Joy
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The Gift of Laughter
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.– Ecclesiastes 3: 1; 4 There are certain people who I love being around. And not because they’ve got everything going for 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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An Unusual Sunday at Not-So Happy Valley Church
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. – Revelation 3:15 Not-So Happy Valley was a real place. At least, it felt real to the pastor… Continue reading
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So, I’ve Been Banging on This Door…
In Acts 13:50-51, Paul and Barnabas were in a city called Pisidian Antioch (which today is an area in west-central Turkey), and it was there that they were preaching the gospel in the local synagogue. At first, things went really well! Many Jews and Gentiles were excited about what they heard and wanted to learn… Continue reading
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The Warning Signs of Spiritual Disease
A man once took his car to a mechanic and said, “The ‘check engine’ light on my dashboard is on, and I need you to see what the problem is.” The mechanic connected his diagnostic equipment, ran a few tests, and returned with confidence. “It’s nothing serious,” he said. “This model is notorious for giving… Continue reading
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A Season for Everything
There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens: – Ecc. 3:1 Life doesn’t stay the same. We might want it to sometimes, but it doesn’t. There are seasons we’d love to hold onto forever, and there are others we’d erase if we could. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that God… Continue reading
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Don’t Forfeit Your Blessings!
But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’ Your wickedness has deprived… Continue reading
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Lessons From the Prodigal: The Road to Repentance
When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to… Continue reading
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Your Past Doesn’t Equal Your Future
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:18-19 Have you ever thought about how God might be using you? If not,… Continue reading
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Real Men Carry Handkerchiefs
Jesus wept. – John 11:35 Time seemed to stop in its tracks. I stood there, completely paralyzed, not knowing what to do. With a heart that had never felt more heavy, a tear rolled down my cheek. For the first (and only) time in my life, I saw a side of my father that I… Continue reading
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What it Means To Be Included
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. – Ephesians 1:13 I spent much of my early life trying to fit in somewhere. But for some reason I never had much luck. I was too slow and not athletic enough on the playground to… Continue reading
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Love… is Rejoicing in Others’ Blessings
[Love] does not envy… – 1 Corinthians 13:4b Yesterday we read the apostle Paul’s initial thoughts on what Love is. Today we examine more of this “Portrait of Love” that Paul continues painting; negative things that are absent because of love. He shifts his attention to a destructive emotion that love has no part of:… Continue reading
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When There’s No Bloom on the Fig Tree
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.… Continue reading
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From Grief to Joy
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. – John 16:20 As Jesus spoke these words, the shadow of the cross loomed large. He knew the pain His disciples would soon endure – heart-wrenching sorrow as they watched their… Continue reading
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Do You Believe It?
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:30 Oh, what a wonderful word this is! Just one word in the original Greek – Tetelestai – yet within it lies the entire gospel. The work is done, the price… Continue reading
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Victory That Lasts
And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. – 2 Samuel 8:14b How would you define success? Of course, you might try to answer that question any number of ways. For example, you might say that your marriage is successful or that your family has health, happiness, and security. Some may look at… Continue reading
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What is Your “Field”?
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.– Matthew 13:44 There’s something about a treasure hunt that captures the imagination. We picture maps, riddles, and the thrill of… 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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A Promising Future Awaits!
For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. – 2 Peter 1:11 (NASB) Have you ever thought about the kind of welcome you’ll receive when you enter heaven? Sometimes we might wonder if we’ll just barely make it in, as… Continue reading
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An Unshakable Peace
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 (ESV) Facing hardship, rejection, or loss can be overwhelming, but these difficult moments are also opportunities to encounter God’s power and love in a deeply personal way. In our struggles, we can discover that the peace that… 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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Just Say Yes
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” – John 4:10 There were a lot of reasons why I justified my alcoholism. Anxiety, depression, fear, failure, loneliness, insecurity, unworthiness… alcohol just seemed to be… Continue reading
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What Does it Mean to Grieve the Holy Spirit?
Did you know that the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, has a personality? He has the ability to feel joy, sorrow, and anger just like we do. Given that God sees each Christian as His holy temple and has given them His Spirit to dwell inside them, we believers are to live… Continue reading
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The Joy of Being Pursued
When I first met my wife, I knew right away that the search was over. The only problem was that she didn’t know it at the time. And so it would take several months of diligent planning to somehow win her love. Our situation was quite delicate. We were both in the army – she… Continue reading
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The Fruit of Peace
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 As we continue our meditations this week on the fruit of the… Continue reading
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The Fruit of Joy
“The ultimate ground of our rejoicing can never be our circumstances, even though we as Christians recognize that our circumstances are providentially arranged. If our joy derives primarily from our circumstances, then when our circumstances change, we will be miserable. Our delight must be in the Lord himself. That is what enables us to live… Continue reading
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The Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 At a recent checkup with my doctor, she recommended that I add more fruit to my daily diet. “Some of these dietary supplements you’re taking are naturally found… Continue reading
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A Thirst Forever Quenched
“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” – John 4:28-29 Something remarkable happens when Jesus enters a person’s heart and they become filled with the Holy Spirit. Their attitudes… Continue reading
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New Year, New Challenges, Same God
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – Is. 43:19 Well, congrats! If you’re reading this, you survived 2023. Of course, we have the national election to look forward to this upcoming fall…… Continue reading
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When Grief Becomes a Friend
Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. – Psalm 30:5 I couldn’t appreciate the light without the presence of darkness. I couldn’t seek comfort without going through the suffering. Without the bitter I wouldn’t appreciate the sweet. And without the suffering, I would never experience true joy. My mind has been… Continue reading
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Count it All Joy
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1: 2-4 What if something we consider good is actually bad?… 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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Body and Soul
“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of the summer.” – Psalm 32:3-4 Those who work in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and social services are often confronted with… Continue reading
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Love Always Wins
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you… Continue reading
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The Day After: Reflections on Greatest Yorkie That Ever Lived
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”– Winnie the Pooh It is truly incredible to possess such a profound connection with someone or something that the mere thought of bidding farewell becomes an arduous task. The emotions that arise, a mixture of gratitude, appreciation, and reluctance, are a testament… Continue reading
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Can’t Have the Testimony Without the Testing
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and… Continue reading
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God-Grown is Better Than Home-Grown
“So that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:10-11 (ESV) Paul knew that wisdom and discernment can only come from a deep reverence and love… Continue reading
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The Most Undervalued Gifts
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2 When a small child opens up that special gift on Christmas morning, his eyes light up like the lights on the tree. “Wow! Are you serious??? I can’t believe this! This is the greatest day of my life!” And… Continue reading
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When God Does Some of His Best Work
“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe, from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.” – C.S. Lewis… Continue reading
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Sometimes You Gotta Hug the Cactus
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7 Alcohol brought me peace and freedom early on. But near the end I found myself thinking not of joy on a daily basis, but of death. A life that had once promised me more than I… Continue reading
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Backyards and Ruby Slippers
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” ~ 1 Timothy, 6: 6-7 The search for happiness is endless. The problem with finding happiness, however, is that we look for it in all the wrong places. And even when we do… 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 