Transformed by Being Informed

My grandsons were big fans of the Transformers -- the toys that could be converted from a robot to a car and vice versa. It didn't come as easy for me as it did for them. I just couldn't get all the parts tucked in to transform it into a car. Those toys are literally transformed from the inside out. Isn't that what God desires to do in us? He wants us transformed from the inside out. He works with us and in us so that what is in us.....comes through us to help transform others. Not only can we be changed, but we can be the catalyst for change in others. Those toys usually come with a guide to help slow learners like me. And so it is with God’s Word, our Guide, that helps us be transformed.

A couple of days ago I blogged about how diving into God’s Word is the way to be cured for what ails us and for transforming us. People ask me what the best translation of the Bible is and my answer is “The one that you translate into your life!” That’s what Bible study is all about. Being informed to transform.

I remember when my new Bible's pages had gold edges. Oh how beautiful those edges were. But those edges are long gone. They rubbed off on me and better yet, the words inside of it have rubbed off into my mind and heart. God gave us His Word to transform us, not simply inform us. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. In other words, God wants our beliefs turned into behavior. God makes His purpose for the Bible even more explicit in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

The purpose of the Bible is more than just showing us what is wrong in our lives or how we should live. God gave us his Word to radically transform our lives. The Bible describes itself as a two-edged sword – a tool designed to make radical changes. God intends for the Bible to dramatically change our lives. The Bible also describes God’s truth as milk, water, bread, and meat. What do all those things have in common? If we don’t eat or drink them regularly, we’ll die. So it is with God's Word. We should hunger and thirst after God's Word so much so that we can't live without it. So excuse me...it's breakfast time -- I'm getting my nourishment -- physically AND spiritually. Transform me, Lord. Transform me to be more like You as I nourish on your Word today.

I’ll Take a Cloud…or Two

This day a year ago I was all caught up in gratitude for the rain, cooler temperatures and the Fall season that was in the air. I spent the day getting my Fall décor out and turning my home into a place of pumpkin spice aromas and colors of oranges, yellows and browns. But, not this year. It seems Summer doesn’t want to give way just yet! So, as in the title of this blog – I’ll take a cloud or two that gets this Fall party started.

But, actually, I’m not moving in that direction with this post. I’m thinking of the “cloud” that went ahead of the Israelite wilderness wanderers. “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way …” (Exodus 13:21). I’m big on putting my faith and trust in the Unseen God. But, there are just some days when a cloud or two would be awesome in pointing the way for me. Perhaps you’re like me and you could sure use some reinforcement on some difficult decisions you and your family are making. I spend a lot of time searching for supportive Scriptures and always hope to glean a definitive, holy answer to my questions. I stay alert for any trace of God speaking. I want to hear His voice loud and clear. I look for patterns in things I read or heard. And, continually, I seek precise affirmation in the choices I am leaning toward.

It’s easy during those times of waiting, seeking, and knocking for our thoughts to run rampant. “What if I make a wrong decision? What if I thought I heard God’s voice, but instead it was just my own emotions or feelings controlling my thoughts? Is it too much to ask for a blinking neon arrow dropped down from Heaven to point the way?”

Instead of allowing frustration and angst to overwhelm us, maybe it’s time to chill – relax and stop trying to figure everything out. Maybe the better thing is to stop looking and listening for a blaring answer from God – and to simply ease into a place of “coming into His presence with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise” (Psalm 95:2) – to simply sit at His feet and indulge ourselves in Him. Praying for wisdom, clarity and guidance about how to move forward. Praying for peace and hope to fill our hearts and minds — leaving no room for confusion and negative thoughts. Praying that decision-making would be an extension of our faith, not an exhaustion of our efforts.

That "cloud" phenomenon guided the Israelites during the daytime. We could sure use a holy cloud to guide us, Lord! But, instead of a cloud, we have cloudy minds and we worry we’ll make wrong decisions or we can’t even make a decision at all. We also feel lost in the wilderness, If they would have trusted more and complained less, the direct path would have been only an eleven-days journey instead of their 40-years journey. Hearing that makes my thoughts become less cloudy and I rest in knowing God is our guide. If we walk down the right path, God is there with us. If we take a wrong turn, He is still there, redirecting us, guiding us and leading us out of the wilderness. In fact, He may take us down the most difficult journey, with full intention of growing our faith along the way.

We may not have a cloud we can see with our eyes, but we can trust God is always leading the way. God may lead us into the wilderness, and He may even guide us there to camp for a while, but He will never leave us there. Regardless of the decisions we make, we’ll never be on any path alone.

Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

It’s Pay-it-Forward AND Pray-it-Forward Time!

