A family member of mine bristles when I say, “It’s all good” in response to the everyday How are you? We don’t have to look far to realize that it’s not all good. The news—politics—our own little borough. Evidence abounds to support the idea that there is a mix of good and evil. And take a look even closer to home—honest examination of our own thoughts and feelings will provide ample examples of room for improvement.
Rest assured that I am not blind to the shortcomings of humanity—and my own humanity. I am also aware of the vile things to which the Writings compare the basest aspects of the human experience. But I still say, “It’s all good.” Allow me to share my rosy glasses with you, and then feel free to take them off after reading through to the end.
Despite the shortcomings of this world, I am confident in the fact that the Lord is in control. I believe firmly that the Lord is leading to a good end. Through our eyes, the world looks corrupt and messy. We tend to look at each moment and action and person as a final product. But each and every event, and each and every person is part of a grand process that the Lord is leading onward and upward. Nothing at all is outside of the Lord’s foresight and providence. The more we believe this and live into this, the less bleak this world looks and becomes.
Imagine you walk into a room of people who are acting and speaking kindly, but you have been warned that they are all swindlers in there. How will you feel and act in that room? Now imagine you walk into a room of people who appear emotionless and expressionless, but someone you trust has informed you that these people just came from a funeral. How will you feel and act? If we see this world as generally corrupt and evil, then we are far more likely to take offense and see the offender as corrupt and evil. But if we see this world as “all good”, then we become far more likely to forgive an offense, and to see the offender as someone that the Lord is leading very specifically in His providence.
It’s all good is an intention to look at this world with hope. The Lord’s omnipotence has it under control. It’s all good is not ignorant, and it is not naïve. Evil still gets correction, and the good and innocent still get protection. But it is a choice to focus on the good in the world and forgive perceived wrongdoings.
You are now welcome to give back the rosy glasses. Or you can keep them and put them on every once in a while.
Previous Entries
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It’s All Good
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 10/8/23
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Stability and Change
By: Rev. John Odhner, 9/25/23
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The Unexpected Merciful Face of God
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith; 9/18/23
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Darned If You Do
By: Rev. Jeffrey Smith, 9/5/23
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Always an Egg
By: Rev. John Odhner, 8/28/23
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Community Suppers: What We’ve Got Planned So Far
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 8/22/23
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Life is a Camping Trip
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 8/14/23
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Community Supper
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 8/7/23
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Hope for the World
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 7/31/23
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Re-Creation
By: Rev. John Odhner, 7/24/23
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Summer: A Chance to Try Worshipping as a Family
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 7/17/23
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Sacred Fire
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 7/10/23
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Life, Liberty, and Happiness
By: Rev. John Odhner, 7/3/23
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The Leaves of Summertime Trees
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 6/26/23
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What Should We Call It?
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 6/13/23
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June Imagery
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 6/5/23
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Memorial Day
By: Rev. John Odhner, 5/30/23
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Memorial Day
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 5/22/23
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When Should a Young Person Start Taking Holy Supper?
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 5/16/23
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Survival Shelter
By: Rev. Jeffrey O. Smith, 5/8/23
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May Weddings
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 5/2/23
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Harrowing
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 4/17/23
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What Will and What Will Not Last
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 4/11/23
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Easter
By: Rev. John Odhner, 4/4/23
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 3/28/23
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First Day of Spring
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 3/21/23
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The Need for Filters
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 3/14/23
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‘Tis the Season
By: Rev. John Odhner, 3/7/23
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Beauty and the Beast
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 2/28/23
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The Book That Made Heaven Rejoice
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 2/21/23
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Learning to Use the Lord’s Truth Responsibly: A Reflection from Scout Sunday
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 2/7/23
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Eagles
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 1/30/23
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SWEDENBORG’S 335th!
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 1/23/23
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 1/16/23
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Smile
By: Rev. John Odhner, 1/9/23
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How to Be Prepared to Take the Holy Supper
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 1/2/23
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 12/20/22
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Christmas Spirit
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 12/13/22
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Christmas Outreach
By: Rev. John Odhner, 12/6/22
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God with Us
By: Rev. Solomon Keal, 11/28/22
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Pastor’s Message
By: Rev. Derek Elphick, 11/21/22
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Thanksgiving is Coming Soon
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 11/14/2022
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Choosing Our Leaders
By: Rev. John Odhner, 11/7/22
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HALLOWE’EN
By: Rev. Solomon Keal- 10/31/22
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Gratitude for the Chance to Worship Together
By: Rev. Malcolm Smith, 10/17/22
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Colors
By Rev. John Odhner, 10/10/22
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Charter Day
By: Rev. Jeremy Simons, 10/03/22
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The Sad and Beautiful Reality of Serving Different Uses
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 9/26/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 9-20-2022
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Feeding His Flock
By Rev. John Odhner, 9/13/22
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The Season Begins
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 9/6/22
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The Importance of What Happens After The Worship Service
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 8/30/22
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August Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 8/23/22
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Community
By Rev. John Odhner
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Walking the Lord’s Commandments
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 8/9/22
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Quick! have more fun before it’s too late!
