I have a passion to empower ministry leaders, individuals, couples and family members to build a stronger spiritual connection that will result in a more effective emotional and relational connection with others. The material, in the following topics, is a unified blend of spiritual truths, scientific facts and psychological insights. The purpose of the presentations are intended to encourage self examination with applications of how to foster healthy emotions based on spiritual growth.
Truth – Original Watercolor painting by Debbie Hannah Skinner.
MarriageStrong
What is MarriageStrong?
MarriageStrong is a ministry that “is committed to helping couples develop valuable relationship skills that will not only help their marriages, but also dramatically change the way they interact with others in their families, friendships, places of work, and within the Body of Christ.”
The focus of this program is: Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Content: MarriageStrong equips couples to experience the benefits of a healthy marriage, leading them to thrive in all of their relationships. Research results on the effectiveness of the program indicated significant increases in trustworthiness and positive feelings toward spouse following participation in MarriageStrong.
The MarriageStrong material is psycho-educational lead by professional trained leaders. Please see the MarriageStrong web site for the content details.
Session Format: Cathy has presented the program on a seminary campus, led small groups of ministry couples in her home for the nine week program and has presented the material in a retreat setting for a team of church pastor leaders. She is available to present this program to ministry couples either in a retreat or small group format. She has a passion to support and engage with ministry couples to give them a deeper understanding of how to strengthen their marital connection, enhancing their family and ministry relationships.
Radical Beauty
Purpose: God’s children are His beauty, a delight, enjoyable and appealing to Him. (John 17:13, Psalms 18:18-19) As His children our identity is in Him. His children are like radical shoots arising from His root of love. We are His Radical Beauty.
Only 4% of women describe themselves as beautiful. 20% of girls, ages 10-19 are experiencing episodes of major depression. Self-injury among teenage girls and young women is on a dramatic rise. The purpose of this four session class is to help women discover how to live in their true identity in Christ. It is inspiring to experience the transformation, as women unveil their true beauty and walk with freedom from old fears. The Beauty of God shines forth!
Content: The information shared in these four sessions involve a combination of brain science, human development and spiritual truths about new self-identity. These spiritual truths have a positive, curative impact on the brain and soul development. Emotional health is directly related to spiritual health.
The focus is how to “take off the old self” and “put on the new self” as described in Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:5-15. Knowing how to put on the new self is finding freedom in God’s truth that brings health to body and soul.
Session Format: Cathy can teach these four lessons in once a week sessions over 4 to 6 weeks or in a retreat format.The content is a blending of psycho-educational and spiritual truths with life application. The sessions are designed for table group discussions and individual introspection.
Transforming Trust
Purpose: Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 NLT
To find true freedom in faith, Trusting in God is essential. Life’s struggles and fears will dilute and assault the resolve of Trust. Building our Trust in God requires a consistent life style. There are 4 to 5 lessons teaching a way to refocus on life through the eyes of faith.
Content: Understanding Who God is – as a lover of our soul, His promises and the multiple dynamics of his character, has a profound impact on our trusting relationship with Him. To live with full Trust in God empowers us to realize a fullness in joy and peace. It gives a true healing of heart, soul, mind and body.
Session Format: Cathy can present these lessons in a weekend retreat format. The content is a blending of psycho-educational and spiritual truths with life application. The sessions include table discussions and time for individual introspection.
Living in the Presences of God
Purpose: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT
Spiritual transformation takes place in an active relationship with God. This study explores, processes and practices the Spiritual disciplines to inspire and equip followers of Christ to arrange their lives for spiritual transformation as they strengthen their intimacy with God.
Content: We must train the soul to grow spiritually, just as the body needs to be trained and conditioned to grow in strength. This presentation will give opportunity to learn and practice spiritual disciplines that will enhance one’s relationship with God. Transforming the mind.
Session Format: These sessions are designed for large and small group participation and discussion including times of individual introspection and are broken into 4 to 6 sessions depending on the time.
Healing When There is No Cure – How to live with a Chronic Illness
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Purpose: The above quote, by Viviane Greene, expresses the motto of this presentation. Chronic illness is never cured, however the heart and attitude of an ill person can become transformed and “healed” of many fears as they learn to embrace the illness and continue to live out a life of purpose.
This study seeks to give insight and information regarding the healthy mindset that is required to best live with a chronic illness.
Content: There is a growing need to give families support that are living with the uncertainties of a chronic illness. Life with a chronic illness experiences multiple losses of not only health but changes in career, life expectations and relationships. These realities can be confusing and difficult to manage without an understanding of how to process the grief, the stigmatization, the management of the medical maze, the impact on relationships, the emotional drain and how to be intentional in living life forward. Providing support for these individuals and their families is vital.
This presentation gives not only information but an installation of hope to live forward under the care of our Lord.
Session Format: These sessions are set-up for individuals alone and/or with family members. Sessions offered are designed to empower and equip individuals and couples dealing with the unique demands a chronic illness can impose on relationships.
The sessions can be done in a weekend format or a six weekly sessions. There is opportunity for table and large group discussion with homework and time for individual self examination. The content is psycho-education with a blend of science and spiritual truths expediting the application of a life of wellness.
God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.
Lamentations: 22-24 (MSG)
Contact
For more information or questions regarding any of these speaking topics, please contact Cathy at (806) 350-5867 or by email at cathytburns@gmail.com