Catherine Kary's Feed
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Insights on living a conscious, purposeful life.
31 March 2012 | 2:49 pm
…..But God!
I was at my mentor’s house last year when I saw a decorative plaque with the words “But God” and I remember thinking… “But God what?” At the time it did not make sense to me. A few days later, somewhere in the middle of the night, it came to me. (This may not be the original intent of the plaque’s creator but this is my interpretation.)
Every believer has a “But God” testimony! Let me share mine.
I was 21 years old college girl, broke and busted but with cute clothes in the closet (from the maxed out credit cards); not sure where the next semester’s tuition would come from and having to deal with phone calls from credit card companies. I was lonely being so far away from home, away from the familiar and the comfortable. I missed my friends and family. I was challenged and confused about who I was. If I saw someone wearing plaid, I wanted to wear plaid; if the following day I saw someone else wearing a cap, allover a sudden I was wearing caps….I had no stand; my self confidence had eroded. I felt alone and very uncertain about my future. Yes, I can echo your thoughts; “girl, I was messed up”…."BUT GOD"!
"But God" picked me up and set my feet on a rock....he mended the broken places, he gave me confidence in him, he provided for me miraculously (graduated 4 years later with a double major undergraduate and masters), he set my path straight, and gave me a vision for a future I could look forward to. He made my life beautiful!
Now, as I celebrate turning 35, I am still a work in progress, as we all are; but I know, that I know, that I know, that accepting Christ became the turning point of my life, and I owe everything good (and even the tough times that build my faith) in my life to God, and I give him all the Glory!
We all need a “But God” punctuation in our lives. If you haven’t done so already, ask Christ to come and punctuate your life…I promise you – you will never regret it!
Romans 5:8-9 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I was at my mentor’s house last year when I saw a decorative plaque with the words “But God” and I remember thinking… “But God what?” At the time it did not make sense to me. A few days later, somewhere in the middle of the night, it came to me. (This may not be the original intent of the plaque’s creator but this is my interpretation.)
Every believer has a “But God” testimony! Let me share mine.
I was 21 years old college girl, broke and busted but with cute clothes in the closet (from the maxed out credit cards); not sure where the next semester’s tuition would come from and having to deal with phone calls from credit card companies. I was lonely being so far away from home, away from the familiar and the comfortable. I missed my friends and family. I was challenged and confused about who I was. If I saw someone wearing plaid, I wanted to wear plaid; if the following day I saw someone else wearing a cap, allover a sudden I was wearing caps….I had no stand; my self confidence had eroded. I felt alone and very uncertain about my future. Yes, I can echo your thoughts; “girl, I was messed up”…."BUT GOD"!
"But God" picked me up and set my feet on a rock....he mended the broken places, he gave me confidence in him, he provided for me miraculously (graduated 4 years later with a double major undergraduate and masters), he set my path straight, and gave me a vision for a future I could look forward to. He made my life beautiful!
Now, as I celebrate turning 35, I am still a work in progress, as we all are; but I know, that I know, that I know, that accepting Christ became the turning point of my life, and I owe everything good (and even the tough times that build my faith) in my life to God, and I give him all the Glory!
We all need a “But God” punctuation in our lives. If you haven’t done so already, ask Christ to come and punctuate your life…I promise you – you will never regret it!
Romans 5:8-9 (NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
22 February 2012 | 9:06 pm
Whitney Houston was a household name. The world knew of this tall beautiful woman with an angelic voice. Unfortunately, we also heard of the roller coaster drama that enveloped the last 10 years of her life. All in all, she was one woman I wanted to see make a comeback; not necessarily to belt out the high notes in her ballads, but just to see her live a fulfilled life; happy, and pressing on forward, doing good with her life and her gift, serving others and being the beautiful person she was. Many young singers talk of how she was their inspiration; therefore she had a light to shine for the generation that was behind her.
Whitney received a majestic sendoff at her funeral on Saturday. I was able to catch most of the speeches of the wonderful memories she left. I had a couple of poignant moments, one being when Tyler Perry spoke of how nothing could separate us from the love of God. Not life, nor death, nor things present…as they say, you could see “a preach come on Tyler”. There is a saying in my culture that goes – “mundu athomaga na rĩene” which translates to “one ought to learn from another person’s experience”. And as I watched this funeral, I could not help thinking what lessons ought we to learn from Whitney Houston who is now departed? Here are a few lessons that I think will be beneficial to us.
Serve your gift. Whitney had a voice like no other that it was dabbed ‘the voice’. From a tender age she knew she had something special and she shared it with the world. The Word tells us that your gift will make room for you and bring you before great men (Prov. 18:16). And her gift surely did make room for her. As such, spend your life seeking the treasures that God has hidden in you and serve them to the world for God put them there not to be hidden but to make you fruitful. Make your father proud!
