Dale Cresap's blog

Do you buy new stuff? You can save money by buying things second hand at garage sales or thrift stores but who doesn’t prefer new if money isn’t a consideration? What about your faith? Is it new or is it second hand? The founders of the faith had direct encounters with God. Can this be mass-produced? Churches make  a version of the original available to anyone who accepts their beliefs and teachings. This is not a bad thing and everyone needs a community. Yet who would argue that this is equivalent to the experience of the founder?

Where does your identity come from? You notice that one is a stamp collector, one a football fan, one hikes in the mountains and one catches fish. One is a conservative and one a liberal. One a Baptist and one a Methodist. One a musician and one a builder. One makes money and another makes art. Did they choose these things? Most cannot give a reasonable explanation for why their lives went in this direction even if it is well-established. Is it possible that these things chose them? Are you familiar with the promise that I will give you the desires of your heart?

What is the purpose of prayer? To get me to do what you want? There are Bible verses that would support this viewpoint and this is the practice of some believers, but does it bother you to hear it described like this? If this is the correct approach then which of us is God? Do you understand prayer as communication? Communication can be one-way, such as radio or TV broadcast, or two-way, such as face-to-face conversation. Come and let us reason together applies to more than the forgiveness of your sins.

Have you heard the passage that says, fear not those who can kill the body only, but fear him who can destroy both the body and soul in hell? This may be sound logical, but it still expresses a grim perspective. Yet it is logically valid to change the perspective to a positive one. Do not follow after and admire those who can reward you only with money, or popularity, or the fleeting rewards that are available in this life only.

Is money the only thing that motivates people? You are fully immersed in a commercial economy for which the implied answer is yes. Failure to ponder this question is implicit agreement with the premise. Jobs (and people) are ranked monetarily. But the Bible says woe to those who are rich, for it is hard for them to enter the Kingdom of heaven, and the poor are rich in faith, and you cannot serve God and mammon. Is there an alternative? What about an economy of life satisfaction? What would that look like? You don’t have to wait for the government and the economists to implement this.

Do you lead a meaningful life? This is an undeniable longing in every human heart, but how many people would you describe this way? What does a meaningful life consist of? This isn’t something you can do by yourself. No matter how great your ability to live the life of your choice, you must commit to something greater and larger than yourself to find meaning. How far can you go with this? I said that unless a grain of wheat dies it abides alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit. You know I was referring to myself, but this is a universal law, and applies just as much to you.

Have you ever been in liminal space? Are you familiar with this term? This is where change occurs. It is full of opportunities for growth, but most people don’t go there voluntarily, because it is outside their comfort zone. This is where the status quo breaks down, but this must happen if it is to be replaced with anything new. Have you ever felt this tension in yourself? Part of you wants to move on and another part of you can’t let go. These times will come to you even if you do not seek them.

Have you ever been aware of encountering an opportunity that I arranged? When the door is open to move in redemptive purpose, especially in unlikely circumstances that you did not arrange, do you realize that I made this appointment? What do you do if it comes at an inopportune time? Does this put you in a dilemma? I didn’t promise to open doors for you only when it is convenient for you. I told my disciples that my time had not yet come, but that theirs was always ready. So the concept of opportunity cost applies even in the Kingdom of God.

Do you have lifelong friends? Have you ever felt a divine unction to change the direction in your life and move into something new? Did your friends approve of the change? If not, then this puts you in a dilemma. One resolution would be to follow my direction for you and make new friends. There is value in a multitude of counsel, but in some more than others. As the direction of your journey changes, it is normal and appropriate to acquire new travelling companions. You don’t have to break contact with those you have long known, but you don’t need to let them set your course.

Do you belong to the one true church? Most Christians know better than to claim that their denomination is the one and only, and yet who doesn’t think that their own church is better than others? Are you biased toward your own tribe? Yet have you ever found truth outside of your tradition? If you haven’t you aren’t looking very hard. Some are not open to the possibility of this and that is a mistake. Even if your church has valid aspects of the truth it doesn’t have all truth.