Lessons from the Olympics
Last summer we vacationed in Alberta, Canada and we heard about the Winter Olympics which commence this evening with the Opening Ceremonies. What a great postlude to the Super Bowl! It is time to enjoy all sorts of winter games and truly world class competition.
Today I'd like to introduce you to “the best souvenir of Canada,” the Inukshuk. The logo of the 2010 Games is based on the Inukshuk which means “likeness of a person.” For centuries the Inuit people built these stone figures to guide lonely travelers in North America, particularly in the Arctic regions. Following the Inukshuk sign travelers would follow a path to food, water and shelter. I found these markers fascinating. For me, they are yet another indication that deep within the human spirit there is compassion for their fellow travelers.
I hope you will take time to enjoy the Olympics. Sometime during these next days learn about the Inukshuk, a symbol of hope when the cold, bitter days are most challenging! Have a wonderful weekend. Happy Valentines Day.
--Ben Keckler
02.12.10
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, February 12
Postlude to the Super Bowl
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints! This week's devotions (not including this one) were written prior to the Super Bowl. Today I want to reflect on what I observed during the game and try to add a personal insight.
I observed a good, a very good football game. The way the game played out appeared that the Colts decision making was focused on doing the safe thing Or, to put it another way, the Saints decision making was focused on doing the risky thing. I think there is a very good life story taught by the teams in this year's Super Bowl.
● We can be cautious, protecting and insulating ourselves, making certain that in the end we have enough to win.
● We can venture outside the box, risking and baring ourselves, confident that in the end we will have done our best to win.
Rather than thinking about the prize, why not do everything it takes to be the prize. Seems the Saints wanted to be the prize. Seems the Colts wanted the trophy. Both wanted to win and both did what they felt was appropriate to achieve. Achievement happens when we are willing to risk and not rest!
--Ben Keckler
02.11.10
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints! This week's devotions (not including this one) were written prior to the Super Bowl. Today I want to reflect on what I observed during the game and try to add a personal insight.
I observed a good, a very good football game. The way the game played out appeared that the Colts decision making was focused on doing the safe thing Or, to put it another way, the Saints decision making was focused on doing the risky thing. I think there is a very good life story taught by the teams in this year's Super Bowl.
● We can be cautious, protecting and insulating ourselves, making certain that in the end we have enough to win.
● We can venture outside the box, risking and baring ourselves, confident that in the end we will have done our best to win.
Rather than thinking about the prize, why not do everything it takes to be the prize. Seems the Saints wanted to be the prize. Seems the Colts wanted the trophy. Both wanted to win and both did what they felt was appropriate to achieve. Achievement happens when we are willing to risk and not rest!
--Ben Keckler
02.11.10
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, February 10
Postlude to the Super Bowl
OK! This is the last post-Super Bowl devotion that I am going to write BEFORE the Super Bowl! Tomorrow will be a devotion written after the Super Bowl and I've got a special theme based on who the winner is. AND THEN, on Friday well.... just stayed tuned.
BUT there is still today. I've got one more thing I'd like to share as I do my dreaming about a hard fought, high scoring, triple overtime victory for my home town Colts as they play the underdog Saints, a team I truly respect. Most of us have heard the statement that it isn't about winning or losing, but its about how you play the game. Well, both of these teams are blessed with many people who play the game we call LIFE in a most humanitarian way.
There is this man named Drew who came to New Orleans and just keeps finding ways to not only share his wealth, but to give of his time, talent and energy revitalizing a city that lives under the level of the sea! It isn't just the picture we've seen of him presenting a $400,000 check for a charter school. Its about a person who unselfishly gives back. My son, who covered Drew's sports career at Purdue, calls him the most articulate athlete he has known.
The headlines are also filled with another humanitarian athlete, Peyton Manning. I live just a few blocks from the Children's Hospital that includes his name. I've visited children and families in that caring institution and I've heard the stories that go far beyond any story about financial contributions. I personally know people who have experienced his caring spirit, filled with generosity.
Then there are the stories about players from each team who have Haitian roots, players who have and are reaching down into their pockets and who are finding additional ways to help not just a earthquake riddled country, but a broken world to become a peaceful place where feelings are explored and given space – for healing and growing. I am grateful for humanitarian people who know that LIFE is bigger than a SUPER BOWL!
--Ben Keckler
02.10.10
OK! This is the last post-Super Bowl devotion that I am going to write BEFORE the Super Bowl! Tomorrow will be a devotion written after the Super Bowl and I've got a special theme based on who the winner is. AND THEN, on Friday well.... just stayed tuned.
BUT there is still today. I've got one more thing I'd like to share as I do my dreaming about a hard fought, high scoring, triple overtime victory for my home town Colts as they play the underdog Saints, a team I truly respect. Most of us have heard the statement that it isn't about winning or losing, but its about how you play the game. Well, both of these teams are blessed with many people who play the game we call LIFE in a most humanitarian way.
There is this man named Drew who came to New Orleans and just keeps finding ways to not only share his wealth, but to give of his time, talent and energy revitalizing a city that lives under the level of the sea! It isn't just the picture we've seen of him presenting a $400,000 check for a charter school. Its about a person who unselfishly gives back. My son, who covered Drew's sports career at Purdue, calls him the most articulate athlete he has known.
The headlines are also filled with another humanitarian athlete, Peyton Manning. I live just a few blocks from the Children's Hospital that includes his name. I've visited children and families in that caring institution and I've heard the stories that go far beyond any story about financial contributions. I personally know people who have experienced his caring spirit, filled with generosity.
