Transformation - October 30, 2011

Honesstly, I feel rather foolish even telling this one. I actually caught myself returning to the car to get the cell phone I had left.  I tapped on the window for Ray to give it to me, saying through the glass, "I need my cell phone." Then almost instantaineously I noticed it. Yep, there in front of my eyes was my other hand holding up my purse and cradling my cell phone! Sometimes I can recover my idiot moments and no one around me needs to know just how much I need a brain transplant.  Not this time.  Ray just stared at me like it was some sort of test or trick to see if his brain was working. Hmmm...come to think of it, I should have used that as my excuse! Instead, I just walked off admiting that I had lost my mind. Not a new admission, I admit. 
Then today I found myself in my Sunday School class with other ladies and wouldn't you know it.  I had to teach a lesson from Romans 12:2.  Yep, it's a verse about the mind.  It goes like this:
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Sure, I'll take that.  Who doesn't want God's good, pleasing and perfect will.  That's like a Wendy's triple burger with everything on it!  But just like having the burger would require some action on my part, and some sacrifice of a bit of money, experiencing God's will does too.  That verse gives a command for renewal of my mind and that's action, like going to get the burger. If I want to know what God's good and perfect will is, then I've got to have some renewal going on.
The dictionary says renewal is "to replace something that is worn, broken or not suitable for use." Now my mind surely fits into that category!  It's like God's Word is saying to me, "Pat, your mind is not suitable for me to use."  It's crowded with too many things that don't honor me or are just a waste of energies and time. You need to be transformed in your thinking. 
Now back to the hamburger because I do have a point here. :) There's going to be an outcome to eating that triple burger with all the toppings and trust me, it's going to weigh heavy if I eat it and then show up at my Weight Watchers meeting. In the same way, being transformed is going to have an outcome.  The verse is saying that as I allow God to transform my way of thinking (not being judgemental, critical, etc.) then I will experience renewal. The dictionary goes on to say, "to give somebody or something new energy, strength or enthusiasm."  Seriously, who doesn't want that?
I want my mind to have new energy that is fueled by Godly thoughts and not negativity.  I want a mind that is strengthened in the power of the Holy Sprit and I want to feel the enthusiasm of knowing God's good and perfect will.  In my own personal faith journey, tomorrow is a big step of faith for me.  I've laid something at Jesus' altar as I prayed.  It will cost much more than a Wendy's triple.  I'm trusting God in the decision that will be made tomorrow.  I'm feeling like my mind is being transformed through it all.  Isn't that what a faith journey should look like?  Funny how we get it all mucked up with religion, church, and even trying to do good things.  Really, it's pretty simple. Just surrender your truth. Only Jesus can transform this delapidated mind that I have.  It's great giving it over to Him, actually it's very freeing.  Can't wait to see how tomorrow goes.
Till then,
Pat     

F.A.I.T.H. ~ Fearless Action Involving Total Heart ~ October 28, 2011

Here I am, sitting at that place where I often find myself.  Maybe you've been there before.  It's that crossroads you come to in a faith journey.  The corner of "Easy Belief Street" and "Total Abandonment Drive."  Usually I just continue on my journey cruising down Easy Belief Street.  The road is well paved, a really smooth ride.  I see a lot of friends as I go.  They all look pretty content, not overly excited but happy no less. Nothing ever really changes on Easy Belief Street.  Same old places with the same faces. I can pretty much recite what they're going to say before I even turn in.  But you know, I'm a creature of habit and it is afterall, a comfortable place to be. 
I think about turning on Total Abandonment Drive nearly every time I pass it.  Not that I haven't ever traveled that road. I have but it's just that the road is less traveled and not well paved.  Not to mention, the light when you initially get on that road is so dim. Honestly, it has seemed dark more than once.  Ad to that, you soon realize you have entered a totally reckless area! The few that you encounter along the way seem to have a complete trust that they will get where they need to be.  It's so crazy because you know me, I'm not one for complete abandonment of control.  But then I soon realize that I will not only survive but thrive on this path.  It's actually fun because I begin to see things I've never seen before.  I didn't even realize the free refreshment that's farther down the road from the initial point of entry. 
Now, somehow I find myself back on Easy Belief Street.  It's smooth, no problems to tell about or report to someone. Not really challenging but easy.  The thing is, I get to a stop sign and there's a message there. I squint to read it.  WOW, it's an invitation. It tells about this amazing thing that can be mine if I will turn at the corner of Easy Belief Street.  Then I see it right there in bold print.  You have to turn onto Total Abandonment Drive.  Gee, can't there be another way to get there?  Nope, only one way.  I realize that if I want to accept this invitation then I've got to exhibit faith.  Not some packaged, store bought faith but rather some FAITH!  It what I call Fearless Action Involving Total Heart. It's the kind of faith that seems oversized for the typical travel but fits in perfectly when you turn onto Total Abandonment Drive.  
That's where I am right now.  I've got a God-sized invitation and it's really an enticing one but it calls for real FAITH.  I've been parked, contemplating the decision, spending time asking God what to do.  As I've done this I became increasingly aware that I can't stay parked here.  I won't get anywhere and if I truly consider where I want to be, it's definitely at the other end of Total Abandonment.  I'm in this journey of faith for keeps and I'm not traveling it alone.  Pray with me, and buckle up.  I just let off the brake and made a turn.  Nope can't see a thing yet.  It will take some time but I can't wait to tell you about it later. 
Blessings to all on the journey of faith.
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.  Hebrews 11:1 Good News Bible
 

October 27, 2011

There it was, broken glass everywhere. Not just the kind that breaks into big pieces but rather those thin glistening pieces that you can't pick up. I heard the crash of tumbling items across my floor this morning. I had only taken one thing off the pile of "stuff" I had slowly been forming into an "I'll get to it" mountain over the last few weeks. You wouldn't think one small item removed would cause such a crash. Slowly I picked up the mess that had been created but then just as I thought I was done, I moved one last thing and there it was. The Paddington Bear china plate, cup and bowl that had been given to me when our first son was born now lay amidst the shards of glass. What had I been thinking putting it with the stuff on that mountain?  It was far too precious an item to be mixed with that stuff! When unpacking a box, I had sat it aside to give to my grandaughter, our son's firstborn. Thankfully, the plate & cup had survived the crash but the bowl had not. The glistening slivers of glass were the remains of several Dollar Tree candle holders. Now the fine china bowl mingled with the Made in China glass. It was an odd mix yet suddenly it reminded me of Jesus.  You see it's like this.  Jesus who was everything perfect, completely without blemish willingly came to this earth to give His life for me.  Me? I'm the just the Dollar Tree type of woman.  You know, the one who can look like I'm a great value when in truth, I'm less than the real thing.  Oh, don't get me wrong.  I want to be the real thing but more often than not I struggle with that.  I had no true insignia until Christ made a way for me to be His child.  Any value in me is found in Christ alone.  Wow, I was frustrated at first by all the mess I had to clean up this morning.  Then I realized how thankful I was that Jesus Christ didn't have that attitude when He came to deliver me. Jesus ~ What a Savior!