Dale Cresap's blog

Do you know you have a blind spot? You may have learned this in school health class as a lesson in anatomy, but for most people it is not a matter of conscious awareness. Yet it still exists. Do you think you have any spiritual blind spots? If you don’t then you have arrived a level of spiritual perfection that you probably wouldn’t claim. These spiritual blind spots can exist even if you are unaware of them. Others can see things with their natural eyes that you don’t even though they are in your field of vision. The same principle applies spiritually. You need the assistance of others for complete spiritual vision. 

Do you understand the importance of high morale? Those who do will not complain about the difficulties they face, even as a result of injustice or the shortcomings of others. Don’t you find it wearisome to be around those with nothing but criticism? They are detrimental to everyone’s morale, starting with their own. On the other hand, don’t you admire those who remain gracious and cheerful even while they endure great trials? I didn’t tell you to rejoice without giving you a good reason to do so. I want you to maintain the true and eternal perspective that no matter what happens your names are written in my book of life. 

Ancient people everywhere were convinced that they lived in a world of enchantment. Modern rationalism denies this and rejects it outright. Some things have a scientific explanation but others do not. The world views of ancient people were not uniformly consistent and some of them were clearly wrong but science cannot prove that there are no influences beyond the observable physical world. What if the underlying concept of the ancients was right? Don’t give in to the oppositions of science falsely so called. Your own faith is one of mystery and wonder. Practice it in good conscience. 

Games can begin by dividing those who will take part into teams. This is called choosing sides. The same terms apply in a less benign manner to those who join a dispute. The concept of allies and enemies is very strong and prevalent. Do you think of me as being above all this and not joining anyone’s side? Do you think of yourself as having your own side as opposed to mine? I tell you that I am more for you than you are for yourself. I love you. My commandments guide you to life, and my thoughts toward you are of peace, to give you a future and a hope. You should be as much on your own side as I already am.

I gave you the Great Commission to preach the good news of the Kingdom to every creature. There are also instructions to not forsake the assembling of yourselves together. Do you find that you prefer fellowship with believers to the work of presenting the gospel message to unbelievers? Both things are important, but the fact that you prefer one does not allow you to neglect the other. If you seek me and follow me I will give you opportunities to do both. This is an area in which balance is important. These are not exclusive and contrary tasks, but complementary, so that each properly done supports the other. 

My word teaches you to practice hospitality. Does this make you think of entertaining in your home? Then does your ability to practice hospitality depend on the size of your home and the quality of your furnishings? These things do not assure that you will be hospitable and you can be without them, for hospitality is a broader concept. You make presence for others in your heart and in your life before you make room for them in your home. Even if you are not equipped to entertain you can take the time and interest to show thoughtfulness and consideration for others and so practice true hospitality. 

Do you understand that I love you? Do you walk in the reality of all that this implies? People yearn for acceptance and learn at an early age which behaviors gain approval and which lead to rejection. They train themselves to act in acceptable ways even if it feels foreign to them and so they create a false self. This can also be described as an image to uphold. After living in this role for years it comes as an incomprehensible shock to them that I love their true self. I don’t love their image, because it is only that, an artificial construct. The revelation that I love the real you begins the process of redeeming the real you into my own likeness.

Is it possible to be totally self-involved and at the same time alienated from your true identity? Do you know any selfish people who have no idea of who they really are and where they are going? Even those who don’t believe in me are created in my image, and it is not within a man who walks to direct his own steps. Those in this condition are blind and in darkness. Truly I said that those who seek to save their own lives would lose them. Yet you have a true self and a true identity available if you will seek them. For I also said that he who lays down his life for me will find eternal life. Surrender and yield to me to find who you really are and live your real life. 

If I told you that I loved you would you think of it as a profound statement? Little children learn this as their first lesson about me. Do you think that you have moved on to more advanced and sophisticated concepts? If you think this statement is not profound then you don’t understand the profound nature of love. Who can comprehend it? Science and law can be codified in books, line upon line and precept upon precept, but love is not so easy to pin down. It is not dispassionate and objective. You must experience it to know it. When I tell you I love you ask me what aspects of profound love I want to show you. 

Do you think of ministry as a one-way street, with certain people in designated positions to only give it and others without titles who only receive? I called all my followers to be the servant, or minister, of all. And even those who are in prominent positions of ministry are as much in need of it as anyone else. My model of the church as a body has every member giving and receiving concurrently. Consider this principle in practical terms. Think of those whom you receive ministry from, and the needs that they have that you can meet. Think also of those to whom you minister. How can you humble yourself to receive from them?