I love to teach the Word of God! One-on-one or in a group, my greatest joy is to help others to see that God's Word is precious, powerful and practical to transform everyday, sometimes messy, often complicated, lives into overcoming, victorious and fruitful ones! This message, above all others, is one I feel certain God has called me to share. And, it all began with a simple prayer.

While basking in the sun, sipping a cold glass of ice tea, I kept a watchful eye over my children who splashed and swam in the nearby pool. My Bible lay open beside me, where, after checking on my kids, I read Colossians 3 about our new life in Christ. I stopped when I came to verses nine and ten. "...since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

I read the end of the passage again, "Being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. "Lord," I prayed, "how does someone do that?" My prayer was not uncommon. But, what happened next was. Beside me, on the cool decking, I suddenly saw a cocoon. (No joke!) I watched, in reverent silence, as a beautiful monarch butterfly slowly struggled out of its chrysalis. Then, bemused, I burst out laughing as I watched the butterfly WALK away from me across the gray-flagstone tiles.

"Why," I spoke out loud, "would a butterfly walk when it can fly?" Then, the vision vanished. Instantly, I heard the Lord's clear answer, "This is how My women are! They are beautiful new creations, but they don't fly, because they don't change their thinking." (Hey guys, this message is for you too.)

I read the passage once more, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. It was true! In my own life, I had experienced God's transforming power when I learned to change my thinking. With the Lord's help, I had overcome fear, anger and a propensity to run away, just to name a few. But, to be honest, there were still areas of my life where I could be "kicked about" and "stepped on" like an old caterpillar, because I didn't fully understand and embrace the new truths and freedoms that were mine as a beautiful new creation in Christ.

The vision I saw and the message I heard on that warm, sunny day birthed a passion that has grown in my heart. I have discovered the Bible is full of passages about our mind and what we think about. I love to share with others how to be renewed in knowledge and how to change their thinking. It can make all the difference between a life that is lived on the ground or one that takes flight.

For the next few weeks, right here on my blog, you are invited to follow the lessons I teach each week at a new Bible Study. My prayer is that you will come to a deeper understanding of all the promises and truths that are yours as a follower of Jesus. I pray, more than ever before, you will be empowered to live in all the freedom, fullness and fruitfulness that God intends for your life. And, I pray you will soar to new heights as your knowledge is renewed, and you embrace the identity that you possess as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.