Dale Cresap's blog

Are you familiar with the sacraments? Perhaps you learned long ago that these are outward symbols of inward graces and practice them regularly. Different churches recognize different numbers of sacraments. Baptism and communion are the most universally accepted. One that is not formally listed but has been recognized by ancient mystics and saints is the sacrament of the present moment. Though this is not administered by a church official, this is where everything happens, including your interactions with me.

Do you exercise? It is beneficial for your body, but you can exercise in such a way that accomplishes nothing else, or you can work. Do you understand the importance of keeping your mind active and engaged? You can accomplish this by working word or number puzzles. Can you complete the implied logic above? Can you exercise your mind in such a way that it produces a beneficial result other than just being engaged? Try seeking out thoughtful and reflective people who differ with you on important issues. Invite them to present their arguments, and do the same for them.

Dale will be gone for 10 days - DC

My word says that bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable for all things. You know people who take bodily exercise very seriously, and some who give it no consideration at all. Health and fitness are valuable in that they facilitate the activities of life, but they are not the purpose of life. I made you to be capable of strenuous effort, and your body thrives on vigor rather than inactivity. Fitness increases your capacity for life. To what do you apply your capacity for life? If it is fitness only, then you have missed the point and the opportunity.

Do you know the difference between justice and mercy? Justice is deserved and can be claimed; mercy is a benevolent gift. In my word I refer to justice for the poor. Do you see it as justice or mercy? Most who donate would count it as an act of charity, alms-giving, or philanthropy. Who thinks of this as justice? In like manner, is it possible for there to be unfair labor practices if the terms of employment are accepted voluntarily? But I make it clear that I do not approve of defrauding the worker of his wages. Justice is a stronger term than mercy.

Do you pray? This may be the most common practice of believers. What is your understanding of prayer? Skeptics accuse believers of magical thinking, and the accusation is credible if believers view prayer as a vending machine, ATM, or even a slot machine. Do your considered doctrines of my omniscience and omnipotence make you wonder about the purpose of prayer, knowing that I am capable of doing whatever I want unbidden? So do you claim to have a complete understanding of what your part is in the process of prayer? Are you still willing to pray if you view it as a mystery?

Do you find it reassuring to know that my word is a lamp unto your feet? What do you think of as a lamp? Do you use a flashlight with a focused beam to find your way at night? You understand that flashlights were not available when this was written. The lamp referred to in the passage was more like a candle than a flashlight. Could you find your way at night with a candle? This is a more challenging task and would limit your rate of movement. You have my promise of guidance but only for one step at a time.

How do you feel about rejection? Is there anything more painful? How do you feel about rejecting others? Obviously you should not practice this. Do you find Biblical justification for doing so? How do you treat those among you who fall into sin? Is a part of the discipline process treat them as a publican and a sinner? Do you equate this as cutting off all contact? But how do you treat publicans and sinners? Don’t you do business with them and engage in conversation with those outside your church? How else could you present my message to them?

Do you love me? Do you love people? Do you see these things as being connected? It is easy to say you love me. It is much harder to love your brother in manifested visible ways, but if you do this people will believe you when you say you love me. Even as John has spoken, how can a man love God whom he cannot see if he cannot love his brother whom he can see? Consider the people you admire most. Isn’t their love for people necessary and central to their admirable qualities? Is this separable from faith? In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me.

Do you believe in one faith, one baptism, one Body? Do you think faith practice and expression are influenced by culture? How much of your faith practice is pure essence and how much is culturally influenced? How would you know? How many believers do you know who come from cultures quite different from your own? Your understanding of the gospel is that it is a strong enough bond to hold you together despite these differences. Do you find this to be true in practice?