X-Changing Life Magazine (Spring 2013)

FEATURING: † † † †

Testimonies of Exchanged Lives Living Tribute to Charles R. Solomon Writings From the Great Exchanged Biblical Worldview News X-Changing Life Magazine

Steve and IOM: Thank you for your recent e-mail and for your ministry.

We have crossed professional paths over the years while my folks and I were at Lifetime Guarantee Ministries--Bill, Anabel, and Preston Gillham.

I have written a novel about the flesh, the battle between flesh and spirit, the patterns of change, etc. It is called, "“No Mercy." I would very much like to send you a copy to review, and provided you can endorse how I have written about the struggle and victory, I would be delighted if IOM & IFEL would utilize the ministry of this book in your outreach.

If this is appealing to you, please let me know. I'll get a copy of the book out to you right away.

Thank you for choosing to sponsor my book.

-Preston Gillham

No Mercy is a sweeping adventure of life, love, trust, and desire—an odyssey asserting that real life is more than meets the eye.

Hank Henderson thought he was going on vacation to Montana, but his brother had something else in mind. Hank’s life soon dangles on the precipice of disaster.

Disoriented. Injured. His resources depleted. Hank is caught between powerful forces. One is dark, aggressive, and powerful. The other, of questionable integrity, appears Hank’s only option for freedom.

From his placid fishing of Malden Creek into a dungeon of doubledealing, Hank crosses swollen rivers, scales blizzard strewn heights, and discovers more than he bargained for in an unlikely ally.

His hope dependent upon a hesitant trust, Hank gambles to emerge from No Mercy a transformed person.

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Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

The X-CHANGING LIFE Is a mini-mag newsletter provided by IOM AMERICA to assist in uniting Exchanged Life workers throughout the world with the message of the Cross-”Not I, but Christ.”

Volume 13, Number 1, Spring 2013

___________________________________ PRODUCTION TEAM Dr. Stephen Phinney: [Senior Editor, KS ] Kathy Hill: [Managing Editor, CO] Jessica Phinney: [Production Assistant, KS] Elizabeth Jones: [Associate Editor, CO ] Jane Phinney: [Associate Editor, KS] Shannon Bartlett [Executive Reader, KS] Keith Holloway: [Executive Reader, CA] Ken Weas [Advising Reader, FL] John Lynch: [Advising Reader, AZ] Brad Ghaster: [Advising Reader, AZ] Rob Cornelius: [Advising Reader, FL] Wendell Smock: [Advising Reader, AZ] JJ Bukowski: [Advising Reader, AZ] Jeff Brugman: [Advising Reader, AZ] Sky Parker: [Advising Reader, AZ] Rick Kratz, CPA: [Advising Reader, AZ] James Bootsma: [Advising Reader, IA] Online readers: Meet Our Workers Send questions/comments to: IOM AMERICA Attention: Editor P.O. Box 71 Sterling, KS 67579 Or e-mail us at ChristAsLife@IOMAmerica.org

FOUNDER’S VIEW

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Dr. Charles Solomon Looking Back On My Journey

THE NEED FOR UNITING

PRISONED IN IRAN

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Pastor Saeed Writing From My Heart

SPIRITUAL ENGINEERING

COFFEE WITH JESUS

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David Hickman Communing With God

SECRECY OF ILLITERACY 16 Dr. Stephen Phinney A Story of Miraculous Portions

CHUCK—MY MENTOR 18

The X-Changing Life is published four times a year by IOM (Institute of Ministry), Dr. Stephen Phinney, Founder© 2013

Professor PP Thomas Counseling With The Mind of Christ

There is no cost for this magazine. Contributions are welcome in order to reduce the cost of publication. Make donations to IOM America: P.O. Box 71, Sterling, KS 67579.

Past issues can be found at www.IOMAmerica.org for your free downloadable copy. Online readers: Click Here Advertisement Disclaimer: This magazine may include promotions for some products and services not affiliated with IOM America. The inclusion of these promotions DO constitute an endorsement of the products or services of our ministry. All organizations and/or products are supported by IOM. We endeavor to promote Christ-centered growth and development.

IOM America believes that the Bible is the absolute authoritive Words of God. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Holy Spirit is the spirit of the Living God. A statement of faith can be reviewed at www.IOMAmerica.org.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (public domain), the New King James Version (© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.), the New American Standard Bible (© 1995 by The Lockman Foundation), or the Holman Christian Standard Bible ® (© 2003 by Holman Christian Publishers) . All used by permission.

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Dr. John Woodward Unique Gifting of a Faithful Servant

Printed in the United States of America

For subscriptions, bulk orders, or subscription address changes, e-mail: jessphinney@IOMAmerica.org or call 602-292-2985 or write to the above address.

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Dr. Charles Solomon Working Together

RECONCILIATION 20 Dr. Stephen Phinney Reconciliation Equals Reformation

THE PRICE OF EXCHANGE

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Tom Price There is Nothing Wrong With Me

LEGACY OF LOVE

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Dr. Bill Barenkamp From Death to Life

EXCHANGED FOREVER

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David McCarthy Few Really Know the Exchanged Life

GRANDCHILDREN OF THE EXCHANGED LIFE 31 Robert Cornelius Thank you Grandpa Chuck X-Changing Life Magazine

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The Founder’s View In Retrospect & Reconciliation

By Dr. Charles R. Solomon Since I am nearing the end of my earthly journey, and God’s calling on my life, my recollections and comments may help some who do not have the advantage of such a perspective. Since Dr. Phinney’s purpose in publishing such a documentary is not to exalt me but to glorify or Lord, I trust some of the unpublished details of the journey will be an encouragement to those on a similar pilgrimage.

In His typical fashion, God did not choose one with the wisdom of this world as we read in 1 Cor. 1:2629: “For ye see your calling , brethren, how than not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called; But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence” (KJV).

When God met me at age 35, I was at the point where I despaired even of life! From my early 20’s, I was troubled and burdened that God had something for me to do for which I was totally not equipped. In fact, I didn’t think I could even get through life and had all but given up hope! At that point, God sovereignly met me with 5 words from Gal. 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ!” (KJV). Instantaneously, my life was transformed! It lasted a whole day or two, and then I had to learn to walk . However, I had no one who could share the significance of such understanding nor to teach me to walk in it. I was working in aerospace at the time and continued o do so for almost 5 years.

Thus, I entered ‘boot camp’ in the USAF—the University of Suffering and Affliction Furnace! I read voraciously the deeper life writers while spending most of my time in the Word in Paul’s epistles.

After about 2 years, God showed me that He could deliver other hurting and defeated believers and

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Log on to www.X-ChangedLife.org, click on “Join IFEL Membership” and fill out the simple form—that is it! You will immediately begin receiving the IFEL benefits as they unfold within the next 3-Years of our 5 Year Strategy Plan. Read 5-Year Plan: Click Here

called me to the ministry with Isa. 58:10 as confirmation: “Draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul” (KJV, emphasis added). Sound like counseling?

Then, He led me to seek the world’s credentials in graduate work, earning a master’s degree at night ,and accepting a layoff from industry almost 5 years after my deliverance. Before leaving employment, He began to use my witness to transform some lives as confirmation of His leading.

Leaving employment by faith in 1970, with a wife and 3 teens and no savings and no promise of financial support from any quarter, was surprisingly easy, since God usually pays for what He orders! Lives continued to be changed (exchanged!) as my wife and I ministered from kitchen and basement in our home, while I was also pursuing my doctorate which was awarded in Dec. ’72.

Staff began to be added in Aug. ’72 with the first remote office in ’75 and the first international office in’81. In the late ’70’s, I faced the fact that I was not gifted in leadership and management and recommended to my board of directors that such leadership be emplaced.

We had some false starts but did not succeed in establishing a well organized ministry which resulted in decentralization in 1986. This resulted in a dispersion and multiplication of the ministry, with such ministries being used to launch the Association of Exchanged Life Ministries (AELM) which has been greatly used of the Lord.

In the early 90’s we moved from Denver to Tennessee, my native state; and the work became internationalized, as it is today, with training having been done on all 6 continents.

Since I am a visionary, I have tended to be more task oriented than a manager which caused me to be more involved ’out there’ than ‘back home.’ That being the case, I was not sufficiently involved in the lives and ministries of staff which caused neglect and lack of nurture. Though I did not intentionally offend anyone, my modus operandi probably had that result; and I apologize to those who may have been caught in that bind and ask forgiveness from those yet living and would do it in person if afforded the opportunity.

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

After counseling about 2 years, I published Handbook to Happiness which is the flagship book of the exchanged life movement.

Subsequent to its appearance, and training in the approach being done, there have been many ministries begun and books written based on my calling and early research for which I praise God! Dr. Bill Gillham who is now with our Lord, was one of the early ones, as was Mike Wells who is also with the Lord. Many of those who followed have also had spin-off ministries in this and other countries.

The church growth movement and Christian psychology have been center stage most of the time I have been in ministry, so that the Church has been otherwise occupied! However, it is my conviction that the world situation is going to demand that the Church return to its roots and pave the way with transformed lives being the rule rather than the exception, with this year likely to be a ‘watershed’ year in many respects! Our approach was designed for the hurting and desperate, and the Church is likely to join those ranks! When church growth is negative and Christian psychology does not deliver transformed lives, we will be primed for a completed Reformation where the Church once again provides light in the darkness, though it may have to go underground to do so!

God is not surprised, nor is He tongue-tied or have His hands bound! Let’s believe Him to continue the quiet Reformation with lives and churches transformed to His glory!

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As I have worked with the Church over the past four decades, it is apparent that the ministry of the Spirit is on the wane. The vast majority of those to whom we have ministered could have, and should have, been ministered to in their churches.

Dr. Charles Solomon

As the cultural and economic wars heat up, it will become absolutely necessary that the Church regain its vitality in its various avenues of ministry. Since we have seen God transform lives around the world on all 6 continents in the past 40 years, we know with certainty that the Church could be seeing the same every day of the week! It is obvious that the Holy Spirit has not lost His power, so the fault is not with Him!

