by Cathy Baker | Faith |
A mad dash out the door rarely allows for anything but a quick glance in the mirror except to fix the occasional lipstick smudge, hair mishap, or fashion faux pas.
In a culture of quick fixes the glance-by method works well on the go, but not so much for the more important things. Like life.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. Jas 1:23-25
Intentionality requires concentration. It means to have the mind and will focused on a specific purpose.
James tells us that engaging both the mind and the will in doing that which we know to do will bring freedom. Doing so requires going deeper, staying longer, and listening well to the Spirit. It also calls for a willingness to admit weakness, to be flat-out wrong, and to be teachable.
The past two weeks have been a waiting room of sorts for me as I waited on test results that could’ve changed my life quite a bit. Funny thing is, it would be the lessons learned while waiting that would prove to be the catalyst for change—not the test results (which turned out good).
I encourage you to look at your mirror differently today. When you pass it by, consider who is staring back at you. The real you. Resist the urgency to look elsewhere. Linger. Stay awhile. Listen. Receive.
Fly!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Buttons, a farthing a pair!
Come, who will buy them of me?
They’re round and sound and pretty,
And fit for girls of the city.
Come, who will buy them of me?
Buttons, a farthing a pair!
-Mother Goose’s Nursery Rhymes
This jar, chock full o’ buttons from the 1930’s (including glass and figural ones!), is my latest find on Craig’s List. The bonus? Little did I know they were housed in a blue atlas jar. Life is sweet.
Today’s post is in celebration of baby Piper due in November. Tammy (Sarah’s mom) and I were able to see our granddaughter move for the first time today via an ultrasound. Her tiny hand reached up towards her face at one point while our knees melted in praise.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13, 14
We’re looking forward to sharing many a nursery rhyme with Piper—and when she’s older, we’ll find a nifty craft project for those vintage buttons.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Do you spot typos with the same veracity that George Costanza spotted dimes?
Brian and I always get a kick out of typos. Church bulletins, signs, books, etc. (You’d think my writing alone would supply enough kick to last a lifetime.)
To commemorate National Punctuation Day one must visit The Great Typo Hunt.
Enjoy!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Favorite Season: Autumn
(Today’s the first day of the season!)
Honeycrisp apples
Pumpkins perched on porches
Crispy leaves underfoot
Screened porch door open, breezes blowing
Summer clothes in attic
Fall clothes in closet
Candy corn
Free ticket to God’s greatest dance Shifting Seasons
Bonfires and S’mores
Cool rainy days with nowhere to go
Crock-pots
What’s your favorite thing about Autumn?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
One week ago, my doctor instructed me to double my water intake. Imagine the insights harvested from this experience! (Just typing the word harvested makes it feel more like Fall but I digress.)
I’ve narrowed them down to three:
1. I needed a nudge. I like water—but doubling up? Not so much. Immersing myself in the water of the Word also requires a nudge at times. Discipline is required for everything of value.
2. What I thought was hunger was actually thirst. When I fill my mind with the water of God’s Word, my body hungers less for the empty things of this world.
3. The water must be convenient. Filled bottles await me every morning, afternoon and night. No excuses. Specific verses that refresh my soul are recorded in a mini-notebook and at home in my purse. Soon, they’ll be at home in my heart.
…to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.
Ephesians 5:26
