Transformation

This word, “transformation,” is used in a variety of ways in various disciplines. In the medical field, when my oldest daughter worked as nurse on the vascular unit at UT hospital, she would describe the amazing transformation that would occur when the surgeons would replace damages blood vessels. Patients would come in with black and blue extremities, but they would leave with pink and warm flesh, flowing with life-giving blood!

When it comes to the world of mathematics, the term “transformation” refers to one of four ways to manipulate the shape of a point, line or shape. What one starts with is named the “pre-image” and the final shape that person ends up with, along with the position where the object finally rests in the overall picture, is called a “transformation.”

All sorts of diet programs and exercise programs promise amazing transformations. Usually they are marketed by showing a “before” picture and an “after” picture. And indeed, if the pictures were not doctored or touched up in any way, there is an amazing picture of transformation.

Transformation also has a specific and powerful meaning in the area of the metaphysical. We are a culture and society enamored with physical transformation. But there is more to each one of us. We are also spirit. “Transformation” in the New Testament is about personal change that happens from the inside out.

Levi’s message, along with the teenagers’ cardboard testimonies, were all about transformation. One of my favorite New Testament passages on this theme is from Romans 12:1-4…”Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” The verb in this passage is in the passive form. It has the force of being understood and translated in the following way…

“Allow yourselves to be transformed.”

How does that happen? Paul indicates it is by the renewing of your mind. The compound word that Paul uses for “renewing” carries the idea of thorough renewal involving all parts of the mind. It would be conceived of as a thorough and integrated renewal. All parts of one’s life, and all parts of one’s thought life come under the renewal of God’s Holy Spirit.

At the core of transformation is submission of one’s heart, mind and soul to the Spirit of God. No area of life is exempt from divine scrutiny and spiritual renewal.

Let us all allow yourselves to be transformed! This is a “spiritual” act of worship. It is laying one’s mind down at the foot of the cross and picking up the mind of Christ in exchange. What a way to think! And, what a way to be transformed!

In Christian love, Curtis

Toward a Biblical Anthropology

This may sound like a strange title for a weekly church bulletin article. But it comes out of my reading, research and study of the book of Matthew.  This writer of the gospel about Jesus has many wonderful insights and perspectives on the nature of humanity as God’s creation.

                A biblical anthropology is vital if we are to understand the creature as created by the Creator. I would imagine that trying to gather up all of the biblical texts, narratives and insights from the entire Bible that teach us about the nature of humanity would be a gargantuan task! Even preparing for our small group study on Matthew was pretty enormous in and of itself! Here are some of the insights we have discovered in our study:

                Matthew begins his gospel as a record (biblos) of Jesus’ family lineage. Family history and genealogies have been important for generations. From one perspective the entire salvation-history contained within the pages of Scripture is the story of our own lineage connected to human history. We are all children of Adam and Eve.

                Fascinating that in Jesus’ family lineage there would surface some questionable characters and activities! Rahab the harlot and Tamar would not be role models for sure. One powerful lesson for each of is that our family history both makes us who are, and yet does not ultimately define who we choose to be. Many Christian counselors, pastoral counselors, and clinical therapists recognize the significance of knowing one’s family history and family system. Just look at the increasing use of genograms so that individuals can see family patterns of dysfunction with an eye toward stopping destructive cycles.

                Another great lesson is that God can use the most unlikely of people and circumstances to accomplish His will. Who would have thought that through all those generations God had his eye on a young lady named Mary who would give birth to a baby in a manger or animal stall?!

                There is more to understanding human nature than just the ability to procreate. Such procreation is an ongoing part of God’s ultimate plan through which generations raise families through whom God accomplishes his will.

                Let me end with this fascinating question: Can you discern the movement of God and His will being accomplished through your own family history?

In Christian love, Curtis

Increase our Faith!

Who among us does not believe that our depth and breadth of faith does not need increased?! But the strange thing is, I wonder if we have actually turned this request by the apostles (Luke 17:5) into our own prayer?

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’”

What shocks me even more is the context in Luke 17 in which the request occurs. Jesus had just said to his disciples that if one’s brother had sinned against them 7 times in a day, and seven times had returned to say, “I repent,” then they are to forgive him.

No wonder the apostles then responded, “Increase our faith.”

This immediate request revolves around several issues. I think the apostles realized how hard it would be to forgive someone who had sinned against them seven times in one day. They also realized how much faith it would take to do that, and that they obviously did not possess that kind of faith.

What does it mean to ask Jesus to add or increase our faith? I think it means at least the following:

1.       Asking Jesus to give us the strength of faith and the resolve of Christian character to forgive others beyond the human tendency to want to stop.

2.       Realizing with Jesus’ metaphor of the mustard seed that the latent power within faith is as astounding as saying to a mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and go dive into the sea,” and watching it happen!

3.       Praying this simple prayer “Increase our faith” and simply believing that God, Jesus and the Spirit are actually capable of doing that!

4.       Finally realizing that it takes “increased faith” in order to forgive others when they have wronged us because we know that our relationship with the brother or sister is more important than the sin!

When I read this episode in Jesus’ ministry, my head spins with incredulity! How far I am from this kind of faith! How much I need Jesus’ help to even think about getting there! And, how significant my willingness to forgive is related to God’s central concern about his children!

Lord, increase our faith!

In Christian love, Curtis

“MISSIONAL LIVING--MY STORY OF REDEMPTION AS RESPONSE TO GOD'S PURPOSES”

Earl Lavender Coming!

We have an exciting opportunity coming our way the weekend of March 10 and 11. Earl Lavender from Lipscomb University will be coming to Highland View and sharing lessons with the following theme:

During this weekend will have an exciting opportunity to explore the story of our own lives as the context in which God’s  purposes have been and will continue to unfold. He is going to speak on Saturday evening which is the monthly Christian Youth Fellowship. Levi will be working with Earl to bring all of the logistics together.On Sunday Earl will be speaking and guiding discussion four times. The entire weekend schedule is below:

Saturday, March 10

7:00 p.m. "God Story Makes Sense of my Story"=CYF

Sunday, March 11

9:30 a.m. Combined Class--"Redemptive Response: Living in God's Rythm of Life"

10:30 a.m. Sermon--"The Good News: A Flourishing Life!"

Lunch: “ Learning My song of Creation”

1:00 p.m. “Where do We Go From Here?”

The afternoon sessions will be interactive, lively, sharing stories and discussions around the dinner table! We will be encouraging everyone to bring their favorite family recipe for the potluck, along with  the family story that goes with the recipe! Look for more details later. And, pass the word along!

In Christian love, Curtis