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
Showing posts with label Trusting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trusting. Show all posts
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, May 17
Thank You, Emily
“We both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour
which keeps believing nimble.”
--Emily Dickinson
What would it have been like to know and talk with Emily Dickinson? From time to time one of her great lines appears and it makes so much sense. She was so insightful. The quote above is one of those insightful quotes.
The struggle to trust God in all things is so very difficult. Trusting calls for a real leap of faith. Life really is acting in faith as if we trust and then, when we discover that we are kept safe, trust emerges. When we take enough time to listen to our hearts, we encounter a dialog going on – a dialog between belief and disbelief. It goes something like this:
“Should I leave this place of comfort, not knowing whether
there is going to be comfort beyond this place?”
As we leap into the uncharted space, we discover that the boundaries of God’s love are greater than we imagined. We find an “at-home-ness” that keeps expanding.
It’s a new week filled with hundreds of possibilities. Leap into the spaciousness of the eternal, ever-present one; or…debate about it; or … stay in the present; or …???
May your trusting stay nimble.
--Ben Keckler
05.17.10
“We both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour
which keeps believing nimble.”
--Emily Dickinson
What would it have been like to know and talk with Emily Dickinson? From time to time one of her great lines appears and it makes so much sense. She was so insightful. The quote above is one of those insightful quotes.
The struggle to trust God in all things is so very difficult. Trusting calls for a real leap of faith. Life really is acting in faith as if we trust and then, when we discover that we are kept safe, trust emerges. When we take enough time to listen to our hearts, we encounter a dialog going on – a dialog between belief and disbelief. It goes something like this:
“Should I leave this place of comfort, not knowing whether
there is going to be comfort beyond this place?”
As we leap into the uncharted space, we discover that the boundaries of God’s love are greater than we imagined. We find an “at-home-ness” that keeps expanding.
It’s a new week filled with hundreds of possibilities. Leap into the spaciousness of the eternal, ever-present one; or…debate about it; or … stay in the present; or …???
May your trusting stay nimble.
--Ben Keckler
05.17.10
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, February 25
Leaning, Letting Go and Leaping
“Cast your burden on the Lord,
God will sustain you.
I will trust in the power of God.”
--The Psalm writer, selection from Psalm 55
This week we are dealing with the theme of trust, one of those important characteristics we hope will grow as we take risks in relationships. From time to time, I have cited the writings of Jean Blomquist in these daily devotions. Today, “Trusting Nimbly.” The article is about a hike she took with her husband when they vacationed in Yosemite National Park. On this hike they were to climb to the summit of 10,850 foot Mt. Hoffman. When Jean took time to reflect on the successful ascent, she realized that she had learned three things about trusting. She identified her insights as:
Leaning: She discovered that trust meant leaning on others and on God.
Letting Go: Trust requires surrender of pain, brokenness and being vulnerable.
Leaping: Trust is the meeting point of the already and the not-yet. Sometimes we have to leap to arrive at the not-yet.
A few insights to think about today as we engage in exploring the theme of trust.
A prayer: Show me the moments when leaning is appropriate, when letting go would be helpful, and when leaping is the right alternative. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.25.10
“Cast your burden on the Lord,
God will sustain you.
I will trust in the power of God.”
--The Psalm writer, selection from Psalm 55
This week we are dealing with the theme of trust, one of those important characteristics we hope will grow as we take risks in relationships. From time to time, I have cited the writings of Jean Blomquist in these daily devotions. Today, “Trusting Nimbly.” The article is about a hike she took with her husband when they vacationed in Yosemite National Park. On this hike they were to climb to the summit of 10,850 foot Mt. Hoffman. When Jean took time to reflect on the successful ascent, she realized that she had learned three things about trusting. She identified her insights as:
Leaning: She discovered that trust meant leaning on others and on God.
Letting Go: Trust requires surrender of pain, brokenness and being vulnerable.
Leaping: Trust is the meeting point of the already and the not-yet. Sometimes we have to leap to arrive at the not-yet.
A few insights to think about today as we engage in exploring the theme of trust.
A prayer: Show me the moments when leaning is appropriate, when letting go would be helpful, and when leaping is the right alternative. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.25.10
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 23
Anxious and Trusting
“Have no anxiety about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
--Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, chapter 4
The opening words of today’s text do not seem appropriate. Anxiety is a natural thing when life is not ordered and controlled. In hospital life we encounter patients and families (and even sometimes one another) whose anxiety levels are high. It seems to me that the helpful, interpretive word for life in places like a hospital might be: “Having anxiety is understandable; letting your anxiety drive you may not be helpful.”
