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.
Kingdom Economy Versus Culture Economy
I had the opportunity to consider and discuss this a couple of times this week Ephesians 1:17: “[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know..... (Then he mentions three things) “What is the hope to which he has called you.” (to behold and become the likeness of Christ in the world to fulfill God's will.) “What are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” **** “What is the immeasurable greatness of his power...
Joyful Obedience
"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord." When the Spirit of the Lord abides with us and we surrender our own understanding and embrace the mind of Christ, this is what is available to us, as well! What does "delighting in the fear of the Lord" look like? I think it looks and sounds and feels like joyful obedience..... "....free us for joyful obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord.." (from the UMC Communion Prayer of...
Internet Quips…
Today I was in a shoe store that sells only shoes, nothing else. A young girl with a tattoo and green hair walked over to me and asked, "What brings you in today? I looked at her and said, "I'm interested in buying a refrigerator." She didn't quite know how to respond, had that deer in the headlights look. I was thinking about old age and decided that old age is when you still have something on the ball, but you are just too tired to bounce it. When people see a cat's litter box they always say, "Oh, have you got a cat?" I just say, "No, it's for company!" Employment application...
Rich Dreams
I had a dream last night. In it, I put on my candy pink terry cloth bathrobe that I like so much on cool mornings, but it had been washed and was now a soft shade of yellow, which was also quite lovely and attractive. In the dream, also, it seemed I went to give something to God. I don't recall what it was but instead of me giving to him, I was handed a check, from the hand of God, written in the most beautiful cursive script. The amount on the check was $3,905.00! For a moment I couldn't even begin to speculate on this dream's meaning! Then I remembered some other financial dreams.......
Prayer Closets
Listening to Alex Kendrick's story of the Kendrick Brothers' Sherwood movies- Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, and War Room- was inspiring. It was almost funny how many contractors have been receiving requests to enlarge or reconfigure closets to make space for prayer! Whatever it takes..... "Closet" ........the way it was translated from the Hebrew (1) chuppah, and (2) tameion, also tamieion. Chuppah, derived from chaphah, "to cover," was probably originally the name of the tent specially set apart for the bride, and later (Joel 2:16) used for the bride's chamber. The...
Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood
One thought that Mr. Rogers said in the movie to the reporter with whom he was interacting in conversation about the reporter's relationship with his alcoholic father who had abandoned him.....as they sat in the restaurant and had a time of silence to be thankful for the people who had made them who they are, even the people who failed to love us well, contributed to who we are. That is true. We learn as much from those who have hurt us as from those who have loved us well, it seems..... what not to do, how to avoid hurting others, how to express love and empathy out of the wounded places in...
Surrendered Listening
Simplicity, Solitude, Silence, Surrender......movements in prayer that place one in a posture to be present to God. I heard a new concept last week - "surrendered listening". I've heard "active listening" for years, you know- focused and attentive, with eye contact and listening with intentionality to hear clearly what someone is saying, even behind the words and through their posture and demeanor. But as I heard the phrase "surrendered listening" - an entirely new idea occurred to me. I think I've actually done some "surrendered listening" at times without realizing it. But now that I have...
A Time for Everything and Every Season…
After asking for prayer for a friend I shared some of our story together. I have been Power of Atty for nearly 2 years for a 93 yo woman widowed 3 times before age 40 who has no family. Her only child was brain damaged and after the second husband's death she was at a loss to provide all the care the son needed alone. Through miraculous circumstances he was placed in a family setting in a children's group home facility 60 years ago and she was told that continued contact would confuse him and would not be in his best interest. She has loved the Lord, served others and been an inspiration to...
Happiness Vs. Joy
Happiness is a temporary, transient state dependent upon the circumstances in which one finds herself. Joy is a growing consistency of positive emotional well-being, that transforms into an eternity-minded state of being, that incorporates the peace, gratitude, and contentment that comes from feeling secure in and loved by the Lord. That's how I've experienced the difference. One can have temporary happiness without true joy, but when one has true joy, happiness will tag along as it's sidekick and positively impact one's outlook on life and countenance and attracts others to itself.
Integrity Lost, Boundaries Blurred
One day after a Color Vibe 5K event with Titus 2 women, I was washing out bright yellow, blue, pink, and green colored corn starch from my hair and skin. And, as one would expect, instead of being a swirling rainbow of individual colors (like the flowing distinct colors of a lava lamp) as it washed off, what the water in the bathtub looked like was a yucky color of dull, dark grey as it flowed down the drain. I looked at that and thought, "Wow. I'm glad that the colors didn't mix like that on my clothing or body and turn that yucky color!" What looked bright, colorful and fun on the surface...