Dale Cresap's blog

Do you believe correct doctrine? How would you know if your doctrine was incorrect? Believers study diligently to understand the truth of reality. Is the purpose of this study an end in itself, or is there a greater purpose to knowing the truth? Does your comprehension of doctrine make you more loving, generous, patient, joyful, meek, gentle and all the other fruits of the spirit? If not, then how is it useful to you and others? Do you know people who are stronger in character and conduct than in doctrine, and others who are the other way around? Who would you rather associate with?

How big is the Kingdom of God? I told my followers that in my Father’s House there were many mansions and that I went to prepare a place for them. They weren’t ready at the time to comprehend the full implications of this statement. Are you? Do you have criteria and draw boundaries about who is in and who is out? Do you remember me answering the prayer of the Siro-Phoenician woman, commending a Centurion, and telling a story in which the hero was a Good Samaritan? How many mansions do you think there are in my Father’s House?

Are you growing in faith and righteousness and spiritual maturity? Are you following a structured program to do this or are you letting nature take its course? Are you seeing as much progress as you would like or are you disappointed with your rate of improvement? People in focused disciplines use a structured system of practice. They identify the aspect of their performance most in need of improvement and work on it systematically. Can you see how you would apply the same concept to your spiritual development?

You can take it as a matter of doctrine that you are created in my image and that this applies to everyone. Is this just a propositional truth claim for you, or a living reality? When you look at other people, even the least of these, do you see their infinite worth? Do you see it in yourself as well? You have been told that you are sinful, and you see the evidence to support this. Do you also see that you are beloved; that your infinite worth is intrinsic and inalienable? Do you behave as if this is true?

Are you a loud listener? Do these concepts seem contradictory, so that this phrase is an oxymoron? Have you ever had anyone listen to you in a way that was passive and unresponsive, so you weren’t convinced that they were engaged in the conversation? Did this discourage you from sharing more? Have you also had someone respond with obvious engagement and enthusiasm, giving an emotional reaction to the points you make? Did this serve to validate your story? Did it make you want to go on? Are you prepared to do for others what provided a positive experience for you?

Have you heard that hurt people hurt people? This is a gracious way to explain the bad behavior of others. If they are victims it can normalize pathology within them and they pass on to others what they have received themselves, never knowing anything else. This may explain why they do what they do, but does it make it any less painful to be hurt by them? There is a positive counterpart to this situation. Healed people heal others. Do you know that you need healing and desire it and seek it for your own benefit? Desire it and seek it for the benefit it will bring to others as well.

I said that my sheep would hear my voice. This is a promise to those who follow me, but I can speak to anyone I want. What does my voice sound like to you? Does it come to you as thoughts of guilt and shame; judgment and condemnation? Have you ever heard voices like that or had thoughts like that? This is a common experience, but those are not from me. I speak in a still small voice, so you can expect my words to be subtle and gentle. You want to know my will and do it. Are you prepared to receive direction in the form of hints and suggestions?

Are you worthy? Worthy of what? The concept of worthiness is associated with good conduct and character. It is something attained by some and by implication, not by others. It is considered to be an achievement and something deserved by effort and intention. But you consider human worth to be intrinsic, equal for everyone and unearned on the basis of the sanctity of life created in my image. But worthiness and worth are the same concept because they are the same word. So which of these is the valid definition? Is worth earned or given?

Have you ever rejected an apology? Have you ever accepted an apology that you never received? Forgiveness is a central theme of your faith and you know that the forgiveness you receive is related to the forgiveness you give. But what if the forgiveness you are prepared to give is not sought? Does this put you in a pickle? You can complete your part of the transaction even if the other party does not. You can decline to take the offenses that are offered, and you can go beyond the assent of forgiveness to release claims of justice against those who have hurt you.

Have you ever gone on a trip and taken pictures and shared them with your friends back home and realized that the pictures didn’t do justice to the experience? Have you had the same thing happen in a spiritual sense, that you couldn’t adequately describe your experience with God? Paul was taken up into heaven and said he saw things that were not lawful to speak. Perhaps this could also be translated as things that were impossible to describe. Have you ever been at a loss for words? Is it desirable for your experience to run ahead of your comprehension or not?