Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
This week we’ve spent our devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. We’ve looked at a number of various passages in the life journey – baptism, transitioning to adolescence, guiding teenagers, and personal relationships. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched.
It seems fitting, as we come to the end of a week, to think about those difficult rhythms of adulthood (healing moments and moments of passage into eternal spaces). A meditation by Elias Amidon:
“Friend, you lie quiet, watching the dawn light color your heart,
Dreaming of healing for your hurt body,
laying there unanswerable to your will.
You breathe deep and your breath has two sides: inside and outside.
You are on both, being breathed.
The future approaches. You will heal
or you will go back to being God.
Which will you do?
“Oh by all that is beautiful—may it be that you live!
May your body heal happy and whole! May energy fill and delight you!
May we join the dance your presence gives.
May you live!
“And if you die? Oh dear self, by all that is beautiful,
Know you are Safe! Everything is All Right Forever and Ever and Ever!
The most wonderful, exquisite, familiar truth is what is True,
and welcomes you.
It will be very easy.
“You lie quiet now, praying.
A great healing is coming and you want to be ready.
The colors of your heart blend with the light of the morning and
YOU ARE BLESSED!”
Have a good weekend!
--Ben Keckler
05.06.11
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, May 5
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
Let’s continue spending some devotional time with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate.
Today’s verse is Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation of Psalm 1, recast in the setting of personal relationship of two souls merging into one.
“Blessed are the woman and the man
Who have grown beyond their greed
And have put an end to their hatred
And no longer nourish illusions.
“But they delight in the way things are
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.”
Mr. Mitchell presents us with a most challenging interpretation.
--Ben Keckler
05.05.11
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
Let’s continue spending some devotional time with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate.
Today’s verse is Stephen Mitchell’s adaptation of Psalm 1, recast in the setting of personal relationship of two souls merging into one.
“Blessed are the woman and the man
Who have grown beyond their greed
And have put an end to their hatred
And no longer nourish illusions.
“But they delight in the way things are
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.”
Mr. Mitchell presents us with a most challenging interpretation.
--Ben Keckler
05.05.11
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, May 4
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
Today we continue our devotional theme for the week with more prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate.
Today an anonymous prayer, probably from a parent attempting to summarize some important lessons for their “already mature” teenager:
“If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, get permission.
If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
If it will brighten someone’s day, by all means, say it!”
--Ben Keckler
05.04.11
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
Today we continue our devotional theme for the week with more prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate.
Today an anonymous prayer, probably from a parent attempting to summarize some important lessons for their “already mature” teenager:
“If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess, clean it up.
If you move it, put it back.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use it, get permission.
If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
If it will brighten someone’s day, by all means, say it!”
--Ben Keckler
05.04.11
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, May 3
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
This week we are spending some devotional time with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate.
Today’s prayer by Mary Mackintosh is filled with the spirit of Irish descendants. This prayer is offered for a child transitioning into adolescence:
“Power of raven be yours,
Power of eagle be yours
Power of the Fianna.
“Power of storm be yours,
Power of moon be yours,
Power of sun.
“Power of sea be yours,
Power of land be yours,
Power of heaven.
“Goodness of sea be yours,
Goodness of earth be yours,
Goodness of heaven.
“Each day be joy to you
No day be too sad for you,
Honour and tenderness embrace you always.”
Note: Fianna refers to a listing of heroes and heroines of Irish folk legends.
--Ben Keckler
05.03.11
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65:9
This week we are spending some devotional time with prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate.
Today’s prayer by Mary Mackintosh is filled with the spirit of Irish descendants. This prayer is offered for a child transitioning into adolescence:
“Power of raven be yours,
Power of eagle be yours
Power of the Fianna.
“Power of storm be yours,
Power of moon be yours,
Power of sun.
“Power of sea be yours,
Power of land be yours,
Power of heaven.
“Goodness of sea be yours,
Goodness of earth be yours,
Goodness of heaven.
“Each day be joy to you
No day be too sad for you,
Honour and tenderness embrace you always.”
Note: Fianna refers to a listing of heroes and heroines of Irish folk legends.
--Ben Keckler
05.03.11
Monday, May 2, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, May 2
Rhythms in the Life Journey
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65: 9
This week we are going to spend some devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate. 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
05.02.11
“You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it….”
A songwriter announces his/her belief
in the Creator’s springtime goodness
--Psalm 65: 9
This week we are going to spend some devotional time with some prayers and thoughts about the life journey. Children are born, children complete a school year, youth graduate from high school and college, weddings are celebrated, and death visits us. These rhythms come to us because Holy Presence visits us and our lives are enriched. Come and meditate. 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
05.02.11
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