Dale Cresap's blog

Have you read the writings of ancient authors and found that they were not attuned to modern concepts of political correctness? This shouldn’t come as a surprise. They reflect the values of their culture, even as you do, and they were no more aware of these things in their lives than you are in yours. Then does it surprise you when they make statements of brilliant and profound spiritual insight? Do their other statements make you reluctant to accept their great wisdom? Follow my advice. Cast your net and pull your catch on board. Sort it out on deck and keep that which is good, and throw the rest overboard.

Are you familiar with courtroom protocol? If there is a problem with the proceedings an objection can be raised, typically by one of the attorneys. The judge will either sustain or overrule the objection. Do you know the qualifications for eternal life? Blessed are those who believe in me. If at the end of the age I extend eternal life to someone who you don’t think meets the criteria, what would you do? Are you in a position to raise an objection? Will I not welcome the righteous into eternal life? But would you have a problem if I extended mercy to the undeserving? Prepare to have your objections overruled.

Do you understand the importance of granting forgiveness to others? This is central to the message of the Bible and all believers are aware of it. I asked my Father to forgive those who crucified me because they knew not what they did. Are you prepared to ask the same for those who hurt you? Beyond expressing forgiveness for others can you release the residual claims of justice held in your heart? What about asking me that no one may suffer as a result of the suffering they have caused you? These concepts are related but with subtle differences. How many dimensions of forgiveness are you willing to explore?

I said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. This doesn’t prevent people from wanting to be wealthy, but I also said beware when all men speak well of you, and this doesn’t prevent people from wanting to be famous. This may be an even more difficult challenge for the godly. If you are surrounded by adoring fans who think you can do no wrong, how will you realize that you can? How will you acquire the motivation to seek the Kingdom of God and do the difficult inner work that requires? In this manner the poor in spirit are blessed because the Kingdom of God is theirs for the taking.

Can you see my handiwork visible in a sunset at the beach or in the mountains? That is easy.  It would take someone of committed skepticism and dull senses not to. Here is a harder test. Can you see my presence in people who are mean or indifferent to you, in those from backgrounds vastly different from your own, in the poor and ignorant? You hold it as a doctrinal position that I created all things and all people. Can you see the implications of this statement? If you are spiritually alive and awake and aware, then you should be able to see the truth according  to the light, and see my presence in the least of these.

Have you heard it said that some things are over-rated? People going through difficult times will say that eating and sleeping are over-rated, and this is usually understood to be a joke. People in relational difficulties will make similar statements about marriage and family. Paul was expressing the same concept in referring to his credentials and counting them as dung, and counting all things as lost for the sake of knowing me. The term over-rated implies that there is a proper ranking of value, and you understand that some things are more important than others. If you regard me in my proper place it becomes easier to assign everything else its true value.

Have you heard the definition of a miracle as something that defies natural explanations; that could not have occurred without divine intervention? Those who are not inclined to believe go to great lengths to explain, explain away, or ignore these things. Those who are inclined to believe do not face this problem. But there is another explanation. What if I was present and involved in events that do not defy natural explanation? Is it any less appropriate to acknowledge and thank me if it doesn’t fit your definition of a miracle? Who created the natural processes that explain other things? Blessed are those who can see me whenever they open their eyes.

Do you have a plan for your spiritual development? So do I. I went by various titles during my time on earth, and one of these was Rabbi, or teacher. This is still in effect. Have you noticed favorable coincidences in your spiritual progress, circumstances that line up and particularly people you meet when you are prepared to receive what they have to offer you? Can you see that these were lessons you didn’t know you needed, and would not have been able to arrange even if you did? Be open and receptive to the lessons as they appear, for I am coordinating this effort to complete the good work I have begun in you.

Have you heard it said that the Book of Acts didn’t come to a normal ending because it is still being written? When I told my disciples that they would do greater works than I did, it was not just for them, but for all who believe in and follow me, including you. Don’t expect me to add your story to the canon of scripture, for it is closed. But you can expect me to act in your life the same way I did in theirs. At one point I told my disciples that my time had not yet come, but that theirs was always ready, and this applies to you too. I have opened the door for you to live an amazing story of your own.

Do you want to have a dramatic encounter with me? The most famous of these is Paul on the road to Damascus. There was no way to mistake what was going on, although Paul heard things clearly that his companions did not. But this is not the only way this can happen. Do you recall my disciples on the road to Emmaus? They also encountered me, but in a subtle way they did not recognize at first. Yet this too was a life-transforming encounter. Do you require drama to get your attention? Paul did, but you may not. Be attentive to the times that your heart burns within you even when you are talking to a stranger, because it could be me.