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Let God’s Word Pressure Wash Your Heart

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I’m watching my hubby pressure wash our deck and chairs.  Personally, I thought everything was okay “as is.”  Not so for him!  He has prepped and planned for this day for over a week – the precursor for staining it, applying protective water seal, and getting us more active outside as a family.  Until I saw the murky water running off the side, I didn’t realize how much dirt and grime had built up on the wood.  But he knew, and he wanted to get rid of it.

Now isn’t that like us when we consider the condition of our own hearts?  We reason and rationalize:  “I’m just fine…I don’t have to change…it’ll be okay if I wait until later to deal with that.”  And all the while, God (who has already examined us) is tugging on our heartstrings, encouraging us to allow Him to make much-needed change and adjustments in us.

A new-looking deck is now beaming back at me and beckoning me to spend time on it once it dries.  Yet, the wood had to yield to the pressure for cleansing – and somebody (my hubby) had to put in some elbow grease to “get ‘r done!”  This week, may we yield to the pressure God allows in our lives to remove the buildup and residue of the world – so we can be thoroughly cleansed.  Then He’ll apply the protective seal of the Holy Spirit to keep us in this “new and improved” condition.  You’ll likely be able to identify the “before and after” distinctions encountered when restoring a valuable work of art…after all, we are His workmanship. 🙂

“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.”
(Ezekiel 16:8-9)

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
(Ephesians 5:25-27)

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
(Hebrews 10:22)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
(Ephesians 2:10)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Change Your Mind: It’s Not a Sin to Be Early!

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This morning, I leisurely sailed through a series of green lights, which put me on the early commuter train.  This opportunity was provided compliments of my children’s bus driver who arrived EARLY.  Since I purposed in my heart to be early this morning, I didn’t have to “run the bus down” (literally) to get my children on it – what a blessing, because I’ve done that on more occasions than I care to admit!  Our regular bus driver is always punctual – and quite often, she is early.  Conversely, our substitute bus driver is always late – consistently and without fail.  Which would you rather be said of you – that you’re dependably timely or that you’re regularly late?

I used to think it was a sin to be early – I know it sounds ridiculous, but in my mind, I thought, “Surely things can’t get started without ME being up in the mix!”  As I’ve matured, I’ve learned that things will pass me right on by if I’m not in proper position on time and prepared, and that I’m not as integral to the world continuing to rotate and revolve as I thought I was.  How humbling!

Challenge yourself to be early for everything you do for an entire day.  Then try it again the next day.  Before you know it, this good habit will have become part of your character – and a strong part of your silent testimony for our faithful God.  Don’t damage the credibility of your witness by “skidding in by the skin of your teeth” or “barely making it in just under the wire.”  Let God give you a transformative “mind makeover”…because you never know who’s watching and taking notice of your actions – and you may enjoy less stress and lower blood pressure, too!

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
(Romans 12:2)

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
(Philippians 2:5)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Destructive Pace of Haste…& the Rat Race

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destructive – unhelpful, damaging, harsh, caustic, devastating, detrimental, injurious

haste – speed, rush, hurriedness, acceleration

If I truly believe that God is in control and that He orders my steps, do I really have to be in a hurry?  Is it just a bad habit I’ve acquired, or am I mimicking the ways of the world I see hustling and bustling around me?

I have decided to intentionally slow my pace and reflectively assess the difference at day’s end.  I anticipate a greater sense of peace and calm – due to being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things, with the right people.  Not because I did anything to make it happen, but because the sovereign God cares enough about me to orchestrate the events and minutiae of my day and of my life – both of which belong to Him anyway!  By keeping this in mind, I can truly rest in the Lord, be thankful, and let the rat race and all its participants scurry on by.

“6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
 (Philippians 4:6-7, NKJV)

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
(Psalm 119:133)

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
(Psalm 118:24)

© Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Rationalizing Sin…It’s Just WRONG, so ‘Fess Up!