You are good enough. Self-doubt is a killer of destiny. At Whitney’s funeral the sentiment that she did not think she was good enough was voiced by many who spoke. Many of us feel that way. The Word tells us to work as unto the Lord not men (Col. 3:23). Why? Because if the only measure we use to judge our efforts is man; we will always fall short. When we let others determine our worth, we give up our power and keep chasing an ever moving target. As the African saying goes, “the beautiful ones are not yet born”. This saying means that there are always bigger, brighter, shinier, hotter ‘things’ on the horizon. You cannot stay on top of the charts forever, not just in music but in anything. Because the charts are made by men, they are based on human temperaments. Sooner or later, a better singer, better actor, better speaker, better worker, a better preacher… a better this or that will come out. And if your sole basis of self-worth is people’s temperaments, you will be in hot trouble once you stop being the hot number. You will feel like your sun has set. Yet I tell you, even the sun rises and sets each day yet it does not lose its energy, its brightness, or its power. This challenge is not just for celebrities. It affects us all. Therefore, let us work only as unto the Lord. For when he is your measuring stick, you can only become better and better as you grow in faith, in wisdom and knowledge.
What about my mistakes? We all make mistakes. We all fall short, many times. But, though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again (Prov. 24:16). Refuse to stay down. Refuse to have a pity party. Dust yourself, seek forgiveness, forgive yourself and press on forward. Paul said it best; “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13 NKJV). On the other hand, past success can be as much a hindrance to future progress as past failures. The idea that we cannot be as great again devastates many people and celebrities seem to have the most difficulty with it. Therefore, while we pride in past victories and past echelons, we have to keep pressing forward, believing that the best is yet to come. For as believers, our star is supposed to shine brighter and brighter until that perfect day.
Lastly, and probably the best lesson we can learn from Whitney is to live out our belief in God and our salvation as loud as we can! In spite of Whitney’s shortcomings, she declared over and over that her hope and belief were in God and that she knew without a shadow of doubt that Jesus loved her. While her life may sometimes have been a contradiction to her words, it was amazing that she never faltered in this confession. It is because of that boldness to express what she believed that a secular news channel CNN aired Church, and put her faith, and Jesus at center stage. It was unlike many celebrity funerals. I also credit her mother Cissy Houston for insisting the funeral be held in the church which Whitney attended as a young girl. We can say; Whitney took the world to church on Saturday! What a challenge to us believers not to cower and keep our conviction hidden.
The other poignant moment for me on the funeral was in the exiting procession when the pall bearers lifted the casket high on their shoulders and I thought; “you have done well Whitney, even in your death you lifted the name of the Lord!”
13 February 2012 | 6:00 pm
Valentine’s Day is here again. There is something about Valentine’s Day. You can feel the euphoria in the air, the fragrance of love is strong, almost tangible. Remember to pick up those flowers early, because by late afternoon, there is no petal insight in all the stores as lovers grab their bunch for the one they love along with chocolates, and teddy bears galore. Red is evident everywhere you go. Alas, it is the day of love! The day we celebrate the one we are with. Husbands dare not forget it is Valentine’s Day, and go home empty handed. After all, the arrow of your love did pierce her tender heart and she agreed to marry you. So you better remember else you will find yourself in the dog house!
As we celebrate this day, I am taken back to a verse that is read in many weddings…1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things….And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
As children of God, we are to live in love daily. After all, we are children of love, a loving God who while we were yet sinners sent his son to die on the cross for our redemption. As such, we are to live in love as God our Father is the very essence of love. Not the kind that we call love that makes our heart beat faster, the kind that brings a twinkle in our eyes when we see him or her….NO, not that kind. This love is the God kind of Love. This love is not a feeling but an action, a way of life…the kind that even favors our enemies. So this day let us be challenged by this God kind of Love. Beyond carrying the chocolates home, wearing his favorite dress, getting the hair done so you look fabulous for the outing…I ask: Are you loving him or her without being puffed? Are you loving in truth? Do you continue in hope even when your spouse disappoints you? Do you behave in kindness towards him or her even when he or she doesn’t? Are you patient in your relationship when things are not rosy…when the pregnancy has not happened as quickly as you hoped; when he lost his job; when she fell sick and cannot cater to you as usual; when the child is demanding more of her and you are not the only center of attention? Do you still complement her and make her feel like the only girl in the world even when she has put on a few more pounds? Do you still put your best foot forward for him even now that you are his wife….Are we really living out the God kind of Love?
