Change & Transformation

Graduating From Simple Zeal to Living Right

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“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

(James 2:17-18, NIV)

 The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. – Robert Burns

I don’t wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that.  Your mind must know it has got to get down to work. – Pearl S. Buck

Plans get you into things, but you must work your way out. – Will Rogers

The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy in the world won’t work – if you won’t. – Zig Ziglar

If faith is lacking, it is because there is too much selfishness, too much concern for personal gain.

For faith to be true, it has to be generous and loving.  Love and faith go together, they complete each other. – Mother Teresa

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. – St. Augustine

Faith is not belief. Belief is passive. Faith is active. – Edith Hamilton

We’ve all heard variations on at least one of these sayings, and the bottom line is this:

Faith without works is DEAD!  Well-intentioned words, plans, ideas, and thoughts are fine, but you’ve got to back them up with ACTION!

You may ask, “Does it really make a difference that I don’t do what I say?  What’s the big deal?”  I’ll give you a personal illustration that’s quite close to home.  For several years, I knew I needed to lose weight to be healthier.  I agonized over the fact that I needed to change my eating habits from what tasted good but wasn’t good for my arteries…while cramming in the junk food.  I joked about needing to start an exercise routine…while I channel-surfed.  Then I lamented about how my clothes were shrinking from week to week and month to month…while I got more and more comfortable with elastic waistband clothing. 

But the truth of the matter was that I was doing NOTHING to change my current situation!  I knew what I needed to do, but I didn’t make a concerted, consistent effort to walk in the direction of transforming my life.  Sometimes I’d start with tons of excitement, then after a few days (or hours), my enthusiasm would wane and I’d be right back at square one – ho-hum, welcome to couch potato city.  (If I had a dollar for every time I told someone what I needed to be doing, I’d be a very rich woman).  So the weight gain continued to creep up with the combination of physical inactivity and poor food choices.  All of my great ideas of what I could and should be doing paled in comparison to the inactivity of my limbs.

That’s where hypocrisy comes in: when we say we believe one thing, but what we do contradicts what we zealously say we believe.  Trust me – I know…firsthand.  Yes, I can admit it.  There’s something liberating about telling the truth.  It frees you from having to remain the same.  So, in this moment of blatant self-disclosure, I pray something inside of you has been triggered to move from intention to impact.  The only way to make this transition is to take ACTION.  You don’t have to keep cussing, fornicating, stealing, lying, abusing drugs, being angry, harboring bitter unforgiveness, being lazy, being prideful, being afraid – whatever your vice is, you can overcome it with the power of the Holy Spirit and a commitment to do the work it takes to change from what’s now your status quo.

Today, I can report that I’ve been working out with a trainer (who cuts me absolutely no slack when I try to wiggle out of sessions with lame excuses of tiredness or eating something I shouldn’t have) – and I can see positive results after two months.  After the sweat (eww! does it really take all of that?  yes – and then some!), getting into the habit of throwing my tennis shoes in the trunk for my after-work fitness sessions, and finally realizing that I was just as capable of being healthy as anyone else who put in the effort, I am seeing health-improving outcomes – and I feel better, too!

In a society full of spin doctors, 24/7 surveillance technology, and people looking for something “real” to replace the virtual, our witness of words is not in enough.  It is our actions that speak louder than our words, our zeal, and our good intentions – so we must live right to be an effective witness for righteousness.  Anyone can read the Word, but a true disciple is one who walks out what the Word teaches.  Where are you on the spectrum?  Assess yourself, and then ask God to help you make the necessary adjustments to live a life pleasing in His sight.

It’s the little things that have significant impact on the end result.  When driving a car, we don’t jerk the wheel violently the whole time we’re behind the wheel.  Instead, we use a series of smooth movements and slight, consistent adjustments to keep us going straight in the desired direction.  When it’s time to turn, we approach the transition and adjust accordingly with pace and rate and speed.  In the same way, we can graduate from simple zeal to living right – with discipline, commitment, maturity, honesty with God, and WORK.

What are your actions saying today?

Ask God to adjust and recalibrate you this week –  you may be surprised to see the areas He desires to tweak in YOU!

