Gratitude
-
Not Available in Stores
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15:11 Recipe for Joy Preparation Time: A lifetimeServes: Anyone hungry for something deeper than fleeting happiness Ingredients Instructions Begin by emptying your heart of yesterday’s burdens. They don’t improve the recipe, and carrying them… Continue reading
-
In The Midst of Our Doubts…
“God always gives us light in the midst of our doubts when we have no other purpose but to please Him.” – Brother Lawrence, Fourth Conversation That quote above by Brother Lawrence speaks to something that most of us know by experience, even if we don’t always recognize it in the moment. God’s light doesn’t… Continue reading
-
Instant Access
“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” – Ephesians 3:12 My father-in-law will be 102 next week. He’s never owned a computer. That still blows my mind. And then there are my kids -unable to imagine a world without cellphones. They don’t remember life before instant access,… Continue reading
-
Getting to Know God’s Heart
“Find out what pleases the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:10 Paul says, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” To me, he seems to be suggesting that we don’t automatically know. Even as believers, we sometimes assume we already understand what God likes – that He’s pleased when we do “Christiany” things or stay out of trouble.… Continue reading
-
Are You a Ten Percenter?
Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? – Luke 17:17 Of the ten lepers who Jesus healed, only one came back to thank and worship Him. As much as I want to believe that I’d be just as thankful as that one leper was, there have been many times in my life… Continue reading
-
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
-
Sometimes We Need a Worm
But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. – Jonah 4:7 I’ve had moments in my life when I’ve acted just like Jonah. God gives me a clear command, but instead of obeying with a grateful heart, I grumble. I focus on what I don’t… Continue reading
-
Men… Do You Really Appreciate Her?
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” – Proverbs 31:28-29 She doesn’t ask for much. She just keeps showing up. Day after day. She holds her family together with a strength that comes from time spent on her… Continue reading
-
The Farmer’s Trade
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. – Romans 1:25 Old Henry had worked the land his whole life. From the time he was a boy, he knew that if he wanted something, he had to earn it. His… Continue reading
-
Leaving the Old Self Behind
“If you are renewed by grace, and were to meet your old self, I am sure you would be very anxious to get out of his company.” – Charles H. Spurgeon Spurgeon’s words remind us just how much God’s grace transforms our lives. If we were to meet our old selves – the person we… 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!