Love is an action. It is more than the candy or the flowers. To love is a choice. But know one thing, that kind of Love, NEVER FAILS. So love deeply not just on this Valentine’s Day, but on all 365 days in the year. May she be, and may he be the apple of your eye, Always!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
28 October 2011 | 8:59 am
After posting the entry yesterday about consciously being a light in our world by lighting someone else's candle, my mentor shared the entry with this comment: "Light someone's candle by speaking God's opinion of them not yours". I could not agree more and wanted to post this insight as a continuation to yesterday's blog. Many people have been hurt deeply by well meaning advisers who just had to share their opinion...I am sure we have all experienced it. A more excellent way to light someone else's candle is to speak God's word into their life. Psalms 119:130 tells us that the entrance of the Word of God brings light and gives understanding. As David stated, the word of God is a light unto our path of life (Ps 119:105).
The best way to get rid of darkness and the blues is to shine a light. So beyond just checking up on people in our lives, let us also be candle lighters by speaking a relevant Word in the situation. A right Word (God's) can uplift, build faith, transform, renew hope and much more. We can give a crying shoulder, a hug, a kind word but sooner or later we will tire out - it is just human nature. But Christ is a strong tower, a rock, a shield, an ever present help in time of need, and best of all he does not slumber nor sleep. So as we are being a friend in need let us also point to the one who will never disappoint, the almighty, Jehovah the Shalom!
27 October 2011 | 6:41 am
Hi blog readers. It was been a while since I wrote on this blog. I guess I was experiencing one or all kinds of blocks - writers block, pregnancy brain block, new child brain block, just returned to work block....enough of the excuses.
Nevertheless, here is a blog entry I wrote while pregnant but never posted. Apparently, at the time this issue was weighing heavily on my mind.....
Jesus said that we (believers) are to be the light of the world. And that a light is not be put under a table but to be put on top of it for all to see. So what does it mean to be a light in your world? I think being a light in your world means many things. One way I am thinking about is being willing to see someone else's darkness or dark moments and choosing to be a light in their world by listening, encouraging, empathizing etc. Let’s call it, lighting someone else’s candle. When was the last time you checked up on someone you know just to see how they were doing? We all have our blue moments, when things do not make sense or are not going as we would have hoped. And in those moments, whether we are ready to share about our private hurts or not, we all need to know that someone else cares. And just that realization, can be the biggest up-lifter of our blues.
I will be the first to admit that I could do better at reaching out. I sometimes live in my own little bubble world. I am really blessed to have a best friend for a husband and my maiden family has always been my go-to when I need that extra support, encouragement or prayers. But I have come to an “aha” moment. Whether this is the maternal instinct beginning to kick in or just simply growing up, I feel the need to reach out more. I have a friend who is really good at this, and I have come to admire this trait in her personality. She was great about calling me during my pregnancy and just saying – “how are you doing?” We often make excuses of just how busy we are. But the truth is, reaching out does not have to take much time; a short text, a phone call, an email, a facebook comment - with technology there are so many ways. As independent as I am, I will say that the phone calls, FB emails or texts I received from friends and family, just to check up on me during my pregnancy and after, were such a blessing. So I am encouraging us, as believers or just simply human beings, to make an effort to check up on someone else. You never know their candle could be out and they needed someone to light it. Conscious living is about conscious choices. Choice to be a light in your world!
Nevertheless, here is a blog entry I wrote while pregnant but never posted. Apparently, at the time this issue was weighing heavily on my mind.....
Jesus said that we (believers) are to be the light of the world. And that a light is not be put under a table but to be put on top of it for all to see. So what does it mean to be a light in your world? I think being a light in your world means many things. One way I am thinking about is being willing to see someone else's darkness or dark moments and choosing to be a light in their world by listening, encouraging, empathizing etc. Let’s call it, lighting someone else’s candle. When was the last time you checked up on someone you know just to see how they were doing? We all have our blue moments, when things do not make sense or are not going as we would have hoped. And in those moments, whether we are ready to share about our private hurts or not, we all need to know that someone else cares. And just that realization, can be the biggest up-lifter of our blues.
I will be the first to admit that I could do better at reaching out. I sometimes live in my own little bubble world. I am really blessed to have a best friend for a husband and my maiden family has always been my go-to when I need that extra support, encouragement or prayers. But I have come to an “aha” moment. Whether this is the maternal instinct beginning to kick in or just simply growing up, I feel the need to reach out more. I have a friend who is really good at this, and I have come to admire this trait in her personality. She was great about calling me during my pregnancy and just saying – “how are you doing?” We often make excuses of just how busy we are. But the truth is, reaching out does not have to take much time; a short text, a phone call, an email, a facebook comment - with technology there are so many ways. As independent as I am, I will say that the phone calls, FB emails or texts I received from friends and family, just to check up on me during my pregnancy and after, were such a blessing. So I am encouraging us, as believers or just simply human beings, to make an effort to check up on someone else. You never know their candle could be out and they needed someone to light it. Conscious living is about conscious choices. Choice to be a light in your world!