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

A Prayer to Build Your Faith in God

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Author’s Note: 

When I posted the January message, I reluctantly admitted that I was personally Running on “E.”  Therefore, I decided to take a few weeks to reconnect to the Source of peace, love, life, joy, and all that I need.  That was a good decision, for I have been refreshed in His presence.  I encourage you to do the same – sooner than later.  Your spirit man and your natural man will thank you 🙂

I was asked to share the prayer below, written during the recent WIW series on “Building Your Faith in God.”  I challenge you to be transparent with God – He knows your innermost thoughts and wants only His best for you.  This is stepping out of my own comfort zone to post an intimate prayer from my heart for the world to see, but if it blesses someone and leads to their deliverance, then it’s worth it.

I am glad to report that God is at work in me, and I am grateful for His patience with me!  I pray that it will help you face and OVERCOME whatever fear stands in the way of your victory.  Go forth boldly!

A Prayer to Build Your Faith in God

Lord God, Great and Sovereign Holy One,

Cleanse me of all unrighteousness, I pray.  I choose to forgive those who’ve offended me, and I ask you to forgive me.  I need Your help to create and sustain a new mindset and a consistently healthy lifestyle full of the true, pure, uncontaminated love of God.  I cannot do this by myself. 

I need You to create in me a clean heart and renew within me a right and steadfast spirit.  Cleanse, purge, purify, and perfect me into the image of Your dear Son, Lord God.  Let there be no hidden corner of iniquity, sin, or unrighteousness that I try to deny, cover up, or ignore.  Change me for Your glory – I’ve been this way for much too long.  Make me what and who You need me to be.  I want Your results, which means I must yield to Your process.  I trust that what You choose for me is right, fitting, appropriate, and just.

Help me to release to You and overcome every:

  1. Food addiction
  2. Destructive habit
  3. Hidden lust and craving
  4. Nasty, ungodly attitude
  5. Stubbornness, rebellion, and pride
  6. Indecision and anxiety
  7. Unbelief, doubt, and fear
  8. Self-sabotage
  9. Stinkin’ thinkin’ and negativity
  10. ANYTHING that blocks, hinders, and impedes the flow of the Holy Spirit
  11. Laziness and undisciplined behavior and thoughts
  12. Complacency

Fill me with the fruit of the Holy Spirit in abundance that I may be a vessel pleasing in Your sight that manifests Your splendor and glory.  I know You are faithful to meet me as I press toward the mark of Your high call that’s on my life.

In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

© 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Power of Purpose: Making Your Life Count

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“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you:
A prophet to the nations – that’s what I had in mind for you.”

Jeremiah 1:5 (The Message)

It is powerful to know your true identity and why you exist.  The Bible gives in-depth illustrations of many people who either arrived on the scene knowing why they were created or, through the course of life, discovered their guiding purpose for being on the planet.

  • Jeremiah received personal assurance from God that he was equipped to take on the tasks appointed to him – despite his age. 
  • Deborah was a prophetess who gave insight for a great national victory during wartime – a well-respected and honorable woman in a male-dominated society. 
  • Joseph was destined for greatness and achieved it – regardless of the “haters” within his family. 
  • Esther delivered her people from utter destruction – by her obedience, wisdom, dedication to prayer, and willingness to take a risk. 
  • Daniel was set apart for wise leadership and empowered to pass every test placed before him – from interpretation of a king’s forgotten dreams to deliverance from a lion’s den.
  • Mary was hand-selected to bring forth God’s greatest gift – above all others. 

The list goes on.  I have good news: you are included in this list!  Whenever you examine, discover, and embrace your purpose, the heart’s cry, “Why am I here, Lord?” is inevitably addressed.

Luke 1:31-33 depicts how Jesus’ purpose and greatness was made known to His mother before He was in her womb.  Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted three years, and much preparation took place before he launched out.  Yet, those three years were packed with power, miracles, changed lives, and the demonstration of God’s glory.  Quality of time, not quantity, made the difference as Jesus impacted those who came across His path.  To some, three years seems like a short time; to others, it’s a long time – it all depends on what you’re setting out to accomplish.  Romans 14:12 reminds us that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” How are you living in light of that fact?

