transformation

Whoa…Stop Calling Evil Good – It’s NOT!

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I’m speechless…nearly.  Because I saw something today that just wasn’t right.  A young lady was getting on the train as I exited, and I noticed her attire.  What caught my attention was the fact that she had gold cross symbols printed all over on her pants.  A good witness for Jesus during this season of celebrating the Resurrection, right?  Not so fast…

They were skintight leggings that hugged her every curve (and I do mean every, eww, Lord have mercy).  The saving message of the cross of Calvary was likely drowned out by those screaming bulges.  Yikes!

I take issue with the folks who designed, marketed, sold, and profited from creating that mess of a so-called fashion nightmare.  Yet, I say unto you, people of God, “Just because they make it in your size doesn’t mean you should A) buy it, or B) wear it outside your home.”

Choose to dress in tasteful modesty to conceal, not in lust-filled flamboyance to reveal; trust me, some stuff is better left to the imagination.  May the truth of God’s Word open your eyes to see what image is really staring back in the mirror before you (or your family members) step outside the door as a reflection of and ambassador for our precious Lord and Savior…

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
(Isaiah 5:20-21)

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
(I Timothy 2:9-10, NIV)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Thessalonians 5:21-23)

© 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

Can You Pass the Sobriety Test?

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sober – thoughtful, serious, restrained, temperate, moderate, clear-headed

Are you too drunk on the things of this world?  Do the intoxicating pleasures of the flesh ooze from your pores?  Maybe it’s not touching your finger to your nose, but I’m sure God has tested you with “walking a straight line” recently.  He often allows heat and pressure (i.e., circumstances, storms, trials, tribulations, etc.) to bring us into conformity with the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).  It’s time for the true church of the Lord Jesus Christ to sober up!

Has God challenged you to give up something (or someone, or some place) and your flesh “kicked” like an addict searching for a fix?  Identify the root cause of your resistance and ask your Creator (the One Who wrote the Owner’s Manual – the Holy Bible) to help you overcome it.  It’s better to get it right while you have time.  Can you pass the test God appoints for you – not necessarily the one you’ve been studying for?  You can’t omit or overlook basic principles because you’re working on something advanced; you must build on the solid foundation of the Word of God that’s already been laid – and don’t regress.

We don’t want any holes in our armor as we go out to battle the enemy.  Don’t make yourself an easy target because of disobedience and unwillingness to release sin and worldy habits.  It’s not worth holding onto that which could destroy you; it could be a matter of life and death – I know what I’m talking about.

“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
(I John 2:15-17)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
(I Peter 5:8)

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
(Romans 12:3)

“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
(I Thessalonians 5:8)

 © Copyright 2013 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Keep It Real: Call Your OWN Sin Out!

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It’s time for us to start calling out our OWN sin, confessing, and repenting – for God’s glory, not just to “save our skin” or to make ourselves look holy or better.  Sure, it’s easy to see what’s wrong with somebody else – but can you admit what’s wrong in your own life and humbly ask God to purge and cleanse you with His blood?  After all, that’s what this Resurrection season is about…not candy, egg hunts, bunnies, baskets, etc.  We are to remember the significance of the cross, the crucifixion, Calvary, the tomb, and Christ having the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18).

Just because we didn’t get caught the first or second time in our sin doesn’t make it right…the fulness of time (Ephesians 1:10) will come, says the Lord – and who am I to test Him?  Plus, Jesus paid (dearly – with His very life!) to cover my sin with His blood…I can’t lightly esteem that sacrifice by ignoring its value and feebly attempting to cover up my own junk.

May we consistently operate in righteousness and walk in obedience.  Why?  Because God sees EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY.  And because you never know which opportunity will be your last.

“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”
(Psalm 32:5)

“7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God.
26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”
(Leviticus 20:7, 26)

“1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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 12:1-3)

© 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

Be Holy…Just Do It!

