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.
Cut The Strings
CBB 3/27/21 Today I was considering how often I have to hunt for scissors and I remembered how my Daddy always carried a knife. He was often using it. To cut a rope for a tarp on a truck, to clean out around the rim of something, to clean his nails after scrubbing his hands, etc. it crossed my mind how convenient it would be to have a knife in my pocket...... I actually do have a folding 6-in-1 tool in my car, but it’s a little cumbersome to carry in a pocket or purse. One never knows when a sharp blade may be needed to cut the strings that have one bound........ by Chad Hymas, Aug...
Crucifying Excuses
Pastor Craig Carter'sessage today at LHUMC- Crucifying Excuses..... When Christ said "Follow me!" , few realized the destination ahead.... but Jesus never hid the truth. Luke 9:22-23 It will require PERSONAL SACRIFICE- are you ready to "rough it"? It's not an easy life and there are no 5 star hotels. Luke 9:57-58 It will require PRESSING URGENCY- Nothing else can come before Jesus' call. First things first. Announce God's kingdom. Our business is life! Luke 9:59-60 It will require PRIORITIZED LIVING- not when everything else is done.... NOW! 1 Kings 19... Elijah invites Elisha. "Plow a...
Pure Hearts
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." When we make every effort to deal honestly, to avoid deceit, to be transparent, to trust (at least until it is proven to be unwarranted), to live in accountable community with others, and to look for the good in the world, we will see begin to see God at work all around us.....his fingerprints will be evident to us in our own lives, in the lives of those we love and in the world at large. And even when others fail us, we will know God's comfort and eventually find our way back to a place of peace and restoration in Christ. When one's...
Marginal Mindfulness
I participated in a continuing education online webinar today on addiction and "mindfulness". Here are some definitions from some who practice and teach it: Rick Hanson- “the practice of knowing what’s happening in the mind without getting hijacked by it” Shapiro and Carlson- “the awareness that arises out of intentionally paying attention in an open, kind, and discerning way…the nonjudgmental, moment by moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and surrounding environment” Jon Kabat-Zinn- “resting in the moment…living your life as if it really matters, moment by moment by...
Counterfeiting Gifts
I have had quite a few conversations this past two weeks about the gift of tongues as a result of writing about one young lady's experience of it in two different venues and with two very different outcomes. Because I have not personally experienced this gift in the typical way, some in the past have believed that I am against it or that I don't understand or appreciate it. None of that is true. I've seen the gift expressed in it's sweetest, most worshipful and healing manifestations. I've also seen it in what appeared to me to be showy, personally-glorifying, even frightening (to some)...
Snowflake Academia
3/26/16 Chalked names on sidewalks....creating "pain" and "intimidation". Students at one of the most elite universities in the South....looking for a reason to protest. Looks like they found it. From one news report: "Like many other students across the country, they’ve spent the past year agitating for what they perceive to be increased social justice and diversity initiatives at Emory—only to be let down by the university, they say, when their campus was defiled with Trump propaganda." You don't learn how to do "social justice" and practice "diversity" in college. Consider what...
Remembering Lavada
3/26/16 I found out today that someone I respected and loved died last weekend. It's been such a busy week, I missed the news if it came across my view at all. Grieving for her death, but grateful that I know where she is now....celebrating Easter with the Risen Christ! Love you, Lavada. Thank you for your many prayers and your wisdom through the years. I'm also grateful that I took the time to spend a few hours with her recently ....the last time I saw her. We laughed, sang, recalled good times, and expressed our hopes for our church and all of God's people.
Moving Mountains
Bill had shared this story about "Faith Moving Mountains" with some friends. I was curious about the origin of the story. Here's what I found about the church from which the story grew. The "anonymous" video appears below the actual report. Now, the truth is, all of this could be a hoax, but there's nothing on SNOPES that dismisses it. "Can God move a mountain? Jesus insisted that he can, and many stories attest to this being literally fulfilled. Unfortunately, many of those stories sound invented. After I posted one such story [see the bottom] on my "Questionable Illustrations" I received...
Not Tempted
From 3/25/17 There was a day I decided that some people undertake writing a book under influences of considerably less noble motivation than I would have thought. A young lady who'd been in recovery for a few months and whom I'd only recently met had talked a pretty good story about her born again faith. In a discussion with her I asked about some things she said about recovery and about use of crystals, reading auras, chakras, etc. She became instantly angry at my suggestion that such practices were not compatible with Christian doctrine. She told me that even though she'd only been clean a...
Direction To Destination
Your direction, not your intention, determines your destination. Andy Stanley From " The Principle of the Path". It's not enough to WANT to follow Christ, you have to actually DO it and strive to STAY on the path. That's a disciple.