Our mission is simple: faciliate life change. In other words, we live to see lives transformed. It’s why we do church. It’s the point of our activities. We seek to Encounter God because that’s a means to life change (not forgotting that God deserves us to seek Him). We encourage Connecting Points because they are a means to seeing life transformed by God through His word and His people. We encourage Serve activities because we know Jesus was a servant and service is a means to becoming more like Him.
But how do we know if it’s happening? There are lots of practical ways to try to measure what we are doing. We can count people in worship, in small groups and classes, or involved in service. We can count the offering and compare what we get to what we used to get and to what we need. We can look at the calendar and see what activities we are doing and how folks are responding.
But, honestly, the best way to know if it’s happening is for you to tell us. And we want to know. So, please, respond to this blog with a brief story of the way your life is changing. Tell us what’s happening that tells you that your life is different. Relate an anecdote about a friend or family member in whom you see transformation. Help us make sure we are actually doing what we’re here to do.
Tags: Connect, Encounter, Life Change, My Story, serve, Transformation
Life Change…we are all busy, but when our granddaughter comes to visit everything grinds to a halt. Grandma will fly out west and bring back a 4 year old girl to stay for a while. Why? The positive impact of a godly grandma on a 4 year old of living Christ with the purpose of laying a foundation for a third generation to grow-up seeing that JESUS is real.
The world may see this as minor or even a waste of time, but I believe GOD sees this as major and a wise investment of time. Only GOD knows the future impact of a young child that knows that JESUS is Savior & Lord & real.
This time invested, I believe is important in impacting life changes…so whether a mommy or daddy or grandma or grandpa living & sharing CHRIST before our children & grandchildren counts in this life as well as for eternity. Might I say, its a wonderful honor & privilege for Grandma!
Starting in 2006 my life began to change.My wife (Birdie) was diagnosed with Cancer.Slowly, God began to teach me compassion and service. Over time I began to start doing chores that Birdie could no longer do, not because it was my duty or it was expected of me, but because Jesus had shown me sacrefice and love.It was beginning to become second nature.
In 2008 I lost Birdie and my father within 2 weeks of each other. Later I was to lose my Mother-in-law,my uncle, my son-in law, a brother-in-law, and my best friend from high-school.
Through all of this I realized that I was better able to minister and comfort others. Again it wasn’t an obligation and certainly wasn’t expected of me but it came so naturally to me, that I thank God for being in my life.
When I reflect on “life change,” two things come to mind, both of which stem from my own personal journey over the past year and a half.
First, is my transformed understanding of God’s faithfulness. Often, I have been guilty of loosly throwing around the phrase “God is faithful,” without giving much thought to what that really means. In the past, I have attached God’s faithfulness to what is tangible (what I can see), such as His provision for a financial need or providing a vehicle when I’ve been without one. But in the course of the past eighteen months, in what has been one of darkest and difficult journeys in my Christian walk, I have come to know God’s faitfulness on a much deeper level. I have been fervently praying for a full time job, that I can once again have my financial independence and move into my own place, rather than living with others. I confess that I have often questioned God’s faithfulness because He hasn’t provided the right job, and hence a place to call my own. But I’ve come to learn that God’s faithfulness stretches way beyond what the human eye can see. God has not yet answered my prayer for a full-time job, but He HAS been faithful in this dark journey. While I can’t see Him, He has been with me in the presence of His Holy Spirit, holding me close in His unseen arms. And He has been faithful to provide me strength, and comfort, and peace, and hope. And, in a visibly tangible way, He has been faithful to provide a wonderful and trusted body of believers at MPCC in whom I can confide and depend on.
Secondly, is my transformed worship of God. Somewhere in the midst of the dark journey these past eighteen months, and without really knowing when or how it happened, I am connecting with God in worship on a more real and deeper level than ever before. Songs on the screen have become much more than words or phrases mouthed to God, and are touching me in a more profound way. I find myself unashamedly lifting my hands in worship to God, and more deeply touched by His Spirit as I sing to Him.
In sum, life change for me has been a more profound relationship with God. I feel as though I can relate to Job, who spent a lot of time arguing with and questioning God, seeking to comprehend the mystery of his suffering. Yet in the end, Job resolves that God’s ways are divine and beyond comprehension (42:1-6), and emerges from his experience having a more profound relationship with God and comforted in his faith. This is my story.
