Cathy's Blog

Journeying into God's Love

finding hope for depression
Jesus Chose to Go to the Cross

There is Certainty in Our Uncertain Times

A lot has changed in a week, but not the changes that we had hoped for. Our daily lives have been reconfigured. There are still a lot of unknowns. But, here is the good news: there is certainty in our uncertain times. God does not change and neither do His promises. I am thankful the promises in this verse are just as true today as when Isaiah recorded them. ‘Do not fear (anything), for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand (a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation).’ Isaiah 41:10 (AMP) These are good truths to grab on to. I ... read more

Don’t Be Afraid: There is Safety in the Fiercest Storm

Waves crashing relentlessly all around you. Your small boat will not be able to withstand the fury much longer. Is that how you feel in the world today? About the virus that arrived uninvited into our lives and turned them upside down. Don’t be afraid, there is safety in the fiercest storm. The disciples experienced this truth. You can read the entire story here After watching Jesus feeding 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish the disciples collected 12 baskets of left-overs. Freshly finished witnessing the miracle, they boarded the boat as Jesus had instructed them and headed for the opposite shore. The Storm Arrives. But, Don't Be Afraid, There is Safety in the ... read more

Falling Forward into Peace

So, this is why I haven’t been here for a while. It's a long story, but with a happy ending, with me falling forward into peace. Here's what happened. I opened the door and strode purposefully across the church’s kitchen floor. My mind was on completing our last tasks of the morning. When suddenly, like in a bad movie, my world started to move in slow motion. Falling forward into peace had begun. Life Changes Quickly: Falling Forward into Peace Begins I remember the thought that flitted through my mind: if only I could push rewind. And then a thud. As I lay on the floor, just past the slick spot on the tile, my hand explored my forehead – and the bump that was growing with ... read more

The Four Keys to Waiting Successfully

It’s been a rainy day here in Montgomery. The kind of rain where you drive cautiously on the look-out for deep puddles; (or in some areas small ponds.) 😊 Which made me think about waiting (I’ll explain how I got there in a minute.)  Waiting is not my favorite activity, but I have learned four keys to waiting successfully. So, how did I get to waiting from puddles? Years ago, my sweet mother-in-law Marge, was driving us home in a rainstorm. We went through a deep puddle. Too deep apparently for the car - it stopped. Through the noise of rain pounding on the roof, I asked what do we do now? Wait, she calmly replied. The car’s engine just needs to dry out. Marge ... read more

Transformative Change: The Best is Yet to Come, Really!

The house echoed with boisterous voices, the whirl of carts, and the thump of boxes being stacked. Finally, the last paper signed, the moving truck doors slammed shut. My husband and I sank into the couch and reveled in the silence. Little did I know a transition was about to begin - one that would rock my world. A transformative change that revealed the best is yet to come, really. I wonder if you have been there – everything that you are familiar with -- is taken away or changed completely, suddenly. Maybe you are experiencing this right now. Keep reading, there is good news. Well, back to my story. Suddenly our hearts sank; as we surveyed the room, brimming with boxes, ... read more

The Power of a New Perspective for the New Year

A friend shared a story with me which encourages me on my quest to embrace 2020 with optimism. Because it showed me the power of a new perspective in New Year's resolutions I would like to share it with you too. So, here’s the story. Paula was on the subway with several colleagues and her baby daughter. The infant’s cries were filling the subway car. The crying did not stop. All their efforts to calm her were futile. When I was faced with an inconsolable infant, as a new mom, I felt like a failure. My perception, (which I now know is completely flawed), was infants of skilled moms would be calm, always radiating blissful contentment. They did not cry. Therefore, when my ... read more

A New Year’s Plan, That Will Result in Real Change.

New Year’s Resolutions. I once felt these were the three most over-rated words in the English language. You know, the goals, often the same year after year, made half-heartedly and destined to fail. I stopped making them. But this year I have a New Year’s Plan, not Resolution that will result in real change. I am going to transform my mindset. I realized that it was in dire need of change over our Christmas vacation. Not as a result, at least initially, of deep analytical thought. Nope. The idea was triggered by dogs! Optimistically Persistent The first step in my New Year’s Plan for change is transforming my mind-set from pessimistic to optimistically persistent. My ... read more

Thankful for Grace

Christmas shopping on December 19th is filled with surprises. Often unpleasant ones. But NOT today. Today I had an experience so positive it made me reflect on the true reason for Christmas celebrations. I am thankful for grace. A Prelude to the Grace of Christmas I had come up empty-handed at the first store, and the second in my search for small surprise gifts. Overheated from my warm coat, I am sure that I looked as wilted as I felt. Summoning up all my energy I dragged myself into the third store. The store where everything changed. I meandered through the aisles picking up gifts. So many gifts the associate relieved my over-filled arms by taking the items to the ... read more

The Three – Free – Best Christmas Gifts

The fragrance of Christmas is powerful. We are surrounded by scents of baking, Christmas trees, and turkey or ham. Fragrance can leave a lasting positive impression. So can our conversations and our actions. Here are 3 practical steps to make our words and actions part of the three - free -best Christmas gifts.  The Bible shows us the impact of fragrance in several places. This is one of my favorites. “Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 (AMP) In this Scripture, Mary the sister of Lazarus anointed ... read more

An Unexpected Gift that Gave Twice

Have you ever received an unexpected gift, one you thought would be impossible to get, at just the right time? I did this Thanksgiving. Read on to see how this unexpected gift gave twice. Panic! As I was unpacking our cooler, I realized with horror I had not included cream for our coffee. A small matter you may think. But based on the collective gasp ricocheting around the room, not in our family. My husband Dan and I raced to the store, only to find the door locked. It was after all Thanksgiving. Downcast, we started our return trip. Almost back at our vacation rental, we noticed a glowing open sign. At a pizza restaurant. No use trying there I assured Dan, they will not ... read more