Character
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The Artist and the Windows
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. – Rom. 6:3-4 There’s an old story about an artist who traveled to Europe – sometimes to Rome, sometimes to France – to study the stained glass in some of the world’s greatest cathedrals. He wanted to… Continue reading
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Lasting Impressions
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 Jim had gone through round after round of interviews for his dream job. Each one felt like a test to him. Every question, every handshake, every smile was carefully looked at and considered.… Continue reading
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It’s Not Always the Devil’s Doing
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? – Hebrews 12:7 People sure are interesting sometimes. I have this one lady friend who likes to say, “If you don’t have any problems in your life, it’s probably because Satan recognizes you already belong… Continue reading
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Has Someone Ever Stolen Your Thunder?
But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” “What have I done now?”… Continue reading
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The Power of Small Choices
“Good and evil both increase at compounding interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance.” – C.S. Lewis We often think of life’s biggest moments as the ones that define us. But more often, it’s the small, daily choices that shape who we become. A… Continue reading
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They Couldn’t Find Fault
Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. – Daniel 6:4-5 (NLT) As I was reading this passage yesterday evening, I couldn’t help but think of… Continue reading
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Is The Lord With You?
“Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem… Continue reading
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A Courageous Response
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” – Daniel 6:10 (NLT) When he won the gold medal… Continue reading
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The Fruit of Patience
The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” Jonah 4:4 In recent days we’ve been focusing our meditations on the fruit of the Spirit. You will recall that the first three fruit we’ve talked about (Love, Joy, and Peace) are the inward fruit, the fruit that comes directly from God.… Continue reading
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A Miserable Place for an Unholy Man
“Most men hope to go to heaven when they die, but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there.” - J. C. Ryle I’ve been thinking about heaven more than usual lately. And it occurred to me that I really have no idea what to… Continue reading
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Who Do Others Say You Are?
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”… Continue reading
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I’m a lot like Jonah.
“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent… Continue reading
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Doing Little Things Well
I’ve noticed something profound over the years: whether or not I’ve made my bed first thing in the morning has a greater influence on my attitude for the day than choosing which side of the bed to get out of. There’s just something about having already done something productive that gives me a sense of… Continue reading
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September 7th: Embracing the Mundane
“You show me any athlete at any level who gives maximum effort, and I will show you a player who will excel. It is not a matter of talent. It’s not a question of where you went in the draft. The question is do you have the heart of a champion? And at the heart… Continue reading
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When You Can’t Escape God’s Favor
“Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. The Lord made Joseph a… Continue reading
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Integrity Gives Birth to Security
“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?’” – Genesis 41:38 Joseph was given the task of overseeing Pharaoh’s administration of Egypt. It is a position of much responsibility, and also one that places Joseph in a position of tremendous influence. Joseph’s appointment to… 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 