Loss
-
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
-
When “We Had Hoped” Becomes “We Have Hope”
Sometimes things don’t work out the way we want them to. My wife realized this back in 2019 when her employer suddenly informed her that she was no longer needed after 28 years of faithful service to them. Perhaps this would’ve been much easier for her to accept had she not loved her job and… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
A Hard Day for a King
Being a strong leader requires God’s wisdom, courage, and the willingness to take necessary action. But what happens when the necessary action that is required puts someone you love in the crosshairs? This morning’s Scripture reading is from 2nd Samuel 19: 1-8. Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom.… Continue reading
-
Don’t Get Stuck in Your Suffering
As [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was blind?” – John 9:1-2 One of the most difficult questions that a Christian faces when they’re talking to an unbeliever about Jesus is the question why. “Why do bad… Continue reading
-
Just Breathe.
Life’s not the breath you take, the breathing in and outThat gets you through the day, ain’t what it’s all aboutYou just might miss the point, trying to win the raceLife’s not the breath you take,But the moments that take your breath away.– George Strait Growing up, I lived in a rural coal mining community… Continue reading
-
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
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 