While marriage is many things, it is anything but sentimental. Marriage is glorious but hard. It's a burning joy and strength, and yet it is also blood, sweat, and tears; humbling defeats and exhausting victories.

Jesus does not just bring good news; he is the good news.

We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life.

Jesus smashed two of the rich young ruler's assumptions: Christianity is something you can ADD and something you can DO.

Even if our own troubles are great, we should still serve. Jesus washed His disciples feet on the way to the cross.

Suffering dispels the illusion that we have the strength and competence to rule our own lives and save ourselves.

If you need something in addition to God to make you happy, that is your true King.