While there are notable exceptions, the Church, Being aware of the shortcom- as a whole, has relinquished much ground to ings in ministry and the lack of the helping professions thriving churches, much atten- where the power of the is also missing. tion is given to the need for re- Spirit During the last several vival, awakening, or renewal; decades, the centrality of Cross, the power of but there, too, the centrality of the God, has increasingly the cross is frequently missing. faded from view. As a result there has been increasing dependence upon man-made programs, both in development and execution.

In looking at the various aspects of ministry the centrality of the cross is conspicuous by its absence! To begin at the beginning, the most notable approaches to evangelism are faithful to the cross for Jesus, but the cross for the believer is rarely mentioned. If it were, the beginning step in discipleship, taking up the cross, (Luke 14:27) would be taken at the outset rather than later, or never!

In the materials and approaches to discipleship, there is frequently little emphasis on the cross (Rom.

Dr. Charles Solomon

Founder: Grace Fellowship International, TN USA

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Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

6:6, Gal. 2:20) as the sine qua non of true discipleship. Lacking the experience of the cross, the believer is not filled with the Spirit, since the flesh is yet in the ascendancy. We have found that taking up the cross in experience frequently changes the life more than the new birth, which is foundational.

The preaching of the cross, the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18), should undergird all other phases of ministry; but here, too, it has had less and less priority. As a result, the hearers do not sense the importance of losing their lives to save them (Matt. 16:24, 25) and continue to live after the flesh.

If being filled with the Spirit upon being emptied of self (flesh) and walking in the Spirit is uncommon, it follows that praying in the Spirit would also be a missing phenomenon with such believers.

The music ministry and worship are also affected by the lack of centrality of the cross. Well trained voices and leadership will fall short of God’s blessing, if not done in the Spirit; thus, well intentioned and executed music will have less than the intended effect on the hearers and participants.

Then, as the recipients of such ministry begin to experience need, the usual recourse is Christian counseling, psychology, or psychiatry which are not noted for making the cross central. Lacking that centrality, there is less than miraculous results!

Being aware of the shortcomings in ministry and the lack of thriving churches, much attention is given to the need for revival, awakening, or renewal; but there, too, the centrality of the cross is frequently missing.

Therefore, there may be more emphasis on evangelism, consecration, or rededication than on the experience of the cross with the accompanying filling of the Spirit.

Historically, such awakenings as the Welsh

revival of 1900 had the cross implicit, but not explicit. Therefore, when revival fires began to wane, there was not the conscious knowledge that the daily application of the cross could extend the revival. As a result, God used Jessie Penn-Lewis to write extensively, and effectively, on the centrality of the cross, the missing dimension.

In my book, From Pastors to Pastors, Testimonies of Revitalized Ministries, a number of pastors from around the world share the impact in their own lives and ministries, upon experiencing the cross after several, to many, years of ministry. With the lack of emphasis on the cross it is the usual pattern for a pastor to learn from experience the need to lose his life in order to save it, with the ministry in the Spirit multiplied as the result.

Since God sovereignly made the cross a reality in my life in 1965 and called me to such ministry in 1967, He has consistently transformed lives. Many were from solid churches of various denominations; and some had failed to receive help from mental health professionals, including hospitalization in some cases.

Our Lord has been faithful to use those whose lives were touched by the Spirit to pass the message of the cross (Gal. 2:20) along to others and be used of God in the same way, without formal training.

Our basic diagram, the Line Diagram, has been used extensively for evangelism, with Jesus’ death on the cross, and the believer’s death with Him, being taught simultaneously. Thus, such a person takes the first step of discipleship upon being born again, which should always be the case!

However, ours is primarily a discipleship ministry with hurting believers being led directly to the cross in as little as one interview. Many of those so discipled have gone on to minister in the Church, with some being called to stand-alone ministries.

In almost half a century, God has amply proven that the centrality of the cross is the missing dimension in the Church today and that its restoration will again empower the Church for the perilous times ahead. His anointing of my first book, Handbook to Happiness (Tyndale, 1971), in 40 years of continuous print with transformed lives in its wake, should give churches the faith to believe that the power is not gone but waiting to be tapped! He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5); He has not moved—we have! Now, let’s move back to where the cross is front and center in all aspects of ministry and witness His moving in power! My recent book, Discipling the Desperate, gives more than 60 case studies of lives transformed by the Holy Spirit.

We stand ready to assist churches with what God has taught us over the years so that lives will be transformed in churches all over the country (and others) and He will receive all of the glory!

X-Changing Life Magazine

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are considered less-fortunate, those with disabilities, whom parents were killed during the brutal civil war in Liberia, and those whose parents cannot absolutely afford to meet up with their needs as mentioned above.

The opportunity of impacting on the lives of these orphanage children and other destitute adults is ripe and at the full-front in the interest of the kid and adults who souls maybe won to Christ, but faces number of social, financial, spiritual, and psychological problems in it implementation and IOM will now be attempting to help us with that.

By Lester Wehyee

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to the IOM America readership and to all the children of God who will have the opportunity to read this information from God’s ministries. Romans 8:28, all things worked together for good to them that love God and are called according to His word.

I am Minister Lester N. Wehyee from the Republic of Liberia, West Africa. I am married to my beautiful wife Leigh Wehyee with four biological children and two other orphans living in my house. Dr. Phinney is my spiritual father. He and mum, Janie, are spiritual parents to us and grandparents to our children. Even though I am busy being the Founder of Gethsemane Evangelical Prayer Ministries and New Hope orphanage, I consider it to be a blessing to have IOM America adopt our ministry and for their recent appointment for me to serve on their Advisory Board and be their Representative for the continent of Africa. Dr. Phinney and I are very excited about God’s potential in this partnership.

I met the Lord right after I was arrested by rebels—along with 50 others. Their objective was to put the entire group to death. Needless to say, I was so afraid, and I couldn’t get anything out of my mouth besides the word “Jesus” - and I said His name over and over. To my surprise, and grief, everyone was put to death except for me. Not only did I come to accept Jesus as my Savior but I knew that he kept me alive to accomplish what I am about to share with you.

New Hope is a Christian community based non-profit organization helping to address the needs of children in our poorer communities by providing them spiritual guardians, education, food, medication, child rights, and other services.

Our program is aimed at meeting the needs of kids who

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This program was designed under the GEM CHURCH and strategized and had already started the provision of humanitarian services for the less-fortunate children populace in Liberia thereby helping to reduce incident of hunger, diseases, and illiteracy from the lives of kids and need your support/aids as a means of leading them to the savior.

The first and foremost gift to our kids and adults (new converts to Christ) is to know the saving knowledge of God thereby making them to know that Jesus is their savior. The purpose of the New Hope is to give the children a sound Christian education, addressing their physical and spiritual problems, de-traumatizing the trauma through spiritual discipleship, motivation and appraisal and battling their social deficiencies to prepare them for a good citizenship and salvation. The measurable outcomes of and role expectation of the New Hope is to aid these less –fortunate kids/orphans in their growth towards full maturity, to make them aware of their limitations and capacities so as to be able to make proper adjustment to life challenges, to help become socially, spiritually and physically fit and productive members of the church of God and to play their roles as feature leaders in the life with fullness of commitment to their fellowmen and to Jesus Christ and to multiply (Acts 9:31).

Both Dr. Phinney and I believe that if we genuinely know God and allow the mind of Christ to operate through us, we will love and care for those in need. The conviction of the Gospel Truth always impacts every area of life, both spiritually and physically.

Please pray for us regularly and if God leads you, help us with our mission and partnership. We have many opportunities here in Liberia, as well as with the IOM mission for all of Africa.

Lester is an IOM Adviser, IFEL Representative of Africa & Contributing Writer

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

A Textbook Worthy Of Your Support Since Dr. Phinney is an astute student of the exchanged life and the importance of the current impetus in the developing Reformation, it is fitting that he be used of God to chronicle and interpret events of the past half century. God has been quietly bringing to pass, without fanfare, revival in individual lives.

As these events unfold, it is fitting that a servant of God interpret them to those not presently near the eye of the brewing storm! It is also noteworthy that Dr. Phinney is a product of the early waves of teaching, dating back to 1979 in Denver, Colorado, the site God chose to place the roots of the modern Reformation movement.

From that perspective, Dr. Phinney‘s involvement is not as a spectator, but is an involved participant in a significant movement of God in Church history. It is my prayer that the interpretation permitted by his being ‘on the ground’, as the events unfolded, will allow those in a spectator role to awaken to the significance of current events as they relate to Church history.—Dr. Charles R. Solomon

X-Changing Life Magazine

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PASTOR SAEED'S LETTER FROM PRISON:

Writing From My Heart My Dear Friends, The conditions here get so very difficult that my eyes get blurry, my body does not have the strength to walk, and my steps become very weak and shaky.

Various (bullying) groups, the psychological warfare, a year of not seeing my family, physical violence, actions committed to humiliate me, insults, being mocked, being confronted with extremists in the prison who create another prison within the prison walls, and the death threats . . .

It is interesting that because I am a Christian pastor, I am carefully watched. I am expected to smile at them despite what is being done and to understand why they are doing all of these things. But, of course, I can clearly see what is going on and because I want to serve God, I see all of these difficulties as golden opportunities and great doors to serve. There are empty containers who are thirsty for a taste of the Living Water and we can quench their thirst by giving them Jesus Christ. Maybe you are also in such a situation, so pray and seek God that He would use you and direct you in the pressures and difficulties of your lives.

There are those who are enemies of the Living Bible and do not want to hear. They are trying to put me under such horrific pressures (that are sometimes unbearable) so that they can show me that my faith is empty and not real. And after all of these pressures, after all of the nails they have pressed against my hands and feet, they are only waiting for one thing…for me to deny Christ. But they will never get this from me. This is why the Bible is Truth and they are in the way of destruction.

