Archive for » January, 2010 «

29
Jan
Got problems? Get focused.

92296_the_stress_Is the economy dragging you down? Would your life be happier if certain people weren’t a part of it? Your circumstances in the problem department probably aren’t much different than were Nehemiah’s.

Nehemiah had a negative situation—his hometown was laid waste and the local residents weren’t too eager to address the problem. So Nehemiah did what any God follower would do; he fasted, prayed and reminded God of his promises. Then he listened carefully to God’s directions and proceeded to rebuild Jerusalem. God’s plan lacked some of the things Nehemiah needed, mainly enough workers and a neighborhood support group, but Nehemiah forged ahead anyway.

Like Nehemiah, we face difficult situations, many of them economical, some relational, and others physical. Proverbs 27:12 reminds us to look for problems and prepare to meet them. We gather information about a stressful situation so we can bring definition to what we are facing, but once a dilemma is identified, we fix our attention on God’s promises and power. 

A correct focus is the difference between a problem centered person and a promise centered person. This isn’t denial, but faith. Developing faith depends on what information is getting the most attention from us. Are we consumed with the situation we’re facing, or are we consumed with God’s promises? This is important because without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Solving our problems is not God’s primary aim. He is more concerned with building a person of faith then in erasing our troubles. If there is no obstacle, there is no need for faith.

Note how Habakkuk defined his problem, yet focused his attention in the right direction:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights . . .” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV).

What promises has God given you for your present problems?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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27
Jan
Please Pass the DNA
Adelaide Ayers
Adelaide Ayers

I have six little grandchildren in my life who carry my DNA. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing enough to pass the baton of faith on to these little people. Good grandmas do things like that.

Shouldn’t I be teaching the Bible and praying with them when they come to visit? How will they acquire the DNA of God unless I cram spiritual truths into their heads and cookies into their mouths?

Usually about that time of feeling like the Grandma from Failureland, I’m caught up short by the Spirit Holy and reminded that it is I who need to accept the baton from their little hands. This is just one more principle of the Backward Kingdom that I am learning.

Jesus told us that unless we become like little children we cannot inherit the kingdom of God—we won’t have the DNA of God infused within. We seem to know the important things of the Kingdom when we are small, but such wisdom seeps out of us as we grow big enough to carry the cares of the world.

Here are three things I’ve observed about little children, but don’t see in adults:

Children don’t worry. I worry. My husband worries. My grandkids don’t worry.

Children dance everywhere they go. I walk or stumble along life’s highways and byways. Children dance across the floor, on top of the couch, under the table, up and down on Grandma’s bed, and into the kitchen where they ask for something to eat since they only ate 15 minutes ago and have used up all their calories dancing.

Children are directly honest with God.  I avoid certain conversations with God. My grandchildren don’t seem to have that problem. One morning while cooking breakfast, my daughter Kati heard her three year old, Adelaide, strongly say, “Jesus!” She heard her again, “Jesus!” Turning around, Kati saw Adelaide looking at the ceiling as she announced a third time, “Jesus! You need to get down here right now! I need to talk to you!”

Maybe Jesus isn’t the only one Adelaide needs to talk to. Perhaps she can teach me to dance again. Anyone care to join us?

In Him Together, Susan Gaddis

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25
Jan
Consumed by Formational Reading

1170809_archivum__old_library_I consume a lot of books. There are bookshelves in nearly every room of my house and extra book stacks on the floor for easy access. Some books provide me important information, like how to cook chicken with goat cheese and balsamic syrup. Others mess with my insides and meddle with my thoughts long after I’ve finished reading.

In Living Prayer, Robert Benson refers to the latter kind of book reading as formational reading. It is “reading that is not about our working on the stuff that is written on the page, it is about the stuff on the page working on us.”

Books that form me become my mentors and friends. Their authors can be blamed for much of the change that the Spirit works within my damaged soul, altering me more and more into the image of Christ. This renovation process is not comfortable, but one I suspect the writers of the books I read have already been through themselves.

