Dale Cresap's blog

Have you noticed that people refer to every passing fancy as ‘awesome’, such as the latest movie or fashion? This is a word with a special specific meaning and shouldn’t be used lightly. Moses was awestruck when he encountered me as the voice of a trumpet. When Isaiah encountered me he said, ‘woe is me, for I am undone’. My disciple John fell down as a dead man. Perhaps it is an understatement to say that those who are truly awestruck are out of their comfort zone. Have you ever been in this place? Is it something you desire? I promise that you will have whatever you ask for and find what you seek. Be careful what you ask for because I am prepared to grant it. 

Do you work because you need the money? Who wouldn’t prefer to be independently wealthy if they had the choice? A job provides an income, but it also provides a way for you to sacrifice and serve others; your customers or those for whom you work. This function of work can give you a sense of meaning and purpose that an unearned income cannot. Do you endure the work to get the money? This is a negative view of economic necessity. Your adoption of Kingdom values should enable you to see the value of being a servant, and the benefit you derive from serving others. Work like you don’t need the money. 

I taught you not to cast your pearls before swine, or give that which is holy to dogs. Do you find this to be a difficult passage? It refers to the truth that you share with others. Truth is a progressive revelation. If you have walked far down the path you will encounter others who are just beginning. They may not be ready to accept the truth that you are now receiving. Neither were you at the same stage. If you force it on them you may do more harm than good. Haven’t I been patient with you, showing you more as you were able to bear it? Extend the same courtesy to others. The ‘swine’ are not a fixed and permanent category. Meet them where they are and  they will grow to the point that they can appreciate your pearls. 

What is your view of those outside your faith? Do you draw a strong diving line, with you on the inside? Do you make me that dividing line? This is the trend of human history for all faiths, to be accepting of their own and rejecting of others by whatever criteria they deem important. If you use me as the point of division what do you make of my own ministry in which I told a story commending the Good Samaritan, witnessed to the woman at the well, healed all who came to me, and proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God to all regardless of their affiliation? My ministry was to all humanity and yours should be too. 

Have you ever been distracted in your pursuit of truth? Do not be drawn away by a carefully crafted sales pitch and think it is the truth because of a slick presentation. My word states that if it were possible the very elect would be deceived, but this statement implies that it is not possible. Nevertheless you are to be as wise as serpents even as you are as innocent as doves. Have you ever encountered the truth spoken in a still small voice by an unassuming person? This is what I did in my time on earth. Receive it and embrace it even if it is presented without fanfare by people with no credentials. 

Have you ever heard of the concept of expanded consciousness? Do you think this is the province of drugs and hippies and new age gurus? It was a Biblical concept long before then. I challenged my audiences to have ears to hear and eyes to see. I marveled at those who could discern the weather from the sky but could not see the Kingdom of God right in front of them. Later the apostle spoke of having the mind of Christ. Are not my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts? Do you see the mind of Christ as an improvement over your own? If you seek true expanded consciousness you will find me, for who seeks the truth hears my voice. 

Do you find the richness of human life in relationships? Yet for this to work in your favor you need to start with an established identity of your own. You need your own sense of foundation and presence. This becomes obvious when you encounter those who have none; who seem adrift in their attempt to acquire them from other people. The essence of your being is established at birth. If you know this you know that your identity is not the credentials and titles you gain through life. Do you admire those who are authentic; who live a life in alignment with the truth of their being? This is the basis from which relationship enhances life. 

If you are not poor then you probably are aware that there are some places where you don’t see poor people. If you are poor then you know where these places are, and have an even stronger awareness that they are not available to you. Many places have cost barriers to entry, but the doors are not closed to people with money. My church should not be one of these places. If you examine the Christian faith you will see that its elements are of the utmost simplicity in this world, as if it were designed by a God who loves everyone and wants to eliminate all barriers to entry, especially to the poor who he chose to be rich in faith. 

If you forget something your friends may encourage you by saying, ‘it will come to you’. You may use similar words regarding yourself. Note that this concept and terminology are slightly different from saying that you will remember it. Saying it will come to you implies that it comes from without rather than within. Could this be true? What is the source of thoughts and ideas? I promised to send you the Comforter to bring all things into remembrance. This certainly refers to the truth of the Kingdom of God, but the promise implies more than that. You may be getting more help than you realize. If you need help remembering something, ask me and see what happens. 

Even if you follow my teaching to be generous to those in need, you have a limited amount of money and are surrounded by a seemingly unlimited amount of need. So you have to make some choices. Do you draw a strong distinction between those who are deserving and those who are not? If you do then what you intended as an act of charity becomes an act of judgment. What alternative approach is available? My word declares that those who are led by the Spirit are sons of God. I may want you to give to those who seem the least deserving, but if you follow my lead you will have enough to meet the needs I show you.