There is another group who does not know the Gospel of Truth. Instead of truly listening and meditating on God's Word, they are just waiting to see how I react to all of their pressures and persecution. What will come out of me during these intense times? But again, this is another golden opportunity for me to shine the light of Christ in this dark world and to let God to use me.

Yesterday when I was singing worship songs, the head of my cell room attacked me in order to stop me from praising but in response I hugged him and showed him love. He was shocked.

It is during these harsh conditions, that I deeply need God's Saving Grace so that I can be the fragrant scent of Christ in the dark house of Evin prison. I have often seen the Shining Morning Star in the darkness of this prison and I have seen His amazing and supernatural works. Oh, how beautiful is seeing the light of the Shining Morning Star of Christ in such evil darkness.

So: See your golden opportunities in pressures and difficulties. See the Shining Morning Star in the dark times of your life.

I Love Him! He is Gracious, Merciful, and Righteous to me. I now know that I have not been forgotten and that If you are not a prayer partner but would we are together in this path. God gives me Grace. like to be a part of this exciting ministry—simply text this code to 602-292This is my message for the Church: Stay Strong for His 2982 (TTP077). You will receive two Glory. He will come back soon! Be with God and give your best efforts for His kingdom. prayer texts per week. The only thing we ask is that you reply with a minimum Pastor Saeed, servant of Jesus Christ in chains for enof “I prayed.” Our permission based durance of Gospel. I love you all. texting is regulated by replies.

The ACLJ encourages fellow Believers to share his letter.

Pray. Join over a quarter of a million others.

Sign the Petition at SaveSaeed.org.

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Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

Dr. John Woodward

Long ago in Israel, Jesus called and transformed a fisherman named Peter. This rugged disciple was given a foundational role in the Church. He wrote, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:10,11, NKJV).

About 45 years ago, God called another believer to have a foundational role in the biblical counseling movement.

I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored by this brother, Dr. Chuck Solomon, for the last 15 years or so. Here are some observations about what the Lord has done through him. May these also be touchstones to guide us in the ongoing development and practice of Christ-centered counseling.

1. The gift of Chuck Solomon’s personal journey to salvation, surrender, identification and ministry:    

Demonstrating the powerful potential of illumination and appropriation of the Cross for the believer (deliverance from chronic psychological and psycho-somatic ailments in a crisis experience) The engineering mindset that could transfer this to a remedial discipleship process with diagrams and sequential steps His experience with rejection and its effects in life and accumulated clinical experience His experience of the quest for a meaningful identity in life and accumulated clinical experience

2. The gift of a clarified sanctification message (the deeper life message with Cross emphasis).     

Clarification of the nature of the believer’s co-crucifixion, co-burial, co-resurrection, and co-ascension with Christ. (It is not just positional; it is spiritual and can be experiential in daily living.)

Clarification of sanctification terminology (old man, flesh, reckon, etc.)

Clarification of man’s makeup (spirit, soul, and body – trichotomy) Clarification of the need for personal brokenness, illumination, and appropriation of Christ as Life Clarification of gaining a “new past” as well as a new future in Christ

3. The gift of an illustrated process   

The Wheel diagrams (results of the Fall, spiritual needs, total commitment, effects of dysfunctional selflife, the benefits of the Christ-Life) The Line diagrams (nature of eternal life, the advent and mission of Christ, the consequences of being born “in Adam,” the miracle of being placed “in Christ” at salvation).

Paths to the Cross (patterns of experiencing the aspects of the Cross: salvation, wholehearted surrender and appropriating co-crucifixion with Christ by faith). Continues on page 12:

Man As Spirit, Soul, And Body - A Study of Biblical Psychology

- By Dr. John Woodward

"This book fills a unique niche in the emerging field of Christian discipleship counseling. Woodward takes on a challenging theological debate concerning the makeup of human beings and, in the process, builds a persuasive argument for the significant implications of a trichotomous view of human beings. To Order: Click Here

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Spiritual Engineering Continued from page 11:

 

Diagrams about other aspects of sanctification and the counseling process The deeper life “cookies” put on the “lower shelf”

4. The gift of a strategic Christ-centered counseling process         

The Cross themes of sanctification (the Exchanged Life) applied as central to personal counseling The Self-Life as the root problem The Christ-Life as the ultimate answer The presenting problem-> social history->Wheels-> Lines-> appropriation sequential process Valid psychological data as descriptive but not prescriptive (helps in identifying the self-life but is not used in therapy) Dealing with the symptoms on the resurrection side of the experienced Cross (Gal. 2:20) Spirituotherapy (“being in order to do”) instead of Bibliotherapy ("doing in order to be") Frequent examples of transformational change to the glory of God A model that is biblical, therefore transferrable to different cultures and nations

5. The gift of perseverance in deploying the message, materials, methodology and ministry of the GFI model.     

Chuck’s published books, especially Handbook to Happiness and The Ins and Out of Rejection Sue and Ron Solomon developing and adapting materials for counseling and teaching children The network of Exchanged Life Counseling ministries across the country that had its genesis in GFI This approach has many case studies to testify of God’s blessing.

This approach has been used in many conferences and workshops in the U.S.A. and other nation over 40+ years.

We can utilize these gifts through the Ultimate Gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in every true believer (Acts 2:38).

Through the years the Lord’s has fulfilled the promises in the Biblical text that identified Chuck’s calling to vocational ministry: “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isaiah 58:10,11). Will you also respond to this call?

www.godtube.com/drphinney

Check It Out: www.hgmint.org 12

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

By David Hickman

“I consider the writing ministry of David to be genuine, refreshing, and spoton with the message of the Exchanged Life, not only with the “20 & 30 something“ culture, but entire body members who are passionate about “Not I, but Christ.” -Phinney

My approach to “communing” with God had been reduced to trying to communicate the right words to God in order for Him to hear me and work on my behalf. Scripture reading had become something I did to win the smile of God over my day. In many ways, God Himself had been reduced from the “lover of my soul” to a “genie in a bottle”—a distant deity who I needed to stay in a good relationship with in order to get things I needed—when I needed them.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived as a complete failure in the shadow of a “Phantom Christian Leader.” You know this person well. The Phantom Christian is the unrealistic ideal in your mind of how you “should” be living for God. This is the person who wakes up enthusiastically at 5:00am, jogs 5 miles, eats a healthy breakfast with his/her legs crossed while enjoying a piping hot cup of freshly brewed coffee. Afterwards, they settle in for a cozy time of scripture reading and prayer before taking an invigorating shower. At 8am, they are off to “seize the day” with God’s blessing and approval.

My days were nothing like this. I would usually drag unwillingly out of bed at 8:30am, think about going for a jog, skip breakfast, hurry upstairs to the office where I would work furiously without eating or drinking anything until 3:00pm in the afternoon—hair still disheveled and in boxers none the less! All the while, tremendous guilt and condemnation would eat at me for not beginning my day for and with God. However, the morning after I recalled washing my car at 5am in the morning to describe my relation

Continued on page 14

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Coffee with Jesus from pg 13 ship with God, my eyes gently opened at exactly 5:00am. I was peacefully wide-awake and filled with a strange desire for the aroma of coffee in my nostrils. The desire was so great, that I slid out of bed. It was eerily still and quiet in the house. The “hush” of the morning was a refreshing way to begin the day instead of being hit with light sabers.

I brewed a cup of coffee and sat softly on the sofa in our sitting room. The smell of the coffee was bursting into my nostrils. As I began to wake more fully, I started to think how ironic it was that I had woken up at exactly 5:00am. “Had God woke me up?” “Did God want to show me that 5:00am didn’t have to feel like washing my car?” “Did God want to open my eyes to a new reality?” I hoped so, but was doubtful.

I lit a single candle on the table in front of me to remind me that the presence of Christ is real. As I sat silent before this gentle reminder, I began to ponder on the resurrection. My mind started to think how ridiculous it is to believe that Jesus physically (in bodily form) raised from the dead and then ascended (fleshly feet off the ground) into heaven and is alive today—in a glorified body!

What? I was overcome and overwhelmed with this picture.

My words felt dry and fake and fell lifeless on the floor in front of me compared to the deep conversation going on in my soul. It was as if I ran into an old, trusted friend whom I haven’t seen in years and all we could do was look at one another in complete and utter amazement at each other’s sudden presence. To speak would have been to take away the mystery and experience of the unusual moment.

I pictured Jesus sitting in the chair in front of me (with His legs crossed) playfully smiling and nodding at me while holding a cup of coffee peacefully on his lap. I smiled back—then I chuckled. “David Hickman…so, here we are…” were the gentle words I finally felt deeply in my soul. “Yes, here we are…,” I said smiling and nodding back.

For an hour and a half, I sat in silence—smiling and nodding playfully at Jesus—and He back at me, while we had coffee and breakfast together.

Coffee with Jesus sure beats washing my car at 5:00am in the morning, I can tell you that…

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20, NKJV).

After about 20 minutes of sitting silently in this deep reality, I (in typical fashion) felt the overwhelming desire to launch in my predictable prayer of acknowledging God’s presence and asking for forgiveness—when suddenly…I was stopped mid-sentence.

David Hickman is the founder of Charlotte One, Phoenix One and City One.

IFEL News Source

www.onenewsnow.com

www.menmapping.blogspot.com/

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Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

Your future source for complete Exchanged Life news, teachings, online counseling, chat rooms, online school, social networking, online shopping, and download centers. Find out what is going on in the lives and ministries of those who understand and embrace the Exchanged Life窶年ot I, but Christ.

