Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, your greatly enrich it….”
--A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
Psalm 65: 9
This week I’d like for us to spend some devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. This month is usually filled with more than enough: children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits, too! These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Today a prayer for a baptism or blessing of a child, as written by The Rev. Mark Belletini:
“We bless this child with the elements of our common being,
With earth, air, fire and water.
“With earth, which is as solid as your given frame, my child, we bless you.
Take care of yourself as a body; be good to yourself, for you are a good gift.
“With air, which is as fluctuating as your given passion my child, we bless you.
You will know sorrow and joy, rage and contentment, resentment and ecstasy.
Feel your passions my child, they are good gifts.
“With fire, which is as illuminating as your given intelligence my child, we bless you.
Reason with care, test the world, and think with care, for your mind is a good gift.
“With water, which is as clear as your spirit my child, we bless you.
Grow in conscience, be rooted in good stories, and grow spiritually,
for spirit too is a good gift.
“Bless you, my child.”
--Ben Keckler
05.10.10
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, May 6
Holy Ground
Fourth in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
The quest to understand holy ground is important. The following story might help.
Most of my days are filled with normal tasks—people interaction, desk work, conversations, some reading and some writing. Late one day I visited with a person I met several months before. She really didn’t recognize me, so she wanted to hear about the times we had spent together while she was comatose for more than 40 days and nights. Now, dealing with the many emotions of a required return, she needed some extra emotional strengthening. At one point, she told me that she was encountering a number of staff who were stopping by-- former caregivers from across the hospital. “I didn’t expect to be remembered,” she said. And then she added, “I know this is a special place.”
As my visit concluded, I had learned a little more about holy ground.
--Ben Keckler
05.06.10
Fourth in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
The quest to understand holy ground is important. The following story might help.
Most of my days are filled with normal tasks—people interaction, desk work, conversations, some reading and some writing. Late one day I visited with a person I met several months before. She really didn’t recognize me, so she wanted to hear about the times we had spent together while she was comatose for more than 40 days and nights. Now, dealing with the many emotions of a required return, she needed some extra emotional strengthening. At one point, she told me that she was encountering a number of staff who were stopping by-- former caregivers from across the hospital. “I didn’t expect to be remembered,” she said. And then she added, “I know this is a special place.”
As my visit concluded, I had learned a little more about holy ground.
--Ben Keckler
05.06.10
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, May 5
Holy Ground
Third in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
Over the years I have come to know John rather well. He is a fellow associate and we've had some good talks over dinner; we've cried some tears together, too-- his wife died here in this place I call Holy Ground. He is now retiring, having moved from full time to part time; the time has come to say good-bye. His retirement party showed me a thing or two. Retirement parties are filled with sweet goodies-- just what we desire in the afternoon. However, John is diabetic and so his co-workers made certain there was a sugar free chocolate pie and unsweetened drinks. Nice touch!
I took a couple of minutes to wish John well. He asked if I could spend some time remembering his family in prayer. A 10 year old granddaughter was hospitalized, diagnosed with cancer. In the midst of HIS party, he took time to share the longing of his soul. Another meaningful encounter in this Holy Ground place.
--Ben Keckler
05.05.10
Third in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
Over the years I have come to know John rather well. He is a fellow associate and we've had some good talks over dinner; we've cried some tears together, too-- his wife died here in this place I call Holy Ground. He is now retiring, having moved from full time to part time; the time has come to say good-bye. His retirement party showed me a thing or two. Retirement parties are filled with sweet goodies-- just what we desire in the afternoon. However, John is diabetic and so his co-workers made certain there was a sugar free chocolate pie and unsweetened drinks. Nice touch!
I took a couple of minutes to wish John well. He asked if I could spend some time remembering his family in prayer. A 10 year old granddaughter was hospitalized, diagnosed with cancer. In the midst of HIS party, he took time to share the longing of his soul. Another meaningful encounter in this Holy Ground place.
--Ben Keckler
05.05.10
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, May 4
Holy Ground
Second in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
I heard the overhead page and by the time I arrived at the Emergency Department, I knew what I would be facing. Arriving at the quiet room I found a very holy scene unfolding as a new mom poured out the anguish of her heart. Sitting beside her on the floor was a medic, he'd been through a couple of similar experiences-- he just sat with the mom gently rubbing her back and consoling her. On a chair right next to them sat two fellow employees, each of them had experienced their own painful losses. I simply observed a very spiritual moment. Truly, as they sat in sacred silence I sensed that the place I was standing on was holy ground. I decided to quietly meditate.
Compassionate, caring touches were noticed, felt, remembered. It occurred to me that it might be time to take off my sandals.
--Ben Keckler
05.04.10
Second in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
I heard the overhead page and by the time I arrived at the Emergency Department, I knew what I would be facing. Arriving at the quiet room I found a very holy scene unfolding as a new mom poured out the anguish of her heart. Sitting beside her on the floor was a medic, he'd been through a couple of similar experiences-- he just sat with the mom gently rubbing her back and consoling her. On a chair right next to them sat two fellow employees, each of them had experienced their own painful losses. I simply observed a very spiritual moment. Truly, as they sat in sacred silence I sensed that the place I was standing on was holy ground. I decided to quietly meditate.
Compassionate, caring touches were noticed, felt, remembered. It occurred to me that it might be time to take off my sandals.
--Ben Keckler
05.04.10
Monday, May 3, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, May 3
Holy Ground
First in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
Good morning! Seven years ago I did my first “Holy Ground” series of devotionals. I bring back the theme this year, using recent experiences. I invite you to journey with a variety of people this month who are having experiences similar to those of Moses.
I met a new friend at the door and strolled with them through the corridors. I wanted them to get acquainted with the personality of our hospital, to give them a feel for what we mean when we say we “treat people better.” In the quarter of a mile walk we were greeted with genuine interest a number of times; my new friend commented that he'd never been in a place so spotless. It felt good to be on my daily turf and have a new observer be so impressed. Sort of confirmed my feeling that I'm privileged to work on some Holy Ground.
A prayer: God who spoke to Moses, thank you for still speaking today!
--Ben Keckler
05.03.10
First in a Devotional Series dealing with a Sacred Text
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals,
for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
--Part of a conversation between God and Moses
Recorded in Exodus, 3:5
Good morning! Seven years ago I did my first “Holy Ground” series of devotionals. I bring back the theme this year, using recent experiences. I invite you to journey with a variety of people this month who are having experiences similar to those of Moses.
I met a new friend at the door and strolled with them through the corridors. I wanted them to get acquainted with the personality of our hospital, to give them a feel for what we mean when we say we “treat people better.” In the quarter of a mile walk we were greeted with genuine interest a number of times; my new friend commented that he'd never been in a place so spotless. It felt good to be on my daily turf and have a new observer be so impressed. Sort of confirmed my feeling that I'm privileged to work on some Holy Ground.
A prayer: God who spoke to Moses, thank you for still speaking today!
--Ben Keckler
05.03.10
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