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.
Hypersexuality and Bipolar
"Sexual Addiction" among women with substance abuse is often a case of hypersexuality resulting from early childhood sexual abuse, devaluation of one's own sexuality from sexual abuse and adolescent promiscuity, undiagnosed early onset bipolar disorder, lack of healthy boundaries, and low self-esteem driving a need for affirmation through one thing over which one feels power....her body. Programs that disregard the connection between these factors in hypersexuality and bipolar disorder and ban bipolar medications, may be undermining the very thing they profess to be addressing. Short...
Thinking About PTSD…What Would Jesus Do?
Thinking About PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)…..What Would Jesus Do? Another Christian counselor and I were discussing PTSD recently. We were observing how often it tends to be thought of in the context of combat-experienced veterans. But, as he and I talked, it was clear that there are a number of other situations in which PTSD is observed…..particularly among victims of childhood sexual or physical abuse. But any number of other traumas can be responsible for setting up the psychological/ emotional scenario for it to manifest. Information on the Mayo Clinic website notes:...
Widows and Orphans
Two weeks ago I walked into the office at Lynn Haven UMC on Sunday morning as I do most Sundays. I checked my mail box and greeted those who were making their copies of class handouts or taking care of other business. I was assigned to preach in the Chapel at the 11:00 service and was speaking on overcoming the loneliness of solitude. A random thought suddenly occurred to me- one that was, oddly enough, related in a way, but which had not been incorporated as a part of the sermon. I realized that of the seven women recently or currently in care at Titus 2’s residence, three had lost a...
#NotaCalvinist
I've posted several things by Charles Spurgeon recently. Also, I refer to various Baptist, Presbyterian, and other theologians/pastors from time to time. Just to clarify, I'm not a Calvinist, but align with Wesleyan Arminianism.... And, like Wesley, too, I do not view differences such as that particular tension to be reason to part ways.....For many, even some of the more contemporary divisive issues are also not necessarily reason to part ways, if, as Wesley noted, people can "agree to disagree".....to "think and let think". As long as the essential tenets of Christianity are intact. With...
Day One…..From The View Ten Years Later
I will have been blogging for 10 years this summer. It began after Lynn Haven UMC moved to the Transmitter Rd. location and Pastor Nic Gibson told me I needed to start a weblog, so I guess he's to fault whenever someone finds my random thoughts annoying. It was before I began graduate school, before realization of God's call to ordained ministry in the church, before seminary, before I even knew I was already being used in healing and recovery ministry. There are 416 posts on this blog. In addition to that, I have been a regular journaler for 25 years. This was my first weblog...
Thoughts on Christians in Conflict: Whitefield and Wesley
“Young Christians are like little rivulets that make a large noise and have shallow water; old Christians are like deep water that makes little noise, carries a good load and gives not way.” - George Whitefield “Young” or “old” in Christian faith terms has little to do with chronological age or years as a believer, but everything to do with spiritual maturity. How does a pastor, a church or a Christian discipleship program engage and invite non-believers, lead them into belief in Christ, then move them forward into deepening relationship with Christ to a point of being steadfast...
Come, Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Considering Prophecies
9/14/2005 Written in response to a friend’s question Hi Cathy, A friend often sends me prophesies - Is there any sort of official guideline or thought on this? Just curious. Thanks. My response: I wouldn't want to just pop off a response to you about this because I have no authority or real experience in this area. You may want to talk to one of the pastors about this topic. There are, however, a couple of things that come to mind, based on a study I did recently on the reliability of the Scriptures. . In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were given ways to test a prophet. Any...
Light of the World….A Pentecost Reflection
May 30, 2004 A Pentecost meditation: God (and therefore Christ and the Holy Spirit) was, is, and will ever be the same. How then can I understand what is written in the Word in a way that is compatible with the way I see the world now? If they appear at odds with one another, I ask God to lead me into understanding in such a way that my vision is changed, my heart made ready to see the Word for what it is. Is the “light” of Pentecost a Deuteronomy 29:29 mystery that occurred only then or a phenomenon that continues in the world? It is my belief that God desires us to know Him but He wants us...
Gethsemane
Midwife to "new birth" or palliative care/hospice nurse for one intent on giving up.....sometimes I do not know which role I am being given. As a pastor one can point to hope, testify to hope, give the reason for one's own hope, share stories of others' hope, even try to help redefine hope in the life of one who can only see one "hopeful" outcome, but only the God of Hope can make it real in one's heart. In my own experience with depression years ago, at one critical point... I felt myself being given permission to die, offered a choice about my future. God certainly knew how hard life...