Paul offers an alternative to anxious, tense, stress-filled and self-destructive tendencies. The alternative is not a shield from the uncertainties we face; it is a source of protection when we find our lives disrupted. The alternative is not an exemption; it is a comfort when we find the puzzle difficult. The alternative is not a magical wand for the disturbing condition; it offers a calming effect when everything appears fragile and tenuous. The alternative: “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
This radical alternative can be a most appropriate resource for moments of anxiety. Releasing our requests to God is a statement of trust, releasing our total being into the arms of the Holy One. Such trust can be liberating and empowering.
A prayer: God, whom I trust, I release my anxious inner being to you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.23.10
“Have no anxiety about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
--Paul’s letter to the Philippian church, chapter 4
The opening words of today’s text do not seem appropriate. Anxiety is a natural thing when life is not ordered and controlled. In hospital life we encounter patients and families (and even sometimes one another) whose anxiety levels are high. It seems to me that the helpful, interpretive word for life in places like a hospital might be: “Having anxiety is understandable; letting your anxiety drive you may not be helpful.”
Paul offers an alternative to anxious, tense, stress-filled and self-destructive tendencies. The alternative is not a shield from the uncertainties we face; it is a source of protection when we find our lives disrupted. The alternative is not an exemption; it is a comfort when we find the puzzle difficult. The alternative is not a magical wand for the disturbing condition; it offers a calming effect when everything appears fragile and tenuous. The alternative: “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
This radical alternative can be a most appropriate resource for moments of anxiety. Releasing our requests to God is a statement of trust, releasing our total being into the arms of the Holy One. Such trust can be liberating and empowering.
A prayer: God, whom I trust, I release my anxious inner being to you. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
02.23.10
Monday, February 22, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, February 22
Trusting God Who Is Often Disguised
“Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
--Psalm 143. 8
Jean-Pierre de Caussade wrote Abandonment to Divine Providence. The book is a collection of letters that fall under the general theme of “trusting God who is often disguised.” These days the frequent ring of conversation focuses on the seemingly unending snowfalls of 2010. As is always the case, there are a variety of ways to view our long, white winter.
The snowfalls have been heavy and there have been many aching shoulders and backs. It is easy to complain. But the heavy snow also created a wonderful picture when the snow descended in its downward dance to rest on the welcoming pine tree limbs. It could be called one of those “disguises” of the Divine.
God comes to us in the present moment, utilizing all sorts of disguises. Some, like the snowfall, can be called wonderful or beautiful. Other disguises have had the label of “misfortune”, “disaster”, “humiliating circumstance”, “a dark moment”, “something ordinary”. Truly God is present in every moment of life. The important thing is learning to trust that reality.
Each of us would love to hear of God’s steadfast love every morning, but some days the disguise looks far different and it is difficult to trust. We struggle with “disguises” that are difficult. We may feel abandoned by the Divine. May we sense God’s steadfast love through the words and deeds we experience. Have a good day and week!
--Ben Keckler
02.22.10
“Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning, for in you I put my trust.
Teach me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
--Psalm 143. 8
Jean-Pierre de Caussade wrote Abandonment to Divine Providence. The book is a collection of letters that fall under the general theme of “trusting God who is often disguised.” These days the frequent ring of conversation focuses on the seemingly unending snowfalls of 2010. As is always the case, there are a variety of ways to view our long, white winter.
The snowfalls have been heavy and there have been many aching shoulders and backs. It is easy to complain. But the heavy snow also created a wonderful picture when the snow descended in its downward dance to rest on the welcoming pine tree limbs. It could be called one of those “disguises” of the Divine.
God comes to us in the present moment, utilizing all sorts of disguises. Some, like the snowfall, can be called wonderful or beautiful. Other disguises have had the label of “misfortune”, “disaster”, “humiliating circumstance”, “a dark moment”, “something ordinary”. Truly God is present in every moment of life. The important thing is learning to trust that reality.
Each of us would love to hear of God’s steadfast love every morning, but some days the disguise looks far different and it is difficult to trust. We struggle with “disguises” that are difficult. We may feel abandoned by the Divine. May we sense God’s steadfast love through the words and deeds we experience. Have a good day and week!
--Ben Keckler
02.22.10
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, January 26
SFGTD
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
God mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning, new every morning
Great is God’s faithfulness, Great is God’s faithfulness.”
--A paraphrase of an early Hebraic song
No, this is not an eye test. Yesterday I shared the story behind SFGTD, which stands for Something For God To Do. As a follow up to yesterday’s devotion, I hope you will enjoy this ancient Chinese story.
There was an old farmer who had an old horse for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and when all the farmer’s neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” A week later the horse returned with a herd of wild horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?” Then, when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this was very bad luck?! Not the farmer, whose only reactions was “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” Some weeks later the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg they let him off. Now was that good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?
Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So let us be wise and leave the decision making to God. So let us be wise and learn that in all things we can and should give thanks. So let us be wise and give everything to God.
