Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever heard of thinking outside the box? This implies a release from the restraints of arbitrary convention and tradition. How about putting God in a box?

Why do the righteous perish? My word says they die and no one takes it to heart. Why do the wicked prosper? The Psalmist pondered this and was disturbed at this apparent injustice.

Do you enter a church with a sense of reverence? This is appropriate for entering my house. Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that you would build for me?

Do you keep your valuables in secure places under your control? This is a good precaution to keep them from being stolen. You keep your money in your own pockets. Is it possible to rob me?

Are you frequently tired? This is the normal effect of exertion, and the exertion can be emotional or spiritual as well as physical. I too was tired from ministry.

Do you live in a place you think of as home? Not everyone does. Students go off to school and soldiers go to fight in distant lands and do not think of these places as home.

Do you look forward to going to heaven? You should, even though you may not be eager to depart right away. What do you look forward to? Gold and jewels? These things represent material wealth on earth, but you will have no need of material wealth in heaven.

Have you ever heard it said that God works in mysterious ways? This is true, and some people have a problem with that; those who will not accept anything that cannot be explained to their comprehension and satisfaction.

I showed my ways to Moses and my acts to the children of Israel. You also long to know my ways for you realize that this is better than just seeing my acts. Yet when you ask me why I do the things I do, is there no answer?

Have you ever done something with the best of intentions and had it turn out badly and been criticized for it? Have you ever performed acts of true virtue and had them criticized by those who insisted on seeing them in a negative way? I can sympathize for this happened to me as well.