by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 31 }
This post officially ends the Write 31 Days Challenge but because of it, some things are just beginning, thanks to a few lessons I learned along the way:
- The more we exercise our calling/ministries, the more creative we become. Prior to the challenge, I often struggled for blog ideas but a funny thing happened as I made my way to the laptop each day. Ideas evolved from unexpected places. It was exciting!
Have you also found this to be true with
your own calling or ministry?
- God provides a multitude of practical ways His children can stay in step with Him. Becoming intentional made all the difference. I asked God to open my spiritual eyes and He led the way. He always does.
Was there one particular step during the challenge that resonated most with you?
(See past posts below)
- We ARE up for the challenge. Writing for thirty-one days under the umbrella of one subject was daunting, to say the least, but I needed a challenge. I’d become sluggish, taking the joy discovered via writing for granted. The non-adventurist within warned that I may not be able to follow-through with the challenge—but I did it anyway. As a result, I plan to start ignoring that non-adventurist voice more often.
Is there a challenge you’ve been postponing?
I thought I’d feel relieved to have the challenge behind me and yet it feels like I’m bidding a friend farewell.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
{ Day 28 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Well Placed Pooch
{ Day 29 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Pure Motivations
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 30 }
One Saturday morning, several years ago, I headed to my hometown of Spartanburg to visit family, as well as Jayne, a woman who had advertised free liriope in Craig’s List.
As we put shovel to dirt, I learned that Jayne had attended the same church as my paternal grandparents for many years. She was also the church secretary for ten of those years. Her face lit up when I mentioned my grandmother’s name. That happened a lot.
While taking a break on Jayne’s front porch she excused herself and returned a few minutes later with a wide grin. In her hands were some things kept from her time at Fairforest Baptist Church. At one point, she carefully pulled out a manilla folder. She told me the folder held one of her greatest treasures. When the folder opened, I immediately recognized the handwriting. It was Ma-Ma’s.
Ma-Ma had written Jayne a small note, encouraging her teaching efforts when Jayne taught her class for several months. Attached to Ma-Ma’s note was a piece of notebook paper filled with handwritten names and phone numbers.
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| Shuping and Alberta Scott |
With tears welling up in her eyes, Jayne shared how she
had mentioned in class one Sunday that the ladies needed to pray for one
another on a regular basis. On the following Sunday, Ma-Ma handed her
what is now tucked away in Jayne’s treasured file.
Ma-Ma was a prayer warrior up until she drew her last breath.
Jayne also shared how my grandfather, Pa-Pa,
would come to the church office and
give anonymously to different missions and needs. He never wanted to be
recognized or applauded for his giving.
It is a priceless gift to inherit such a spiritual heritage. May our grandchildren and great-grandchildren be able to say the same in the years to come.
I hope you enjoyed the above post, originally shared in 2009. Since then, Ma-Ma went home to be with the Lord. Thankfully, my spiritual heritage stemmed from both sides of my family. All four grandparents were godly, beautiful examples of Christ.
“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave to your
friends.
It’s the longest-lasting legacy you will leave to your heirs.”
―
Steve Saint
Staying in Step with the Spirit: The choices we make today will impact the steps of future generations to come.
Heavenly Father, help us to realize the ripple effect of our words, actions, and thought-life as we seek You for a covering of wisdom. (James 1:5)
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 29 }
It didn’t take long
for me to realize that we writers can quickly become fascinated with numbers. The
number of books sold, or hits on a particular blog, article, or Facebook
post. Let’s face it. All of these things, in some way, validate the fact our work is being read, and hopefully finding its way to the hearts of those God intended. But, if we’re not careful, over-focusing on numbers can not only choke out our joy but it can take our motivation captive.
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| That’s a lot of liking! |
For some reason, I thought I’d escaped the clinching chains of counting numbers until this summer when I
found myself face to face with discouragement. To make my point, I must be painfully honest. Sigh. You see, discouragement slithered
its way in the back door when I began noticing a drop-off in blog comments,
leading me to question if the time required to create my posts was a wise use of God’s time.
Around
that same time, a handful of people, some I’ve never met, began emailing me after reading
particular posts. Their emails often resulted (and still do) in a deep
abiding gratefulness no words can describe. (You know who you are! Thank
you!)
Here’s
the thing. Their comments showed up in a private inbox, for no one else
to see. In other words, the comment count on my blog didn’t change but God used these private messages to not only encourage me but to also teach me a game-changing lesson I’ll take with me to eternity.
In the midst of my deepest discouragement, I sensed God asking, If your motivation is to glorify Me alone, does it matter if comments show up on your blog or in your inbox?
Truth snapped my soul
like a taut rubber band awakening me from my spiritual slumber. Ah, now I remember why I often begin my time in prayer with Psalm 139:23, 24: Rarely, if ever, can I trust my own motives. God must be the motive searcher of all things for He alone knows me—really knows me. He alone sees past my good intentions and zeroes in on specks of pride searching for places to take root in my heart.
Yes, comments and emails still delight and encourage this old soul but now they’re simply a gift, not a measuring stick for validating my time.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23, 24
Staying in Step with the Spirit: God alone is our Validator. When He is invited to search our hearts and to test our anxious thoughts, we are humbling ourselves before Him… and a humble heart is one close to its Maker.
Heavenly Father, search our hearts and test us. You alone know our true thoughts and deepest motivation concerning all things. Purify us and lead us in the way everlasting as we humble ourselves before you.
