Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s): Best Daddy!

January 18, 2004

Best Daddy!

Sam (our almost 3 year old) has been teaching me a lot about how to love God lately. For the past several weeks, whenever he wants to express his thankfulness, or pleasure, or delight about someone he blurts out, "Best _____". He might say, "Best Daddy" or "Best Mommy" or "Best Ben" or "Best Sarah" or "Best Ever".

What makes it even more precious, more real, is that he says it with a great smile and then lavishly grabs hold of you and buries his head in your chest.

What is even more unreal, is that he may do this within half an hour of being chastised - he just has a way of expressing his love and affection in an uninhibited way.

I have wondered lately if I show my heavenly Father my uninhibited joy and affection? Do I just cry out "Best Daddy"? Do I show this expression of love shortly after being chastised? I should think I should.

Scripture reminds us over and over that God, the Father, is indeed the "Best Daddy". Matthew 10:29-30 remind us,

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

And in Luke 11:13

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

God, our Father, values us above all other things. He knows exactly what "good gifts" to give us. All He asks is that we love Him with everything we are (heart, soul, mind, and body - Mark 12:30). All He asks is that we lavish Him with praise and affection and many "Best Daddy"'s.

January 18, 2004 in Missions | Permalink

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2008 Book List

Ken Follett: The Pillars of the Earth (Deluxe Edition) (Oprah's Book Club)
A great historical novel. Compelling, engaging, and inspiring. A reminder that hard things are time-consuming, but worth doing. (*****)
Timothy Keller: The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
An incredible book answering the skeptic's questions. Very thought provoking. More importantly, very gracious. (*****)
Stephan Talty: Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe That Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign
A very cool read about Captain Morgan. Aaarrrggh! (****)
Bill Willingham: Fables Vol. 1: Legends in Exile
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Marjane Satrapi: Chicken with Plums
Another great graphic novel. (****)
Brian K. Vaughan: Pride of Baghdad
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Ngugi Wa'Thiong'O: Wizard of the Crow: A novel
A tremendous novel that reveals incredible insight to the African mind. A "fictional" country with a "fictional" tyrant and the havoc his reign brings to this country. A full analysis is forthcoming. A must-read if you want to better understand why Africans think the way they do. (*****)
Shaun Tan: The Arrival
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Bill Bryson: The Mother Tongue
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