by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life,
for hurry
is the great enemy of spiritual life in our world today.”
-Dallas Willard
A more intense blog post has been rattling around in my brain for the past couple of days and I sensed an urgency to get it down — and then the above quote came to mind.
So today, I will set the other post aside, enjoy God’s handiwork, and be grateful for the beauty He has placed around me.
Care to join me on my mini-stroll through the yard?
My grandmother referred to this as Scotch Broom,
a very old-timey plant.
Because of its velvet-like branches it’s one of Piper’s favorites.
Cotton candy colored azaleas.
Lady Banks Rose growing over my Nandina bush.
One of the most beautiful thornless roses God created.
An old-timey Buckeye Bush (red plumes) and
a Snowflake Viburnum mingle near the old barn.
What has God placed around you today that you may be missing due to hurry?
Shout joyfully to God…
how awesome are your works. -Psalm 66:1, 3
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
On this final Friday of National Poetry Month, I’d like to share one of my absolute favorite books on the art of writing poetry. Perhaps the page tabs peeking out from the top give that away. You should see the pages!
From the back cover:
Poet Sage Cohen invites you to slow down to the rhythms of your creative process and savor poetry by:
- Offering explorations of the poetic life and craft
- Inspiring a feeling of play instead of laborious study
- Weaving together lessons in content, form, and process to provide a fun and engaging experience
- Inviting you to add poetry to your creative repertoire
If forced to choose two books on this poetic journey, it would be Writing the Life Poetic and Mary Oliver’s A Poetry Handbook.
This is a book to savor, to mark-up, and to soak up.
Enjoy!
“Poetry is just the evidence of life.
If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.”
Leonard Cohen
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I suppose it’s the cycle of life.
Three years ago my sweet elderly neighbor left the house she’d lived in for over forty years to move into a local assisted living center.
Her house, empty and lifeless since.
Four months ago, her son pulled in the driveway and gently helped his mother out of the car. She slowly made her way in the house she’d not seen for years. They lingered awhile before leaving. I knew what had just happened.
My neighbor was doing a final walk-through of her house. Saying goodbye to a place that had housed a multitude of memories over the years. As she passed her tiny porch, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was recalling the many visits she’d enjoyed with her church friends. They would rock and chat for hours. (I couldn’t help but wonder how many times their sentences ended with “bless her heart.”)
Her house, empty and lifeless since.
Recently, an older couple the family had hired pulled in and quickly began unloading card tables for an estate sale. Last Friday, they knocked on my door and invited me over for a walk-through before the big sale on Saturday.
It was a bit strange going over for a sale instead of a visit but the couple kept reminding me that my neighbor was hoping for success as the proceeds would benefit her greatly.
Thankfully for Brian and our house, I’ve become very picky as to what I purchase at estate sales. I walked past a vintage chenille blanket for $15.00 (okay, I glanced over), along with two rooms filled with vintage glassware — but a few things did catch my eye. My favorite find? A Parker fountain pen still in the box for $5.00. Yes! It has a straight nib, Tina Parker. 🙂
As I walked through the little home crowded with goods I recalled something Charles Stanley said years ago. Basically, if we’re still alive to witness the Rapture, those left behind will be rummaging through believer’s houses since they’ll be vacant. His question: What will they find?
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust
destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there
your heart will be also. Math. 6: 19, 21
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Many reasons flood my mind when considering the joys of this journey with God.
- The ability to have a personal relationship with the living God
- To pray, confident that He hears and responds in His way and time
- The powerful connection that God’s people share
These are just a few, but I was reminded last night of one of my favorite joys on this journey.
Early last night, while working on a writing project downstairs, rain began to fall. I was caught off guard by the comfort it provided as it pecked on my window nearby. I knew it had been an “interesting” week but I didn’t realize how heavy I was feeling until hearing the lightness of the rain.
Come upstairs with Me immediately resonated with my spirit. I put down the laptop, grabbed a notebook and headed up the creaky 100 year old pine stairs to my writing area which has two large windows overlooking a busy street and a city park.
There, I saw that it was not only raining but the sun was also brightly shining. A breathtakingly beautiful sight. We conversed until the sun began to set. Me, pouring out my heart as earnestly as the clouds, and then listening. My heavenly Father had beckoned me upwards, both physically and spiritually.
One of the greatest joys on this journey is how our God personally relates to His children. He is not a distant father. He is present and an ever so personal Father, speaking to our deepest needs—perhaps those we ourselves may not even recognize.
He invites us to meet with Him…to come to Him…to rest with Him. In Him.
Is there anything on earth that compares to a heavenly beckoning upstairs?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
When I joined what was then known as the Christian Den’s Writers group, I was told that being published in The Upper Room was something all devotion writers strive for — not because of the pay ($25.00) but for a much more important and far-reaching reason.
This little devotion guide that began in the 1930’s now has a worldwide circulation of over 1,000,000 readers. For someone who is used to teaching a group of twenty-five women, it’s hard to imagine that a “mini-lesson” has the possibility of being read by this many people in one day. I pray God will use this small offering to encourage many for His glory.
One of the most exciting parts of this devotion for me is that it features one of my daughter-in-law’s, Megan, along with her childhood pup. On the day of the devotion (May 5) you’ll be able to log on to The Upper Room’s Web site to not only read the devotion, but to also a picture of Megan with Buddy. I’ll share this link on May 5, but if you’d like to visit their site in the meantime, please click here.
Yes, it may have taken three years from the time I submitted the devotion to publication but if one single mom or dad is encouraged as a result, every day of the wait was worth it.
Will you join me in praying for those who will be reading this May/June issue?
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
The celebration continues for National Poetry Month.
If you know me, you know I have a penchant for magazines — and Poets & Writers is no exception.
Although it’s advertised as being written for both lovers of poems and prose, I would suggest you save your money if you’re not interested in poetry as this is their primary focus.
Each issue offers informative articles (some pithier than others) and information on contests, so I personally consider it a wise investment.
If you’d like to take advantage of their writing prompts and other opportunities, visit Poets & Writers Web site. It too is one of my faves.
Let’s have a glorious weekend as we tell of all His wondrous deeds through writing, speaking, teaching, and countless other ways — living intentionally for His glory!
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1
