TRANSFORMING
THURSDAY
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In 1985, I was part of the faith journey involved with a heart transplant. My brother-in-law, who had been strong and healthy, had a virus attack his heart. Transplantation was new. The choice was clear. Heart transplant or death. He prayed. We prayed. We all prayed for wisdom, asking God that His will be done!
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My Uncle John would hear the same words. Choices! Prayer! Both men went through much to receive their new hearts. Someone had to die so another could live! Now, 24 years later, my sister's husband lives a transformed life. He thrives. My uncle has since passed on.
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In December of last year, when Steve's niece Vanessa informed us that a family from their church in Virginia would be coming to CHOP (Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia) to wait for a heart for their almost 3 year old daughter... well... I knew God was calling me to be there for them. For me, it has been a rich journey of faith to become friends of Tim and Cristi Schwamb and their children these last 8 months. Lauren received her heart transplant on Tuesday morning of this week! She is doing well. Her body is accepting it's new heart! Life... healing... transformation are apparent! If her body continues to accept this new heart, Lauren will get stronger over the next days, weeks, and months. Her energy levels and lifestyle will begin to transform! We praise You God for Your grace and mercy in this life changing situation with Lauren! GIGATTAATTGIG!
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Transplant? v., -plant·ed, -plant·ing, -plants
- To uproot and replant a living thing. (A new heart was uprooted and replanted in Lauren).
- To transfer from one place or residence to another; resettle or relocate. (A living and active heart has relocated to a new residence inside Lauren).
- Medicine. To transfer (tissue or an organ) from one body or body part to another. (A new organ, a living and active heart, has been given from one to another).
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Transform? v., -formed, -form·ing, -forms
- To change markedly the appearance or form (Much of Lauren's old heart was not working; in my brother-in-law's case, they said his old heart literally fell apart when they took it out of his body).
- To change the nature, function, or condition of; convert. (The nature of a new heart leads to a huge improvement in the quality of life... As the body begins to accept the new heart, the person eventually feels that conversion from death to life).
- Mathematics. To subject to a transformation.
- Electricity. To subject to the action of a transformer.
- Genetics. To subject (a cell) to transformation.
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As Lauren's family learned more about what must be done to save Lauren, we can learn much from their diligence, steadfastness, perseverance, endurance, and trust over the last 3 and a half years. They wanted their daughter to live a full life! They prayed for wisdom, decision making, the right doctors... They immersed themselves in understanding how to help their daughter to live.
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As you join me in celebrating with the Schwamb family, please make this huge connection. When a physical heart is not doing what it was meant to do, it eventually leads to the death of the person. The story of the spiritual heart is the same.
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This week, I have heard over and over again from many of you how rich our summer study has been. Our Tuesday ladies group read in our books last week about A WOMAN OF WISDOM. Several have asked not to go on but continue this discussion - it's transformational! As you look at my posts on Sunday through Wednesday of this week, you will get a glimpse of what I mean. Once we each get a new spiritual heart and begin to give it the nutrition that it needs... we are alive... active... transformed... Let's end today with a few scriptures telling the story....
- Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
- Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned —
- Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Psalm 51:10-13 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is for you and your children...
- Hebrews 4:14-16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God... ...16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."
- 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
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It's a spiritual concept we each need to wrap our arms around: Heart Transplant or Death! Which do you choose? I chose Heart Transplant with ongoing Transformation!!!
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