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Obedience cannot be conditional or situational for the believer. I cannot rationalize that, “It’s OK for me to speed so I’m not late for work – but any other time, it’s definitely against the law!” The standards of righteousness and holiness are NOT on a sliding scale. No question and no excuses – I was wrong when that officer pulled me over – as wrong as two left shoes.

I had to admit the truth, repent sincerely in my heart, ask God to forgive me – and then turn away from my wicked ways, never to return to them. No “yo-yo repentance” for the same issue every week – that ain’t true repentance! I was shaken and jarred to the point of sitting up a bit straighter and turning from my heavy lead-footed ways.

True repentance takes place when you are too busy confronting the sin facing you directly in your own mirror’s reflection to even concern yourself with someone else’s mess, issues, and stuff. So check yourself – are you living in a way that evidences that you’re carnally minded or spiritually minded? Confess and be cleansed!

“5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity with God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
(Romans 8:5-9)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(I John 1:9)

© Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Give Me Liberty or Give Me…

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Well, enough of my dramatic (yet patriotic, you must admit!) Patrick Henry allusions.  But the truth of the matter is this:  when we don’t choose life, we are indeed – even if by default – choosing death.  It may not be immediate, but eventually, something will die as a result of a choice that doesn’t line up with God’s instructions for our lives. 

As we reflect on the cost of freedom, let us appreciate the price our Savior paid for our own liberty.  May we daily choose life by walking in obedience to His Word, His will, and His way. 

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”

(Deuteronomy 30:19) 

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Parable of the Organic Spinach: Infinite Perpetuity is Not Promised

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What can spinach from my hubby’s garden teach me about the seasons of life?
Apparently, plenty…

See, I thought we’d have spinach at arm’s reach forever…until my hubby told me last week, “I think that’s it – the last of the spinach.”  My heart skipped a beat.  I was totally enjoying the fresh, tender leaves brightening up my morning egg white omelet.  I relished the tasty change from romaine lettuce on my sandwiches. But most of all, it was easier to clean than the romaine (which tends to be slug-prone at the roots – ick!).  Nevertheless, I understand that fresh spinach isn’t sustainable in 90° heat…it wilts – quickly.  Then I discovered that the fresh romaine was coming to an end, too.  Not that I would miss the slugs (by any stretch of the imagination), but it was quite nice not paying for lettuce!  So I resigned myself to the fact that those fresh greens are now gone.

But the good news?  We have another crop of yummy delights springing forth – because it’s their season to bloom.  So I’m learning to munch on squash and zucchini at my desk – and lots of it. (I’m open to your favorite recipe ideas).  No need for me mourn the spinach and romaine; I can rejoice with anticipation of cucumber and tomato salads in a few weeks!

Likewise, we must learn to appreciate the cycle of each harvest in our lives – including the periods of dormancy, separation, pruning, weeding, repositioning, and replanting.  Cycle implies that things won’t stay one way forever, that a series of events may occur in a particular sequence, and that progression will occur.  And for those of us who are naturally change-averse, it means we must learn to adjust – promptly!

I believe this cycle concept is applicable to relationships, too.  Many times, we grow at a different pace from people we’ve shared space with for a long time.  Sometimes our paths diverge from people we’d travelled with for years.  We have to learn to accept this as part of the cycle.  As I approach my 15-year college reunion (no, I’m not attending the festivities; yes, I’m in denial that I’ve been out of undergrad for that long – LOL!), I reflect that there are some people I was really tight with as a teenager, but now, we haven’t been in contact for years.  Are they bad people?  Not at all – but our relationship changed because our seasons changed.

So let us embrace the season we find ourselves in…for surely, it will change as time goes by.  May we allow the cycle God intends for us – individually and collectively – to take its course in order to bring about the growth and maturity needed for all parties involved.  And enjoy the spinach…until it’s time for squash…and as you wait for the cucumbers.  🙂

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
(Philippians 4:4)

“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
(Galatians 6:7-9)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Walk in Your Assignment: For Such a Time as This

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Have you ever had something impressed on you so strongly that you KNEW you had to start walking in that direction immediately…or else? I got a gigantic jolt of a reminder to that effect this weekend – and I don’t believe the holiday is called “Memorial Day” for naught. Oh, how well do I remember that very specific assignment God impressed on my heart many years ago. I worked on it diligently at first, but after a while, I fell off, got distracted, and allowed other things to start consuming larger portions of my time, energy, and attention. But the assignment never went away. God didn’t change His mind.

