Friday Friends - Cathy Baker

Cathy Baker

Readers, you're in for a real treat today as you get to learn a little more about my friend, Cathy Baker. Though Cathy and I have never met face-to-face, we immediately knew from our first email that we were kindred spirits. Cathy is an 
encourager by nature, and I really think you're going to enjoy what she has to say. 

Welcome, Cathy!

1.    Tell us a little about your family and growing up years.

My parents divorced when I was 8, but was blessed to have both sets of grandparents nearby. They left an indelible mark on my life. My husband and I have two sons, two amazing daughter-in-laws, one delightful granddaughter, and a grandson soon to be adopted from Uganda. We’re very excited!

2.  When did you know God was calling you to write?

Although I’ve journaled for years, it wasn’t until I visited Edie Melson and Vonda Skelton’s writer’s group almost three years ago that I realized God may have more than journaling in mind for me. That, coupled with confirmation from others, helped me to know I was where God wanted me to be.

 

3.  Who is a person that is making and has made a strong impact on your life, and why?

I would have to say the one person who has made, and continues to make a strong impact on my life is my husband, Brian. He not only allows me to stay home to pursue my love of writing, he encourages me to do so, which requires sacrifice. For this, and countless other reasons, he’s my Hokie hero.

4. What is your life verse?

I don’t have a particular life verse. God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, breathes life into this old soul.

5.  Other than Jesus, what Bible hero would you like to talk to?

Good question...and almost impossible to answer, but if I must choose, I’ll say Paul. Oh, the stories he’ll have to tell!

6.  What in depth Bible study would you recommend to my readers?

I would suggest any in-depth study on the Tabernacle. I believe it to be foundational in linking the Old and New Testament with every element grounded in Jesus Christ. I remember studying the Tabernacle through Precept Ministries as a relatively new Christ-follower. It changed my walk forever!

7.  Tell us of how you came to a saving relationship with Christ?

Almost twenty-five years ago, my previous husband left me and two little boys behind. I hit rock bottom. Isn’t that often what it takes? “The” God I’d learned about in Vacation Bible School became “my” God -- Jesus became my personal Lord and Savior.

8.  Please give a word of encouragement and hope to my readers who may be struggling today.

Never, ever, give up. The One residing within us longs to give us wisdom, discernment, freedom, hope, peace, and joy. Receive them. Jesus gave His life that we might experience this kind of life -- this kind of relationship -- with our heavenly Father. 

Cathy lives with her husband in upstate SC and blogs at CathyBaker.org

Encouragement Well

Hebrews 9

Proverbs 3:4-6

We serve an awesome God who loves us so much that when we stray from His will He lovingly chastises us to bring us back into His arms.

As I reached the time of my college graduation, I had to do three internships. I had chosen the second one in a nursing home. I had chosen to obtain my degree in Recreation so that I could work with special needs children; knowing that this was what God wanted of my life.

As I walked down the hall to report to the Activities Director to begin my internship, I heard God say to me, "this is a ministry and this is where I want you." While there working out my internship, the Activities Director resigned and I was asked if I would like to have the job. Immediately, I said yes knowing I was in the field God wanted me to be. The Administrator said she would work with me so I could graduate and obtain my degree! God was at work! This was confirmation that God had me where He wanted me to be.

But after twenty five years of being Activities Director, I was ready to get out of the career. An employee at work was causing me trouble, which she did with everyone. However, I saw this as an easy excuse to get out of this career. I applied for an office job which I immediately obtained.

On the first day it just did not feel right to be in this position. People were unfriendly and unkind. The only friend I had was a squirrel who came up to the window and I would open the window and feed him peanuts. When the supervisor would come through the office, I would become physically ill. That was another sign that this was totally wrong. I was not where God wanted me. I had never become ill like this on a job over a supervisor. I had always obtained good relationships with past supervisors. Later I noticed someone had been in my computer and documenting wrong documentation as if I had keyed it in the computer.

After six months of this, I began looking for another office position. It was Christmas and I wanted to fine one desperately. Well I sure found one in my doctor's office working at the front desk for his partner. From the first day, I was thrown to the wolves. I cried and prayed for God to help me to know where He wanted me to be. No orientation or assistance at all. Heaven forbid if I asked the ladies in the office for assistance! They became rude and isolated me.

After two weeks of this torture I was fired. I was told I was not fast enough but I was good with people. My computer skills were good also. So the search began once again. I darkened the door of two temp agencies and even went through testing. However, nothing was available.

A friend told me about a position available in activities in a local nursing home. So I went straight to the home and put in my application. After three weeks of searching and finding nothing, it finally hit me like a ton of bricks. "Why Lord? Why will You not allow me to find a job? I am single and must find a job." Then I heard Him say to me so clearly,"You were where I wanted you to be, yet you decide on your own that you wanted to leave the career I had chosen for you.. Well you did and now you see what has happened. You are not in My will." I prayed right then that God would bring me back into His will.

