Awareness
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What the Spirit Gives
The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul reminded Timothy that he had everything he needed to face his fears and faithfully follow God’s calling for him. I think we need that reminder also. I need the power of the Holy… Continue reading
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An Unusual Sunday at Not-So Happy Valley Church
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. – Revelation 3:15 Not-So Happy Valley was a real place. At least, it felt real to the pastor… Continue reading
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Made for More
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:20 C.S. Lewis once said that if we find in ourselves a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, then maybe the reason is that we were made for another world. That hits home… Continue reading
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Are You a Benny?
There once was a squirrel named Benny who lived in the Big Oak Tree. Benny was always in a rush. Every morning, he leapt out of his nest like a furry cannonball, chattering about how much he had to do – gather nuts, organize his acorns by color, beat the neighbor squirrel to the good… Continue reading
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Just Because Something Isn’t Bad Doesn’t Always Mean That It’s Helpful.
“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” – 1 Corinthians 8:9 Robert throws a big Super Bowl party every year. Wings, nachos, loud friends, and a cooler full of beer – it’s tradition. People look forward to it. It’s one of the things he’s… Continue reading
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Purify My Heart, Lord
For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And anyone, whether foreigner or native-born, who eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel. Eat nothing made with yeast. Wherever you live, you must eat unleavened bread.” – Exodus 12:19-20 God commanded the Israelites to… Continue reading
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How About Your Self-Confidence?
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you,… Continue reading
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The Truth of God’s Love
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5:1-2 There’s a simple yet profound truth that flows through Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:1-2: We are called to… Continue reading
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Making the Most of Our Days
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 It’s easy to lose track of time. We get caught up in work, chores, the needs of our families, and our routines, often forgetting how quickly the days pass. Psalm 90:12, which is attributed to Moses, encourages us to… Continue reading
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Winning it All
The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. – Romans 8:34 (The MSG) Imagine that your favorite sports team won the championship last year. You recorded every game, and now you’re going back and replaying the entire season… Continue reading
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He’s Always Closer Than We Think
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would… Continue reading
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How do you spend it?
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during… Continue reading
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Is There Joy in Your Suffering?
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” – Philippians 1:29-30 Who among us enjoys dealing with physical or emotional pain?… Continue reading
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Reprogramming Our Minds
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Phil. 4:8 I knew I had really stepped in it big time. I said something to my wife… Continue reading
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Becoming Authentic While Living a Sober Life
“To thine own self be true.” – Shakespeare On the back of every sober coin are the words, “To thine own self be true.” It is a phrase that has been around for centuries, with origins in Renaissance literature, and the idea behind it is just as relevant today as it ever was. In essence,… Continue reading
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A Promise that Only God Can Keep
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by… 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 