Responses from Our Souls
“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
--Psalm 46:11
People of faith who claim to follow the teachings of the world’s major religions embrace this as a true and trustworthy statement. This brief sentence speaks volumes about the God who has created this vast universe. This brief sentence challenges us to remember the big picture, “God is with us” in this wonderful world. This brief sentence suggests that we can find safety (refuge) in, with, and through this omnipresent God.
Conflict is rampant. From the internal conflict we experience in our own being to the conflicts of the international political arena, it begins to feel like there is no shelter. However, the Psalm writer concludes with this resounding statement of faith, claiming that there is a place to find safety, there is a place for refuge.
Many of us will conclude our week of hard work today; some will be working all weekend. As we move through the weekend, whether at home or at work, please remember that God is with you and take refuge in that reality. Have a good day.
A prayer: May I see you more clearly and trust you more dearly day by day.
Ben Keckler
11.14.08
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, November 13
Responses from Our Souls
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--Psalm 46:10
“Be still” we are told. How can we be still?
• There are leaves to rake and there is very little daylight left when we get home.
• There are only 41 more days until Christmas.
• Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
• There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
• And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.
“Be still” we are told. To claim some centering time each day, particularly when we realize that we aren’t being still, is a healthy discipline. In Islamic religious practices, prayer times are scheduled throughout the day for people to be still. Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate. In Making All Things New, Henri Nouwen writes, “We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure.”
“Be still” we are told. May your day (and your coming days) have enough time in them for you to practice stillness!
Ben Keckler
11.13.08
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
--Psalm 46:10
“Be still” we are told. How can we be still?
• There are leaves to rake and there is very little daylight left when we get home.
• There are only 41 more days until Christmas.
• Fall sports are winding down and winter sports are bouncing into our schedules.
• There are extra programs during the holidays and programs mean rehearsals!
• And then there are all the unexpected things beyond this list.
“Be still” we are told. To claim some centering time each day, particularly when we realize that we aren’t being still, is a healthy discipline. In Islamic religious practices, prayer times are scheduled throughout the day for people to be still. Changing the rhythms of our day could be helpful. It is definitely something to contemplate. In Making All Things New, Henri Nouwen writes, “We often use the outer distractions to shield ourselves from the interior noises. The confrontation with our inner conflicts can be too painful for us to endure.”
“Be still” we are told. May your day (and your coming days) have enough time in them for you to practice stillness!
Ben Keckler
11.13.08
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Daily Devotions - Wednesday, November 12
Responses from Our Souls
“The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
--Psalm 46:11
How true it is! People of God from all the major religions believe that God, the Lord of hosts, is with them. How should we practice our faith these days? A response from the soul seems most appropriate.
• Soul language is not rhetoric.
• Soul language never makes the front pages of the newspapers.
• Soul language is simple stillness before God.
• Soul language is about transformation of our hearts.
• Soul language is all about taking refuge and allowing the spirit of God to work.
• Soul language is taking time to lament the selfishness, greed and
power that is part of the political process.
• Soul language is taking time to be thankful for a Creator who is still very much in love with the world.
Many things around us can seem chaotic today. Rather than listening to the chaos, let’s take the time to practice quietness in our souls today. Remember, “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Ben Keckler
11.12.08
“The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
--Psalm 46:11
How true it is! People of God from all the major religions believe that God, the Lord of hosts, is with them. How should we practice our faith these days? A response from the soul seems most appropriate.
• Soul language is not rhetoric.
• Soul language never makes the front pages of the newspapers.
• Soul language is simple stillness before God.
• Soul language is about transformation of our hearts.
• Soul language is all about taking refuge and allowing the spirit of God to work.
• Soul language is taking time to lament the selfishness, greed and
power that is part of the political process.
• Soul language is taking time to be thankful for a Creator who is still very much in love with the world.
Many things around us can seem chaotic today. Rather than listening to the chaos, let’s take the time to practice quietness in our souls today. Remember, “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
Ben Keckler
11.12.08
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, November 11
Come, Sit Beside Me
The rhythm of life is always one of change. Living each moment without fear is healthy and difficult. Often we rush through the change, filled with fear because our journey isn’t what we were anticipating. Listen to this excerpt from Nicholas Wolterstorff in his Lament for a Son:
“…. please: don’t say it’s not really so bad. Because it is.
Death is awful, demonic.
If you think your task as comforter is to tell me that really, all things considered,
It’s not so bad, you do not sit with me in my grief but place yourself off in the distance from me.
Over there, you are of no help.
What I need to hear from you is that you recognize how painful it is.
I need to hear from you that you are with me in my desperation.
To comfort me, you have to come close. Come sit beside me on my mourning bench.”
Today is a day to experience change – and it may be change we do not want to experience. The change may be in our life or in the lives of others. Today is a good day to sit beside one another – even on mourning benches.
Ben Keckler
11.11.08
The rhythm of life is always one of change. Living each moment without fear is healthy and difficult. Often we rush through the change, filled with fear because our journey isn’t what we were anticipating. Listen to this excerpt from Nicholas Wolterstorff in his Lament for a Son:
“…. please: don’t say it’s not really so bad. Because it is.
Death is awful, demonic.
If you think your task as comforter is to tell me that really, all things considered,
It’s not so bad, you do not sit with me in my grief but place yourself off in the distance from me.
Over there, you are of no help.
What I need to hear from you is that you recognize how painful it is.
I need to hear from you that you are with me in my desperation.
To comfort me, you have to come close. Come sit beside me on my mourning bench.”
Today is a day to experience change – and it may be change we do not want to experience. The change may be in our life or in the lives of others. Today is a good day to sit beside one another – even on mourning benches.
Ben Keckler
11.11.08
Monday, November 10, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, November 10
Trusting in God and Others
“Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
--An old hymn from the Psalms
Sometimes 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 necessarily easy.
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. Mitch still remembers when one person was able to trust and fall backwards. The person was caught and it worked fine. 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
11.10.08
“Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation.”
--An old hymn from the Psalms
Sometimes 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 necessarily easy.
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. Mitch still remembers when one person was able to trust and fall backwards. The person was caught and it worked fine. 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
11.10.08
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