Joy Filled Lives
“I have told you this, so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”
--Jesus, as remembered by John in the gospels, chapter 15, verse 11
There is so much happening that can rob us of joy. In a hospital we treat sickness and disease in people who are experiencing joyless times. In this global village, we continue to hear the sad stories of the Middle East, a saga that is not just decades old, but actually centuries old.
Then there is this gospel word saying to us that complete joy, ecstasy if you will, is a possibility that is not just something for the mystic but a possibility for all who listen to the teachings of Jesus. Trying to picture that is almost unfathomable.
Henri Nouwen writes, “Somehow joy is much harder to express than sadness. It seems that we have more words for sickness than for health, more for abnormal conditions than for normal conditions.”
He continues, “those who live joy-filled lives are always moving away from rigidly fixed situations and exploring new, unmapped dimensions of reality. In other words, joy is always new. Whereas there can be old pain, old grief, and old sorrow, there can be no old joy. Old joy is not joy! Joy is always connected with movement, renewal, rebirth, change—in short, with life.” (Quotes are from Lifesigns, Henri Nouwen, pp. 85-88)
It’s mid-week!! I wish for you a day that has many moments of joy! May springtime be alive within you, filling you with joy, complete joy and contentment.
A prayer for today: God of joy, may I find you in new ways—small or great. Be before me, beneath me, over me, behind me, within me. In your name, Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.30.08
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Daily Devotions - Tuesday, April 29
The Way of Peace
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
--Jesus, as remembered by John (14:27)
Our Native American brothers and sisters—Miami, Sioux, Navajo, and Potawatomi, to name a few—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?
A prayer: Amid the talk, may my walk reflect the way of peace. Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.29.08
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
--Jesus, as remembered by John (14:27)
Our Native American brothers and sisters—Miami, Sioux, Navajo, and Potawatomi, to name a few—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?
A prayer: Amid the talk, may my walk reflect the way of peace. Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.29.08
Monday, April 28, 2008
Daily Devotions - Monday, April 28
God Found In Breadcrumbs?
Have you ever experienced an ache in your inner self? A sort of longing that is calling out to you….. a restlessness that isn’t satisfied when you “treat yourself” to a meal, a new outfit or a new gadget.
It is time to introduce another writer to you. Her name is Macrina Wiederkehr; one of her books is A Tree Full of Angels. She suggests that the longing or ache is for the reality of God awareness. She challenges us to look for “The Holy One” in the ordinary, not just the extraordinary. The Creator of all surrounds us more frequently than we acknowledge. Macrina would suggest that we sweep up too many breadcrumbs before stopping to realize the presence of God in what we are throwing away.
“The more I embrace the little one that I am, the more I have an inkling of some mysterious greatness, something infinite stirring within and yearning to be found. I feel it within me more each day. It is like dynamite waiting to be ignited, like a treasure waiting to be found, like a gift waiting to be given and received.”
Be alert to the times you feel that aching inside. Assess the things around you and you will discover that God is a lot closer than you realized. Have a blessed day as you find trees filled with angels.
A prayer for today: Teach me to be more aware, O God. Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.28.08
Have you ever experienced an ache in your inner self? A sort of longing that is calling out to you….. a restlessness that isn’t satisfied when you “treat yourself” to a meal, a new outfit or a new gadget.
It is time to introduce another writer to you. Her name is Macrina Wiederkehr; one of her books is A Tree Full of Angels. She suggests that the longing or ache is for the reality of God awareness. She challenges us to look for “The Holy One” in the ordinary, not just the extraordinary. The Creator of all surrounds us more frequently than we acknowledge. Macrina would suggest that we sweep up too many breadcrumbs before stopping to realize the presence of God in what we are throwing away.
“The more I embrace the little one that I am, the more I have an inkling of some mysterious greatness, something infinite stirring within and yearning to be found. I feel it within me more each day. It is like dynamite waiting to be ignited, like a treasure waiting to be found, like a gift waiting to be given and received.”
Be alert to the times you feel that aching inside. Assess the things around you and you will discover that God is a lot closer than you realized. Have a blessed day as you find trees filled with angels.
A prayer for today: Teach me to be more aware, O God. Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.28.08
Friday, April 25, 2008
Daily Devotions - Friday, April 25
A Hospital Experience
“When God gives anyone wealth and possessions
and enables that person to enjoy them,
to accept their lot and be happy in their work—
this is a gift of God.”
