Dale Cresap's blog

Do you know what you worship? This may sound like an obvious question, but I had a conversation with a woman at a well and told her she knew not what she worshipped. I went on to affirm worship in spirit and in truth. Do you know people who worship money? They may not describe it that way, but if they live their lives as if nothing is more important, they don’t have to go to weekly meetings for it to count as worship. The same principles of devotion apply, so this is a fair description of the most important thing to any person. So what is most important to you?

For what do you hear the church criticized by outsiders? The emphasis on money? You don’t have to go outside the church to hear this complaint. What do you see in my life? Did I ever take an offering? If money had been a big concern for me I would not have appointed Judas as treasurer. Yet even if I wasn’t a fund raiser, I spoke a lot about money. I commended generosity, and said that where your treasure was your heart would be also. Give and it will be given unto you.

How well do you see? You are fortunate to live in an age where most vision problems can be corrected, starting with corrective lenses. You accept 20/20 as standard normal and expect to see that well. But this is not what I was talking about when I challenged my audiences about having ears to hear and eyes to see. There is a level of awareness and understanding that goes beyond taking in a visual scene. Have you ever had the experience of not being able to ‘see’ what is right in front of you, until someone pointed it out?

I said that new wine requires new wineskins, and this was not a one-time thing. It is an enduring principle. Do you see a need for new wineskins today? Is the current version of the church able to meet the needs of the moving of the Spirit and the needs of the surrounding culture? Is it capable of being salt with savor and the light of the world? Is it capable of holding the conversations required to address these issues? Is there any organization capable of evaluating itself and making the changes required to adapt to new conditions? What is your part in the making of new wineskins?

Are you convinced of the existence of eternal truth? Do you have a complete comprehension of it? It is okay to answer yes to the first question and no to the second. This is the best answer. The deny the existence of eternal truth is to reject ultimate reality, but to claim complete comprehension of it is arrogant. And so you see in a glass darkly, knowing that one day you will see face to face. Until then you may see yourself as on a journey, driven by the tension between the knowledge you have and the complete picture you desire.

When you consider a new task, do you evaluate the time and other resources it will require before you commit to taking it on? In other words, do you consider whether it is not too large for you? There are Biblical references for putting your hand to the plow, and considering the cost of a tower or the strength of an enemy you face. Yet shouldn’t you also consider whether a task is large enough? I have equipped you for great things. Don’t you feel the call for them within your soul?

Do you like answers? Are you quick to arrive at answers for the questions you face? An unanswered question is a source of tension, and tension is uncomfortable. Have you ever arrived at a wrong answer because you were in a hurry? Are you sure that all the answers you currently hold are correct? As uncomfortable as it is to have unanswered questions, the resulting tension keeps you looking for a better answer. So it is better to have no answer than a wrong answer.  Can you see examples from my own teachings where I left my audience with questions?

Have you heard it said that money doesn’t grow on trees? That is true, but food does, and food is a more basic and essential requirement for life. Do you marvel at the abundant provision available to you in the earth? Do not let the fact that it requires effort on your part to distract you from this essential truth. The fact that it is available at all should fill you with gratitude. I created a world that meets all your needs. Do you see this as an expression of my basic nature, of my goodness and love for you? I will perfect that which concerns you.

Do you know that communication can be one-way or two-way? For the flow of information in one direction counts as communication, and anything that is broadcast or printed is an example of this. You are a passive receiver with no opportunity to interact with the author. This is a successful means for the dissemination of information, and one-way communication can occur even in person, but don’t you find interactive communication to be more satisfying? In this case you can both hear and be heard, and experience a give and take exchange.

When you need help do you prefer to get it from those of your own community by the principle that ‘we take care of our own’? Do you find it hard to accept help from those outside of your group? Is there anyone from whom you would refuse help? Have you ever considered the story of the Good Samaritan from the perspective of the man who was hurt? How do you think he felt about getting help from a Samaritan? Have you ever been in such dire need that you would accept help from anyone who offered it, no matter how alien from your own familiar group?