Dale Cresap's blog

Are you more keenly aware of the privileges and advantages of others than you are of your own? This is a nearly universal human trait, regardless of your personal or group identifications. It is always easier to see how someone else has an advantage and you are deprived, whether by race or gender or nationality or cultural background, or things that are unique to your own situation. This is a bias for ingratitude and a recipe for unhappiness. It is also not an objective view of the truth. I promised that if you would continue in my word you know the truth and be free. Blessed are those who know they are blessed.

Is there anyone for whom you have contempt? This is normally directed at your enemies, those you consider to be entirely unlike you, or beyond redemption. Beware of the great danger of holding anything in contempt. For this, like bitterness, is more a statement about you than about the object of your contempt. One who displays it is a contemptuous person regardless of the character of the one receiving it. It becomes your characteristic rather than theirs.  It is not for you to judge who is worthy of such derisive treatment. Honor all men, for all are created in my image. Love your enemies.

Have you noticed that some people seem to have all the advantages of attractiveness, wealth, intelligence, charm, and popularity? Do you envy those for whom life comes easily, and wish you were one of them? These are gifts from me, for you have nothing that you did not receive, but the economy of my Kingdom operates on a different currency. Have you noticed that the gospel message seems to be aimed at those who are without; the poor and rejected and downtrodden of this world? If it doesn’t work for them it doesn’t work for anybody. The poor you have with you always, and also the rich, but they don’t understand the blessing of being poor in spirit.

Have you ever been bored or frustrated? Boredom comes when you are not sufficiently engaged with or challenged by the task at hand. Frustration comes when it is beyond your ability or your efforts are thwarted some other way. Have you experienced both of these? Have you also had experiences where your skills were perfectly matched to the task? “Flow” is a good term for this. Do you think this happens by accident? I promised to lead you into all truth. This includes meeting your current abilities with suitable challenges.

What is your view of death? Do you view it as something that is always tragic, or do you see it as normal; a part of the equation, so to speak? You may certainly see death as tragic for those who die young, or in the prime of life, but what about those who are full of days? The therapeutic culture you live in can only see death as an enemy to be overcome, but medical science can only do so much and will ultimately lose every time. I also viewed death as an enemy, but I overcame death in a different way, by resurrection and the promise of new life. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? Do not fear even death or view it as the ultimate tragedy.

There are various ways to learn. Some do better by a rigorous and systematic approach, such as a school curriculum, and others jump in and try it and figure it out as they go. Adults tend to prefer one or the other, but do you know of any children who use the school approach? Don’t they just jump right in and do it, shamelessly making mistakes, but learning rapidly from their mistakes? I told my followers that I still had much to teach them, and this enduring principle applies to you too. I didn’t teach my followers in a school, but by action and demonstration out in the real world. This is an effective approach. Jump right in.

Have you ever been taken for granted? Have you ever taken others for granted? This is a common phrase. Have you pondered what it means? It refers to presumptuous expectations; assuming that you are entitled to some benefit without a basis for it. This leads to several bad outcomes, but always a lack of gratitude. Do you expect that I will provide for you? This is correct. What do you have that you did not receive? The implied answer is nothing. If you understand this then you can take nothing for granted and learn the joy of gratitude for everything you receive.

Do you see my presence in the natural world around you? Is this easier to do in the spring and summer than in the winter? In like manner, is it easier during the daytime than in the night? But I created both the day and the night, and the seasons are a necessary part of my plan that I declared to be good. You may see events in your life that seem unrelated to the times and seasons and judge some to be good and others to be bad. Don’t be so quick to judge and reject. I can use things you would throw away to build beauty into your life. See how much good came from the stone that the builders rejected.

You have heard of items described as ‘one size fits all’. In your experience how accurate is this statement? In this case are you surprised if it fits anyone very well? Do you take a ‘one size fits all’ approach in your presentation of the gospel? You may come to this conclusion by your regard for eternal truth and the need to present it faithfully. How successful have you been with this? Paul had a high regard for the truth and was an effective evangelist. Yet he would accommodate the needs and present state of his audience. He said he would become all things to all people that he might by any means save some. Paul got it right, and I authorize you to use all the creativity you can bring to bear in evangelism.

Have you read in my word that the Kingdom of God is within you? Read this carefully. Note that it says within you, not about you. You hear people described as being full of themselves or all about them and it is not a compliment, or a Kingdom value. Narcissism has become a common term although the concept is enduring. John the Baptist understood that he must decrease that I may increase. Do you? Do you see your spiritual life being about acquisition, as the other aspects of your life are? I want you to understand that your spiritual life is more about releasing and letting go, that you may be a vessel full of the Kingdom of God and my presence.