Archive for » March, 2010 «

31
Mar
7 Facts of Easter You Don’t Want to Miss
Susan Gaddis

In the midst of Easter week there are seven facts you don’t want to miss. These facts are easy to overlook. Even the Jews who were waiting for their promised Messiah couldn’t see God’s hidden strategy on that first Easter—they were looking for a Conquering King, not a Suffering Servant.

The disciples of Jesus didn’t see God’s hidden tactics—they ran away and denied ever knowing Jesus.

Satan couldn’t see the fullness of God’s plan—he was on the lookout for a Jewish King/Messiah who would reign over mankind. He had orchestrated his temptations accordingly.

The Jews, disciples, and even Satan missed the connection between the yearly sacrifice of an unblemished lamb and the final sacrifice of a sinless man—the Lamb of God.

Here are seven facts you don’t want to miss: 

 

1.  On a lonely cross, Jesus took on the sins of the world so that in His death sin would also die. It was the only way that humanity could again become right before God (2 Cor. 5:21).

2.  He who had cursed man with death now experienced it Himself (Gal. 3:13).

3.  God the Father and God the Holy Spirit turned away from God the Son, who in His innocence became crucified Sin. In His holiness, God walked away from a cross. In His love, God the Son embraced the cross so that we might be ransomed (John 10:17, 18).

4.  As this innocent Lamb shed His blood, our sins became invalid in the courts of heaven. Neither could death hold Him in the grave, for sin and its death-curse were rendered powerless. He rose triumphant to proclaim freedom to all men who would accept His redeeming work (I Tim. 4:10).

5.  Heaven rang with the declaration that sin and Satan no longer had legal authority over man, for the price of innocent blood had been eternally paid (Rom. 6:6; Heb. 2:14, 15).

6.  Throughout the universe the cry of victory rose as the Prince of Darkness and his forces were paraded in the Triumphant Procession of the King of Kings. Heaven and earth shook with the victory of the Cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15).

7.  This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him (John 3:16-18 The Message Bible).

That’s the facts. Any comments?

(This post was taken from my book, Intercessors, God’s End-Time Vanguard available at the Eternal Foundations bookstore.)

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

One Comment
Category: Easter, Lent  Tags: , , , , , , , ,
29
Mar
Real Is Real, Whether Seen or Unseen
Susan Gaddis

In a busy week of preparing for Easter Sunday service, coloring eggs, and getting my house and yard ready for the traditional family gathering after church, I find it helpful to remember what is real—whether seen or unseen.

In his book, Abba’s Child, Brennan Manning tells the story of a newspaper reporter approaching G.K. Chesterton on a London street corner.

“Sir, I understand that you recently became a Christian. May I ask you one question?”

“Certainly,” replied Chesterton.

“If the risen Christ suddenly appeared at this very moment and stood behind you, what would you do?”

Chesterton looked the reporter squarely in the eye and said, “He is.”

Chesterton knew that Christ was alive and walking with him. He believed it to such a degree that he would not have changed his stride if Jesus suddenly materialized. Real is real, whether seen or unseen.

What is your reality this week?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

One Comment
Category: Daily, Lent  Tags: , , , , , ,
26
Mar
Finding the Holy in Your Daily Routine
Susan Gaddis

784050_pegsOur daily routine is not to be drudgery, but a place of blessing and meeting God. The book of Leviticus emphasizes this with all of its details concerning daily life. It illustrates how God wants to be present in everything we do, even the mundane things of everyday living!

The daily connects us to our humanness. It is what makes us earth bound for the 70 or 80 years we spend preparing for eternity. God made us human and He created routine. As humans, we are the object of His affection.

Our daily routines invite God’s presence because they are so human—they are so earthy—they are so us! What attracts the Lord are the human things we do, not necessarily the spiritual things we do—such as prophesy, casting out demons and other signs and wonders. (See Matthew 7:21-23; 25:34-46)

God does not want us to view our daily routine as boring, repetitive and meaningless. He sees it as opportunities to meet with us and renew us:

“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11)

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). 

“…, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness” (Laminations 3:22,23).

“He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple” (Isaiah 50:4b).

Repetition brings a sense of security and a sense of identity both for our family and for us. The fragments of our day are put into a whole picture by the daily repetitiveness of our lives.

