by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Not of the cool swift kind but rather the aerodynamic type that cyclists experience in the Tour de France.
“Drafting” is a technique where at least two cyclists closely align themselves to reduce wind resistance, allowing them to move faster and more efficiently.
While watching the Tour this morning, a few observations came to mind:
- The drafting leader meets the wind head-on allowing those who follow to expend less energy.
- The Christian leader also meets things head-on for the benefit of their team. Those in the pace line need to remain alert to spiritual laziness.
- Drafting works best when cyclists cooperate. Riders take turns leading and following in order to benefit all involved.
- The Christian life exemplifies Christ best when followers, as led by the Spirit, step out from behind their leaders and take on new responsibilities, challenges, and overnight trips outside their comfort zone.
- If cyclists fall off the pace line it’s very difficult to catch up. Momentum is lost.
- Christ-followers were created for community. When one becomes isolated, it’s safe to say the enemy is stalking prey. While it’s sometimes difficult for Christ-followers to “stay in formation”, it’s never impossible to get back in step with the Spirit spurring us on.
I’m thankful to be sharing this “pace line” with you. 🙂
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This friend, and fellow fan of notebooks, recently shared an insightful post on how to use them as a secret weapon to help organize your life.
Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher deals specifically with the writer’s notebook—and it’s quickly becoming a fave of mine. In it, he addresses:
- the benefits of keeping a notebook
- creative ideas as to what to record
Two favorite quotes from the book:
- “Notebooks give you a place to freeze moments, insights, or stories in which you are directly involved.”
- “Regular notebook writing acts as a wake-up call, a daily reminder to keep all your senses alert.”
I don’t know about you, but I need all the help I can get in helping to keep all my senses alert these days!
If you like the idea of exploring writer’s notebooks but would rather not invest $20.00 to do so, check out this book written by the same author. It’s targeted more towards a children’s audience but it includes much of the same basic information as the adult version. Ralph Fletcher’s entire children’s writing series is worth every penny.
So, what will you jot down in your notebook today?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
My first Wordless Wednesday.
(Brian became excited when I told him I’d begun participating in Wordless Wednesdays—until he discovered it had more to do with pictures and nothing to do with my talking.) 😀
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
What if… what we consider to be “the goal” is in fact not the goal at all?
This question quietly tip-toed through my mind yesterday as our waitress hurried about taking orders and filling coffee cups.
You see, our writer’s group has come to know this waitress well over the past several months. She’s very lonely, lives alone (two different things), a non-believer, and she struggles with serious health issues.
Because of the connection, our group has been able to share God-glorifying $ tips (thanks to Debbie’s advice), prayers, and little gifts that hopefully demonstrate to her how much we care.
“Lord, what if Your goal for my being in this writer’s group is more about my ministering to those You put in my ink-splattered path rather than putting my name beneath a published article?”
With that prayer, I smiled as the waitress filled my cup—knowing something much more important had been filled: my true sense of purpose.
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Me either.
If you do a Wiki search for “creature of habit” you’re liable to find not only my M.O. but my picture as well.
So when I set in to motion one of the biggest changes of my life yesterday it was truly a God-thing. Although I’ll have to wait a couple weeks to share the details, know that I would’ve never imagined myself at this crossroad a year ago—but God created the “perfect storm” in my life to bring about this change.
I wrestled in prayer for months over this “new thing” as I never want to be led by my desires—only God’s. Period. So how can one tell the difference? I can’t say for sure, but I believe it comes down to being at peace with not having to make it happen. God begins stirring the heart, circumstances seemingly fall into place without effort, peace floods, and the desires of one’s heart seem to forget the definition of “creature of habit” (a God-thing in and of itself!)
So, while I’m not a fan of change, I am a huge fan of following where my heavenly Father’s footsteps lead. One step at a time.
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:19
“In my experience, the will of God is difficult to discern because it often involves making a decision that seems irresponsible… But pursuing a God-ordained passion, no matter how crazy it seems, is the most responsible thing you can do.” -Mark Batterson
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
This simple cupcake dressed in vanilla icing
is by far the sweetest cupcake ever
as it was created for one single purpose:
to reveal the gender of our grandchild.
When given the “go” last night,
a circle of Sarah’s closest friends
were instructed to take a bite
from their yummy cakes.
(Thanks Lauren!)
And what color did they see?
It’s a GIRL!
Earlier in the week, Sarah and Zach had gathered the parents together for a special “reveal” by creating their own crossword/scramble puzzle consisting of answers only the family would know. What we didn’t know was that once unscrambled, the puzzle would reveal the name “Marion”, which we knew to be our granddaughter’s name if it was a girl—Marion Piper.
Immediately, tea cups began dancing in my head to the melody of joy playing in my heart. We would’ve been delighted either way, but I’m not ashamed to say that I look forward to using the children’s tea set purchased many years ago for a future granddaughter(s).
The role of “grandmother” is one I’ve looked forward to for many years as I had two grandmothers of my own who showered me with much love, attention, and affection until their last breath.
Piper’s toys and hand puppets (okay, those are Brian’s) are stacking up in the corner of “our” room. Move over books, shabby furniture, and rubber stamps…here she comes!
And we couldn’t be more delighted or more thankful.
“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
