Day 196 - Same is OK

Did you know that 90% of those who still cook (!) all their meals at home use the same recipes over and over? Several statistics say the variety numbers only between 40-60. That is good if you can find a healthy way to cook them all... When it comes to cooking, that can simplify life, or make it a temptation for some of us to want something 'different' for a change!

Here's one of our favorites - easy - tasty and only 10 minutes to the table - Chicken Asparagus Soup. Simply cube leftover chicken and set aside. Cook asparagus in chicken broth seasoned with garlic and onion salt or other preferred herbs to taste. Drain the Asparagus, cut the tips off for garnish, and process the rest. If you prefer creamy soup, here is where you can add 8 oz. of cream. Pour into bowls over the chicken cubes. The hot soup will warm the chicken. Garnish with the asparagus tips. Simple, classy and delicious. 



Spiritually speaking, sameness can be comforting or dangerous. Chapter 14 of Crabb’s book reviews several common, though mistaken, views of the great I AM.



Some false pictures of God that we get too comfortable with are: Smiling Buddy, Backroom Watchmaker, Preoccupied King, Vending Machine/Santa Claus, Stern Patriarch, Kindly Grandfather, Impersonal Force, Cruel Tyrant, Moral Crusader, and Romantic Lover. I’m sure we can all relate to these and other ways we have limited the powerful and almighty God. If those above are not God, who is He?



Rather than fall into the trap of any of these narcissistic views of God and prayer, and beyond believing that God is only what my thoughts and experience limit him to be, Crabb moves on, fortunately, to Chapter 15 to see who God is – and “who He has shown himself to be.”

For me the Hebrew and Greek names of God (Father, Son and Spirit) have taught me much of who God is... and I would surely recommend your review of those names listed on other pages in this blog, as well as the page showing Jesus in all 66 books of the Bible.  While the persons of God have separate names and those names have unique characteristics, the unity (Elohim - We) shows that all are fully God. 

Humanly speaking we long for predictability, and though we will never in our finite minds be able to fully grasp an infinite triune God who loves us more than any earthly person could, God fulfills our desire for predictability by assuring us that He never changes. – the same yesterday, today, and forever.
That's a sameness that brings assurance, comfort and hope.