As a person of faith, you may often reflect on the fact that you have been given the priceless gift of life – and with that, a certain amount of time (your life span) is allotted for you to fulfill the purpose God created just for you.  In Luke 16, Jesus told the story of a rich man with a servant who got “called on the carpet.”  His master confronted him, “Give an account of your stewardship!”  When this man realized his position was in jeopardy, he immediately got busy being productive for his master’s benefit.

Each of us faces a similar moment of truth today.  When God glimpses you, does He see you fervently serving Him – or your own interests?  He expects His faithful children to commit to using the gifts He entrusted to them (time, talent, energy, skills, abilities, etc.) to profit and promote His Kingdom.  Over 2,000 years later, Jesus’ life holds a legacy that we continue to benefit from.  Are your actions today creating a legacy that will bless those who look beneath the surface of your life?  Power in action will cause you to be a wise investor and not a resource waster! 

Knowing your purpose and the power provided for you to fulfill it will guide and direct your path, help you select the activities in which you participate, influence where you decide to invest your time, and impact the people (positive or negative) you allow to sow into your lives.  During your personal time of meditation, consider reading Psalm 139:13-16 and Isaiah 49:1-5 to appreciate the fact that you were designed for a specific purpose.  Greatness lies within YOU.  Tap in and allow God to powerfully direct your purpose; it will make a difference in your life.

After all, walking in your purpose with power is what life is all about.

Enjoy the journey…

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Your Life – Make It Count!

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“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

(Romans 14:12)

Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted three years.  Yet, those three years were packed with power, miracles, changed lives, and the demonstration of God’s glory.  Quality of time, not quantity, made the difference as Jesus impacted those who came across His path.  To some, three years seems like a short time; to others, it’s a long time – it all depends on what you’re setting out to accomplish. 

As Christians, we are approaching the greatest celebration of life, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  During this season, reflect on the fact that you have been given the priceless gift of life – and with that, a certain amount of time (your life span) is allotted for you to fulfill the purpose God created just for you.  In Luke 16, Jesus told the story of a rich man with a servant who got “called on the carpet.”  His master confronted him, “Give an account of your stewardship!”  When this man realized his position was in jeopardy, he immediately got busy being productive for his master’s benefit.

Each of us faces a similar moment of truth today.  When God glimpses you, does He see you fervently serving Him – or your own interests?  He expects His faithful children to commit to using the gifts He entrusted to them (time, talent, energy, skills, abilities, etc.) to profit and promote His Kingdom.  Over 2,000 years later, Jesus’ life holds a legacy that we continue to benefit from.  Are your actions today creating a legacy that will bless those who look beneath the surface of your life?  Resurrection power in action will cause you to be a wise investor and not a resource waster!

What are you doing with the precious life God has given you?

© Copyright 2008 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Stop NOW! Time is of the essence…

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“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

 when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

(Acts 3:18-20)

Have you ever scheduled an activity, only to find that the time to do it never comes?  Do you often plan to do things and realize (maybe weeks later) that the time to accomplish them never presented itself?  If you can relate, it’s quite possible you need to take a moment to stop and evaluate where your energy is going.  Where is your focus?  If it’s all over the place, that could be an indicator that you need to try a different approach.

Now contrast this with a stoplight turning red – what does that signal (or indicator) mean?  It means: STOP NOW!  If you put it off until later – it might be too late.  It is actually hazardous (to your health and the health of others) not to stop when you see the signal is already red – or better yet, if you see the warning of the yellow caution light telling you to slow down and PREPARE to stop.

A friend recently e-mailed me, reminding me to take time to refuel, reconnect, and REST.  I appreciated her concern for me as I wondered incredulously, “Exactly WHEN would I find the time to do this?!?”  Truth be told, she e-mailed me on 12/12/07, but I’m just now getting this message posted on 12/20/07 – see how it happens?  Time drifts away from us when we don’t actively manage it.  Let’s commit to actively managing our time in 2008 instead of passively allowing time to dictate to us what our schedules will be…a novel concept, wouldn’t you agree?