After about seven weeks my doctor called me personally and asked me if I would come to work for him in his office. The staff on his side liked me and wanted him to ask me to come to work with them! I thanked him and politely turned him down knowing I had to get back in the will of God. I was so miserable and at the end of my rope.

The next day I received a phone call asking me if I would be interested in a position in the activities department!! Of course I said yes and felt this was the first step of getting back in God's will. This could only be God's hand to get me back to Him and to continue what He had for me to do!

In December I have worked for 10 years at the nursing home. It was a very difficult time in my life, but He brought me back to His will. When we are God's child and we get out of His will, He lovingly chastises us to bring us back. I am glad God loved me so much that He brought me back to Him, No matter how hard it was for me. God is a loving God and will never let us wander to far from Him

He always brings us back.

Debbie Holman enjoys reading, contemporary Christian music, and Beth Moore Bible studies. She is Activities Director at a nursing home in North Carolina.  Her blog The Encouragement Well can be read at www.theencouragementwell.blogspot.com. 

Need Comfort?

who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:4, NKJV)

Sitting in church today, I was comforted by a dear friend. My friend Suzie was comforting me with the comfort that God has shown her over the years. She was extending to me the hand of comfort and grace that she's been shown through her own trials. In turn, she can now comfort others. Do you need to be comforted? Are you in a storm? Ladies, we serve the Comforter. There are many names for the Lord, but maybe you need Him to be your comforter today. If so, let me encourage you, reach out. He has arms wide open and He's just waiting for you to come running!

Father, thank You for being our Comforter. Thank You that through others, You show comfort. Lord we love and we praise You. Amen.

Extreme Makeover...God Edition!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)

We've all seen the shows. We've all seen them go into a home where there was a need and do a total makeover. The transformation is speedy and normally has us transfixed until the final moment when the masterpiece is revealed. It's the same with us spiritually. Only there's a difference. Where the home renovation is fast, our spiritual makeover is continuous. We aren't "fixed" in a week's time. For us, it takes our intire lives. Our makeover isn't complete until He calls us home. Ladies, do you need a makeover today? ARe you in a place where you feel as though you're no longer transfixed on the makeover the Lord is doing inside of you? Let me encourage you, return to Him...return to that state of just being amazed by the makeover!

Lord, thank You for the continual makeover you're performing. Let us never become complacent in that fact. Help us always to see and even when it may not be what we think is "pretty" give us a thankful spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Are You Comparing Yourself?

For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord? (Psalm 89:6, NKJV)
I just had to wage the war between my brain and Satan. As this verse clearly states, noone or nothing can be compared to the Lord. In the same way, we can't compare ourselves to others. I was comparing myself to another writer by saying that she was better than I. She has more expierence than I do. While that's true that she does have more experience, through a dear friend I was reminded by a dear friend that God is using me in way that I don't know. Ladies, are you comparing yourself to someone today? Let me encourage you, don't listen to the enemy's lies!!
Lord, thank You for friends that point us to the truth. Thank You Lord that we don't have to compare ourselves to anyone else. You give us the talent, let us use it the way You desire. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

You are LOVED !

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

When ask by Jamie to write a blog for her page, I prayed and felt in my heart He wanted me to share a song that I wrote several years ago.
It is my prayer that you read this song and take the words to heart, praying you feel what I felt the day I wrote the song !
@DonnaHannahMusic
                                                   Let Me Tell You About Love

When I try to put in words, just what love means to me, my first thought takes me way back to Calvary.
To me that's the greatest love story, and it's not a fairy tale, Jesus hung there and He died there to keep my soul from Hell.

So let me tell you about love my friend, if your mind can comprehend, the pain and agony, that was shed on Calvary.
No greater love, has ever been shown and there are no words to describe, except it was for love that He died.

As we go along life's way, we'll experience love our self and at times we'll be hurt by this word called love.
But can you imagine how our Father feels when He's rejected everyday, still He paid the price for you and me and He still blesses us with each day.

So let me tell you about love my friend, if your mind can comprehend, the pain and agony that was shed on Calvary.
NO GREATER LOVE, HAS EVER BEEN SHOWN AND THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE,EXCEPT IT WAS FOR LOVE THAT HE DIED.

This one thing I know - I can not throw myself into Faith but withdraw myself from Love !

No matter what you are facing today, alone or surrounded by family and friends, YOU ARE LOVED !

...........Father I pray today that if anyone is reading this blog today and they feel that they are not lovable or feel unloved by family or friends that you will show Your Love real to them today.
In Jesus Name I do pray and believe ! Amen

Donna Hannah-Boswell
Second Coming Ministries
Griffin, Georgia