So here I find myself at the crossroads of Obedience and “But Lord, You know…” And the decision really is very simple. (Hint: Take the road of obedience!) 🙂

Opportunities present themselves all the time.  The question when they appear is:  are we prepared to receive them and walk in them? Have we effectively utilized our seasons of preparation, or did we fritter them away with nothing to show for it?  It’s “go” time – are you ready?  It’s time…for action, obedience, fruit…and for His perfect will to be made manifest in the earth.  My prayer is that each of us will deliberately walk in our assignment today and serve our Creator with joy.

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

(Esther 4:14)

 “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:”

(Acts 26:19)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart

The Parable of the Cilantro: Launch Out Into the Deep

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I’ll be the first to admit that this entry may not be as chock full of deep spiritual revelation as the term “parable” implies.  However, I tried something new this weekend, and I’m pretty excited with how it turned out.

My wonderful hubby, an avid gardener, has been hard at work growing all sorts of edible green (and yellow and red) things in our backyard.  When I made ground turkey tacos this weekend, I told him I was out of my favorite picante sauce. He suggested that I use some of our fresh cilantro to make my own salsa.  I was a bit apprehensive because I’d never used cilantro before.  But I must’ve gotten a surge of confidence from somewhere because I didn’t even look online for a recipe – I just started stirring chopped red onion with canned tomatoes (because our garden ones aren’t ripe yet) and chopped cilantro.  The finished product needed some seasoning (more than I’m used to adding), but everyone (including me!) commented on how tasty it was – and the Cathcart Cilantro added a freshness that we didn’t get from a jar.  I beamed with joy as a potential recipe disaster was averted and my family was nourished and satiated.

How many times do we hesitate to try or do something new – just because it’s unfamiliar to us?  Are we not called to continue stretching, growing, learning, and maturing?  How can we do that when we’re stuck in the rut of common everyday habits and comforts?  Years ago, I’d often wonder, “But what if I fail?” to which my husband would counter, “But what if you succeed?!”

Perhaps the Holy Spirit has been nudging you for a while.  I challenge you to try something new this week.  (Because watching someone else use and taste cilantro just ain’t the same as using and tasting it yourself…).  Who knows?  You just might like the result God has in store for you! 🙂

“4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”
(Luke 5:4, NKJV)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Autumn…or Fall? 9 Lessons from the Leaves

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fall – tumble, drop, collapse, cascade, sink, decrease, reduce, come down, descend, plummet

While driving home yesterday (on the same route I take every day), I noticed something markedly different.  What captured my attention?  The gentle but steady rain coming down?  No.  The lulling classical music I listen to during my commute to keep me patient in the midst of innumerable inconsiderate drivers?  Nope, I didn’t have the radio on; my only accompaniment was the symphony bubbling in my heart.  Well, what then?  I was acutely aware of the fall leaves wafting in the wind.  When a big gust blew, they came down in a swirling torrent of golden color as my car plodded on to pick up the children from afterschool care.  I smiled as I took it all in and was overwhelmed by the goodness of the God Who created this beautiful splendor.

Mind you, I love to watch leaves fall – really.  Especially when I’m sitting in front of a window or on the porch watching a tree in my yard.  Maybe for you, that’s just a boring step above watching paint dry or grass grow, but for me, it’s very calming, soothing, and relaxing.  In those pensive moments of solitude, I’m reminded that I should just let go and trust God – always, no matter what.  As we approach this season of thanksgiving (and giving thanks for the greatest Gift ever!), what meditative and contemplative activities will you take time for?  Indulge me as I go out on a limb (pun intended!) and take a bit of literary liberty to personify the thoughts of the lowly leaves…

