Prayers from Thankful People
“The Lord will indeed give what is good
and our land will yield its harvest.”
--A prayer of the faithful (Psalm 85:12)
As the rhythm of the fall moves us closer and closer to the holiday set aside for giving thanks, we will take a few moments each day with a prayer of faith. Today’s prayer comes from the heart of Gail Brook Burket:
“I do not ask to walk smooth paths or bear an easy load.
I pray for strength and fortitude to climb the rock-strewn road.
Give me such courage and I can scale the headiest peaks alone,
And transform every stumbling block into a stepping stone.”
May you discover available wisdom and courage for the facing of each hour this week.
--Ben Keckler
11.14.11
Monday, November 14, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, November 11
Reflections on Little Gems
“When you open your heart, you open your mind.”
--Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne
“But if you seek the Lord your God,
you will find him if you look for him with all your heart.”
--An ancient Hebrew teaching from the Deuteronomist (4:29)
I submit two little gems for your meditation today and throughout the weekend. So many times I find people trying to “figure” out the hows, the whys -- all the intellectual questions that tend to come when contemplating the Divine.
It appears that the intellectual answers only come when we get the “heart” where it needs to be. So, take the next 72 hours and just open your soul to the deepest truth I know: the Creator loves YOU!
--Ben Keckler
11.11.11
“When you open your heart, you open your mind.”
--Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne
“But if you seek the Lord your God,
you will find him if you look for him with all your heart.”
--An ancient Hebrew teaching from the Deuteronomist (4:29)
I submit two little gems for your meditation today and throughout the weekend. So many times I find people trying to “figure” out the hows, the whys -- all the intellectual questions that tend to come when contemplating the Divine.
It appears that the intellectual answers only come when we get the “heart” where it needs to be. So, take the next 72 hours and just open your soul to the deepest truth I know: the Creator loves YOU!
--Ben Keckler
11.11.11
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, November 10
Reflections on Little Gems
“When people say you can’t, turn the other ear.”
--Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne
“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”
--Jesus, as record in Matthew’s gospel (6:39)
• No one likes hearing, “You can’t do that.” No one likes the feeling of being “slapped in the face.”
• Each saying tells us a lot about appropriate attitude in the midst of painful moments.
• Turning the other ear is a way of saying, “I hear what you have said and now I am ready to listen to another voice.”
• Turning the other cheek is a way of saying, “You have hurt me but I am willing to travel more miles with you.”
May your life be graced with enough self-love and enough compassion that you are able to turn the other ear and turn the other cheek.
--Ben Keckler
11.10.11
“When people say you can’t, turn the other ear.”
--Pearls of Wisdom, Beth Mende Conne
“If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also…”
--Jesus, as record in Matthew’s gospel (6:39)
• No one likes hearing, “You can’t do that.” No one likes the feeling of being “slapped in the face.”
• Each saying tells us a lot about appropriate attitude in the midst of painful moments.
• Turning the other ear is a way of saying, “I hear what you have said and now I am ready to listen to another voice.”
• Turning the other cheek is a way of saying, “You have hurt me but I am willing to travel more miles with you.”
May your life be graced with enough self-love and enough compassion that you are able to turn the other ear and turn the other cheek.
--Ben Keckler
11.10.11
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, November 9
God: Absent or Present
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
Have you ever felt abandoned by God?
Have you ever felt a presence of God?
My experiences lead me to believe that abandonment is the feeling we have when the presence of God is happening in silence. Seismologists can confirm that the earth is always shifting or moving. Yet we seldom think about the earth “quaking” until the pictures fall off the wall!
In the quiet times of life, it can feel like God is absent. Be very still today, maybe the silence will speak! Maybe awareness will grow.
--Ben Keckler
11.09.11
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
Have you ever felt abandoned by God?
Have you ever felt a presence of God?
My experiences lead me to believe that abandonment is the feeling we have when the presence of God is happening in silence. Seismologists can confirm that the earth is always shifting or moving. Yet we seldom think about the earth “quaking” until the pictures fall off the wall!
In the quiet times of life, it can feel like God is absent. Be very still today, maybe the silence will speak! Maybe awareness will grow.
--Ben Keckler
11.09.11
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, November 8
God: Absent or Present
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
One of my teachers once said, “A simple, quiet presence can be enough to create a freeing distance that allows someone to discover an unexpected perspective on a seemingly hopeless situation.”
I like that statement. Quiet doesn’t equal absent. Silence can mean present. So if you are wondering about God’s presence, make sure you listen closely to the silence.
--Ben Keckler
11.08.11
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
One of my teachers once said, “A simple, quiet presence can be enough to create a freeing distance that allows someone to discover an unexpected perspective on a seemingly hopeless situation.”
I like that statement. Quiet doesn’t equal absent. Silence can mean present. So if you are wondering about God’s presence, make sure you listen closely to the silence.
--Ben Keckler
11.08.11
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