Transformed

Christy Wimber

Description

The transformation of our souls is a journey that begins with a surrendered will. Yielding to the transforming power of God is not a destination we reach, but a daily "yes" to the journey - this is how our mind is renewed. It is in this place that He defines us, refines us, and reminds us what we are here for. Our destiny - being loved and created by God - always precedes our calling. Calling can change throughout the years but God's love for us will never change. When we understand this and it transforms our identity, then we understand the Gospel. That is when we are transformed and that is how we walk in power.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Lion Hudson
• Date de parution: 21 avril 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780857218131
• Langue: English

Extrait

Transformation doesn t happen to casual believers. It is the work of His Spirit in those who partner with Him as surrendered disciples. These disciples are in fact worshippers who have nothing hidden. With simplicity and integrity, Christy Wimber offers beautiful insights on trust and surrender as the key aspects of how the Father brings transformation to our lives. Christy has written with a vulnerability that will put you in touch with your own deepest desire to be profoundly changed by Jesus. This leads to an identity rooted in the love of a good Father. I highly recommend Transformed as a book that will bring hope and healing for those who find themselves with a desperate yearning for deep and lasting change.
Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, Redding, CA, author of When Heaven Invades Earth and Essential Guide to Healing
We at HTB owe so much to John Wimber, whose teaching had a hugely significant impact on our church. Christy Wimber draws much from her father-in-law s teaching as she leads the Vineyard Church at Yorba Linda. I am delighted to hear of her book Transformed and am sure that many people will be drawn to closer relationship with Jesus through reading it.
Nicky Gumbel, founder of Alpha
Few leaders in today s western church have the length and breadth of experience in the charismatic movement that Christy Wimber has. In her new book Transformed, Christy brings a prophet s challenge, a pastor s care and a teacher s instruction to keep the church in step with the Spirit.
Simon Ponsonby, St Aldates Oxford
Christy tells the truth. And much like Jesus, she tells it kindly. This book can awaken us to the possibilities of transformation - the struggle and fun, the sweat and grace! And it is written by a women who embodies its content. Read this book if you want to go deeper in your journey with Jesus.
Danielle Strickland, Salvation Army
The more things change the more they stay the same. In an ever changing world we need to be reminded of the simple clear truths that have held the church steady for centuries. Christy challenges us to steady ourselves in his hope and grace, a much needed encouragement.
Jay Pathak, Founding pastor of the Mile High Vineyard
I loved this book! It s accessible and hard hitting, but full of grace. It s thought provoking, yet practical. Most of all, it s so refreshingly honest about what following Jesus actually looks like. Transformed is packed with wisdom and insights on how to pursue a deeper spirituality where every part of our life is invested in the pursuit of Jesus and the cause of his kingdom.
Pete Hughes, KXC, London
The last couple of decades have seen a remarkable cultural shift on an unprecedented global scale. The C hurch, and hence the face of liturgy and the expression of worship, has not gone unchallenged; unchanged; nor unscathed by these seismic shifts. My dear friend; colleague; boss at times; and co-laborer in the Vineyard Movement of churches Christy Wimber, has a unique vantage point in these times, not only able to give an accurate assessment of where we ve been, but some pretty great insight into that which we need to celebrate and glean from this season, and that which we need to be wary of and even leave behind as we navigate the future of our understanding and expression of worship. Give it a read. Good stuff.
David Ruis, worship leader and National Director of Vineyard churches, Canada

Text copyright 2017 Christy Wimber
This edition copyright 2017 Lion Hudson
The right of Christy Wimber to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by Monarch Books
an imprint of
Lion Hudson plc
Wilkinson House, Jordan Hill Road,
Oxford OX2 8DR, England
Email: [e-mail]
www.lionhudson.com/monarch
ISBN 978 0 85721 812 4
e-ISBN 978 0 85721 813 1
First edition 2017
Acknowledgments
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. Extracts from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown s patentee, Cambridge University Press. Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked VOICE taken from The Voice . Copyright 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ICB are taken from The Holy Bible, International Children s Bible Copyright 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson , a division of Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Scripture quotations marked Passion Translation are taken from The Passion Translation copyright 2016. Used by permission of BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC, Racine, Wisconsin, USA. All rights reserved.thePassionTranslation.com
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Cover image Tony Quan/EyeEm/Getty
For my kids: Camie Rose Wimber Johnson, and John Richard Wimber II.
I love you.
Thank you for your patience with me as I have had to learn what it means to grow up. Thank you for keeping your sense of humor, especially when it comes to the ministry. Thank you for making me laugh at myself and reminding me not to take things to seriously. Thank you for the countless hours you spent in airplanes, airports, conferences, churches, or just waiting for mommy to be done with work so you could go home. Most people have no idea the price kids pay for a parent to be in ministry, but I do because I have watched you live it. You are a constant reminder of Gods mercy to me.
Thank you for loving me, and letting me love you, and for always telling me the truth. I wouldn t be who I am today without the two of you, as you have made me look at myself in ways I wouldn t have otherwise. I am beyond grateful that out of all the mommys in the world God allowed me to be yours.
I love you more than life.
Isaiah 59:21
Contents
CHAPTER 1
Sacrifice, sweat, and suffering
CHAPTER 2
What Jesus did I say yes to?
CHAPTER 3
From mercy
CHAPTER 4
Never take your worship hat off!
CHAPTER 5
Transformed - a journey not a destination
CHAPTER 6
Project Renovation: renewing the mind
CHAPTER 7
Identity: who do you think you are?
CHAPTER 8
What is grace in the twenty-first century?
CHAPTER 9
Calling: finding God s will for your life
Prayer of St. Brendan
Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with You.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust You
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in Your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,
and somehow, make my obedience count for You.
Amen.
CHAPTER 1

Sacrifice, sweat, and suffering
The idea that successful media status, fame, money, or visibility will fix our lives and ministries is just an illusion. None of those things make us fruitful, they just reveal whether we have any lasting fruit to begin with.
I WAS WATCHING A CLIP of a well-known movie star, and the interviewer was talking about how great things must be for her; how many people must drool over her amazing life, her fame, and her money. As the interview continued, I noticed the face of the actress changing as the ridiculous questions went on. It was clear that the more her lifestyle was idolized, the more agitated she became, her smile fading to an angry smirk. As she listened to the idealistic interviewer, her response was sharp: You know, it is an illusion to think that just because someone has money, fame, or whatever they wish they had, that it is a picture of their life in which all is good. Just because you get something, or you know someone, doesn t mean s***. It s all an illusion.
I burst out laughing because of her honesty. But sadly, her statement revealed much truth about today s culture. This idolization of the outward appearance of people s lives has become a powerful illusion. This interview reminded me of what I often see in traveling and teaching around the world. The illusion and celebrity mindset is not just a world mentality; it has slowly crept its way into the church. The focus to become a teacher, pastor, worship leader, or itinerate minister - for the visibility and fame - has become too important. Serving in the local church, just to serve God, has in many ways lost its appeal. It seems as if bigger is better, and having more, or at least looking like you have more, proves that you re successful and living the American Dream!
Social media can create the illusion that everything is bigger or better than it actually is. These posts encourage the false beliefs that all is well, that no one truly struggles, and everyone has it better than us. These are messages that we re constantly being fed through the media. Whether we realize it or not, this