Moving Toward Occupancy
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands –
O Lord, prosper the work of our hands.”
--A prayer song (Psalm 90:17)
In just a few weeks we will open the doors of a new facility. We focus our devotional life on how the rhythms of the new building can correlate with the rhythms of our personal life.
Today is Wednesday. We focus on finishing work.
Over the past few weeks people have taken a stroll into the new building. In the next weeks the finishing touches will make a remarkable difference. Finishing work is detail work; finishing work gives external witness to internal character; finishing work tells an important story about an organization’s attention to detail. We will watch landscapers do their work on the exterior finishes; also, we will watch hospital associates getting things in working order on the interior. Even when the finishing work is done, it will never be fully complete. Soon we will find a detail that we didn’t dream of in the planning or structural work phases of building. We will have to find the best way to integrate that detail into what we hoped was a finished product.
Individually, we need to give attention to the finishing work in our lives. We need to realize that we can always “improve” our finished product. Reinhold Niebuhr said it this way: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.” Today is another day for some finishing work. Have a blessed day in all you do.
--Ben Keckler
04.14.10
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, April 13
Moving Toward Occupancy
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands –
O Lord, prosper the work of our hands.”
--A prayer song (Psalm 90:17)
In just a few weeks we will open the doors of a new facility. This week we focus our devotional life on how the rhythms of a new building can correlate with the rhythms of our personal life.
Today is Tuesday. We focus on structural work. For months and months we have entrusted the expansion of our facility to the working hands of others. For the most part, the hands of others beyond our hospital associates completed the structural work of our 205,000 square foot addition. A decision of faith was made. Work on the structure has taken a long time and the cost is far more than a few million dollars. In a few days we will have “substantial completion” of the project. Occupancy will still be a few months away as final details are completed.
In a similar way, each of us has structural work to be done so that the work of our hands will prosper. Physical structure, spiritual structure – both need our attentiveness. Just as the structural work at the hospital required lots of time and expense, it takes time and expense to have our physical and spiritual structures built on a good foundation, readied to face the storms of life.
This new work of our hands at Hendricks Regional Health is the result of hard work of laborers whose hands have formed this enormous structure. To the laborers, we offer our thanks for the work of your hands. May God prosper your work and ours in the days, weeks, months, years and decades ahead. Have a very good day.
--Ben Keckler
04.13.10
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands –
O Lord, prosper the work of our hands.”
--A prayer song (Psalm 90:17)
In just a few weeks we will open the doors of a new facility. This week we focus our devotional life on how the rhythms of a new building can correlate with the rhythms of our personal life.
Today is Tuesday. We focus on structural work. For months and months we have entrusted the expansion of our facility to the working hands of others. For the most part, the hands of others beyond our hospital associates completed the structural work of our 205,000 square foot addition. A decision of faith was made. Work on the structure has taken a long time and the cost is far more than a few million dollars. In a few days we will have “substantial completion” of the project. Occupancy will still be a few months away as final details are completed.
In a similar way, each of us has structural work to be done so that the work of our hands will prosper. Physical structure, spiritual structure – both need our attentiveness. Just as the structural work at the hospital required lots of time and expense, it takes time and expense to have our physical and spiritual structures built on a good foundation, readied to face the storms of life.
This new work of our hands at Hendricks Regional Health is the result of hard work of laborers whose hands have formed this enormous structure. To the laborers, we offer our thanks for the work of your hands. May God prosper your work and ours in the days, weeks, months, years and decades ahead. Have a very good day.
--Ben Keckler
04.13.10
Monday, April 12, 2010
Daily Devotion - Monday, April 12
Moving Toward Occupancy
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands –
O Lord, prosper the work of our hands.”
--A prayer song (Psalm 90: 17)
In just a few weeks Hendricks Regional Health will open the doors of a new facility. This week I want to focus our devotional life on how the rhythms of a new building can correlate with the rhythms of our personal lives.
Today is Monday. We focus on plans. Long before this $61 million construction project saw the first bit of earth moved, MANY groups of people were engaged in the planning process. Planning is difficult work; I've learned that through personal experience with a number of construction projects. Scores and scores of questions need to be studied and answered with vision for an undetermined future. Funding needs to be examined and reexamined. Meetings for clarification seem to be unending. Refining the plan for final drawings is tedious. The final drawings are “completed” but new data has called for some important reconsideration of certain parts of the plan. The site needs to be fully assessed for its suitability. And then there is … … … ….
All this before any visible site work/foundation work can even begin.
In a similar way, each of us continues to develop “our” plan for “our” life, working and refining the details. Without a well-defined plan, there will be unsettling turmoil. Planning is critical. How are you planning for your future? Are you giving the future the attention it deserves. How much are you studying and preparing for life?
This new work of our hands at our hospital is the result of hard work by visionaries who dreamed dreams and committed their energies to the necessary tasks of planning. To the planners, we offer our thanks for the work of your hands and minds. May God prosper your work and ours in the days, weeks, months, years and decades ahead. Have a very good week.
--Ben Keckler
04.12.10
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands –
O Lord, prosper the work of our hands.”
--A prayer song (Psalm 90: 17)
In just a few weeks Hendricks Regional Health will open the doors of a new facility. This week I want to focus our devotional life on how the rhythms of a new building can correlate with the rhythms of our personal lives.
