Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever head someone exclaim that they are only human? Perhaps you have yourself. This is normally offered in a tone of resignation as an apology or an excuse. You should not apologize for being human, or use it as an excuse. What is man that thou art mindful of him? Yet you are made in my image, and this is true even in a fallen world. No other order of creation can claim this, and it is in human form that I came and walked among you. I am mindful of your frame, and know what you are capable of, and what you are not. I don’t expect more of you than you are able. Do you expect as much of yourself as you are able? 

Have you received injuries during your life? It seems inevitable to have both visible and invisible wounds. What is your attitude toward yours? Are you ashamed of them and wish that all traces of them would go away? But even wounds that are healed can leave scars. Your attitude toward your wounds will determine their effect on you. Consider the ugly things that were done to me. Did I not make all things new in the act of redemption? Yet the marks endured beyond my resurrection and I showed  them off to my disciples. Don’t ask for your wounds to go away. Ask for them to be transformed from ordinary to sacred wounds.

I gave my people manna in the wilderness to sustain them, but they didn’t like it. They asked for  quail instead, and I gave them what they wanted, but it was still a bad choice on their part, for it gave them leanness in their souls, and this is a way that you don’t want to be lean. Some things are matters of universal truth and others are matters of personal preferences. How important are your tastes to you? In most cases wanting one thing rather than another is harmless. You should still review your preferences and resolve to hold them lightly lest they conflict with eternal truth and limit your spiritual growth. 

Do you find music to be repetitive? That is intentional, and is true of both sacred and secular music. You would find this type of repetition to be tedious in prose, but the purpose of music is more than conveying information. Once through would be enough for that. But music is evocative and influences you emotionally and spiritually. That takes longer than a single exposure. Are you aware of this influence that music has on you? It doesn’t just inform you, it changes you. I want you to understand this so you can make intentional choices about the music you listen to and sing that it may be a positive influence. 

Are you distressed by the amount of evil in the world? Do you think that you see the world the way it is? Perhaps you see the world the way you are instead. My word declares that to the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled nothing is pure. If all you can see around you is evil you should ask yourself why. Cynicism is not consistent with your faith. In the beginning when I created the world I said that it was good. The fall did not change the basic goodness of my design. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. If you have eyes to see you will be aware that you live in a world of beauty and goodness ruled by a benevolent God despite the evil in it. 

Have you ever seen the effects of mob mentality? Otherwise normal people get caught up in a moment and lose restraint and self-control, and do things they would not normally do alone. Riots are vivid examples of this, but there are more subtle forms of groupthink. Everyone tends to associate with those who are likeminded, and churches are no exception to this rule. Even I had my devoted disciples and an inner circle among them. It isn’t wrong to conform, but it is dangerous to be unaware. Examine your associations to see if they are working in your favor or against you. 

Do you understand the trinity? If three is too complicated, start with two. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. So does this refer to one or two? Which is it? Yes, and you can extend the same logic from two to three. What can you learn from this? Every Christian from any sect or denomination will affirm that the essence of the faith is a relationship with me. This implies that it can’t be reduced to propositional assertions even if they are true. The trinity is a perfect example of  this. You don’t need to have a cut and dried explanation for it to walk in the reality of what it means. 

Have you heard of faith in me described as a ‘crutch’ for those who need it? This implies that the one speaking this is a superior sort of person leading a superior life, and you are free to examine this claim. Which view of reality is correct? The accusation implies that there are people who are strong and others who are weak. The version that I propose is that in me all things consist and in me all things live and move and have their being. Of yourself you can do nothing. What do you have that you did not receive? According to this view of reality what you need and what I offer isn’t a crutch. It is life support. 

My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about 2 weeks ago, and my sister and I enrolled him in hospice care during my visit there. He and my mother are both over 90, both have cancer and are in hospice care but are not yet in pain, and are still roommates in the same care facility. There is no longer any real interaction between them so this isn’t as romantic as it sounds, but they are still living congruent lives. 

Have you heard that I have a plan for your life? You hear this from evangelists trying to get people saved, and it is true. Do you also have a plan for your life? It seems that everyone has a preferred future scenario for their life, and a realistic one they expect to fulfill. Does it occur to you that I have a better story for your life than you have for yourself? Haven’t you seen this in your own life and the life of others already, with open doors you thought were locked? You may envision a career for yourself but I have a destiny for you. I still offer abundant life. Don’t let your own plan for your life prevent you from finding mine.