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
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, July 25
A Family Reunion of Sorts
My wife and I look forward to hosting a family reunion for her extended family every five years. It is one time when the descendants of generations past can gather and celebrate their unity and their diversity. I anxiously anticipate that family reunion, even though it won’t happen until next summer. We look forward to spending time with all the family members who hope to participate in the weekend.
It is good to gather and celebrate the gift of family. I believe it is important to blend the generations of family in times of reunion. It lets the youth know about their roots. It lets the seniors see that the rhythm of life is continuing – because of their hard labors.
Today I am celebrating another type of family reunion, the “family” reunion of our hospital’s caregiving family. It is an important blending of many disciplines, each understanding the gifts they possess and each willing to labor in a unified way to help patients and families experience life in a better way.
Many of us had the weekend off; all of us are back to the work of giving care. I like the family reunion every five years. I really like being able to take time with the family at Hendricks Regional Health, bringing a special level of care that we call, “Treat People Better!”
May Holy Presence be yours this week and may you be surrounded with the energy that helps you be compassionate in your word, thought and deed. May your week be blessed.
--Ben Keckler
07.25.11
My wife and I look forward to hosting a family reunion for her extended family every five years. It is one time when the descendants of generations past can gather and celebrate their unity and their diversity. I anxiously anticipate that family reunion, even though it won’t happen until next summer. We look forward to spending time with all the family members who hope to participate in the weekend.
It is good to gather and celebrate the gift of family. I believe it is important to blend the generations of family in times of reunion. It lets the youth know about their roots. It lets the seniors see that the rhythm of life is continuing – because of their hard labors.
Today I am celebrating another type of family reunion, the “family” reunion of our hospital’s caregiving family. It is an important blending of many disciplines, each understanding the gifts they possess and each willing to labor in a unified way to help patients and families experience life in a better way.
Many of us had the weekend off; all of us are back to the work of giving care. I like the family reunion every five years. I really like being able to take time with the family at Hendricks Regional Health, bringing a special level of care that we call, “Treat People Better!”
May Holy Presence be yours this week and may you be surrounded with the energy that helps you be compassionate in your word, thought and deed. May your week be blessed.
--Ben Keckler
07.25.11
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, September 29
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)
82 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 (still preaching at a church he founded 51 years ago) and of course, Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after more than 35 years of active ordained 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 82 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 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. Even in these increasingly turbulent times, I believe! God bless you today!
--Ben Keckler
09.29.10
“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)
82 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 (still preaching at a church he founded 51 years ago) and of course, Ben 3rd is writing this devotional after more than 35 years of active ordained 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 82 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 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. Even in these increasingly turbulent times, I believe! God bless you today!
--Ben Keckler
09.29.10
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, January 6
The Gift of Family and Children
“Watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.
Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
--Deuteronomy 4:9
The gift of family and children is a wonderful gift. What we do with the gift is important. With the season of gift giving and gift receiving fresh in our memories, let us think about what we are doing with the gift of family and children. Generally, when we receive gifts we keep them. We appear to be a culture that hoards, storing away the gifts we receive. There is a tendency to do the same with the gift of family and children; a tendency to claim ownership, to keep for ourselves, to smother.
This gift of family and children can be (should be) viewed as a gift that we can nurture for the purpose of giving away. Today’s key verse suggests that we need to learn from our experiences and teach them to our families and children, thereby preparing them for their journey. A good question might be: “How am I preparing the gift I’ve received to be a gift for the world?”
Walter Payton states in his autobiography, Never Die Easy, “They (family/children) are the most precious thing that we have. …Find out what they’re doing, what their life is all about, what their problems are and what they feel is important to them.” By listening, we can teach “our gifts” the value of being compassionate. Enjoy nurturing the gifts you are preparing for the world.
Prayer: God who has gifted me in many ways, empower me to listen to the gifts you have given. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.06.09
“Watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.
Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
--Deuteronomy 4:9
The gift of family and children is a wonderful gift. What we do with the gift is important. With the season of gift giving and gift receiving fresh in our memories, let us think about what we are doing with the gift of family and children. Generally, when we receive gifts we keep them. We appear to be a culture that hoards, storing away the gifts we receive. There is a tendency to do the same with the gift of family and children; a tendency to claim ownership, to keep for ourselves, to smother.
This gift of family and children can be (should be) viewed as a gift that we can nurture for the purpose of giving away. Today’s key verse suggests that we need to learn from our experiences and teach them to our families and children, thereby preparing them for their journey. A good question might be: “How am I preparing the gift I’ve received to be a gift for the world?”
Walter Payton states in his autobiography, Never Die Easy, “They (family/children) are the most precious thing that we have. …Find out what they’re doing, what their life is all about, what their problems are and what they feel is important to them.” By listening, we can teach “our gifts” the value of being compassionate. Enjoy nurturing the gifts you are preparing for the world.
Prayer: God who has gifted me in many ways, empower me to listen to the gifts you have given. Amen.
Ben Keckler
01.06.09
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