An old country love song from my childhood rattles off a string of “better than” pictures to describe the singer’s love. It goes like this,

My love is deeper than the holler, stronger than the river, Higher than the pine trees growin’ tall upon the hill My love is purer than the snowflakes That fall in late December And honest as a robin on a springtime window sill And longer than the song of a whippoorwill

Is God really always good? As believers, it's easy for us to think about the great truths of the Gospel and sing of God's goodness together on a Sunday morning or when things in life are smooth sailing. But what about when times are dark—when things don't go the way we expect or when extreme hardships occur in our lives?

In general, and for the most part, humanity doesn’t like to be under surveillance. “I feel like somebody is watching me” is a way to describe discomfort or even an unexplainable case of the heebie-jeebies. George Orwell’s “Big Brother” is now short-hand for living under unjust micromanagement, usually facilitated through a gazillion cameras, microphones, and sensors.

Apostolic succession has been a hot theological topic throughout the ages. Roman Catholics often build their case for papal authority (against Sola Scriptura) by saying that the pope inherited the authority vested in the apostle Peter by succession.

On the other hand, Timothy is often seen as Paul’s successor.

There are lots of ways a person can be humbled. God drove Nebuchadnezzar insane until he realized the folly of his pride (Daniel 4:1–37), Samson’s enemies sought to humble him with violence (Judges 16:5), and the Lord has sworn to humble those who persist in haughtiness (Isaiah 2:11–17).

Paul teaches a less painful way to humility in Philippians 2:1–11, we would be wise to heed his instruction.

We Could’ve Killed Somebody

Do you remember seesaws? Those massive beams of wood balanced on a center fulcrum. They ought to be illegal by now! Growing up, somebody always got hurt on those contraptions. Jump onto a teeter-totter, and your friend will go flying; step off, and he goes falling. Broken legs, smashed noses, and scraped shins were all possible in the wild-west of midwestern playgrounds.

Has anybody ever asked you, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Sometimes, that simple question can be a powerful way to shake up our perspectives. It’s effective and often helpful because it forces us to face reality instead of our imaginations!

Troubleshooting is really an artful science. Something breaks down—cars, computers, or congregations—and some combination of technical know-how, gut instinct, time management, contextual awareness, and good prioritization come together in a spinning whirlwind of problem-solving.

June afternoons at Ryan’s Pond, the rainbow trout have refined tastes—Caddis Nymphs and Mayflies are their gourmet choices. Serious anglers know that fishing for trout is both an art and a science. We devote time, effort, and money to our sport, and sometimes we catch nothing. Yet, we keep going back for more.

Martin Luther once famously claimed that the letter of James was an ‘epistle of straw.’ Luther’s comment was centered on the fact that James is a relatively gospel-free book; some even wonder if Luther wanted James’ to be part of the canon of Scripture…

We’ve heard it said, one way or another, that love is simply goodwill towards someone else. “All the best!” or “Best wishes!” we might say. Is this how God loves? Hall-of-fame theologian Francis Turretin asks, “What is the Love of God?” and answers this way:

Jesus once left His disciples (nearly) speechless. After none of them took it upon themselves to see to the proper feet washing before the Passover meal that would be their last together…

The Holy Spirit is often spoken of as though He is unknowable or mysterious. Many of us struggle to understand the Spirit. What an odd thing for God’s people to say! For the Spirit dwells in us and among us who follow Christ on this side of Pentecost - He is very close to us indeed!

Look with eyes of faith, see with your inner person, and believe that on that morning, glorious bright - hope dawned in the folded grave cloths of Jesus Christ.

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

No matter how your day went, dear friend, run to your Friend, your Advocate, your Defense, your Sure Escape, your Mighty Arm, your Refuge, and Peace. “Run to Christ” by faith and find refreshment for your soul.

May I encourage you to take a hymn with you tonight as you lay your head to rest? It is easy to fall into a rut in our prayers, such that they become half-baked in our minds or half-hearted in our spirits. A change of pace could do you good!

It has been said many times, many ways, that without the manger, the cross makes no sense. There can be no road to Jerusalem without the “silent night’ in Bethlehem.

It is not death to die, to leave this weary road,
And join the saints who dwell on high,
Who’ve found their home with God .

What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good.