Then there are the stories about players from each team who have Haitian roots, players who have and are reaching down into their pockets and who are finding additional ways to help not just a earthquake riddled country, but a broken world to become a peaceful place where feelings are explored and given space – for healing and growing. I am grateful for humanitarian people who know that LIFE is bigger than a SUPER BOWL!
--Ben Keckler
02.10.10
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, February 9
Postlude to the Super Bowl
I do not know who won the Super Bowl!!!!! I'm writing this devotion on the Wednesday prior to the BIG GAME! What I am certain of is that one city is going to experience a victory parade and another city is going to cheer their home team in some sort of recognition celebration, even though they lost. Maybe there is a lesson in this!
In my work, I deal with loss every day. Sometimes it is happens when I facilitate a grief group, sometimes in a private session, sometimes in a hospital room. Loss happens daily. Often loss is accompanied by an extended period of grieving-- weeks, months, years, sometimes a lifetime. The one who dies is just as much a winner as the loser of the Super Bowl. Recognition in the form of celebration might be a reasonable consideration.
Just a few days ago, I journeyed with a family whose loved one had no more energy for living. The years of dialysis has taken their toll on body, mind and spirit. In her last days the family asked if we could celebrate her life when death came to them. They gave me a collection of the writings their loved one had written over the past decade and a half. It was filled with all sorts of inspirational materials. This now departed soul left a legacy that deserved celebration!
The same is true for the Colts and the Saints. A nation experienced two teams stay undefeated for more than 75% of the football season. As you read this you will know which city is recognizing the “defeated.” Thanks to the Colts and Saints for the remarkable season. And thanks, Becky, for your wonderful writings.
--Ben Keckler
02.09.10
I do not know who won the Super Bowl!!!!! I'm writing this devotion on the Wednesday prior to the BIG GAME! What I am certain of is that one city is going to experience a victory parade and another city is going to cheer their home team in some sort of recognition celebration, even though they lost. Maybe there is a lesson in this!
In my work, I deal with loss every day. Sometimes it is happens when I facilitate a grief group, sometimes in a private session, sometimes in a hospital room. Loss happens daily. Often loss is accompanied by an extended period of grieving-- weeks, months, years, sometimes a lifetime. The one who dies is just as much a winner as the loser of the Super Bowl. Recognition in the form of celebration might be a reasonable consideration.
Just a few days ago, I journeyed with a family whose loved one had no more energy for living. The years of dialysis has taken their toll on body, mind and spirit. In her last days the family asked if we could celebrate her life when death came to them. They gave me a collection of the writings their loved one had written over the past decade and a half. It was filled with all sorts of inspirational materials. This now departed soul left a legacy that deserved celebration!
The same is true for the Colts and the Saints. A nation experienced two teams stay undefeated for more than 75% of the football season. As you read this you will know which city is recognizing the “defeated.” Thanks to the Colts and Saints for the remarkable season. And thanks, Becky, for your wonderful writings.
--Ben Keckler
02.09.10
Monday, February 8, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, February 8
Postlude To The Super Bowl
It is still a few days until the Super Bowl and this Indianapolis based chaplain has decided to write a series of devotions about the game not yet played – a sort of hoping into the future. It might go without saying that I'm wearing my Colts “gear” every day and I'll be rooting for another Super Bowl championship on Sunday. It probably goes without saying that I'm hopeful that Dwight Freeney will have a monster game, along with the rest of our maligned defense. It probably also goes without saying that I'm envisioning some offensive struggles that will be short-lived, followed by a systematic dissection of the Saints.
I must also say that I feel I can't lose in this Super Bowl. I've been a fan of Drew Brees, remembering with fondness his days at Purdue and trips to Bowl games in Florida and Texas. I would like to see Drew have a fantastic day too! I've had the opportunity to make two trips to help struggling folks in Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina and understand how a Super Bowl victory would be a nice boost to a city that knows how to celebrate! I saw the Superdome in New Orleans when it sheltered homeless people and can imagine how a Super Bowl celebration could give those folks a better memory than the horrific pictures so many of us have embedded in our brains.
Living life's daily grind is always a struggle, a struggle deeper than who will win this year's Super Bowl. Both teams have provided us with many lessons during this season, both teams are winners in my book! I hope you can draw on your memory of yesterday's game and find a life lesson or two that will inspire you during the coming week.
--Ben Keckler
02.08.10
It is still a few days until the Super Bowl and this Indianapolis based chaplain has decided to write a series of devotions about the game not yet played – a sort of hoping into the future. It might go without saying that I'm wearing my Colts “gear” every day and I'll be rooting for another Super Bowl championship on Sunday. It probably goes without saying that I'm hopeful that Dwight Freeney will have a monster game, along with the rest of our maligned defense. It probably also goes without saying that I'm envisioning some offensive struggles that will be short-lived, followed by a systematic dissection of the Saints.
I must also say that I feel I can't lose in this Super Bowl. I've been a fan of Drew Brees, remembering with fondness his days at Purdue and trips to Bowl games in Florida and Texas. I would like to see Drew have a fantastic day too! I've had the opportunity to make two trips to help struggling folks in Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina and understand how a Super Bowl victory would be a nice boost to a city that knows how to celebrate! I saw the Superdome in New Orleans when it sheltered homeless people and can imagine how a Super Bowl celebration could give those folks a better memory than the horrific pictures so many of us have embedded in our brains.
Living life's daily grind is always a struggle, a struggle deeper than who will win this year's Super Bowl. Both teams have provided us with many lessons during this season, both teams are winners in my book! I hope you can draw on your memory of yesterday's game and find a life lesson or two that will inspire you during the coming week.
--Ben Keckler
02.08.10
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