WHY ARE WE HERE?
Lives Transforming…that is exactly why we exist: we are a motley crew of Christ followers learning how to continually be transformed into His image. Transformation comes when we renew our minds by focusing on God's Truth. We ask questions like “So What?” “How?” and sometimes even "Why?"
We started asking these questions with great intensity when lives of Christian friends seemed to be falling apart all around us: husbands committing adultery, moms burying invisible depression with pills, wives suppressing anger until it finally exploded, men hiding resentment of controlling wives, college graduates hiding secret images, employees taking tranquilizers to handle the stress of pleasing bosses, pastors being rejected and abandoned by their churches, families in financial distress and believe it or not, many, many more.
Millions of Christian men and women go to church every Sunday, most pray daily and many read their bible every week. They work hard, re-commit, and then try even harder. And then wake up not understanding why they are soaked in sweat from anxiety, angry with their spouse, frustrated with their children and looking for relief. But nowhere in scripture are we promised that going to church, praying or reading the Bible transforms lives. In fact Jesus said, “if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.” (Luke 6:49Luke 6:49
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that built a house upon the earth without a foundation; against which the stream brake, and straightway it fell in; and the ruin of that house was great.
WP-Bible plugin – The Message). Of course there is nothing wrong with going to church. Nothing wrong with reading the Bible. But – if you don’t know how to work God’s Truth into your life, you can expect your house to come crashing down like a house of cards. So HOW do you work Truth into your life? Simple – but not easy: by changing the way you think. "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2Romans 12:2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
WP-Bible plugin – New Living Translation).
Here's how it happened with me: God was transforming me with the Truth I was never taught in Sunday school class even though it was right there between Genesis and Revelation. Truth from scripture started coming alive, and sometimes the Truth seemed ridiculous. Truth like "challenges are gifts" (James 1:2-3James 1:2-3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;
3 Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.
WP-Bible plugin - The Message): I grew up thinking God was punishing me when life got tough. Truth like “I no longer need to try to impress God” (Galatians 2:19-21Galatians 2:19-21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
19 For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
21 I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.
WP-Bible plugin – The Message): I always thought I needed to impress God or else. Truth like “it doesn’t matter if others approve of me” (Luke 6:26Luke 6:26
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
26 Woe [unto you], when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
WP-Bible plugin – The Message): I was taught if everyone liked me, God could "use" me more. Truth like “if other people need corrected…God can handle that without my help” (Romans 14:2-4Romans 14:2-4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
2 One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.
WP-Bible plugin - The Message): I was taught that it was my job to hold people accountable. (See My Story)
So as God’s Truth started to be released from the Spirit of Christ in us and resonate in our minds, our lives began to transform. Anxiety and depression medicine was decreased and eventually thrown out. Marriages started to reconcile. Anger started to subside. Divorced men and women became civil. Worry dissipated and frustration subsided. Lives all around us, hundreds of lives all around were transforming. And we are inviting you to join us and discover Truth.
Here’s my personal commitment: You will be challenged. You will be moved. You will be loved. And you will have the Truth of scripture throughout our Transforming family of sites. We may not always agree, but you won’t get personal opinions without biblical support. You won’t get judged by us, just a steady dose of Truth. Lives Transforming is a safe place to take a deep breath, look around and discover Truth. You will learn to discern lies, apply Truth, and connect with other travelers on the journey. You will be encouraged, immersed into the stories of others, and possibly inspired to contribute.
Our site has been created to allow you to submit articles and content and share what God is doing in your life. So register, email us, or call us and participate! Our contact information and phone numbers are accessible to anyone who’s interested in Lives Transforming!