Through one of the worst things that has happened in my life, I am finding myself growing into the person I have always wanted to be.
I have changed by figuring out what is important and what is not. I view issues with one simple phrase: How does this affect my salvation?
And you keep teaching us along the way. A friend used to ask, “Where does this fit in the grand scheme of eternity?” It helps put things into perspective.
Chuck, I see that my first attempt at this response didn’t format quite right; there were no spaces b/w paragraphs. I’ll try it again:
I think conveying transformation of this sort is difficult because it is a challenge to understand our own hearts and minds, let alone another’s. It is the heart, after all, with which we’re really concerned. I could list selfless acts carried out by others. That might make readers say, “Way to go! Praise God! That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!” That might even motivate others to serve more often, for the first time, or in a fresh way. I could share dramatic stories of addicts who were strengthened and healed by God’s power. I could illustrate stories of healing, even personal victories which could only have occurred through the mighty hand of God. But what about the heart? What of that bloody, pumping, visceral aspect which is hidden even from our own recognition? How can we describe an authentic transformation when the very understanding of our own hearts is obfuscated?
What I mean to say is that if I describe to you my recovery from stage II colon cancer and say that it “transformed” me, how can I be sure that I’m transformed? If, in a sublime state of emotions resulting from sunshine, good food, loved ones’ laughter, and contemplation of God’s good present in this world, I determine to demonstrate my thanks by giving back to God by caring for an ill friend, putting extra money in the offering, spending extra time in prayer, or somehow making some sort of extra sacrifice, how can I be sure that it’s the result of transformation rather than a base relief at still being alive? Because there are plenty of moments when I’m frustrated, angry, confused, etc. and feel positively untransformed or retrotransformed, if you will.
Perhaps all of my questioning IS transformation. When I think of the tricks of the enemy’s playground I persist in my questions. It would be easy, and in some ways more pleasant, to sit back and trust God; just trust God. I do. I trust that I am in His hands and I will live with Him someday, but here, here on this earth, I do not wish to be tripped. And it seems that the mind is where that enemy can begin trailing that very vine upon which I’ll trip and land face first on a path of coarse cinders, etching scars into my knees and elbows and, undoubtedly affecting my heart. So I keep asking, “Has Satan himself transformed himself into an angel of light?” (2 CO 11:15) Is a certain opportunity a slight of Satan’s hand? Is this of God’s doing or is it just a clever scam driven by my own desires? Can I trust my own motives? Am I acting and speaking as an agent of God? Do I really know my heart? Am I allowing God to saturate me to the point of being transformed?
My guess is that I get close to that transformation a small percentage of the time; perhaps .25 %. Though I aim for more, I fall short. Now, if I were to actually consider a vestige of myself transformed, I would admit that I turn to God’s word, though not often enough, much more regularly and allow myself to question; trusting that I won’t get many answers until that glorious day when my questions cease and I rest in perfect love.
The ability to question, in faith, is transformation for me, at least. Not being afraid of offending God, or getting sidetracked, or appearing faithless, are all signs that I’ve grown beyond my starting point.
Is it happening?? Life changes…I see it in the lives of Jim and Maryann Weisenborn who plan activities for the Seniors so they can have Christian fellowship with their peers. I see it in the lives of the Seniors who have been there and done that who still do what they can for Christ. I see it in the life of the young lady who took her lunch hour teaching Spanish to earn money for a mission trip. I see it in the lives of young people doing labor of love for the less fortunate. There are more people sharing their faith …..doing God’s way by being Christ followers. “We love…because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 The transformation from self centered to servant.
What else can you say? You are right on target with those examples.
I have been thinking about the “life change” for few days and “liberty” came to mind. One day about 2 weeks ago, it hit me as Ps 32:5″ came to my sight and soul: [I said, "I will confess my transgression to the Lord," and you forgive the guilt of my sin.] I knew and know the Lord forgives me of my sin, but the guilt I still face is lingering. Now the sword in hand is to claim that THE LORD HAS FORGIVEN THE GUILT OF MY SIN when such accusation comes！ What a weapon! And it doesn’t stop there; as I am forgiven and be freed from judgment, I am free to do the same to others in a very private way—in prayer. Now I can pray for people without remembering their faults. Jesus has taken my burden of my heart and the log out of my eyes. Wow!
