A Never Ending Story
“O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!”
Psalm 83:1
The rhetoric of election year is filled with tension and the tension will only increase. No matter which newscast you listen to or which newspaper you read, the stories of chaos and political maneuvering clearly show us that conflict surrounds us. If only a big, booming voice could call down to all of us and issue a clear word, resonating a divine justice throughout the global village. In essence that is what the Psalm writer wants in the verse for today.
Hearts continually cry for divine intervention. It seems appropriate to sound forth the cry once again. Hopefully today can be a peaceful day for you!
A prayer for the year 2008:
God who knows about chaos and conflict,
Instill within me a spirit of peace and a desire for understanding. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.07.08
Monday, January 7, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Daily Devotions - Friday, January 4
Toward A New Dawn
A Prayer for the New Year of 2008
As we close the first week of a New Year, I'd like to share a prayer that comes to us from another continent. May your weekend be blessed with enough of what you really need, season by season, day by day.
I have no other helper than you, no other father, I pray to you.
Only you can help me. My present misery is too great.
Despair grips me, and I am at my wit’s end.
O Lord, Creator, Ruler of the World, Father.
I thank you that you have brought me through.
How strong the pain was — but you were stronger.
How deep the fall was – but you were even deeper.
How dark the night was – but you were the noonday sun in it.
You are our father, our mother, our brother, and our friend. Amen.
--An African prayer
Ben Keckler
01.04.08
A Prayer for the New Year of 2008
As we close the first week of a New Year, I'd like to share a prayer that comes to us from another continent. May your weekend be blessed with enough of what you really need, season by season, day by day.
I have no other helper than you, no other father, I pray to you.
Only you can help me. My present misery is too great.
Despair grips me, and I am at my wit’s end.
O Lord, Creator, Ruler of the World, Father.
I thank you that you have brought me through.
How strong the pain was — but you were stronger.
How deep the fall was – but you were even deeper.
How dark the night was – but you were the noonday sun in it.
You are our father, our mother, our brother, and our friend. Amen.
--An African prayer
Ben Keckler
01.04.08
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, January 3
A Way To Face 2008
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27: 1
One of the great running backs in professional football was Walter Payton and his autobiography Never Die Easy is a powerful story. Watching Walter play was a treat and after reading this book, readers probably wish they had a personal moment with him. It is a book about courage in the midst of chaos, it is a book about strength in times of personal weakness, it is a book about family and friends embracing and supporting one another.
It seems Walter understood today’s key verse. He didn’t like the way his life unfolded following his successful career in football. He faced difficulties and was sometimes depressed. He kept moving forward, especially with the people that meant the most to him—his family and friends. He didn’t seem to be afraid. He seemed anchored and secure. He faced life head on.
I encourage you to move forward, confident that light and strength will be yours each day. The challenges will be many; with faith and focus you too will never die easy.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of another year, in the face of each challenge, help me to recognize you as the stronghold of my life. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.03.08
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27: 1
One of the great running backs in professional football was Walter Payton and his autobiography Never Die Easy is a powerful story. Watching Walter play was a treat and after reading this book, readers probably wish they had a personal moment with him. It is a book about courage in the midst of chaos, it is a book about strength in times of personal weakness, it is a book about family and friends embracing and supporting one another.
It seems Walter understood today’s key verse. He didn’t like the way his life unfolded following his successful career in football. He faced difficulties and was sometimes depressed. He kept moving forward, especially with the people that meant the most to him—his family and friends. He didn’t seem to be afraid. He seemed anchored and secure. He faced life head on.
I encourage you to move forward, confident that light and strength will be yours each day. The challenges will be many; with faith and focus you too will never die easy.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of another year, in the face of each challenge, help me to recognize you as the stronghold of my life. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.03.08
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, January 2
Hope For 2008?
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27: 11, 14
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, "Hope for the Flowers." This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Yesterday, we heard a part of Yellow’s conversation with another caterpillar. Today Yellow has decided to risk changing from a fuzzy worm to the process of becoming a butterfly. Enjoy this snippet from Yellow’s life and consider how it might apply to the living of 2008:
"For courage Yellow hung right beside the other cocoon and began to spin her own. 'Imagine, I didn’t even know I could do this. That’s some encouragement that I’m on the right track. If I have inside me the stuff to make cocoons—maybe the stuff of butterflies is there too.'”
May today be a level path day for you. May today be a day when you, like Yellow, take courage, allowing that God-given “stuff” to spin forth from your life. If we all take that risk, 2008 will be more than we can think or imagine.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities,
Encourage me to use the gifts I have,
Allow me to emerge with new vitality this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.02.08
“Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path.
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27: 11, 14
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, "Hope for the Flowers." This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Yesterday, we heard a part of Yellow’s conversation with another caterpillar. Today Yellow has decided to risk changing from a fuzzy worm to the process of becoming a butterfly. Enjoy this snippet from Yellow’s life and consider how it might apply to the living of 2008:
"For courage Yellow hung right beside the other cocoon and began to spin her own. 'Imagine, I didn’t even know I could do this. That’s some encouragement that I’m on the right track. If I have inside me the stuff to make cocoons—maybe the stuff of butterflies is there too.'”
May today be a level path day for you. May today be a day when you, like Yellow, take courage, allowing that God-given “stuff” to spin forth from your life. If we all take that risk, 2008 will be more than we can think or imagine.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities,
Encourage me to use the gifts I have,
Allow me to emerge with new vitality this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.02.08
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, January 1
Hope For 2008?
“On the day I called, God answered me,
increasing my strength of soul.”
--Psalm 138:3
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, Hope for the Flowers. This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Let’s listen in on a part of a conversation two of the caterpillars are having and then consider how it might apply to 2008:
“It can’t be true!” gasped Yellow (one of the caterpillars). How can I believe there’s a butterfly inside you or me when all I see is a fuzzy worm?” “How does one become a butterfly?” she asked pensively.
“You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a
caterpillar.” (The reply from the other caterpillar in their cocoon)
It feels like there is a tremendous insight in this conversation. May the year of 2008 be a tremendous butterfly year for each of us, individually and collectively.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities, Help me to give up what needs to be so that I can be a butterfly this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.01.08
“On the day I called, God answered me,
increasing my strength of soul.”
--Psalm 138:3
One of the wonderful books we have in the chaplaincy library is Trina Paulus’ book, Hope for the Flowers. This engaging book talks about the life journey of caterpillars. As we begin this New Year, it feels like the word “Hope” is particularly important. Let’s listen in on a part of a conversation two of the caterpillars are having and then consider how it might apply to 2008:
“It can’t be true!” gasped Yellow (one of the caterpillars). How can I believe there’s a butterfly inside you or me when all I see is a fuzzy worm?” “How does one become a butterfly?” she asked pensively.
“You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a
caterpillar.” (The reply from the other caterpillar in their cocoon)
It feels like there is a tremendous insight in this conversation. May the year of 2008 be a tremendous butterfly year for each of us, individually and collectively.
A prayer for the year 2008:
God of refreshing possibilities, Help me to give up what needs to be so that I can be a butterfly this year. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.01.08
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