By Rev. Malcolm Smith, 8/2/22
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Community Worship
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 7-12-22
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Africa and Asia
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 7/5/22
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Inclusivity of the Church
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 6/21/22
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The Lord Leads the Church
By Rev. John Odhner, 6/14/22
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Seeing the Light of Heaven
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 6/7/22
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Memorial Day
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 5/31/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 5/24/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 9-20-2022
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Arguments
By Rev. John Odhner, 5/10/22
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Swedenborg Foundation
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 5/3/22
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 4/26/22
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A Divine Mission Being Served By Fallible Humans
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 4/19/22
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Pastor’s Box
By Rev. John Odhner, 4/12/22
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A Moveable Feast
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 4/5/22
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The Christian Symbol of the Cross
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 3/29/22
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The Strength of Inner Peacefulness
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 3/22/22
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A Message from our Head Pastor
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 3/15/22
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Prayer Service for Ukraine
By Jeremy Simons, 3/8/22
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Invading Boundaries
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 3/1/22
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The Olympics
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 2/22/22
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Love is Always the Heart of the Matter
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, 2/15/22
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Unmasked
By Rev. John Odhner, 2/8/22
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Groundhog’s Day
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, 2/1/22
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January Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 1/25/22
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Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day
By Rev. Solomon Keal, 1/18/22
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Zeal for the Common Good
By Rev. Phil Schnarr 1/11/22
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Reflecting on the Past Year
By Rev. Eric Carswell, 1/4/22
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A Christmas Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, 12/21/21
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Santa Claus
By Rev. John Odhner, 12/14/21
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The Christmas Tree Sale
By Jeremy Simons, December 7th, 2021
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My peace I give to you. (John 14:27)
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, November 30th, 2021
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Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclaimation
By Rev. Solomon Keal, November 23rd, 2021
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Getting Ready for Thanksgiving
By Rev. John Odhner, November 16th, 2021
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May Our Lives Bear Fruit
Rev. Eric Carswell, November 9th, 2021
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Human Heart
By Rev. Derek Elphick, November 2nd, 2021
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What is Easy for One is Difficult for Another
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, October 26th, 2021
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Pumpkin Spice
By Rev. Solomon Keal, October 19th, 2021
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A Healthy Congregation: Worship, Instruction and Community
By Rev. Eric Carswell, October 12th, 2021
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Charter Day
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, October 5th, 2021
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Adapting and Modifying
By Rev. Phil Schnarr, September 28th, 2021
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, Septemer 21st, 2021
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Remembering and Forgetting
By Rev. Eric Carswell, September 14th, 2021
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Meaningful Work
by Rev. Phil Schnarr, Sept. 7th, 2021
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End of Summer
By Rev. Jeremy Simons, August 31st, 2021
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New Church Education
By Rev. Eric Carswell, August 24th, 2021
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Laurel Camp Jubilee 2021
By Rev. Solomon Keal, August 17th, 2021
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Pastor’s Message
By Rev. Derek Elphick, August 10th, 2021
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Tranquility
By Rev. Phily Schnarr, August 3rd 2021
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Nina Finkelday
By Rev. Jeremy Simons July 20th, 2021
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Elphick’s Arrival
By Derek Elphick, July 13th, 2021
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When will it be over?
By Rev. John Odhner, July 6th, 2021
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The Fruit and Leaves of the Tree of Life
By Solomon Keal, June 29th, 2021
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New Church Day
By Jeremy Simons, June 22nd, 2021
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Being Useful for the Sake of Use
By Erik Buss, June 15th, 2021
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The Future of the Church
By Eric Carswell, June 8th, 2021
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Manifested in Person
By Phil Schnarr, June 1st, 2021
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It’s Easy to Believe Things That Aren’t True
By Jeremy Simons, May 25th, 2021