by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I love one-liners, especially when they’re girded with truth. As our community Bible study group closes out the Gideon study I’m reminded of the testimonies we’ve received. Spiritual eyes opened, forgiveness forged, and callings confirmed. May the fragrance of Christ continue to invade our lives and captivate those around us.
15 one-liners from our study:
- Today’s difficulties are often a result of yesterday’s disobedience.
- Ordinary is often the disguise of the divine.
- Knowing God’s purpose requires first being aware of God’s presence.
- Opened eyes precede your calling being realized.
- Today’s tasks are preparation for tomorrow’s calling.
- If God said it then, He still means it now.
- Who you are is more important than what you have been called to do.
- Pride forgets. Humility remembers.
- Many of life’s external difficulties find their roots in the internal reality of pride.
- Don’t try to retain what God is asking you to release.
- Your faith can be stronger than a fleece.
- A vessel’s value is not determined by its composition but by its contents.
- Finishing well could mean not finishing.
- Modernized idolatry is still idolatry.
- Commitments trumps convenience.
Which of these means the most to you right now?
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits. Psalm 103:2
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Perhaps you remember my post When Wonder Taps on Your Window from last summer?
In it, I shared how an older woman tapped on my car window at the least expectant moment. I’d not seen her in years but she quickly filled the gap with questions. It went something like this: Cathy,
do you remember the basket you made for me and Keith? (Her husband
was terminally ill at the time.) You had little gifts in it and each one
had a Scripture verse that matched the gift. Some women in my church
would like to start making the same baskets for hurting people in our
church. Could you write those down for me?
Below are a few of the gifts that were tucked in Keith’s basket that day. Each includes a suggested tag along with a Scripture verse.
- A pocket-pack of
Kleenex (Pier One has colorful options for less than a dollar.) Taped to the pack, a tag read: Not one of your tears has gone unnoticed by
your heavenly Father. He cares…and so do I. You have kept count of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8)
- Mini-loaf of bread.
Tied with a pretty ribbon, the tag read: Jesus, the bread of
Life, is the source for all your needs — emotionally, physically, and
spiritually. Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35)
- Votive candle. I dropped the votive in a small
clear bag and tied the top with a simple cord or ribbon, with a tag that read: You’re not alone during this difficult time. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Know someone in need of a little encouragement this week? The gifts above are practical and inexpensive but they point to an extravagant Love.
If you have an idea to add to the list, I’d love to hear more. To God be the glory!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Future gathering ideas will include friends, family, neighbors, etc., but since the quality our time with others is directly impacted by the time spent with our heavenly Father, I can’t imagine a better place to begin this journey than with God as our ever-present guest.
With a plethora of posts on ways to make the most of our quiet time with the Lord at our disposal, I’ve chosen to keep this gathering focused on the simplicity of our time with Him.
First, let’s consider how we feel when in the company of someone we love.
- Are words always necessary?
- Is there a sense of ease?
- Do we slip on our happy mask or bask in the freedom to be who we really are?
- Do we dominate the conversation or is there pleasure in listening to him/her?
- Does it feel more like a ritual/duty or pure delight to be in their company?
Before the cup is poured, consider: Do the above questions reflect how we feel in the presence of our Maker? If not, perhaps we have a skewed view of God. Yes, He is to be revered, but that doesn’t negate the fact that he describes Himself as our heavenly Father – and is there a more tender relationship than that of a child and parent?
With this in mind, let’s find a comfy seat for ourselves and pull up an empty chair, representing our ever-present Father.
As we sip our choice o’ beverage, let’s keep Psalm 46:10 before us: Be still and know that I am God.
[Stillness is an intentional act that many of us have to initially “force” ourselves to do. It doesn’t come natural to our flesh but in stillness, our souls soar.]
He desires to be known. The God of the universe who set this world spinning desires for me (and you) to know Him personally. I can’t wrap my head around this truth, but I fully embrace it with every drop of gratitude possible.
