Dale Cresap's blog

Does your faith include rituals? Sacraments are rituals but not all rituals are sacraments. Rituals have meaning in that they are symbolic of larger concepts. Rituals get a bad name because it is possible to go through the motions without engaging the larger concept. Will you close a door for no reason? You can close a door for many reasons but you don’t do it just to go through the motion. Neither should you build a fire on my altar for no reason, and the fact that you did it yesterday and the day before isn’t enough. I have given you the freedom to choose your own rituals. Engage yours with purpose and passion and they will give you life. 

Do you belong to a tribe? Do you think this term applies only to small, isolated, primitive groups? Yet don’t you prefer to associate with those like yourself who hold the same beliefs, values, customs, and culture? This provides a sense of acceptance and you are comfortable where you fit in. This is not sinful, but it does limit your opportunities for growth. I called a particular group of people to be my own and they were further divided into tribes. Yet even back then I told them to be kind to and accepting of the stranger in their midst. Are you willing to go outside of your tribe to follow this commandment today?

Have you heard it said that I will not give you more than you can handle? You do have my promise that I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can endure, but that isn’t exactly the same thing. How much can you handle on your own? For my word teaches that without me you can do nothing. How much can you handle with me? You know that with me you can do all things. These statements give you some important perspective on whether I will I give you more than you can handle. The real question is whether you are willing to walk in acknowledgment of your dependence on me. 

Are you familiar with the concept of “soul mates”? This has become a common phrase used to describe ideal romantic partners. Do you know people engaged in a search for a soul mate? They assume that one such individual exists, and you may notice that they go through multiple iterations in their search for the perfect one. In this context they may be looking for something that doesn’t exist, but the concept is valid nonetheless, if properly understood. Your real soul mate is me. I made you for myself and you not find ultimate satisfaction anywhere or with anyone else. Don’t expect another person to provide for you what only I can. 

My disciples returned from a trip to get food and I told them that I had food that they knew not of. They didn’t understand so I told them that my food was to do the will of God. Perhaps you have experienced the same thing. You have been cold and hungry and tired. Yet when you are fully engaged in something that you are passionate about do you notice these things? When you are fulfilling your destiny don’t these minor discomforts drop below your level of awareness? They still exist but you have more important things to pay attention to. You too can be nourished by the abundance of life. [departure delayed]

My word teaches you to give to the poor. Do you prefer to give to the deserving poor, or the poor of your own faith tradition? Do you make a strong distinction between the poor who are worthy and those who are not, and adjust your generosity accordingly? This distinction is yours rather than mine. Do you find it in my word? I told the story of the Good Samaritan as an illustration of an outsider who ministered according to this principle, based on need alone. The Good Samaritan went out of his comfort zone to meet a need. Are you willing to let go of artificial distinctions and do the same? Going to Oshkosh for 10 days

Do you hate to loan money? The Bible cautions against being a debtor, and you have valid reasons to be wary of being a lender as well. Yet the Bible does encourage lending in one case, in that he who gives to the poor lends to God. Note that it does not say he who lends to the poor gives to God. From your perspective you are to give to the poor expecting nothing in return, but I view this action as a loan to me. Are you more willing to lend to those you expect to pay you back? I have a good credit rating. If you give generously to the poor you can trust me to pay you back with interest. 

Do you get out of bed as soon as you wake up? Do you think that people are lazy if they don’t? Don’t be so hard on yourself. This may be the only calm time that you have during the day. The psalmist understood this when he said that he would commune with his own heart upon his bed. You can do the same thing. Before you face the day with its troubles that are sufficient unto it, spend a few minutes with me to be grateful for the new day and to be encouraged that I am present with you. This will give you a head start on your troubles and the peace to face them with my grace. 

How many things are on your prayer list? Do you assume that the longer it is the more spiritual you are? Yet can you do justice to a hundred different topics in prayer? Prayer can be a great way to find me, but you can also use it as a place to hide from me. I told Martha that she was careful and troubled about many things, but one thing was needful, and Mary had chosen the better part. Prayer can be an expression of the same principle. Have you noticed that Biblical accounts of prayer normally involve a single request? My yoke is easy. My burden of prayer is light as well if you will focus on one thing at a time. 

My word gives you the promise of victory. It speaks a great deal of success and triumph. It also speaks of laying down your life and picking up your cross and following me. Do these seem like contradictory statements? Dying and victory may seem like opposites, but I turned my own death into my greatest triumph, and left a pattern for you to follow. Not in the grand scale that I did, but the same principle applies in your own life. For he who seeks to keep his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for my sake will gain eternal life. Have you experienced this? How a series of small ‘deaths’ and ‘resurrections’ transforms you into my likeness?