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.
Memories in my fingers….
This past weekend I set out to start on a quilt. I had gone to a fabric store several weeks ago with a friend who quilts and crafts a lot and who had, incidentally, given me the pattern for this quilt. She helped me select the colors and cheered me on. I dutifully washed my fabrics, then ironed them and cut them according to the pattern's instructions, using equipment that I inherited from a relative. I began sewing the fabric squares and strips together using an old Singer sewing machine that was my mother's. I had taken it out of its ancient cabinet years ago and had it put in a portable...
A fresh look at Psalm 37:3-5
This scripture has become my "life scripture", of sorts. I find myself referring to it often. God has used it to teach me many lessons. "Trust in the Lord and do good and you will live securely in the land; Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart; Commit your way to Him, trust in Him and on your behalf He will act." Psalm 37:3-5 As I meditate on this scripture I see three invitations from the Lord: - to trust in Him and do good - to delight in Him - to commit my way to Him and, with each invitation comes a promise: - that I will live securely in the "land" (I will...
A sad goodbye…..
Today I attended the funeral of a friend, a woman only a year older than myself. I'd known her for about 12 years, since coming to my current church. She had been involved in the church, especially in the activities of the youth as her own son was growing up. She had attended several Bible studies with me and had come for a while to the depression impact group that I conducted. After the death of her father she had become bereft with grief, stricken, it seemed, unable to pull out of it. Over a course of several years she became more and more confused and withdrawn. It eventually became clear...
Red Bird poetry….
I bought a book of poetry simply because of the title, "Red Bird", and have been pleased to find in it many delights! I'll share the two that are responsible for its title: Red Bird - by Mary OliverRed bird came all winterfiring up the landscapeas nothing else could. Of course I love the sparrows,those dun-colored darlings,so hungry and so many. I am a God-fearing feeder of birds.I know He has many children,not all of them bold in spirit. Still, for whatever reason -perhaps because the winter is so longand the sky so black-blue, or perhpas because the heart narrowsas often as it opens -I am...
Stuck…..frustration or opportunity?
The holidays were joyous! Children and grands were all here at once...an abbreviated version of "cousins' camp" that my husband and I both enjoyed greatly. The toy-of-the year in our household was Nerf guns. We made a couple of runs back to Target for more "ammo" to keep everyone happy. We got a kick out of watching boys and girls on maneuvers in the back yard, shooting at anything that moved. (The cats made themselves scarce!) I've heard from a number of people that their kids got Nerf guns, too. Wish I'd bought stock in the company that makes Nerf stuff.This first week of the New Year -...
Red birds, ribbons, wreaths, and recovery….
I attended the 6th annual Festival of Trees this week here in Panama City, a fundraiser for the women's residential addiction recovery program where I am employed. It was the most beautiful assortment of creative Christmas collectibles......trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread houses, arrangements, and decorative accents as well as gift items. All were being auctioned through silent bidding for several days. After careful consideration of space in my house and money in my wallet, I bid on two modest entries, appropriately scaled to fit both! I had to up my bids several times, but when...
Weeks flying by…..
I just realized that it's been weeks since I posted. I recall thinking, "Wow, it's already the first of November." Well, it's now the 21st of November and we're looking just around the corner at the first of December. I have got to get myself organized or Christmas will have come and gone and I'll still be standing here with a befuddled look on my face like, "What happened?"Bill advised me a month ago that he wants me to actually decorate and celebrate Christmas this year. Last year I did almost nothing. I was in a new job, the children weren't coming, and I really just felt disconnected and...
A notable day…..
Today was a beautiful fall Sunday. It was cool enough to make being outside pleasant. After a morning of worship and study at church, we watched football for a while and I read between plays. Later, Bill sat outside watching two of our cats frolic and chase one another around the yard while I gathered up sticks, moss, and weeds that had been strewn about by recent wind and rain. He observed that if I did that much casual cleaning up around the yard everyday, I'd have it in ship shape in a month or so! Unfortunately, I rarely have that kind of time more often than a few times a month or so.We...
Tradition and the Church…..
I'm in the midst of teaching a series of Sunday School lessons on the twelve apostles to our senior adult Sunday School class at my church. I am using William Barclay's "The Master's Men" and William McBirnie's "The Search for the Twelve Apostles" as my primary resources. In addition to the biblical accounts of the apostles lives and actions, I am including in our discussion some of the legends and traditions that have come from extra-biblical sources. In most cases this information sheds light on their travels, ministry, and mission in the decades after Christ's death and resurrection and...
How we settle on doctrine……
Recently I was included in a conversation about the "Wesleyan Quadrilateral" - Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. The phrase was coined by Albert Outler, who later regretted that he had phrased it the way he did, as it has led to a lot of confusion. The four criteria for theological formulation have been hotly debated in Methodist circles for decades. Some have interpreted the phrase "quadrilateral" as suggesting equality among the four. The blue circular diagram included here is a representation that seems to capture the essence of the relationship among the four components to...