To begin with, I have changed the name of this blog ... yet AGAIN! It used to refer to my being a 60-something grandma. Then it was Carousel Ministries. But it now reflects what I know God is calling me to do in my life as I look to the future.
Over the last 20 years or so, I've felt that God has been calling me to use my speaking abilities to glorify him. I tried to do that a long time ago, but I think pride got in the way and He closed the door to opportunities to speak. Recently, I've felt that He has opened that door again, so I moved forward into creating a ministry called Carousel Ministries.
Recently, I was working in Mt. Pleasant, MI, when I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me in a way I'd never experienced before. He asked me whose ministry it was that I was seeking to establish. I replied, "Yours, Lord." Then He asked me what carousels had to do with that! Well, that was a whack up side of the head for me! Yes, Leslie, get the focus off yourself and onto your Savior!
I have an accountability team to pray for me and to encourage me in this journey. I immediately asked them to pray about renaming the ministry. As they did, I started jotting down ideas and then searched the internet to see if these names were already taken. God led me to call this ministry Transforming Faith Ministries. Let me tell you why.
Last year, as I was seeking to draw closer to the Lord, I asked Him to give me a word for the year ... a word to focus on and to meditate on. He gave me the word "transform" and led me to Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." (HCSB) It was marvelous to see how often God caused me to see that word in my everyday life. I did not have to be focusing on it and on how God wanted to transform me, but it gently encouraged me day-in and day-out.
As 2016 drew to a close, I began thinking about what word God would lead me to for 2017. He very clearly pointed out to me that I should pursue a greater understanding and practice of FAITH! I began to study faith, especially as directed by God in Hebrews, chapter 11, the Faith Chapter. It seems that hardly a day goes by that that word doesn't impact my daily walk in this world.
So, as I brainstormed on a name for this ministry, God led me to put those two words together: Transforming Faith. "Yes, that's it, Lord! That's just right!" That is what I long to share with others. I want them to see how faith in Christ can transform lives. I want them to see that it's not just a one-time thing, but a daily change ... a daily transformation. I have experienced it and it's exhilarating. I want others to have that same feeling.
Stay tuned for more information as I continue working on my website (www.transformingfaithministries.com) and demo video, focus on several speaking topics, and start reaching out to churches and other faith-based organizations to bring them whatever Christ has given me to share. I am over-the-moon excited! I hope you are feeling a bit of that excitement along with me.
Until next time,
Leslie Anne
