08
Mar
Step Into Your Story
Susan Gaddis

read with the windHow does one step into the story that God has planned for his life? How do we encounter the Holy in the daily in such a way that our life makes sense and contains purpose mixed with destiny? Here are 5 ways to step into your God story.

Consider your story

Begin each morning by consulting with the Author. He alone knows the direction your story line should take and how that might play out in the living of your day.  

Follow your story

Your story may or may not be reflected in your day planner. Such lists are good for the basic outline of your days, but the real story happens between the lines. The scribbles of your story are just as important as the lists.

Tackle those projects on your schedule in rhythm with the Spirit Holy. Watch for the interruptions in your day and give the unexpected your attention.

Listen to your story

Listen to the writer of your story. He knows your tale from Table of Contents through Endnotes. In his book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller explains, “There is a writer outside ourselves, plotting a better story for us, interacting with us, even, and whispering a better story into our consciousness.”

Learn through your story

The point of our lives isn’t our accomplishments or even our journey. It is the change that happens in us because of our journey—the change that occurs as we overcome the challenges of life. Therefore, every life situation is an opportunity to learn and grow into the likeness of Christ.

Enjoy your story

Take a few minutes just before you fall asleep to reflect on your day. God wants to enjoy the wonder with you of living the life he has laid out for you. Musing with the Lord creates a story bond between the Author and the main character—you. 

Our questions for today: What do you want people to say about you when you are gone? What do you want them to remember? What stories do you want folks to tell while holding the memory of you close to their hearts?

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below for us to mull over.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

See What Story Are You Living for more on this topic.
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Category: At work, Daily chores, Personal growth, Spirit Rituals  Tags: , , , ,
05
Mar
What Story Are You Living?
Susan Gaddis

1176000_black_notebook_with_pencilThere are many scripts defining your life: The story you tell about yourself in your head. The story others tell about you or think about you. The story the enemy of your soul wants to create for you. But the story that matters is the one the Author of Life is writing for you. Which story are you living?

The easiest script to follow is the one running just below the surface of your thoughts. You know the one—“I’m not worthy.” “I’ve made a mistake AGAIN.” “I’m never going to be the person I really want to be.” Or perhaps it sounds like, “I deserve better than this.” “It’s not fair.” “It’s not my fault.” “If he would just change, my life would be better.”

Some choose to live the story others create for them. If you’re not careful, the expectations of your parents, spouse, kids, boss, or friends easily transcribes into your storyline.

A saga is often written by believing the opinions and judgments people place upon you. “You are difficult to live with.” “You can’t keep a job.” “You’re not a good parent.” People only see a facet of the complex person we really are, yet we tend to let their opinions define us.

The Destroyer of Souls creates his narrative for you based on the negative things you believe about yourself, whether gleaned from the story in your head or the things others think about you. The titles of Satan’s tales might read: The Good Wife, The Fugitive, Death Becomes Her, The Mother-In-Law, or Little House of Horrors.

You play a variety of roles in any of these stories—victim, hero, lost soul, damaged goods, villain, child, parent, or savior. Yet, none of these characters is really the starring role in the script God is writing for you.

God was writing your story before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He is the author and finisher of your journey (Hebrews 12:2). God introduced your story when he intricately formed you in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139). The place and time of your birth were purposely planned by him (Acts 17:26). The life script bearing your name contains such descriptions as pure, holy, and blameless (Ephesians 1). The exciting part waits to be given voice by you, but you have to step into the story.

Which story are you living? Share your journey with us in the comment section below.

Join me for coffee on Monday and we’ll talk about how to daily Step into Your Story.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Brain overhaul, Personal growth  Tags: , , , , , , , ,
03
Mar
Really, How Old Are You?
Susan Gaddis
Adelaide Ayers

Adelaide Ayers

Shortly after her birthday, my little granddaughter, Adelaide, asked, “Grandma, are you old?”

