Dale Cresap's blog

Do your dreams make sense to you? Are you inclined to dismiss them if they don’t have an obvious meaning? Does the control panel of a nuclear reactor make sense to you? Yet you know it provides meaningful information to someone even if it doesn’t make sense to you. The essence of learning is realizing you have a lack of understanding and seeking to gain the knowledge to fill it. There are several examples in my word of those who knew they had meaningful dreams but didn’t understand them. They put considerable effort into seeking an interpretation until they found it. If you seek you will likewise find. 

Do you take your dreams seriously? This is not considered appropriate in a rationalistic age. Yet you read the Bible and find that everyone took their dreams seriously and they were correct in doing so. They considered dreams to be a valid form of spiritual guidance and they were right. Do you think this was valid in Bible times, but not today? When did it change? I made a promise long ago that I would pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and dreams were a part of this. This referred to a future time. Do you think the fulfillment has come and gone? If you are prepared to seriously examine your dreams I am prepared to speak to you through them. 

Do you like stories? Have you heard that there are only a few basic story lines? This is debatable, but there is general agreement that redemption is a powerful story line. Even people who are not believers are drawn to this type of story because it speaks to a hope deep within the human race that the door is open for recovery no matter how bad things are. You know that the gospel message of salvation is the ultimate redemption story and it makes this hope real. Do you find that there is little interest in your personal testimony? Don’t sell yourself short. As much as you are drawn to redemption stories in general, others are drawn to mine in you and in turn to me. 

Have I not promised that nothing shall by any means harm you? Yet you encounter unpleasant things in life. Do you see this as a contradiction? Good parents take seriously the responsibility to protect their children and are diligent to keep them from danger. Yet wise parents also realize that growing up involves some hard lessons. You don’t always get your own way. Parents can train their children by exposing them to the consequences of bad choices yet without putting them in real danger. Am I not a good Father? How much more than earthly parents will I train my children in righteousness yet at the same time protect them from real harm? 

Do you know anything that isn’t true? It is better to realize you don’t know something than to be persuaded of something that is false. Your certainties can get in the way of true understanding. Have you ever had your beliefs shaken to the core? You probably found this to be an unpleasant experience. Did you consider it to be my doing? How could I improve your understanding without getting you past the barriers of false certainties? Revelation can occur by the test of shaking. Truth will stand up to any level of examination and scrutiny. Let those things that can be shaken drop away, and that which remains will be tried and true. 

Surfers ride waves. Have you ever done this? Not everyone has the skill and opportunity for this form of recreation, but in a spiritual sense it is available to all. You may think of the moving of my Spirit as the blowing of the wind, or as the movement of a wave. If you continue to move with me then you can ride the crest of the spiritual wave. Does this sound appealing to you? Yet how many people will seize upon one aspect of my ongoing revelation and camp there? These are prone to criticize those who continue to move on. I want you to rejoice in what you have and still keep looking for more. Your time is always ready and the surf is always up. 

Do you care more about doing what is right or about what people think of you? Hopefully all of those in your circle of acquaintances will love the truth and affirm righteous behavior and will therefore approve of you when you do what is right. In this case there is no conflict between the two objectives but you can’t count on this and even those who have received the truth may not understand what I am doing in your life. If no man can please two masters then it follows logically that no man can please millions of masters. Fortunately you only have to please one. Obey me and I will be pleased with you. 

Do you see my hand at work in your life in the many blessings you receive? Blessed are those who recognize the source of their blessings that they may be grateful for them. Do you also see my hand at work in your life in things you find painful and unpleasant? This is a more difficult challenge, but if you recognize my ultimate goodness you can see value even in painful things. Joseph refused to become bitter at the mistreatment he got from his brothers and after many years of patient endurance he said that what they meant for evil God used for good. Blessed are those who understand and walk in this. 

Have you heard of an easy activity described as a walk in the park? You may not describe the Christian life this way, but how about a walk in the garden? This is what I did with Adam, and what is available to you by the redemption I offer. Would you argue that you don’t live in a paradise? My creation is still good, and when you encounter the fallen aspects of it I offer you a transcendent life where you can live above it all even in the midst of the pain and sorrow that this world brings. Have you learned that who you are with is more important than where you are? I want you to see that my presence with you creates paradise wherever you are. 

My word promises that you can have whatever you ask for in my name. Have you found that it is not quite as easy as this suggests? Perhaps there are good reasons for this. Some things you want are not good for you. A wise parent considers a child’s best interests above their immediate desires, and I am wiser than any earthly father. Have you not already asked for things that you later reconsidered? I could see before you could the wisdom of withholding it. You have your desires and I have mine. The process of maturity involves yours being conformed to mine. Be patient while they converge.