An Inspirational Moment
One of the best parts of pastoral care work is building strong relationships with people, particularly when they journey through the tough passages of life. In recent years, it's become enjoyable to reestablish relationships through on-line social networks; four decades of ministry in various settings allowed many friendships to be established and now they continue to be nourished.
Recently I've reconnected with a person who seemed to be missing for a while. She's battling with cancer and she is doing a phenomenal job. She told me that she is in a new learning phase of life and she is truly enjoying the process of learning how to be healthy while dealing with disease! Our most recent meeting left me inspired; I told her I was going to write a devotion about her tremendous journey. She provided me with a supply of energy for another week of ministry!
Many devotions conclude with a prayer or a sacred verse. To honor my friend, let me leave you with a quote from Mel Brooks:
“Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively.”
PS: My friend told me to thank everyone for their prayers and support. THANKS everyone!
--Ben Keckler
05.09.11
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, May 15, 2009
Daily Devotion - Friday, May 15
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65: 9
Come and meditate. Today’s verse is Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation of Psalm 1, recast in the setting of personal relationship of two souls merging into one.
“Blessed are the woman and the man
Who have grown beyond their greed,
And have put an end to their hatred,
And no longer nourish illusions.
“But they delight in the way things are,
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.”
Have an enjoyable weekend.
--Ben Keckler
05.15.09
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65: 9
Come and meditate. Today’s verse is Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation of Psalm 1, recast in the setting of personal relationship of two souls merging into one.
“Blessed are the woman and the man
Who have grown beyond their greed,
And have put an end to their hatred,
And no longer nourish illusions.
“But they delight in the way things are,
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.”
Have an enjoyable weekend.
--Ben Keckler
05.15.09
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, May 6
The Wonderful World of ... Persons
A thought for today:
“There are two ways of looking at the world,
of entering into relationship with it.
We may see in it nothing but things.
On the other hand, one can lay oneself open to the world of persons.”
--Paul Tournier
Dr. Paul Tournier is one of the pioneers of holistic health care. Around 65 years ago this Swiss physician began writing books, calling health care providers to be concerned about the entire person. The books are classics and need to be referenced in each and every decade. Some of those books are available in the chaplaincy office if you want to read them (The Meaning of Persons, The Healing of Persons, and Medicine of the Whole Person).
Our gadget filled, convenience oriented society puts a great deal of pressure on all of us to look at the world and to relate to the world of things. For example, after a day at work it is often easier to go home and turn on the TV than it is to take twenty or thirty minutes relating to those significant persons in our lives. We could create quite a list of the ways the world of things takes precedence over the world of persons.
The “things” of our society are not necessarily bad or evil. Take this devotional. The world of computers has given us a means of generating this and it is available to anyone in the world. Computers can be a real asset! Tournier’s reminder is about our relating to the world. If we relate only through things, we are missing the wonderful world of heart and soul interaction. Relational time can contribute to healthier living.
Take some time today to “open to the world of persons.” It is a tremendous opportunity that may bring the Holy One closer to you than you ever imagined. Take some time and think about how you are relating to the things and persons around you. May your day be filled with blessedness!
Prayer: God of today, bring another soul my way. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
05.06.09
A thought for today:
“There are two ways of looking at the world,
of entering into relationship with it.
We may see in it nothing but things.
On the other hand, one can lay oneself open to the world of persons.”
--Paul Tournier
Dr. Paul Tournier is one of the pioneers of holistic health care. Around 65 years ago this Swiss physician began writing books, calling health care providers to be concerned about the entire person. The books are classics and need to be referenced in each and every decade. Some of those books are available in the chaplaincy office if you want to read them (The Meaning of Persons, The Healing of Persons, and Medicine of the Whole Person).
Our gadget filled, convenience oriented society puts a great deal of pressure on all of us to look at the world and to relate to the world of things. For example, after a day at work it is often easier to go home and turn on the TV than it is to take twenty or thirty minutes relating to those significant persons in our lives. We could create quite a list of the ways the world of things takes precedence over the world of persons.
The “things” of our society are not necessarily bad or evil. Take this devotional. The world of computers has given us a means of generating this and it is available to anyone in the world. Computers can be a real asset! Tournier’s reminder is about our relating to the world. If we relate only through things, we are missing the wonderful world of heart and soul interaction. Relational time can contribute to healthier living.
Take some time today to “open to the world of persons.” It is a tremendous opportunity that may bring the Holy One closer to you than you ever imagined. Take some time and think about how you are relating to the things and persons around you. May your day be filled with blessedness!
Prayer: God of today, bring another soul my way. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
05.06.09
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