X-Changing Life Magazine

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BY DR. STEPHEN PHINNEY Founder & Ministry Host to IOM America & International Fellowship of Exchanged Life (IFEL)

When I think of how my husband went from being functionally illiterate to being published over 300 times is not only proof enough to me that the life of Christ is within him, but that the Exchanged Life is real! od introduced me to Dr. Charles Solomon in the late 1970's. A friend and coworker placed a book on my desk that he obtained from his sister while visiting in Denver The Handbook to Happiness. Just seeing the graphics on the cover created a "wanting" to read it, but I had a problem - I was functionally illiterate. Here I was, 21 years of age, keeping this secret, and faking my way through life. After confessing my problem to my soon-to-be wife, Jane, she began to teach me how to read by using the Word of God. Knowing that this "exchanged life" book contained my answer as the liberating key to unlocking my secret struggle, I pressed on to find a way to read the book. This was the first book I had ever completed, start to finish! That was in 1979 and little did I realize how Dr. Solomon's book would be used by Christ to change the course of my life!

After having my life changed by the Holy Spirit through this book, I packed up my family in 1981, moved to Denver (from Iowa), went through the GFI Intern training program, and came on staff.

After a few years of being on staff at GFI in Denver, I was given a challenge to start an Exchanged Life Retreat Center in the mountains of Colorado, which ultimately led my wife and me to start our own Exchanged Life ministry.

After years of ministering the Exchanged Life, God opened the door to kindle afresh my relationship with Dr. Solomon.

God puts Dr. Solomon and me together to discuss the

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- Jane Phinney

idea of "coming back to my GFI roots."

That being an obvious decision, our ministries immediately began to explore the idea of a "merge."

During my correspondence with Dr. Solomon, he shared with me that he believed God put it upon his heart that the two of us were to integrate our life services. We met and both of us began to pray. One year later, I was struck down with a virus that went to my heart, throwing me into heart failure. Two years later, the cardiologist gave me such a positive report that it appeared I would be "bouncing back." This opened negotiations between Dr. Solomon and me once again. I was commissioned by the IOM & GFI boards to write a strategic ministry plan to unite Exchanged Life workers throughout the entire world.

The plan came like a river of life and to my joy, the leadership of IOM & GFI embraced it - resulting in me accepting the challenge of working out the details of such an initiative. It was during this time, God reminded me that the plan He had given me during my previous stint in politics was actually for His Church. Since June of 2011, I have actively been working on the Exchanged Life Global Initiative in order to unfold this strategic plan. Click Here to review 5-Year plan Today, we are all excited as to how God will use the Exchanged Life Global Initiative and the International Fellowship of Exchanged Life, hosted and managed by IOM America, to further the unity of Exchanged Life workers throughout the entire world.

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

Phinney/Solomon

Dr. Solomon, I cannot thank our Lord enough for how He has used you and the message of the Cross to advance the unity and cooperative of all of those who believe and practice the Exchanged Life—Not I, but Christ. I have watch you continually sacrifice your life to advance the cause of the Exchanged Life— sometimes to a fault. I consider you to be the father of Christ as Life Counseling—for before you, there was only Christianized psychobabble. Your place in church history will be remembered for eternity. Those of us who were directly blessed by our Lord through you, know of some of the pain and suffering you had to embrace through the years to accomplish the mission. But know this—there are many of us that will take the torch Christ gave you into the future!

Just from my own research, I have encountered thousands of individuals and hundreds of ministries that were formed over the teachings & influence God gave you. You must know that I am one who will remain committed to advance the mission and message of the Cross throughout all the days of my life. I will work to unite each and every willing worker of the Cross and will make certain that I groom another worker to continue the Exchanged Life Global Initiative. You have my word on this.

Dad, I want to thank you for allowing God to use you to change the lives of so many souls & now those souls have become soldiers of the Cross. I look forward to spending eternity with you and the other “greats” of the Great Exchange!

X-Changing Life Magazine

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Chuck My Mentor

By Professor PP Thomas, India It was in 1979 that I read through COUNSELING WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST. Dr. T.V. Thomas from Regina, Canada brought this book for me along with three others by other authors - all on COUNSELING. That was a time when I was teaching a group of young people who were being trained to be lay ministers of the gospel of grace. I intensely felt the need to learn. That made me request T.V. to help with books.

Mary & PP Thomas

I read all four books and sent my critical appreciation to all four authors. All of them responded warmly. But Dr. Charles R. Solomon sent me a memorable reply followed by his two other books by Air Mail asking for my evaluation. Indeed, I was flattered! I read them and sent my response. The early chapters of INS AND OUT OF REJECTION provide a good biographical

presentation of the author.

All these early experiences led to a regular exchange of letters. Then I stopped. Air mail too expensive! A few months later a young friend visited me. He became curious about Chuck's book and I narrated the story. He encouraged me to resume correspondence as I may get helpful tips in my counseling. I followed the suggestion. In a few months’ time, he invited me to Denver to be trained. But I suggested that he come over to India and train several potential Counselors. He accepted it and worked toward realizing it. But eventually, he was denied a visa for no known reason.

Then he suggested again that I should get trained at Denver and later train people in India to develop COUNSELING skills. I was at Denver in 1982 at the Headquarters of Grace Fellowship International. I discovered GFI as a bunch of caring and sharing people.

My first impression of COUNSELING WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST, which is not changed with time, was that it is a good manual for Personal Evangelism. This has been my favorite mode of Christian ministry, as I had richly benefitted from the personal involvement of several mentors including a classmate in High School. INS AND OUT OF REJECTION gave me a true picture of Chuck, which brought me very close to him. HANDBOOK TO HAPPINESS gave the basic teachings oriented on Gal 2.20, which was close to my heart from my middle teens. I have read most of his written works and read a few of them, like the HANDBOOK, several times.

My time at Denver was very enriching spiritually. Fellowship with that international community was, indeed, unique. I remember the co-participants, the teaching and administrative staff. They all contributed in shaping my later years of life. The teaching, discussions, practical counseling, social times and outings - all these and more contributed to the deep impact of my experience in Denver. My stay was arranged with Staff families and good friends of GFI. In one of the hosting families, there was one single person too from whom I learned a lot without his being aware of it. They cared for me in a unique way. Chuck and Sue and others treated me like a beloved cousin.

The GFI Charts are simple and eminently communicative. The zeal of Dr. Solomon for the Word of God is worth emulating. The term EXCHANGED LIFE was first used by Hudson Taylor of China Inland Mission. I praise God for his life and work. It should be added that Chuck elaborated and explained the term as none else has done. The church of Christ is indebted to his labor of love for the Lord and His people in need.

After I returned from Denver, I had just a little over a year for superannuation from the teaching position at Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla. Dr. Solomon has been the greatest encourager of founding Grace Counseling India, which functions on the basis of what some of us has learnt from Dr. Solomon and his books.

He personally visited India a number of times and ministered in several cities, as well as at Grace Counseling India Centre at Kottayam. Moreover, he delegated few of his associates to help with the Counselor Training Programs of GCI. Chuck's timely help and guidance have resulted in many hundreds benefitting through his writings, electronic recordings and so many people who are globally practicing Exchanged Life Counseling.

SPIRITUOTHERAPY is his own coinage that suggests therapy to be in relation with the spirit of man, which influences the soul, and together, checks and controls the behavior. Thus this term implies a Trichotomous approach to anthropology which is not acceptable to some schools of COUNSELING. Some critics consider this term as related to Spiritism, which is an absolutely wrong and groundless interpretation.

In conclusion, I thank God for the blessings I have personally received through dear Chuck which I could pass on through honest co-laborers with Christ.

18 18 Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

Finances and the End Times—Dr. Stephen R. Phinney List Price: $21.48 Your Price: $15.04 This book will directly benefit those who care about the world of finances: personally, professionally, and politically. In my studies and research for a book I am writing about Revelation. I am discovering many correlations between money, the end-times, and personal suffering. Order Now

Handbook to Happiness—Dr. Charles R. Solomon List Price: $12.99 Your Price: $10.39 This is not just another "Christian psychology" book. The author, in departing from traditional psychological approaches, leads distressed people directly to the Cross of Christ - not just for the eternal life Jesus promised, but for the abundant life . Order Now

His Victorious Indwelling—Nick Harrison List Price: $14.99 Your Price: $11.24 Have you truly grasped the remarkable heritage that is yours in Christ? Through the years, certain Christians have stood out for their deep insight into the riches we possess in Christ.

Oswald Chambers, A. W. Tozer, Hannah Whittal Smith, D. L. Moody, E. M. Bounds . . . these men and women knew the secrets of the abundant spiritual life. Order Now

The Book of Prayers—Dr. Stephen R. Phinney List Price: $19.50 Your Price: $13.65 We need a spiritual toolbox packed with the proper tools to accomplish the eternal project that God has set before us as Christians. This is the underlying purpose of ”The Book of Prayers” – to provide practical, useful information, insights, and Scriptural prayers into waging war against the powers of darkness that seem to bind us as Christians. Order Now

No Mercy—Preston Gillham List Price: $10.50 Your Price: $7.20 "No Mercy" is a sweeping adventure of life, love, trust, and desire-an odyssey asserting that real life is more than meets the eye. Hank Henderson thought he was going on vacation to Montana, but his brother had something else in mind. Hank's life soon dangles on the precipice of disaster. Order Now

Victory In Christ—Charles Trumbull List Price: $11.99 Your Price: $7.00 Can Christians ever “win” if the Christian life is a drudgery of ups and downs? Where only some days we conquer our sinful desires, and only sometimes we succeed at loving unconditionally? No. That’s counterfeit success, if any is found in such a life at all, says Charles Trumbull in “Victory in Christ.” Order Now

Indwelling Life of Christ—Major Ian Thomas List Price: $13.99 Your Price: $10.98 Why do we keep failing even in our best efforts to live the Christian life? Because no one other than Jesus Christ can live it, for the simple reason that He is the Christian life! And only He can live it in our lives as well. Major W. Ian Thomas takes a refreshing look at the pure thrill of living victoriously. Order Now X-Changing Life Magazine

19

BY DR. STEPHEN PHINNEY

www.joelrosenberg.com/

I challenged Dr. Solomon to go back to his prayer closet.

