Lucinda
Secrest McDowell
Encouraging Words that Transform!
"...changed from the inside out." Romans 12.2 MSG
Why I Do What I Do
Lucinda
Secrest McDowell
Encouraging Words that Transform!
"...changed from the inside out." Romans 12.2 MSG
Why I Do What I Do
Do
you desire a change in your life? Of course you do. All of us have
areas we'd love to see changed, while at the same time fearing the
uncertainty that change brings. Grateful for the unique gifts God has
given, I enjoy the privilege of offering "Encouraging Words that
Transform" through my writing and speaking.
God's
Word is full of encouraging words that, if taken to heart, have the
power to transform - change us from the inside out. C.S. Lewis, in
his book Mere Christianity, points out that new life doesn't
just make us better (i.e. teaching a horse to jump higher and higher)
but it actually transforms us into an entirely different creation
(i.e. turning a horse into a winged creature). As I share stories and
teaching centered around grace, hope, love, trust, wisdom, faith,
surrender, obedience, light and relationships, I see that God --
through the power of the Holy Spirit -- brings about this kind of
lasting, internal change for all who are willing.
For
some it will be the initial dramatic turn from living on the fringes
of a religion that doesn't fully satisfy, to experiencing a
relationship with the Living God through Jesus Christ. For those
already on their faith journey, it might mean moving from a life of
striving to earn God's favor to one of resting secure in His love and
grace. Or perhaps embracing the paradox that the treasure of true
freedom is found by deliberately leaving other "treasures" behind.
Some desperately need to be transformed from being consumed by the
broken pieces of their lives to getting a fresh vision for the new
multi-colored and many-shaped mosaic God is crafting from those
pieces when they are offered back to Him. And all too many of us
simply need to leave a point of status quo and make a vibrant and
proactive pursuit to become all God created us to be!
There
are many opportunities to grow and change --- to be transformed ---
and we are at various places on the path, just as one creature may at
any given time be plodding as a caterpillar, cocooned in darkness, or
flying freely as a butterfly. Because I've experienced firsthand all
these stages, I find myself responding: "Break open Your words.
Let the light shine out. Let ordinary people see the meaning."
(Psalm 119.120 MSG) In the process, sometimes my words emerge
hilariously funny and sometimes heartbreakingly poignant, but I'm
convinced that living authentically is the only path. If you believe
your readers or your event participants would welcome the opportunity
to be challenged and cheered in this way, I'd love to hear from you.
"My mission is to glorify
God and live in His grace and freedom, and through 
the power of the Holy Spirit, to use my gifts to communicate God's faithfulness,
extend His grace, and encourage others to trust Him fully." L.S.M. 1993
Lucinda Secrest McDowell (860) 257-WORD cindy@encouragingwords.net
