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.
Spring Thing….
Love this tweet by Liz Curtis Higgs!! "With the imagination God has given you & the vivid scenes painted in His Word, picture your day unfolding like this: "You will go out in joy & be led forth in peace; the mountains & hills will burst into song before you, & all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isa 55 It’s a SPRING THING! Today I saw my first pink tulip poplar trees blooming! As I drive around I am blessed by blooming bridal wreath ( spirea van hootii ), other shrubs like viburnum and eliagnus, bulbs pushing up and peeking out, new green growth arising on...
Full Transformation For Intended Use….
“Genuine transformation has to be something that takes place WITHIN us. Our desire to transform societies, or cultures, at times,is far too grandiose because such visions (claiming divine sanction) may actually be projections of our own failed ability to be internally transformed.” Mark Chironna on Twitter. ....obvious in some situations..... this morning I was reflecting on some who’ve walked away from ministry/mission because it didn’t conform to what they expected..... when in fact they weren’t transformed into being the instruments God could use. (2/23/2020)
Sin’s Common Denominators and Subsets
From Sunday, Feb 23,2020: Sunday night's life recovery group at Titus 2 focused on rebellion and recovery through a one-hour study of the causes and cure. We used a "15-minute Bible study" on the topic that was first published in In Touch magazine by Dr. Charles Stanley. The causes of rebellion he listed as "impatience, fear, and greed." We had done a session of the three lowest common denominators of temptation a few weeks ago- "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life" from 1 John 2:16 as well as exploring the temptations of Eve (Genesis 3:6) and Jesus (Matthew...
Anger’s Destruction
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." Ephesians 4:26-27 My habit of rising to anger has given satan a foothold for sin many times (and not just in me, but also in those who found the anger distasteful or frightening) In observing Christ's anger and the bold and even physical way in which he expressed it, it is clear that it was righteously employed in defense of his Father's holy house and his brothers and sisters who were being short-shrifted by rank commercialism while they were trying to honor God....
Not Either/Or
I am neither a "glass-half-empty" nor a "glass-half-full" kind of gal. I am a "the glass-can-always-be-refilled" kind of gal. That is an optimism that arises from confidence in the Source and Content, not confidence in the container. It is rarely a case of either/or but more likely a case of both/and............God has created exquisite scales in creation that balance things........Like his very character, transcendent and imminent, mighty and meek...... 2/21/2016
God: More Than We Think
I had a great time preparing and delivering a message on "The Name of God“, about God's nature and our understanding of him. for a sermon at Carillon Beach Chapel. I have taught on this topic many times but this sermon seemed more powerful than before and the Lord was very present with us! The day before as I drove home from Tallahassee, I listened to the words of this song I've heard many times and never realized what it really says! More than you Think I Am” by Danny Gokey You always think I'm somewhere on a mountain top But never think behind bars You'd be amazed the places that I'd go to...
Friends, Fellowship, Movies, and Service
Bill and I went to an afternoon movie, "Risen", with Rev. Grant and Jennifer Powell. of First Church of God of Panama City. We enjoyed the movie and the conversation about it afterward as much or more! Pastor Grant has done a sweet service for Titus 2 this week, repairing and servicing our 4 bicycles so our ladies can enjoy this pretty weather and get some exercise. We purchased a new bike rack and have a tarp to keep them nice and clean and lubricated. Thanks, Grant for your kindness. I was tickled when your wife told me that was one of your hobbies! After I shared this a friend asked how I...
Right Time, Right Place
small blessings can sometimes be facilitated by being in the right place at the right time.... I love of God brings serendipitous "divine appointments" to meet needs! I was in the cleaners picking up laundry Tuesday of last week and a law enforcement officer came in needing a new pair of uniform pants hemmed by Friday. The cleaners couldn't have them done before Monday. I told him I knew a young lady who sews well . We at Titus 2 had just recently helped her to get a sewing machine. So I volunteered her! (After I called her, of course.) She happened to be close by so we met her and she...
Keeping Covenant
What does being in "covenant" with someone mean to you? Answering one another's calls or emails? Being available to assist or provide guidance in times of need? Offering concerns about one another's conduct promptly? Being willing to help seek answers? Helping one another to gain understanding? Expecting the best of one another? Praying with and not simply for one another? Listening to one another? Shared values? When one believes that the other has not acted in harmony with the precepts of the gospel and attempts to ask why with no responses forthcoming, is it reasonable to think one might...
God’s Economy Wastes Nothing
We breathe in what the trees breathe out, and they breathe in what we breathe out. Forever overwhelmed by the beauty of God’s design... ( shared on Facebook by Sabrina Reedy Fe 2019) Such a moving photo!