Robert Benson is one of those authors. I’ve read most of his books—laughing, crying and arguing with him all the way through each of them. Mark Buchanan is another mentor that interferes with my sainthood by humorously peeling away my smug assumptions and leaving me clinging to Jesus. Then there is Joan Chittister who sometimes causes me to wonder if she is a Christian, then sneaks up behind me and knocks me down with wisdom culled from her relationship with Jesus.

Someday, in eternity future, I intend to sit down with these authors and thank them for their contribution to my spiritual development. We’ll drink coffee with heavy cream in the Great Library of the King, and eat chicken with goat cheese and balsamic syrup while discussing the Spirit’s work of using words to transform us. I hope you’ll join us. If so, I’ll introduce you to Robert, Mark, Joan, and many others.

What book are you currently reading that is working on you—a book that is messing with your insides and meddling with your thoughts?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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22
Jan
Identity Crisis

544853_question_markDoes making a mistake cause you to feel like a failure? Have emotional wounds taken you captive? Do you ever wonder who you really are and if your life has meaning, value and worth?

Feeling secure in our self identity is something we all struggle with at times, at least if we’re honest. Today I’m sharing an excerpt from my book, Help, I’m Stuck With These People for the Rest of Eternity!, as a reminder that finding the Holy in the daily often starts with our own self-concept.

Old Self, New Self Scripture speaks of an old self that we are to cast aside, and a new self waiting to be embraced.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV).

“Knowing who we are created to be eternally is basic to all interpersonal relationships, for how we interact with others flows from our own self-concept. If we view ourselves according to our old self, we will think and act in ways that portray the old self. If we truly see ourselves as the new self God is forming us into, then we will think and act accordingly. Therefore, discovering this new self is vital to our eternal relationships.

For example, if I am a person who views myself as someone who has a right to be bitter because of my past hurts, then I will relate to others out of my bitterness. But, if I am a person who views others through the Cross of Forgiveness, then bitterness is no longer a filter through which I process my relationships. . . .

Eternal Foundations It is only as we are in Christ that our eternal identity, individual worth, and security begin to take shape. First Corinthians 1:30–31 presents the four basic foundation stones that Jesus Christ seeks to establish within us when we become new creatures in Him:

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (NAS).

The foundation for our eternal personality will always be found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Wrong foundations cannot support an eternal person! God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption are to be the filters through which we view ourselves and through which we relate to others.

These four foundation stones are eternal within each of us. They provide the spiritual weight that holds the rest of our identity in place. Spiritual growth only happens as we build on the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that Christ has become within us. If we are weak in understanding and experiencing these foundations, our growth will be unstable.” (Copyright © 2004 Susan Gaddis)

Talk to Yourself One of the ways to help understand these big words—wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption—and apply 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 to my own life has been to speak to myself according to the truth of the Scripture passage. For example, I might tell myself, “Jesus has been made my wisdom. I no longer have to feel dumb, stupid, or inadequate because of a lack of education, disabilities, or slow thought processes. My identity is no longer tied into these things, but into the wisdom that He has become within me and is working out through my personality as I grow in Him.”

I’ve personalized each of the four foundation stones of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption in Self Talk for Your Christ Identity on my website’s Free Stuff page. I use the material as a counseling aid to help my counselees improve their own self-talk and confidence. I hope you find it helpful.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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20
Jan
What’s In Your Closet?

1128278_timeWhat is in your closet? Do you have things in storage that you intend to use, but can’t seem to find the time to dig them out? Do you acquire items that eat up valuable space in your house or shed?

My dad did. We found clocks in his storage shed after his death—lots of clocks. Dad thought the clocks would be worth something someday, but that has not been the case. Missing parts devalue some antique clocks and the reproductions assess at a low price.

What am I suppose to do with 18 clocks? There were over 52 to begin with, but after distributing them between siblings, I ended up with 18 of my father’s clocks.