The times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.  If you’re too busy to spend time with Him to get clarity and direction for your life, then guess what?  You’re just too busy.  Stop NOW!  Refocus. Reprioritize.  Rest in Him.  As we take time at the end of the year to reflect, we can also use this time to reprioritize based on what’s really important.  The Holy Spirit is here to help us and guide us as we commit to aligning with God’s Word. 

Abundant blessings as you tie up those loose ends and approach the conclusion of 2007 🙂

© 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Don’t EVEN Go There!

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“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

(II Corinthians 10:5-6)

Why do we do things we have no business doing and say things we have no business saying?  Because we allow ourselves to think things we have no business thinking!  How do I know?  Because I’m Culprit #1!   I’m sitting here at my desk munching on a rice cake, and I recall the instruction on the package “Do not microwave.”  So I start pondering and wondering, “What’s the worst that could happen if I put it in the microwave?”  Then I looked around stealthily (as if someone were actually watching me in my cube) and said to myself, “Surely nothing bad could happen in 5 seconds if I tested this out…”

This is a lighthearted (but true) example of how quickly things can get out of proportion and out of hand.

Guard the seeds that are planted in your mind and what you allow to grow there.  If a wayward thought takes root, it’s gonna be harder to get rid of it once it’s growing.  Take preventive action – don’t let it settle in!

 © Copyright 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Fill ‘Er Up! Lessons From the Gas Station of Life

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“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,

be put away from you, with all malice:

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

(Ephesians 4:31-32)

Background From Last Night

So I was aggravated with someone yesterday.  (Yes, with all of my own idiosyncrasies and quirks, I had the nerve and unmitigated gall to be irritated by one of God’s children – audacious, I know).  My annoyance over a very minor thing with them probably didn’t start yesterday, but it had accumulated when I didn’t deal with the tiny seed of irritation when it first appeared.  Last night, I tried to shake it off, but the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.  As my hubby reminded me, this person had probably moved on and was sleeping very well.  So I tried to pray before going to bed (realizing I was blocking my own blessings if I didn’t forgive and release this person), I tried to “calm myself down,” I even tried to think about something else and take my mind off the situation by doing a puzzle.  This morning, I’m not sure if any of this really worked that well, but I did finally go to sleep around 2 a.m.  And it’s not that I wasn’t tired (because I LOVE sleep – it’s a hobby); I was just agitated in my spirit and in my flesh. 

Snapshot From This Morning

During this morning’s commute, I stopped to attend to the gas needle looming ominously near “E.”  The first indicator that I’d happened upon a gas pump with an attitude was when I set it to auto pump, got back in the car with the kids, then noticed (30 seconds later) that the numbers weren’t moving.  It was going NOWHERE – fast.  So I got out again, reset the pump, and got back in the car as the gas (finally) pumped.  Up I watched the numbers climb – whew, what it takes to fill a tank these days!  After a few moments of bantering with my kids and singing along with the radio, I heard the man at the pump next to me banging on my gas tank. (I admit that my first fleeting thought was, “Oh Lord, is he trying to do something to my kids in the backseat?!”).  Then he quickly stopped the gas pump and told me, “Ma’am, your tank was overflowing and your gas was spilling out.”  I sheepishly thanked him for his act of kindness, then pulled off fuming as I wondered how many extra pennies from my budget had run out onto the pavement.  Yet, I tried to shake that off and let it go, too.  I know God is my Provider, and He hasn’t stopped doing His job.  Are you starting to see how vexed I was?  Can you relate?

The Point

As I pulled off from the gas station, indignant with the faulty pump (how ridiculous, I know!), I realized that last night’s episode was a precursor and foreshadowing to this morning’s gas incident.  My own tank (my heart) was so full of junk that I couldn’t even sing along with the worship music without feeling like a hypocrite.  I knew something had to give.  I had to get rid of that stuff – and FAST.  Last night I had enough sense to realize that I didn’t want to pass away with that stuff lingering in my heart.  I repented for wasting the precious time God was gracious enough to give me.

Take Action – Make a Change

So the question for all of us today:  What are you already full of?  What are you trying to pump in?  Is there room for anything else in your tank?  If so, would there be a place in your heart for the Holy Spirit to come and dwell, or would He be crowded out by bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice?

