Dale Cresap's blog

Have you noticed that every new soft drink is described as awesome? This deeply meaningful word has been cheapened by overuse. Yet it has a real meaning. Do you have a source of awe in your life? The same question would apply to the closely related concepts of mystery and wonder. Do you understand how desirable these things are? Do you seek them out? You are surrounded by them if you can comprehend them. Yet in a greater sense you cannot comprehend them or they would not be awesome, but you can be aware of them, and captivated by them, and surrender to them.

I promised that you would not face any temptation that you could not withstand because with it I would provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Does this seem contradictory to you? Do you like the idea of escape? Do you dislike the idea of enduring? Is there a way that these concepts can be reconciled so that both are true? I told my disciples that I had meat they knew not of, and that where I was going they could not follow. Have you found that there is a place of spiritual refuge where you can go to escape your afflictions even as you endure them?

One of the things I promised was a cross to carry. I left the door open for you to decide whether to pick it up or not, but doing so was presented as a condition of being a disciple. Are you aware that you are carrying a cross? Have you ever cried out that yours is too much for you to bear? I can sympathize with this statement. Another man was pressed into service to carry mine when I could not. I know what you are capable of; do you? Have you ever complained that your load is too great and found that you could bear it after all? I do not willingly afflict my children.

The gospels record the events of my life. You study them as sacred scripture. What do you take away? Do you see the unique events of my life serving to prove my identity? Do you see them as anything more than that? Do they provide a pattern and an example for you? Peter declared that I was the son of God. I said that he was blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to him. Do you have the same basis for acknowledging my identity? Then you can use the events of my life as a pattern and example. Didn’t I call those who believed in me to follow me?

Boats generate wakes. You have seen this and perhaps even felt it if you have been wading near the shore or been in a small boat when a large boat passes by. Do you see a larger scale application of this concept? A spiritual one? There have been spiritual movements throughout history that have influenced all that came after them. As a result you don’t have to recreate the whole structure of doctrine and church government from scratch. You have the benefit of those who have gone before you to build roads and cities and also to build churches and cathedrals.

Do you have certain expectations for the way your Christian life will proceed? Have they always proven correct? When I came to earth my people were expecting a messiah and they had clear expectations about what a messiah would look like. In general I did not meet their expectations and they were not aware of my first advent even though I lived and walked among them. Do you think the same thing could happen again even among those who identify as my followers? I came teaching about the Kingdom of God and I still do.

Are you familiar with the passage that says, to him who has more shall be given, and to him who has not even that little he has shall be taken away? Does this seem unfair to you? Does it seem like a spiritual version of the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Are you also familiar with the phrase, use it or lose it? This is a better explanation of my teaching and you have seen it in effect in your own life. Do the skills you practice improve? Do those you neglect atrophy? This does not add or detract from anyone but you. So the meaning is fair and obvious.

Do you see the spiritual nature of music? Music has been a part of spiritual worship from the beginning, even before the church. Music is also a large part of the secular entertainment business and you have heard criticism of music in church being a form of entertainment. You know it should be more than this, but a purely intellectual and rational age doesn’t know what to do with music or have a basis for comprehending meaning beyond the lyrics. But you who are spiritual should comprehend the meaning of melody.

Do you have a broken spirit and a contrite heart? If this phrase is familiar to you from the Bible you know that it is the sacrifice acceptable to me. Do you know anyone that you would describe this way? Do you find these qualities attractive in others? Do they see them in you? How do you go about acquiring these qualities? Is there a simple progression of steps or a program of instruction that will accomplish it?  Can you imagine that such an outcome is possible without suffering? Is this something that you want badly enough to count the cost and consent to the process and pay it?

Have you ever heard of an arrangement operated ‘on your honor’? For many things legal documents are involved and for others there are visible accountability systems. The concept of being on your honor dispenses with these controls on the premise that the character of those involved is sufficient to assure compliance. Have you heard it said that your true character is revealed in what you do when no one is watching? This is the same concept applied to agreements between people. What do you trust others to do on their honor? What will you do on yours?