Smiling, I replied, “Yes, I am old. I am over 50 years old. How old are you?”

Her answer was swift, sweet, and bouncy like a three year old, “I’m not old. I’m new.”

Life in the Backward Kingdom views its citizens as always new—never young or old—just new. What a freeing thought for those of us encumbered with aging bodies, misplaced memories, or festering wounds that create age lines sooner than expected.

I find it interesting that God calls us “new creatures” in Christ. That conveys two things to me:

First, I’m not old; I’m new. The parts of me that still appear old are in transition as I change from glory to glory in ways I do not comprehend. I am totally new and totally in transition from old to new.

Go figure—if I can’t understand Quantum Physics, I’m never going to grasp this one. That’s the good part. My comprehension is not required for me to be totally new and totally in transition from oldness to newness all at the same time.

Second, I am a new type of being altogether different than I was before this transformation began. I am human, but not in the old sense of being human. I am some type of creature that takes its form and identity from the One who is called the Word and spoke me into being the first time I was created.

This second creation will be complete when I receive a new body to go with the new me inside this old body. Again, most stuff in the Backward Kingdom makes no sense this side of the new heaven and new earth.

My joints groan, my mind forgets, and text messaging confuses me. Yet, I am not really old inside—I’m totally new and growing newer and newer. Like God’s mercy, I’m new every morning. It feels good to recall this principle of the Backward Kingdom and to remember that it was my wise granddaughter who brought it to my attention.

So, here’s today’s question: How old are you? Please share your answer and thoughts in the comment section below.

Connecting Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:14-16; Revelation 21:4-6

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Brain overhaul, Personal growth, The Backward Kingdom  Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
01
Mar
Earthquake–Earth Groaning?
Susan Gaddis
photo by Hey Paul of Pan Jewelers in Paso Robles days after the 2003 earthquake

photo of Pan Jewelers in Paso Robles by Hey Paul days after the 2003 earthquake

A sudden roaring noise and the house began to shake. Plants and antiques tumbled to the floor while I dashed to stand under a doorway.

On December 22, 2003 at 11:15 PST, a 6.5 earthquake struck the Central Coast of California and shook me out of over 50 years of complacency. Although a native Californian, I had never felt an earthquake of such power—nor been so unsettled.

Unlike many I know, my china remained intact and all but a few fragile treasures survived the quake. But ever since the earth moved under my feet, I have been watching news reports of earthquakes around the world with a new eye to their significance. Could it be that earthquakes express the reality of the creation groaning in anticipation of the Creator’s return? Might these tremblings be one of the signs prophesied so long ago in Scripture? (Romans 8:19-22 and Matthew 24:3-8)

The Last Century of Earthquakes

Increase of Earthquakes

Stephen S. Gao, a geophysicist at Missouri University of Science and Technology, says that compared to the 20-year period from the mid-1970s to the mid 1990s, the earth has experienced an increase of seismic activity in the last 15 years.

The data also points to the fact that we now have better technology and communication with which to locate, study, and distribute information concerning earthquakes—something we were missing just a hundred years ago.

History of Deadly Earthquakes

In looking at a timeline of the deadliest earthquakes since 1906, catastrophic earthquakes appear to be increasing since the 1960s. Yet, population growth and density is also responsible for escalating damage and death when an earthquake occurs.

A New Decade of Earthquakes Begins With a Roll

Since January of 2010, new stories of earthquakes have occurred weekly. Some aren’t significant enough to make our headlines, but nevertheless, the quakes occur. We are, of course, aware of these major events:

Haiti Earthquake

The 7.0 January 12, 2010 Haiti earthquake killed over 200,000 people.

Chile Earthquake

The 8.8 earthquake in Chile on February 27, 2010 is the seventh strongest earthquake in history. The death toll continues to mount as reports from the 600-mile stretch of effected country come in. Over 90 aftershocks were recorded in the 24 hours following the quake.

