by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Have you found yourself staring at a blank wall in your home wondering what in the world to do with it?
We have several like that, but one wall in particular left us perplexed for ten years. The wall begins at the stairs and stretches to the top of the second floor ceiling. In a hundred year-old house there’s always something to keep its owners busy so filling that expansive wall fell far from the top of our to-do list.
That is, until we realized that Brian’s metal sign collection, many of them original, were sitting unused, scattered in the storage building, attic, and back porch. Our 8′ Gulf porcelain sign that once leaned on our storage building was swiped one Sunday while we were at church. Funny how the loss of one thing makes you appreciate the rest of the lot a little more. We wanted to use them, but with no garage to speak of, where would the signs fit?
Voila!
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| Brian’s sign collection |
This picture cuts off the height of the ceilings but you get the idea. The point is, sometimes we need to take a step back to get a NEW perspective on a trouble spot, be it relational, physical, or spiritual.
For years we were too close to the situation to see that we already possessed what we needed to make our blank space a completed one. We simply needed fresh eyes to make it a win-win situation.
Is there a blank place in your home—or life—today that could use a NEW perspective?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
While giving a book review on Twyla Tharp’s, The Creative Habit, at this month’s writers’ meeting, I pronounced creatively
as if it was a five syllable word: cre-a-tiv-e-ly. I caught it before
it left my tongue but by then it was too late. Let’s just say the review
quickly morphed into comic relief. I’m still getting emails from group
members saying how much they enjoyed it. As comedian Mark Lowery used
to say, “I just wanna be a blessing!”
Not so long ago, questions like, What kind of writer mispronounces such a common word? Will my peers think I’m stupid? would’ve pummeled by conscience for days. Truth
is, I’ve been creating “new” words, sharing Southernisms (common words
for Southerners, not so common to others), unintentionally reversing the
order of well-known phrases, and mispronouncing your favorite words for
years. (Brian has kept a running tab of my new,
funky and mispronounced word choices for the past twenty-five years, just for the fun of it.)
A number of touch-points in recent months, however, have given me a NEW way of approaching my silly blunders, and that is to ask myself the question: So what?
Do I care what others think? Of course I do, but it’s when I become overly concerned that the hissing of self-judgment slithers its way to my heart, leaving it vulnerable to the enemy of lies.
Bottom line, if God isn’t offended by my blunders, I shouldn’t be either. Oh the joy that comes in knowing that the Hard-Wirer of my soul loves me, my quirks, my endless blunders—and dare I say, my comic relief?
Your turn! When your words or actions fumble are you quick to recover? Please say you do these things. 🙂
For
we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which
God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
So everybody is talking about their ONE word for the year. You know, the one word that sums up your NEW focus for the approaching year.
Many have forsaken the New Year resolutions for the One Word movement. At least one book on the subject has been written, multiple blogs have been launched, and it’s the buzz on social media these days.
Have you chosen your one word for the year? If you’ve not chosen a word yet, and you’re interested in doing so, consider these few ideas to get you moving in the right direction:
- Is there a word or phrase that keeps popping up in your recent conversations?
- Do you sense God moving you in a particular direction for your life or ministry?
- How do you want to become more like Jesus in 2015? What will it take on your end to move towards this goal? (For instance, if you want to become a better giver, what specific changes need to take place to accomplish this desire?)
Being a list maker, I still enjoy writing out my goals for a new year but I also appreciate the simplicity of the One Word idea. This year, I wrote out my goals but summed them up in one word: Intentionality. [intentional: done on purpose, conscious, preplanned.]
- Intentional about the Word and making sure its priority is secure in my daily life.
- Intentional about seeking Him, the Person of Jesus Christ, and His kingdom first, trusting that all other things will fall into place.
- Intentional about who I’m becoming more than what I’m doing.
Your turn! Do you have your one word to share? If not, do you plan to choose one?
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Remember not the former things…behold,
I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I
will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43
God wanted the Israelites focused on the NEW work He would do. After all, how could they possibly go forward if they remained stuck in the muck of their past failures and sins?
When energy is focused on past failures it’s easy to miss the NEW thing God is doing in our lives.
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| Typographicverses.com |
It’s interesting that in the verses prior to those above, the Israelites are told to look to the past to remember the great things God had done for them at the Red Sea.
Recalling—and resting—in God’s past work on our behalf is a catalyst for walking in freedom today. The opposite occurs when I choose to dwell on my past sins. The focus on self extinguishes joy, clarity of mind, and a sensitivity to God’s leading.
Do you perceive a NEW thing God may be doing (or wanting to do) in your life or ministry?
There’s no need to worry about the details or detours. When God guides He is also faithful to provide. His resources are boundless, as is His love for you.
I can’t imagine a better way to begin this NEW year than in prayer. Is there a specific way I can be praying for you this week? Feel free to leave it in the comment section or email me privately (click the purple envelope button in the top right-hand side bar.)
Thank you for joining me on this NEW journey!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Welcome to the January series All Things New!
Each Tuesday and Thursday, you’ll find a pithy post highlighting something new.
After all, January is the quintessential month for fresh starts and new beginnings. A turn of the calendar, freshly fallen snow, new habits stomping out old ones.
Because I’m a creature of habit (how about you?) I often find myself eating at the same restaurants, pouring the same creamer, driving the same routes, and following the same routines—but I’m ready to shake things up a bit. How about you?
Let’s face it. Trying new things is always more fun when others join in so I hope you’ll make plans to come along on this January journey with me.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