We are called to find God in the midst of busy, noisy, demanding lives. How do we do that?

Welcome the sanctity of dailyness—our everyday, routine activities that invite God’s presence.

Think our thoughts before the Lord—the act of reflecting and thinking with God.

Be alert for the interruptions of God as we go about our daily routines.

Where do you find the Holy in the daily routine of your life?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

4 Comments
Category: At work, Daily, Daily chores  Tags: , , , , , ,
24
Mar
Two Things You Should Know About Fasting
Susan Gaddis

1080084_lunch_timeWell, my journey into Lent and fasting is almost over—at least for this year. I’ve learned that there are many reasons to fast, there are different types of fasts, and that I’d rather not fast. However, two things will keep fasting as a spiritual discipline for me throughout the year:

First, I’ve learned that involving my body through fasting brings a unity to my spiritual life that otherwise is missing. I tend to look at my spiritual journey as an inward process, yet what happens inside must be expressed outwardly for my journey to be a fully human experience. Fasting unites my body with my inner person in a way that complements what is happening in my mind, emotions, will, and spirit.

Second, I’ve learned the necessity of scheduling a fast, but also to respond with spontaneously fasting when a sacred moment arises. “…fasting is what happens to the unified person who encounters a moment so sacred—a death, a consciousness of sin, a need to stand before God in prayer, a desire for holiness and love—that the person simply can’t eat—the moment is too sacred to indulge in food or pleasure.” –Scot McKnight in Fasting.

Lent’s introduction to Easter is soon complete. What have you learned though fasting? Do you plan certain days or seasons to fast? What sacred moments have caused you to spontaneously fast?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

4 Comments
Category: Lent  Tags: , , , , , ,
22
Mar
The Treasure of an Old Woman’s Hands
Susan Gaddis

handsI’d never given much thought to an old woman’s hands until I looked at my mother’s wrinkled ones covered with age marks. Now she is gone and I regret not giving voice to what those hands represented.

Funny how something so ordinary becomes holy when viewed through the lens of thankfulness.

I appreciated the blacktop on the road in front of my house when I started walking again after many months recovering from foot surgery. The blacktop made the road smooth. Uneven ground threatened my balance. The ability to walk and pray without having to constantly look where my foot was placed gave me a freedom I had missed.  

Thornton Wilder once remarked, “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” How alive are you today? What are your treasures?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

9 Comments
Category: Daily, Quiet moments  Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
19
Mar
Beautifully Imperfect
Susan Gaddis

Don’t miss the Holy in the imperfect. This short clip pulls back the curtain on the imperfections in your family so you may cherish what is precious.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

6 Comments
Category: Relationships, Video  Tags: , , , , ,
17
Mar
“Saint Patrick” by Jonathan Rogers
Susan Gaddis

_140_245_Book_149_coverI’m a big fan of St. Patrick of Ireland, and Saint Patrick, by Jonathan Rogers, didn’t disappoint me. Its 132 pages pack a lot of information for one of the small books in the Thomas Nelson Christian Encounters series. Myths, legends, and facts are discussed concerning the life of Saint Patrick, leaving us with a more realistic view of the man than the brief descriptions put out by the St. Patrick’s Day news briefs.

Roman rule was marginal on the outer rim of Saint Patrick’s Britain and quickly fading during Patrick’s lifetime. Rogers weaves the historical record of the demise of Roman influence with the reality of Patrick’s rough journey in becoming a missionary from Britain to the “barbarians” of Ireland. Such evangelism seemed senseless under Roman Christianity. A former slave going back to his captors as a missionary was absurd.

Appendix A and B contain Patrick’s original writings, which provide the baseline for scholarly speculation by Rogers. Reading St. Patrick’s words, along with Roger’s commentary, helps illuminate the challenges Patrick faced in life.

Rogers is a gifted writer, communicating an overview of data with humor and a smooth writing style. He is obviously very fond of St. Patrick and I gleaned information that I had not known from my other readings on the patron saint of Ireland.

Patrick’s references to God as his authority in the few surviving documents he wrote seem to foretell Celtic Christianity’s view of bishop independence. The flourishing of Celtic Christianity, which evolved from Patrick’s service in Ireland, impacted the survival of Western Christianity. I wish that Rogers had given these aspects of Patrick’s legacy more investigation in this book.