--Ben Keckler
01.26.10
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
God mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning, new every morning
Great is God’s faithfulness, Great is God’s faithfulness.”
--A paraphrase of an early Hebraic song
No, this is not an eye test. Yesterday I shared the story behind SFGTD, which stands for Something For God To Do. As a follow up to yesterday’s devotion, I hope you will enjoy this ancient Chinese story.
There was an old farmer who had an old horse for tilling his fields. One day the horse escaped into the hills and when all the farmer’s neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” A week later the horse returned with a herd of wild horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?” Then, when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this was very bad luck?! Not the farmer, whose only reactions was “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” Some weeks later the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg they let him off. Now was that good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?
Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So let us be wise and leave the decision making to God. So let us be wise and learn that in all things we can and should give thanks. So let us be wise and give everything to God.
--Ben Keckler
01.26.10
Monday, November 16, 2009
Daily Devotion - Monday, November 16
Something to Ponder
“Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
--An Ancient Hymn
A lot of stuff comes our way and we feel that the steadfast love of God is missing. Trusting in God’s steadfast love is not all that easy. It sounds like the writer (see above) is experiencing the difficulty of trust.
Have you ever been in a group that is working on trust exercises? One activity that facilitators sometimes use is called “Trust Fall”. Here is how it works: One person stands facing away from the rest of the group. The assignment is to fall backwards into the arms of another person or persons in the group. Many people have great difficulty with this exercise. In Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie, he tells of a time when Morrie asked his class to attempt this exercise. Years later Mitch still remembered when one person was able to trust and fall backwards. The person was caught and kept safe. Morrie, Mitch’s professor, observed:
“You see, you closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too—even when you’re in the dark. Even when you are falling.” (Page 61)
--Ben Keckler
11.16.09
“Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
--An Ancient Hymn
A lot of stuff comes our way and we feel that the steadfast love of God is missing. Trusting in God’s steadfast love is not all that easy. It sounds like the writer (see above) is experiencing the difficulty of trust.
Have you ever been in a group that is working on trust exercises? One activity that facilitators sometimes use is called “Trust Fall”. Here is how it works: One person stands facing away from the rest of the group. The assignment is to fall backwards into the arms of another person or persons in the group. Many people have great difficulty with this exercise. In Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie, he tells of a time when Morrie asked his class to attempt this exercise. Years later Mitch still remembered when one person was able to trust and fall backwards. The person was caught and kept safe. Morrie, Mitch’s professor, observed:
“You see, you closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too—even when you’re in the dark. Even when you are falling.” (Page 61)
--Ben Keckler
11.16.09
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, October 8
Lesson from a Ladybug
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
--Jesus (as remembered by Matthew 6:34)
Amazing, absolutely amazing! This simple sentence expresses the feeling I had throughout my drive to work one morning several years ago. Here is a remarkable story that I’ll call “A Lady Bug and A Commute.”
While backing the car out of the driveway, a ladybug landed in the middle of the windshield. As the car started forward, the ladybug quit walking and stayed very still. Each time the car stopped for a traffic light the ladybug would continue its trek across the driver’s side of the windshield. The commute took us onto the interstate, still the ladybug held on. After several miles with cars and trucks passing on either side, “we” exited onto Route 36. My traveling companion stayed with me until she flew away on her terms while we were stopped at a traffic light.
The thought I’m dwelling on: “If that little ladybug was protected until it was time to fly, won’t I be protected until it is time to fly?” The answer may vary depending on the situation, but I think I’ve got enough clarity for now.
--Ben Keckler
10.08.09
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.”
--Jesus (as remembered by Matthew 6:34)
Amazing, absolutely amazing! This simple sentence expresses the feeling I had throughout my drive to work one morning several years ago. Here is a remarkable story that I’ll call “A Lady Bug and A Commute.”
While backing the car out of the driveway, a ladybug landed in the middle of the windshield. As the car started forward, the ladybug quit walking and stayed very still. Each time the car stopped for a traffic light the ladybug would continue its trek across the driver’s side of the windshield. The commute took us onto the interstate, still the ladybug held on. After several miles with cars and trucks passing on either side, “we” exited onto Route 36. My traveling companion stayed with me until she flew away on her terms while we were stopped at a traffic light.
The thought I’m dwelling on: “If that little ladybug was protected until it was time to fly, won’t I be protected until it is time to fly?” The answer may vary depending on the situation, but I think I’ve got enough clarity for now.
--Ben Keckler
10.08.09
Monday, May 4, 2009
Daily Devotion - Monday, May 4
Belief or Disbelief?
“We both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour
which keeps believing nimble.”
--Emily Dickinson
What would it have been like to know and talk with Emily Dickinson? From time to time one of her great lines appears and it makes so much sense. She was so insightful. The quote above is one of those insightful quotes.
