Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening To Our Heart”
A story for today: “Chad”
There is a very thoughtful book in our chaplaincy library entitled Chad, written by his father. It is a tribute to Chad who died of a stroke at age 22. The book contains many heart stories from a father, now forced to listen to his heart. Here is one insight; I feel it is a real gem:
“In life we don’t have all of the answers.
We won’t have all of the answers.
Sometimes we have to go forward without the answers.
The answers from the tragedy become clearer----down the road.
We will never understand all of life
before we need to start living life.
We have to live first to learn the answers.”
A prayer for today: God, may I live today fully aware that I can learn more answers as I listen to my heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.11.11
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, August 10
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A story for today: attributed to philosopher Chuang Tzu
“The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish
And when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten.
The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits.
When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.
The purpose of the word is to convey ideas.
When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.
Where can I find a person who has forgotten words?
This is the one I would like to talk to.”
Remember: Even in silence there is a great deal that is being said. Enjoy listening today.
--Ben Keckler
08.10.11
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A story for today: attributed to philosopher Chuang Tzu
“The purpose of a fish trap is to catch fish
And when the fish are caught, the trap is forgotten.
The purpose of a rabbit snare is to catch rabbits.
When the rabbits are caught, the snare is forgotten.
The purpose of the word is to convey ideas.
When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten.
Where can I find a person who has forgotten words?
This is the one I would like to talk to.”
Remember: Even in silence there is a great deal that is being said. Enjoy listening today.
--Ben Keckler
08.10.11
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 9
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today: attributed to St. Francis
“Lord,
Make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant
That I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Have a better day today as you listen to your heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.09.11
This week’s devotions focus on “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today: attributed to St. Francis
“Lord,
Make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant
That I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Have a better day today as you listen to your heart.
--Ben Keckler
08.09.11
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 8
Daily Devotion
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today:
Expand my awareness, O God,
to others whom I will see today and tomorrow.
Help me to look for the signs of our common humanity
as we share our lives with each other.
Help me to listen to the song my heart is singing and,
help me to listen and discern the songs others are singing
in their hearts!
May I capture both the words they speak and
the unspoken realities within their soul.
Sensitize me to the cries for help
that all of us bury deep in our hearts.
Remind me of your steadfast love and
help me to reflect your love to others.
Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.08.11
This week’s devotions focus on the theme “Listening to Our Heart”
A prayer for today:
Expand my awareness, O God,
to others whom I will see today and tomorrow.
Help me to look for the signs of our common humanity
as we share our lives with each other.
Help me to listen to the song my heart is singing and,
help me to listen and discern the songs others are singing
in their hearts!
May I capture both the words they speak and
the unspoken realities within their soul.
Sensitize me to the cries for help
that all of us bury deep in our hearts.
Remind me of your steadfast love and
help me to reflect your love to others.
Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.08.11
Monday, August 1, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 2
A Week Begins
The Lenape Indians lived with an ethical code; I think we might all benefit from reading their belief.
“We are minded to live at Peace:
If we intend at anytime to make War upon you,
we will let you know of it,
and the Reasons why we make War with you;
and if you make us satisfaction for the Injury done us,
for which the War is intended, then we will not make War on you.
“And if you intend at any time to make War on us,
we would have you let us know of it,
and the Reasons for which you make War on us,
and then if we do not make satisfaction for the Injury done unto you,
then you make War on us, otherwise you ought not to do it.”
Long and prayerful meditation on this bit of wisdom is in order this week, at a personal level, at the level of the workplace and in this seemingly crazy, mixed-up world. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of the Holy One, the Creator of the universe.
--Ben Keckler
08.01.11
The Lenape Indians lived with an ethical code; I think we might all benefit from reading their belief.
“We are minded to live at Peace:
If we intend at anytime to make War upon you,
we will let you know of it,
and the Reasons why we make War with you;
and if you make us satisfaction for the Injury done us,
for which the War is intended, then we will not make War on you.
“And if you intend at any time to make War on us,
we would have you let us know of it,
and the Reasons for which you make War on us,
and then if we do not make satisfaction for the Injury done unto you,
then you make War on us, otherwise you ought not to do it.”
Long and prayerful meditation on this bit of wisdom is in order this week, at a personal level, at the level of the workplace and in this seemingly crazy, mixed-up world. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in the sight of the Holy One, the Creator of the universe.
--Ben Keckler
08.01.11
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