Throughout the year of 2011—I was blessed with the privilege of consulting with Grace Fellowship International & Dr. Charles Solomon with the focus on what we are calling the Exchanged Life Global Initiative, an initiative which was birthed through my doctorate project. This initiative was initially offered to the Bush administration for the President’s Faith-based Initiative, but after 5 years of work, 9-11 put a halt to most of our efforts. Thinking the investment of this initiative was for not, God surprised us with the real reason for this Initiative—to unite Exchanged Life workers worldwide.

It was during these meetings, Dr. Solomon referenced the idea that a “New Reformation” was needed. I had just returned from meetings in California with Dr. John MacArthur's group. They, too, were using the term “New Reformation” but it certainly wasn’t to advance the movement of “Not I, but Christ.” With that said, I challenged Dr. Solomon to go back to his prayer closet and ask God for a term that would best define his passion.

Within days, he came back with the answer: Completing the Reformation.

The next step was an obvious one; he needed to write out exactly what that looked like and the result was the book “Completing the Reformation.”

I personally believe that this book is just as important as the first that God gave him: Handbook to Happiness. The reason being, the Handbook firmly provided a foundation for a movement that was to (and did) sweep the world.

“Completing the Reformation” clearly defines the need for the power of the Cross for a wilderness world - the necessity to complete the Reformation, not just with the emphasis on justification, but sanctification as well. There is no way that the reader can read this book without considering that Jesus truly is the only way, Truth and Life. Dr. Solomon does this by revisiting the original Reformation, reveals what was missing, and leaves the reader with the complete answer.

Now, here is the problem as I see it—the body of Christ has adopted the sin of competition and individualism within the ministerial works of God. This has left His body functioning as independents.

In the 36 years I have been proactive in the Exchanged Life community, I have seen more division, backstabbing, boycotting, and ruthless gossiping than I ever have in the local church. Here we are supposing to represent the ultimate and final answer to such problems and yet, most spend their time contributing to the sins that rub in the face of unity and working together on our common cause—Not I, but Christ. I have wept many times over this disconnect and am a bit sick to my stomach just writing about it. But at the same time, it compels me to be a part of the solution. This is why we have formed the International Fellowship of Exchanged Life.

Here is my challenge: If you have been a part of such hypocrisy— repent! Each of us needs to be brought to the point of being face-to -face with the issue and people we have hurt in our divisive ways.

Repentance means a change in direction, a reversal. Right thinking (mind of Christ) leads to right choosing, which in turn produces right living, and ultimately pours itself out into our ministries of rec-

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Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

IOM AMERICAN AWARDED

onciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Keep in mind that right Christ as Life thinking is the first manifestation of living the Exchanged Life. But this can NOT happen unless we allow the life of Christ to renew our mind. What I have always found odd is that out of the thousands of ministries worldwide, few leaders of those ministries have a clue how to reconcile with a loved one, let alone a stranger. When I ask many of these leaders the ministry the entire body of Christ is called to fulfill—they list out everything from deliverance ministries to singing songs. Few mention 2 Cor. 5:18, which is the only commission to ministry in the entire Bible.

We, as disciplers, must be the example of the ministry of reconciliation—or else we can forget about God accomplishing His mission, at least through us or “our” ministry.

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-19, NASB).

Reconciliation is the fruitful result of the appropriation of our identification with Christ Jesus. This is where we see the foundational concept and Truth for the completed Reformation, which is effective living. This is not to be done in expounding on the theological elements of Truth that supposedly set us free; but rather, in appropriating a Life (Truth) in us that will set us free.

Why?—because He is the ministry of reconciliation. None of this is going to happen on a global level unless we all, as ministry leaders, come to a sincere repentance and understand that the truth of identification with Christ in respects to being willing to extend and seek the forgiveness of those we have hurt and have hurt us. There is strength and grace living inside of us and thus, we should be willing to allow Him to resolve our personal and ministerial conflicts. Since God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, why wouldn’t we allow Christ in us to reconcile the body/bride of Christ unto Himself? I will tell you why, pride! The pride of ownership is destroying our great commission. Christian leaders punching a little © on their “inspired

works of God,” in order to block other children of God from taking His inspirations and making them known worldwide—while they teach that all Truth and inspiration of Truth comes from the mind of Christ who lives within them.

Let’s be real, completing the Reformation is not going to happen under these conditions—there is no way! Until the leaders of God’s fellowships get off their pedestals of self & ministry preservation, the church will continue to become cancer ridden, ultimately turning the entire world off to the reason why God put Himself in Christ, Christ in us, and us in the world (committing to us the word and ministry of reconciliation). I have come to clearly embrace that all those leaders of the Exchanged Life who do not put a focus on the ministry of reconciliation are likely to become a clanging theological cymbal of preaching the truth, but denying the power of it (Him.) So, how are we to achieve oneness with our fellow ministry partners and leaders? Once we realize that the separation is bringing destruction, repent—before man and God. Secondly, extend forgiveness to the person in prayer and tell God you are willing to go and seek forgiveness for your part in the separation. Do not bring up the other person’s sin or part. Since love “holds not record of wrong,” then don’t.

Just confess the sins that were on your part, ask that person if he/she will forgive you and don’t move on until you’re given a “yes” or a “no.” After you thank him/her for their forgiveness, move toward actions of oneness and restoration. Do this and you will experience a mature love that exemplifies the very life of Christ within you. Now you are displaying why God put Himself in Christ, Christ in you, and you in this troubled relationship!

This is my goal with the Exchanged Life Global Initiative! I have found many un-reconciled relationships within the exchanged life community and quickly began to realize why the completion of the Reformation is distant

and far. We need a revival of repentance & reconciliation within the leadership of the Church, leader with leader!

I would like to close with some words from Completing the Reformation by Dr. Solomon: Since the Church is already ministering in a drastically changed environment—culturally, economically and politically—it is of utmost importance that discipleship/sanctification be restored to the place it is accorded by scripture. Since the cross for the believer has not been central in the vast majority of churches in our country in recent decades, regardless of theological persuasion, the net result is progressive sanctification, whether by intent or default! Absent the centrality of the cross, the net result is strengthened flesh for its inevitable conflict with the Spirit (Gal. 5:17), which may also be incurred by psychotherapy—whether in a Christian or secular setting. A return to the preaching of the cross...the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18) will be a major paradigm shift for the Church, which will necessitate a Completed Reformation.

I do pray that you were convicted by the Holy Spirit to stop doing or saying anything that breeds more separation within the leadership of the Church. If you are one of the rare ones who already knows and DOES the ministry of reconciliation—help us get this word out! We must unify as workers of the Cross. It is critical that we make use of the entire resources of His true Church to complete the Reformation.

Free E-Read: Click Here X-Changing Life Magazine

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“Why does life seem so complex? ....Could it be there is just one problem with many symptoms?”

BY TAMMY GOUGH IOM Contributing Writer (Canada)

“What causes you to continue struggling year after year with the same sins, hurts, worries, fears, habits, anger, eating disorders, fatigue, addictions, and anxiety?”

God wasn’t alarmed. He easily convinced me of His reality.

“What is the prevailing weakness that defeats thousands of Christians and what is the Christian’s source of victory over it?”

In my early years, you couldn’t have convinced me I wasn’t able to live the Christian life. Having chosen Christ at the age of ten; I was a legalist through and through. I quickly learned all the rules I was taught and then discovered more in the Bible as I grew old enough to read on my own.

After all; all good Christians read the Bible every day! I was careful to keep every rule and I was generally successful in my own mind, despite the few glitches brought about by the maturing processes of a child.

I had to know what their answers were. A tiny seed of hope was planted in my heart. The three day conference was life changing. I soaked in every word; listening intently and measuring what Mr. Higgins said against the Bible. Scripture after Scripture rained down on my heart; now softened and ready to receive the great riches God had prepared for me in Christ Jesus.

Then as the tumultuous teen years engulfed me, I began to question everything I believed. Doubts plagued me.

“Maybe,” I thought, “I just believe in God because of my parents’ influence.” A heart wrenching struggle ensued as I prayed and agonized over this question. Finally, I resolved to spend a night in prayer; asking God to show me if He was real or not.

God wasn’t alarmed. He easily convinced me of His reality.

He pointed to His creation. I knew in my heart that nothing so grand or complex could exist without God. It was beautiful and good. So I reasoned God must also be beautiful and good. Therefore, such an amazing God should be worshipped. I drove a mental stake in the ground that witnessed my decision was my own. I would follow my God for all of my days. With renewed vigour, I pursued my God and now He led me gently through the wilderness of my own failures. I couldn’t truly keep His word. No matter how hard I tried. I was learning a hard lesson: It isn’t humanly possible to live the Christian life. My own efforts and strengths were not enough and God wanted to do more than “help” me. But I still didn’t understand why I wasn’t living up to the Bible’s standards.

Finally, as a new mother and wife, I admitted defeat. I was on my hands and knees washing the floor and adding my tears to the wash water. “God,” I sobbed, “where is the abundant life you promised?” I was tired of the constant battle to meet my own expectations, my husband’s expectations, and God’s expectations. I knew I was failing at every turn. Thoughts of suicide and angry outbursts which looked like adult temper tantrums were threatening my sanity. If God didn’t rescue me soon, I knew I was doomed.

A few days later, a friend invited me to attend a Grace Life Conference with her. Amazingly the information brochure asked questions like:

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That tiny seed of hope sprang to life. I learned that "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20, NASB). I had never felt so alive, so passionate about my God. I was like a bird set free from its cage, soaring for the first time in true freedom.

I learned slowly and gradually how to walk in the freedom and wealth of my Life in Christ. I understood with increasing certainty that I was created a new creature in Christ.

My old life was gone. I now was “seated with Him in the heavenly places IN Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6, NASB).

