“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (KJV)

Sometimes life feels like standing on the front porch watching a storm roll across the horizon. The wind picks up… the sky darkens… and you think, “Lord, this one looks rough.” Jesus never sugarcoated that. He told us plainly, “In this world you’re going to face some trouble.” But then He gave us a promise you can anchor your soul to: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

That means every storm that tries to shake you has already bowed to Him. Every battle that wears you down has already been accounted for at the Cross. And every dark night you face is held in the hands of the One who has already won the victory.

So today, take a deep breath. Step outside for a moment. Let the cool air hit your face and remind you that the same God who paints the morning sky is the same God who walks with you through every valley. Peace isn’t found in the absence of trouble… peace is found in the presence of Jesus.

And when He says, “Be of good cheer,” He’s not asking you to pretend everything is fine. He’s inviting you to trust that He’s already gone ahead of you, fought the battle for you, and secured the victory beneath your feet.

Hold your head high today. The Overcomer walks with you — and because He overcame, you can too.

There’s something about cutting the cap off a My Father Blue Label that just feels like shaking hands with craftsmanship. From the first glance, that ornate band catches the light like wearing a Sunday best on a working man’s wrist: refined, detailed, proud, but never pretentious. It’s the kind of cigar that reminds you that excellence isn’t found in fancy airs, but in honest hands and patient work.

The My Father Blue wears its wrapper like a fine leather jacket: smooth, oily, and inviting with just enough tooth to let you know it’s got character. The Ecuadorian Habano leaf gives off a gentle sheen that hints at quality before you even strike the match. Packed firm with no soft spots, the roll is flawless, tight enough for a slow, even burn, yet open enough to promise a rich draw.

The cold draw carries a whisper of cocoa and cedar with just a touch of earth, like the smell of sawdust and coffee mingling in a small-town workshop. You know right then this is going to be an experience worth slowing down for.

Upon lighting, the Blue Label greets you with a creamy burst of pepper and roasted nuts, bold but not brash. The Nicaraguan binder and filler wake the palate with confidence, settling into a steady rhythm of spice, leather, and toasted oak. There’s a warmth in it that reminds me of early morning conversations on the front porch, the kind where steam rises from your coffee cup and wisdom lingers in the smoke.

As the cigar opens up, the strength deepens and the complexity blossoms. Hints of caramel and cocoa weave through the spice, mellowing into something downright harmonious. The smoke becomes thicker, more aromatic, almost meditative. You start thinking less about what’s next and more about what’s right now: the gift of stillness, the beauty of craftsmanship, the gratitude for simple luxuries earned the hard way.

In the last stretch, the Blue Label brings it home with a robust finish as pepper and espresso take center stage, backed by that subtle sweetness of well-aged tobacco. It’s the perfect crescendo, not a harsh goodbye, but a nod of respect. Like an old friend tipping his hat before heading down the road.

The burn stays razor-straight all the way down, the ash holds like integrity under pressure, and the flavor never fades into bitterness. That alone earns my respect.

The My Father Blue Label isn’t a cigar for showing off, it’s a cigar for savoring. It’s built for blue-collar philosophers who appreciate high-class craftsmanship. It pairs just as well with your favorite beverage as it does with a thermos of black coffee. It’s strength wrapped in grace, like a calloused hand holding a wedding ring.

If cigars could preach, this one would say: “Do what you do well, do it with pride, and let your work speak for itself.”

You know, one of the shortest verses in the whole Bible carries one of the biggest invitations for how to live the Christian life: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says “Rejoice evermore.” Just two little words — but, mercy, they hold a lifetime of blessing if we’ll lean into them.

Rejoicing isn’t about pretending life is perfect. It’s not slapping a smile over a storm. It’s choosing joy because you know Who walks with you. It’s waking up in the morning, pouring that first cup of coffee, stepping out on the porch, and remembering, “God’s got me today.”

Joy isn’t rooted in circumstances — it’s rooted in Christ. Circumstances change… Christ doesn’t. Moods rise and fall… but His mercy is new every morning. People may disappoint… but God never fails.

“Rejoice evermore” means you don’t wait for joy to show up — you bring it with you. You carry it into your conversations, into your work, into your worries, into your worship. You let joy become your posture, your perspective, your praise.

And here’s the secret: joy grows where gratitude lives. When you start looking for God’s fingerprints in your day, you’ll notice they’re everywhere — in the kindness of a friend, in the strength you didn’t know you had, in the peace that shows up right when you need it.

So today, choose joy — not because everything is perfect, but because God is present. Rejoice evermore… because the One who loves you most is the One who holds it all together.

Keep looking up, keep giving thanks, and keep rejoicing. The best is still ahead.