Some Thoughts Before A Weekend
Remembering an Acquaintance
Over the years we meet people who have a profound impact on our lives. Having spent several weeks listening to Henri Nouwen and sitting at dinner with him on three occasions, he feels like a friend but a better term is probably “acquaintance.” Henri was walking to work one day and was struck by the mirror of a passing motorist. His injuries took him to the door of death but he did recover and wrote a wonderful reflection on life and death. The book is titled Beyond the Mirror.
The rhythms of the past week have brought me near to a number of folks who are reflecting on the end of life, grief, loss, and recovery from serious illnesses or diseases. For whatever reason, Henri came to mind. The following excerpt, from the chapter on recovery:
“The way my friends reacted to my recovery caused me to reflect on the way
life and death are perceived in our society. Unanimously, they congratulated
me on my restoration to health and expressed their gratitude that I was doing
so well again. Although I was deeply grateful for the attention and affection,
the encounter with God in my hours near death made me wonder whether being ‘better again’ was indeed the best thing for me.”
Have a good day, a blessed weekend and enjoy every minute of life.
A prayer for today: Holy God, help and guide me today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.30.11
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Reaching Out To Others
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers. --A follower (Ephesians 1: 15)
What a privilege to work side by side with people who care! In recent weeks our nation has had to face the devastation that comes from natural disasters. It is not pleasant. Over the years I’ve participated in relief efforts brought on by both hurricanes and earthquakes. New occasions teach new duties and with these recent disasters will come new opportunities and new challenges.
It is truly a privilege to live in a country where people rally in support of others overwhelmed by the unexpected. The opportunities to reach out come to us in many ways. I encourage you to continually demonstrate compassionate spirits even in these increasingly difficult economic times.
Not all that long ago I attended a chaplain’s meeting of Directors of Pastoral Care from across the state. Two chaplains asked me specific questions about the spirit of generosity that exists at HRH. Wow! Reaching out to others is so important and I give thanks for the ways we continue to demonstrate what it means to TREAT PEOPLE BETTER.
Ben Keckler
09.29.11
“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers. --A follower (Ephesians 1: 15)
What a privilege to work side by side with people who care! In recent weeks our nation has had to face the devastation that comes from natural disasters. It is not pleasant. Over the years I’ve participated in relief efforts brought on by both hurricanes and earthquakes. New occasions teach new duties and with these recent disasters will come new opportunities and new challenges.
It is truly a privilege to live in a country where people rally in support of others overwhelmed by the unexpected. The opportunities to reach out come to us in many ways. I encourage you to continually demonstrate compassionate spirits even in these increasingly difficult economic times.
Not all that long ago I attended a chaplain’s meeting of Directors of Pastoral Care from across the state. Two chaplains asked me specific questions about the spirit of generosity that exists at HRH. Wow! Reaching out to others is so important and I give thanks for the ways we continue to demonstrate what it means to TREAT PEOPLE BETTER.
Ben Keckler
09.29.11
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Daily Devotion, Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A Reason To Give Thanks
“Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them,
‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth…
I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants…”
--From the story of Noah (Genesis 9, selected verses)
81 years ago my grandfather (Ben Keckler, Sr.) was ordained as a minister. My father (“Junior” as his brothers and sisters knew him) is still an active ordained minister and will soon be 84 years of age! Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after more than 40 years of ministry. Just as the story of family and covenant relationship with God is told in the Noah story, so centuries later I can tell a story of God’s blessing. I am grateful for family.
I wish there was a way to know the number of sermons, bible studies, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. where a person named Ben Keckler has provided pastoral care during the last 81 years. I think about the thousands and thousands of home and hospital visits that grandpa, dad and I have experienced. It is overwhelming to realize how many people have invited us into their lives, allowing us to share God’s covenantal love with them.
I am filled with gratitude today for a loving God, a faithful family and a wonderful heritage. Believe me when I tell you that God is good. In the midst of all the STUFF we go through, I can honestly tell you that God is in love with this world and will not keep it a secret.
Ben Keckler
09.28.11
“Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them,
‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth…
I now establish my covenant with you and your descendants…”
--From the story of Noah (Genesis 9, selected verses)
81 years ago my grandfather (Ben Keckler, Sr.) was ordained as a minister. My father (“Junior” as his brothers and sisters knew him) is still an active ordained minister and will soon be 84 years of age! Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after more than 40 years of ministry. Just as the story of family and covenant relationship with God is told in the Noah story, so centuries later I can tell a story of God’s blessing. I am grateful for family.
I wish there was a way to know the number of sermons, bible studies, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc. where a person named Ben Keckler has provided pastoral care during the last 81 years. I think about the thousands and thousands of home and hospital visits that grandpa, dad and I have experienced. It is overwhelming to realize how many people have invited us into their lives, allowing us to share God’s covenantal love with them.
