consistency

Nestled

Posted by

0

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

nestle – snuggle, cuddle up, curl up, huddle, nuzzle, settle, lie close, burrow

Look closely. Now look closer. See how safely hidden this nest is – tucked amidst the protective thorns? That’s how our God covers and surrounds us. What comfort and confidence we can experience when resting in Him!

“1 How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul (my life, my inner self) longs for and greatly desires the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 The bird has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed and greatly favored are those who dwell in Your house and Your presence;
They will be singing Your praises all the day long. Selah.”
(Psalm 84:1-4 AMP)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

An Ounce of Prevention: Adventures in “Stay at Home” Snacking

Posted by

2

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
– Benjamin Franklin

Decisions, decisions! Hypothetically speaking, say your spouse goes to the local warehouse store for something other than toilet paper or hand sanitizer. After this brief trip to forage for sustaining family nourishment, let’s say a 16-ounce bag of BBQ flavored beef jerky finds its way to your home office desk and you mindlessly nosh on it during your millionth conference call. If, by chance, you open the bag only to pick out the tenderest bits that congregate in the bottom, try not to regret that you didn’t pull out a reasonable, small portion in a measurable container and put the sealed package back in the pantry before you started snacking.

Friendly reminder: 16 ounces = 1 pound. Don’t do it. Even if it tastes super yummy. Trust me – you won’t win…you can’t beat a pound (or even half a pound) of jerky in one sitting. Well…at least you shouldn’t. Even though it’s a good protein source, and you certainly need protein to help you make it through one more day of the “stay at home” directive with everyone else in your space. Just take my word for it. And don’t get any bright ideas about impulsively ordering a substitute junk food stash when you see the Amazon Prime truck make a delivery to your neighbor’s house, either! 🙂

p.s. Because I love you, I’m reminding you again: 16 ounces = 1 pound. This is especially applicable to homemade pound cakes. Don’t ask me how I know and have gathered valid proof…twice…without remorse…in the past few weeks. Is that lovely photo incriminating – or did the crumbs around my mouth give me away? Maybe pre-slicing made it too easy for me to nibble when passing through the kitchen? I’ll never know, since the aforementioned cakes are nothing more than a distant memory…

Hmmm, was that a pound of cure or a pound of cake? LOL

I’m estimating that every delightfully delectable buttery crumb (oh so worth it!) equals about 200 steps. Let’s call it a coping mechanism that should be used judiciously and sparingly as the apocalypse approaches…friends, I hope this made you smile as you count your blessings (and not pounds!) this week…

I’m sending love your way & praying we all stay healthy as we stay at home,
Kayren

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
(Philippians 4:5)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

But After That…

Posted by

1

Photo by Rakicevic Nenad on Pexels.com
Photo by ATC Comm Photo on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As promised, here’s the “Part 2” that follows Living in Malice & Hating One Another…

The “before” is that we were “…living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” (Titus 3:3) 

Verse 4 of the same chapter tells us what the “after” of this looks like: “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.”

We must change. Allow Him to give us a spiritual heart transplant. Learn from the example of Christ to let it go. Lay it on the altar and leave it there for Him to consume our sacrifice with fire. Yes, something has got to die.

Even if it’s my pride – because I feel justified…’cuz You KNOW I was right, Lord…right? I’m just sayin’…

But after that…

Once we reflect on our OWN state without God’s grace poured out on the undeserving, it leads us (if we are malleable and tenderhearted) to repentance. Humbleness of heart and mind, both  evidenced by an adjusted response.

But after that…

Forgiveness. Whether I feel they deserve it or not…but who am I to judge who deserves what anyway?! Because when it gets right down to it, I sure don’t deserve God’s forgiveness, grace, mercy, favor, and extravagant love. 

But after that…

I have to submit, surrender, and obey. Follow the example of Christ. Forgive 70 x 7 times…ouch!