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As I prepare to minister in song today at my 94 year-old great-aunt’s funeral (she was the only living sister of my grandma, who was the baby of 11 children), I’m reflecting on the fact that my flesh just has to DIE.  Nothing like a funeral to remind you of how finite you are, eh?  There’s no way around it.  There’s no cute or politically correct way to deal with it.  The flesh just has to be subdued, overcome, and obliterated.  Because given one inch, that joker will take 2 miles and try to take me back to that familiar place that I left behind.  I have no business going back to Egypt, so I must make a conscious, intentional, deliberate decision to consecrate myself to the holy things of God.

I was also reminded that I won’t “just happen to fall into” consecration – I must plan to make holy choices, then execute them (ironically, execute means “to carry out or perform,” but it also means “to kill or put to death”).  Proper planning with poor implementation or execution does not lead to ultimate success.  Only when I walk faithfully in a God-given plan can I expect for Him to be glorified.  Once again, the outcome is contingent on my obedience – not my desires, intentions, or what I wish would happen, but just good, ol’ fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone walking in agreement with God’s will and His Word.

During my (admittedly long-overdue) Quiet Time this morning, I thought I was gonna read James 4:10 about humbling myself.  Well, did God ever have a different direction in mind – He led me to Ezekiel 22 and Ezekiel 23 and went Old Testament on me about the idolatry in my own heart – whoa!  It was sobering to say the least (and humbling, too).  I strongly urge you to read these chapters today, for they put into perspective why we can’t pretend these perilous times are “business as usual” – because they’re not.  This is not the time to “play crazy” with the instructions of God; we must clean up our acts and get in right standing with our Creator.  We can’t righteously judge sin and idolatry in others when we’re participating in it or harboring it ourselves!  We must stay in proper position to minister (effectively and with power) to others, for the time is short.

NOW is the time to cleanse yourself of whatever idols are lurking and lingering in your life.  I challenge you to admit what has drawn away your affections from your First Love – then repent and get back into intimate fellowship, communion, and relationship with Him.  I won’t let pride keep me from sharing my personal prayer of repentance – may you be blessed as you experience His cleansing holiness and His unconditional love for you today!

Lord, You are evermore faithful to speak, but I just hadn’t been tuned into Your righteous frequency.  Forgive me and cleanse me now, I pray, Dear Father.  Forgive me for my acts of unrighteousness, idolatry, and whoredom against Your holiness.  I repent for allowing myself to gradually, incrementally, and progressively slide away from Your straight and narrow path, compromising Your unbending standard of holiness.  Truly, You change not, so help me not to change in the face of temptation, unrighteousness, and the lure of temporarily pleasing the flesh, which leads only to destruction and death.  In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Amen.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
(I Peter 1:15-16)

© Copyright 2012 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

Of Secrecy & Shame, Transparency & Truth

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We all know John 3:16 by heart, right?  But when I did a www.BibleGateway.com search for “truth and light,” John 3:21 popped up.  Then I chose to read the prior verse for proper context.  While reading a few more verses above that, something clicked:  When we walk in the light, we’re showing forth the love of God; conversely, when we walk in darkness, of course we realize that there’s no love in this.  I experienced a simple, yet significant, moment of awareness.

When we keep things to ourselves, attempting to hide our foibles and struggles, we’re not being honest with ourselves – or others.  What good is a pretty façade when the inside is crumbling?  Why act like you’ve got it all together when you’re really “tore up from the floor up?”

It takes courage to stand boldly in the truth…yep, the butt naked truth.  It can be intimidating at first, but it is indeed liberating and cathartic – as if a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.  Why?  Because you’re no longer trying to hold everything together with an amalgamation of scotch tape, paper clips, staples, and push pins.  Instead, you’re admitting, “This is a bit of a mess, and I need some help and support to get through it until things come together.”  And you know what?  After that, the help you need becomes available.  Transparency makes ya vulnerable (that’s the story of my life on this blog).  Downright exposed.  But it’s the only way to start a genuine healing process.  Bringing things into the light brings life.

So today, I typed up the progression of my blood pressure readings over the past few months to share with my doctor during tomorrow’s appointment.  I’m gonna do this while taking a deep breath (perhaps several!) – because I’ve been dodging her for a while.  However, since I want to be healthy from the inside out (and not just an outward show), this is my first step.  What’s yours?