Okinawa earthquake

The 6.9 earthquake in Okinawa on February 27, 2010 caused little damage, but adds to the number of earthquakes in that region of the world.

Argentina Earthquake

A 6.1 earthquake struck Argentina on February 27, 2010 shortly after the earthquake in Chile was recorded. News sources say it was not an aftershock of the Chile shaker.

New Future Earthquake Concerns

Some expect another large earthquake to hit Haiti next year.

When an earthquake hits, we immediately grieve over the loss of life and wonder how to help those in need. But what do you think about when the earth shakes? Are these earthquakes the groanings of a planet in anticipation of her Creator’s return? Does the fear of the earth moving beneath your feet cause you to tremble?

This is what the Bible says: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV). I’m grateful for these words of comfort and promise. How about you?

Please share your earthquake experiences and thoughts in the comment section below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Mission, News  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
26
Feb
Let Go of the Rope
Susan Gaddis

443085_in_the_cave_5To continue our theme of peace in the midst of outer turmoil this week, I’m delighted to introduce Linda Wilson as my first guest blogger at Holy in the Daily. Linda has been struggling with cancer for some time and her growth in Jesus continues to amaze me. She and her husband, Rich, pastor a Third Day church in San Luis Obispo, California. Linda is known for her humor, compassion, and artful soul. Welcome Linda!

The old joke goes like this: A man falls off a cliff and part way down grabs a piece of bush hanging there and he looks up at the sky and yells, “God, help me!” God replies, “let go and I’ll catch you!” The man thinks about it for a minute and then yells, “Is anybody else up there?”

This has been the hardest season of my life. The first couple of times I had cancer I didn’t look or really feel like I had it, so it was easy to journey right on through. This time I both look and feel like I have cancer and it is not easy. I have physical pain and have lost a lot of weight—which is a heck of a way to diet. I am still believing God’s promises to me and will stand by them for He is not a liar or a trickster, but I have to confess that I have cried more in the last few months than I have my entire life—crying over nothing and crying over everything. It has been really cathartic.

I was talking to a friend last week when I felt like God told me I had finally let go of the rope. We all have ropes we hang on to. These ropes are made of multi-strands of different things. I wove mine together as a child as I learned to protect my self from pain.

My rope was made of control, manipulation, denial, self-centeredness, self-reliance and fear of intimacy—just to name a few. All those things protected me as a child and kept the pain of loss from killing me. They felt like a nice little box I could hide in, but as an adult, the box became a prison which kept me from trusting the very One I could trust the most.

This season has been about me learning I could trust Him. This isn’t like a theory or a belief, but something deeper—an experience.

I realized I was no longer trying to control every little thing like my cancer treatments (a biggie, since I had made all my own choices before, based on what iI believed He was telling me – but still my choice to micro manage). Since I let go and faced my fear I no longer do that.  

I have let go of everything except Him. I have fallen into the arms of a loving Father and it is a wonderfully peaceful place.

I know I couldn’t have let go of my rope if He hadn’t loved me as He has. The Word says we love Him because He first loved us! He has done it all. I did nothing to contribute to being in this place. That is amazing to me. I realize I can trust Who He is, not just what He says. It was not being able to trust Him that kept me in the prison—kept me hanging onto the rope. It is the not being sure He loves us that keeps us from completely letting go and trusting Him.

So now I rest in His arms and feel His love and I don’t care what happens to me. He is my Papa and will take care of me. I don’t have to take care of myself any longer—no more need for self-protection or self-preservation. He is more than enough. I feel like one of the lilies in the field or a tiny sparrow. I am dependent on Him now for my every need.

I can’t emphasize enough how I did not make this happen. That is the wonder of it all. One day I just felt His great love for me break through and that was all it took.

