Man Transformed--An Introduction

So why call this blog "Man Transformed"?

I've always heard that a leopard will never change it's spots, and you "can't teach an old dog new tricks." And I work with people all the time who acknowledge that they need to change. Some of us need to learn to work harder, some us need to lose weight, or stop an addiction. For some of us it's life and death issues like choosing to forgive, or identifying how selfish our anger is.

So I figured that people (and men in particular) need to understand that change is not only possible, it's necessary (required, commanded). Many of my posts will be about obeying the principles of Scripture--and I am going to try to frame those principles in stories and inspiration. But make no mistake: death brings change; and change brings life. I'll keep coming back to that concept as we go.

For today, I am planting the seed. You are not a leopard or an old dog; neither am I. We must change. Some men (in particular) move through life thinking and often saying, "that's just the way I am." And our wives and our children suffer through our pride. Some of them live a death in this world at the whims of their unchanging men.

It's not that you can't change (or shouldn't). The truth is, "I won't change." Say that out loud with me! When I use any excuse to remain the same as I've always been what I am really saying is "I will not change. I like the misery and selfishness that I live with more than the humility and hard work that a change would produce. I am afraid I won't know how, or I'll fail (again). So why try?"

It would be better to die right now (literally) than to go through life as you and I are without changing for the next 20, 40 or 60 years. Think about that. But, it would be better still to choose to change today.

Stop saying (as I have said, and still often find myself saying), "I can't change." At least be honest. If you will not change, say, "I refuse to change. I refuse to see the needs of others around me. I ultimately refuse to obey God. I will not change."

This will be the key concept around which this blog is organized. I must change. I must be a changed son, changed dad, changed worker, changed husband, changed man.

You and I are called to be a man transformed.