I am filled with gratitude today for a loving God, a faithful family and a wonderful heritage. Believe me when I tell you that God is good. In the midst of all the STUFF we go through, I can honestly tell you that God is in love with this world and will not keep it a secret.
Ben Keckler
09.28.11
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Daily Devotion, Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Musing About Friendship
“Do not forsake your friend….”--A wisdom phrase (Proverbs 27:10)
One of the joys of fall that happens across our land is found at tailgate parties. Some are on Friday evening – high school events; some are on Saturday – college events; and some are on Sunday – professional events. Before grandchildren arrived I was a big time tailgater, now I babysit while parents tailgate with friends.
Honoring the gift of friendship is important. It takes commitment and energy but the feeling in the heart at the conclusion of a great time of fellowship with friends is most satisfying. Enjoy the friends you have, expand your circle of friends and you will be surrounded by one of life’s great treasures.
A prayer: Thank you God for the gift of friendship. Accept my gratitude today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.27.11
“Do not forsake your friend….”--A wisdom phrase (Proverbs 27:10)
One of the joys of fall that happens across our land is found at tailgate parties. Some are on Friday evening – high school events; some are on Saturday – college events; and some are on Sunday – professional events. Before grandchildren arrived I was a big time tailgater, now I babysit while parents tailgate with friends.
Honoring the gift of friendship is important. It takes commitment and energy but the feeling in the heart at the conclusion of a great time of fellowship with friends is most satisfying. Enjoy the friends you have, expand your circle of friends and you will be surrounded by one of life’s great treasures.
A prayer: Thank you God for the gift of friendship. Accept my gratitude today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
09.27.11
Monday, September 26, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, September 26
Perspectives
“Wait for God;
be strong, let your heart take courage;
wait for God.”
--Words from a old song, Psalm 27:14
The last time September 26 occurred on a Monday was in 2005. When I was preparing devotions for that day I received three e-mails in a 10 minute period of time. Here are brief excerpts from each of them.
E-mail #1: From Missionaries in Honduras
“We constantly think about keeping safe, whether from parasites in the water or from violence in the streets… We struggle with the reality of extreme poverty… We feel frustration each time we go through the hospital system and its long lines… We feel overwhelmed by the problems in the villages.”
E-mail #2: Update on the Health Care Infrastructure of New Orleans after Katrina
“Essentially the health care infrastructure of New Orleans is gone – it no longer exists,” said Joe Cappiello from JCAHO.
E-mail #3: From an associate who forwarded an e-mail titled, “I am thankful”
The e-mail lists a dozen reasons (with brief explanations) why the author is thankful. For example: “I am thankful for my huge heating bill… because it means I am warm.”
2011 has been a devastating year: poverty is growing nationally and globally, natural disasters have occurred at an unprecedented rate and yet there is the ability for most reading this devotion that bills can and will be paid. As we begin this new week we are keenly aware that millions around the world are surviving in ways we find difficult to even imagine. Sometimes in our sheltered and safe existence we are tempted to complain. Think of the grieving souls, the starving souls, the homeless souls! Pray for them! Approach your day with thankfulness and gratitude for life and join with all our brothers and sisters as we wait for the Lord.
--Ben Keckler
09.26.11
“Wait for God;
be strong, let your heart take courage;
wait for God.”
--Words from a old song, Psalm 27:14
The last time September 26 occurred on a Monday was in 2005. When I was preparing devotions for that day I received three e-mails in a 10 minute period of time. Here are brief excerpts from each of them.
E-mail #1: From Missionaries in Honduras
“We constantly think about keeping safe, whether from parasites in the water or from violence in the streets… We struggle with the reality of extreme poverty… We feel frustration each time we go through the hospital system and its long lines… We feel overwhelmed by the problems in the villages.”
E-mail #2: Update on the Health Care Infrastructure of New Orleans after Katrina
“Essentially the health care infrastructure of New Orleans is gone – it no longer exists,” said Joe Cappiello from JCAHO.
E-mail #3: From an associate who forwarded an e-mail titled, “I am thankful”
The e-mail lists a dozen reasons (with brief explanations) why the author is thankful. For example: “I am thankful for my huge heating bill… because it means I am warm.”
2011 has been a devastating year: poverty is growing nationally and globally, natural disasters have occurred at an unprecedented rate and yet there is the ability for most reading this devotion that bills can and will be paid. As we begin this new week we are keenly aware that millions around the world are surviving in ways we find difficult to even imagine. Sometimes in our sheltered and safe existence we are tempted to complain. Think of the grieving souls, the starving souls, the homeless souls! Pray for them! Approach your day with thankfulness and gratitude for life and join with all our brothers and sisters as we wait for the Lord.
--Ben Keckler
09.26.11
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