by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Chances are, we all know someone who is battling cancer. Do we know how to love and encourage them? Often times, if you’re like me, we feel helpless in knowing how to meet their needs—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If we’re not careful, we can let that helplessness hinder our opportunities to minister.
I recently experienced this frustration first-hand while trying to prepare a care package for a friend in the midst of the battle. I wanted to include helpful items but came up a little empty in the idea department.
Thanks to Susan Stilwell’s post this morning, we can toss frustration out the door and make way for meaningful ministry. Kim Vander Poel, Susan’s guest blogger, briefly shares her own journey with breast cancer, along with practical tips on how to encourage others through both words and actions.
Click here to read this enlightening post. (Thanks Susan and Kim!)
Encouragement. It’s a wonderful gift from the Lord. Let’s use it for His glory!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Today, one of my favorite bloggers, Allison Martin, invites bloggers to share ten things about themselves. It’s a fun way to build community and to get to know each other a little better. If you’d like to join in the fun, simply visit her blog, The Budget Maven, and add your blog link to her comments.
As awkward as this feels, here goes.
I am…Cathy. Wife. Mom. Mom-in-law. Grammy. Writer. Blogger. Office supply junkie.
I want…McDonald’s Frappes to register as a big fat “O” on the Weight Watchers point system. If I can’t have that, I’d like this perched on the side of a mountain.
I have…Barnabas (son of encouragement) for a hubby. He supports my staying home to pursue writing opps, encouraging me at every turn. Add two amazing sons, beautiful daughter-in-law’s (inside & out), and an adorable granddaughter (with a grandson on the way!) Thank You , Jesus!
I wish…home organization came easier for me.
I hate… how fear doesn’t stay put. Give it an inch, it takes a mile, invading more space than you ever desired or thought possible.
I fear… being misunderstood, a world without coffee, snakes, highway travel.
I hear…the humming of our A/C (thankful alert!), a snoring Lhasa Apso, and the sweet rhythm of silence.
I search…for vintage poetry books, sea glass, ideas, ways to spend time with family and friends.
I wonder…what plans God has for Piper, our granddaughter, and if our future grandson is born, or waiting for Brandon and Megan’s arrival in Uganda. They should find out more details soon.
I regret…past decisions, but refuse to dwell on them. Jesus paid too high of a price for me to wallow in the sea of regret. He has cleansed me, therefore, I am clean.
Care to join in the fun? Let me know if you take Allison up on her invitation. I’d love to get to know you more!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I’d not passed it in months.
Now I pass it every Sunday morning.
“It” is the church we left under difficult circumstances in 2008.
It was a church we loved.
When we drove away that April morning, our Christ-knit “family” wasn’t the only thing left behind. The dust cloud also included my dream job and creative ministries I loved, so to say the departure was difficult would be a vast understatement.
And yet…I’m reminded every time I pass the church that, although we now differ theologically, there’s no doubt that it’s full of people who know, love, and pursue Christ— and for that, I rejoice.
I believe it was Charles Stanley who said you know you’ve completely forgiven someone when you can pray God’s blessings for them, and I believe this to be true. Don’t believe me? Try it.
Now, when I pass by each Sunday morning, I pray wisdom, discernment, and blessings for their staff and the body. I desire God’s best for them.
Does a twinge of disappointment remain? Absolutely. But I’ll take that twinge over the lasting sting of bitterness any day.
Am I alone here? Perhaps there’s a family member, friend, co-worker, pastor, or church body that needs you to trade in your bitterness for blessings. You’ll both be blessed and God will be glorified through your obedience. Go for it!
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind
and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Welcome to Sunday Snippets!
Kyle Estepp delivered this morning’s message, based on Galatians 4:21-31. As with all the Snippets, I try to jot down everything
verbatim, but it’s not always possible.To listen to the sermon in its
entirety, I invite you to visit Summit’s site.
- Any addition to the gospel is no gospel at all. It’s legalism.
- Our sonship is no longer based on perfection, but that of Christ’s.
- If we are depending on moral excellence to rescue us, we are in as much spiritual slavery as Hagar was in physical slavery.
Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1
“Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the Lord.
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.”
- God chooses to save the world through the barren woman—for this is how the grace of God works. His grace isn’t just for the fertile Hagar’s, but also for the barren Sarah’s.
By what means of rescue are we depending on?
What does our life declare?
Reference: Tim Keller’s, Relating to the Law: Four Kinds of People
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Piper hung out with the girls yesterday!
Sarah’s former roommates from NGU shared their glasses and lots of love with the adorable granddaughter. It’s hard to believe she’s already seven months old.
Time flies.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
As described by psychologist Carl Jung, introversion refers to energy flow and the tendency of some people to draw energy from the inner world — their focus is inward, on ideas and reflection, and they typically seek solitude to recharge their batteries. Many enjoy people and welcome social encounters and aren’t shy at all, but too much socializing would be draining for them.
My recent admission to being an introvert was met with disbelief and a few hints of laughter as our writer’s group cackled till midnight—yet it’s oh so true. I love people and enjoy “doing life” with women in different settings throughout the week, but without times of solitude, my battery is quickly zapped.
During our ten month search for a church home, we remained open to the Spirit’s leading in regard to a Sunday School format vs. life/small groups. For various reasons, the more structured-type teaching has always appealed to me a little more. We’ve “done life” with groups in the past and counted each a blessing, but I struggled nonetheless.
Brian and I knew life groups were an integral part of Summit Church before visiting but it wasn’t until several weeks later, when we began sensing a true attachment to the church, that the reality of life groups hit home.
This won’t be comfortable.
Four words that sent my brain into a frenzy, like rowdy toddlers on a playground, until Truth quieted them with five words of His own.
Who says it should be?
In that glorious moment of conviction I realized how complacent I’d become. Since when did anything worth pursuing feel comfortable? Confession came quick (Hebrews 10:I9) and freedom forged in forgiveness swiftly followed.
This conviction, coupled with Sunday’s powerful message by our Campus Pastor, Brooke Taylor, left me feeling excited about the life group we were to attend that evening. One truth in particular from the message spoke life into this introvert’s soul:
Community doesn’t just happen — it requires intentionality.
Here’s why I share my testimony: I know I’m not alone. There are others out there who feel there’s no greater place to be than a quiet nook, furnished with a good book and a hot cup of tea. I get it—but this doesn’t mean we’re not cut out for life groups. It simply means we require an extra dose of intentionality, with a booster shot of courage.
Turns out, our first visit to a Summit life group was a tremendous blessing (thank you Kevin and Carolyn!) We were warmly welcomed and felt right at home. As we drove away, I felt so energized by the group I almost mistook myself for an extrovert!
What about you? Have you ever allowed your comfort zone to impede God’s best for you?
Be encouraged. Your glorious moment may be right around the corner.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 19:24,25
