Dale Cresap's blog

Have you ever gone along with a  program because you were assigned to do it even though you had some nagging reservations? Don’t ignore the prompting of your conscience. People have done great evil throughout history and when called to account for it said that they were only following orders. This may have been accepted as a mitigating factor in their defense, but it is still a bad answer. You have inherent liberty by which no one can make you do anything against your will. To do something you know is wrong, even under pressure, is to sin against your conscience. It is heroic to stand against opposition and still do what you know is right.

Do you have a list of things to do? Do you have a prayer list? Are they the same list? Your prayer list doesn’t need to be limited to your daily tasks, but should include them. There are situations in the world of great importance that are beyond your reach for direct influence, but you can influence them through prayer. You put things on your to-do list because you do have a direct influence on them and you don’t expect anyone else to do them, but these things do not occur apart from me, for I have an influence on all things. This is something you should acknowledge on both your to-do list and your prayer list.

Do you understand that humor has a basis in reality? You are amused by familiar situations presented in an absurd way. In view of this, how do you use humor? It can be used graciously to diffuse tense situations. It can also be used in a mean-spirited way to present insults that would be rude and ungracious if spoken plainly. This is an attack against which there is no defense for the one making the joke can say that he was only kidding. But this does not excuse cruel words. Have you ever done this? Search your ways, and see how you can use humor for gracious affirmation rather than veiled criticism.

Do you think some people are spiritual and others are not? To say that someone is not spiritual is like saying they are not subject to gravity. You may describe such people as walking in darkness, and this is an accurate description, because they are unaware of the reality they are immersed in. You live in a natural world, and at the same time you are surrounded by spiritual reality. This is true for everyone whether they acknowledge it or not. You are children of light and know the truth. Don’t compromise your comprehension of the truth by limiting it to what you can see. He who has eyes to see, let him see.

I set the planets in motion around the sun in their proper orbits. Consider the one you care most about. Were the earth closer to the sun it would burn up, and if further away it would freeze. Do you see any spiritual parallel? If you are out of your proper orbit and ‘too close to the sun’ you are subject to ego inflation, on the other hand you get depressed if too far away. Celestial bodies remain in their orbits with no effort. Do you? I have assigned you an orbit of your own, and invited you to abide in me. That is to say that if you remain in the Son, you will be able to remain at the proper distance from the sun.

Do you think that the whole world must be categorized into things that must be affirmed and things that must be condemned? This is too big a job for you. Depending on how you interpret the admonition not to judge, nothing requires condemnation, but even if there are some things you cannot ignore, most things will still not require a response from you. To fail to condemn something does not imply that you affirm it. Do you desire to advance in your spiritual maturity? Do you think that progress in this would be shown by rendering judgment against more and more things or fewer things?

Are your fears in conflict with your needs? You need to grow and be transformed. This will take you into places you have not been before, so there is an element of the unknown in moving forward. If your fears hold you back from doing this you will remain in a stunted condition. Growth takes place gradually, so it may not be obvious in a momentary observation, but becomes clear over time. In like manner the deadly effects of fear may not be obvious in the moment, but they are real and cumulative just the same. If you understand this set your fears aside and move in faith toward the unknown future I have prepared for you.

Have you asked me for my favor and blessing in your life? Can you see how you have received these things in abundance? Do you think that this gives you an unfair advantage over everyone else? You don’t need to feel guilty about this. I bestow favor and blessing over everyone else too. For I send sun and rain on just and on the unjust alike. I open my hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Take a minute to think about that. So what advantage do you have? Blessed are those who walk in the light, and see and know that the blessings they have are from me, and walk in humility and gratitude for them.  

How confident are you in discerning someone’s educational background by their manner of speech and topics of conversation? Yet you have encountered people with academic credentials who are dull and narrow-minded, and also those without credentials who have put forth the effort to inform themselves and maintain an attitude of engagement and inquisitive curiosity. The learned men of the day marveled at my disciples who proclaimed my Kingdom with eloquent boldness, because they were unlearned men, and they took note that they had been with me. Education is more readily available now than it was then, but my presence is available to all, and will give you transformative insights that no school can offer.