God: Absent or Present
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
One of my teachers once said, “A simple, quiet presence can be enough to create a freeing distance that allows someone to discover an unexpected perspective on a seemingly hopeless situation.”
I like that statement. Quiet doesn’t equal absent. Silence can mean present. So if you are wondering about God’s presence, make sure you listen closely to the silence.
--Ben Keckler
11.08.11
Showing posts with label God's presence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's presence. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Daily Devotion - Monday, November 7
God: Absent or Present
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
We begin another week and it feels like it is time to explore one of life’s difficult dilemmas. Is God present or absent?
• In the past several weeks, I’ve encountered too many associates who are dealing with life shattering experiences at a personal level.
• Added to that I’ve visited with too many families who are flooded by the torrential rains that are sweeping through their lives.
• Added to that I’ve watched natural disaster after natural disaster reap devastation upon masses of people who were not prepared for violent acts of nature.
“The problems of life often overwhelm us. The concreteness and immediacy of present misery seldom permit sufficient distance to see and experience a larger presence,” wrote Henri Nouwen in 1989.
As we begin this week, I want to challenge you to be attentive. Be attentive to the moments when you feel the absence of God and to the moments when you feel the presence of God. May your experiences and your reflections find your spirit wrestling with this difficult dilemma of life.
--Ben Keckler
11.07.11
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
We begin another week and it feels like it is time to explore one of life’s difficult dilemmas. Is God present or absent?
• In the past several weeks, I’ve encountered too many associates who are dealing with life shattering experiences at a personal level.
• Added to that I’ve visited with too many families who are flooded by the torrential rains that are sweeping through their lives.
• Added to that I’ve watched natural disaster after natural disaster reap devastation upon masses of people who were not prepared for violent acts of nature.
“The problems of life often overwhelm us. The concreteness and immediacy of present misery seldom permit sufficient distance to see and experience a larger presence,” wrote Henri Nouwen in 1989.
As we begin this week, I want to challenge you to be attentive. Be attentive to the moments when you feel the absence of God and to the moments when you feel the presence of God. May your experiences and your reflections find your spirit wrestling with this difficult dilemma of life.
--Ben Keckler
11.07.11
Monday, November 8, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, November 8
God: Absent or Present
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
We begin another week and it feels like it is time to explore one of life’s difficult dilemmas. Is God present or absent?
• Too many friends are dealing with life shattering experiences at a personal level. They are asking this question!
• Too many families are overwhelmed because economic chaos is changing their plans for a perceived secure future. They are asking this question!
• Natural disasters can never be controlled and they too reap devastation upon masses of people who were not prepared for violent acts of nature. They are asking this question!
“The problems of life often overwhelm us. The concreteness and immediacy of present misery seldom permits sufficient distance to see and experience a larger presence,” wrote Henri Nouwen in 1989.
As we begin this week, I want to challenge you to be attentive. Be attentive to the moments when you feel the absence of God and to the moments when you feel the presence of God. May your experiences and your reflections unite your spirit with the millions who wrestle with this difficult dilemma of life.
--Ben Keckler
11.08.10
“Search me, O God, and know my heart:
Test me and know my thoughts,
See if there is any wicked way in me
Lead me in the way everlasting.”
--Words of an old songwriter
Psalm 139:23, 24
We begin another week and it feels like it is time to explore one of life’s difficult dilemmas. Is God present or absent?
• Too many friends are dealing with life shattering experiences at a personal level. They are asking this question!
• Too many families are overwhelmed because economic chaos is changing their plans for a perceived secure future. They are asking this question!
• Natural disasters can never be controlled and they too reap devastation upon masses of people who were not prepared for violent acts of nature. They are asking this question!
“The problems of life often overwhelm us. The concreteness and immediacy of present misery seldom permits sufficient distance to see and experience a larger presence,” wrote Henri Nouwen in 1989.
As we begin this week, I want to challenge you to be attentive. Be attentive to the moments when you feel the absence of God and to the moments when you feel the presence of God. May your experiences and your reflections unite your spirit with the millions who wrestle with this difficult dilemma of life.
--Ben Keckler
11.08.10
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, March 10
God With Me
Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A prayer for the day:
The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
Ben Keckler
03.10.09
Where can I go from God’s spirit?
Where can I flee from God’s presence?
--Questions raised by a songwriter (Psalm 139: 7)
A prayer for the day:
The light of God surrounds me;
The love of God enfolds me;
The power of God protects me;
The presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
Ben Keckler
03.10.09
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