Your turn! Have you ever looked to anything but God for validation along the way?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 28 }
She stayed a few steps ahead of me, pushing her baby stroller with baby Rapunzel in tow.
It wasn’t long before Rupert, our 11 year old Lhasa Apso decided to join in the stroll. Unfortunately, aging Lhasas aren’t always the best companion for little ones, especially when their wee feet are in motion. Rupert has never hurt Piper but he’s growled and nipped enough towards her toes to make her understandably nervous at times. (Let’s just say he’s seeing his crate increasingly more when the grands come for a visit.)
|
| Rupert, our ornery well loved Lhasa. |
I stayed between her and Rupert as we strolled throughout the rooms but with every few steps, she’d glance back to make sure Rupert wasn’t following too closely. Each time, I’d reassure her:
“Don’t worry, Pipes.”
“I’m standing between you and Rupert. He can’t touch you.”
“It’s okay.”
“You just keeping looking straight ahead. I’m watching out for you.”
My reassurances to Piper came naturally, like grandparent to child. I smiled and continued patting her petite shoulders when the Lord whispered, This is a picture of you and Me. I reassure you with My promises during your times of fear but like Piper, you often spend more time glancing over your shoulder rather than enjoying our stroll together.
|
| Sweet Pipes and her pigtails. |
The tone of His voice wasn’t condemning or else I’d know it wasn’t my heavenly Father (Romans 8:8). Instead, it was the voice of a Father desiring more for His daughter, much like I wanted Piper to enjoy her stroll and simply trust me to protect her from an ornery but well-loved pooch.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Sometimes staying in step with God’s Spirit is simply recognizing how closely His steps are to ours.
Heavenly Father, help us to trust Your promises at all times, especially when we can’t “see” you at work in our lives. Thank You for being a loving, firm, always-wanting-what’s-best-for-His-children kind of Father, and not a condemning One. Because You have our back, we no longer need glance over our shoulders in fear.
Your turn! Do you have a favorite promise of God you’d like to share?
{ Day 15 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Paper Bookmark
{ Day 16 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Fresh Start
{ Day 17 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Spontaneous Service
{ Day 18 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 3
{ Sunday }
{ Day 20 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Mini-Getaway
{ Day 21 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Piped Icing
{ Day 22 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Knock at the Door{ Day 23 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via The Book
{ Day 24 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Breath of Prayer
{ Day 25 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 4
{ Sunday }
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 27 }
“Give back to the Lord the desires and gifts He has given you and then trust Him to use them when and how He chooses.”
– Priscilla Shirer
In Judges 6:19-20 four vital steps in giving our gifts to God is discovered, as shared in Priscilla’s study Gideon: Your weakness. God’s STRENGTH:
1. Prepare it.
2. Present it.
3. Put it down.
4. Pour it out.
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| Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Cor. |
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|
She shares how many Christians don’t want to do the hard work required for the preparation process.
Perhaps some don’t expect to have to hone their God-given gift(s) but like muscles in training, our gifts grow stronger and sharper with practice.
Here are some ways I’m learning to hone my spiritual gifts. I’d love to hear your ideas, as well:
- A diligent [not perfect] prayer life, realizing no matter what I do, say, or write will be divinely effective without God’s wisdom, discernment, and power.
- Diving in to God’s Word—refusing to be satisfied with surface level knowledge by meditating on passages, reading background information, and learning some of the original language (now available to all of us non-scholarly followers thanks to the web!) Plunging headfirst, regardless of our gift, will collect spiritual treasure troves of truth that are sure to benefit us (and others) for an eternity.
- Surrounding myself with people who shared the same or similar gifts. Obviously, we want to spend time with a variety of people, but there’s a synergy to be reckoned with when like-minded people join forces for God’s glory.
- The first 18 years of my journey were spent honing my teaching skills. For the past 5 years, my focus has primarily shifted to writing, although I still love to teach. If I’m convinced writing is where God wants me right now then I must be willing to pour in as much time and energy into it as I did for teaching. Each gift requires something different, but they all must be practiced.
- Anticipate opportunities. Where God guides, He provides. Watching, listening, and anticipating ways to use our spiritual gifts doesn’t come natural. It requires living intentionally. I know of few things more exciting than watching God at work in the lives of mere human beings, such as ourselves.
“You cannot expect God to use what you have not taken time to prepare. Dedicating the time to hone your gift will help you be ready when He opens the opportunities before you.” -Priscilla Shirer
Your turn! How are you honing your gift(s) so that you’ll be ready when opportunities arise?
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Preparing, presenting, putting it down, and pouring it out. When we’re honing our gifts and pouring them out, we are following the Spirit so closely we could give Him a flat tire if He wore shoes. Yes,that close!
Heavenly Father, help us to freely return those desires and gifts which You have placed in our hearts. May our fingers spread open wide allowing everything You’ve given us to be released for Your glory alone. Protect us from self-abasement when we feel we’re not “good enough” to use our spiritual gifts (truth is, we’re not, but You are) as well as from pride when results become our primary focus, our god.
{ Day 15 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Paper Bookmark
{ Day 16 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Fresh Start
{ Day 17 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Spontaneous Service
{ Day 18 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation, Wk. 3
{ Sunday }
{ Day 20 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Mini-Getaway
{ Day 21 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Piped Icing
{ Day 22 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Knock at the Door{ Day 23 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via The Book
{ Day 24 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Breath of Prayer
