Do I learn through dark providences, or simply seem relieved when they are over?

There are actually only ever two pastoral problems you will ever encounter. The first is this: persuading those who are under the dominion of sin that they are under the dominion of sin. That's the task of evangelism. And [second], persuading those who are no longer under the dominion of sin that they are no longer under the dominion of sin because they're Christ's.

The Father did not require the death of Christ to persuade Him to love us. Christ died because the Father loves us.

Appearances can be deceptive. The fact that we cannot see what God is doing does not mean that He is doing nothing. The Lord has His own timetable. It is we who must learn to adjust to it, not vice versa. When God's time comes nothing will stand in His way. We can therefore wait for Him with this happy confidence: "As for God, His way is perfect" (2 Samuel 22:31).

There is nothing more important to learn about Christian growth than this: Growing in grace means becoming like Christ.

The goal of theology is the worship of God. The posture of theology is on one's knees. The mode of theology is repentance.

The Son of God came to dwell in human flesh for us in order that He might come to dwell in us by His Spirit.