About the Author
Cathy Boyd Byrd invites others to join her in considering topics of interest to those on the Christian spiritual journey…..discipleship, spirituality, mental health, Christian growth, and Bible study. Cathy enjoys working with others as they transition from emotional emergency and brokenness to spiritual emergence and abundant living! Many of the topics about which Cathy writes are interrelated as experienced in her own life and in the lives of those with whom she works in counseling, teaching, and case management, and in friendships. She believes that sharing our journey of Christian growth and spirituality helps us know God and ourselves better and connects us with others!
Cathy is a Christian Educator and Life Recovery Counselor, and an ordained deacon through Christian Leaders Institute. She serves as Community Outreach MInister at Lynn Haven United Methodist Church. She is a student (disciple) of the Holy Spirit and shares with her students (disciples) the things the Lord teaches her through Bible study and contemplation, incorporating experiences interpreted through the Word, cherished traditions of her faith, and reasoning that comes from seeking the mind of Christ in accountable community. She was widowed in August 2020 after 48 years of marriage to Bill Byrd, is mother of 2 and grandmother of 5. Her journey of faith has been lifelong and continues to be an adventure with the trailblazer and guide, Jesus Christ!
Cathy is the founder and program manager for a Christian women’s residential life recovery program, Titus 2 Partnership, Inc.(www.titus2.life) in Panama City, Florida.
Speaking Truth To The Power of Your Own Flesh
In Florida I have been certified as a Recovery Support Specialist since 2008. It did not necessitate a history of lived chemical addiction. I did not hide my past, I just hadn’t thought it relevant so many years later. Others are certified there as Peer Recovery Specialists by virtue of their lived experience with chemical abuse. In seeking to extend my certification to Alabama, I was told I will not be allowed to certify in Alabama as a Recovery Support Specialist because of my lack of chemical abuse lived experience, as it is required for any recovery certification here. I almost accepted...
“….and Jesus appeared to Simon.”
On Saturday I had a text conversation with a friend about the feelings of such a dark Sabbath Saturday after the reminders of Jesus’ pain and suffering of Good Friday that the disciples might have been experiencing all those years ago on the day after Christ’s crucifixion. Here is the essence of that: “Saturday…Sabbath Day. “In between” Day…..Imagine the grief, confusion, disappointment, disillusionment, report of Judas’ suicide… disciples hiding out in the upper room with locked door… a quiet isolated Sabbath gave them some cover to absorb the shock. It’s good for people to feel their...
Bishop Moore’s Report from The Road!
This social media post from Bishop Carolyn Moore today is such an insightful and encouraging message. I am putting it here to refer back to as I watch Snd labor in the kingdom myself! April 21,2025 “Seven lessons as I head home from six weeks on the road visiting multiple GMC communities in multiple cultures and countries: God moves — in every culture, language, and spirituality, he is at work. Our task — whatever our nationality — is to watch for where he is working so we can join him. Holiness is a beautiful, transcendent vision. It works in any context and answers every question. We can...
Light and Shadow
In a recent webinar on spiritual conflict resolution, the facilitator referenced A.W.Tozer who observed that our necessary task in spiritual conflict is to keep Christ at the center of our vision. When we do, if the devil is lurking, he will only be seen at the edge, of incidental notice and only as a shadow in contrast to the brightness of the Light of Christ. I was reminded of that reference tonight as I listened to Rev. Misty Barrett’s message at Christ Methodist Church-Montgomery recalling the gifts and frailties of the twelve disciples as they reclined around the Passover table. ...
Notes on Essentials for Dealing with Demonic Intrusion
Essentials for dealing with demonic intrusions ….. From 3/24/25. Notes from Seedbed.com webinar with Dr. Steve Seamands. We can’t avoid spiritual conflict…. Like trying to avoid weeds in gardening or lawn maintenance. It is a valuable dimension of Christian life. Value: ) Understand the wiles of the devil. We have an enemy. We don’t need to fear him but respect his strategies. He is a liar and he accuses and opposes God. 2.) We need to know how to fight the battle. Not carnal weapons or weapons of the flesh…. Done with praise, worship, intercessory prayer and...
Spiritual Realm Conflict and The Armor of God
Spiritual realm conflict resolution is the entire focus and purpose of the Armor of God “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph 6:11-13 With regard to belt of truth...
Gentleness Versus the Flesh
This meme made me think……. For decades it was clear to me that I lacked gentleness. And I was comfortable with that …..until I wasn’t. That was when I began praying for gentleness. It took time but I have, thankfully, gained a greater capacity for more consistent demonstration of gentleness. What I discovered with gentleness is that self-control is especially necessary and must be sought alongside gentleness. The flesh will continue to rise up at times and challenge one’s desire for the pursuit of gentleness. You have to really want it and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to maintain it,...
To Whom Will I Be Accountable?
God is so attentive! This week He has placed me in three circumstances where accountability was the issue at hand…. Yesterday a young mentee with whom I’ve work for a year told me about discovering in a rather sudden and disconcerting, even supernatural, way that God will require us to be honest with one another as well as Him about our daily practice of our Christian walk. Yesterday a young woman who has drifted In and out of my life asked me to hold her accountable to stay on track with some tasks. I told her it doesn’t work that way. I can’t “hold her accountable.” She must want to be...
A Soft and Responsive Heart
When one shifts focus from "surrender" of one stronghold point of brokenness, shame, rebellion, ignorance, etc. after another in a life of "recovery"…..to focus on consecration of all of one's self to the Lord, change happens. This is what it looks like to live out loving God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, ALL your strength…. It brings David to my mind, "a man after God's own heart"….. He was consecrated (set apart and prepared), even before he knew what God's plan was, and then anointed for God's purpose. It was decades before the fullness of God's purpose was realized,...
Starry, Starry Nights
Shooting stars have held special meaning for me because of their propitious appearances at key moments of my life….always unexpectedly coming and bringing with them a sense of hopefulness and their alignment with what seemed to be God’s assurance that all would be well…..and, in spite of dark nights now and again, when neither stars nor moon were visible, it always has been exactly that….. well. Not always with finances, friendships, family, career or otherwise, but always well with my soul as I poured out my heart to the Lord. Thank you, Sean Dietrich, for the reminder to look upward!...