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.
Happy Birthday, Titus 2!
This was written 4/13/2015, on the occasion of celebrating Titus 2's first birthday anniversary. Now, 8 years after its beginning, we are still amazed at what God has done and continues to do! "A year ago this week, after what seemed like the disastrous culmination of a difficult six months, as it became clear that the end was coming in an area that had been fulfilling and productive, a new journey began. As one ministry friend told me, sometimes it is necessary for God to allow a door to be firmly closed behind us before he allows us to see what awaits behind the next one. That was...
Talisman
Talisman- "anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions." Obsession with an item that provides one with an excuse for refusing to act in a mature and rational manner. OK for a 2 year old with an attachment to a security blanket or stuffed animal. Indicative of a pathological fixation or idolatrous worship in an adult ?
Deacon Calling and Roles
In April 2015 I observed a thread of Facebook posts in which deacons and prospective candidates for deacon were sharing the various places and roles they were working in service to Christ. Another thread inquired about whether deacons were having difficulty finding employment that would be approved by the church for appointment. As a commissioned "provisional" deacon one is told to "live into your calling".....By that one might imagine that one is to do the things deacons (clergy in the United Methodist Church) would be expected to do. That, however, is almost as elusive as attempting to...
Morning Songs
......But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. Amen. Sing, ALWAYS! Psalm 59:16-17 one morning this week I was singing as I dressed and cleaned and decided to send it to my grandchildren as I prepared for breakfast.... IMG_3035
Writing Sermons
"..... the two most important notes in any musical composition are the first and the last. “The audience might forgive you for what comes in the middle,” a band director would say, “but they will forget neither your very first impression nor your final remark.” Hmmmmm, I think that is somewhat the case with sermons, too.....Start well, end well, and don't wander around too much in the middle..... Just for a point of clarification......I am talking about my OWN sermons here, since I gave my first Easter sermon this past week. I have begun to notice the structure of sermons more and find our...
Failed Religions of Extremism and Routine-ism
"Our hearts hurt from the failed religion of extremism, and we deserve more than the failed religion of routine-ism. It is time for religious leaders and religious communities to take the lead in the spiritual and cultural shift that this country and the world so desperately needs — a shift toward love, toward justice, toward equality and toward dignity for all." Rabbi Sharon Brous She gives 4 principles for reclaiming religion: "Wakefulness- Our world is on fire, and it is our job to keep our hearts and our eyes open, and to recognize that it's our responsibility to help put out the flames....
Baptism of Water and Spirit
I realized decades ago that the adolescent baptism of my youth provided a sense of spiritual "security", of possessing a ticket into heaven that would never be taken away. It was a sweet, tender surrender of a childish emotional affection for the idea of Jesus Christ as Savior. However, there was insufficient follow up, a failure to prepare me for the multitude of additional surrenders that would be necessary as I grew into other aspects of my life in the decades to come. Eventually, that day came and the real work of learning to live as a Christian began. Thank God! He knew the years that...
Deep Diving in Christ
Because I work with women, generally I see more women willing to commit to "deep diving" in their relationship with Christ. But when a man is willing to dive deep, too, it is a wonderful thing! Deep-diving women in relationships with surface-floating men will usually find themselves longing for more in their marriage. And vice versa....it can go either way. And while two surface floaters may be happily yoked, they are missing the joy of depth in their own relationship with one another as well as in relationship to Christ. The level of spiritual and emotional intimacy and satisfaction that...
There’s Never Permission To Be Unforgiving.
A friend told me about a young man, a veteran of the US's Afghanistan war, who admitted having a great deal of anger and unforgiveness that led him to drunken rages. When she talked to him about about forgiveness he told her God had allowed him to not forgive. It bothered her. As we talked about his attitude I said I understood his feeling that way. But it is a deception. God does not give one permission to act in disobedience to His will, which IS always toward forgiveness. Rather, if one's heart is hardened, God will simply remove His protective hand, so that an individual who is no...
Highs….. And Lows
How many have noticed that, when one has a significant victory in the Kingdom that leads to peace and reconciliation, pretty close on its heels comes a sneak attack from the enemy that is sometimes so subtle and unexpected that it just brings one to her knees? That happens often with ladies in the Titus 2 residential life recovery program. I feel so badly for them when it happens. I have to tell them "Satan is NEVER going to give up hounding you or putting temptations in your path." You have to stay prayed up, suited up in the armor, studied up, in community, and not get complacent or lax...