Repitition can be meaningful

Our children love repitition. Every night. Same thing. Same words. Same kisses. Same prayers. Same routine. If we miss something they remind us and we do it just right. Kim and I have little bedtime routines with our children. We do it every night. It makes them feel safe and secure. We lay down (or sit down). Hold hands. Hug. Talk a little about the day (if it's not too late). We say a prayer. After the prayer we take care of fans, doors, and lights. Shayna likes her fan on three. Tori likes her's on two. Amber does not sleep with a fan on. Shayna likes her light off and her bedroom door open. Tori likes her light on and her bedroom door open. Amber likes her light off and her bedroom door closed. Every night we say a little statement that ends the day followed by "I love you's". When our girls were small I used to twirl them around and toss them in the air. They would say "do it again daddy!" So I did it again and again and again until I was tired. "For grown-up people," says Guthrie, "are not strong enough to exalt in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough.... It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again," to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again," to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike: it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we ." Repitition is not always vain. It can be meaningful. Traditions are not always bad. They can make us feel safe and secure.

The Superiority of Jesus

Hebrews 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Seven Statements that Affirm the Superiority of Jesus.

Jesus is the heir of all things.

Jesus is the creator of the universe.

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory.

Jesus is the exact representation of his being.

Jesus is the sustainer of all things.

Jesus is the one who provided purification for sins.

Jesus is the one who sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

God's Final Word

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… (Hebrews 1:1-2) Think of all the ways God revealed himself. He visited Abraham, he wrestled with Jacob, he thundered from Mount Sinai, and he whispered to Elijah on Mount Horeb. He spoke through nakedness of Isaiah and scandal of Hosea’s marriage to a prostitute named Gomer. God spoke at many times and in various ways. The Bible itself contains variety. God gave us a book with law, poetry, history, allegory, apocalyptic and wisdom literature, prophesy, sermons, letters of correspondence, and even romance literature. In the past God spoke at many times and in various ways. He revealed himself a little bit at a time. This is what theologians call progressive revelation. The story of divine revelation is a story of progression up to Christ, but there is no progression beyond. God has been disclosing himself bit by bit until Jesus came and then God revealed himself completely. The most important thing God ever said was “Jesus.” Jesus is God’s final word. Michael Card captured this thought in a song - When the Father in his wisdom wanted to communicate his love. He spoke it in one final perfect word. He spoke the incarnation and then so was born a Son. His final word was Jesus he needed no other one. He spoke flesh and blood so he could bleed and make a way divine. And so was born a baby who would die to make it mine.

Long Time No See

I've been busy with a host of things. My last post was last year. I'm going to try to blog a bit. Spring is here and the weather is great. Today I took three walks (6 miles) and shot some basketball with my girls. Kim and the girls are sleeping. I'm responding to emails and I remembered my blog. I hope all my blogging friends are doing well. It's good to be back. Talk to you soon.