So my prayer is for those I love who are still holding onto the rope. I pray that His love will break through and you will know how special you are, how loved you are, and that you will be able to let go with a KOWABUNGA and fall into the arms of your loving Papa.  —Linda Wilson

What is your rope made of? In what ways are you learning to “let go of the rope?” Please share this post with those you know who struggle with cancer, and click on “comments” below to share your thoughts with us.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Personal growth  Tags: , , , , ,
24
Feb
How to Keep People from Draining the Peace Out of Your Day-Part 2
Susan Gaddis

597241_troubledPeople can drain the peace out of your day if you let them. Can you think of one person whose presence you could have done without lately—at least for a while? Irritating relationships can make room for the Holy when you keep a few self-care practices in place.

In Part 1 of this discussion, we focused on responding to negative people intrusions in our day. Today we’ll look at healthy boundaries and self-talk when handling the needs of others.

Which of the following people draining situations apply to you?

1. Your boss drops a file full of paperwork on your desk and wants it completed today—along with everything else in your overflowing to-do box.

2. Your teenager is the star attraction in Hormones on Steroids and gives you free tickets for a front row seat.

3. Your sister focuses her Nikon microscope on your life and feels responsible to inform you of everything you are doing wrong and why you need to change—right now.

4. Your good friend is going through a divorce and wants to talk with you every night.

5. Other: _________________________________ Fill in the blank with your latest example of a “people drain.”

All of the situations above require your attention, but not your emotional peace. Responsibility, compassion, and respect for others remain necessary to maintain healthy relationships and walk in love. However, the demands of people do not have to dominate your thoughts or time.

One of the difficult things I am learning requires setting aside whatever is bothering me after giving it a certain amount of mental and physical attention. It is not my job to change people, their situations, or their feelings. Nor do I have to get sucked into their emotional drama or expectations.

Let’s review the above statements and see how to respond with healthy self-talk.

1. I will accomplish what I can of the paperwork required of me. However, if it is more than I can reasonably accomplish, I will say so and leave the unfinished paperwork until tomorrow. I will enjoy my evening and not feel guilty or pressured to “bring the job home with me.” I have a life separate from work and I intend to keep it that way.

2. My teenager may currently be difficult to live with, but it will not do either of us any good for me to get emotionally involved in his latest crisis. If I am calmly relying on the Lord, I can give wise counsel as needed or I can listen quietly. I do not have to solve my teenager’s issues, but I can pray and point him in the direction of the One who solves my problems.

3. My sister loves me and for that I am grateful. However, my life is mine, not hers. I am responsible for me. She is not. I will set a time limit to listen to her comments and conclude our time together with, “Thank you for sharing. Your comments are noted and I will review them with the Holy Spirit.”

After I have sincerely prayed, I will follow any directions the Spirit Holy has given me, leave the rest of my sister’s comments with the Lord, and not carry around the conversation in my head.

4. My friend may be going through a very difficult situation, but it is her situation—not mine. I will help her with some of her troubles, although I am not going to give up my family time on a daily basis. It feels good to be needed and I want to be a good Christian, yet I know that only God can be her real source for comfort and wisdom. I will be careful to not take over his job. I will continually pray for her as I guide her towards the Lord.

Learning good mental boundaries helps set limits on what we do with our time and emotional energy. This is one way to maintain the Lord’s peace in our lives and be truly available to others.

How do you separate yourself from people who are draining your peace, yet still need a caring response? What self-talk examples can you add to this list? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Brain overhaul, Daily, Personal growth, Relationships  Tags: , , , , , ,
22
Feb
How to Keep People from Draining the Peace Out of Your Day–Part 1
Susan Gaddis

137566_stress_or_whatFinding the Holy in my daily often means responding with gentleness to the abrasive intrusions of the hour. Be it irritating drivers on the freeway or the cable company billing department, I find myself called to relate with self-controlled mindfulness.

Our large family and growing church provide continuous opportunities for criticism, thoughtless comments, and annoying attitudes to assault my air space, email inbox, telephone wires and otherwise pleasant conversations. If I am not careful in how I respond, such communications become the dictators of my own attitude.

