Do You Hear What I Hear?
Frederick Buechner is an enjoyable, thoughtful writer. The book Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is filled with meaningful insights. In one April meditation he suggests that life itself is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—
sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered:
the sounds of bumblebees and wind,
of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand,
of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places,
the sound of your own breathing.
“The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God?
I will give one more answer, which can be stated briefly.
Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots.
After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot.
And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t new. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today.
--Ben Keckler
04.17.12
Showing posts with label Frederick Buechner quote. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frederick Buechner quote. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Daily Devotion - Friday, April 6
What is Life Teaching You?
One enjoyable writer is Frederick Buechner; Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is very rich and full of meaning. In one meditation he suggests that life is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered: the sounds of bumblebees and wind, of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand, of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places, the sound of your own breathing. The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God? I will give one more answer which can be stated briefly. Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots. After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot. And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t a new insight. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today. Have a wonderful weekend.
--Ben Keckler
04.06.12
One enjoyable writer is Frederick Buechner; Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is very rich and full of meaning. In one meditation he suggests that life is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered: the sounds of bumblebees and wind, of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand, of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places, the sound of your own breathing. The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God? I will give one more answer which can be stated briefly. Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots. After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot. And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t a new insight. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today. Have a wonderful weekend.
--Ben Keckler
04.06.12
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, April 12
Do You Hear What I Hear?
Frederick Buechner is an enjoyable, thoughtful writer. The book Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is filled with meaningful insights. In one April meditation he suggests that life itself is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—
sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered:
the sounds of bumblebees and wind,
of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand,
of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places,
the sound of your own breathing.
“The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God?
I will give one more answer, which can be stated briefly.
Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots.
After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot.
And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t new. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today.
--Ben Keckler
04.12.11
Frederick Buechner is an enjoyable, thoughtful writer. The book Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is filled with meaningful insights. In one April meditation he suggests that life itself is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—
sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered:
the sounds of bumblebees and wind,
of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand,
of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places,
the sound of your own breathing.
“The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God?
I will give one more answer, which can be stated briefly.
Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots.
After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot.
And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t new. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today.
--Ben Keckler
04.12.11
Monday, August 30, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 30
Another Week Begins
Today’s devotion comes from a Frederick Buechner sermon preached at the 200th anniversary celebration of the Congregational Church in Rupert, Vermont. Buechner writes good stuff. I like the concluding remarks in this sermon. Maybe they can help all of us as we begin a new week.
“There is plenty of work to be done down here, God knows.
To struggle each day, to walk the paths of righteousness
is no pushover,
And struggle we must because just as we are fed like sheep
in green pastures, we must also feed God’s sheep.
We must help bear each other’s burdens.
We must pray for each other.
We must nourish each other, weep with each other,
rejoice with each other.
Sometimes we must just learn to let each other alone.
In short, we must love each other. We must never forget that.”
Here's to a good week, a better week, a great week! In this present tense moment, there is much that we can, should and must do. May you be empowered for work right now!
--Ben Keckler
08.30.10
Today’s devotion comes from a Frederick Buechner sermon preached at the 200th anniversary celebration of the Congregational Church in Rupert, Vermont. Buechner writes good stuff. I like the concluding remarks in this sermon. Maybe they can help all of us as we begin a new week.
“There is plenty of work to be done down here, God knows.
To struggle each day, to walk the paths of righteousness
is no pushover,
And struggle we must because just as we are fed like sheep
in green pastures, we must also feed God’s sheep.
We must help bear each other’s burdens.
We must pray for each other.
We must nourish each other, weep with each other,
rejoice with each other.
Sometimes we must just learn to let each other alone.
In short, we must love each other. We must never forget that.”
Here's to a good week, a better week, a great week! In this present tense moment, there is much that we can, should and must do. May you be empowered for work right now!
--Ben Keckler
08.30.10
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, June 16
Some Things Just Don't Add Up, Or Do They?
“Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
-Ruth’s words to her mother-in-law, Ruth 1
The old, old story of Ruth and her allegiance to her mother-in-law is a wonderful story about unconditional love. Working can be a job, but I would hope that it is more than that. I would like to believe that we work because we want to help others and to see that the world is a better place (in some small way) because we have done our part. Giving of ourselves, in our work and in our volunteering, can have a deep meaning in our hearts. Frederick Buechner says it this way:
“By all the laws both of logic and simple arithmetic, to give yourself away in love to another (someone/something beyond self) would seem to mean that you end up with less of yourself left than you had to begin with. But the miracle is that just the reverse is true, logic and arithmetic go hang! To live not just for yourself alone, but for something beyond yourself, Is a new way to become fully alive.”
May today be something more than work. May your day be filled with opportunities to give yourself and, in the process of giving, become more fully alive!
Ben Keckler
06.16.10
“Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay.
Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
-Ruth’s words to her mother-in-law, Ruth 1
The old, old story of Ruth and her allegiance to her mother-in-law is a wonderful story about unconditional love. Working can be a job, but I would hope that it is more than that. I would like to believe that we work because we want to help others and to see that the world is a better place (in some small way) because we have done our part. Giving of ourselves, in our work and in our volunteering, can have a deep meaning in our hearts. Frederick Buechner says it this way:
“By all the laws both of logic and simple arithmetic, to give yourself away in love to another (someone/something beyond self) would seem to mean that you end up with less of yourself left than you had to begin with. But the miracle is that just the reverse is true, logic and arithmetic go hang! To live not just for yourself alone, but for something beyond yourself, Is a new way to become fully alive.”
May today be something more than work. May your day be filled with opportunities to give yourself and, in the process of giving, become more fully alive!
Ben Keckler
06.16.10
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