As I mature, I’m learning that it’s OK to be angry or frustrated – or even both at the same time. It’s OK to cry. It’s even OK (for a little while) to feel like NOBODY else on the planet understands. 

But after that…

My Transparent Prayer of Repentance:
Lord Jesus, I have something to say, and I need to be heard. Too bad it feels like <fill in the blank for yourself> ain’t listening, but I can’t allow or afford for anyone to derail the plan of God to get the glory from my life. So I yield to You once again, my Savior. Help me in those places that are still hurting, broken, wounded, and need Your touch. You see and You know…and I can feel You at work in my life. Please help me to be patient as You faithfully complete the work You’ve begun in me. I am thankful that You hear this prayer in Jesus’ name (so I don’t act a fool again and let my emotions carry me like a runaway roller coaster). Amen.

“4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
(Titus 3:4-8)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Living in Malice & Hating One Another

Posted by

1

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Not me!

Well, the title of this post certainly doesn’t describe a paragon of Christian brotherly love, now does it? Yet, from time to time, we ALL have to admit that we don’t feel loving, kind, gracious, forgiving, slow to anger, or any of the other virtues that mark a life touched by the efficacious and all-powerful Blood of Jesus.

So what are we to do when we find ourselves in this quandary, or in a similar conundrum?

We must reflect. See ourselves through the lens of God’s Word. I’ll give you a head start (because there IS a Part 2 for us) by sharing the Scripture He pointed out for ME to work on to clean up the dirty ugliness that lurked in my own heart – the extent and magnitude of which were unbeknownst to me until an unexpected eruption…

“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
(Titus 3:1-3)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Casting Down Techno-Idols

Posted by

0

books business computer connection

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

So I deleted my favorite puzzle app from my phone last week. Again. For like the 50th time. Seriously. Embarrassing to admit (especially since I know what a trap it can become when I get mesmerized by the oh-so-temptingly enticing and subtly seductive “Play Again?” option), but true. It’s kinda like comfort food – you know you’ve had it before, but it just feels so good and, well, comfortable that you settle into that familiar pattern. And before you know it, hours have passed, necessary priorities remain incomplete, and all you have to show for it is some empty, non-productive, unfulfilling leisure and entertainment time you’ll never get back or recover.

Wonder of wonders, one of my children was dealing with the same techno-idol issue (though with different apps…I’m NOT a millennial LOL). It’s no fun for a parent to identify weeds in their children that they see in themselves, but every issue has a root and an origin…my compulsive nature didn’t start with me…IJS.

The good news: When I released my embrace of a habit that wasn’t propelling me forward in God’s plan for my life (and was consuming WAY too much time I needed to put on higher priorities), I saw Him move in my entire family and set some other things in order that I’d had on the altar. That same child had a breakthrough TODAY from distractions that had led to disorganization, and I’m so grateful that my obedience to God paved a road for someone else to be able to make a positive and beneficial change. May we continue to allow God to align EVERY AREA of our lives to HIS will, plan, and purpose… all for HIS glory…Amen!

“2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee
out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
(Exodus 20:2-3)

“5 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;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
(II Corinthians 10:5-6)

© Copyright 2020 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Truth in the Inward Parts

Posted by

3

 

yellow flowers

I thought these flowers were beautiful – like truth!

I was riding in the car this evening and my wonderful hubby was talking to me. When I thought he was finished, I interjected something. He said, “You just corrected me and shot down my sweet words!” That really wasn’t my intention, so I quickly responded, “Oh, I’m sorry that I cut you off, sweetie.” But at that moment, I wasn’t sorry, and I wasn’t thinking he was a sweetie. I felt misunderstood, and I had to actively CHOOSE not to let something so minor turn into a full-blown offense. But I still got indignant and clammed up. 

At that moment, the scripture about God “desiring truth in the inward parts” (Psalm 51:6) bubbled up and I heard a still, small voice saying, “You’re not being honest.” The Lord convicted me on-the-spot, right there in the car where I had nowhere to escape for the remainder of the ride. It stung!

So then I got indignant with God. Yeah – that was a pretty saucy (and utterly foolish) move since I’m pretty sure I saw some lightning accompany the raindrops falling on the windshield. I had to admit that He had found me and hit the bullseye right on the mark. I knew better as a mature Christian. I had to humble myself and repent – immediately. 

Initially, I felt JUSTIFIED ‘cuz at least I was polite and respectful, right? WRONG – my feigned apology was not coming from a pure heart or a place of truth, so it was just empty words. And was that the stench of PRIDE I was trying to cover up with the sweet perfume of good manners and civility? The reflection in the Holy Ghost mirror was ghastly and anything but holy. Egads – woe is me, what a wretch undone am I! The hidden recesses of my innermost thoughts were severely contaminated with self-righteous indignation.

Lord, I pray that You continue to help me to walk in YOUR truth…because “my truth” (the popular catchphrase) is mired in self-deception. Help me to not lean to my own tainted and limited understanding, but to acknowledge You in ALL of my ways so YOU can direct my paths. Thank You for loving me enough to peel back the layers of the façade I’ve tried for so long to project  – all so You can expose the toxic things that need to be removed from my life because they don’t please You or bring You glory. May I, in turn, extend lavish grace to others – as you have showered me with Your lovingkindness and tender mercies. Amen.

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”
(Psalm 51:6)

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
(Philippians 4:8)

“I have no greater joy
than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
(III John 1:4)

© Copyright 2019 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Functioning, but Dysfunctional

Posted by

0

dysfunctional – not operating normally or properly

A recent bout with black shower mold has become quite the personal vexation…but to the point that I’d finally do something about it? I cleaned it out the last 2 times – and here we are again, in the same grout lines, similar creeping (& creepy) pattern. Ironic that I’ve been cleansing myself in a less-than-ideally-clean setting…however, I digress. I reasoned that if the shower head hadn’t started leaking (last year), or if the leaky shower head had been replaced (which it was this week…and it still leaks), then the mold wouldn’t have a warm, moist environment in which to multiply its inherent ugliness.

Yet, it is futile to consider prevention at the point when remediation is required. So I have a decision to make: continue to angst over the slimy ickiness I’m semi-avoiding with shower shoes (for longer than I care to admit tolerating with utter disdain), or bust out the rubber gloves and cleanser (once more) and address the root cause that has become the bane of my daily hygiene routine. 

Isn’t that how God addresses our sin when we’re functioning, but dysfunctional? He sees that repetitious things pop up in our lives once again, and still lovingly washes away the offenses with His efficacious Blood (that we can’t seem to get rid of on our own) until we are white as snow. I guess it’s time for me to bust some serious suds in that shower stall…once again.

Update: Fed up with the foolishness, I finally did clean it a week after severe aggravation became unbearable. While I breathed a sigh of relief for the upgrade, it looks like it still needs another round of scouring. It just goes to show that cleansing (both in the natural and in the spirit) is an ongoing process.

“16 Wash you, make you clean;
put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;
cease to do evil;

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:
though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
(Isaiah 1:16, 18)

© Copyright 2019 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Veggie Tales: Choked Out

Posted by

0

cucumber choked 7-23-18

We were only away on vacation for a week, but lack of rain and daily attention took a visible toll on our garden. Another cucumber had grown through the fence in and precarious manner. It looked like it was trying to escape, but the wire was wrapped precariously around a significant portion (the “neck,” I wondered?). In order to use it, a part of it would have to be sacrificed. There was no way to use this cucumber in its intact state. It would have to be cut to be used. I wondered wistfully, “Am I this cucumber, Lord? Have I gotten so fixed in my mindset and stuck in my way of doing things that I and no longer useful in my current state of entanglement?”

In the event that you don’t have a backyard garden that doubles as a reflective mirror, let me encourage you: later that morning, my wonderful hubby brought in a skinny-necked cucumber – in one piece – that looked almost like the one in this photo. I was heartened, and breathlessly asked how he extricated it from the wire. He said, “Carefully…but another one I had to break in half to release it.” I knew immediately that he had to break the cucumber in the photo, because the one he’d brought in was a bit smaller.

Immediately convicted, I repented in my heart. I don’t want to allow any of my surroundings (people, places, things, situations, or circumstances) to become the cares of this world that choke the Word in my life and cause me to become unfruitful. May we choose not to resist God at work in the gardens of our lives so we can bring forth fruit to perfection and maturity that glorifies Him.

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
(Matthew 13:22)

© Copyright 2018 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Backing Up Into the Mercy of God

Posted by

3

The names have been changed to protect the innocent who may or may not have unintentionally impacted their own garage doors…

As I left the house to pick up my children from their science summer camp, I must’ve gotten my sequence – or at least my timing – out of whack. It kinda changed the course of my afternoon into the epic saga chronicled below. Pop some popcorn – don’t say I didn’t warn ya…

Backstory (because with me, there’s always a backstory, right?): This morning, my valiant husband saw something in the yard that didn’t belong and promptly disposed of it. Since he knows how much I absolutely abhor and detest creepy-crawlies, he was quite inconspicuous about addressing this as part of his “on my way to work” routine. But as I passed the window, I saw something he’d speared hanging from the rake and was taking to the big garbage can. I cringed, grateful that something hadn’t gotten me the last time I went to pick fresh garden basil – eek! I was safe, thanks to my knight in shining armor wielding a yard implement.

With this backstory in mind as I cautiously scanned for signs of an unwanted something anywhere near my garage, I got in the car to go get my children and was ready to shut the door quickly to batten down the hatches and fortify my castle. The radio was on with a Bible story being read, I pressed the garage door opener button, put the car in Reverse, and <clunk!>…wait a minute, that’s NOT a sound I’m used to hearing. I put the car in Drive as I realized the garage door hadn’t finished going up before I accelerated in Reverse. Ugh! Not good.

I tentatively pushed the garage door button and the door made its way back up. Good. I backed up wayyyy more slowly; once out of the garage, I gently pushed the button and saw the door going down…until it was crooked…and stopped moving. Not good. Halfway closed, halfway open…and my house potentially susceptible to something crawling in. Oh noooooo! I’d made up my mind to tell my hubby face-to-face about the slight paint scrape on the vehicle’s point of contact (merely cosmetic, I wistfully assessed). But the mangled, defeated-looking metal door (with a slight vehicle-shaped bulge along the bottom edge) hanging off-kilter necessitated immediate self-disclosure.

With slight apprehension, I dialed my hubby as I drove to pick up the children – on time, mind you – and recounted an abbreviated version of my past 5 minutes. He said he was leaving work immediately to take care of this at home. I guess the inquiry in my sweetest voice, “Who would you call if you needed help getting a garage door to close?” didn’t garner his vote of confidence in my ability to satisfactorily resolve the situation on my own. I can’t say I blamed him.

By the time I returned home with the children (safely and without further incident, thankfully), he was already parked in the driveway and surveying my unsolicited demolition; he must’ve flown from his job. But he looked at me squarely and said, “That’s why we have insurance. We can get another garage door or vehicle, but we can’t replace you.” Talk about being overwhelmed by the manifested love and mercy of God! My hubby’s genuinely compassionate response turned my sheepishness to relief. (Sidebar: Who needs Hallmark Channel fantasies with real life moments like that?! LOL).

After a few RFPs summoning the first garage door professional who could be on-site, the garage door was down about 4 hours later (with only a slight rift at the bottom, hopefully impenetrable by something), its replacement to be installed early next week.

The story could’ve turned out so differently. So I end this day on a note of sincere gratitude to my Creator and Protector (who saw fit to give me a godly husband to watch out for me – ‘cuz obviously I need oversight!), and a resolution to slow down even more. I invite you to take a moment to reflect on God’s mercy in your own life. You don’t even have to back into your own garage door to be reflective! 🙂

“19 Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24 The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25 The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
(Lamentations 3:19-26)

© Copyright 2018 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Pitching Your Tent Toward Sodom?

Posted by

0

“12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan,
and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”
(Genesis 13:12-13, KJV)

Camping out with sin? Surely, we’d never want to admit this as modern-day believers in Christ. Yet, when we examine our actions and motives, we’re not all that different from Lot who made his dwellingplace in dangerously close proximity to sinful foolishness. We may not be doing evil, reprehensible things, but we’re in the danger zone of being sucked in – getting comfy, cozy, tolerant, and too close for comfort with the world.

The Amplified version of Genesis 13:12-13 makes an even clearer delineation between righteous Abram and his lukewarm nephew Lot:

12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled in the cities of the valley and camped as far as Sodom and lived there.
13 But the men of Sodom were extremely wicked and sinful against the Lord [unashamed in their open sin before Him].

Lot’s initial choice and continued complacency caught up with him in Genesis 19. That which he’d been enchanted and entranced by (think modern-day entertainment options) was being destroyed before his very eyes, and he had a life-or-death choice to make instantaneously. His wife couldn’t resist the allure of what she’d been watching long enough to obey and save her own neck; she was consumed.

Whatever enticing carrot is being dangled to stir and arouse your lust – whether it’s the promise of something FREE (somebody always pays), that it won’t hurt anybody (sin always leads to death), or that nobody will know (what’s done in darkness always comes to light) – rest assured that obedience to God’s will is the best choice. Oh, it may not render instant gratification, but obedience offers protection from future destruction. In the end, obedience in the present is a better choice than eternal fire.

This week’s mail contained coupons from a donut shop that starts with my first initial – I have to approach that as an “un-gift” when it works in direct opposition to my health goals. I can’t afford to play with the notion of going by when the “hot donuts now” sign is on by conveniently tucking the coupons into my purse – that’s making provision for my flesh and setting myself up to fall and fail. Thanks, but no thanks!  I just shredded those coupons. I can’t pitch my tent anywhere near Sodom.

I had a lapse in judgment and recorded a couple of Hallmark movies this weekend for the elusive “free time” I expected to show up (after all, who can resist the June Brides theme? LOL). As we’re about to “cut the cord” and change service providers, this DVR (and the programs recorded on it) would be going away this week. I reasoned that a 2-hour movie “treat” without commercials wasn’t that bad since I wouldn’t be binge-watching for hours. Who made me justifier of how to use the time God graciously allotted to my account??? When that “free time” didn’t present itself this weekend, I fleetingly contemplated staying up late mid-week just to “get it in” before the cord got cut. That would’ve been like choosing junk food instead of a balanced meal. I repented for even considering temporary accommodations near Sodom with a remote control in my hand, and opted to get some decent sleep on a work night like I had good sense.

We cannot allow circumstances to determine our moral stance. As Christians, our standard is and must always be the righteousness and holiness of God – period. Moral relativism and emotional reasoning cannot prevail; we must choose to obey God in order to receive His reward. Let go of the old things God is showing you…or risk being consumed when the fire of God comes through to burn them up. It’s not worth the gamble when we can just choose to obey and be protected under the Shadow of the Almighty. But He won’t allow us to abide there in a sinful condition – we must be cleansed, and release those old thoughts, habits, hobbies, and addictions that have held us captive for too long. I’m a witness…

“2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;
neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”
(Luke 12:2-3, KJV)

“For the wages of sin is death;
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23, KJV)

15 Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world.
17 The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever.
(I John 2:15-17, AMP)

© Copyright 2018 by Kayren J. Cathcart