Dale Cresap's blog

Have you heard the old joke about the man who went to the doctor and said, it hurts when I do this? The doctor said, don’t do this. That is one approach to dealing with pain. The more modern approach is to get a pain killer that will allow you to do the same activities that lead to pain without experiencing pain. So which approach is really better? Is there a spiritual parallel to this story? Have you ever experienced spiritual pain? You could think of this as isolation and alienation from your true self and from your destiny.

Are you involved with the work of redemption? You may protest that only I could do that, and there is a level at which that is correct, but that does not absolve you from involvement in the work of redemption. Does this make you think of the Great Commission, where your part is to proclaim the good news of the gospel, that is already a finished work, to every creature?

I held a conversation with a woman who raised the question of the correct place to worship. I replied that manner was more important than location and said that the time was coming, and now was, to worship in spirit and in truth. Do you think of worship location as being of great importance? I do not criticize the building of structures for this purpose, but I do not inhabit the works of men’s hands. As I emphasized, the more important question is to worship God in spirit and in truth. Do you understand what this means?

Do you live in a loud world? A prophet wanted to hear my voice. There followed a series of natural calamities but I was not in them. But after them I spoke to him in a still small voice. You may face an even greater challenge than the prophet. Even without the natural calamities, are you surrounded by loud voices looking for dominance, even those without insight or wisdom that try to establish themselves with volume and persistence? Natural disasters have a fixed duration, but will these ever shut up?

You describe your faith as a relationship with me, and you are right. I portrayed this in my teaching on earth in many ways, in the story of the Good Samaritan, and in my acceptance of the Centurion, the woman at the well, and the Syro-Phoenician woman, among others. I showed favor to those outside of the conventional practice of faith, and criticized those at the top of the religious dominance hierarchy. I commended relationship but conducted my ministry as an outsider to the religious establishment.

Do you like to get good news? Who doesn’t? You know that the word gospel means good news. Have you found that the people you share this message with regard it as good news and receive it gladly, or avoid you if they know what is on your mind? For those who know they need forgiveness of sin, this message is good news, but how many people do you meet with this awareness? It is the Holy Spirit that convinces of sin; if you try to do this it may explain why people are not more eager to hear your message. How can you present the gospel message so it is received as good news?

I teach you to love your enemies. How do you go about this? Do you find it is easier to do in the abstract than in the concrete? Do you understand that the commandment to heap coals of fire on their heads is to be taken figuratively rather than literally? Do your enemies know that you love them? They should if you do this in real tangible ways rather than just as mental assent. Does this require you to donate money and support for people and organizations you do not agree with?

Do people confide in you? What do they confide? This is an important question. If they are willing to share their darkest secrets as a form of confession you should be honored that they trust you with this information and will not judge them or use it against them. If they confide in you the faults and failings of others the proper term for this is gossip and you should not feel so honored for two reasons. They have identified you as someone who will listen to gossip, and those who gossip to you will gossip about you.

Are you familiar with the story of the wheat and the tares? They were allowed to grow together side by side until the time of the harvest when they were separated. This story is presented on a large scale with the separation taking place at the time of harvest, or at the end of the age. Could it be applied on a smaller scale as well? Can you distinguish between beneficial things in your own life that you should nurture and care for, and tares that consume time and resources, energy and attention and produce no value?

Paul wrote a letter telling a church that he was with them in spirit, even though he was absent in the body. Have you ever done this? It is easier said than done. Paul was referring to more than well-wishing from afar. How much more is open to debate. Have you ever been present in body while absent in spirit? This is so commonplace today that most of the people you meet only expect clouded or distracted presence and that is all they have to offer. Are you working on being present in spirit with others as Paul did? Start by being present in spirit where you are present in your body.