Theme for the Week: “Not So Common Prayers”
Friday Fantasy: The Need for Renewal
Good morning God,
It has been a demanding week. I feel like maybe you will understand if I sound a bit demanding in my prayers today. The grief demands of the week have been great. The sadness of children and adults traveling through grief has been great. I feel totally drained.
I know the experiences and the disciplines of the past week have marred me and scarred me. I know they have and continue to mold me into the person I am and will become. Thank you.
But, right now, I confess that I am looking forward to renewal this weekend. Some quiet time in my own backyard, some time with my flowers, with the birds, with a refreshing beverage is what I treasure right now. Yes, I want some inner refurbishment so that my redecorated heart can dance with joy and gladness as I relax and prepare for another week of caring for your people.
Thanks for hearing, listening and responding with grace. Amen.
Have a good weekend.
--Ben Keckler
08.28.09
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 27
Theme for the Week: “Not So Common Prayers”
Thursday Theology: The Meaning of Life
Good morning God,
It is good to believe that you know more about me than I know about myself. Today I am feeling like I don’t practice being sensitive to your voice; like I don’t take enough time to see the connection between this moment and the vast continuum of time; like I’m so caught up in my stuff that I may be missing You in the midst of life’s rhythmic pace.
Yet, there is reason why I am numb and uncertain — that’s right you already know about it, don’t you.
God, I’m not sure that I can be what I feel you nudging me to be and to become. Help me to seek you and to find you in the moment, in each and every moment. Help my words and my deeds to be in concert with the spirit that is beyond my petty desires.
It isn’t that I want to or need to do anything great to find meaning in my life, God. It is just that I’m still trying to find balance in my journey toward your realm. I’ll be still now — that is probably all you wanted me to do when I began this prayer. In your name, I pray. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.27.09
Thursday Theology: The Meaning of Life
Good morning God,
It is good to believe that you know more about me than I know about myself. Today I am feeling like I don’t practice being sensitive to your voice; like I don’t take enough time to see the connection between this moment and the vast continuum of time; like I’m so caught up in my stuff that I may be missing You in the midst of life’s rhythmic pace.
Yet, there is reason why I am numb and uncertain — that’s right you already know about it, don’t you.
God, I’m not sure that I can be what I feel you nudging me to be and to become. Help me to seek you and to find you in the moment, in each and every moment. Help my words and my deeds to be in concert with the spirit that is beyond my petty desires.
It isn’t that I want to or need to do anything great to find meaning in my life, God. It is just that I’m still trying to find balance in my journey toward your realm. I’ll be still now — that is probably all you wanted me to do when I began this prayer. In your name, I pray. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.27.09
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, August 26
Theme for the Week: “Not So Common Prayers”
Wednesday Wonderings: Problems
Good morning God,
I’ve got problems. In case you didn’t know that I knew that, I thought I’d talk about them with you.
• I’m having trouble understanding others (or is it me I’m having trouble with?)
• I’m angry and so I get irritable too readily (you’re not surprised?)
• I’m anxious about the future (or is it that I’m kicking myself about regrets from the past that might resurface?)
• I’m hiding behind artificiality too often (or is it an insecurity that my feelings really aren’t important?)
• I’m trying to believe (or is it that I really don’t trust your ability to understand my humanity?)
Nothing-new here?
I know.
Help me to remember that you know my problems and to be aware of your grace that is already taking care of my stuff.
--Ben Keckler
08.26.09
Wednesday Wonderings: Problems
Good morning God,
I’ve got problems. In case you didn’t know that I knew that, I thought I’d talk about them with you.
• I’m having trouble understanding others (or is it me I’m having trouble with?)
• I’m angry and so I get irritable too readily (you’re not surprised?)
• I’m anxious about the future (or is it that I’m kicking myself about regrets from the past that might resurface?)
• I’m hiding behind artificiality too often (or is it an insecurity that my feelings really aren’t important?)
• I’m trying to believe (or is it that I really don’t trust your ability to understand my humanity?)
Nothing-new here?
I know.
Help me to remember that you know my problems and to be aware of your grace that is already taking care of my stuff.
--Ben Keckler
08.26.09
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, August 25
Theme for the Week: “Not So Common Prayers”
Tuesday Troubles: Life Goes On
Good morning God,
Wow! Summer is almost gone and I feel like it just began.
● How come life is such a wild chase toward something which really is nothing more than what I left?
● What did I do with the last 11 weeks that we call June, July and August? I feel more empty than I do full and refreshed.
● How come just about every weekend for the next three months already has stuff penciled in?
● Is it OK to just say “No” and take time off to relax?
Wait. I just asked you a yes or no question and heard you tell me YES! You told me that life will go on and all will be well. Relax, you say? Relax.
--Ben Keckler
08.25.09
Tuesday Troubles: Life Goes On
Good morning God,
Wow! Summer is almost gone and I feel like it just began.
● How come life is such a wild chase toward something which really is nothing more than what I left?
● What did I do with the last 11 weeks that we call June, July and August? I feel more empty than I do full and refreshed.
● How come just about every weekend for the next three months already has stuff penciled in?
● Is it OK to just say “No” and take time off to relax?
Wait. I just asked you a yes or no question and heard you tell me YES! You told me that life will go on and all will be well. Relax, you say? Relax.
--Ben Keckler
08.25.09
Monday, August 24, 2009
Daily Devotion - Monday, August 24
Theme for the Week: “Not So Common Prayers”
Monday Musings: Values
Good morning God,
I’m back from a refreshing weekend and I had some quality time with the world you’ve made. Thank you. My senses are alive! And now I’m back at work, graced by air conditioning and so many other products of human technology. Problems will arise and people will need individual attention. Help me to honor the value of the earth and the value of spending time with people in need from my small region of your vast world.
Guide me through my struggles this week:
Can I learn how to use my possessions and be less used by them?
Can I embrace creation’s beauty?
Can I be less enamored with my own creations?
Can I slow down?
Can I surrender my greed; realizing generosity will not deplete me?
Can I live more simply so that others can simply live?
Teach me awareness, O God.
Ben Keckler
08.24.09
Monday Musings: Values
Good morning God,
I’m back from a refreshing weekend and I had some quality time with the world you’ve made. Thank you. My senses are alive! And now I’m back at work, graced by air conditioning and so many other products of human technology. Problems will arise and people will need individual attention. Help me to honor the value of the earth and the value of spending time with people in need from my small region of your vast world.
Guide me through my struggles this week:
Can I learn how to use my possessions and be less used by them?
Can I embrace creation’s beauty?
Can I be less enamored with my own creations?
Can I slow down?
Can I surrender my greed; realizing generosity will not deplete me?
Can I live more simply so that others can simply live?
Teach me awareness, O God.
Ben Keckler
08.24.09
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