I have no use for so many clocks, nor do I want to store them for my children to stumble upon after my death. So far, I’ve sold some on Craig’s List, given others as gifts to children, and kept two for myself.

Dad’s clock collection sat in storage for over 20 years—not forgotten, just ignored. Other interests and projects required his attention until ill health consumed his life.

This year I’m rummaging through my valuables and giving them as gifts to my children and grandchildren. More will be given in the years ahead.

Yes, my descendants would still end up with them eventually, but why wait until I’m gone? The joy in a granddaughter’s eyes is worth the English tea cup and saucer nestled in the box along with a fresh bag of chocolate mint tea. Do I want to miss the appreciation of a son receiving his grandfather’s pocket watch and chain?

Bottom line—I can’t afford to ignore my stored treasures. They provide no joy as long as they sit on a dark shelf and eat up valuable storage space. Stored treasures are meant to become gifts of the heart.

What’s in your closet?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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18
Jan
Capturing Compassion for Haiti

1179752_open_handsThe earth of Haiti quakes and shudders. Life ceases while news channels run endless disaster stories altering my evening TV viewing. Shock and grief glare at me. I’m amazed at my absorption in a tragedy happening thousands of miles away.

I don’t know much about Haiti except its reputation as a poor nation and its popularity with novel writers who like to sprinkle a little voodoo magic over their stories. The recent Haiti earthquake shook that land out of its insignificant and unimportant status. It survives as a tiny country currently capturing international compassion as across the globe hearts experience internal earthquakes.

Many of us do not know how to process death on such a massive scale. How do we walk with people through the process of grieving when they live so far away? Yet, this is one of our highest callings—to weep with those who weep.

To mourn with those who weep, we remember 9/11. We remember the Holocaust. These events happened. They are real. People made it through these catastrophes stronger, wiser, and with the knowledge that all of us can survive horrendous trauma and grief. Hope is based in the reality that others have experienced devastating circumstances and lived to love and laugh again. The healing process starts with shock and grief, but pushes forward in positive action.

Sometimes the Holy interrupts my day with a draw towards an event that has nothing to do with my ordinary life except to alert me to my own mortality and capture my compassion. God designed empathy to be released—mine gushed forth in tears, prayer and donations for Haiti.

How has devastated Haiti captured your heart and what are you doing about it?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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15
Jan
Final Interview Segment With Liz Babbs, Author of Celtic Treasure

Today is the final segment of my interview with Liz Babbs, author of Celtic Treasure and fellow pilgrim on the path of Celtic spirituality. Liz is the author of ten books and four CDs. Many of her books have been translated into other languages.

Liz, the Celtic Christians were known for their love of the Creator and his creation. This was reflected in their art and worship. Can you tell us how this has influenced your relationship with the Lord?

Creativity is a gift given to us by our Creator Father and so is a part of our spiritual health and well being. Taking time alone with God as Jesus did, fuels my passion, directs my creativity and deepens my relationship with God. I’m so fortunate that being single means that I have the freedom to travel. I love visiting places for great natural beauty or of religious significance, because this allows my spirit to soar into God’s presence, without the baggage of everyday life.

I have written poems in Wordsworth’s garden in the Lake District, whilst sailing round the Scottish Isles and many of the prayers in Celtic Treasure were written on Lindisfarne. The prayer “Lord make me an island,” in the last post was written on St Cuthbert’s—the tidal island alongside Lindsifarne, where St Cuthbert had his prayer cell.

You have written other books on Celtic Christianity. Can you share with us a little bit about them?

My first Celtic gift book was The Celtic Heart (Lion 2003) and remains my best-seller to date. This color gift book is slimmer than Celtic Treasure but has a free CD of original Celtic music in the back. I’m amazed by how popular this book and CD have been. Churches have used the material in outreach for healing services, sacred spaces etc. Even my local gym uses the music and reads out sections from it during relaxation classes!

