Gratitude
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This Great Experiment Continues
Every Fourth of July, we’re surrounded by reminders of freedom. Flags wave in the breeze, fireworks light up the sky in the distance. Families gather around grills and picnic tables. It’s a day that reminds us to pause and give thanks. But gratitude has become complicated. Some voices tell us America has done so much… Continue reading
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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A Complaint about Complainers
Have you ever noticed how complainers have a way of finding each other, like pigeons flocking to a park bench covered in breadcrumbs? One minute you’re stuck in line behind someone griping about the weather, and before you know it, someone else chimes in with, “Oh, you think that’s bad? Let me tell you about… Continue reading
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What We Think About Matters
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8 A few weeks ago a friend called me, frustrated and overwhelmed. There were some situations going on at home that were stressing… Continue reading
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Despite All That We Are
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.– Deuteronomy 9:6 Israel stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, and Moses made it clear – they were not about to receive God’s blessings because… Continue reading
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Greater Things Through Him
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12 Jesus wasn’t threatened by the idea of His followers doing greater works than He had done. In fact, He… Continue reading
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Only One Came Back
Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” – Luke 17:17-19 (NLT) It’s really easy for me to spot an ungrateful attitude. My problem… Continue reading
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The Joyful, Humble Heart of a True Servant
When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, “Come in and eat with me?” No, he says, “Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.” And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was… Continue reading
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Sin Is Never Casual
Imagine you have a friend who was struggling with an unhealthy habit, and after many months of hard work – maybe even years – they were able to break free from it. But one day, they toyed with the idea of going back just once because they thought they had the strength to walk away… Continue reading
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Have We Considered The Cost?
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives… Continue reading
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From Enemies to Family
“That day Herod and Pilate became friends – before this they had been enemies.” – Luke 23:12 It’s striking that the trial and crucifixion of Jesus became the event that turned Herod and Pilate, former enemies, into allies. They came together over their shared role in condemning an innocent man. It’s interesting how common goals… 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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Great Knowledge Comes With Greater Responsibility
Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” – Luke 10:23-24 Old Testament men… Continue reading
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Playing Second Fiddle
Saul was very angry… “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom? ” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. – 1 Samuel 18:8-9 It can destroy a marriage. It can end a friendship. It… Continue reading
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Had I Been There: The One Who Returned
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” –… Continue reading
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Getting Along With Others
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” – Philippians 2:14 Grumbling and arguing are so common that they often feel like a natural part of life. We complain about our jobs, traffic, government, the weather, or even the slightest of inconveniences. We argue over opinions, preferences, and sometimes even the most trivial of matters. Yet, Paul… Continue reading
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Keeping the Cross on Our Minds
“For he gave himself for us, that he might set us free from all our evil ways, and make for himself a people of his own, clean and pure, with our hearts set upon living a life that is good.” – Titus 2:14 (J.B. Phillips NT Bible) Satan is a master deceiver. When he tempts… Continue reading
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Do You Ever Feel Forgotten?
“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” – Gen. 40:23 Do you sometimes go through periods in your life where you feel unappreciated, perhaps even unnoticed? Like everything you do seems to matter to no one? Maybe sometimes even wondering if perhaps even God has completely forgotten about you? Maybe you’re… Continue reading
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Character over Comforts
“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades… Continue reading
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Psalm 100: Giving Thanks to our Lord
As we gather with family and friends today to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us turn our hearts to Psalm 100, a psalm that beautifully captures the essence of gratitude and worship to our Father in Heaven. May these verses guide our expressions of thankfulness to all He has done for us. 1-2 Shout for joy to… Continue reading
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He’s Still Performing Miracles Today
Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” – Luke 17: 17-18 If you’re like me, reading Luke’s account of Jesus healing the ten… Continue reading
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How Can We Measure the Immeasurable?
Standing on the edge of the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon, I had never felt more insignificant in my entire life. “Surely,” I thought to myself, “Something greater than anything the world has ever seen created this.” It was as though God had taken His finger and created this majestic chasm, this beautiful masterpiece… 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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A Ghost From the Past
I recently ran into an old golf buddy I hadn’t seen for several years. We shared some fun times together on the golf course for the better part of a decade. Alcohol was most always involved and very much a huge part of that lifestyle for me. But once I got sober and began following… Continue reading
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Complaining without Grumbling
“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” – Psalm 142:1-2 (NIV) When David was fleeing from Saul, he would often cry out to the Lord in desperation. Tired of being on the run,… Continue reading
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“Don’t swallow all of your pride at once, for you may very well choke to death.”
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” – Proverbs 26:12 He was widely known for his many accomplishments as an inventor, a statesman, and a writer. However, as he grew older, he became increasingly proud of himself and his abilities.… Continue reading
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The Only Things Beneath Us Are Graves
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) A large group… Continue reading
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Thinking of Ourselves Less
“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. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others.… Continue reading
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Fearless Living is a Choice
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” – Philippians 4:6 A recent study revealed that 86 percent of those surveyed described themselves as worriers. The study then went on to conclude that the average person spends one hour and fifty minutes… Continue reading
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Better Than I Deserve
“How blessed is the man who made the Lord his trust.” ~ Psalm 40:4 One fall afternoon I was parked on the shoulder of a rural highway about 50 miles southwest of Ashland, Kentucky. As I sat there completely hopeless and numb, I considered what few options remained. Roughly 9 hours earlier I had been… Continue reading
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Cultivating a Servant’s Heart
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”… Continue reading
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Prayer Becomes Our Lifeline
“Those of us who have come to make regular use of prayer would no more do without it than we would refuse air, food, or sunshine. And for the same reason. When we refuse air, light, or food, the body suffers. And when we turn away from meditation and prayer, we deprive our minds, our… Continue reading
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The Power of God’s Light
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:11 As summer is now asleep for the season, the nights are becoming crisp and cool again. In a few weeks time, the leaves of… Continue reading
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No Matter What
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ.” 1 Thessalonians, 5:16 I knew a guy who seemed to know all the right words that needed to be said, and knew precisely when to say them. He was eager to encourage others who were going through… 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 