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.
Spiritual Fruit Vs. Spiritual Gifts
“The gifts of the Spirit are not meant to give us a short cut to maturity. One of the dangers in the Church is we expect the gifts of the Spirit to quickly do what only the fruit of the Spirit is meant to do slowly.” -Rich Villodas Strait: (of a place) of limited spatial capacity; narrow or cramped. close, strict, or rigorous Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there ... 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7: 13-14 A close...
Driving Courtesy
Driving today in moderately heavy after-school traffic- Me: (out loud to the driver of the red car in the center lane) I see your signal. Come on in. I'll give you space to merge into this lane. (as several other cars zipped right by her.) Student: You always do that. That's one thing I've learned while I've been here. LOL! You never know what example you might be setting without realizing it. Maybe we need to add driving courtesies to the life skills curriculum along with reading food labels and proper food storage! from 9.25.2016
When I Have To Preach
From 9/14/2016 I'm sure if one is called to preach, there must be a passion and equipping for preparing sermons since one would be expected to do that every week. Preaching is not my calling, although I find myself asked to do that from time to time. My call is to service, teaching and acts of compassion and justice. So, the thought of being assigned a scripture from which to prepare a sermon for video taping and evaluation is a bit intimidating, especially since I've never had a class in preaching. Tonight, however, as I read the four offered selections I was surprised to discover that the...
Knowing……
Some individuals who know a level of spiritual maturity and dependence upon God that mark their walk as what the ancient church called The Unitive Way…….. following the childhood and youth “spiritual growth stages” of The Purgative Way and The Illuminative Way. The Apostle John referred to these three stages in 1John 2:12-14: “I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you,...
Suicide Survivor’s Tattoo
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ….. As I talked to a young woman in some seriously tough circumstances, I held her hand and saw this tattoo on her forearm……. I asked her to tell me about it it. She replied, “It’s a suicide survivor’s tattoo .” I said, “you’re a suicide survivor? When was that?” “Many times,” she said. Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts now?” “No,” was her reply. “It’s an interesting statement of overcoming, the three chevrons. It speaks of courage in battle,” I observed. “A sargeant’s rank,” she replied. We talked further about her past, as well as her present...
End times: God’s Next Move?
From 9/12/2017 "Wildfires across the northwest, earthquakes in California and elsewhere, hurricanes in the southeast, crazed dictators threatening nuclear missiles, the constant threat of terrorists, wars and rumors of war, reports of epidemics of antibiotic resistant TB and a hepatitis outbreak in San Diego, and now overwhelming swarms of gnats in Philadelphia......It's starting to sound rather biblical and apocalyptic. We're watching daily to see what's going to happen next.......and are grateful for salvation and the promise of Christ's presence with us. The sun will come up tomorrow and...
“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!