Transformation 2014

Wow, the conclusion of a very challenging year and the inception of a brand new one. Charles Dickens wrote, "The Best of Times & The Worst of Times." 2013, you like me may of experienced some of your most challenging times and some of your most exhilarating wins. Upon the passing of my Mother to begin the 2013 year, I wondered was the year really going to be a great year. Two funeral services for her; one in CA and the other in NY. Both were extremely difficult and I wondered is this year really going to be my best year ever? I don't know what 2013 was for you, but in talking to hundreds of people, the year had some very difficult days with a few wins sprinkled along the way.

Now, we have a clean slate. 365 blank pages to write our story on. Transformation is a marked change to the character of Jesus Christ. Greater & higher heights in every area of our lives. But how do we do that? We said that in 2012, we said it in 2013 and we had major losses and tremendous setbacks. So now it's 2014 and we have to determine what are we going to put in place, what changes are we going to make, what new strategies are we going to implement to make 2014 the year to remember? Are we going to be able to maintain our enthusiasm, our level of excitement for the next week, month or 3 months? I mean my gym was jam packed today! It was the 1st of a new year, I'm very interested to see the activity in 3 months.

But you; like me, can implement a strategy I learned from the 1st chapter of Daniel. Here this King is, this extreme ruler who pretty much rules the world. He invades and conquers and then takes the best & brightest of the population. Smart right? You bet it is. If you want to expand your empire and extend your legacy, you raise up young talent. So, he takes this young talent and begins to shape them to his way of living, his way of culture, his way of language and his way of imagination. However, Daniel draws 3 lines: the line of resistance by training his appetite, his line of dependency by trusting in God to supply and strengthen, and his line of confidence.

Daniel trains his hunger and refuses the king's food. This taught me, get a hold of your appetite!  Those things that bring you pleasure can also bring you pain. Draw the line of resistance and keep your pleasures in check. We live in a modern day Babylon. Attraction is everywhere, if you allow the line to be blurred you may be in for a long 2014. Take a leap this 1st week and draw the line of resistance. Get set for a great 2014 and look for more as we draw the line of dependency.