17 July 2010 | 6:48 pm
During my quiet time this morning, I happened to open my bible at Matthew 4:4 and read Jesus’ reply to Satan, "It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (KJV). I have read this passage many times but this time this verse seemed to come alive and anew for me. And I pondered on what Jesus meant by those words. For some reason, I had never taken note of the word "alone"...as in, man needs bread but not just bread, he needs more than bread. Man needs more than just physical nutrition. If you only ate rice all the time you would end up with a big belly and skinny body, not because you are full but because you are malnourished - you lack a complete nutrition. It occurred to me that when we just nourish our physical body and fail to nourish our spirit, we are like that malnourished child with a big belly and skinny body - living but unhealthy; susceptible to disease because his body is not built to withstand the germs that come knocking. So are we when we fail to nourish our spirit with the Word of God. We become susceptible to every manner of wind that the enemy throws at us. Jesus was basically telling Satan, 'my stomach may be empty but my spirit is full so I am not susceptible to whatever manner of temptation you think you can throw at me'. The spiritual food, the Word of God, is a higher nutritional food, far greater than the physical food.
This brings me to the question, “why is it that we cannot stand to go a week without food or water. Fasting for a day as ordered by the Pastor is a struggle, yet we can go for days, weeks, and even months without feeding our spirit?” So, are you full or just malnourished? If you are not sure, recheck your diet to make sure it feeds all of you - body, mind and spirit.
This brings me to the question, “why is it that we cannot stand to go a week without food or water. Fasting for a day as ordered by the Pastor is a struggle, yet we can go for days, weeks, and even months without feeding our spirit?” So, are you full or just malnourished? If you are not sure, recheck your diet to make sure it feeds all of you - body, mind and spirit.
5 April 2010 | 5:42 pm
Today, after celebrating and commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I feel compelled to talk about this faith we call Christianity. In the age of Easter Bunnies (a concept that does not make sense at all - a rabbit that lays eggs?? ) I have come to realize that many people view Christianity as just another religion in the multitude of many religions. But this is not true! There is a distinct difference between Christianity, and other religions. Christianity is not just a practice of doctrines; the waving of hands; the saying of prayer; the singing of hymns; or going to Church...Christianity is more than that. Christianity is the transformation of the spirit as expressed in 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. As Christians, we may look the same, talk the same, but the inner man is different. As we celebrate Easter, we understand that the tomb became empty that He may live in you and me as the body of Christ. The power of his resurrection is in us. We carry precious cargo my friend! And if you have not come to this realization, if you have been living as a 'religious' person, a wanna-be Christian, soon-to-be Christian; you are missing it. I pray that, like Paul, we Christians (and wanna-be Christians) desire to know him more and the power of his resurrection!
1 April 2010 | 8:39 pm
Yesterday happened to be my 33rd birthday and a day like no other. I think this was the most introspective I have been on all my birthdays. The theme of my heart was thankfulness. I could not help but look back at how far God has brought me, a little girl from
8 January 2010 | 4:00 pm
The bible says that "from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force". Matthew 11:12 (NKJV). NIV version puts it different ly stating that "the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, forceful men lay hold of it." If it takes force to advance the kingdom of Heaven, then it figures, it will take force to lay hold of our desires. Often we sit around asking God to please give me this and please do that. The reality of it is that we have to do our part even as we ask God to move in our favor. In 2010 I challenge you to go get that which you desire! Fight for it, refuse to quit, speak out what you want to see, pray, and do your part. As in....go get it by force!
8 January 2010 | 6:17 am
I was listening to Kirk Franklin's song - 'imagine me'. It is such a moving song. And it got me thinking of God's perfect love for us. If only we can learn to fully trust and rest in this love. In life somewhere a long the way, we may have been dealt a tough blow that left us felling unloved, forsaken, forgotten......weighed down. Through all, I hope you can look up and see that the Fathers love, never left you and that his love casts away all fear. So regardless of what may have happened in the past, no matter how painful, how tough it is to let go, how high and many walls you have built, I hope in 2010 you could imagine being free....loved by the Father with a love that has no bounds, unmeasurable in its height, depth, width and breath. And that you will be convinced that nothing can separate you from this love, no life, nor death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers......absolutely nothing!
