Something To Consider Today
(and maybe this weekend)
“No matter how far we've come, what you'll continue to discover is that there's always a next level of transformation, healing and improvement. Perhaps continuing to move forward on that path is what life is all about.”
--Bill Phillips
In one of the early Christian letters the writer suggested that transformation happens by the renewing of our minds, thereby learning to understand the way of God. Mr. Phillips’ quote says it in another way. For the end of the week (and for this weekend) maybe each of us can wrestle with this question: “What level of transformation is next for me?”
Journey on, friends, journey on! Have a meaningful weekend.
--Ben Keckler
05.13.11
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, May 12
A Thursday Chuckle
I will always be grateful to a colleague. He believed that, for effective communication, our weekly pastor's column in the church newsletter should be limited to 120 words. We worked hard to honor that goal. Over the years I've learned that the same is true for devotions, sermons, prayers and just about every type of communication. Recently I came to understand the value of precision even more when I read a quote from Norman Ford:
“Never try to tell everything you know. It may take too short a time.”
Maybe I should conclude this devotion! Until tomorrow----
--Ben Keckler
05.12.11
I will always be grateful to a colleague. He believed that, for effective communication, our weekly pastor's column in the church newsletter should be limited to 120 words. We worked hard to honor that goal. Over the years I've learned that the same is true for devotions, sermons, prayers and just about every type of communication. Recently I came to understand the value of precision even more when I read a quote from Norman Ford:
“Never try to tell everything you know. It may take too short a time.”
Maybe I should conclude this devotion! Until tomorrow----
--Ben Keckler
05.12.11
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, May 11
Maybe This Can Help
“Sometimes all it takes for you to start making right choices
is the spark of realization that your life was meant for something better.”
--Wayne Heinrichs
Recently a friend of mine was growing increasingly frustrated with life. She felt like she was stuck and she couldn't figure out what was wrong with her life. She realized that life could be better, that something needed to change. We struggled for a bit about what kind of opportunities might help her get into a better place; a decision was made and an action plan developed.
Today I got the following e-mail: “Wow! I feel better. I going to stick with the plan!”
It is really enjoyable when the spark lights a new fire!
--Ben Keckler
05.11.11
“Sometimes all it takes for you to start making right choices
is the spark of realization that your life was meant for something better.”
--Wayne Heinrichs
Recently a friend of mine was growing increasingly frustrated with life. She felt like she was stuck and she couldn't figure out what was wrong with her life. She realized that life could be better, that something needed to change. We struggled for a bit about what kind of opportunities might help her get into a better place; a decision was made and an action plan developed.
Today I got the following e-mail: “Wow! I feel better. I going to stick with the plan!”
It is really enjoyable when the spark lights a new fire!
--Ben Keckler
05.11.11
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, May 10
A Bit Of Wisdom
This year I took a chance and I am glad I did! In Central Indiana it isn't wise to put plants outside until around Mother's Day (we had a heavy frost on May 5 this year). In mid-April there were a few very warm days and I took the ferns from our sunroom outside to enjoy their life. There was risk/fear involved. My wife works hard all winter to keep our ferns healthy and growing; the fear was two-fold: dead ferns and a frustrated wife! I didn't hesitate in carrying out my desire!
The result: In one of the ferns some robins have built a nest and are preparing to bring new life into the world.
Another result: The fern is alive and I am too!
There is an old wisdom saying that comes to us from Nigeria: “Hesitation enhances fear.” Generally I've found that taking action is good. This year I took a chance and I am glad I did!
--Ben Keckler
05.10.11
This year I took a chance and I am glad I did! In Central Indiana it isn't wise to put plants outside until around Mother's Day (we had a heavy frost on May 5 this year). In mid-April there were a few very warm days and I took the ferns from our sunroom outside to enjoy their life. There was risk/fear involved. My wife works hard all winter to keep our ferns healthy and growing; the fear was two-fold: dead ferns and a frustrated wife! I didn't hesitate in carrying out my desire!
The result: In one of the ferns some robins have built a nest and are preparing to bring new life into the world.
Another result: The fern is alive and I am too!
There is an old wisdom saying that comes to us from Nigeria: “Hesitation enhances fear.” Generally I've found that taking action is good. This year I took a chance and I am glad I did!
--Ben Keckler
05.10.11
Monday, May 9, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, May 9
An Inspirational Moment
One of the best parts of pastoral care work is building strong relationships with people, particularly when they journey through the tough passages of life. In recent years, it's become enjoyable to reestablish relationships through on-line social networks; four decades of ministry in various settings allowed many friendships to be established and now they continue to be nourished.
Recently I've reconnected with a person who seemed to be missing for a while. She's battling with cancer and she is doing a phenomenal job. She told me that she is in a new learning phase of life and she is truly enjoying the process of learning how to be healthy while dealing with disease! Our most recent meeting left me inspired; I told her I was going to write a devotion about her tremendous journey. She provided me with a supply of energy for another week of ministry!
Many devotions conclude with a prayer or a sacred verse. To honor my friend, let me leave you with a quote from Mel Brooks:
“Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively.”
PS: My friend told me to thank everyone for their prayers and support. THANKS everyone!
--Ben Keckler
05.09.11
One of the best parts of pastoral care work is building strong relationships with people, particularly when they journey through the tough passages of life. In recent years, it's become enjoyable to reestablish relationships through on-line social networks; four decades of ministry in various settings allowed many friendships to be established and now they continue to be nourished.
Recently I've reconnected with a person who seemed to be missing for a while. She's battling with cancer and she is doing a phenomenal job. She told me that she is in a new learning phase of life and she is truly enjoying the process of learning how to be healthy while dealing with disease! Our most recent meeting left me inspired; I told her I was going to write a devotion about her tremendous journey. She provided me with a supply of energy for another week of ministry!
Many devotions conclude with a prayer or a sacred verse. To honor my friend, let me leave you with a quote from Mel Brooks:
“Look, I really don't want to wax philosophic, but I will say that if you're alive, you got to flap your arms and legs, you got to jump around a lot, you got to make a lot of noise, because life is the very opposite of death. And therefore, as I see it, if you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy, or at least your thoughts should be noisy and colorful and lively.”
PS: My friend told me to thank everyone for their prayers and support. THANKS everyone!
--Ben Keckler
05.09.11
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