Dale Cresap's blog

Are you familiar with the practice of shunning? It has been used by some denominations on rare occasions as a means of church discipline, expelling a member to enforce doctrinal purity or right conduct. Its formal use was rare and as a last resort. Most churches don’t practice it formally today, but its informal use is rampant. Have you ever let a friendship die of neglect because someone was caught in sin, changed their view on a doctrinal matter, or changed churches? How does this differ from a formal pronouncement that someone is an outcast that you are not to associate with?

I taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Do you think this applies to everything? What about words? Have you ever encountered someone who was generous with their words, even if they were not desired, to the point of being wearisome or annoying? It is not gracious to dominate a conversation. In keeping with the paradigm of giving, you can think of listening as another form of giving. Don’t you feel ministered to by those who will listen to you and hear your story? They feel the same way and you can minister life to them by receiving their words. You can minister to me the same way and receive the words of life. 

Children play a game called hide and seek. One person is designated to find the others who are hiding. Is it possible that the categories of hiders and seekers go beyond this game? I have called you to seek the Kingdom of God. If you are not engaged in seeking this, what are you hiding from? Are you content with what you have already found? Yet being a seeker is a permanent vocation. Are you afraid of what you may find? Do you understand by now that everything I give you is good, and according to my plan for your benefit? Though the straight and narrow way is also steep, it leads to the fulfillment of your destiny, your transformation into glory. 

Have you noticed that people refer to every passing fancy as ‘awesome’, such as the latest movie or fashion? This is a word with a special specific meaning and shouldn’t be used lightly. Moses was awestruck when he encountered me as the voice of a trumpet. When Isaiah encountered me he said, ‘woe is me, for I am undone’. My disciple John fell down as a dead man. Perhaps it is an understatement to say that those who are truly awestruck are out of their comfort zone. Have you ever been in this place? Is it something you desire? I promise that you will have whatever you ask for and find what you seek. Be careful what you ask for because I am prepared to grant it. 

Do you work because you need the money? Who wouldn’t prefer to be independently wealthy if they had the choice? A job provides an income, but it also provides a way for you to sacrifice and serve others; your customers or those for whom you work. This function of work can give you a sense of meaning and purpose that an unearned income cannot. Do you endure the work to get the money? This is a negative view of economic necessity. Your adoption of Kingdom values should enable you to see the value of being a servant, and the benefit you derive from serving others. Work like you don’t need the money. 

I taught you not to cast your pearls before swine, or give that which is holy to dogs. Do you find this to be a difficult passage? It refers to the truth that you share with others. Truth is a progressive revelation. If you have walked far down the path you will encounter others who are just beginning. They may not be ready to accept the truth that you are now receiving. Neither were you at the same stage. If you force it on them you may do more harm than good. Haven’t I been patient with you, showing you more as you were able to bear it? Extend the same courtesy to others. The ‘swine’ are not a fixed and permanent category. Meet them where they are and  they will grow to the point that they can appreciate your pearls. 

What is your view of those outside your faith? Do you draw a strong diving line, with you on the inside? Do you make me that dividing line? This is the trend of human history for all faiths, to be accepting of their own and rejecting of others by whatever criteria they deem important. If you use me as the point of division what do you make of my own ministry in which I told a story commending the Good Samaritan, witnessed to the woman at the well, healed all who came to me, and proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God to all regardless of their affiliation? My ministry was to all humanity and yours should be too. 

Have you ever been distracted in your pursuit of truth? Do not be drawn away by a carefully crafted sales pitch and think it is the truth because of a slick presentation. My word states that if it were possible the very elect would be deceived, but this statement implies that it is not possible. Nevertheless you are to be as wise as serpents even as you are as innocent as doves. Have you ever encountered the truth spoken in a still small voice by an unassuming person? This is what I did in my time on earth. Receive it and embrace it even if it is presented without fanfare by people with no credentials. 

Have you ever heard of the concept of expanded consciousness? Do you think this is the province of drugs and hippies and new age gurus? It was a Biblical concept long before then. I challenged my audiences to have ears to hear and eyes to see. I marveled at those who could discern the weather from the sky but could not see the Kingdom of God right in front of them. Later the apostle spoke of having the mind of Christ. Are not my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts? Do you see the mind of Christ as an improvement over your own? If you seek true expanded consciousness you will find me, for who seeks the truth hears my voice. 

Do you find the richness of human life in relationships? Yet for this to work in your favor you need to start with an established identity of your own. You need your own sense of foundation and presence. This becomes obvious when you encounter those who have none; who seem adrift in their attempt to acquire them from other people. The essence of your being is established at birth. If you know this you know that your identity is not the credentials and titles you gain through life. Do you admire those who are authentic; who live a life in alignment with the truth of their being? This is the basis from which relationship enhances life.