[The Hebrew verb know in this verse means something much more intimate than the word used in everyday language. It’s means to experience at the deepest level. It’s knowing more than mere facts. It’s experiential knowledge at its best.]
With cup in hand and the empty chair before us, be reminded just how very near our heavenly Father is in the midst of our ordinary days. Exhale, for it’s usually here I forget to breath. How to take in such awe-inspiring truth?
Linger a little longer and simply close in prayer, preferably aloud.
Oh, the beauty of this gathering of two.
Only to sit and think
of God,
Oh what a joy it is!
To think the thought, to breathe the Name
Earth has no higher bliss.
Frederick W. Faber
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman rests comfortably in my top ten favorite reads — for a multitude of reasons. In this post back in January I shared one of many sections highlighted throughout the book.
In many (perhaps a million?) ways I think Edie Melson and Vonda Skelton could’ve collaborated on a similar book as their wise counsel over the years often mingled with Emily’s.
One such moment occurred on page 138, where Emily shared how we may not be the first to say it, write it, create it, or believe it—but our saying it may be the first time someone finally hears.
“There is no new truth, dear. All truth belongs to God. Sometimes you simply need to hear someone else say it.” -Steve Lynam
Plagued with self-doubt most of my life, I struggle to believe anyone would “hear” anything I had to say when so many others weave words like well spun silk. Yet, I know God has called me to bang the keys and pick up the pen for a purpose.
Could it be the words He places on my heart benefit “only” a handful of people? If so, I accept it with gratitude. It’s how I prepare lessons to teach, pen words for an article, and mold prose into poetry. My responsibility is to write, releasing the harvest to God’s safekeeping. (1 Cor. 3:6-9)
So in those moments of self-doubt, I remind you as I remind myself: Our calling isn’t confirmed by the number of “likes” on a Facebook post, the number of hits our blog posts receive, the awards that hang on our walls, or contests won.
There will always be others who do things better than we do. Praise God! But let’s not discount how He has uniquely created us to share the good news—perhaps in a way someone has never heard, seen or experienced before. The gift is from Him and the glory is all His, so go ahead — say it, write it, and create it!
“Were you made on purpose? Is there a unique blend of interests, desire, wisdom, quirks, insecurities, and loves that are within you? Can we agree those things are not a coincidence? Could it also be that there are things in you that aren’t in anyone else? That the way God has attached himself to you is a unique way he wants to display his glory to the world?” – Emily P. Freeman, A Million Little Ways
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Wrap the habits of your soul in the sweet lavender of your Lord’s character. -Meyer
Habits. We brush our teeth, pour the coffee, buy new notebooks before filling the last one (or is that just me?). But what about the habits of our soul—those choices that breathe life into our spiritual journey? While there are many, I chose three I’m currently highlighting in my own walk.
Chew, don’t swallow. These days, there’s much to do about eating clean (unprocessed) foods to ramp up energy and kick start our metabolism. Why would we feed anything less to our souls? God’s Word is pure, active and alive (Hebrews 4:12). Try choosing one or two verses to focus on throughout the week. Don’t swallow it whole. Chew on it—ask God questions, search out His answers, and watch with anticipation to see how He makes Himself known.
Embrace solitude. If Jesus made it a priority, why wouldn’t I? He knew what many of us are still learning: Solitude energizes the soul. Jesus intentionally withdrew from people in order to commune with the Father, listen without interruption, and rest. With so much noise clamoring for our attention today, it’s imperative that we too become intentional, even if only for a few moments each day. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Be Your Story. Yes, we need to tell our stories but sometimes we’re only seen, not necessarily heard. We pass people in our cars, ride their bumpers, stand a few buggies behind them in the store, interact with our spouses and children in public, etc. What do others learn about us when seeing us from a distance? I can talk all day about how I’m supposed to be kind, patient, slow to anger, etc. but is that what my actions, even my expressions, are revealing to those I may never have the opportunity to talk to? I fail often, but I want the sweet waft of Christ to be evident to all who see me, as well as hear me.
Do you have a habit of the soul to add? I’d love to learn more!
“Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