9 Lessons from the Leaves

  1. Leaves let go when it’s time and take the plunge – they don’t try to cling to past or the old season because it’s comfortable, familiar, or predictable.  Wheeee!
  2. Leaves aren’t afraid to get low – they’re willing to humble themselves and come down to another level, even if they were previously soaring many feet above the ground.
  3. Leaves aren’t troubled about where they’ll land – they float, soar, glide, and drift along unrestrained, uninhibited, and with careless abandon in whatever direction the wind carries them.  In the same way, shouldn’t we trust God to lead, guide, and direct our paths?
  4. Leaves don’t worry about how they look or the fact that they’re changing – they know they’re supposed to look different than they did a few weeks ago…it’s called progress, growth, and maturity.
  5. Leaves don’t concern themselves with other leaves are doing – they’re focused on doing what they’re supposed to do, regardless of what it looks like others may (or may not) be doing.
  6. Leaves aren’t anxious about self-preservation, but they’re motivated by purpose – they know the cycle will start all over again; after a period of dormancy, more of their kind will spring forth.
  7. Leaves always have a smooth landing – they don’t try to fight gravity or the fact that they’re supposed to fall in this season; it’s part of their process.
  8. Leaves take the change of seasons in stride – they’re not in a rush to get it over with, but neither are they apprehensive or trying to avoid the inevitable, impending changes.  They appreciate each moment for what it is.
  9. Leaves know that change is part of their makeup – they’re created to change – not stay the same; it’s built into their structure, so they embrace it.

Let me leave (another pun intended!) you with these parting thoughts:

I challenge you to take a few lessons from the leaves…perhaps it will influence how you manage the season you’re in.  After all, the Lord of the harvest has a plan for your life…trust Him to bring it to pass as you walk in obedience to His Word, His way, and His will.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

(I Peter 5:6-7)

© Copyright 2011 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Extreme Makeover: Arm Edition

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“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”

(Psalm 51:8)

 A bit o’ humor…since sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying… 🙂

Back in August, my son told our pastor that “God had done this to him.”  He was quickly corrected when Pastor asked, “YOU chose to disobey your father, didn’t you?”  My son nodded in agreement.  “So that was your choice to jump off the sliding board/monkey bars – God didn’t do that to you, did He?”  “No sir,” was the penitent reply.

How many times do we put things on others (including God) when we’re really just reaping the consequences of our own unwise, impulsive, or deviously calculated poor decisions?

I remembered seeing my firstborn laying in the Emergency Room hooked to the IV going in and out of consciousness saying, “Daddy’s gonna spank me…”  I just caressed his face, attempting to calm and soothe him, but knowing that when he was healed up, this was gonna be the lesson of a lifetime.  His injury (and its accompanying pain and discomfort) were already speaking louder than any physical discipline that could be administered.

Plans can change so quickly – in an instant.  I’d taken Friday afternoon as a vacation ½ day so we could get ahead of traffic for our scheduled ministry-related short road trip.  We’d arranged a hotel reservation for our family and were looking forward to hearing the Word.  Even so, we never know how a day will end.

Our God is gracious and His lovingkindness endures to His children forever – even in the midst of painful processes.  In retrospect, I can say this wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to my child.  He was even blessed enough to get his cast off the very DAY before the new school year began – though I’m sure he wouldn’t have minded not writing for a few weeks!  Sure, it was no fun for an energetic boy to have to sit out from Physical Education and recess for the first month of school, but it was part of his lesson on the consequences of our actions.  Some things just can’t be erased by saying, “I’m sorry” or “I won’t do that again.”

But two months later, he has been restored.  The doctors tell me that the mended, regenerated bones that were broken are probably stronger now than the bones in his other (unharmed) arm.  Isn’t that just like our God – to make us better than we had been as we yield to His process?  Who wouldn’t allow Him to work on the inside each day?  After all, He is our Creator; He knows what He’s doing to bring about our expected end.  I challenge you to trust the Lord with your inner makeover…starting now.

“He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”

(Psalm 34:20)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

(Jeremiah 29:11)

© Copyright 2011 by Kayren J. Cathcart