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A Preacher’s Courtroom Defense
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” – Acts 26:27-28 The Caesarean courtroom was the highest political setting in the region. And it was there that the Apostle Paul… Continue reading
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Rahab: From Outsider to Insider
[Rahab said] “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.”– Joshua 2:12 Rahab appears in Scripture in an unexpected place and with an unexpected reputation. Here in Joshua 2, as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land, Joshua sends two… Continue reading
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You Better Hope This Isn’t “Your Best Life Now”
You’re stronger than you think you are – you can overcome anything you set your mind to. Believe in yourself and follow your heart. At some point, someone has encouraged us with some of those sentiments above. We’ve probably even said a few of those things to someone else going through a tough spot in… Continue reading
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Gifts From Above
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.– James 1:17 Years ago I received a check in the mail from the federal government. The letter explained that I had overpaid my taxes for a previous fiscal year, and this… Continue reading
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Struggle Doesn’t Equal Failure
There’s a real tension in the Christian life that’s clearly illustrated with two passages of Scripture. The first is in Romans 7, where Paul speaks honestly about the war going on inside him: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”… Continue reading
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Remember Your Chains
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” – Colossians 4:18 At the end of his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul calls his faithful brothers and sisters in Christ to “remember my chains.” He wasn’t seeking their pity; he was trying to encourage those who… Continue reading
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Some “Problems” Are Often Deeper Than We Know
Yesterday’s lesson came to me before I’d even had my first cup of coffee. I woke up and the house was freezing. Now, there are some things around the house I know how to fix. A leaky faucet doesn’t intimidate me. I can replace an electrical outlet without too much drama. A clogged drain? Most… Continue reading
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Unity Through Christ
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. – Philippians 2:1-2 The church in Philippi had… Continue reading
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What’s For Dinner, Moses?
Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. – Exodus 23:19b When you sit down to eat a meal that someone else cooked, do you ever think about how the meal was prepared? What other ingredients were used? Where the food came from, or the culture it originated from? Unless we have a… Continue reading
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Do I See Jesus?
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. – Matthew 25:40 Reading Jesus’ words above, we can easily sense how He ties Himself so closely to the hurting, the overlooked, and the struggling that He takes it personally. “You did… Continue reading
About Me
Welcome! I’m Scott (aka Former Blackout Artist), and I’m so happy you decided to drop in! I hope you find the content here spiritually enlightening and uplifting. Most of all, I hope that my love of Christ is revealed through my writing and that it encourages you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!
Former Blackout Artist 