by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 10 }
Our conversation lingered as stone gray clouds shuffled by in a show-like manner. The moon was full and bright, no doubt the star of the show.
The discussion, while weighty, was uplifting as my sweet friend pointed me to the One we’d just studied in the company of other God-seekers.
Pulling out of her driveway, I hit the magic button allowing the sunroof to open, inviting warm Fallish breezes and moonlight to accompany me on my ride home. Suddenly, going from point A to point B became an exhilarating connection to God’s creation, reminding me that the same God who set the universe in motion is the same God who cares about me, about you, and every detail in between.
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| by Ainsley Allmark @DolphinDancer |
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Connecting with God often happens in the most unexpected places. Let’s open our eyes to ordinary times and places, asking God to ignite our senses. Soak them in, see God’s goodness, and delight in the One we call Father.
Heavenly Father, thank You for making the ordinary extraordinary.
When
I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the
stars, which You have ordained; – See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Moon#sthash.B9BYszB1.dpuf
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place… Psalm 8:3
#Write31Days past posts:
{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
{ Day 3 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
{ Day 4 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation
{ Sunday }
{ Day 6 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Specific Prayer
{ Day 7 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via A Soul Search
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 7 }
When three people tell you within a two month period that you’re being too hard on yourself, God may be up to something.
Perfectionism has been my enemy for as long as I can remember. You wouldn’t recognize this tendency if you visited my home or caught sight of my unruly brows but it’s there nonetheless. It established patterns of procrastination behind my back, paralyzing me to move forward in certain areas of my life.
Can you relate?
Perhaps it’s because I’m still a WIP (work in progress) that I gravitate towards godly women with a wise perspective, like Ginger Harrington. I had the opportunity to meet Ginger at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in May and now she’s also a fellow #write31days participant. When I read her post Soul Search: Why Are You So Hard On Yourself? from Monday, I had to share it here, with you. Prepare to be blessed!
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| Ginger Harrington’s 31 Day series |
Ginger’s theme for October is Soul Strength and you’ll not want to miss a post via Ginger’s Corner.
Staying in Step With The Spirit: When we choose to see ourselves as God sees us, we are strengthened by truth — and truth never fails to draw us closer to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the “wide fields of grace” You provide for us to run free and forgiven in Your presence. Help us to stand firm in the truth that when You see us, You see Jesus—the only Perfect one.
For it is God’s loving soul search that sets us free to run forgiven in wide fields of grace. -Ginger Harrington
Past #write31days posts:
{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
{ Day 3 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
{ Day 4 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation
{ Day 5 } Sunday
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| The 31 Day Writing Challenge is Underway! |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 7 }
It’s no wonder Brian has “threatened” to secretly videotape me during the day. I can’t explain it, but when 70’s music cranks, so do I. Floors get swept, dishes get washed and books get dusted—all while pulling out my favorite ’70’s dance moves.
Music has been a part of my life since I can remember. I shared a few music milestones in a 2009 post so I’ll spare you a repeat here. I didn’t, however, share the role hymns and spiritual songs have played, and continue to play, in my grace story.
Divorced twice by the age of 27, I was laden with shame, defeat, and little hope.
I’d left my first husband for another, and the “another” left me the following year. Though the rubble of consequences still falls at times, I thank God for allowing me to hit rock bottom—and hard. It was only then that I came to understand my desperate need for a Savior.
I became a Christ-follower in a duplex on the outskirts of town and the following year, God blessed me with an amazing husband (celebrating 24 years this month!) who encouraged me to stay home with my two young sons that I adored (and still do.) I was, and continue to be, overwhelmed by His grace and mercy.
So imagine my hearing an old-school tune like Babbie Mason’s After All a few years down the road. Many a day I wept listening to these words as they precisely mirrored my own life. Today, decades later, the lyrics still stir a gut-wrenching gratefulness way down deep.
After All
Verse One
I heard you calling. I felt you knocking. But I drew
further from You every day. I knew better, still, my heart grew colder. And
I just kept on going my own way.
Chorus
But after all was
said and done with me. After all
my pride then my fall. I was so amazed
to still find you there. After all I’ve done You still loved me after
all.
Verse Two
Your eyes said welcome. Your arms were
open. How could I ever doubt Your love was real. You never mentioned all
my past rejections. Words can’t express the way that makes me feel.
Verse Three
To freely forgive is so hard to do. But You completely
forgave. And now I will spend my whole life with You. After all, forever
and always.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: The word “music” is used 90 times in scripture (NIV version). One indication of the Spirit-filled life is the desire to sing. Whether it’s singing about God or to Him, it delights His heart (and ears!)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of music. Just as the voice of a child sounds angelic to his/her parents regardless of age or ability, You too delight in the sound of our hearts raised high for Your glory. What’s one particular psalm, hymn, or spiritual song that ushers you immediately into the presence of the Lord?
Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world. -Martin Luther
#Write31Days:{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
{ Day 3 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
{ Day 4 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via God’s Creation
{ Sunday }
{ Day 6 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Specific Prayer
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| Beauty Berry Bushes blooming in my backyard. |
by Cathy Baker
{ Day 4 }
Saturdays in October will offer a brief respite for our souls amid football games, apple picking, and festivals.
Today, let’s consider the fact that God could’ve birthed us into a black and white existence without us ever knowing the difference. Instead, He chose to bless us by coloring His creation in both brilliant and muted hues.
Staying in Step with the Spirit: Soaking in all that God has provided can’t help but stir our hearts towards praise and adoration. Will you join me today in moving our worship outside? Find and focus on one piece of God’s creative beauty. Notice the intricate details, the scent, and texture. Thank God for what you see and touch.
Father, our hearts bend towards You in gratefulness for the many ways You lavish us with Your love, grace, and mercy. Help us not to pass by Your creative works without a worship-filled pause.
What did you choose to examine closer on your worship walk?
I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host. Isaiah 45:12 ESV
#Write31Days:
{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
{ Day 2 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Less Clutter
( Day 3 ) Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Healthy Relationships
