Dale Cresap's blog

Are you a heresy hunter? Do you know anyone who is? Everyone thinks their own faith is entirely orthodox, and any deviations from that are suspect. How much effort do you put into hunting down the errors of others and setting them straight? It is good to be zealous for the truth, but do you see how this can backfire? Are those outside the faith more amused or perplexed or dismissive of disputes between believers that claim to represent the same faith? Are you committed to defend the truth? Balance this against the lengths you will go to maintain fellowship with your brother.  

Have you heard of churches that use the practice of shunning as a means of discipline? Those who depart from acceptable practices are cut off from contact by those who remain. There are not many churches left that implement this practice formally and by this term, but how many do this in effect if not by formal policy? You have seen people leave your church for a multitude of reasons. Do you maintain contact with those you considered friends, even if you no longer have the same church in common? Whether you do or not is an indication of the quality of your friendship.

Do you know what sacrifice is acceptable to me? Have you heard that it is a broken spirit and a contrite heart? Do you know people that you would describe in this way? How do you suppose they got there? This isn’t something you can put on your ‘to-do’ list in the morning and check off at the end of the day. Longsuffering is only acquired by suffering long. This isn’t something you can structure and work as a part of a self-improvement program, but if you give your consent I will make it happen. I don’t promise that it will be painless or easy; quite the opposite.

Have you found that every group looks monolithic from the outside? But you know this isn’t true because you have seen groups from the inside. Do you think that all atheists are militant opponents of God? These exist, but you will also find hopeful skeptics who are looking for an excuse to believe if they can find one. Is it an exaggeration to say that there are as many opinions and positions and beliefs as there are people? Even if it is, you can see every person as a special case, and understand where they are coming from so you can help them get where they are going.

Students applying to prestigious academic programs must demonstrate that they have developed the discipline and perseverance to excel. In other words, they must prove that they can make a difference in their own lives. This is desirable and necessary beyond the world of academics. It should be true for every disciple following me. What about making a difference in the lives of others? This is a still more demanding task, but of what value is your virtue if it applies to you alone? You have your reward.

Do you expect gifts to be labeled to identify the recipient? This makes it clear who the gift is intended for. Yet there is a type of gift that is not meant for the one receiving it. Does this seem like a riddle and a paradox and a mystery to you? The gifts that I give do not come wrapped in colored paper. They come wrapped in people like you, for I have not neglected anyone. Yet I didn’t give your gift to you for your own consumption. Have you met people who bestow all that I have given them on themselves? Is there anything less attractive?

Have you heard people give testimonies and then declare that all the glory is due to me? Have you heard testimonies in which it is not obvious from the story how much of the glory is due unto me and how much is due unto them? People tend to tell stories that reflect well on them. It is good for you to acknowledge me, and I don’t expect you to bear your shortcomings openly. Paul was in a dilemma about presenting his own credentials and concluded that he would only boast in the Lord.

Have you heard of the practice of church hopping? In some circles it is considered an act of betrayal to change affiliation from one church to another, and within these circles the length of tenure at a particular church is regarded as a measure of spiritual maturity. Can there be valid reasons for changing church affiliation? Yes, but the motive makes a difference. The term church hopping implies that those who leave are offended and disgruntled, and you have seen this happen. They go from church to church unaware that they are taking their problems with them.

Do you resent your need for sleep? Have you ever thought about how much more you could accomplish if you didn’t require it? If you didn’t get any sleep, you wouldn’t accomplish very much, and would not survive for long. Not everything that is necessary for your life can be captured on your ‘to-do’ list. Much takes place while you are asleep even if you are unaware of it, and these things are restorative. Sleep is essential for your body, mind, and spirit. Don’t you feel refreshed after a good night’s sleep? Medical science can describe the ways your body and mind are restored.

Are you desired? Is there any more validating human experience than being wanted? Yet you live in a competitive world in which the hierarchy of desirability is strictly enforced, and those who are desired know it and those who are not know it as well. This is true in the job market and in romance. Is there any realm of human interaction where this doesn’t play a role? The downside is the pain of rejection which is as real as the pain you feel in your nerves. Those who do not win the lottery of human desirability can take comfort in the fact that I want them.