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.
Prophesy Repentance
Jeremiah Johnson reports a prophetic dream he had while meditating on Matthew 7:22-24. It is from an article published in Charisma magazine and reported in a newsletter from Intercessors For America. His message is of a lopsided gospel that works great signs and wonders in the name of Jesus’ love for us but does not give equal voice to Christ’s call to repentance, to “go and sin no more.” Such people who preach a lopsided gospel and those who follow them are seen to have missed the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “In the prophetic dream, I was taken to hell where I saw all these...
When Appetite Declines
Barbara Bush died three years ago. Dr. Marc Siegel, calling Barbara Bush a pioneer, observed that she led the way in choosing well for end-of-life considerations. "When do you conclude you’ve come to the end of your life? There are questions and more questions. How is your breathing? How many infections have you had in the past year? How many emergency trips to the hospital have you had to make? How uncomfortable are you on a daily or hourly basis? How would you rate the quality of your life? We are all mortal, destined to exit this world at some point. How hard do you want to fight, how...
Abiding In Communion
Do not be anxious about anything, for I care for you....... I felt the love of Christ wrap around and embrace me as I took communion last night among my brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the Presence, power, and security of abiding in Him. I felt, too, the love of my husband, Bill, with whom I had shared in communion and the abiding of Christ with us for 48 years. I had written about the experience of meeting Christ in the moment of receiving the elements last night while still sitting in the parking lot after this Holy Week Communion Service.#HolyWeek "Tonight we gathered at Lynn...
Excuses
There are those who make unwarranted interpretational leaps that suggest that relationships between individuals in scripture demonstrate approval of and endorse their own support of homosexual conduct. People who equate spiritual and emotional intimacy between people automatically with sexual conduct reveal the inadequacy and immaturity of their spiritual and emotional lives and their preoccupation with "love" being defined primarily in terms of sexual behavior. Spiritual and emotional intimacy is a more fulfilling, lasting, and mutually honoring kind of love that includes shared honoring of...
Love & Hate
There's a devotional group I'm in that's been contemplating the topic of love. I've shared before that I think we have the wrong concept not only of love, but also of hate. Hate in biblical terms means to separate ourselves from the acts or behaviors of sin which many believe are clearly defined in God's Word. It is about not engaging in the sin, alone or with others, or excusing it. In prison where a margin of safety is insured and in most cases where acceptance of one's consequences has led to sober mind and changed behavior, one's past sins are not even a consideration, just as they are...
UMC Tolerance of Heresy
In an online community a discussion of homosexuality led to a number of exchanges. One man wrote, "God tells us not to do a lot of things in the Bible, including not eating pork, not eating cheese and meat at the same meal, not eating certain types of fish, or shell fish. If a person does any of these, they are an abomination, you know the same as homosexual. I don't agree that Jesus was homosexual, or Mary and Martha." My response was; "The food bans were specifically addressed through Christ's own words (regarding not what goes into one's mouth as defiling one but what comes forth from...
Guiltless
No need for ANY believer to feel guilt...... conviction into repentance and reconciliation , yes.... but guilt that arises from condemnation ?NEVER! He whom Christ has freed is free indeed! Rest in his love and grace! Sang this in church yesterday....In Christ Alone. “No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny..."
I Am A Greenie
Little piece of trivia for you "greenies" out there: for years I have been a "spring" fan, especially enjoying the variety of greens on the hillsides in Alabama as the trees/shrubs begin to leaf. This past week I drove to N. Alabama and was sharing that with my passenger. I told her that I had learned years ago that the state of Alabama has the distinction of having the greatest number of diverse varieties of trees, more than any other state! It's true! And it makes a drive through the state absolutely beautiful in the spring! from 4/13/2013
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 ?