Love… One Sip At A Time // A Valentine Tea Party
I started hosting tea parties in an older home propped as pretty as you please on the corner of a quiet street. A family of four in a two-bedroom, one-bath home made for a tight fit, and tea parties felt downright snug, but no one would change a thing. Some teas were scripture-based, and others celebrated holidays, but every time, the room filled with the scent of scones, floral tea, and...
When Joy Doesn’t Come Naturally
by Cathy Baker So here we are on the final day of our April theme and the one post I didn’t want to write refuses to loosen its grip. Truth is, I selfishly chose this subject because I feel like a total failure when it comes to exuding joy. I look at others who seem to naturally tap into that particular fruit of the Spirit with such ease and wonder why it seems more difficult for...
What Scent Remains in Your Wake and April’s Giveaway!
by Cathy Baker Why can’t perfume be banned? It’s the question I ponder when my temples balloon to planetary proportions thanks to those who bathe in their perfume instead of spritzing it. I’ll skip entire aisles at the grocery store to avoid their sillage. (Hey, there’s a new word!) I recently learned that in the perfume industry the word sillage is used when referring...
The Fragrance of a Faithful Walk
by Cathy Baker A mother whose teenage son is battling cancer but relentlessly clings to her faith, giving God glory in all things. A US pastor, Saeed Abedini, has now been in an Iranian prison for two-and-a-half -years. He suffers from prolonged internal injuries from beatings and recently witnessed his six fellow inmates be executed, and yet he holds fast to his Christian faith. (Click here...
True Joy: Guest Blogger, Edie Melson
by Cathy Baker It gives me great pleasure to introduce Edie Melson as my guest blogger today. She’s a prolific writer who has poured herself into numerous writers, such as myself. But more importantly, Edie is a woman of prayer. If you know or love someone serving our country, you’ll especially resonate with Edie’s story. Welcome, my...
When Music and Joy Mingle
by Cathy Baker Few things have profoundly affected my life more than music, especially as a Christ follower. Its power comes as no surprise. Music was present at the time of creation (Job 38:7) and it will be present once again when every creature sings to the Lamb who was slain. (Rev. 5:13) One musician, Michael Card, has left an indelible mark on my life, as well as many who’ve...
Jesus, the Forever Fragrance
Was Jesus that joyful? I’ll never forget the first time we viewed The Gospel of Matthew over fifteen years ago. The joyful portrayal with which Bruce Marchiano seemed almost, well, sacrilegious. After all, I’d grown up watching Jesus of Nazareth. For years, I subconsciously carried Robert Powell’s somber portrayal in the back of my mind. Bruce Marchiano, The Gospel of...