“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
(John 3:16-21)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart

Critical Condition: Cut to the Core

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Talk about the boomerang effect!  It didn’t take long for the lessons in my previous post to come home to roost – again.  Today, I was called on the carpet with no recourse – except to implement some of the changes I’d been skirting for the longest.

At my request, a dear co-worker (who also has a medical background) took my blood pressure reading this morning; he was not pleased with the result.  I reasoned with him that we had just descended eleven flights of stairs for our unexpected fire drill.  Unconvinced, he came back (with stethoscope and all) an hour later to retake it.  My slightly decreased level was still elevated – enough to concern him.

He shot straight from the hip – again – as he had done on several other occasions.  Restating the disclaimer that he was not a doctor, he gave me four directives (which he recapped in an e-mail):

  1. Focus on weight loss – there’s no quick fix for this; a slow, steady process is the very best way to go.  (He noted that my blood pressure and cholesterol concerns would significantly diminish, if not be totally eliminated, when I’m within my target weight range; the chart’s goal is double my personal goal…but any weight loss at this point is desirable and welcome).
  2. Cut out salt – throw away your salt shaker; it’s better for the entire family.
  3. Keep up with your exercise – not less than 4-5 days per week.
  4. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss these elevated readings since your physical 6 months ago.

Honestly, all of these were gonna be pretty grievous to my flesh, but I was especially apprehensive about the last one.  Because I don’t want to be put on medication like other family members.  But I guess my “hit or miss” efforts don’t really corroborate that desired outcome.  After a mental wrestling match, I called to schedule my doctor’s appointment – first available, next Wednesday morning.  Thank goodness, since my co-worker stopped by my cube to follow up with me less than two hours later.

Perhaps the most impactful thing he wrote (in all caps, so I guess that’s shouting?!) was, “KEEP FOCUSED AND DON’T CHEAT.  THE BENEFITS ARE HUGE.”  Well, it worked, because that truly resonated with me.  And he’s right.  Conversely, the risks and consequences of disobedience are also huge.  So begins my season of heightened accountability…

Perhaps your issue isn’t a health issue at all, but a matter of the heart.  Whatever it may be, I urge you to attend to it today, before it becomes critical, and possibly irreversible.

“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart…”
(Acts 7:54a)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart

It’s a Matter of Principle…Right?

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principle – code, standard, belief, attitude, rule, law, notion, tenet

Have you ever held one set of rules or expectations for others, but operated according to a different set of principles for yourself?  Sadly, I have – and on more than one occasion.  I can tell you from experience that the charade eventually becomes overwhelmingly difficult to keep up – until it finally collapses.  Then you’re left to deal with the fallout of epic proportions…that was totally preventable.

For too long, I’d leave myself an “out,” calling it an exception, a loophole, or a “treat.”  But a bold sister in Christ recently told me what it really was:  self-sabotage.  I had to irrefutably admit that ignoring the unction of the Holy Spirit to do what I wanted to do (in a lame attempt to please my flesh ever so often) was just downright rebellion against God’s will and His perfect plan.  Ouch.  (Someone once said the truth hurts…)  Then (ironically), I’d end up running back to the Father to humbly ask Him to fix the mess I’d made because of my own disobedience…now that’s ludicrous, isn’t it?  But we allow ourselves to be trapped in these vicious cycles – and to what avail?

So before an unnecessarily dramatic finale ensues, come clean – with yourself and with your Creator.  (Hint:  He knows already!)  🙂  Today, make a declaration that you’ll keep only one set of books, and that it will sync up with the Word of God.  No more conditions (call them what they are:  excuses).  Identify what’s tripping you up, then ask God to strengthen you as you build a system of accountability incorporating trustworthy, responsible people who will help you mature in your walk with Christ.

The clock is ticking…it’s time to make the right decision – now.  And since you asked, yes I DID avoid the candy bowl at work today…it’s amazing how we experience victory through Christ when we yield to HIS leading – in issues great and small!  🙂

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
(I Kings 18:21)

 “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
(James 1:8)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart