March 5
We eventually all get transformed. In Star Trek, they went to the "transformer room" to get beamed up to somewhere else. When I am done on this earth I will get "beamed up" to another location my own self.

I don't think that's the goal. I don't want to wait until then to become what I ought to be or should be. I want to be transformed here - while I am "working out my own salvation with fear and trembling".

Why do I want it while I am still here? So I can gloat about how great I have become? To make others aware of my "coolness"? What is my real motivation to want or think I deserve something better? Am I seeking some kind of peace regarding the messes of my past?

I want to "want to" be transformed so I can follow God's call and fulfil His purpose in and for me. I have to analyze my motives to see if there is something less than that at my core and by itself keeping me from my goal. His calling has to be my main mission.
The main thing is for the main thing to become the main thing.

March 6
Yeah, I know - transporter room - transformer room didn't quite sound right. But, the idea is the same. We have to go through a re-formation in order to get where we are going.

I watched TransAmerica with Paula recently. Not for kids or new Christians - too many questions, I think. Paula wanted to see it for her counseling practice and wanted me to see it with her.

As I watched, I couldn't help but think of the comparisons. "Transgendered" man looking to become the woman he always longed to be on a trans-country trip with the son he didn't know he had and who didn't know was his dad. There was radical change here - one that would forever change his sense of himself and his world.

I am looking for a transformation that completes the journey I am on to become a partaker of the Divine. That ultimate change won't happen until I leave this body and my soul takes flight to whatever waits for me on the other side. Until then, I am in the process of being transformed by renewing my mind.

My mind must make itself ready for that ultimate change. In this case, not a change to be what God never intended, but, instead, a process of learning how to be, so I can become the person God had in mind. A fully realized human as Adam was originally created to be. In communion with the God whose image is my destiny. That's real transformation.

March 7
I saw another show tonight about transformation. What a difference! This one was called "Miracle Workers" and took disabled people and gave them the latest in medical "miracles" to restore their lives.
What if God could do that in my life? Well, He did. He forgave my sins and sent His Holy Spirit to work in me.

The people in the show still had to take the medical "miracle" and live in such a way that it could be of best use for them.

I am called to accept God's spiritual miracle and live in such a way that it might be of true use for me and others and God.

This is where I am. Saved, the biggest change a miracle for sure; yet called to work with God to finish what He has begun in me.
Called to be transformed by renewing my mind - the working out of the miracle of salvation.

March 8
II Corinthians 3 talks about how, when we give ourselves to Jesus, God takes away the covering that keeps us from seeing Him clearly.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's Glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

When Moses went to the mountain to get the Commandments from God, he would return with a glow of God's Spirit on his face. Then he would cover his face so that the people would not see God's glory fade.

With God's Holy Spirit in our hearts at our invitation, we find we are filled with His glory. We begin to glow with that glory so others can see something about us that is not us. What an opportunity is ours to truly find a radiance that arises from our transformed souls and shines to a world in need of any light.

"Transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory" - that is our call this year, our expectation, our hope and assurance.

March 9
I find I change the quickest when traumatic events occur. The most dramatic change in my life came as a result of a very public exposure of a personal weakness. There were some habits that changed overnight and have not been even a temptation since.

But that change is specific and difficult. I am not eager to have to go through that difficulty again. I also want a more generic change - one that impacts the core of who I am.

I want to see myself clearly in those areas where I have thinking errors. They come from childhood, from early and incorrect processing of ideas and events. It is a shock when I learn that what I had thought all of my life is different than reality. I have been so sure that what I have processed is correct and what I think to be true is true.

Transformation requires opening up to the possibility of change - of relearning attitudes, concepts and ideas. Of recognizing that God's grace is balanced by His justice, my call to be perfect is trumped by His joy as my Father, my ideas of pleasure overwhelmed by His gifts of fulfillment.

So much to unlearn, relearn and understand. Such a mirage to cut through to see clearly the real oasis available through His All-Sufficiency.

March 10
Transformed does not mean covered over. It is snowing outside tonight and I am reminded of the argument that Jesus' blood covers our sins like snow covers a pile of manure.

A wise saint once said that the truth is that instead of covering our sin and leaving it there in a pile underneath, Jesus takes our life - earth and manure - and tills it all together so that the end result is an even more fertile soil.

To be transformed is to be tilled together so that what has gone before has had the poisons removed and the remaining waste is worked into what we were and the result is even more useful to Him.

My renewed mind is not erased regarding the sins and consequences of my past, but instead, in God's mercy and grace, transformed to a wiser, life-experienced guide for others who wish to avoid my pain.
Only God could take my mess and plant something valuable to Him. Something that in it's very growing alters the chemistry of my soil - bringing glory to His Name.

March 11
I am to be transformed by renewing my mind. Mind-numbingly thinking about the same concept for a month at a time. Day after day. There are times it seems overwhelming to think about something new or fresh regarding the concept.

Yet, transformation is done best in increments. Weight loss, muscle building, knowledge learned, relationships built, are all done best piece by piece. The Bible says precept on precept we come to the knowledge of God's will and plan for our lives.

So, daily, consistently I think and write about transformation. Knowing that in so doing I am accomplishing what I write.

Truthfully, there is so much that will be left unsaid when this month is over. I am just beginning to understand the depths of change. My ability to be vulnerable, my awareness of my dysfunctions, my openness to what is able to be transformed, all are deep beneath defensive positions years in the building.

As I give each day time to contemplate change, change is brought closer to the surface - more likely to be accomplished.

March 12
By God's mercy I am to become a living sacrifice as my reasonable service in order to be transformed in my mind and not conformed to the culture of this world.

Only by God's mercy can I find that place of sacrifice. Only in that place of sacrifice can I find transformation in the renewal of my minds. Only a renewed mind can discern the pattern of this world.

Not a paranoid isolationism from anything that is in the world, but a mature understanding of where to avoid the world and where to impact my world.

Once I begin to connect with my transformed, renewed mind, I develop a clear understanding of what God's will is - His good, acceptable and perfect will.

Then I can enjoy living as God intended. Not a life of uncertainty regarding His will, but a life of Godly confidence in His leading and direction.

I will not find perfection in this, but there are times of great assurance. I feel it already beginning and am looking forward to more.