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.
“Flights of Fancy” Dreams of Change
Dream Experience recorded 9/12/2020: "Strangest dream ever! Somehow I was selected for an ultra, super-duper spa day in Philadelphia. Made to believe it was very exclusive and one was special to be chosen to do it. I had to go to an interview for it. When I was selected I had two days to get there and had to make a plane reservation. I was hurrying around trying to get DELTA online and I stopped and thought to myself....."What in the world am I DOING??? What good is a spa day if I can't get there??? If this was legit, they'd provide the transportation or at least give you time to get...
Laborers For The Harvest
"Imagine the scene. Jesus has traveled from town to town. He has taught in the synagogues. His consistent message has been to announce the Good News about the Kingdom. He healed every kind of disease and illness. Not surprisingly, huge crowds turned out to be in his presence. Matthew writes, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36 (NLT). As we encounter people in our communities, the scene is the same. If we have Jesus's heart and vision, we must have compassion on our neighbors as well. Jesus...
The Battle Is Won With Prayer
From 9/6/2015 Went to see War Room movie with friends. Great movie! I saw all of the things prayed for by Jesus in John 17 prayed for in this movie. Hmmmm. Wonder if it was intended by the writers or just Jesus' signature on the project? What Jesus prayed for in John 17: Unity with God and one another Joy Protection from evil Sanctifying righteousness or holiness embracing and witnessing to the Truth and that we would know God’s love for us and be able to love others as He loves us……. No way one can miss praying "aright" when praying for those things! Loved the movie. Thank you Kendrick...
Fearless or Fear Well
Lol! Sometimes I look at this and it says “fearless”; other times it seems to say “fearwell” which, to me, means revere, honor, and obey God. Is it just me? “Fear” was the first word study God had me do as an adult in serious Bible study. This was a Christmas gift from my daughter in love a year or so ago. She said when she saw it, it made her think of me. What sweet thought!
Putting Thoughts Out There
9/4/2016 I put a number of things "out there" for individuals to learn about....hoping to encourage people to stretch their interest in and practice of their Christian faith. As followers of Jesus Christ, his disciples, we are to be learning and growing in our faith all the time from many sources....scripture, history, current events, science, literature, popular culture, one another, etc.....and observing the ways in which God is at work in the world, celebrating His presence, and joining Him in his work wherever we can. If it's not your cup of tea, that's okay. God will use whatever your...
Unexpected Possibilities
I marvel at the ways in which God reveals his plan in the lives of his people, often bringing entirely new and unexpected possibilities at the vey point one thinks there is no way through a difficulty. Once again today I have witnessed the birth of hope arising out of anxiety and despair in someone's life. One person calls the fortuitous timing of sudden new revelations that completely change the dynamics "coincidence" . Another simply calls it "grace". I will never cease to be amazed at the remarkable ways in which God creates hope and a future out of misery for the faithful who continue to...
September
9/1/2014 Just saw this on friend's page....."September is the new January!" For years my life revolved around my children's school year schedule. The nine months of the school year had its own rhythm. Even now, years after they are no longer in the house, their lives are being dictated by that schedule now and even still, September seems like a good time to start new things.....even if it's stopping some old things!
Ready Testimony
9/1/2014 It's amazing what a little bit of discipleship will do! In a very brief time of working with someone, her faith begins to grow and the Holy Spirit begins to bring forth fruit in a little sapling.....as the fruit grows, others begin to see it and ask questions.. fueling excitement and, even more. fueling a desire to know more of the Word and God's character to be able to tell others even more....What a "victorious" cycle! "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" 1 Peter 3:15 (and it doesn't have to be a 30 minute...
Making Lists
9/1/2016 Well, it's now Thursday and I have managed to get through about 3/4 of the "to do" list I started out with on Monday, as well as a few additional items that got added along the way. Now that Hermine appears to be rolling in our way, other things have taken precedence and the regular weekly "to do" list has been set aside. Thankfully, few things on my list each week qualify as emergencies....just a running reminder that there is always something that can be done while waiting for a student to finish as appointment or while on the way to something or somewhere else! LOL! Even...
Outpatient and Community Care
9/1/2018 As more of our women with children are wanting to stay connected with aftercare of Titus 2 or seeking outpatient care, I find that we are doing more and more extended outpatient case management and counseling. Residential care in an intensively structured Christian environment is not being sought when there are so many short term, 30 day "spa" programs around that accept Medicaid and multiple outpatient Medication Assisted Treatment programs. God is still bringing women and families in crisis to Titus 2, but they are not wanting the structured residential approach to change. Our...