“Christ, is our (my) life” (Col. 3:4, NASB). I do not have to struggle to meet any expectations. The only expectations I need to meet are God’s, and, praise the Lord, Christ meets those expectations for me! I am clothed in His Righteousness (see Eph. 4:22-24) The temper tantrums began to subside as I trusted in Christ’s acceptance. I learned to recognize that since “we (I) have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16, NASB, parentheses mine), thoughts of suicide do not belong to me. I am “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5, NASB). Those thoughts are an attack from Satan who is trying to get me to solve my problems on my own. However, Christ defeated him at the cross.

There is much more to learn of the goodness and beauty of Christ; more to learn of the faithfulness and sovereignty of God. His Word has become to me like a treasure chest full of beautiful and costly jewels. Now I seek to look to Him to provide grace for each moment of life. Oh, how abundantly He provides!

As a mom, and substitute teacher, I sometimes feel restrained by the duties of life. I desire to share Christ in so many practical ways. However, I have learned and am still learning to trust God’s spirit for direction in each moment.

Wherever Jesus takes me, I want to follow. I cannot live the Christian life on my own. Apart from Him, I know I can do nothing.

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

BY TOM PRICE IOM Contributing Writer (GA)

There is nothing wrong with me!

I became a believer when I was ten.

I remember that moment as if it were yesterday. One night in the car after a revival service at the church where my dad was pastor, I asked him if I could talk to him when we got home.

I was feeling a deep tug in my soul.

He gave a knowing look to my mom and when we got home, he took me into his bedroom and shared the gospel with me. I don’t remember what he said, but I do remember how I felt and how desperately I wanted a relationship with Jesus. When I poured my heart out to Jesus in prayer, I immediately sensed His presence in my life. As my parents said good night to me, I told them I felt like I had everything I needed. I knew there was no greater desire left to be met. My memories before Christ are sparse. I existed, but I was not alive.

After I came to Christ, I remember talking to Him all the time. I knew my relationship with Him was more than just a religious decision. I felt it to be very personal. As I grew older and began to struggle with teenager issues, there was a growing sense of shame that I did not measure up. By the time I graduated from high school, I had attended six different schools in two states and four towns.

There were some good moments during that time in my life, but there was also a lot of pain.

The summer between my junior and senior year of high school, while on a mission trip in New Orleans, I sensed a call from God to give my life for ministry. Even though this changed the course of my life as far as vocation, I still struggled with the soul-

deep sense that there was something wrong with me. When I was 21, two weeks before starting classes at Bible college, I attended a camp in Montana with about five high school boys as a camp counselor. The last night of camp the evangelist preached the “wheat and tare” sermon and gave examples of people who thought they were Christians but realized they were not. All of a sudden fear gripped me to the core of my being, which began a twelve year struggle with doubt.

At the age of 29, married with two small children, I participated as the music leader at a revival in Montana.

The evangelist held a Bible study during the day in the next town over.

The text for that study was Romans 5 -8. I was just months away from graduating from Bible college and I had never heard what he was teaching. For the first time since my doubt had begun, I found an oasis of truth that resounded deep within me. I didn’t really understand what he was teaching enough to repeat it to someone else, but that began something in my mind that God would later use.

When I was 31, I enrolled in seminary to get a dual masters degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and Christian Education. During my second semester there was a revival on campus. There were a few students who were “saved.” There was a part of me that was baffled as to why someone would enroll in seminary if he was not a believer! It hit me, however, I was one who struggled with doubt. Up until that time, I was able to stuff most of my doubt into a closet deep in my mind. The doubt came

bursting out of that closet and forced me to deal with it. I went into a little room in my house I had established as an office and prayed one of the most sincere and bold prayers I had ever prayed.

I told God I was tired of this old struggle and wasn’t going to try to figure out my eternal destiny anymore. I told Him that no matter what I tried to do to resolve this conflict didn’t work and I was giving up! I said, “If my eternal destiny is hell, then let it be.

If my eternal destiny is heaven, then that would be better, but I can’t do anything about this. It is totally up to You! Amen!!” There were no tears and no begging, but just a final resignation of how it had to be. When I got up from that frank prayer, it was if the clouds parted from the sun. I realized I had been in a fog for a long time. I felt a peace like I had not known since the day Christ gave me His life when I was ten. It was at that point I finally realized I was totally in God’s hands and there was nothing I could do to change my position. I felt His love and His acceptance of me.

This realization began a new chapter in my life. I had to rediscover the security of being God’s child, no matter what. The next few years I found myself living in Romans 7. I knew God loved me, but I felt He was disappointed in me because of sin. I kept trying to please Him by rededicating my efforts to be the best I could be. After I finished seminary, I moved to Georgia where I currently live.

After moving to Georgia, I tried to get established in a new counseling career. I worked for a well-known Christian counseling ministry in the Atlanta area. Because I was working for commissions, my paychecks weren’t always what I needed to survive financially. I was also finding myself dissatisfied with my job. I could make people feel better about themselves in the counseling room, but I really didn’t see any improvement in their lives. After a year, I left this job and began working for a local home builder.

Continued page 24

X-Changing Life Magazine

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HUDSON TAYLOR Father Of The Term “Exchanged Life”

"... God made me a new man! God has made me a new man!"

Wonderful was the experience that had come in answer to prayer, yet so simple as almost to baffle description...

Do you know, I now think that this striving, longing, hoping for better days to come is not the true way to holiness, happiness or usefulness. It is better, no doubt, far better than being satisfied with poor attainments, but not the best way after all.

I have been struck with a passage from a book... entitled Christ is All. It says, "The Lord Jesus received is holiness begun; the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness advancing; the Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent would be holiness complete...

"He is most holy who has most of Christ within, and joys most fully in the finished work..."

How then to have our faith increased?

Only by thinking of all that Jesus is and all He is for us: His life, His death, His work, He Himself as revealed to us in the Word, to be the subject of our constant thoughts.

Not a striving to have faith... but a looking off to the Faithful One seems all we need; a resting in the Loved One entirely, for time and eternity. ... I looked to Jesus, and when I saw -oh, how joy flowed!

It was resting in Jesus now, and letting Him do the work -- which makes all the difference. Whenever he spoke in meetings after that, a new power seemed to flow from him, and in the practical things of life a new peace possessed him. Troubles did not worry him as before. He cast everything on God in a new way, and gave more time to prayer.

It was the exchanged life that had come to him -- the life that is indeed "No longer I"... It was a blessed reality "Christ liveth in me." And how great the difference! -- instead of bondage, liberty; instead of failure, quiet victories within; instead of fear and weakness, a restful sense of sufficiency in Another.

Obtained from christianitytoday.com

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Price In Exchange: from page 23

Talk about a change of vocation!

During this period, we continued to suffer financially and basically lived from paycheck to paycheck. We were very involved in a local church. I taught a Sunday School class and became a deacon. One of the pastors approached me and asked if I would be willing to take a lay counseling class.

He said they needed more men. It was a ten month commitment, but I was desperate to do anything to help me understand why God had placed me on the top shelf of life where it felt like I had been forgotten. Here I was, a Bible college and seminary graduate prepared for ministry, and I was building houses!

It was during this training, the Holy Spirit revealed life to me. For the first time in my life, I couldn’t read my Bible enough. I wanted to know more.

Because of working full-time, being involved in my three teenagers’ lives, and my ministry responsibilities, I did not read the books I was supposed to read or do much of the homework the class required. However, the depth of the understanding I was experiencing astounded even me. I knew God was opening truth to me that could not be explained in human terms.

I realized, looking back, I was never on the top shelf. God had me right in front of Him the whole time, deliberately working out the smallest details of my life, to bring me to this point of brokenness. Out of that wonderful brokenness, God showed me His life; and that life was in me the whole time!

When I was 31, God made me understand that I was loved and totally forgiven; but now at 41, God showed me what Christ meant when He said, “I came to give them abundant life!” (John 10:10, paraphrased). As a pastor, I knew what it was to get excited about new programs and ministry opportunities, but now I was excited about Life! Christ’s Life cannot be quantified by a program or a ministry event. It is a relationship to be experienced and enjoyed. I think some around me waited for my enthusiasm to wane, as all pastors’ enthusiasm eventually dies and then has to be replaced with something new. My enthusiasm has only grown over these past eight years since receiving the knowledge that Christ is my life.

Soon after embracing this truth, my church called me to be on staff full-time as the counseling pastor. I took over our Exchanged Life lay counseling ministry. That ministry grew over the next six years and we were able to share Christ as life with many people through counseling, training, and teaching. Most of the people exposed to the counseling were from outside our church. Last year, we began to transition the counseling into a different ministry where the focus is now on sharing Christ as life with whomever the Holy Spirit brings into your circle. It is life-on-life, sharing the exchanged life in a friendship, mentoring, coaching, etc… Our lay counseling only reached people who were in crisis. This new model is designed to help believers share Christ as life with anyone and everyone.

Father has now moved me on to Christian Families Today in Newnan, Georgia. It is an Exchanged Life ministry that shares Christ as life through counseling, seminars, Advanced Discipleship Training, and speaking opportunities. I am helping our ministry connect with local churches because we recognize the church as the biggest mission field to share the Exchanged Life.

When believers understand who they are in Christ and that His life is their life, they become free to really live! The world is looking for life, and Jesus said that we are the salt and light in this dark world. It doesn’t need more or better religion, it needs Life!

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

Thank You Dr. Solomon To have the opportunity to write anything in tribute to Dr. Charles Solomon is an incredible honor.

It is an incredible honor to write of how Dr. Solomon’s teachings, conferences, and books have affected my life. To say the least – they killed me! And killing me is the best thing that could have ever happened to me, because it was through that brokenness that I discovered the truth of my identity: I have a brand new past, God is not mad at me, and His GRACE is truly sufficient for any situation in which I find myself. His life is MY life and I would not have it any other way. It was through Handbook to Happiness that God revealed these truths to me and more.

