Dale Cresap's blog

Is it a sin to be angry? The bible says be angry and sin not. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath. There is much content in these few words. It says that you can be angry and not sin, but implies that anger also can be a sin. The problem with anger is in leaving it unresolved. There may be things that make you angry that can’t be resolved in the short term, but you can still deal with anger as it arises. You can transform it into compassion for the afflicted and resolution to redemptive action. How long does it take to do this?

Are you a leader? Do you think you need a title and an office to be one? There are so many situations crying out for someone to take the initiative and provide direction. You don’t have the authority to usurp power from established leaders, but there are more opportunities for leadership than there are designated officeholders to fill them. You can step into a vacuum without challenging anyone in power. Haven’t you seen this already, and been willing to follow someone who emerges with a plan and direction? You can be the one. Assume the authority you need to do what has to be done.  

Are you familiar with the miracles I did? These are among the most well-known accounts of the faith. Do you see a common theme among them? Are they about meeting basic human needs such as feeding and healing? You regard them with awe and wonder but their purpose was very simple. Do you think that I did them with magnificent style while your own efforts in the same tasks seem mundane? Yet I have called you to follow me and to do the same things that I did, in fact, even greater things.

Do you think of redemption as a transition from this world to the next? There is an element of truth to that. What about redemption here in this world? A demonstration of that may be a more compelling argument for the validity of the gospel than a promise of a better life in a world to come. If someone’s conscience is awakened, and they turn from their selfish and inconsiderate ways to express love and compassion, doesn’t it signify a real inner transformation? How often do you see this happen apart from a spiritual experience?

Do you look for truth outside of your tradition? Would you expect to find something if you did? To think otherwise is to assume that you happened upon the one church that had all the answers for every question. But you didn’t, and you won’t know until you look. Is your church threatened by your questions, or if you continue your search for truth beyond its four walls? That reflects badly on them rather than you. I sent  the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth, and the Holy Spirit is active everywhere. I promised that if you seek you would find.

Have you ever heard of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps? You know that this is physically impossible but it is still a common phrase. You meet people who claim to be self-made. Yet they cannot really take all the credit for their success. They have advantages and privileges that they are not acknowledging. Everyone who succeeds has someone who gave them a start, got them an education, and gave them character instruction. No one exists apart from a human community. What do you have that you did not receive? Acknowledging this will allow you to bear your success with humility.

Do you see yourself as a trusting person? Perhaps too much so? The disadvantages of being too trusting are readily obvious. You can be cheated and taken advantage of. What about the disadvantages of not being trusting enough? These are less obvious, but more severe. They consist of missed or rejected opportunities. You may not be aware of these when they happen, but the cumulative effect is a diminished rather than an abundant life. Fear gives birth to death.

Do you prefer sunshine to darkness and rain? Yet I make all of them, and each serves a benevolent purpose. You need shelter from the rain, but you also need rain for fresh water to sustain you, and to cause the earth to bring forth its abundance. You need both rain and sun and it is a manifestation of my goodness that I send these on the just and on the unjust alike. Can you extend this concept to other areas of your life? Is it possible that you need things you would not choose? There are obvious blessings for which you are openly and joyfully grateful.

How often do you think about me? I think about you all the time. I do not say this to make you feel guilty or condemn you. My capacities are infinite and yours are not. I know that you have responsibilities in this world and limited abilities for focus and attention. In any relationship one party will be more invested than the other. In our case it will always be me. Let this be a cause of joy rather than despair for you. When you are busy or distracted or tired I am not. Even when you are sleeping I continue to watch over you with tender care.

Are you becoming like your parents? You may not notice this when you are young, but as you age you may notice yourself taking on their mannerisms and habits. I tell you to honor your father and mother and imitation is one sincere form of this. You may admire your parents and do this intentionally, or you may not and seek to avoid it, but it will happen either way. You are deeply influenced by them whether you realize it or not, or appreciate it or not. What about your Father in heaven? Are you intentionally taking on his mannerisms and character? You are made in his image.