Blending Some New and
Some Old Quotes
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us.”
“For, in fact, the kingdom of God is within you.”
As part of my devotional life, I enjoy finding new quotes that seem to echo Biblical quotes from centuries ago. I invite you to ponder the two quotes above. I hope you will find this as helpful as I do.
The first quote today is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, a lecturer, essayist and philosopher who lived in New England from 1803-1882. Self-awareness and living in the present moment are two wonderful gifts that his quote emphasizes as I read it. The second quote comes from Luke's research into various quotes from Jesus of Nazareth. So often we talk about God's realm beyond this life. I find this teaching a refreshing truth.
May your day be filled with peace amid the storms you face! God is within!
--Ben Keckler
08.31.11
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 30
Blending Some New
and Some Old Quotes
“Each day is a paint box of wonder awaiting your brush.”
“O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
Today we continue to blend newly discovered quotes with old teachings that I remember from my childhood. I found this exercise helpful; hopefully you will too!
Today's first quote is attributed to Linda Boychuk, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with ALS (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease). Linda has had to face many transitions in her life. Her attitude, captured in the quote above, is remarkable! The second quote is over 3,000 years old. The song writer, like Linda, appears ready to write yet another song extolling the steadfast love of God.
I hope you have your brush ready. I wonder what the lyrics will be to your new song! Enjoy your day.
--Ben Keckler
08.30.11
and Some Old Quotes
“Each day is a paint box of wonder awaiting your brush.”
“O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
Today we continue to blend newly discovered quotes with old teachings that I remember from my childhood. I found this exercise helpful; hopefully you will too!
Today's first quote is attributed to Linda Boychuk, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with ALS (sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease). Linda has had to face many transitions in her life. Her attitude, captured in the quote above, is remarkable! The second quote is over 3,000 years old. The song writer, like Linda, appears ready to write yet another song extolling the steadfast love of God.
I hope you have your brush ready. I wonder what the lyrics will be to your new song! Enjoy your day.
--Ben Keckler
08.30.11
Monday, August 29, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 29
Blending Some New and
Some Old Quotes
“There's one thing you can do in your lifetime that will be free
and cost you nothing and that is to be nice to people.”
“The fruit of God's Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”
One exercise I find helpful is taking new quotes and thinking about what old teaching might parallel my new discovery.
Today's first quote was given to former major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson. He received this insight from his father when he was 11 years old. The second quote is a couple of thousand years old and was written in a letter to folks in a town of Asia Minor. These people were trying to figure out what characteristics were important for living “centered” lives. Blending these two quotes suggests that acts of mercy and kindness help build peaceful, lasting relationships.
May you find meaning in your work this week. May your actions be accented with deeds of kindness. Enjoy being nice!
--Ben Keckler
08.29.11
Some Old Quotes
“There's one thing you can do in your lifetime that will be free
and cost you nothing and that is to be nice to people.”
“The fruit of God's Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.”
One exercise I find helpful is taking new quotes and thinking about what old teaching might parallel my new discovery.
Today's first quote was given to former major league baseball manager Sparky Anderson. He received this insight from his father when he was 11 years old. The second quote is a couple of thousand years old and was written in a letter to folks in a town of Asia Minor. These people were trying to figure out what characteristics were important for living “centered” lives. Blending these two quotes suggests that acts of mercy and kindness help build peaceful, lasting relationships.
May you find meaning in your work this week. May your actions be accented with deeds of kindness. Enjoy being nice!
--Ben Keckler
08.29.11
Friday, August 26, 2011
Daily Devotion - Friday, August 26
As the Work Week Ends
As we close another week in the workplace and anticipate the renewal that comes from a time where the rhythm of life changes, we’ve examined ways that we live and ways that God jumps into our living with a steadfast loving embrace. The following is a favorite hymn of millions and your mind deserves to hear it throughout the day. Here are the words; the melody will come to your mind as you read:
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wreck like me
I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
“‘Tis grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
A merciful God accepts you at the very point where you are in your pilgrimage. Why not be still enough to at least experience the embrace of steadfast love. Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend.
A prayer: God, be with me in my tension moments and slow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.26.11
As we close another week in the workplace and anticipate the renewal that comes from a time where the rhythm of life changes, we’ve examined ways that we live and ways that God jumps into our living with a steadfast loving embrace. The following is a favorite hymn of millions and your mind deserves to hear it throughout the day. Here are the words; the melody will come to your mind as you read:
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wreck like me
I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see.
“‘Tis grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.”
A merciful God accepts you at the very point where you are in your pilgrimage. Why not be still enough to at least experience the embrace of steadfast love. Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend.
A prayer: God, be with me in my tension moments and slow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.26.11
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 25
The Meaning of Life
Good morning God,
It is good to believe that you know more about me than I know about myself. Today I am feeling like I don’t practice being sensitive to your voice; like I don’t take enough time to see the connection between this moment and the vast continuum of time; like I’m so caught up in my stuff that I may be missing You in the midst of life’s rhythmic pace.
Yet, there is reason why I am numb and uncertain — that’s right you already know about it don’t you.
God, I’m not sure that I can be what I feel you nudging me to be and to become. Help me to seek you and to find you in the moment, in each and every moment. Help my words and my deeds to be in concert with the spirit that is beyond my petty desires.
It isn’t that I want to or need to do anything great to find meaning in my life, God. It is just that I’m still trying to find balance in my journey toward your realm. I’ll be still now — that is probably all you wanted me to do when I began this prayer. In your name, I pray. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.25.11
Good morning God,
It is good to believe that you know more about me than I know about myself. Today I am feeling like I don’t practice being sensitive to your voice; like I don’t take enough time to see the connection between this moment and the vast continuum of time; like I’m so caught up in my stuff that I may be missing You in the midst of life’s rhythmic pace.
Yet, there is reason why I am numb and uncertain — that’s right you already know about it don’t you.
God, I’m not sure that I can be what I feel you nudging me to be and to become. Help me to seek you and to find you in the moment, in each and every moment. Help my words and my deeds to be in concert with the spirit that is beyond my petty desires.
It isn’t that I want to or need to do anything great to find meaning in my life, God. It is just that I’m still trying to find balance in my journey toward your realm. I’ll be still now — that is probably all you wanted me to do when I began this prayer. In your name, I pray. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.25.11
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