Our Blessings
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless God’s holy name.”
--Psalm 103: 1
These words are the opening words to an ancient Jewish hymn that talks about the many ways the writer experienced the power of God in life. They are also the words that inspired contemporary composer Andrae Crouch to write the song “Bless the Lord, O my soul” about 40 years ago. Hopefully these words also resonate in your soul today and hopefully you can take time to discover multiple reasons for blessing the name of the Holy One.
During this season Christians are inspired by the words of Mary as she took time to bless the Lord for all the good that she was experiencing in her life. The beautiful words of the Magnificat are found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, and verses 47-55. They are an excellent example of a person who feels extremely blessed. Taking a moment to read this prayer may serve as an additional inspiration for you to examine your blessings.
Our days may be demanding as we respond to the pressures of life. This may be a very good time to stop and reflect on the ways you are blessed. As we offer thanks for our blessings we are able to view the challenging times in a healthier way.
--Ben Keckler
12.02.09
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blessings. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, December 17
Bless the Lord
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.”
--Psalm 103: 1
These words are the opening words to an ancient Jewish hymn that talks about the many ways the writer experienced the power of God in life. They are also the words that inspired contemporary composer Andrae Crouch to write the song, “Bless the Lord, O my soul”, about 30 years ago. Hopefully these words also resonate in your soul today and hopefully you can take time to discover multiple reasons for blessing the name of the Holy One.
During this season Christians are inspired by the words of Mary as she took time to bless the Lord for all the good that she was experiencing in her life. The beautiful words of the Magnificat are found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 47-55. They are an excellent example of a person who feels extremely blessed. Taking a moment to read this prayer may serve as an additional inspiration for us to examine our blessings.
Many times our weeks are demanding. As we reflect on the ways we are blessed and offer thanks for those blessings, we find we are able to view our challenging times in a healthier way.
A prayer: God of life, you have watched and continue to watch over me in all I do. Your grace is truly amazing. Thanks to you, now and always for your steadfast love. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.17.08
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name.”
--Psalm 103: 1
These words are the opening words to an ancient Jewish hymn that talks about the many ways the writer experienced the power of God in life. They are also the words that inspired contemporary composer Andrae Crouch to write the song, “Bless the Lord, O my soul”, about 30 years ago. Hopefully these words also resonate in your soul today and hopefully you can take time to discover multiple reasons for blessing the name of the Holy One.
During this season Christians are inspired by the words of Mary as she took time to bless the Lord for all the good that she was experiencing in her life. The beautiful words of the Magnificat are found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, verses 47-55. They are an excellent example of a person who feels extremely blessed. Taking a moment to read this prayer may serve as an additional inspiration for us to examine our blessings.
Many times our weeks are demanding. As we reflect on the ways we are blessed and offer thanks for those blessings, we find we are able to view our challenging times in a healthier way.
A prayer: God of life, you have watched and continue to watch over me in all I do. Your grace is truly amazing. Thanks to you, now and always for your steadfast love. Amen.
Ben Keckler
12.17.08
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, August 27
Ah Yes! What a Blessed Place
Wow! I made it. The power doesn’t need a converter. The space feels so “at home”. The smiles, so good to feel. The hospital where I work, what a blessed place.
Today you may be struggling with stuff in your life. I understand that. I hope you will take time to be thankful for the struggles you are having to deal with. As a citizen in a global village, all of which is supervised by the Creator of the Universe, I want to assure you that you are most blessed—even with the stuff you encounter as your struggle.
I’d suggest you take time and breathe, take time and give thanks, take time and search for a perspective that can help you see that, no matter what the struggle, you are a person privileged to live, to work and to experience LIFE in this blessed place.
Ben Keckler
08.27.08
Wow! I made it. The power doesn’t need a converter. The space feels so “at home”. The smiles, so good to feel. The hospital where I work, what a blessed place.
Today you may be struggling with stuff in your life. I understand that. I hope you will take time to be thankful for the struggles you are having to deal with. As a citizen in a global village, all of which is supervised by the Creator of the Universe, I want to assure you that you are most blessed—even with the stuff you encounter as your struggle.
I’d suggest you take time and breathe, take time and give thanks, take time and search for a perspective that can help you see that, no matter what the struggle, you are a person privileged to live, to work and to experience LIFE in this blessed place.
Ben Keckler
08.27.08
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, July 1
Truly Blessed
A reading for today: Psalm 127
Throughout this week the devotions will have a patriotic theme. We begin with some lyrics that you will recognize immediately; try to get the feeling that Samuel Smith might have had as he penned these words 170 years ago. The first public performance was 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.
The call of the Psalm coupled with the lyrics from “America”, reminds us that nationalism, which lacks a reverent fear of the Holy One, is very hollow. May our priority be finding and honoring the quiet center of our lives. If we struggle with that priority, America will truly be blessed.
A prayer: God of our mothers and fathers, create a sensitive and seeking spirit within me and within all my brothers and sisters who live in this nation of freedom. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.01.08
A reading for today: Psalm 127
Throughout this week the devotions will have a patriotic theme. We begin with some lyrics that you will recognize immediately; try to get the feeling that Samuel Smith might have had as he penned these words 170 years ago. The first public performance was 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.
The call of the Psalm coupled with the lyrics from “America”, reminds us that nationalism, which lacks a reverent fear of the Holy One, is very hollow. May our priority be finding and honoring the quiet center of our lives. If we struggle with that priority, America will truly be blessed.
A prayer: God of our mothers and fathers, create a sensitive and seeking spirit within me and within all my brothers and sisters who live in this nation of freedom. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
07.01.08
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, March 4
A Prayer of Thanks and Praise
“O give thanks to the Lord,
for God is good and God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
--Psalm 136: 1
Today let us focus on giving thanks for the blessings we receive on the journey through life. Over the centuries many wonderful prayers of thanksgiving have expressed the theme of this verse. For today, a contemporary expression echoes the theme.
Loving God, we offer you thanks and praise
For all the surprising graces which come to us,
For those that sustain our lives and those that change them:
For food—familiar diets and startling new aromas and tastes;
For homes—places of steady surroundings and settings for redemptive love;
For friendships—old friends who are willingly open in their affection and their correction
and new friends who remind us that your spirited presence still dwells within us and others;
For tasks to perform—routine actions which we do well and which bring order to our days
and tasks at which we have failed, restoring a needed humility in us;
For your steadfast love—reminding us of our heritage
and enabling us to move into our tomorrows with confidence and courage.
We offer you thanks and praise, great and mighty God. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.04.08
“O give thanks to the Lord,
for God is good and God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
--Psalm 136: 1
Today let us focus on giving thanks for the blessings we receive on the journey through life. Over the centuries many wonderful prayers of thanksgiving have expressed the theme of this verse. For today, a contemporary expression echoes the theme.
Loving God, we offer you thanks and praise
For all the surprising graces which come to us,
For those that sustain our lives and those that change them:
For food—familiar diets and startling new aromas and tastes;
For homes—places of steady surroundings and settings for redemptive love;
For friendships—old friends who are willingly open in their affection and their correction
and new friends who remind us that your spirited presence still dwells within us and others;
For tasks to perform—routine actions which we do well and which bring order to our days
and tasks at which we have failed, restoring a needed humility in us;
For your steadfast love—reminding us of our heritage
and enabling us to move into our tomorrows with confidence and courage.
We offer you thanks and praise, great and mighty God. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.04.08
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