Dale Cresap's blog

Have you known people who are chronic complainers, who use every opportunity to tell you about all their woes and troubles at great length? It is not surprising that you would find this unappealing. You have an inherent sense of respect for those who can bear up and function in spite of difficult circumstances and not complain. Yet even those who are not prone to complaining still experience pain. They are just as grateful for those who notice and offer sympathy, compassion, and understanding; and usually more so than constant complainers. Who do you know that is suffering in silence?  

Do you believe in the power of ritual? I do, but ritual has fallen out of favor today. John baptized for the repentance of sins and when I came to him he pointed out, correctly, that in my case it wasn’t necessary, but I told him to do it anyhow. Is there a direct connection between water immersion and repentance? There is a spiritual one for those who are willing to see it, and it is beneficial for them to go through the act. Rituals are actions you can do that connect you with the transcendent realm that you cannot access directly. My belief in the power of ritual is shown in my instituting a new one at the Last Supper. Do not despise the power of rituals.

In the investigation of atrocities of times past, those whose hands implemented such great evil claimed that they were only following orders. By this they would excuse themselves of any moral responsibility for their acts. But this is a false defense. If you know something is wrong, and do it anyhow, it is a sin against your own conscience, even if you are told to by those in authority. It is easy to go along and get along, and hard to stand for what you know is right. But your conscience is a gift from me, and I gave it to you for a reason. If you understand this you can call on me for the moral courage to follow it.

Have you ever read the writings of spiritual giants of previous generations and been shocked at misconceptions, biases, and prejudices they held? Do you think this means that they have nothing to teach you? Do you travel with baggage? You understand this question as both literal and figurative. Everyone is subject to the values of their generation and culture. They were no exception and neither are you. They were as unaware of theirs as you are of yours. If collective thought has advanced since their time you should be glad, but you should not judge them by the values of your time. Are you willing to look past this and learn the mysteries I revealed to them?

Have you ever rushed to judgment? I tell you not to judge at all, but the worst judgments are made in haste. Even your court system allows the accused to speak freely in their own defense. No judgment is rendered prior to this. Are you willing to engage with those who sin in different ways than you do, to hear their stories firsthand before you offer judgment? If you still cannot refrain from judgment this will at least improve your understanding. Have you heard it said that you should seek to understand before you seek to be understood? If you can do that you can also seek to understand before you condemn. Everyone you meet has a story that will break your heart.

Have you ever gone along with a  program because you were assigned to do it even though you had some nagging reservations? Don’t ignore the prompting of your conscience. People have done great evil throughout history and when called to account for it said that they were only following orders. This may have been accepted as a mitigating factor in their defense, but it is still a bad answer. You have inherent liberty by which no one can make you do anything against your will. To do something you know is wrong, even under pressure, is to sin against your conscience. It is heroic to stand against opposition and still do what you know is right.

Have you ever gone along with a  program because you were assigned to do it even though you had some nagging reservations? Don’t ignore the prompting of your conscience. People have done great evil throughout history and when called to account for it said that they were only following orders. This may have been accepted as a mitigating factor in their defense, but it is still a bad answer. You have inherent liberty by which no one can make you do anything against your will. To do something you know is wrong, even under pressure, is to sin against your conscience. It is heroic to stand against opposition and still do what you know is right.

Do you have a list of things to do? Do you have a prayer list? Are they the same list? Your prayer list doesn’t need to be limited to your daily tasks, but should include them. There are situations in the world of great importance that are beyond your reach for direct influence, but you can influence them through prayer. You put things on your to-do list because you do have a direct influence on them and you don’t expect anyone else to do them, but these things do not occur apart from me, for I have an influence on all things. This is something you should acknowledge on both your to-do list and your prayer list.

Do you understand that humor has a basis in reality? You are amused by familiar situations presented in an absurd way. In view of this, how do you use humor? It can be used graciously to diffuse tense situations. It can also be used in a mean-spirited way to present insults that would be rude and ungracious if spoken plainly. This is an attack against which there is no defense for the one making the joke can say that he was only kidding. But this does not excuse cruel words. Have you ever done this? Search your ways, and see how you can use humor for gracious affirmation rather than veiled criticism.