The Significance of All Creation
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 4, 5
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering answers to this question.
Today we continue our thoughts about the significance of all creation that surrounds us. We are part of a cosmic community. It is important to remember that the Creator who set all time and space in motion created us in community with the rest of the cosmos. Stopping to recognize this reality and spending time with it can really be empowering. Here is a little story from the life of St. Francis who often took time to pray with the creatures of the cosmos:
When Francis was hurrying across the Lake of Rieti to the hermitage of Greccio, out of devotion a fisherman offered him a waterfowl. He took it gladly and opened his hands to let it go, but it did not want to. He prayed for a long time with his eyes turned to heaven. After more than an hour, he came back to himself and gently told the bird again to go away and praise God. Having received his permission with a blessing, the bird expressed its joy in the movements of its body, and flew away.
It may be difficult to take tales like this seriously. The problem is probably ours, however. Realizing the integrity and sacredness of creation opens new dimensions for our spiritual life and our devotional disciplines. We are a small, small part of a splendid work of creativity. I trust you can slow down enough so that in stillness you can discover.
--Ben Keckler
01.08.10
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, January 7
New Perspectives from Nature
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 4, 5
These verses deal with an interesting question. It is a question we don’t want to encounter. We must face the question. Clearly the writer recognizes both how small he/she is and how profoundly privileged he/she is. The question should cause us to realize just how skewed our vision can become.
Somehow we get stuck. Our affluence can cause us to miss simple joys in simple things. By taking so little time focusing on the biggest picture, we try to create a big picture of our own. A collection of objects from nature—stones, feathers, pine cones, a flower, blades of grass can really help us in our spiritual development. Taking 15 minutes in your day to simply be with an object and allowing it to “tell its story” can truly be a meaningful way of getting in touch with our own “infinite smallness.” Taking time with the surroundings of nature that have been around forever can give us new perspectives about the plastic we use to purchase plastic things. One of my most recent additions is “The Contemplation Garden.” If you'd like to know more about it, please contact me and I'll give you the details.
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering the answer to this important question.
A prayer for today: Holy God, slow me down enough so that in stillness I can discover. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.07.10
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars you have set on their courses,
What is humankind that you should be mindful of us?”
--Psalm 8: 4, 5
These verses deal with an interesting question. It is a question we don’t want to encounter. We must face the question. Clearly the writer recognizes both how small he/she is and how profoundly privileged he/she is. The question should cause us to realize just how skewed our vision can become.
Somehow we get stuck. Our affluence can cause us to miss simple joys in simple things. By taking so little time focusing on the biggest picture, we try to create a big picture of our own. A collection of objects from nature—stones, feathers, pine cones, a flower, blades of grass can really help us in our spiritual development. Taking 15 minutes in your day to simply be with an object and allowing it to “tell its story” can truly be a meaningful way of getting in touch with our own “infinite smallness.” Taking time with the surroundings of nature that have been around forever can give us new perspectives about the plastic we use to purchase plastic things. One of my most recent additions is “The Contemplation Garden.” If you'd like to know more about it, please contact me and I'll give you the details.
Consider the works of God’s creation for 15 brief minutes a day and you too will probably wonder, “Why is God so mindful of me?” Enjoy discovering the answer to this important question.
A prayer for today: Holy God, slow me down enough so that in stillness I can discover. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.07.10
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, January 6
Important Questions
“A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.”
--Proverbs 14:30
One of the valuable textbooks for living is Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie. When Mitch discovered that his revered college professor, Morrie, was dying, he took off a number of Tuesdays to go and visit his old professor. In today’s devotion we hear some important questions from their second visit. Morrie poses these questions as a guide for living:
1. Have you found someone to share your heart with?
2. Are you giving to your community?
3. Are you at peace with yourself?
4. Are you trying to be as human as you can be?
These questions are worthy of thought, particularly as we consider what we want to experience during 2010. Have a good day.
A prayer for the year 2010: Holy God, fill my heart (and your world) with peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.06.10
“A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.”
--Proverbs 14:30
One of the valuable textbooks for living is Mitch Albom’s book, Tuesdays with Morrie. When Mitch discovered that his revered college professor, Morrie, was dying, he took off a number of Tuesdays to go and visit his old professor. In today’s devotion we hear some important questions from their second visit. Morrie poses these questions as a guide for living:
1. Have you found someone to share your heart with?
2. Are you giving to your community?
3. Are you at peace with yourself?
4. Are you trying to be as human as you can be?
These questions are worthy of thought, particularly as we consider what we want to experience during 2010. Have a good day.
A prayer for the year 2010: Holy God, fill my heart (and your world) with peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.06.10
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, January 5
Move Forward with Confidence
“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
NOTE: As the Indianapolis Colts and other professional football teams prepare for the playoffs, it seems that this devotional piece may be in order.
One of the great running backs in professional football was Walter Payton. His autobiography, Never Die Easy, is a powerful story. Watching Walter play was always a treat and after reading this book, every reader probably wishes they had had a personal moment with him. I was privileged to be in Los Angeles and attend his final NFL game-- I treasure that experience! The book is 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, but 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. Rather he seemed anchored and secure. He faced life head on.
As we begin this New Year, let us move forward with confidence that light and strength will be ours each day. The challenges will be many, to be certain; with faith and focus, we, too, can be people who never die easy.
A prayer for the year 2010: God of another year, in the face of each challenge, help me to recognize you as the stronghold of my life. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.05.10
“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
NOTE: As the Indianapolis Colts and other professional football teams prepare for the playoffs, it seems that this devotional piece may be in order.
One of the great running backs in professional football was Walter Payton. His autobiography, Never Die Easy, is a powerful story. Watching Walter play was always a treat and after reading this book, every reader probably wishes they had had a personal moment with him. I was privileged to be in Los Angeles and attend his final NFL game-- I treasure that experience! The book is 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, but 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. Rather he seemed anchored and secure. He faced life head on.
As we begin this New Year, let us move forward with confidence that light and strength will be ours each day. The challenges will be many, to be certain; with faith and focus, we, too, can be people who never die easy.
A prayer for the year 2010: God of another year, in the face of each challenge, help me to recognize you as the stronghold of my life. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
01.05.10
Monday, January 4, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, January 4
To Be a Butterfly
“On the day I called, God answered me,
increasing my strength of soul.”
--Psalm 138:3
I hope everyone had a great holiday season and that you are ready for the challenges and joys of the New Year, 2010.
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 the living of 2010:
“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)
There is a tremendous insight here. May the year of 2010 be a tremendous butterfly year for each of us.
A prayer for the year 2010: 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
01.04.10
“On the day I called, God answered me,
increasing my strength of soul.”
--Psalm 138:3
I hope everyone had a great holiday season and that you are ready for the challenges and joys of the New Year, 2010.
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 the living of 2010:
“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)
There is a tremendous insight here. May the year of 2010 be a tremendous butterfly year for each of us.
A prayer for the year 2010: 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
01.04.10
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