Today is Monday. We focus on plans. Long before this $61 million construction project saw the first bit of earth moved, MANY groups of people were engaged in the planning process. Planning is difficult work; I've learned that through personal experience with a number of construction projects. Scores and scores of questions need to be studied and answered with vision for an undetermined future. Funding needs to be examined and reexamined. Meetings for clarification seem to be unending. Refining the plan for final drawings is tedious. The final drawings are “completed” but new data has called for some important reconsideration of certain parts of the plan. The site needs to be fully assessed for its suitability. And then there is … … … ….
All this before any visible site work/foundation work can even begin.
In a similar way, each of us continues to develop “our” plan for “our” life, working and refining the details. Without a well-defined plan, there will be unsettling turmoil. Planning is critical. How are you planning for your future? Are you giving the future the attention it deserves. How much are you studying and preparing for life?
This new work of our hands at our hospital is the result of hard work by visionaries who dreamed dreams and committed their energies to the necessary tasks of planning. To the planners, we offer our thanks for the work of your hands and minds. May God prosper your work and ours in the days, weeks, months, years and decades ahead. Have a very good week.
--Ben Keckler
04.12.10
Friday, April 9, 2010
Daily Devotion - Friday, April 9
A Joyful Noise
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.”
--From Psalm 100
In some ways it is pretty difficult to make a joyful noise when there is so much chaos in the world. Yet, as springtime visits us again it can be easier to make a joyful noise to God. I find the following prayer by Mary de LaValette to be filled with joy. I hope you enjoy it, too!
“Blessed are the animals for they shall lead us back to our lost innocence.
Blessed are the great whales for their vast intelligence is peaceful.
Blessed is the eagle for he is the king of birds.
Blessed is the cow for she is the ancient symbol of Peace.
Blessed is the little mouse who seeks shelter from the cold.
Blessed are the otters for their playfulness is without guile.
Blessed are all wild, free things for they live in harmony with their Creator.
Blessed are those animals who are part of our families for they bind us to the rest of Creation.
And blessed be Humankind who has gone so far astray.
Blessed is the Creation in its magnificence for the Spirit dwells in every living thing.
And is indivisible.”
Enjoy the budding of creation as your weekend unfolds, especially enjoy the animals.
Prayer: This is your world, O God. We join with creation making a joyful noise to you.
--Ben Keckler
04.09.10
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.”
--From Psalm 100
In some ways it is pretty difficult to make a joyful noise when there is so much chaos in the world. Yet, as springtime visits us again it can be easier to make a joyful noise to God. I find the following prayer by Mary de LaValette to be filled with joy. I hope you enjoy it, too!
“Blessed are the animals for they shall lead us back to our lost innocence.
Blessed are the great whales for their vast intelligence is peaceful.
Blessed is the eagle for he is the king of birds.
Blessed is the cow for she is the ancient symbol of Peace.
Blessed is the little mouse who seeks shelter from the cold.
Blessed are the otters for their playfulness is without guile.
Blessed are all wild, free things for they live in harmony with their Creator.
Blessed are those animals who are part of our families for they bind us to the rest of Creation.
And blessed be Humankind who has gone so far astray.
Blessed is the Creation in its magnificence for the Spirit dwells in every living thing.
And is indivisible.”
Enjoy the budding of creation as your weekend unfolds, especially enjoy the animals.
Prayer: This is your world, O God. We join with creation making a joyful noise to you.
--Ben Keckler
04.09.10
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Daily Devotion - Thursday, April 8
Peace and My Life
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
--Jesus, as remembered by John (14:27)
Scenic beauty abounds in the Shenandoah Valley. Have you ever traveled through the area where the Shenandoah Indian tribe made their home? Across the entire country, our Native American brothers and sisters were wise people.
“It is no longer good enough to cry peace,
we must act peace,
live peace
and live in peace.”
--Ancient Indian Proverb
These words are powerful! They suggest we have talked enough, that we have gone around and around about the desire for peace-filled times. Recently I participated in a continuing education course and the theme was simply:
“So, what are YOU going to do about it?”
The proverb and the question combined with the scripture verse for today, pose a challenge for responsible living in a chaotic world. There are ample examples suggesting that the time for talking about peace needs to be reflected in our actions immediately.
The three introspective questions for today could be:
Am I acting peace?
Am I living peace?
Am I living in peace?
Prayer: Amid the talk, may my walk reflect the way of peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
04.08.10
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
--Jesus, as remembered by John (14:27)
Scenic beauty abounds in the Shenandoah Valley. Have you ever traveled through the area where the Shenandoah Indian tribe made their home? Across the entire country, our Native American brothers and sisters were wise people.
“It is no longer good enough to cry peace,
we must act peace,
live peace
and live in peace.”
--Ancient Indian Proverb
These words are powerful! They suggest we have talked enough, that we have gone around and around about the desire for peace-filled times. Recently I participated in a continuing education course and the theme was simply:
“So, what are YOU going to do about it?”
The proverb and the question combined with the scripture verse for today, pose a challenge for responsible living in a chaotic world. There are ample examples suggesting that the time for talking about peace needs to be reflected in our actions immediately.
The three introspective questions for today could be:
Am I acting peace?
Am I living peace?
Am I living in peace?
Prayer: Amid the talk, may my walk reflect the way of peace. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
04.08.10
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