Come Out From Among Them

…and be ye separate…

You wouldn’t think that choosing to forgo an after-work business function would give one pause.

But this one did for me because I clearly heard in my spirit, “You can’t go.”

Wham! Just like that…

I was like, “Seriously, God?!” But in my heart – even as I opened the invitation to scan the details – I already knew.

Would attending but not participating in some activities that aren’t part of my lifestyle indicate compromise?

Well, I wasn’t gonna get the opportunity to find out. Because sometimes, we just have to make a clear line of demarcation between our past and who we’re in the process of becoming.🦋

And then obey God’s prompting. Promptly.

Because He cares for us and knows what’s best for us.

Not throwin’ shade on anybody else or their individual choices. But we have to protect our growth.

I’m here for it.

Blessings as we all continue to mature, Kayren

“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

(II Corinthians 6:14-18)

Enticing Words

Posted by kayrencathcart

Man’s wisdom may sound good at first, but is it substantive enough to sustain us for the long haul?

A lot of nonsense that’s being shoveled (I’m looking at YOU, social media 👀) is merely junk food that leaves us unfulfilled and undernourished when we need a balanced meal that is filling and nutritious.

May we choose wisely what we allow to feed us in this season – both naturally and spiritually.

After all, it’s a critical time.

Blessings, Kayren

“4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

(I Corinthians 2:4-9)

👉 P.S. Check out classic episodes of The Convo Lab on my YouTube Channel…don’tcha just LOVE the throwback graphic today?😇 I was feelin’ a li’l retro…and who knows, maybe there are some new episodes on the horizon…😉

Support Embedded

Posted by kayrencathcart

We all like to know that somebody has our back.

May we extend support for someone else today. We never know when we’ll need the same grace extended to us.

Plant seed before you’re hungry…

Blessings, Kayren

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

(Proverbs 18:24)

Superficial and Surface

Posted by kayrencathcart

It ain’t that deep…or IS it?

Dealing with stuff beneath the surface requires a different level than handling superficial stuff.

Sometimes surface just won’t cut it. ✂️

Are we willing to go deeper with God?

He stands ready to guide us…

Blessings, Kayren

“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”

(Daniel 2:22)

“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

(I Corinthians 2:10)

The Idol of Me

Posted by kayrencathcart

Quick – how do you tear down an idol that’s yielding nothing but destruction in your life?

#iDOLLatry = when it’s all about ME (I am the object of my people-pleasing)…OUCH.

When MY pleasure, satisfaction, and gratification matters more than yielding to the will of God, something has to change. And FAST.

Once again, I find myself facing the need to fast in order to break some strongholds.

It’s either that, or stay stuck – which isn’t a viable option.

Blessings as we learn to walk in total surrender to the One Who created us for HIS glory,

Kayren

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

(Matthew 17:21)

Yesterday’s Yes

Posted by kayrencathcart

We can’t afford to drive an entire trip while looking in the rear-view mirror. At what point do we choose to focus on what’s ahead? (hint: NOW is a good time!)

In terms of obedience:

My “yes” to God is still required today – even if (& especially when) I said “yes” yesterday.

When I rest on yesterday’s yes, I am deliberately choosing to stunt my own growth.

Why?

Because before I know it, I’m facing compromise, complacency, or comfort – and all of these can slow the progress of growth and maturity.

Today’s yes unlocks my next blessing – because it lays a part of the foundation I’ll need in place if I’m building something that lasts, stands the test of time, and holds up in the midst of a storm.

Blessings as we choose to continue building wisely, Kayren

“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

(Matthew 7:24-29)

Growth, Maturity, Tolerance, and Wit

Posted by kayrencathcart

What does Pink Panther have to do with Father’s Day for this eldest daughter of a Girl Dad?

When I was a child and Saturday morning cartoons were the jam (we didn’t have cable – gasp! I turned out fine…), my dad used to chuckle amusedly at the Coyote and the Roadrunner (on the ORIGINAL Looney Tunes).

I was annoyed whenever they’d cut away from Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck – because for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why there was no dialogue between the characters! Add to that the Coyote’s unfortunately risk-prone leaning to ridiculous predicaments…I never understood why he kept trying the same nonsense – to no avail.

Now that I’m older and wiser, I find myself hollerin’ with laughter at the irony, sarcasm, hubris, and double entendre baked into these wordless cartoons.

In some life situations, no words are required and one look says it all.

I finally get it. And now I find myself appreciating the beauty of a classic…#FullCircleMoment #DaddyWasRight

With honor for the mighty men of valor in my life, Kayren💞

“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”

(Proverbs 17:6, KJV)

“Grandchildren are the crown of aged men,

And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].”

(Proverbs 17:6, AMP)

A Nutty Portrait in Veritable Tenacity

Posted by kayrencathcart

The squirrel precariously perched on my bird feeder taught me something…

I suspect it was literally hanging on by its claws. But with a calculated neck twist while splayed out, it was eating seeds!

May we all have the gumption to hang on when we find ourselves in places it doesn’t seem we belong or are welcome.

Hang in there…<pun intended>

Blessings, Kayren

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

(Matthew 10:22)

Driving Through Rainbows

Posted by kayrencathcart

Rainy days can be kinda dreary.

On a recent gray and rainy day, I found myself marvelling at magnificent puffy clouds.

Then the sun came out. I spotted the rainbow.

But I gasped with sheer delight when I noticed the DOUBLE rainbow.

Here’s to seeing the beauty embedded in every storm…

Because we don’t get rainbows without rain. Selah. 🌈

Blessings, Kayren

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:11, KJV)

“He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:11, AMP)

Create Time For Joy

Posted by kayrencathcart

I had a delightful lunch with my mini-me before she headed off to her summer internship. Unbeknownst to me, she was quick on the draw and captured my “exclamation face” when the waiter informed me they might not have the tiramisu. ExSQUEEZE me?!

Yes, THAT tiramisu.

But they did. And all was well with the world!

My baby chose the same meal that I’d ordered the week before (egg drop soup, spring rolls, and red curry…I guess my recommendation was pretty persuasive), and we enjoyed wonderful fellowship accentuated by tasty treats – of course topped off with terrific tiramisu.

We pressed “pause” on all the other stuff going on and made time for what mattered most in that moment – mother/daughter time. I am grateful!

How will you make time for joy today? Drop a comment if you’d like to share…

Blessings, Kayren

“9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

(Romans 12:9-10, KJV)

“9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;”

(Romans 12:9-10, AMP)

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

Come Out From Among Them

Enticing Words

Support Embedded

Superficial and Surface

The Idol of Me

Yesterday’s Yes

Growth, Maturity, Tolerance, and Wit

A Nutty Portrait in Veritable Tenacity

Driving Through Rainbows

Create Time For Joy