Worship
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Every Day is His Day
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a gift God gave to Israel. It was part of the Law given through Moses – a covenant sign between the Lord and His chosen nation. The Sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day of the week, and it’s never been changed. It belonged to Israel under the old… Continue reading
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God is Never Limited By Our Preferences
Let’s be honest… most of us like what we like. Maybe it’s the songs we grew up singing in church, or the way a certain pastor preaches. Maybe technology in worship makes us uncomfortable. