Dale Cresap's blog

Have you heard the expression, ‘a hill you are willing to die on’? This phrase is more commonly used as ‘not a hill I’m willing to die on’ and that is good. This implies that it is an issue on which you are not willing to stake everything. Have you found that people who are willing to pursue everything to the bitter end are difficult to be around, and that the ends can be very bitter? Have you found that the more mature and wise a person is, the more they know what really matters and are willing to let the rest go? Blessed are those who know that being willing to die on a hill is not the same as laying down your life for me.

Are you familiar with the cost/benefit ratio? This is used by accountants and other money managers to determine if a purchase is a good deal. To do the math both the costs and benefits must be reduced to monetary measures. But there are cases where one or both cannot be assigned a dollar value. But the principle still applies. Even in the world of business managers know the value of employee morale although it is hard to express in monetary terms. I spoke of a man who started a tower and was unable to finish it, and a man who put his hand to the plow without counting the cost. Do you understand the costs and benefits of following me involve more than money?

Do you want to bear fruit for me? Do you see obstacles in your life that interfere with your opportunities? Behold what my word says about braches that do not bear fruit, but even those that do are pruned that they may bring forth more fruit. This is well known as a principle of agriculture. Does it seem counterintuitive that trimming back a productive plant will make it more productive? In like manner my involvement in your life is designed to make you more productive. It may feel like you are being trimmed back, but trust me to complete the good work I have begun in you.

Are you comfortable being uncomfortable? When someone tells you about a matter of great distress or heartbreak in their life are you eager to jump in with a solution? Are you tempted to provide glib commentary on the situation? Sharing of such deeply personal information leads to uncomfortable moments. If you are in a big hurry to resolve this tension and move on, then you miss the opportunity to hold reflective space in silence for your friend. Even Job’s ‘comforters’ remained silent for a while. You should be honored if someone is willing to confide in you at this level, and consider the space sacred, and be led by the Spirit in the way you respond.

In general you are free to select a church that works for you. If you are in a position to find a new one, what criteria are most important to you? Would you lean more toward a church that is rigorous or one that is convenient? Each choice has a downside. A rigorous church can be dogmatic and legalistic, but convenience can be viewed as lax and self-serving. Would you try to strike a balance between the two? Yet it would be false to think that you must choose between these alternatives. When the church was born on the day of Pentecost the Spirit added to it those who were saved. This policy is still in effect. Go where the Spirit leads you.

Are you a gentleman? This term has come to refer to all men, but not all men are gentle, and the term clearly implies that it refers to that. In times past ‘gentleman’ referred to someone who was gently born, to privilege, opportunity, education and a place among the upper classes. In spite of all efforts such divisions still exist although the term is now used quite broadly. But in the context of faith gentleness is a fruit of the spirit rather than a description of membership in the upper classes. This suggests it is available to anyone who is led by the Spirit. In this manner every man can be a gentleman.

Are you a secure person? You can tell by watching people who are insecure. Security is an essential human need, and those who do not have it will do anything to get it, typically by using any means available to establish an identity. The results aren’t pretty, and the process comes at the expense of the dignity and well-being of others. Do you know that you don’t have to do this? That the security you need is inherent and available without effort? I hold you in the palm of my hand and the identity I establish for you is better than any you could acquire on your own. If you know this you don’t have to fight for it.

Do you follow the news? Do you view the Bible as old news? It is valuable to be informed of current events. But do you understand the difference between the news and timeless truth? The news is what is true today, but timeless truth is true forever. Things that speak to enduring truth may come from the most ancient texts, but by their very nature they speak to things that do not change. No matter how current your news is, it is limited to things that have already happened. But timeless truth is just as applicable to things that have yet to happen. Keep that in mind when you watch the news.

Do you have issues? Do you know anyone who doesn’t? Are you as aware of yours as you are of those of others, or as they are of yours? At one point the Pharisees asked me if they were blind also. Does this strike you as an odd question? Yet was my answer any less strange? I said that if they were blind they would not be guilty of wrongdoing, but since they claimed to see their guilt remained. Does this imply that claims of spiritual authority affect the standard by which you are judged? Have you seen spiritual arrogance in those who are sure they are right? Hold your truth with humility.

Do you appreciate the gifts you get? Do you appreciate the gifts that other people get? There is a built in bias to think that you are right, and your abilities and strengths are the best, and your way of doing things is right. Do you extend this to your church? But this is subjective rather than objective reality. I gave gifts to everyone and every church severally according to my will. They are different for a reason. What should be your response? People who know better than to claim that they are the best as individuals will not hesitate to make this claim on behalf of their church. This leads to competition and opposition. Can you find ways to affirm and appreciate the positive qualities of churches you do not belong to so the members of my body may work together in harmony?