Do you ever analyze your negative moods and realize it isn’t people who have depleted your inner peace, but your own choices in how you reacted to the actions or inactions of those people? When we respond calmly, gently, and with thought-out wisdom, we feel better about ourselves when the communication is over—we preserve our inner peace.

Of course, most abrasive intrusions are sudden and unexpected. I’m trying to learn to immediately grab my defenses before they switch into high gear and set them in a safe place within—usually a mental picture of sitting myself next to Jesus and under his right arm.

Next I try to separate the person from his actions. When I fail to do this, my shoes of peace come off and my combat boots get laced on tight. Any ensuing communication comes across as attacking the individual rather then dealing with his irritating actions.

Finally, I attempt to use a loving tone of voice and respectful words. Funny how these two things can convey a correction, apology, or difference of opinion in a way that binds rather than divides.

I’ve been practicing this stuff for some years now and still find my well-trained defenses are more dominate then I would like. But I am growing in this, and that is the whole point—to grow, change, and move forward with Jesus—not to have my act perfectly together.

How do you handle the abrasive intrusions of your day? How do you walk with the Holy in the midst of negative interruptions? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

Check back in on Wednesday for Part 2 of this series on How to Keep People from Draining the Peace Out of Your Day.
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Category: Personal growth, Relationships  Tags: , , , , ,
19
Feb
Passionate to Worship the Lord of the Dance
Susan Gaddis

1056922__olympics_There is something about figure skating that captures my desire to worship the Lord of the Dance. Perhaps it is the smooth and flowing freedom of the dancers that speaks to me of unrestrained worship, or it could be the gracefulness of their moves upon the hard ice. Whatever the reason, this call to worship mesmerizes me.

King David danced before the Lord with wild abandonment as he brought the ark of God back to Israel (see 2 Samuel 6:12-23). As a public figure, you would think David might have practiced a little more restraint, yet his inhibitions stepped aside letting his passion for the Lord seize center stage. Interestingly, David’s wife Michal didn’t appreciate his public display and a childless life became her destiny.

The Olympics draw passion out of participants and viewers. We admire and cheer those who win medals. We weep the fallen. We imagine ourselves doing things our bodies would never approve of, yet we secretly desire to express our passions with the disciplined wildness of the athletes who grace our TV screens.

Someday I plan to dance like an Olympic figure skater. I will use all their wonderful movements set to worship music as I express my heart before the Lord of the Dance. This isn’t physically possible with the body I currently own—weak ankles and old joints! So for now, I do the next best thing—I put some worship music on the CD player, close my eyes, and use my imagination to unrestrainedly and gracefully dance before the Lord. Not only does the Lord love it, but it is great practice for my future performance!

What do you think passionate worship looks like? Why do we resemble Michal more than we do David in our attitudes towards expressive worship? What are you noting from the passion of the Olympics? Please add your thoughts in the comments section below.

 In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: worship  Tags: , , , , , , ,
17
Feb
5 Things You Should Know About Fasting
Susan Gaddis

863359_wine_glassToday begins 40 days of fasting for this Charismatic girl. I’m new to the practice of Lent, but I thought I’d jump in with full intentions and inner resolve to fast. I’m reading as much as my brain can digest pertaining to this ancient spiritual practice as information tends to facilitate my resolve. It also helps that my husband has called our church to fast—I am not alone in my pain.

I’ll be sharing things I am learning in some of my posts during the next 40 days, but for a start, here are 5 things you should know about fasting to survive the backtalk your stomach will give you:

1. When a Christ follower desires to grow closer to God or to identify with the things that grab God’s attention, he or she will fast. Throughout the Bible we find stories of men and women fasting in some form or another. Church history contains additional stories of our fathers and mothers in the faith setting aside time to live a fasted life.

2. Our body communicates what we value by responding appropriately. When my father died, I cried. I also didn’t eat for days. My husband, a very funny man, beams when I laugh at his antics. Check my day planner—I schedule eight hours of sleep at night because I value a fresh mind and clear thinking when I rise at 5:00 to write. Walking up and down my street keeps me healthy so I can dance at my grandchildren’s weddings.

