Compassion
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Did They Think They Were Going to a Picnic?
When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” – Matthew 26:5-7 There’s something almost winsome about this moment… 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
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Are We Troubled by What Troubles God?
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.… Continue reading
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The Parable of the Late Night Mechanic
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or destroy it?” – Luke 6:9 There once was a small-town mechanic named Sam who ran a little garage on the edge of town. Now some mechanics have less than stellar… Continue reading
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Love in Action
“I’d rather see a good sermon than hear one any day.” – Edward A. Guest The small church had never been this full. Every pew was packed, people stood along the walls, and some even gathered in the back. It seemed like the whole town had come to say goodbye to Mr. Williams. Most people… Continue reading
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The Greatest in the Kingdom
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of… Continue reading
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Seeing People Through Fresh Eyes
Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.… Continue reading
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Hard Conversations Taste Better When Seasoned with Salt
“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15 To speak the truth without love can wound deeply, but love without truth lacks substance and direction. When we blend the two – truth and love –… Continue reading
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The Heart Behind the Work
Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. – Neh. 5:19 Nehemiah faced an overwhelming task. The walls of Jerusalem lay in ruins, and his people were suffering under oppression and injustice. His mission was more than just a construction project; it was about restoring lives. In the midst… Continue reading
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Enormous Grief to Enormous Compassion
“As soon as he heard the news….” – Matt. 13:14 NLT I was sober for a number of years and had been through a lot of ups and downs during that time. But nothing would prepare me for what I would be forced to do on the afternoon of June 28th of last year. As… 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 