Tag: transformation

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What Are You Working On?

What are you working on?

No, I don’t mean what projects do you have in the woodshed, or what is going on at work.  I mean about yourself – What personal issue or personal transformation are you working on?

That’s an odd question, I suppose, but one that I hope that if you don’t have an answer for it you spend some time to think about.  I stumbled on this question last week when I read a tweet that mentioned an article about spotting your blind spot.  The article poses the question I just asked.  It also proposes that most people could not provide an answer, not because they don’t want to share, but they don’t have an eye for change.

Well, as I mentioned yesterday, it is my prayer that if you have been following this blog all year, or even for a week, that you have been challenged to change some aspect in your life and that you can identify the transformation.  I think this week, as we head into New Year resolution time, it may be time to consider yourself to see what opportunity for transformation still remains.  None of us are perfect, but the followers of the Christ have the Spirit that is willing to help if we ask.  It should be a good thing if we can identify the needs for transformation in our lives and live with the intent to allow that transformation to occur.

The book of James speaks briefly about examining yourself

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 (New International Version, ©2010)

So, let us not forget what we are, but lets look intently into the words, and find the answer to the question, and let transformation continue – the blessings await.

What are you working on?

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Are You Transformed

Sorry I am a little late today.  I have been spending the morning with family eating breakfast and talking.  And you if know my brother there is no way to think about blogging whilst he is going on and on with his stories and inquiries.

Anyway, this year I have blogged alot about transformation and change.  So today after hearing all of my brother’s questions, and with anticipation of some thoughts from later this week, here is a question for you to ponder today – What sort of transformation have you undertaken this year?  What is different about you now versus last December?  Do you feel transformed?

22 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; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  Eph 4:22-24

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Are You Listening?

There was a preacher I remember from my youth ( not that I am old now or anything), that used to always say in the middle of his sermons “Are you Listening?”.  It was sort of weird that he would get to the end of a sentence and just add in “Are you Listening”, “Are you Listening”?

As a young man, I thought maybe he had spotted a napping listener, or had looked over at the teenagers, but I soon realized he was saying “Do you hear what I am telling you.”

This is great advice and something to ponder today.  “Are you Listening”, or just reading, or hearing and changing nothing?

22-24Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. (James 1:22-25, The Message)

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Keep Pounding

Last night the pounding continued for me.  It was bad enough that I wrote about my experience with homeless dude and my general lack of concern for my neighbor.  But then last night, the men’s group I have been hanging out with decides that the topic should be about love, and kindness and how we treat the poor.  (geesh, is someone trying to tell me something!!)

But seriously, it is important, even this week Barry O. said that is why he was attracted to Christ:

“It was because the precepts of Jesus Christ spoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead. Being my brother’s and sister’s keeper. Treating others as they would treat me.” – Barack Obama

This whole idea of loving your neighbor is extremely important  One that is probably worth another post.  This morning I stumbled upon this quote

Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. – Mother Teresa

She’s correct, it doesn’t have to be huge, or big, but it needs to be consistent and faithful – which ironically would be extraordinary!!!

Let’s do it up!

9-10So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (Galatians 6:9, The Message)

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Take Me As You Find Me

This week has been a perplexing week for me.  I have found my mind preoccupied, but not focused.  I have been bugged by the constant battle between being what I want to be and observing what I let myself be.

Last night while on what turned out to be a great run I was listening to Hillsong’s Mighty to Save.  There is one particular lyric that seemed to call to my spirit.

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Isn’t this were a lot of us find ourselves.  We want to surrender, we want to give our lives to follow what we believe, but yet we sit and look around and see the scars of failures and the waste of fears.  For instance….(start the dream sequence)

Earlier this week, I was driving home and stopped at a traffic light downtown.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone slowly crossing the road.  I was deep in thought and didn’t pay too much attention, until I noticed that standing right in front of my truck was a man, dressed in dirty clothes, standing on crutches staring at me.  Then he reached down and held up a piece of paper that had words written on it in magic marker.  The words said something like “Help me feed my Family”.  I sort of just sat there in disbelief, sort of dumbfounded.  I was thinking things like “what did they just say on Sporttalk(local afternoon radio sports show )?”, “What happens if the light turns green, do I just beep my horn or simply run this dude over?” and finally – “What should I do?”  I was so surprised by the boldness of this guy that I really didn’t know what to do.  There I was stuck at the like, this guy in front on me, staring, his eyes pleading, and I am kind of like ‘Are you looking at me?’  So in sort of a disgusted way, I shook my head.  He looked down disgusted and walked the rest of the way across the street.  What’s interesting is our disgust was the same.  He was disgusted with me; I was disgusted with, well ME.

The rest of the way home I thought about this guy.  I really don’t know what was up.  He could be the number one scam artist in Chattanooga – but probably not.  He was probably just a man in need.  And there I sat with what I think is MY money in MY pocket, driving MY truck going home to MY house to eat MY dinner.  ‘Get out of my way homeless dude, I have MY stuff to do.’  Mine, mine, mine.  But yet, I will sing with all my might,

“Now I surrender”.

Yesterday was evidently National Good Neighbor Day.  And surprisingly this one is actually backed up by a Senate Resolution.  I can’t believe I missed it.  But not to fear, one of your fellow ‘buffeters’ pointed it out to me.   So, I thought back to this guy. And I thought about how easy it has been to make it about me this week.  Not just with dude in the street, but with my boys, with my coworkers, and with my friends.  Interestingly Jesus tells us multiple times that the second greatest commandment in the whole wide world is “Love your neighbor as yourself”. (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:18-20, Matthew 22:38-30, Mark 12:30-32, Luke 10:26-28, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13-15, James 2:7-9).  Paul in his Galatian letter said it summed up the ENTIRE law!

Argh…

“all my fears and failures…”

I am so glad that we live in the age of Grace ( can I hear an Amen – or just add it to the comments!)  I am so thankful that I don’t have to earn the love of Christ.  That the love of God is freely given.  That forgiveness is freely given and that it’s really not at all about me.

And that’s what is so perplexing.  I got it for free, but yet I find it so hard to share.  It’s not mine, I am just blessed to live in the light of his glory, and to have it light my way.

Anyway, today’s a new day, filled with new chances, new opportunities and new moments – and he does “take us as he finds us”.  It seems to me that everyday should be Good Neighbor Day.

As some of my coworkers say “Do the Needful”

“Shine Your light and let the whole world see”