Thanksgiving
“O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
the steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.”
--An ancient psalm of the Hebrew people
The day after Thanksgiving is here. Throughout the week, we’ve focused on giving thanks and praise to God and to others. It is good to remember that hearty thanks and praise should always include a horizontal and a vertical dimension. The above verse from Psalm 107 is an excellent example of the vertical dimension of praise. Sadly, sometimes our thanks and praise never includes a vertical dimension. Thomas Merton wrote this observation in Praying the Psalms:
“Praise is cheap today. Everything is praised.
Soap, beer, toothpaste, …movie stars, the latest gadgets
…everything is constantly being praised.
And, since everything is praised with the
official hollow enthusiasm of a radio announcer,
it turns out in the end that nothing is praised.”
Merton made this observation 53 years ago. It appears we are having trouble getting the picture. True and lasting praise needs both dimensions. As we move away from our day set aside for thanksgiving and praise, we will move toward the various sacred holidays of faith-filled people. May you find opportunities to extend your praise and thanks both horizontally and vertically.
--Ben Keckler
11.27.09
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving
“I will praise you, my God, and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.”
--An ancient psalm of the Hebrew people
It is Thanksgiving Day. Being that I work in a hospital, I am fully aware that some people have to be on the job today. If you are working today, bless you.
In the book Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom writes about the time he talked with Morrie about the perfect day. Morrie, facing his death, described his perfect day as a day spent with family and friends, a day with a walk in the park, a nice Italian dinner, a night of dancing and finally a deep, wonderful sleep. “It was so simple. So average. I was actually a little disappointed,” Mitch writes.
For Morrie, it was a perfect day. Maybe this won’t be a “perfect” Thanksgiving, but it can be a meaningful one. Take time to give of yourself to those around you and give God thanks for what is happening at that very moment. If you do, you may discover some new realities about what makes a day “perfect.”
Thank you to all those who work today. Thanks be to God for your work.
--Ben Keckler
11.26.09
“I will praise you, my God, and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.”
--An ancient psalm of the Hebrew people
It is Thanksgiving Day. Being that I work in a hospital, I am fully aware that some people have to be on the job today. If you are working today, bless you.
In the book Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom writes about the time he talked with Morrie about the perfect day. Morrie, facing his death, described his perfect day as a day spent with family and friends, a day with a walk in the park, a nice Italian dinner, a night of dancing and finally a deep, wonderful sleep. “It was so simple. So average. I was actually a little disappointed,” Mitch writes.
For Morrie, it was a perfect day. Maybe this won’t be a “perfect” Thanksgiving, but it can be a meaningful one. Take time to give of yourself to those around you and give God thanks for what is happening at that very moment. If you do, you may discover some new realities about what makes a day “perfect.”
Thank you to all those who work today. Thanks be to God for your work.
--Ben Keckler
11.26.09
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Daily Devotion - Wednesday, November 25
Thanksgiving
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.”
--An ancient psalm of the Hebrew people
While there are obviously difficult times within our land, we are surrounded by numerous reasons to make a joyful noise of thanks to God. C. S. Lewis, well known author who made a tremendous journey of faith during his lifetime, called praise “inner health made audible.”
One of his writings is titled Reflections on the Psalms. Here are some pertinent words for consideration this Thanksgiving:
“The healthy person,even if luxuriously brought up and widely experienced in good cookery, could praise a very modest meal; the dyspeptic and the snob find fault with all.”
Let praise and thanksgiving sound forth from your lips this season. Break forth with positive notes of praise. We are blessed with bounty and God’s goodness surrounds us always.
Prayer: For all your blessings, great and small, we praise your name, O Lord. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
11.25.09
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.”
--An ancient psalm of the Hebrew people
While there are obviously difficult times within our land, we are surrounded by numerous reasons to make a joyful noise of thanks to God. C. S. Lewis, well known author who made a tremendous journey of faith during his lifetime, called praise “inner health made audible.”
One of his writings is titled Reflections on the Psalms. Here are some pertinent words for consideration this Thanksgiving:
“The healthy person,even if luxuriously brought up and widely experienced in good cookery, could praise a very modest meal; the dyspeptic and the snob find fault with all.”
Let praise and thanksgiving sound forth from your lips this season. Break forth with positive notes of praise. We are blessed with bounty and God’s goodness surrounds us always.
Prayer: For all your blessings, great and small, we praise your name, O Lord. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
11.25.09
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Daily Devotion - Tuesday, November24
Thanksgiving
“Shout to God with loud shouts of praise.”
--Psalm 47: 1
● Hopefully your day will be more than feasting!
● Hopefully your day will include remembering.
● Hopefully your day will have some moments for authentic, soulful praise to God.
Praise and thanksgiving to God is central to life. I really appreciate these words from Rabbi Abraham Heschel, noted writer and teacher, “No one attains faith without first achieving the prerequisites of faith. First we praise, then we believe. We begin with a sense of wonder and arrive at radical amazement. The first response is reverence and awe, openness to the mystery that surrounds, and we are led to be overwhelmed by the glory.”
May your Thanksgiving week have enough time for you to shout your praises.
--Ben Keckler
11.23.09
“Shout to God with loud shouts of praise.”
--Psalm 47: 1
● Hopefully your day will be more than feasting!
● Hopefully your day will include remembering.
● Hopefully your day will have some moments for authentic, soulful praise to God.
Praise and thanksgiving to God is central to life. I really appreciate these words from Rabbi Abraham Heschel, noted writer and teacher, “No one attains faith without first achieving the prerequisites of faith. First we praise, then we believe. We begin with a sense of wonder and arrive at radical amazement. The first response is reverence and awe, openness to the mystery that surrounds, and we are led to be overwhelmed by the glory.”
May your Thanksgiving week have enough time for you to shout your praises.
--Ben Keckler
11.23.09
Monday, November 23, 2009
Daily Devotion - Monday, November 23
Thanksgiving
“Shout to God with loud shouts of praise.”
--Psalm 47: 1
● Hopefully your day will be more than feasting!
● Hopefully your day will include remembering.
● Hopefully your day will have some moments for authentic, soulful praise to God.
Praise and thanksgiving to God is central to life. I really appreciate these words from Rabbi Abraham Heschel, noted writer and teacher, “No one attains faith without first achieving the prerequisites of faith. First we praise, then we believe. We begin with a sense of wonder and arrive at radical amazement. The first response is reverence and awe, openness to the mystery that surrounds, and we are led to be overwhelmed by the glory.”
May your Thanksgiving week have enough time for you to shout your praises.
--Ben Keckler
11.23.09
“Shout to God with loud shouts of praise.”
--Psalm 47: 1
● Hopefully your day will be more than feasting!
● Hopefully your day will include remembering.
● Hopefully your day will have some moments for authentic, soulful praise to God.
Praise and thanksgiving to God is central to life. I really appreciate these words from Rabbi Abraham Heschel, noted writer and teacher, “No one attains faith without first achieving the prerequisites of faith. First we praise, then we believe. We begin with a sense of wonder and arrive at radical amazement. The first response is reverence and awe, openness to the mystery that surrounds, and we are led to be overwhelmed by the glory.”
May your Thanksgiving week have enough time for you to shout your praises.
--Ben Keckler
11.23.09
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