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.
A renewal….
For the last six weeks our church has been working through a spiritual growth campaign that our staff designed and implemented.....RENEW: Connect, Grow, Serve. This weekend is the grand finale, which we called cityREACH. Today about 400 of our church members fanned out across Bay County and participated in a variety of service projects. I was team leader for a group of 20+ family volunteers at Bethel Village, the women's addiction recovery program where I work. Our volunteers filled Easter eggs with candy, assembled and wrapped Easter baskets, picked up pinecones, raked straw, and planted...
A grandmother’s dream come true….
This week we have learned that our son, daughter in law, and their three children, who had told us a few weeks ago that they were moving to our community, are actually moving across the street from us! They've had an eye on that house for a couple of years, actually, given the current housing market. Now it's going to be real!We are imagining what life will be like with family dropping in, Sunday lunches together, spending time by the lake with the kids, and so many other fun times to come. I could never have imagined that this would have been possible in years past. Having a son who works...
Taking a breath….
The last time I posted I was just beginning the second semester of seminary classes in my candidacy for deacon. Reading for the class, which has 5 required texts, has occupied much of my free time. Now I find myself at mid-term, having turned in my mid-term exam and taking a few days of respite from the reading. It's spring break in Alabama and we have grandchildren visiting. The last month has been especially challenging, personally and professionally. We are moving closer to the groundbreaking of the new, larger Bethel Village program house. I have been contemplating what the new and...
One down, ten to go…..
I completed my first semester of seminary courses required for deacon candidacy two months ago. The second semester began today with a course on the history of Methodism. It'll go until early May. Then summer semester will begin. I can only manage one course at the time due to all the reading required. The duties of my two jobs prohibit me biting off more than that. There are moments when I think, "What am I doing this for?" Then I think, "Not what, but whom.....for Christ." I do feel that I am called to, and indeed, am in ministry already. This additional work is equipping me for......what?...
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...