Spiritual Ponderings

I read a comment yesterday by an active 'theologian' insisting that it is not enough to believe and teach the truth about our God as non-violent, who forgives and loves unconditionally and that He demonstrated that effectively at the cross. We must also embrace the truth that it is necessary that our own lives become like that ourselves by being transformed from the inside out. We must also be careful to teach that believing in such a God does not preclude the fact that many are going to be lost and will suffer terribly from the results of sin if they do not repent and turn to be healed by God. At least that is the gist of what I remember getting from his comments. While in principle I am not disagreeing with any of his points, I find something still slightly dissonant in this line of logic. As I was waking up this morning, the thought suddenly struck me that one of our penchants has long been to try to segregate aspects of God's truth/character into seemingly oppos...

Where is my faith? What am I using as soil into which I push roots to hold my faith secure? In my ability to interpret prophecy more 'accurately' than others? In things I want God to do for me when I ask Him? In plans I want to believe God has for me to work for Him? In the Torah? In my growing 'security blanket' of righteous living? In my superior insights into what I think God requires of those who are to be saved? In my advanced knowledge of the Scriptures? In my inside information of current last-day developments in the world? In the affirmations of spiritual people's reactions to my expostulations on the Word? In my ability to impress people to draw out of them expressions that make me feel more valuable? If my faith/trust/belief (all the same term in the original) is prioritized in any way that does not have the Heart of the Father as revealed in the Heart of the Son as my highest, most intimate source of security, then I have ...

I am recording notes from what feels like the front lines of my training boot camp, if there is such a mix of metaphors. There is no doubt God is training me in lessons of faith, not only by considering the circumstances surrounding me presently but because I have repeatedly asked Him to do so. I do not want negative thinking to continue to infect and inhibit my growing faith and trust in Him, so I am trying to pay more attention to the constant messages He sends me and apply them to my own thinking and spirit. One concept that keeps asserting itself in my mind is the idea of context. I have learned how vitally important context is to properly understand and apply the Word of God. But now He is reminding me that in a very powerful and life-changing way, each one of us shapes the context of our perception of reality in which our relationship with Him is shaped. I am coming to realize more clearly that the fundamental problem all of us have to deal with is our perception of God –...

Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (Romans 2:1) The truth of this verse finally began to sink into my understanding a number of years ago when I carefully examined the context to find the real meaning for myself. It comes immediately after a long list of descriptions about aberrant behaviors that Christians love to condemn. Paul was well aware of the religious penchant for scorning others while piously assuming a role of righteous indignation and superiority. I believe that is why he baited this trap in the way he did so as to expose the diabolical nature of how hypocritical religion can blind us to our own faults while thinking to condemn the faults and sins of others. The reason this came back to my attention this morning is because I find myself facing situations in the next few days where I will again have to grapple with how to proper...

Is it wrong to be vulnerable? Your reaction to that will reveal some basic assumptions about which system of society you embrace. True love requires openness, transparency, vulnerability at a very deep and intimate level. To put up barriers to protect your own vulnerability is to pull back from allowing love into your heart. Any system that discourages vulnerability is a system or society based on the wrong DNA. To be vulnerable is not the problem from heaven's viewpoint. The problem is with those who exploit vulnerability. The Bible speaks of this as taking advantage of nakedness. You see, in the Bible being naked or vulnerable is not the problem so much as those who take advantage of other's nakedness and vulnerability. One who is vulnerable may not be physically naked at all, and most often is not. But in heaven's eyes the great sin is exploiting anyone's vulnerability; for to exploit someone, to take advantage of another's weakness and vulnerability...