by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“We have to chase them, Grammy! We have to chase them!”
Despite trying to convince Piper that she could enjoy the hot air balloons without having to chase them, she never wavered. Although she delighted in the sight of crayola-like bubbles floating overhead, pursuing them remained at the forefront of her mind.
As the words We don’t have to chase them, we can simply enjoy them! spilled from my lips I somehow sensed they were not meant for Piper alone.
Like on those days when I get caught up in the chase “doing” part of my life and ignore the “being.” Jesus beckons me to slow down, to rest in His accomplishments, and delight in His presence. He doesn’t call me to chase after Him, but instead, to stay in step with Him.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25
Or, for instance, when I felt pressure from within during last week’s conference to chase “make things happen.” Lynn Blackburn’s words to Edie Melson awhile back echo in my spirit today, Jesus is your agent and He’s doing a pretty good job of it!
I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
Job 42:2
Now, am I saying we shouldn’t seek God? Absolutely not! No one explains this quest better than John Piper via his post What Does It Mean to Seek the Lord? I am saying, however, motivation played a key role in the above pursuits. I’m learning that when I sense a bit of frenzy churning within, chances are I’m chasing the wind instead of resting in what Jesus has already accomplished on my behalf.
Needless to say, I will never look at those crayola-like bubbles floating overhead quite the same as I did before. Thank you, Piper.
Father, thank you for using the innocent desire of a child to draw me closer to You, revealing misguided desires on my part. Help me to rest in You as I seek Your face in all I say and do. Amen.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
My grandmother, Elsie Knighton, didn’t bake this cake often but when she did, oh my! Of course, I’m a bit partial because I loved everything she cooked and white cake is my favorite. This sweet delight is perfect for spring and summer tea parties, Fourth of July gatherings, and well, for no reason at all.
Special White Cake with Cherry Frosting
3 cups self-rising flour (she used White Lily)
2/3 cup shortening
1-3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1-1/4 cup milk
4 egg whites stiffly beaten
Cake:
Sift flour and then measure into bowl; cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add extracts, then flour mixture and milk alternating to cream mixture. Blend well, fold in egg whites. Pour into greased 9 inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Frosting:
1 pound box 4x sugar
4 tablespoons evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
2 tablespoons cherry juice
Sift one cup sugar in mixing bowl. Add well-drained chopped cherries, cherry juice and milk. Blend well. Add remaining sugar until frosting is firm enough to spread.
– Recipe by Elsie Knighton
Enjoy!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
The
trunk of the Chaste tree hugged our white picket fence but its branches
shot out in all directions, covering everything in its path. While
preparing to sell the house last September, Brian cut the tree to ground
level so the yard would appear neater for prospective buyers.
This
weekend, while taking a tour of the yard, I spotted a pink patch of
clematis sittin’ pretty as you please alongside the same picket fence. I
planted them years ago but forgot about them. I’d never seen a bloom,
thanks to the gnarly branches of the tree. However, once the debris was
cleared, I could finally see the beauty that awaited. The timing of this
discovery was no “coincidence.”
You
see, since childhood, the relationship with my mom has often been
covered in debris, scattered from a decision made long ago that neither
of us initiated. Its roots spread into deep, dark, hidden places
resulting in hurt, bitterness, and simple misunderstandings.
In
recent years, each of us has grown in our faith, and through this
growth, He has exposed those dark places to the light of His truth,
lovingly reminding me of my own failings as a parent (humble pie is
bittersweet) and how my mom did the best she could do with the
circumstances facing her at the time.
Our
relationship has never been stronger or more vibrant than it is today
for it remains covered—no longer by debris from the past but by grace
and mercy—beauty in its truest form.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus
our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Our “Secret Place”
We were in our newly created Secret Place, a cave-like
bubble surrounded by ancient shrubbery and dense muscadine bushes. It’s one of
Piper’s favorite outdoor hangouts because it’s quiet and no one can see us.
While dusting our dirt floor, the firetrucks pulled out of their station and turned their sirens on full blast. Wide-eyed Piper asked, “Did you hear that?” I shared with her how I pray when the sirens blare because someone needs help. She smiled and said,
“Okay!”
Living across from a fire department has its drawbacks but it does offer a unique opportunity for prayer. After our exchange in the Secret Place, I realized there are other opportunities for prayer that I pass every single day, such as:
- Churches: For the gospel alone to be proclaimed, as well as wisdom and discernment for their leaders.
- Grocery store: For those who are hungry, asking God to keep my spiritual eyes open to the needs around me.
- Schools: For protection — physically, emotionally (bullies), and spiritually.
- A waving flag: For President Obama and other leaders of our country.
- Neighborhood: For a different home each day, praying for the families (whether I know them or not) to be grounded in much love, unity, and grace.
There’s no sweeter aroma than that of intercessory prayer ascending to the Father. It turns ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities for the kingdom of God.
Can you think of other practical ways to pray for our communities? Please share them in the comment box!
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men. 1 Timothy 2:1
First
of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and
thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, – See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Intercessory-Prayer#sthash.eo3jRCeu.dpuf
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Be careful what you proclaim.
Within a brief time period last year, I distinctly remember hearing myself repeat the same eight words at least three times: “I’m not easily offended. I’m thick-skinned.” I couldn’t help but wonder if my repeated proclamation might come back to taunt me.
For several years, I served on a programming team for a past church where six to eight people, along with the pastor, met on Tuesday afternoons to throw out numerous ideas for our services, stages, and series. If you didn’t have thick skin, you’d either (1) never share original ideas or (2) run out the door after someone crunched your toes through unintentional criticism. Not being overly sensitive continues to help in the writing realm as well. How else can I grow without honest feedback?
These experiences bolster my ability to allow concrete words to crumble before ever reaching my heart—that is, when they’re expected. It was when hurt showed up as an unexpected guest knocking at the back door that my thick-skinned proclamation was tested and deemed a failure.
This particular “testing” didn’t come in the form of a curt word or action, but rather, an overall sense that something just wasn’t right between us. This person had (nor has) any idea that she tested my thick skin and won. I’m usually quick to slam the door on the enemy’s ability to wedge himself between Christ followers but this time I sensed I needed to remain silent. It was something I needed to work through,not her. Regardless, forgiveness was released—for her, and also for myself, as God revealed how I’d contributed to my own testing.
The heel that strikes the violet is oft unaware of its misstep—and so are we.
At times, we’ll be the one to unknowingly tread upon another, and vice versa. The question is, when this happens, will we choose to diffuse the fragrance of Christ in the form of forgiveness or not? If a violet can do it, surely we can too.
“When it is just me who has been wronged,
my lips should most often be silent.
And I must see to it in the hidden person of the
heart there is always the gentleness of Christ.
Words of complaint can be so destructive.
Let this be my rule: Silence, unless the reason for
speech, still bear the searchlight of Eternity.”
-Amy Carmichael, His Thoughts Said… (Joni’s Favorite Quotes)