I hope this short review will encourage you to examine St. Patrick and his Celtic Christianity beyond the trappings of the shamrock and beer. I recommend Saint Patrick for an enjoyable quick understanding of the saint and his times, but I also suggest rounding out the book by reading Listening for the Heartbeat of God by J. Philip Newell, The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George G. Hunter III and Celtic Treasure by Liz Babbs. (Click each book cover in the sidebar for a description.)

For a quick overview of Celtic Christianity see the post Exploring the Paths of Celtic Christianity.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com http://BookSneeze.combook review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Leave a Comment
Category: Book Review, Celtic Christianity  Tags: , , , , , , ,
15
Mar
In Harmony With Celtic Prayer
Susan Gaddis

686076_celtic_crossCeltic Christians understood that finding the Holy in the daily meant harmonizing their lives with the rhythm of the Holy. Each act of the day, from stepping out of bed to evening’s sleep, was prayed through hymns, poems, and songs. Many of these were collected and translated by folklorist Alexander Carmichael between 1855 and 1910 in the Carmina Gadelica. The following prayer was sung as a child began his day.

I am bending my knee
In the eye of the Father who created me,
In the eye of the Son who purchased me,
In the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me,
In friendship and affection.
Through Thine own Anointed One, O God,
Bestow upon us fullness in our need.

 

St. Patrick’s Breastplate stands as one of the most familiar Celtic protection prayers. Although Patrick probably didn’t write it, the prayer communicates the faith Patrick needed as a missionary traveler in a hostile Ireland. It has been used for centuries for protection on trails and roads. Many now pray this prayer as they travel the freeways of a modern world. Here is a portion of St. Patrick’s Breastplate, also called “the deer’s cry.”

I arise today through a mighty strength,
the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
 
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me …
 
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

 

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

2 Comments
Category: Celtic Christianity, Daily, Prayer  Tags: , , , ,
12
Mar
I’m Not In the Mood to Go to Church
Susan Gaddis

worship_handsSome Sundays I’m just not in the mood to go to church. The excuse of worshipping God on a coastal beach sounds so spiritual—much better than, “I don’t want to go to church today.”

The mindset that keeps me trudging through the doors of Father’s House regardless of my mood is my knowledge that church isn’t about me. Church is about the One who left the comfort of his home to hang out with people like me—common, self-centered, sometimes irritating humans.

Church is about ordinary people gathering together to worship the One who left “the glories of heaven” to bring the party to us. In fact, that is just what the word “church” means—the “called out ones”—the ones who gather in groups to worship the One who has called us out of our homes and into his.

So to be the church, in the real sense of the word, I have to go to where the people gather who are headed to his house. It doesn’t matter if we differ on the style in which we worship. It does matter that we worship together—as a group—setting aside our discomfort to focus on the One who really matters.

Going to church means I have to get out of bed, put myself in gear, get my body out the door and into the car, and drive to the gathering place where I will meet other people who have all gone through the same process to get to the gathering place to worship the One called Jesus.

Guess I’d better get ready. It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’.

Do you attend church regularly? Why or why not? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

15 Comments
Category: worship  Tags: , , , , , , ,
10
Mar
How to Find the Holy When You Have a Cold
Susan Gaddis

sneezeWhere does one find the Holy in the midst of the flu and cold season? Sickness is one of those times when holy doesn’t feel spiritual. However, here are 5 things you can do to get well soon and connect with the Holy:

1. Set the to-do list aside and give yourself permission to skip work. Unless you are Jack Bauer, the world will not end if you don’t get to work today.

2. Ask the family for help with the basic household duties. If the kids complain, go to plan B—use their college fund to hire a housekeeper.

3. Strive to keep your sense of humor. Attitudes are fragile when sickness hangs around and a little humor can preserve more than relationships. Studies show that humor promotes healing.

4. Drink lots of fluids and go to bed. Oh, and call your mother. Everyone needs a little mothering when they are sick.

5. The Great Physician has the best bedside manner. Let him minister to you even as you curl up on the couch. Play some quiet worship music and get some sleep.

What do you do to get well when you have a cold or the flu? I’d love to know as I’m still fighting this cold! Please leave your advice in the comment section below.

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

Related Posts with Thumbnails
6 Comments
Category: Humor  Tags: , , , , ,
« Previous Entries