The struggle to trust God in all things is so very difficult. Trusting calls for a real leap of faith. Life really is acting in faith as if we trust and then, when we discover that we are kept safe, our trust emerges.
As we take enough time to listen to our hearts, we find a dialog is going on! The dialog is between belief and disbelief. It goes something like this, “Should I leave this place of comfort, not knowing whether there is going to be comfort beyond this place?” As we leap into the uncharted space, we discover that the boundaries of God’s love are greater than we imagined. We find an “at-home-ness” that keeps expanding.
This new week will be filled with hundreds of possibilities. Leap into the spaciousness of the eternal, ever-present one; or…debate about it; or … stay in the present; or …??? May your trusting stay nimble.
Prayer: God of the journey, may my week be filled with opportunities to leap, knowing that you will embrace me.
--Ben Keckler
05.04.09
“We both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour
which keeps believing nimble.”
--Emily Dickinson
What would it have been like to know and talk with Emily Dickinson? From time to time one of her great lines appears and it makes so much sense. She was so insightful. The quote above is one of those insightful quotes.
The struggle to trust God in all things is so very difficult. Trusting calls for a real leap of faith. Life really is acting in faith as if we trust and then, when we discover that we are kept safe, our trust emerges.
As we take enough time to listen to our hearts, we find a dialog is going on! The dialog is between belief and disbelief. It goes something like this, “Should I leave this place of comfort, not knowing whether there is going to be comfort beyond this place?” As we leap into the uncharted space, we discover that the boundaries of God’s love are greater than we imagined. We find an “at-home-ness” that keeps expanding.
This new week will be filled with hundreds of possibilities. Leap into the spaciousness of the eternal, ever-present one; or…debate about it; or … stay in the present; or …??? May your trusting stay nimble.
Prayer: God of the journey, may my week be filled with opportunities to leap, knowing that you will embrace me.
--Ben Keckler
05.04.09
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, July 29
Let’s Fly a Kite
When we take a family trip to the ocean, we pack the kites. We first flew kites several years ago when we vacationed on Cape Cod. It was so much fun flying a kite by the water, kite flying has become part of our “ocean” vacations. We have a variety of kites. This year we added some special kites – ones with our granddaughters’ favorite characters like Elmo, Dora and Nemo.
Watching a kite be carried into the sky by the unseen wind is quite an experience. It is my prayer that you can soar into your tomorrows, trusting in the unseen wind of God. That too is quite an experience! So friends, enjoy flying YOUR kite.
A prayer: God, I’m ready to soar trusting in your unseen wind. Amen.
Ben Keckler
07.29.08
When we take a family trip to the ocean, we pack the kites. We first flew kites several years ago when we vacationed on Cape Cod. It was so much fun flying a kite by the water, kite flying has become part of our “ocean” vacations. We have a variety of kites. This year we added some special kites – ones with our granddaughters’ favorite characters like Elmo, Dora and Nemo.
Watching a kite be carried into the sky by the unseen wind is quite an experience. It is my prayer that you can soar into your tomorrows, trusting in the unseen wind of God. That too is quite an experience! So friends, enjoy flying YOUR kite.
A prayer: God, I’m ready to soar trusting in your unseen wind. Amen.
Ben Keckler
07.29.08
Monday, May 19, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, May 19
The Luggage We Carry
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff—
They comfort me.”
--Psalm 23: 4
Having met a significant number of people who appear to have a platter that is full to over-flowing, the following reminder from Max Lucado seems to be in order:
Release Your Burdens
This morning, somewhere between your first step on the floor
And your last step out the door, you grabbed some luggage.
The bags you grabbed are not made of leather;
They’re made of burdens.
A suitcase of guilt.
A sack of discontent.
A duffel bag of weariness.
Set them down.
A prayer: God of this moment, empower me to set down my baggage and trust that you are taking care of things, even when the valley is dark and I fear that my baggage could get lost. By the way God, if they do get lost, help me to realize that it can be a blessing. In fact, without that stuff weighing me down, I may get out of this dark valley. Amen.
Ben Keckler
05.19.08
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff—
They comfort me.”
--Psalm 23: 4
Having met a significant number of people who appear to have a platter that is full to over-flowing, the following reminder from Max Lucado seems to be in order:
Release Your Burdens
This morning, somewhere between your first step on the floor
And your last step out the door, you grabbed some luggage.
The bags you grabbed are not made of leather;
They’re made of burdens.
A suitcase of guilt.
A sack of discontent.
A duffel bag of weariness.
Set them down.
A prayer: God of this moment, empower me to set down my baggage and trust that you are taking care of things, even when the valley is dark and I fear that my baggage could get lost. By the way God, if they do get lost, help me to realize that it can be a blessing. In fact, without that stuff weighing me down, I may get out of this dark valley. Amen.
Ben Keckler
05.19.08
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