You’ll see several Liz Babbs videos on YouTube that have used material from my book and CD together with visuals and these have been used in alternative services, Cafe church, for the Alpha course etc. The Celtic Heart has even been translated into German where it is called Oase des Friedens. In the next few months I plan to work on a music and spoken word down-loadable album to accompany Celtic Treasure.

To find out more visit:
www.lizbabbs.com
www.celtictreasure.blogspot.com

Thank you, Liz, for giving us a window into a part of Christianity that is little known or explored. We’ve appreciated your guided tour. Keep up with Liz at her website and her Unearthing the Riches of Celtic Spirituality blog.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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13
Jan
Part 2 of an Interview With Liz Babbs, Author of Celtic Treasure

This week I am interviewing Liz Babbs, author of Celtic Treasure and an authority on Celtic spirituality. Thank you, Liz, for joining us again today and sharing your insights with us.

The Celts believed that whatever the task or time of day, there was a special prayer to be said. How can Christians today practice this same devotion? Can you share with us one of the prayers you have written? 

I’ve described prayer as “heart to heart communication with God” and relationships are all about communication. So I love the way the Celtic Christians naturally weaved prayer into the fabric of their daily lives, thanking God and remembering Him throughout their day.

The Celts believed that God was with them in every aspect of their lives. So whatever the task or time of day, there was a special prayer to be said. They didn’t just pray at meal times as we might today, but they had prayers for everyday tasks like baking bread, milking the cow or kindling the fire. As a housewife cut a cross in the dough she would bless it in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Christians can practice that same devotion today by becoming prayerfully aware of the presence of God in the ordinariness of everyday life. By being thankful for the simple things we normally take for granted like our health, warmth, light, water, shelter etc. As well as thanking God for the advances in technology and using computers and cell phones in appropriate ways that serve God rather than exclude him. There are computer programs and phone applications that help you connect with God and study the Bible.

The Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull
Lord, make me an island
set apart for you.
Where the rock of ages
rings out with praise.
Where the waters of your spirit
saturate my soul
And the fire of your presence
burns deep within.
Liz Babbs
(p.40 Celtic Treasure)

 

Community and hospitality were key elements in how the Celts practiced their faith. Can you elaborate on this for us? How might we embrace this spirit of hospitality in our everyday lives?

Invite people round for meals to your house, especially people who live on their own. It means such a lot to be welcomed into someone’s house. It’s a precious gift we can give each other and it helps create community and a sense of belonging. Having a meal together and the sharing of food and drink was central to Jesus’ ministry. The monastic tradition continues to practice hospitality even today, welcoming strangers and guests as though they were Christ. Now there’s a challenge!

Join me on Friday for the last segment of my interview with Liz.

To find out more visit:

www.lizbabbs.com

www.celtictreasure.blogspot.com

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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11
Jan
A Three Part Interview With the Author of Celtic Treasure, Liz Babbs
Author Liz Babbs

Author Liz Babbs

Today I am pleased to introduce Liz Babbs, an authority on Celtic Christianity, author, spiritual director, and performer living in Nottingham, England.

I recently interviewed Liz about her new book, Celtic Treasure, and her personal journey along the paths of Celtic spirituality. The first segment of that interview is today’s post with additional segments planned for Wednesday and Friday. Welcome to Holy in the Daily and thank you, Liz, for doing this three part interview.

How did you become interested in Celtic Christianity? What draws you to this type of spirituality?

Eight years ago I spent some time traveling across Britain visiting Scotland, Northumbria and Ireland while writing my first Celtic gift book The Celtic Heart (Lion 2003) . Originally, this book did not have a Celtic theme, but during my trip across Britain, I found myself increasingly drawn to, and inspired by, the radical faith and lifestyle of the Celtic saints. They have left a lasting impression on the landscape, and have touched the hearts of countless people across the centuries.

