by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 7 }
When three people tell you within a two month period that you’re being too hard on yourself, God may be up to something.
Perfectionism has been my enemy for as long as I can remember. You wouldn’t recognize this tendency if you visited my home or caught sight of my unruly brows but it’s there nonetheless. It established patterns of procrastination behind my back, paralyzing me to move forward in certain areas of my life.
Can you relate?
Perhaps it’s because I’m still a WIP (work in progress) that I gravitate towards godly women with a wise perspective, like Ginger Harrington. I had the opportunity to meet Ginger at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in May and now she’s also a fellow #write31days participant. When I read her post Soul Search: Why Are You So Hard On Yourself? from Monday, I had to share it here, with you. Prepare to be blessed!
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| Ginger Harrington’s 31 Day series |
Ginger’s theme for October is Soul Strength and you’ll not want to miss a post via Ginger’s Corner.
Staying in Step With The Spirit: When we choose to see ourselves as God sees us, we are strengthened by truth — and truth never fails to draw us closer to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the “wide fields of grace” You provide for us to run free and forgiven in Your presence. Help us to stand firm in the truth that when You see us, You see Jesus—the only Perfect one.
For it is God’s loving soul search that sets us free to run forgiven in wide fields of grace. -Ginger Harrington
Past #write31days posts:
{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
{ Day 3 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
{ Day 4 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation
{ Day 5 } Sunday
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| The 31 Day Writing Challenge is Underway! |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 7 }
It’s no wonder Brian has “threatened” to secretly videotape me during the day. I can’t explain it, but when 70’s music cranks, so do I. Floors get swept, dishes get washed and books get dusted—all while pulling out my favorite ’70’s dance moves.
Music has been a part of my life since I can remember. I shared a few music milestones in a 2009 post so I’ll spare you a repeat here. I didn’t, however, share the role hymns and spiritual songs have played, and continue to play, in my grace story.
Divorced twice by the age of 27, I was laden with shame, defeat, and little hope.
I’d left my first husband for another, and the “another” left me the following year. Though the rubble of consequences still falls at times, I thank God for allowing me to hit rock bottom—and hard. It was only then that I came to understand my desperate need for a Savior.
I became a Christ-follower in a duplex on the outskirts of town and the following year, God blessed me with an amazing husband (celebrating 24 years this month!) who encouraged me to stay home with my two young sons that I adored (and still do.) I was, and continue to be, overwhelmed by His grace and mercy.
So imagine my hearing an old-school tune like Babbie Mason’s After All a few years down the road. Many a day I wept listening to these words as they precisely mirrored my own life. Today, decades later, the lyrics still stir a gut-wrenching gratefulness way down deep.
After All
Verse One
I heard you calling. I felt you knocking. But I drew
further from You every day. I knew better, still, my heart grew colder. And
I just kept on going my own way.
Chorus
But after all was
said and done with me. After all
my pride then my fall. I was so amazed
to still find you there. After all I’ve done You still loved me after
all.
Verse Two
Your eyes said welcome. Your arms were
open. How could I ever doubt Your love was real. You never mentioned all
my past rejections. Words can’t express the way that makes me feel.
Verse Three
To freely forgive is so hard to do. But You completely
forgave. And now I will spend my whole life with You. After all, forever
and always.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: The word “music” is used 90 times in scripture (NIV version). One indication of the Spirit-filled life is the desire to sing. Whether it’s singing about God or to Him, it delights His heart (and ears!)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of music. Just as the voice of a child sounds angelic to his/her parents regardless of age or ability, You too delight in the sound of our hearts raised high for Your glory. What’s one particular psalm, hymn, or spiritual song that ushers you immediately into the presence of the Lord?
Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. -Martin Luther
#Write31Days:{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
{ Day 3 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
{ Day 4 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation
{ Sunday }
{ Day 6 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Specific Prayer
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 6 }
What specific things are we praying for these days?Whether last
minute cries for help, a laundry list of needs, or an unexplainable
groaning from within—God hears the prayers of His people.
But add
specificity, and we’re given an opportunity to witness our God’s
awe-inspiring attention to detail in action.
One
of those moments came for me this week while peering out our window,
curled up in my prayer chair. I was sharing with the Lord how I’d not
sensed His presence as much in recent weeks, even though I was confident
He was there—whether I felt it or not. Nevertheless, like any daughter
desiring to feel closer to her Father, I made a simple but heartfelt
request: “Pappa, I just want to know You’re near.”
