Getting My Kite Ready
William Bennett, former Secretary of Education and Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities, has edited two wonderful books that should be a part of every home library around the world. One of those books, The Book Of Virtues, provides a brief story that offers a devotional moment for today:
“I never can do it,” the little kite said,
As he looked around at the others high over his head.
“I know I should fall if I tried to fly.”
“Try,” said the big kite, “only try!
Or I fear you never will learn at all.”
But the little kite said, “I’m afraid I’ll fall.”
The big kite nodded: “Ah well, goodbye;
I’m off,” and he rose toward the tranquil sky.
Then the little kite’s paper stirred at the sigh,
And trembling he shook himself free for flight.
First whirling and frightened, then braver grown,
Till the big kite looking down could see
The little one rising steadily.
Then how the little kite thrilled with pride,
As he sailed with the big kite side by side!
While far below he could see the ground,
And the bodies like small spots moving round.
They rested high in the quiet air,
And only the birds and the clouds were there.
“Oh, how happy I am!” the little kite cried,
“And all because I was brave, and tried.”
A prayer: God of courage, watch over me today as I take the steps I need to take. Particularly be near me in those unnerving moments when I need to “fly” in unfamiliar territories. In your name, Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.07.08
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, March 6
To Live or To LIVE?
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God,
When shall I come and behold the face of God?”
--Psalm 42:2
From time to time we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having listened to Henri Nouwen’s presentations and sat at dinner with him at a conference, he feels like a friend, but a better term is “acquaintance.” Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.
The past week has brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, on grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following is an excerpt from the chapter on recovery:
“The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection, the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being 'better again' was indeed the best thing for me.”
Maybe these reflective words from a fellow journeyer can help in understanding what it means to “thirst for God.” Have a good day and enjoy every minute of life.
A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.06.08
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God,
When shall I come and behold the face of God?”
--Psalm 42:2
From time to time we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having listened to Henri Nouwen’s presentations and sat at dinner with him at a conference, he feels like a friend, but a better term is “acquaintance.” Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.
The past week has brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, on grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following is an excerpt from the chapter on recovery:
“The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection, the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being 'better again' was indeed the best thing for me.”
Maybe these reflective words from a fellow journeyer can help in understanding what it means to “thirst for God.” Have a good day and enjoy every minute of life.
A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.06.08
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, March 5
A Worthy Question
“Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?”
--Psalm 139: 7
The common theme within and among religions is spirituality. There is a common thread that does unite this global community. Obviously, weapons of mass destruction are not a common thread. Today the Psalm writer wrestles with the universality of Holy Presence by asking some critical questions.
Yesterday as I made rounds visiting with patients, I heard both patients and family members give me glowing reports about the tremendous care they were receiving. Each of us, regardless of occupation, continually could use a reminder: we can’t flee from the presence of the Divine. When we do take time to remember, we will develop a spirituality that allows people to experience a healing balm for their lives. We may not be able to stop the momentum of the global community, but each of us can do something important today—listen for and to the Divine.
A prayer for today: Holy God, remind me of my mortality and guide me in your paths. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.05.08
“Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?”
--Psalm 139: 7
The common theme within and among religions is spirituality. There is a common thread that does unite this global community. Obviously, weapons of mass destruction are not a common thread. Today the Psalm writer wrestles with the universality of Holy Presence by asking some critical questions.
Yesterday as I made rounds visiting with patients, I heard both patients and family members give me glowing reports about the tremendous care they were receiving. Each of us, regardless of occupation, continually could use a reminder: we can’t flee from the presence of the Divine. When we do take time to remember, we will develop a spirituality that allows people to experience a healing balm for their lives. We may not be able to stop the momentum of the global community, but each of us can do something important today—listen for and to the Divine.
A prayer for today: Holy God, remind me of my mortality and guide me in your paths. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.05.08
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
Monday, March 3, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, March 3
A Reflection On Prayer
“To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, do not refuse to hear me.
Hear the voice of my prayers as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.”
--Psalm 28: 1, 2
Have you ever received one of those “forwarded” e-mails? Five years ago today I received the same e-mail from friends in 5 different states. The theme of the e-mail deserves some devotional thought today. You see, five years ago the date was 03-03-03. The e-mail encouraged all people (Christians actually) to pause in prayer at 3:03. The idea was that we should pray for our national leaders as well as military folk of this land, particularly in hot spots around the world. This was a most meaningful request, filled with hope that 3:03 on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the 3rd year in this millennium could be a powerful moment.
As I tried to picture Christians around the world praying at 3:03, I kept thinking about faithful Islamic followers who are unashamed to pull out their prayer rug, take off their shoes and bow in prayer five times a day, not just one moment like 3:03 on 03-03-03. Some of them are friends and acquaintances of mine. Their faithfulness in prayer is powerful. What would happen if people of all religions would take time to pray each in their own way, each respecting the prayer life of the other?
Today’s meditation verse introduces us to a writer who was taking time to pray. Maybe a key to a peaceful world is greater faithfulness in prayer by every person of every religion in every part of the global village.
A prayer: In our troubled world today, we pray for leaders, defenders and for peace. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.03.08
“To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, do not refuse to hear me.
Hear the voice of my prayers as I cry to you for help,
as I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.”
--Psalm 28: 1, 2
Have you ever received one of those “forwarded” e-mails? Five years ago today I received the same e-mail from friends in 5 different states. The theme of the e-mail deserves some devotional thought today. You see, five years ago the date was 03-03-03. The e-mail encouraged all people (Christians actually) to pause in prayer at 3:03. The idea was that we should pray for our national leaders as well as military folk of this land, particularly in hot spots around the world. This was a most meaningful request, filled with hope that 3:03 on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the 3rd year in this millennium could be a powerful moment.
As I tried to picture Christians around the world praying at 3:03, I kept thinking about faithful Islamic followers who are unashamed to pull out their prayer rug, take off their shoes and bow in prayer five times a day, not just one moment like 3:03 on 03-03-03. Some of them are friends and acquaintances of mine. Their faithfulness in prayer is powerful. What would happen if people of all religions would take time to pray each in their own way, each respecting the prayer life of the other?
Today’s meditation verse introduces us to a writer who was taking time to pray. Maybe a key to a peaceful world is greater faithfulness in prayer by every person of every religion in every part of the global village.
A prayer: In our troubled world today, we pray for leaders, defenders and for peace. Amen.
Ben Keckler
03.03.08
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