Mentor – a trusted guide, coach, role model, counselor

I don’t know where or who I would be were it not for the mentors in my life from a very EARLY age. Since I was “early” in getting married (at 17) and “early” to have a baby (one year later at 18), I needed all the help I could get. I was so in love, but I was also so insecure and inexperienced when it came to every day challenges and struggles. Quite frankly, inexperienced in life….period. And, each challenge and struggle confirmed my ongoing mental monologue “What in the world am I doing?”

I needed someone older, wiser, experienced and confident to help me navigate some of those never-ending challenges. Someone I could call and ask, "How do you do this?" or "Have you ever experienced that?" without being judged. God was so faithful to give me two strong women who paved the way for me to become a confident wife and mom. Those women were my mother and mother-in-law. How many times did I call them and ask about “this and that”? Since I was the youngest of my friends to get married, I sure couldn’t call those girls for advice. They didn't understand breastfeeding or a baby's high fever. My “moms” were living, breathing gifts from God who were sent to a gal who desperately needed real-life answers and real-life prayer. They gave me both.

Through the years, God was faithful to bring so many other wonderful and wiser Christian women who graciously mentored me. They led me by example. They shared valuable truths on how to be a dedicated wife, manage a career, the must-haves of mothering and most importantly … how to experience an authentic, personal relationship with the Lord.

It’s been my turn now for many years to pay it forward and pray it forward as I have mentored many younger women in my own circle of influence. Some women were older than me and I mentored them in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Some of those gals were searching for Mr. Happily-Ever-After. A few were transitioning from newlywed bliss to marriage-plus-career reality. And others needed sound advice on how to raise their kids while trying to stay sane. And, now, many are widows who need help navigating their life through singleness. Oh the lessons I learned in the process that I was able to share with them what NOT to do and what to do so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did.

In both seasons, being mentored and being a mentor, I’ve learned so much from smart, hard-working, gracious and tenderhearted women, who, just like me, still need godly advice every now and then. What would happen if we embraced each season of life looking to mentor others with the same excitement and tenacity we’d expect from a woman who mentored us?

Mentoring is for each season of life. Maybe you’ve been looking for a godly woman to come alongside you. Start with praying for your soon-to-be mentor. Even though you don’t know her yet, God does. She may be older and wiser and she knows what it is to face life's challenges. Then, be willing to mentor someone else. Your gifts and talents can be used to be a blessing to a woman who’s also longing for a mentoring relationship.

It’s Mother’s Day weekend and what better time to reflect upon those women who imparted life into you – via birthing you in the natural or the spiritual and the everyday course of life. Now…go and pay it forward and pray it forward to some young girl, teenager or woman who needs a loving, caring and devoted mentor. Thank God for their good influence on you. Regardless of your age or stage in life, mentoring is always available to you!

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, those who have spoken God’s word to you. Think about the impact of their lives, and imitate their faith.”

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Where Can I Go From Your Presence?

Constants: a situation or state of affairs that do not change; remaining the same in all circumstances

I am on the go and where I stop, nobody knows, including me sometimes. How many times have I awakened in the night and run into a wall that I thought was a doorway, or opened a closet door and thought it was the bathroom door? Too many to count!

Thanks be to God that though my surroundings are often in a state of flux, my best friend, companion and guide – isn’t. My
Father is ALWAYS with me. Everywhere I go – He is there.

Psalm 139:7-10 says "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."

The little boy in this photo is playing a game of hide and seek. He thinks he's hidden. And isn't that like us? We think we can hide from God, and we often think He's hiding from us, but I love how Jeremiah 23:24 proves otherwise. "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord."

After a whirlwind week, I’m back home in Frisco and into my normal routines and familiar surroundings.

I think about the CONSTANTS in my life no matter where I am or where I go. Me (I can't get away from me -- I'm always with me) and Father God. I think about how blessed I am to acknowledge the real fact that I will never be without Him and His presence. I see Him everywhere -- in the magnificent beauties of His creation -- the hills, the valleys, the marvelous trees in bloom and the beautiful, fragrant flowers. I see Him in His children -- big and small, tall and thin, old and young. I hear Him in the laughter of others. I sense Him when I open my eyes and heart to Him when I meditate on Him as I start to write my morning FB post. "When you seek me, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:13

I think about a story my husband loved to tell. This was back in the days before bucket seats in cars and you could cozy up to our sweetheart when he drove the car. A wife said, "Sweetheart, why don't we sit close together anymore?" The husband said, "You tell me. You're the one that moved next to the door. I'm still in the same seat I've always been in!" And, I think that's what God must say when we declare "I just don't feel God in my life anymore!" He says, "I'm right here with you as I always have been. I didn't move. Snuggle in closer to Me and you'll find me right here where I've always been."

TEAM-Work: Together Everyone Accomplishes More

I’m back in Austin with my two youngest grandsons who make for sweet times of board games, helping with homework, helping feed the animals and all the other shenanigans that works Nana’s brain AND body! LOL!