The week I read Handbook to Happiness, my wife (Debbie) was leading a Women’s Conference for First Baptist Church of Pigeon Forge. After I read the book and discovered Dr. Solomon lived there, I told my wife that I simply had to meet him. So I called. Because Sue was going to the conference my wife was leading, Dr. Solomon volunteered to spend the afternoon with me explaining the truths of God’s Word. He even bought me a hamburger!

I started a journey of learning and understanding and Dr. Solomon has been with me every step of the way. As a pastor, I have had him to our church for conferences, attended numerous conferences of his, and have read all of his books. I will always be grateful for the time he has spent with me. I am thankful for our friendship. I am most thankful for his boldness to speak truth, even though many have called him a heretic! Standing firm on the truth of God’s Word with an assurance of its liberating powers has been my theme. To God Be the Glory! To Dr. Solomon – THANKS! Usually when we talk on the telephone, I end the conversation something like this: “Well, I’m still dead!”

Praise God for all that is wrapped up in that statement. I would not know what I know if God had not caused that ugly little pick book to come into my life! PRAISE GOD!! Praise God for Dr. Chuck Solomon!

Galatians 2:20 -Tim Childers

Dear Pastor Phinney, Greetings in Christ wonderful name from Puerto Brethren Philippines. We would like to say a profound thanks and gratitude of your Text to Prayer ministry. It's so amazing for us. Bless the person who introduced my name to you? I thank the Lord for his enhanced deeds in favor of the Lord's ministry here in our area, Philippines.

Once again, thank you for your love and deep concern with serious prayer regarding our critical situation in our area in which we had been hit two times by the strong typhoons, our Church building was damage by the storm but yet we are still serving God gathering every Sunday morning worship in spirit and in truth.

Will you kindly, put our prayer request in your Church and organizational Bulletin so that they can extend their prayer also to us. We are in need of your prayers, we plan to rent a building for a due season until such time we can reconstruct the building.

Lastly, whatever your dreams and vision of your ministry, please include me and our country, Philippines. Our fellowmen are very hungry and thirsty of the truth.

I look forward of your fatherly kind reply as soon as you read this email note.

Thank you in advance. May God richly bless you all.

Osias & Eva Digal X-Changing Life Magazine

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BY DR. BILL BARENKAMP LIFEWAY CORPORATE & IOM CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“…but has passed from death to life” (John 5:25, HCSB).

The core of God’s mission on earth is to bring life out of death. The essence of the actions of Christ is to bring life out of death. Christ’s own resurrection illustrates this principle. (Acts 13:20) In reference to the deadness of Abraham and Sarah’s bodies to have children in old age, Paul in Romans 4:17, says, “….He (Abraham) believed God, who gives life to the dead and call things into existence that do not exist” (HCSB, clarification added).

In other words, God brings life out of death. It is the ultimate expression of God’s love for His people.

We witness this principle of life out of death throughout Scripture. In I Kings 17: 17-24, God uses Elijah to raise from the dead the widow’s son. As a result of the event, she concludes that the word in Elijah’s mouth is the truth!

In 2 Kings 4: 8-37, God uses Elisha to raise from the dead the Shunammite woman’s son. In Ezekiel 37: 1-14, God breathes life into dead bones to symbolize the raising of the nation of Israel out of their dead state of exile and gives Ezekiel a vision of Israel’s future as well. In the New Testament, we see the same principle in action in John 11: 146. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after four days in the grave. And in Acts 20: 7-12, Paul gets long winded and a young man named Eutychus falls asleep, then falls out of a third story window, and dies. God uses Paul to raise him from the dead and his family brings him home alive and was greatly comforted!

Jesus does it again in the City of Nain. In Luke 7: 11-17, Jesus was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. Just as He neared the gate to the city, a dead man was being carried out who was a widow’s only son. The word used for dead is thnesko, which is a verbal adjective in the perfect participle active tense. This means this boy had experienced natural death in the recent past and this condition was continuing on in the present moment when Jesus showed up.

In other words, this guy was authentically dead!

up” or arise is egeiro in the aorist imperative passive tense, which is used to refer specifically to the resurrection of a dead person directly as a result of God’s grace flowing through Christ!

The outcome of this situation was down right amazing. I wish I had been there! Fear or awe of God came upon all the people and they gave all the glory to God. When life comes out of death, the only explanation is God! The people knew God has visited them and the report about Jesus went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.

Jesus, Himself teaches the crowds during a Jewish festival in Jerusalem concerning His mission to bring life out of death.

The Apostle John records this teaching in John 5:25 (HCSB), “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.”

The word for “passed” is metabaino in the perfect indicative active tense which indicates a finished completed state of a changed place or condition as actively given by God. The person who hears the words of Jesus and believes God who sent Jesus is transferred from the judgment of God into the state of grace. In other words, he has passed from death to life. He is now in communion with God and is a new creature in Christ. He now has eternal life in this life which is the exchanged life, God’s ultimate expression of love!

Have you passed from death to life? And if you have, how do you know you have? And what difference should it make in your life? Again, the Apostle John in 1 John 3:14 (HCSB) gives us a hint. He writes, “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.”

Experiencing the exchanged life creates a deep abiding supernatural love for others and a decreasing concern for your own welfare in any situation. Are you leaving a legacy of love in every circumstance of life like Jesus did in the city of Nain?

When Jesus saw the boy’s mother, He had compassion on her and said, “Don’t cry.” He then came up and touched the open coffin and the pallbearers stopped and stood still.

Jesus said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to speak! The word for touched is haptomai in the aorist middle voice. This indicates that Jesus touched the coffin with a deep purpose to create change that directly flowed from deep within Himself. It was the very life of God creating life out of death! The word for “get

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Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

www.LifeWay.com

www.e-sword.net

Rick Meyers, Founder of E-Sword, and I go back many years. I have been using his “freely given” Bible program on my computer since the conception of his ministry. There is no other Bible software that I recommend. Rick maintains the same belief that we do here at IOM America—”Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8, NKJV). Thanks, Rick, for the years of blessings.—Steve Phinney

One of the “accidental ministries” of IOM is their “Text to Prayer” outreach. In the past year, the outreach has connected prayer partners in 9 countries. It has been a blessing and ministry to many hurting and desparate souls. Here is one of many testimonies: We would like to say a profound thanks and gratitude of your text to prayer message recently. It's so amazing for us too experience your love and deep concern with serious prayer regarding our critical situation, being hit by strong typhoons—twice. Thanks to prayers of the church, even though our Church buildings were damaged, we are all continuing to serve God as we gather each Sunday morning worship in spirit and in truth. -Osias & Eva Digal of Philippines If you are not a prayer partner, but would like to be a part of this exciting ministry—simple text this code to 602292-2982 (TTP077). You will receive two prayer texts per week. The only thing we ask is that you reply with a minimum of “I prayed.” Our permission based texting is regulated by replies.

www.exchangedlife.homestead.com

X-Changing Life Magazine

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BY DAVID McCARTHY IOM Contributing Writer (AZ)

Every Christian has the Exchanged Life, but few know it or know how to enter into it!

The exchanged life. It is the apostle Paul’s transcendent revelation, the very heart of his gospel. Without it, the Christian life becomes a weary struggle that never reaches its oft advertised potential.

How different things are with it. Every Christian has an exchanged life, but few know it or ever enter into the good of it. Yet amazingly, there is no work required; just vision. For those who see it, there seems to be an almost endless variety of pathways that lead to its revelation. For some, the journey is relatively simple; the encounter of an individual, the reading of a book, or the seemingly chance attendance of a particular seminar. For others, it is a convoluted path of starts and stops with occasional insights until the full sun of revelation bursts upon the soul. I suppose my journey was somewhere in between.

I inherited an intellectual Christian faith from my parents—they were genuine believers, but for a long time I just thought I was a Christian because my parents were Christians and I believed what they believed. Or at least I thought I did. But that all changed when at fifteen I had my own encounter with Jesus. Thankfully, I’ve never recovered from it. Winston Churchill famously said, “We occasionally stumble over the truth but most of us pick ourselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” It seems to me that many who profess faith in Jesus react to Him in a similar way. They pray a prayer or respond to a gospel invitation and think that is all there is to it. They have encountered the truth but end up going on as if nothing much happened.

In my case, I experienced a stream of new thoughts and feelings that were

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very different from what had been there before I met Jesus. Not only does a new believer experience forgiveness of sins, but Jesus Himself comes to live within. And although transformation doesn’t generally happen overnight, how can life ever be the same again? After all, your spirit has come alive, your Maker has taken up residence within it, He’s passionate about you, and He cares how you live. At least that was my experience. Jesus was now alive to me. From that day forward I wanted to know Him and live Him although those probably wouldn’t have been my exact words at the time.

The pastor of the church I was attending asked me and my friend John to share with the congregation what had happened to us. John and I had been saved about the same time and it was obvious to everyone that we had become different people. After we shared one Sunday

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

morning, a member of the church came up to us and in so many words said, “What happened to you once happened to me. But don’t worry, you’ll eventually come back down to earth.” Well, I actually hadn’t been worried about that at all. I rather liked living above my old, slavish, Adamic nature. Coming “back to earth” wasn’t what I had in mind. But hearing him, I did find myself worried that I might become as cold as he seemed to be. As he walked away, I whispered, “Lord, may it never be.”

A few months later, John and I were reading the book of Acts together.

We were stunned. “You mean the church was once just like Jesus; they did what He did and lived like He lived? What happened? Why isn’t the church like that today?” We asked the Lord if there was anything like that on earth. If there was, we wanted it. If there wasn’t—well we didn’t know if we could endure the status quo. We had now seen what was possible and it was really hard to settle for less. It was soon after that we were introduced to the charismatic movement. And that was a help to us in many ways. But after two or three years, I was still hungry for more although I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for.

Eventually, I met a group of Christians that I described at the time as a phenomenon. I had never seen anything like it before. These people were excited about their faith and they were living it unlike any other group of Christians I had ever met. I was immediately attracted. Within the week, one of the young men invited me to stop by for lunch. We were both attending the university and he was living nearby with three other young men from the church.