For much of my life, the closest I’ve come to integrating my body with my spirit and soul is when I raise my hands in worship or pray aloud. Have you ever noticed that in some cultures people wail when a friend dies or position themselves horizontally on the floor during prayer? I have never heard wailing at a funeral. Yet, raising my hands in worship, putting my face on the carpet to pray, and wailing at a funeral are appropriate, physical expressions of what I value—worship, prayer, and people.

In his book, Fasting, Scot McKnight comments, “The Bible, because it advocates clearly that the person—heart, soul, mind, spirit, body—is embodied as a unity, assumes that fasting as body talk is inevitable.”

3. There are different kinds of fasts. Normally, a biblical fast involves abstaining from food from sunup to sundown. Sometimes a fast means going without food and water for 24 hours or longer (see Acts 9:9).

During Lent, many follow an abstinent fast by denying themselves certain foods that otherwise would be acceptable. A Daniel fast would be an example of this type of fasting. Daniel and his friends abstained from rich foods and consumed only vegetables and water during their training for the king’s service (see Daniel 1).

4. Fasting is not easy. If fasting was undemanding it would not represent your body identifying with the things that break God’s heart. So, expect the discomfort and hunger pains to be your voice for grieving  the lack of the Kingdom on earth.

5. Fasting involves planning. Depending on my chosen fast, I may not dine out much during these 40 days. Since my sons-still-living-at-home crowd is currently feasting, the refrigerator needs to contain man-food. I’ll plan ahead to avoid frustration and a negative reputation as a mother.

I can’t think of many spiritual practices that so invade our daily life as much as fasting. The rewards are worth it, but that discussion is for another post.

Are you fasting for Lent? If so, what does your fast look like? What is your body identifying with and what is it saying through your chosen fast? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

For more information on this subject, click on Scot McKnight’s book Fasting in the far right sidebar.

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Category: Lent, fasting  Tags: , , , , , , , ,
15
Feb
Blood on the Pew
Susan Gaddis

592160_knife_in_hand__8I noticed blood on the pew the other day. War between brothers is a biblical principle—at least from Genesis to Revelation. Not that offense is godly, but it is a trait found in the Scriptures and in our churches.

Human beings are not the first to leave a fellowship because of offense. Lucifer beat us to it; he became offended at God. A rebellion ensued in heaven and one-third of the angels received the right boot of fellowship along with Lucifer.

Conflict seems to be a part of the package of any good church. I believe God guides us to situations where we will have every opportunity to take up an offense. Those that learn to process offense and conflict correctly should end up as leaders in God’s House (see 1 Corinthians 11:17-19). Unfortunately, few churches follow this guideline for choosing leadership, which results in more problems. 

I’m not implying that no one should ever leave a church because of issues with other people or with the leadership. No, occasionally leaving is a healthy option. Sometimes a departure is necessary for all to grow. I would add, however, that staying is often necessary for all to grow.

Did you know that every healthy human body has a multitude of germs dwelling within its blood and tissues? As long as the germs can’t dominate the atmosphere of the body, the health of the body is ensured.

It isn’t the absence of germs or offense that creates health in a church fellowship, but the ability to fight off offense and walk in love. The basic antidote is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13.

In his book, Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them, John Ortberg states, “The early church was not a place where conflict didn’t exist. It was a place where people were committed and accountable to manage conflict well.”

So why do we assume it is the other guy that needs to cope with conflict well? Why do most of us embrace offense instead of process it? How many people do you know who no longer attend church because of being offended? I’d like to hear your point of view.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

For more reading on the subject of offense, check out the chapters called “Ouch—That Hurt!” and “Sheep Bite, but Shepherds Barbecue” in my book, Help, I’m Stuck With These People for the Rest of Eternity!

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