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.
988…… Keep It. Share It
SHARE THIS AMONG ALL YOU KNOW....IT COULD VERY WELL SAVE THE LIFE OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE. A good strategy.... may the Lord use the humble efforts of mankind to turn back the despair that engulfs so many! Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Lord, Let it be! Amen https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/16/health/988-national-suicide-prevention-lifeline-launches/index.html
Everywhere The River Flows…. Life Abundant!
Follow along with me here..... John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 8:47. “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God “. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Genesis 6 1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they...
Pondering and Doodling Faith and Math
😊 Just a little fun with numbers.
Advocacy: Stand Firm
Days can grow long dealing with an advocacy issue on behalf of an individual or family. Pray for those who are unjustly treated at the hands of people who want them out of their way and those who are too busy or too inconsiderate to care. It is amazing how a matter of justice on which parties take a principled stand can occupy mental energy for over 3 months, be the focus of a contentious discussion at 9am and have all appearances of becoming a brawl. Then by 4pm, after the other party has gathered and verified more facts, there's a 180 degree shift in demeanor and tone. Hmmmmmm…...this may...
Mental Health Stigma In Church
from 7/17/21: A friend posted a very good, sensitive, and encouraging post about being understanding and kind to people who take mental health medications. This has been one of my soapbox issues for many years. Telling people that if they “took care of themselves”, or “had enough faith”, or listened to wise counsel, or didn’t do drugs or whatever presumed cause is used by others to dismiss sound mental health practice is like saying “don’t take any medications” for any illness. I’ve taken Prozac since 1997, when I experienced an acute mental health emergency after several years of...
Deceptive Hearts and The Human Condition
"Do you desire to know the truth?" THIS is the truth of the human condition..... You may think you are a "good" person, but as Jesus observed, "None is good. No, not one." The heart , above all things, is deceitful. Because of the propensity of all of us to fail in the face of temptations to "lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life," any one of us is capable of great evil, just as we are capable of great good. The Christian faith alone expresses the reality of the human condition. "For the good that I would, I do not, but the evil I would not, that I do."
Heritage: A Little of This, A Little of That
Add to "Things I Never Knew" ...... My paternal great grandmother, (the Carroll family side) who died when my grandmother and her sister were less than 10, was Cherokee Indian. A cousin has done some family geneology and told me today....Great grandpa Carroll remarried in his 30s a much younger woman, still in her teens, if I recall correctly what I knew of him. His second wife was called "Aunt Arrie" by my Dad and his siblings. I met her one time that I can recall when I was about 3-4. I think Grandpa Carroll and Arrie had a son that my Dad's family called "Uncle Roy". He was a veteran who...
Wisdom and Salvation
I gave a devo this morning on 2 prayers in the Psalms-88 & 86. I included something a pastor told me several times..."There are 2 prayers God always answers- for wisdom and for salvation." As I reflected on his words this week, it seemed to me that when one has the presence of mind to call out to God for rescue it is because he has already been given the wisdom of God to know he can't live without God! And here today look at a picture Rosie Peiffer posts!! "But only wisdom can save your life...." ( vs. 13) in Ecclesiastes 7 Makes sense to me and I think Jesus' brother James would agree!...
Application Questions On Smoking
I have been advocating for addressing nicotine concurrently with other chemical addictions since I began in addiction recovery counseling in 2008. When I was able to start a program myself, smoke-free recovery was one of the criteria I insisted on. It was NOT a popular opinion, even with recovery ministry peers. So, in 2016 I put out this social media query: "Alright, ladies.......those of you who are former students of mine...weigh in on this issue of smoking and substance abuse. How do/did you feel about yourself when you quit smoking for good or when you weren't smoking during recovery?...
If Life Is A Test….
Here's "ponderable" that arose from a conversation ...One person has stated that "life is a test" and she sees everything through the lens of being tested. I asked if she felt the tests were from the devil or from God. "God." If she views everything in life through the lens of a test, then at least she has given the best answer for where that test is coming from. Okay, then, if the test is coming from God, you may rest assured that God will not let you fail. if you "score" poorly, he'll give you another opportunity. God is a god of "do-overs." If you think he will punish you for giving your...