--A wisdom saying (Ecc. 5:19)
Thirty-three years ago on April 26 at about 7 AM we arrived at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our household was about to have a memorable hospital experience. For the next 15 hours I sat with my wife as she went through the pains of birthing our 5 pound, 13 ounce baby boy. The hospital stay was extended a few more days than anticipated due to some complications that, in the scope of things, were significant but minor. Today Kevin is a healthy young man, married and enjoying life. He is happy in his work, happy in his role as a volunteer firefighter and is able to enjoy the wealth and possessions that have come his way. He too has had a “hospital experience” with his wife and their daughter is one of those special treasures in my life. I agree with the wisdom writer. Kevin is truly a gift of God experiencing God’s gifts for him.
I still remember the work of the child birth team. We had a good hospital experience over three decades ago. The people who helped us through that important moment in life impressed me. Today, those of us who work in a hospital will have opportunities to help people as they experience a hospital. May your compassionate touches bless the lives of patients and families as they have their hospital experience.
A prayer: God be with us today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.25.08
“When God gives anyone wealth and possessions
and enables that person to enjoy them,
to accept their lot and be happy in their work—
this is a gift of God.”
--A wisdom saying (Ecc. 5:19)
Thirty-three years ago on April 26 at about 7 AM we arrived at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Our household was about to have a memorable hospital experience. For the next 15 hours I sat with my wife as she went through the pains of birthing our 5 pound, 13 ounce baby boy. The hospital stay was extended a few more days than anticipated due to some complications that, in the scope of things, were significant but minor. Today Kevin is a healthy young man, married and enjoying life. He is happy in his work, happy in his role as a volunteer firefighter and is able to enjoy the wealth and possessions that have come his way. He too has had a “hospital experience” with his wife and their daughter is one of those special treasures in my life. I agree with the wisdom writer. Kevin is truly a gift of God experiencing God’s gifts for him.
I still remember the work of the child birth team. We had a good hospital experience over three decades ago. The people who helped us through that important moment in life impressed me. Today, those of us who work in a hospital will have opportunities to help people as they experience a hospital. May your compassionate touches bless the lives of patients and families as they have their hospital experience.
A prayer: God be with us today. Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.25.08
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Daily Devotions - Thursday, April 24
Wonder of Silence
“For God alone my soul waits in silence.
Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before the Lord,
God is a refuge for us.”
--Psalm 62: 5, 8
One of the wonders of taking time with a person in the midst of their pain is the wonder of silence. The deepest cries of the soul are not the ones we can verbalize. They are the ones that are buried beneath piles of “stuff.” Today we receive a call to silence, a call to simply listen.
Often in a pastoral visitation, there is a request for prayer. It feels like a call to offer words, a call to engage the mind to form phrases for verbal expression. The temptation is to move quickly to words. This kind of prayer may only get us to the “piles of stuff,” causing us to miss the soul of the person who asks us to pray. Sometimes, as the Psalm writer reminds us, it is good to just stop all the noise and pour out our inner self in silence. Tough stuff to do!
Take time with your heart today. Take time being attentive to the hearts of those around you in whatever workspace you find as your “home away from home.” All of us may find many surprises if we dedicate today as a day when we listen and respond soul to soul.
A prayer: God…………………………………………….Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.24.08
“For God alone my soul waits in silence.
Trust in God at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before the Lord,
God is a refuge for us.”
--Psalm 62: 5, 8
One of the wonders of taking time with a person in the midst of their pain is the wonder of silence. The deepest cries of the soul are not the ones we can verbalize. They are the ones that are buried beneath piles of “stuff.” Today we receive a call to silence, a call to simply listen.
Often in a pastoral visitation, there is a request for prayer. It feels like a call to offer words, a call to engage the mind to form phrases for verbal expression. The temptation is to move quickly to words. This kind of prayer may only get us to the “piles of stuff,” causing us to miss the soul of the person who asks us to pray. Sometimes, as the Psalm writer reminds us, it is good to just stop all the noise and pour out our inner self in silence. Tough stuff to do!
Take time with your heart today. Take time being attentive to the hearts of those around you in whatever workspace you find as your “home away from home.” All of us may find many surprises if we dedicate today as a day when we listen and respond soul to soul.
A prayer: God…………………………………………….Amen.
Ben Keckler
04.24.08
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
