Being set free through transformation

So how do we do it?  How do we break away?  How are we transformed?  We stay close.  We abide.  We remain.  What?  That's it?!  Andy Stanley states, "The character of Christ is not manufactured by us it is produced through us and must be produced by Christ."  John 15:5 states, "I am the vine and you are the branches.  If a man remains (abides) in me and I in him he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Being transformed is not about us getting better or us being like Christ, it is about us getting close to Christ.  It is about association, not imitation.  It is about being with Christ.  It's about keeping it relational and not religious.

Break Away!

Removing the generational curses is about breaking away from those habits and tendencies (patterns) that keep us from reaching our God given potential.    When I think of a person who is transformed, I think of a person who is able to "bring it" every day consistently.  I think of a person with strong character.

The thought of removing generational curses

motivates me to make progress and add to what my parents gave me.  I recently heard my mother-in-law state, "Isn't that what its all about...making it better for our kids..."   A major theme of my Father's life was giving my sister and I opportunities he never had.    In Romans 12:2, it states, "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will."  I agree with Andy Stanley when he suggested that unhealthy habits passed down from generation to generation are an example of the patterns of this world.   Recently, I have been asking myself, "how can I make it better for our children?"

"That's not a problem to solve

but a tension to manage."  I recently listened to Andy Stanley on a leadership podcast talk about this idea.   He claims a healthy dose of tension, for organizations, is ok.   He stated the usual knee jerk reaction is to work to solve the problem or resolve the tension.  He claims some tension is healthy to help hold things together.  He believes great organizations realize some tension should be managed.

...and to know His love that surpasses

knowledge.  I stated this over and over this morning while running.  Perhaps its not about knowing the way to live, but learning to love while we live.  Love trumps knowledge.  More effort should be put into loving instead of trying to understand.  I often find myself trying to improve my capacity to understand or know know than I try to improve my capacity to love.  Yet, it seems that seeing situations and people from a renewed perspective (knowledge) can make it easier to love.   Perhaps love is what allows us to see situations and people from a renewed perspective.

That was the second coyote

I saw while running.  The first sighting was much more significant and exhilarating.  It was four days after my Dad's funeral and the day I discovered my wife was pregnant.  I couldn't sleep trying to learn to deal with the passing of my Dad.  God and I were having a great moment together while running on this beautiful morning.  The sun was coming up, the clouds caused a glow that was just right.  It was about 5:30 AM and I was running southeast.   I was able to concentrate on how great God is and I felt like I could hear Him providing me clarity.  I was telling Him how I missed Dad and about the sadness I felt and then...there was the coyote.  He ran about 40 feet in front of me.  WOW!  I had never seen one before.  This was up close and personal!  Dad and I used to love to discuss the wildlife I would see while running.  That was a great day!

Had I not been willing to dress properly

I would not have gone for my run and I would have missed seeing the coyote.  I have learned that I can run in all conditions (except lighting), if I dress properly, which then enables me to be amazed by God's power demonstrated through his creation.  It reminds me to dress properly spiritually so that I don't miss God's guidance and experience His power through the day.  While running I like to envision putting on the belt of truth, the breastplate or righteousness, having my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, taking up the shield of faith, putting on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God to make sure I don't take on the day unprepared.