I was helping Bryson with his science homework which included the study of birds, and specifically, pelicans. Instead of working alone, I found out that pelicans work in teams which gives them a better chance at a good meal. As we read some of the characteristics of the pelicans, Bryson exclaimed: “Those pelicans are so annoying. They would not leave.” I knew what he was talking about. He remembered back to when he was just four years old and an invasion of pelicans overtook their boat, which was loaded with the fresh fish they had caught. See the photo here. Notice that Bryson wasn’t letting them boss him around, but those pelicans were there to support each other as a team. I like that. TEAM-work. Together Everyone Accomplishes More.....EXCEPT in the case of a very strong willed boy!!

This photo is one of my all-time favorites. You can tell this pelican was by no means the "boss" of Bryson and he showed it! LOL!

Maybe you've heard your kids or grandkids say "You're not the boss of me!" to a sibling or someone else. But have we ever made that statement to ourselves? Actually, we can, and we should.

”How often do we yield to temptations -- big and small? Instead of eating a few chips, we eat the whole bag. Instead of just a piece of chocolate cake, we go in for a second slice. Instead of walking away from listening to an obscene joke, we laugh with them all. Instead of changing the channel or walking out of a movie when the content is questionable and almost every other word is profane, we just sit there and take it in. Instead of eating nutritiously and getting exercise, we talk ourselves out of it. We then justify it all by saying "I just can't help myself!" But, in reality...we can. It's about Who the Greater One is that lives in us. The Holy Spirit knows what is best for us instead of letting our flesh be in control of us.

I daily desire to choose being on God's side -- endeavoring to be the conqueror over the tactics of the enemy. In fact, I think the most exciting journey in life is simply saying, "God, I want to change. I want to please You. I want to be more like you." I want YOU to be the boss of me.

The good news is this....it's not a process we have to conquer on our own. Our TEAM -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are with us to help us accomplish so much more than we could ever do on our own. God's Spirit in us is our Helper, our Guide, our Comforter and Partner in accomplishing whatever it is we may face. Very soon, we'll start to realize that we have some real authority because of our TEAM. When that happens, every time our flesh tempts us, all we have to do is speak Bryson's words to our flesh "You're not the boss of me!"

You're Not the Boss of Me!

Maybe you've heard your kids or grandkids say "You're not the boss of me!" to a sibling or someone else. But have we ever made that statement to ourselves? We can, and we should.

How often do we yield to temptations -- big and small? Instead of eating a few chips, we eat the whole bag; instead of just a piece of chocolate cake, we go in for a second slice; instead of walking away from listening to an obscene joke, we laugh with them all; instead of changing the channel or walking out of a movie when the content is questionable and almost every other word is profane, we just sit there and take it in; instead of eating nutritionally and getting exercise, we talk ourselves out of it. We then justify it all by saying "I just can't help myself!" But, in reality...we can. It's about letting our flesh be in control of us instead of choosing what Holy Spirit knows what is best for us. Flesh vs Spirit.

I enjoy being on the side of God and His Spirit -- trying to conquer things and not let the enemy rule me. In fact, I think the most exciting journey in life is simply saying, "God, I want to change. I want to please You. I want to be more like you."

And the good news -- it's not a process we have to conquer on our own. God's Spirit is our Helper, our Confidant, our Guide, our Comforter and great partner in accomplishing whatever it is we may face. When we think this way, we can break free from those things that have kept us from God's best. Very soon, we'll start to realize that we have some real authority in Christ. When that happens, every time our flesh tempts us, all we have to do is speak Bryson's words to our flesh "You're not the boss of me!"

Galatians 5:16–18 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would."

Lion + Bear + Big Dude = Promotion

I posted about David and his Giant, yesterday! Just wanted to add....a P.S. to that post!

David DID win that epic battle with Goliath, but God had prepared him in the trenches, in the “small” things. David was faithful to fulfill his responsibilities. David did anything God asked him to do. When he faced the lion and the bear, he didn’t cower in fear. He knew that God had called him to the sheep, and that God would be faithful to give him the victory. That's why his faith grew as he destroyed the lion and the bear. So when the BIG DUDE came along, David already knew HIS God would defeat that giant as well.

Moral of this story: "Be faithful in the little things (those seemingly insignificant responsibilities and jobs -- like David did as a shepherd boy), then God will make you ruler of much (PROMOTE YOU!)." Luke 16:10. David eventually became King David of Israel. The sheep we protect, lead and guide (you know.....those everyday duties and responsibilities); each lion and bear we slay (everyday issues, challenges and circumstances); and each giant we take down.....are ALL a part of God's Master Plan that leads us to our destiny and purpose! He's preparing us right now and fully equipping us to be the most epic GIANT SLAYER ever! So, BIG DUDE, move out of our way! We've got your number and you're going DOWN....and WE'RE MOVING ON UP!