Spiritual Ponderings

The Old Covenant was rooted in a foundation of fear and performance-based relationship. The New Covenant is to be rooted in perfect love which dispels all fear and our performance is to be a natural outpouring from a heart in close relationship with God. The symptoms seen in the life and attitude of people reveal which foundation they are using for their choices and thinking. If their focus is on how good or bad their life is looking compared to those around them, they are living in Old Covenant mentality. If they are afraid and use fear in attempts to motivate or control those around them, they are subscribing to Old Covenant principles. If a person is introduced to new thoughts, new ways of studying the Bible or new concepts of reality that are unfamiliar, and their reaction is one of criticism, doubt and skepticism of how new conclusions can be drawn from such seemingly small clues, that is because they are fearful in their heart of making a mistake. This is usually because

I have been learning for a number of years now about the extremely important presence of “joy” for proper development of the brain. Understanding the true meaning of this word is part of knowing how it grows one of the most important parts of the brain, the part needed for dealing with trauma. And learning about the real nature of joy has been a real help for me in learning how to better relate to others and as well as how to prepare for future problems myself by growing this part of my brain more effectively. But something interesting came to my attention quite recently as I was listening to some teachings by the same person that taught me the background information about joy and brain development. This also came right around the time that I experienced for myself an event that deeply moved my spirit and riveted my attention for a few minutes in the presence of God like I have not experienced for a number of years. As I listened to Dr. Jim Wilder describe what likely really hap

And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6) I am coming to realize that I am dealing with a very serious yeast infection in my spirit. The leaven of the Pharisee's is the yeast of murmuring, discontent, fault-finding, criticism and negative thinking. I not only have to deal with this massive infection from my own generational legacy, but when I encounter people in the church who are seriously infected with this yeast, I am in great danger of catching it from them and adding to my own problems. I am always tempted to become more infected myself with their spirit whenever I encounter it in others, and due to the reflective factor inherent in temptations it will be very easy for me to become more affected in this way. I must not only get help and healing for my own systemic infection and get it under control but I must also be aware of my danger of getting reinfected by too close of contact with other

Jesus said to remember Lot's wife. I am now starting to realize more clearly the real problem in the mind and heart of Lot's wife when she decided to look back at Sodom where her home was. When she turned around to look back against all warnings from the angel's, the real danger that they were trying to keep her from was not so much her offending God by disobedience and getting Him mad at her but it was the danger of becoming mesmerized in wonder at the immense display of power and fireworks that had the power to consume her as well. This is very similar to the angel's warnings to John in Revelation cautioning him against wondering after the beast or the woman sitting on the beast. I can imagine that as soon as Lot's wife caught a glimpse of the overwhelmingly fascinating display going on behind her that it became impossible for her to tear herself away from staring at it obsessively. And because of the very nature of the immense firestorm going on, bec