Friday, May 25, 2012
"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Transformation
Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: transformation
What does the word transformation mean?
Do you think having a transformation is different than making a change? How?
What is the biggest transformation you've ever gone through?
Let me know what you think!!
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
10 comments:
"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!
(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Transformation, let's see. Is that different than change? Change can occur without transformation but transformation cannot occur without change. Change consists of all the same elements but some different combination of appearance, action, or function. Transformation is element becoming something totally different in basic nature. If I buy a beautiful cross necklace and wear it, I have changed my appearance. If I confess my sin, repent and give my life to Jesus Christ, He transforms my whole nature into His nature.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good exercise in thinking, thanks so much and God bless, Bobbi
I like to describe a transformation in terms of home restoration. When an old home is restored, the restorer brings back its original beauty and doesn't change it's form or function. He re-beautifies.
ReplyDeleteI think God restores us that way, but I don't think that's the same as when he TRANSFORMS us. A transformation is taking the old and completely recreating it in a different image. It's not just painting our walls and sanding our floors. It's knocking down walls building new ones. What a mighty God we have. He's not constrained by former design or load bearing walls. He is not only willing to lay a new foundation. He is willing to be it. Awesome, isn't he?
My two cents.
That's all I have left after my incredible adventure.
Sharon, first of all let me thank you for hosting "Fan the Flame" Fridays. I always look forward to seeing what the latest word or phrase is, and it's usually something that makes me think seriously before responding. Having said that, here goes....
ReplyDeleteTransformation to me means being formed from one state to another, like a caterpillar does when it turns into a butterfly. It eats differently, can travel further, flies instead of crawls. That is what happens when we are transformed by Christ. There is evident change.
My greatest transformation was when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and the second greatest is an ongoing process....as I am being transformed into His image day by day!
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI am very tired tonight, it has been a stressful few days. I was thinking what to say here and saw Audrey's comment, I think she has expressed what I would like to say.
Have a blessed weekend.
How is transformation different than making a change - man, what a loaded question, right?
ReplyDeleteI guess change is a matter of altering something that's already there where transformation is about scrapping the old and replacing it with something new. Where change is partial and often works from the outside in, transformation is complete and absolute and always works from the inside out. It's the difference (for example) between learning to express your thoughts in a nicer way (change) and actually becoming a nicer person (transformation).
I agree that transformation is more than change. He pulls up the old roots and plants something beautiful in it's place. It is definitely a work from the inside out. God alone can do it, but He can and He does!! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm so excited about your move, can't wait to see where!
I like what Debby said..restoration. Yep that sounds pretty good to me.
ReplyDeleteRestoring.
ReplyDeleteI think transformation is something that happens when we are born again. It isn't something that happens over night. I think it is a process that continues all our lives.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
I just love my "flame-fanners"!!
ReplyDeleteHere's my input, better late than never:
What does the word transformation mean?
I think it means a fundamental change - a change in the basic make-up of person or thing. It means that afterwards, that person or thing looks or acts completely different - they/it become something completely new.
Do you think having a transformation is different than making a change? How?
Yes, I do. Speaking as a believer, I think we can make changes in our lives. We do it all the time. We can make small changes like the color of our hair, or house paint, etc. We can even make big changes - like a certain move up the mountain, or a job change. But the work of transformation is a supernatural work - wrought by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are participants in this transformation (after salvation) by yielding our will to His work.
What is the biggest transformation you've ever gone through?
Other than my salvation, there is one HUGE transformation that I totally give credit to God's hand in my life. And that is getting out of a wrong relationship, and returning to a devoted and obedient relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit, I was convicted and repented - and God worked a transformation in my heart that healed my sin, and restored me to a faithful walk with Him.
GLORY!
I am reminded of these two Scriptures:
Philippians 2:13 - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."
Romans 12:2 - "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."
GOD BLESS!