I encourage you to join me in getting rid of the junk in your tank today so you can make room for the priceless substance of the Holy Spirit’s presence.  We’ll go a lot further – and get better gas mileage!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I have a phone call to make.  I need to release this person and move on with my day.

p.s. If y’all have any tips for how YOU let stuff go right away instead of letting it get under your skin, please e-mail me!  God’s got my attention and (in spite of what it feels like) I am determined to allow Him to work on me for HIS glory, for there is no good thing in flesh!

© Copyright 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Perfection Misconception

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“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the work of Your hands.”

(Psalm 138:8, NKJV)

Have you ever waited for just the right set of circumstances or conditions?  You want everything to be in its proper place and “just so.”  You don’t want to risk making any “mistakes.”  You’re reaching for perfection (a misconception and a work of the flesh) instead of excellence (flowing from the Spirit of God).

I am so guilty of this!  And you know what?  That elusive perfection never comes – it’s an illusion and a delusion.  Then you procrastinate.  By that time, you’re out of God’s perfect will.  When you try to play catch up, you’re asking Him for provision in an area that He’s not obligated to cover you in – because you led yourself there!

Did you think I was talking about you?  I was actually talking about myself!  But you know the old saying:  if the shoe fits…

I welcome you to the first of many submissions for The Writer’s Corner.  It’s been a long time coming – and I almost missed my window of opportunity.  But God gave me this chance, and today, I am seizing the moment.  I hope you’ll do the same today.

Faith requires stepping out of your comfort zone and beyond what your intellect can fathom, particularly when you can’t see how something will turn out.  It leaves us open and vulnerable, but it also creates an awesome atmosphere and environment for God to show Himself strong and mighty in and through us.  When we come to the end of ourselves, His glory manifests, and it’s absolutely magnificent to behold.

Have a productive day as you obey His voice and instructions to you – don’t act like you don’t hear Him talking to you!

© 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Residual Heat

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“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” 

(Revelation 3:16)

Have you ever thought you were finished curling your hair, only to look in the mirror and see one set of strands you missed?  So you grab the curling iron you turned off 3 minutes ago, and try to use the “heat that’s left in it” to get that last curl to look like all the rest of them?  (Am I the only who’s ever done this???  I know I’m not!). 

That’s how I felt this morning.  I couldn’t get started.  I snoozed several times too many.  Getting up late made me rush my toddlers – and you KNOW toddlers don’t rush getting ready unless they FEEL like it, which is rare with morning preparation routines.  I should’ve laid their clothes out the night before, but I convinced myself, “Oh, I know where the shirt is in the drawer that I want to put on her.”  I was impressed that my son had selected his outfit last night, so that was squared away.  To my chagrin, this morning he had a fashion revelation and decided that last night’s selection just wouldn’t do for today.  I was exasperated.  But you know what?  It was my own doing.  Had I taken a few steps to prepare last night (though I’d convinced myself I was “just too tired,” I could’ve left the house earlier, avoided some rush hour traffic, and had a better start for my day.

© Copyright 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Preparing To Embrace Transition

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“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

During last month’s Life Application classes, we identified a “cure for the common life.”  This month, we’ll develop an unquenchable thirst for God’s presence.  Applying the combination of these two themes to our lives promises to bring us into a new season – we won’t be able to stay the same!  So how do we prepare for the upcoming transition?  What mindset do we need to embrace so we can do something different from what we’re already doing?

As we approach a change of natural seasons (moving from Summer into Fall), take a moment to hear what God is saying to you about your own spiritual season.  Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t look like you’re where you think you should be.  God is preparing a place for you at the same time He is preparing you for that place!  Be encouraged and know that He has an expected end for you (Jeremiah 29:11).  

Surely, there is an appointed season and timeframe for your blessing, your miracle, your healing, your deliverance, your promotion, and your breakthrough.  Realize that it may not happen overnight, in a week, or even in a month; transition occurs through a process.  You must listen closely to God’s plan and obey His instructions to satisfy the conditions and be in position for the transition. 

God is faithful and He is taking you somewhere…

Are you preparing to embrace the transition God has for you?

© Copyright 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart