Perspective Maintenance

Does One Degree REALLY Make a Difference?

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“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin our vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom.”

(Song of Solomon 2:15 NIV)

We’ve already reached the fourth quarter of the year – where did the time go?  Have you achieved the goals you set for yourself in January?  Are you even close?  If not, do you wonder how in the world you got off-course? All it takes is one tiny step to veer away from your planned course of action – and before you know it, you’re way off-track!  One degree changes the angle.

Maybe I’m the only one who goes shopping for just one thing and ends up buying more items than I care to tell my spouse.  Or looks at the mountain of laundry on Friday that started out as just one load washed and dried Monday when I said, “I’ll fold and put it away it later…” but later never came.  Or reasons, “I’ll eat just one piece of chocolate,” only to find too many foil wrappers scattered around me five minutes later.  Yes, I’m sure I’m the only person who has these kinds of experiences!  It’s the little things that significantly affect the end result.  When driving a car, we don’t jerk the wheel violently back and forth the whole time we’re going straight.  Instead, we use a series of smooth movements and slight, consistent adjustments to keep us going in the desired direction.  When it’s time to turn, we approach the transition by changing our pace and rate of speed accordingly.

God wants to do the same thing with us.  He wants us to remember that small changes can have big impact – if we allow Him to modify and correct areas where we’ve started to drift away from His perfect will.  It may be uncomfortable now, but it’s better to catch something sooner than later, when it will truly hurt.  What’s coming to devour your fruit?  You’ve got to identify it and conquer it before it destroys you!  A thermostat is proof that one degree does make a difference. 

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

© Copyright 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Controlling vs. Conquering Your Weakness – You ARE an Overcomer!

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*You must overcome your weakness – or it will overcome you!*

“To change means picking a fight with the status quo”

Taking Inventory

Let’s see – I know I still have some issues lurking, but I swept them under the rug.  I made sure nobody could see them, but I think a few folks with discernment are starting to suspect this growing mound under my rug – oh man, it’s getting lumpier – and taller.  Well, if I do all the “right” things and keep trying to look spiritual and “hold it all together,” maybe I can just blend in.  I think we were told from Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, and subdue…okay, let me work on that for a minute.  But if I’m still holding onto old junk, then what am I being fruitful in growing?  Junk! I am making a mess!

Why change?  destiny, purpose (whatever doesn’t change – dies)

Growth = change, but change doesn’t always equal growth

You must CHOOSE to grow!

Characteristics of Controlling Behavior

Characteristics of Conquering Behavior
  • Co-dependent; making excuses
  • Taking responsibility
  • Keep it “just in case” I need something familiar/comfortable to fall back on
  • Kick the crutches away; Get rid of it because it’s holding me back/weighing me down
  • Hiding/pretending/projecting a false image (“frontin’”)
  • Exposure:

             light + sound = no secrecy
  • Pride makes me think I can handle it by myself
  • Victory = able to stand AND able to help someone else be delivered (Who really “has it all together” anyway??? Accountability matters)

Dieting

Lifestyle Change

Addiction/Lust/Destructive Habits

Deliverance!

Anger Management

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me”(Psalm 51:10)

Holding a grudge

Forgiveness

Criticizing others (fault-finding)

Committing to be the change I want to see

Overspending

Discipline!

Action Steps for Change and Growth

(Moving beyond my present situation/set of circumstances)

Accountability

  • Tell on yourself!
  • Surround yourself people who are strong in your area of weakness
  • Remain humble

Responsibility

  • Be honest with yourself
  • Be truthful with others
  • Admit mistakes and reward progress
  • Discipline your mind and body – you must feed your spirit with the WORD of God!

Maturity

  • Keep moving forward (one step at a time = progress)
  • Know when to ask for help (assistance = a hand up, not a handout)
  • Don’t expect someone else to rescue you or solve your problem – stand on your feet
  • Commit to move from milk to meat – time out for spoon-feeding!

The Process of Overcoming entails walking in the Big IDEA – O!

Integrity – according to the WORD, not yourself!

“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.” (Proverbs 16:2)

Discipline – brings you to the results you need “..run in such a way to get the prize.” (I Corinthians 9:24b NIV)

Endurance – breeds consistency

“…be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  (Hebrews 6:12)

Action (be active, not passive – expecting it to “just happen” or come to you)

“…now therefore arise, go over…” (Joshua 1:2)

Obedience – (no loopholes, shortcuts, or hypocrisy) “…to obey is better than sacrifice…” (I Samuel 15:22)

© Copyright 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Running Water…and other niceties we take for granted

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How many times have you nonchalantly flipped on a light switch, flushed a toilet, or turned the key to your car’s ignition, unconsciously expecting something to happen automatically?

I must admit, I was doing that quite often…until last night.  This experience has heightened my sensitivity and caused my ear to be more sharply attuned to the Father’s voice.  He adjusts and tweaks us in unexpected ways, unique to each of us.  Because He designed us, He knows exactly how to get our attention.

Indoor plumbing enables us to bathe ourselves, keep our homes clean, and live with relative ease.  We view it as a necessity, but the truth is, compared to many parts of the world, it is a luxury.  Maintaining an attitude of gratitude will help us to keep these modern advancements in proper perspective.  Additionally, an “outage” or shortage reminds us to keep a healthy respect for the basic essence of what it takes to live.  I took several “extra steps” to ensure proper/appropriate hygiene – and had the privilege of heating my water in the microwave (thank goodness the power was on) to wash my face.

If running water represents the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives, what are the ramifications when it’s no longer there?  Could it be that we’re disconnected from the Source?  It reminded me of all the different ways in which running water touches my life:  washing my hands, brushing my teeth, washing my face, and cooking, just to name a few.  The seemingly “little things” make a big difference in our comfort level, and in our ability to function efficiently.

So I became very grateful for the mere PRESENCE and availability of water (though it was in buckets) even though it wasn’t running.  There are times when the Holy Spirit isn’t flowing, but He is available to us – and we don’t appreciate Him until we REALLY need Him and experience that sensation of thirst or drought.

How many times have you not wanted to read your Word until you’ve lost power and can’t turn on the lights?  How many times have you wanted to take a bath (instead of a quick shower) – but realize that when you don’t have running water, you can’t have either?

Priorities/basic needs include food, water, shelter, and clothing.  Everything else is “nice to have,” but not a necessity.  Is the essential fresh water flowing through your life today?

“Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

(James 3:11-12)

© Copyright 2006 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Your Life’s Story

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“…my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.”

(Psalm 45:1)

 Your life is telling a story.  The words you say and the things you do are coming together right now to complete the next chapter of your book – the story of your life.

Is it a mystery, drama, fairy tale, non-fiction, or fiction?  Is it based on the truth or fantasy?  What type of book are you writing about your life?

Books serve many different purposes – some entertain, others inform, and many just express feelings.  When people see you, they are reading the pages of your book.  What are you telling them about yourself?  What is the message you want to leave with your readers?  A message of hope, encouragement, healing, or deliverance is needed by so many people you come in contact with every day.

What chapter are you writing now?  What decisions and choices are you making to prepare for the next chapter to be even better than this one?  God, Who spoke the entire UNIVERSE into existence with the power of a WORD, knows the plan He has for each of our lives.  We must yield to the process of learning to trust Him for not only the final outcome, but our very next step.

If the story you’re writing looks like it’s going to have a questionable ending, turn the writing over to the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Not only will He walk with you through the trials and tribulations that build your strength, endurance, and perseverance, but He is able to create a “happy ending” for you like no one else can.

© Copyright 2006 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Time for a Tune Up!

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If anyone had told me a couple of years ago that I could be on time for work, I would’ve laughed.  Yet, when I changed my mindset and accepted responsibility for the PRIVILEGE (not a right, especially not in this economy) of having a job and being given stewardship by God of that job, it took on a new meaning.  It wasn’t just about “being on time,” it became a matter of showing true gratitude to God for His goodness and mercy, and wanting to set an example that would cause others to take notice, evidence of my special relationship with Christ and my desire to please Him.

I must admit that I wrote this last year and am CONVICTED to pull it out and see that I have slipped from steadfastness into complacency once again.  But “thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph…” (II Corinthians 2:14).  When we repent and make a sincere commitment to change and improve, He dispenses the grace, resources, and support to make it manifest.

If you’re the kind of person whose attitude says “it doesn’t start until I arrive,” I encourage you to reconsider your position.  I used to think, “As long as I make up the time, it’s okay.”  However, what strength is added to my testimony when people see that I’m where I’m supposed to be when I’m supposed to be there, in place and ready to serve. 

Give your perspective on your own time management a tune-up…you may find some unexpected blessings are waiting for YOU!

One thing you can’t recycle is wasted time.

© Copyright 2006 by Kayren J. Cathcart