Working on the Inn Side
We’ve been looking at “Inn” side rooms as Christians prepare for the religious holy day set aside to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Rooms like hope, peace and joy have been explored this week. Today we close our devotional life by exploring the theme of love.
The question for exploration today is this: “So how inclusive is that room known as LOVE?”
We like to talk about how love came among us, but far too often it seems that it is only talk. As I listen to the stories that people share with me, my heart gets a bit uneasy. Love seems to be rather conditional – we tend to give to those whose values, whose beliefs, whose religion is like ours.
I’m trying something very different this year: for every dollar I spend on those whom I love because I feel connected to them, I am also giving away a dollar in ways that reach out and give to others regardless of race, color, creed, nationality, etc. It is an attempt to expand the “room of love”. I believe that God is in love with the world and can’t keep it a secret; this is a very small way for me to let others know they are loved.
Have a blessed holy season, a Merry Christmas; may your “inn” side be filled with hope, joy, peace and love. And, friends, may your “inn” side have enough space to be a bit more inclusive than ever before.
--Ben Keckler
12.23.11
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Daily Devotion - Thursday, December 22
Working on the Inn-Side
There are other rooms at the “inn”. Today I’d like to visit the room of hope and see how that room is for you these days.
The Indianapolis community is buzzing with hope about this year being the year for hosting the Super Bowl (without our hapless Colts playing). It didn’t take more than a couple of losses for pessimism to ring in the air about both playing and hosting the Super Bowl. With each additional loss, our hope has changed to who might be the #1 draft pick. Also, we are hopeful that we can be a great host city, maybe even surprise a few skeptics!
A few minutes ago I finished a luncheon with a Grief Support Group. Fifteen people gathered around the table dealing with the realities of loss in their lives. I must tell you HOPE was abounding! There the newly bereaved folk heard people who have been living for more than 6 years with losses that, at the time, were overwhelming.
As you view the “inn-side”, how is your room of hope?
--Ben Keckler
12.22.11
There are other rooms at the “inn”. Today I’d like to visit the room of hope and see how that room is for you these days.
The Indianapolis community is buzzing with hope about this year being the year for hosting the Super Bowl (without our hapless Colts playing). It didn’t take more than a couple of losses for pessimism to ring in the air about both playing and hosting the Super Bowl. With each additional loss, our hope has changed to who might be the #1 draft pick. Also, we are hopeful that we can be a great host city, maybe even surprise a few skeptics!
A few minutes ago I finished a luncheon with a Grief Support Group. Fifteen people gathered around the table dealing with the realities of loss in their lives. I must tell you HOPE was abounding! There the newly bereaved folk heard people who have been living for more than 6 years with losses that, at the time, were overwhelming.
As you view the “inn-side”, how is your room of hope?
--Ben Keckler
12.22.11
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, December 21
Working on the Inn-Side
Okay let’s keep on with our exploration. What room should we visit at the “inn” today? How about the room known as “joy”? (By the way, if you want to pick up on the devotional theme for the week, you can visit the archived texts for Monday and Tuesday.)
The room of joy is a room that is sometimes tough to access. Sometimes we just get too busy to sit down and enjoy the gift of life. A lot of my time is spent with persons who have experienced the loss of love through many different kinds of death or loss. The doorway to joy is slammed shut as persons deal with grief, loss and transition.
There are many, many people who are not joyful today. Most of us are not dealing with grief or loss, but we are not joyful. Can you put aside all the “stuff” you think you need to get done? Can you take some time and allow Holy Presence to flood your room of joy.
Praying that you may experience a deep and abiding joy the rest of this week.
--Ben Keckler
12.21.11
Okay let’s keep on with our exploration. What room should we visit at the “inn” today? How about the room known as “joy”? (By the way, if you want to pick up on the devotional theme for the week, you can visit the archived texts for Monday and Tuesday.)
The room of joy is a room that is sometimes tough to access. Sometimes we just get too busy to sit down and enjoy the gift of life. A lot of my time is spent with persons who have experienced the loss of love through many different kinds of death or loss. The doorway to joy is slammed shut as persons deal with grief, loss and transition.
There are many, many people who are not joyful today. Most of us are not dealing with grief or loss, but we are not joyful. Can you put aside all the “stuff” you think you need to get done? Can you take some time and allow Holy Presence to flood your room of joy.
Praying that you may experience a deep and abiding joy the rest of this week.
--Ben Keckler
12.21.11
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, December 20
Working on the Inn-Side
Let’s see, what room should we visit at the “inn” today? Yes, I think I have it — the room of peace and calm.
Now the opposite side of peace and calm might be called chaos. Do a bit of self-examination today, if you would. How is it on the “inn-side” of your soul these days?
Are the stresses of the season overwhelming you?
Do you have any space in the room for a pervading sense of Holy Presence to reside?
Holy Presence always finds space. Just wondering if there was a place for lodging within you these days.
Praying that you will have a peace-filled day.
--Ben Keckler
12.20.11
Let’s see, what room should we visit at the “inn” today? Yes, I think I have it — the room of peace and calm.
Now the opposite side of peace and calm might be called chaos. Do a bit of self-examination today, if you would. How is it on the “inn-side” of your soul these days?
Are the stresses of the season overwhelming you?
Do you have any space in the room for a pervading sense of Holy Presence to reside?
Holy Presence always finds space. Just wondering if there was a place for lodging within you these days.
Praying that you will have a peace-filled day.
--Ben Keckler
12.20.11
Daily Devotion - Monday, December 19
Working on the Inn-Side
One ancient story of this season is a story about journeys people took to experience a new birth. This week I’d like to “play” with one part of the story that I find most interesting. I’m pretty sure that all of us, regardless of our religious tradition, are familiar with the story of Jesus’ birth. The particular section I want to focus on is the story about how there was no room for Jesus at the local Holiday Inn. Or was it a Motel 6?
This week as each of us prepare in our own way for the holiday of Christmas, I want to explore some of those rooms that are a part of our “inn-side”. Hopefully you will be challenged to invite Holy Presence into each of these rooms. While my faith tradition is Christianity, you are free to invite Holy Presence within these rooms through whatever faith tradition you claim. A new week is unfolding. I will introduce you to a new room each day.
For today, journey to your “inn-side” and try to figure out what 4 rooms I am going to present. Consider this a warm up exercise for Christmas day as you try to guess what I’ve got “inn-side” my devotional box this week. Have a great week, friends!
--Ben Keckler
12.19.11
One ancient story of this season is a story about journeys people took to experience a new birth. This week I’d like to “play” with one part of the story that I find most interesting. I’m pretty sure that all of us, regardless of our religious tradition, are familiar with the story of Jesus’ birth. The particular section I want to focus on is the story about how there was no room for Jesus at the local Holiday Inn. Or was it a Motel 6?
This week as each of us prepare in our own way for the holiday of Christmas, I want to explore some of those rooms that are a part of our “inn-side”. Hopefully you will be challenged to invite Holy Presence into each of these rooms. While my faith tradition is Christianity, you are free to invite Holy Presence within these rooms through whatever faith tradition you claim. A new week is unfolding. I will introduce you to a new room each day.
For today, journey to your “inn-side” and try to figure out what 4 rooms I am going to present. Consider this a warm up exercise for Christmas day as you try to guess what I’ve got “inn-side” my devotional box this week. Have a great week, friends!
--Ben Keckler
12.19.11
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