I especially appreciate the final part–praying for others without seeing their faults. To me, that’s maturity.
I am so Blessed ,I have seen my life transform so much. I see and feel the spiirt of our Heavenly Father more and more. My Great Aunt took us to church and Sunday school, that was the beginning for me. With many trials, the loss of my Husband when my only child was 9 years of age. My deceased Husband had a AVM, Blood vessal disorder in his brain. Our Beautiful baby was 5 months old. When he had a grand mal seisure, Everything Changed. I was a stay at home Mother and loved that, that all changed. Back to college for more education to support my Child, My precious Mother became my companion. Many Chapters later I have survied so many things I honestly @ the time thought I may not. The sermon What does a Christian look like really set my mind and heart on fire! God Blesses us so much everyday we just have to have our eyes WIDE open! Our Church Family are always there to lend a hand, a ear, or just that sometime Hug we all need! I am now Blessed with a wonderful Christian Husband,a job that I love, Grief for the loss of my Dear Mother Still holds such a Void, as we were companions for many many years! We all have stories to tell and on this blog I find, hope, love,companionship ,thats helps me, and so many!
You remind me how good and faithful God is.
OK, taking a deep breath here, you’ve asked twice, nicely, Chuck, so here goes. I honestly thought about responding the 1st time but didn’t know how to put my life changes in this past year in a few enough words to write here, also, it’s so personal, so hesitated, BUT, I know God will be honored and I hope pleased when I share my story. My story is truly proof of how a personal relationship with God, our Heavenly Father, can get you through anything. How trusting your Heavenly Father to get you through anything is the best and only thing to rely on.
My story told as simply as possible. Last year I was living in Topeka, KS, with a husband, 2 cats, 2 dogs, in a home across from a beautiful lake with what I called my ‘Garden of Eden’ 1/2 mile walk from my front door. I was working out of my home doing computer training via the internet, loving my life, my husband, my home, my work, my friends, my church family, my pets, etc.
A year later I’m living in Quincy, IL, no husband, without those pets, in an apartment, driving a school bus, going to a new church, MPCC, and starting to develop new friendships. Is that enough change for you?
What happened? My husband wanted to change careers, we applied and were hired to work for the company that owns Curtis Creek Retirement, there is one in Topeka, that is where we applied. A year ago we sold our home, everything in it, found homes for our pets, and went to Joliet, IL, for training in June and July.
After our training we were assigned to Curtis Creek. It was a good location! It is almost half way between Topeka, KS, (where my close friends and many family members are) and Dubuque/Maquoketa, IA, (where my 2 sons, their wives and my 6 grandchilren are). I fell in love with Quincy and the people of Quincy right away.
We started our new job at Curtis Creek August 11, 2009. Less than 2 weeks later on August 23, 2009, my husband packed up his things and walked out on me and the job.
So, I was stranded in a town where I knew no one, no job (the job was for a married couple), no place to live (part of our salary was the apartment and 3 meals a day).
What did I do? I reached up for God’s Hand, held on tight, and asked Him to lead me. I totally trusted Him and He did not let me down.
There’s a lot to tell in between of all the blessings I’ve received and how I got to where I am today. Many, many miracles of God.
Suffice it to say, God is Good!! He has given me peace and joy and comfort through this whole walk with Him.
On Thursday, August 5th, 8:30 AM, I go to court to become a single woman and change my name back to Acton.
Taking a deep breath, just how many changes can one human being endure in a year? As many as God allows to happen in your life and He will see you through each one and bless you along the way in ways you never would have imagined.
I just turned 64 on July 17 and my best girl friend, a dear friend in Topeka, wrote in her birthday card “Maybe you could aim for a few less life changes during the next 12 months.”
That is my goal for this coming year. But this I know, no matter what the next hour brings and no matter how many changes, God is Good, God is Faithful.
I’m so thankful that I know our Father and Lord. I’m so thankful for my relationship with Him. He takes good care of his children and I’m so thankful to be one of those children, by His Grace and I thank you Jesus.
I’m so grateful God brought you to us. I trust that He will continue His faithful ways to you and through you to others.