Hope
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Isaiah 19: Nobody Gets Left Out!
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,… Continue reading
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More than Just a Snow Day
I rejoiced with those who said to me,“Let us go to the house of the LORD.” – Psalm 122:1 The winter weather the past couple of weekends has done more than canceled local church services; it’s stirred up memories I didn’t expect. Consecutive Sundays without gathering have quietly taken me back to the days of… Continue reading
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The Divine Usefulness of Trouble
“…We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 As Paul begins his second letter… Continue reading
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Genesis 4: Eve’s First Words After the Fall
A few days ago I started a new Bible in One Year reading plan for 2026, and yesterday I was reading in Genesis chapter 4. And the very first verse in chapter 4 (where Eve gives birth to Cain) got my attention: “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” Now, the… Continue reading
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Do You Worry About Your Anxiety?
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,but a good word makes him glad. – Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety doesn’t announce itself with a parade and a marching band. There’s no welcoming party. It just settles in and presses against us, draining the joy out of ordinary moments until suddenly everything seems a whole lot heaver… Continue reading
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Christmas Day Reflection
Christmas greetings to you, dear friends. As this day arrives once again, my hope for each of you is peace in your hearts, joy that runs deeper than circumstances, and good health for the days ahead. I’m grateful for every one of you who reads these words, and I’m mindful that behind each screen is… Continue reading
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They Thought They Were Increasing Their Tax Base
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. – Luke 2:1-3 Luke tells us that just before Jesus was born, Caesar… Continue reading
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The Shadow of the Cross Rested on the Cradle
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was… Continue reading
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How A List of Names Helped Build a Manger
When Christmas comes around, most of us jump straight to the manger. The straw, the animals, the wise men, the baby wrapped tight, Mary and Joseph looking tired and stunned… It brings familiarity and gentleness. Maybe that’s why we like to start there. But the Gospels don’t rush us to the manger quite as fast… Continue reading
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Heartbreak, Humanity, and Hope
Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made… 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 