As I stepped into the apartment (it was a large two bedroom affair with a massive living room) I heard someone singing. One of my friend’s roommates was home. When he saw us, he stopped what he was doing and greeted us. I then asked what has become that rather trite American greeting; “How are you?” I can still remember his response as if

it was yesterday. “Just enjoying Jesus as I’m cleaning up the kitchen.” Wow, that was different. The words were certainly unusual, but so was the twinkle in his eyes and the lift in his voice. And everyone in that fellowship was very much like him. They were genuine, excited about Jesus, and walked what they talked. I was sure they had what I was looking for.

As I attended their meetings, I heard message after message about how we Christians have died with Christ and that He is now our life—and what that meant. The church seemed to continually emphasize the Lord’s indwelling and our living in Him. It was a clear exchanged life message but they never used those words. In the church’s little book room were writers that would soon become familiar to me. They included Watchman Nee, Andrew Murray, T. Austin Sparks, Major Ian Thomas, Oswald Chambers, and Hudson Taylor. I now know those men as teachers of the exchanged life, even though most of the time they didn’t use that terminology. But that was their message.

substance abuse, or some psychological maladjustment. I just wanted to know Christ as those in the New Testament appeared to know Him. This new revelation was a key to introducing me to just such a life.

In those days, most people called the word I was hearing a “deeper life” message. Later I heard it called the exchanged life, the term coined by Hudson Taylor. It was then that I realized that what was important was not what we called it but that we actually experienced it. I also began to realize that sometimes we hide behind terminology and doctrinal labels without realizing they can become a substitute for experience. We can see that in those who identify themselves as Baptist, or Episcopalian, or Pentecostal. We might find ourselves worshiping with such groups, but that isn’t who we are. We are Christians, Christ-ones.

What is important is that we have been born from above, that our Adamic nature has been crucified, that Christ is now our life and we can live out from that reality. And day by day, that was becoming more and more my experience. I went on to get degrees in psychology and engineering at the university and have worked most of my life as a civil engineer. But that same church I discovered as a university student did a great job of developing the spiritual gifts of its people. I, in turn, was encouraged to hone my apparent abilities as a teacher. Since the exchanged life truths had so greatly altered my life, that is the message I have been teaching ever since. But I’ve also been careful not to allow my identity to become that of an engineer or an exchanged life teacher. That may be what I do, but that isn’t who I am. I’m a man hidden in Christ Jesus. I just want to remain in the freshness of that reality. And that is what I have pursued for almost 40 years.

In the months that followed, I discovered who I really was as a believer, the nature of the life I had already received, and the faith to walk in this new revelation. It changed my life in so many ways.

For me it wasn’t about overcoming a dysfunctional family situation, or

Check It Out: X-ChangingLife.org

X-Changing Life Magazine

29

Book

Classification

Author

Click

Drawing Near

Devotional

Boa, Ken/Anders, Max

Review

His Victorious Indwelling

Devotional

Harrison, Nick

Review

My Utmost For His Highest

Devotional

Chambers, Oswald

Review

Practicing the Presence of God

Devotional

Lawrence, Brother

Review

God’s Best Secrets

Devotional

Murray, Andrew

Review

Close to His Majesty

Devotional

Needham, David

Review

The Book of Prayers

Prayer

Phinney, Stephen

Review

The Prayer Life

Prayer

Murray, Andrew

Review

Prayer, Life’s Limitless Reach

Prayer

Taylor, Jack

Review

Not I But Christ

Indwelling Life Studies

Olford, Stephen

Review

Classic Christianity

Indwelling Life Studies

George, Bob

Review

Lifetime Guarantee

Indwelling Life Studies

Gillham, Bill

Review

Born Crucified

Indwelling Life Studies

Thomas, Ian

Review

The Christ Life for Your Life

Indwelling Life Studies

Meyer, F.B.

Review

Abide in Christ

Indwelling Life Studies

Murray, Andrew

Review

The Two Covenants

Indwelling Life Studies

Murray, Andrew

Review

Absolute Surrender

Indwelling Life Studies

Murray, Andrew

Review

Normal Christian Life

Indwelling Life Studies

Nee, Watchman

Review

Release of the Spirit

Indwelling Life Studies

Nee, Watchman

Review

The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life

Indwelling Life Studies

Smith, Hannah Whitall

Review

Handbook to Happiness

Indwelling Life Studies

Solomon, Charles

Review

The Ins and Out of Rejection

Indwelling Life Studies

Solomon, Charles

Review

Sit, Walk, Stand

Indwelling Life Studies

Nee, Watchman

Review

Finances and the End Times

Indwelling Life Studies

Phinney, Stephen

Review

Green Letters

Indwelling Life Studies

Stanford, Miles

Review

Victory in Christ

Indwelling Life Studies

Trumbull, Charles

Review

Sidetracked in the Wilderness

Indwelling Life Studies

Wells, Michael

Review

Men & Warfare

Spiritual Warfare

Phinney, Stephen

Review

The Adversary

Spiritual Warfare

Bubeck, Mark

Review

The Principled Patriarch

General Studies

Phinney, Stephen

Review

Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret

General Studies

Taylor, Howard

Review

Completing the Reformation

General Studies

Solomon, Charles

Review

30

Transformational Biblical Worldview & Exchanged Life Development

other man at the retreat, my father-in-law who invited me to go with a group from his church. I was playing Frisbee with a few guys, and one of them noticed that I spoke with a distinct stutter. He sought me out after the game to share with me that he grew up stuttering as well, and shared with me ways it had wounded him. I didn’t know this guy and was not about to admit to him the pain and wounds I had been carrying. In fact, I wasn’t even willing to admit the pain to myself. This guy was speaking to a wound in my core and it felt like a scab was ripped off of my heart.

BY ROBERT CORNELIUS IOM Adviser & Contributing Writer (FL)

There is absolutely no good in me that is not from Jesus Christ!

A few years ago my sexual addiction came to light. At that point, against my will, the walls that I had built up around my heart immediately were penetrated and my wife was able to see my ugliness and sin. Before that morning, I would have probably chosen death over showing her what I believed was my “true self.” However, by the grace of God, I was not given that choice.

I immediately took defensive actions to minimize the damage, determining how much I had to admit to so I didn’t have to admit to my wife that my addiction had been controlling me since I was in high school, approximately 14 years ago. We sought counseling from an older couple in our church and I started meeting with the husband once a week for lunch for accountability. I had every intention of turning my life around, taking the straight and narrow road and leaving pornography and masturbation behind. That lasted a month.

My addiction to pornography slowly regained its foothold back into my life. My thought life, which was never taken captive, instigated me to search “acceptable” web pages like YouTube, where I would look for images and videos that slipped through their filters. When I found one, my lust would be uncontrollable and I would go straight to the pornographic sites I knew far too well. In those moments, I was making a choice to forsake my wife, family, job, and my God for a few minutes of lust and self-gratification. I knew that I was making that choice, and the guilt of it made me repeat the cycle over and over.

I began lying to my accountability partner as well as my wife. I would make up scenarios where I claimed I “struggled” a little to make it believable. I was in exactly the same spot I was before everything had come to light, living a lie and hating myself because I could not overcome my addiction for pornography and masturbation, no matter how hard I tried. I still could not imagine revealing who I was to my wife or to anyone else, including God.

My outlook changed that weekend. Before, I couldn’t imagine being honest with my wife; after, I couldn’t hide it from her one moment longer. I sobbed the whole way home from the retreat, because the walls around my heart were finally completely disabled and I could feel the pain that I had ignored basically my whole life. I got home and laid myself out for my wife, nothing held back. It devastated her, but I knew it had to be done.

I finally contacted Dr. Phinney, spiritual son of Dr. Solomon, out of desperation, because nothing was working and I needed more secrets relating to living a pure, godly life. His response took me by surprise; he told me that my addiction to pornography was not the issue. The underlying issue was my identity, which was based on my performance and not on Christ. He called me a spoiled man who had never been taught discipline in my life (which is true by the way).

He told me that God wanted me completely for Himself, and if I didn’t start doing something, it would cost me my marriage and family. He talked about Christ living through me, although I had no idea what that meant at the time. He accepted my plea to disciple/mentor me, but told me it was contingent on my effort on his assignments. He sent me his copy of Dr. Solomon’s book Handbook to Happiness that afternoon with instructions to summarize the first chapter.

Going through this book was most difficult, but also the most rewarding experience in my life. My whole life has been centered on strengthening my flesh, hiding my weaknesses and depending on myself for what I have, want, and deserve. The exchanged life is pretty much the polar opposite of how I have lived thus far. The principles of Spirituotherapy are so simple and basic, but at the same time go against everything which is held up as strong in today’s culture. I wish I could claim that a spontaneous transformation happened in my life and that I am “Walking in the Spirit” with no setbacks, but that is not the case. What I can say is that there has been a significant change in my thought life, my emotions, and the way I approach each day. This material, along with the insight provided to me weekly by Dr. Phinney, is changing my life & I would recommend it to all Christians.

God really started to strip away my façade of strength during a men’s retreat. I only new one

I now consider it an honor to be called a spiritual grandson of my father’s mentor. Well done, grandpa Chuck!

Coming Soon!

X-Changing Life Magazine

31

P.O. Box 71 Sterling, KS 67579 602-292-2985

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Editorial Comments: Kathy Hill, CO editor@iomamerica.org Entire contents of this publication are under Š supervision of IOM America 2013 Reproduction permitted when entire publication remains intact.

Digital view or copies can be obtained online at: click here

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Transformational Biblical Worldview Life| Development IOM AMERICA | INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP& OFExchanged EXCHANGED LIFE P.O. Box 71, Sterling, KS 67579 | ChristAsLife@IOMAmerica.org |www.IOMAmerica.org