When I sailed with friends by yacht to Iona, I felt an incredible sense of connection with these saints and their passion to make Jesus known. Even the difficulty we had anchoring, reminded me of the incredible dangers these monastic missionaries faced on the open seas—many dying sharing their faith.

But it was when I visited the stunningly beautiful tidal island of Lindisfarne (or Holy Island), that I realized I was no longer a tourist, but a pilgrim in search of ‘the ancient paths’. An inner transformation had taken place that deepened my faith and began to change the course of my writing.

What motivated you to write Celtic Treasure and what do you hope people learn from the book?

To be honest, I was not looking to write another Celtic book, but God had other ideas! He stopped me in my tracks and gave me a ‘picture’ of an ancient monastic archway, like the remains of Lindisfarne Priory on Lindisfarne. Through this archway, all kinds of people, who weren’t Christians, were coming to God. Some were even dancing and celebrating. And so Celtic Treasure (Lion Hudson 2009) was born and I’m delighted that it is being distributed in the US as well as the UK.

I hope people will be inspired by my book and that their faith will be strengthened through it, as mine was in writing it. Without these amazing passionate, monastic, Celtic missionaries risking their lives to share the Gospel, we would not have been a Christian country. I believe that those who have gone before us in the faith have much to teach us about becoming more devoted Christ-followers.

Something that captures my attention about the Celtic Christians is the simplicity of their faith. What can we learn from them as we face busy lives and complicated schedules?

I think we have much to learn from their love of life and passion for Jesus. Their joy was not based on achievement or material possessions, but in loving and caring for each other and in being grateful for all that God had created for them and blessed them with. I think we need to rediscover that sense of simplicity, thankfulness and wonder, perhaps by fasting from the things that shackle us or get in the way of our relationship with God.

Join me on Wednesday and Friday for the rest of this interview.

To find out more visit:
http://www.lizbabbs.com/
http://www.celtictreasure.blogspot.com/

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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08
Jan
Digging for Celtic Treasure

CopyFRONT_COV_Celtic_Treasure“In the busyness and confusion of our twenty-first century world, Celtic Christianity, with its holistic approach to finding God in all of life and its inclusive attitude to both men and women, offers a spirituality for our time.” So says Liz Babbs in her new book, Celtic Treasure, Unearthing the Riches of Celtic Spirituality.

This little gift book packs a lot of information into eight chapters without losing the sense of simplicity that is a hallmark of Celtic Christianity. In 79 beautifully illustrated pages Liz covers:

Unearthing Celtic Treasures—Liz shares her story of pilgrimage to some of the ancient sites where Christianity was birthed in England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Celtic Saints—This chapter offers an overview of various Celtic saints who helped change the course of history in Europe.

Prayer and Solitude—Liz explains the Celtic way of incorporating prayer into all aspects of life and includes some of her own prayers as examples along with some of the ancient Celtic prayers.

God and Creation—Celtic Christians were not pagans, but because their way of life was so tied to the earth and the elements, they emphasized worship of the God of Creation, requested his power for their protection, and honored his eternal Word reflected in nature.

Celebrating Creativity—Liz highlights the types of stories, art, poetry, music, dance, and songs of the era of Celtic spirituality and how this love of creativity has  influenced our era.

Valuing Community—This is one of my favorite chapters because the Celtic Christians understood that relationships were the heart of the Gospel and carried over into eternity future. Community balanced with solitude brought maturity for these Christians.

Generous Hospitality—Liz shares how in the Celtic tradition, strangers are to be received as Christ.

Celebrating Life—The concluding chapter of Celtic Treasure reminds us that life is a celebration of the God who brings us joy.

Quotes, prayers, and pictures enliven Celtic Treasure and left me longing for my own pilgrimage to Britain and Ireland. For now, I will be content to be a Pilgrim of the Heart by learning to practice what this little book teaches.

Liz Babbs is an award winning author and speaker living in Nottingham, England. I invite you to join me next week in a three part interview with her on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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