The spiritual journey is difficult and probably one of the most difficult things about spirituality is maintaining good self-care. Recently I’ve discovered a wonderful hymn that really addresses some of the realities we have to face as we work at self-care. I’d like to share a verse of this hymn with you as the week begins. The hymn is titled, “Come and Find the Quiet Center.”
“Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.”
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and focus on the restoration your soul deserves. Clearing the chaos and clutter so that we can see the things that really matter is not easy. But, if we are going to practice responsible self-care, then it is time to act! Have a good, good week.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
03.23.10
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, March 26
A Quiet Center
“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. Today we will look at a verse from “Come and Find the Quiet Center”*.
Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.26.08
*Words by Shirley Erena Murray, 1989; © 1992 Hope Publishing Co
“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. Today we will look at a verse from “Come and Find the Quiet Center”*.
Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead,
Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:
Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see
All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.
Take a moment or two (three or four…) and find the restoration your soul deserves.
A prayer: Gentle God, lead me to places where I can care for my soul. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.26.08
*Words by Shirley Erena Murray, 1989; © 1992 Hope Publishing Co
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