Before
catching my next breath, a brief but blustery gust of wind swept
through the trees closest to my window pane—without disturbing another
tree in my yard.
To some, a ten-second gust of wind would simply appear as our season’s
signature. To me, however, it was a specific answer to prayer—a Father
reminding His daughter that through His Holy Spirit He is always a
breath away.
Staying in step with the Holy Spirit: Just as good communication promotes closer and richer relationships, the same is true in our relationship with God. A dialogue consists of a conversational exchange between two people. If you’re like me, you’re well versed in the asking part, but a little rusty when it comes to watching and listening for God’s answers. When we do, however, He is faithful to make Himself known to us for He is a personal God longing to converse with you and me.
Heavenly Father, I thank You that Your presence in our life isn’t dependent upon whether we feel like You’re near or not. Today, as we seek to draw nearer to You through Your Holy Spirit, help us to pray specifically, trust fully, watch expectantly, and praise You quickly.
What specific answers will you be watching and listening for this week? If you feel comfortable sharing in the comment section, I’d love to join you in that prayer. Otherwise, can you share how God has personally revealed Himself to you lately?
Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. Gods voice in response to mine is its most essential part. ~ Andrew Murray
(Last Sunday, one of our pastors at
Summit Upstate, Kyle Estepp, mentioned the wind in relation to the Holy Spirit. It reminded me of the above post from 2011. Because it stays in step with our October series I decided to slightly tweak it and re-post.)
#Write31Days:
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| Beauty Berry Bushes blooming in my backyard. |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 4 }
Saturdays in October will offer a brief respite for our souls amid football games, apple picking, and festivals.
Today, let’s consider the fact that God could’ve birthed us into a black and white existence without us ever knowing the difference. Instead, He chose to bless us by coloring His creation in both brilliant and muted hues.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Soaking in all that God has provided can’t help but stir our hearts towards praise and adoration. Will you join me today in moving our worship outside? Find and focus on one piece of God’s creative beauty. Notice the intricate details, the scent, and texture. Thank God for what you see and touch.
Father, our hearts bend towards You in gratefulness for the many ways You lavish us with Your love, grace, and mercy. Help us not to pass by Your creative works without a worship-filled pause.
What did you choose to examine closer on your worship walk?
I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:12 ESV
#Write31Days:
{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
( Day 3 ) Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 3 }
A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17
My friend, Becky, and I co-lead a Community Bible Class. Our current study by Angela Thomas’ Do You Think I’m Beautiful? is proving to be quite the eye-opener.
In it, Angela shares how our wholeness is found only in God—not spouses, parents, children, friends or stuff.
For today, let’s talk friendships.
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| Skipper sinking in quicksand. Love Gilligan’s Island! |
Just this week, I emailed Teresa, my best friend of 20+ years, sharing a current struggle. In that moment, I felt surrounded by circumstances heavier than quicksand (Does anyone else have Gilligan’s Island flashbacks when you hear that word?) She responded with much wisdom, discernment, and a fresh perspective to boot. Teresa, along with my other friends, are a treasure to me. They are, as Angela describes, vessels of God’s love. They are not, however, placed in our lives to make us whole.
Here are three (of many) ways we could unknowingly be looking to our friends for wholeness rather than God:
1. Without hesitation, we
pick up the phone (or tap on the laptop) to ask for a friend’s advice
instead of first whispering a prayer to the Lord for His wisdom. (James 1:5)
2. We allow friend’s advice to trump the Word of God. Yet another reason to surround ourselves with godly friends. (Proverbs 12:26)
3. We place unrealistic expectations on our friendships. Our friends need to be released from the pressure of making us whole. It’s impossible. They can’t do it, nor should they.
“A girlfriend can be fun, but she cannot be your savior. We need God.” -Angela Thomas
Staying In Step With The Spirit: When we look solely to God to fill those empty spaces in our lives, we draw closer to Him, relying on the unseen Face rather than familiar ones.
Father, thank You for creating places in our lives that only You can fill. Forgive us where we’ve sought out anyone or anything to take Your place. Fill us today with your power, grace, and mercy — not only for our benefit but for others as well. May You receive all the glory!
Is there a particular friend you’re thankful for today? The comment box is the perfect place to give a “shout out!” Or, if you have something to add to the list above, I invite you to share.
#Write31Days:
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step With the Spirit Via Less Clutter
