I’ve just read through two of these ‘Little Black Books‘, one on the Bible and one on Suffering and Evil. They’re written by Scott Petty (from Oz), there’s currently others on Sex and on Predestination. They’re published by Mathias Media, sold by Good Book Company, and cost just £3 each – bargain!

I like these, they’re short enough to read quickly, but cover big topics well. They’re aimed at 14-20+ years… personally I think 11+ could handle these and they could rightly be used by adults as well (although some may find a bit patronising). Arguments are backed up from the Bible, with texts printed, and big words and big concepts are explained simply and clearly.

There are times when you think it’s been a bit over simplified (it’s only 50 pages) but further reading can be found in the endnotes with specific recommendations. These books fill a gap in resources for youth workers and families.

Worth getting… you can get the set of 4 for £10.

There’s that somewhat shocking, disagreeable, interesting, vexing, deep, confusing, enigmatic, truthful, heart-warming, [insert adjective here] verse which goes something like…

“Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds”

I would say this verse is a little bit challenging, to preach, and even more so to live out!

Download the MP3 here

Script here

Nay, after conversion we need bruising, that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks; even we need bruising by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to bt us see that we live by mercy; and that weaker Christians may not be too much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised. Thus Peter was bruised when he wept bitterly. This reed, till he met with this bruise, had more wind in him than pith. ” Though all forsake thee, I will not,” &c. Matt. xxvi. 35. The people of God cannot be without these examples. The heroical deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the Church so much as their falls and bruises do.

But whatever you do, go and watch the video he recorded before surgery… Christ is All.

My mum experienced a great deal of personal suffering throughout her life, largely through a series of illnesses. Dad was obviously very much a part of this suffering. In this talk he outlines the situations we faced as a family and how we have been able to maintain a right view of both God and the suffering, how we have maintained hope when all seems lost, when suffering seems pointless, and when God seems far. We do indeed have a great hope in Jesus!

You can download the talk script.

Also, he also gave a talk, based on similar thinking called – “Suffering and a God of love – no way!” – much of this thinking has been influenced of course by personal circumstances as well as the writings of John Piper, Alec Motyer and others. If you want to know a little more about my family, my mum & dad, as well as I trust, some encouragement through suffering, then listen to this talk!

Two books which have personally helped me through difficult times are:

God in the Storm, by Marc Maillefer

This is a book which seeks to find a Biblical perspective on suffering while at the same time offering pastoral encouragement in light of the author’s own experience of suffering.

Spectacular Sins, by John Piper

Although not specifically about suffering, John Piper draws on the themes of evil, Sin and suffering, to show that even through the dark times in life, God is very much at work. Not simply allowing suffering, but ordaining and using suffering for his glory and our growth.

“It is not my calling to help you to have chipper feelings while the whole of creation groans. My job is to put the kind of ballast in the belly of your boat so that when these waves crash against your life, you will not capsize but make it to the harbour of heaven battered and wounded but full of faith and joy”

John Piper, Spectacular Sins [pg. 28]

1. God is good, sovereign and true no matter our experience.

3. Sinfulness is so ingrained in the human heart, soul and mind that weakness strengthens it and strength is laid low before it.

4. Seasons change and there is glory in every season.

5. Of all the things to treasure here friendship is of great value.

“Goodbye 2008 – you weren’t what I asked for, but I’m confident that you are what I needed.”

Anyway, it’s not just that they’re geeks, it’s that so many live their lives with their nice theological position but it’s disconnected from reality, it’s not qualified by any life experience that tests whether your beliefs are modelled in the way you live in response to real life events.

I’ve had a pretty crap year… it’s not as bad as most, not as bad as being a Christian in Orissa, not as bad as running a AIDS orphanage in the midst of cholera in Zimbabwe… but it’s not been great! Part of me has to rejoice though; a few months ago I had to preach on James 1 – “consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds” – God has been teaching me what it means to suffer in the knowledge that He’s in control, He’s brought me through trials of many kinds and teaches me lots in those times.

What will you do when you face death, when you face illness, rejection, pain, heartache, poverty, depression, despair, anger, bitterness, doubt, loneliness, unbelief, relationship breakdown, shattered dreams, crushed hopes…?

Will you cry out to God, your Rock and refuge? (Psalm 62)

Will you trust that God works all things for your good (Rom 8:28) and that through trials He brings about maturity (James 1) in the believer?

Does your theology of God’s sovereignty provide answers and comfort in the midst of trials?

Has your theology of God’s sovereignty been tested through trials? (If not, it will be – are you prepared?)

Have you had the opportunity to reconcile what you believe about God with how you live your life in the midst of trials?

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

I say these things not as someone who did all the right things, who responded rightly in all of life’s situations, not as someone who has the right answers… but just as someone who knows that having a big view of God is a comfort in hard times, and knowing that coming to Him, seeking His refuge has gotta be better than not doing that!

I’ve found that 1 and 2 are really easy to do, but just make things a whole lot worse.

3 and 4 are harder, but liberating and life-giving. Surrounding yourself with God’s people and trusting him, is the solution to life’s crap… even though it seems easier to do things your own way (1 and 2).

You are taking down my earthly tent with much tenderness and love. You have prepared a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. May you never leave me nor forsake me, ’till I be with you, where you are, and be like Christ and enjoy him for ever and ever! Yet a very, very little while – hold on, faith and patience – and I shall see Jesus in his glory, which is the heaven of heavens. - William Romaine

She was also able to choose some songs; ‘See what a morning’ and ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’…

And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won,
Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!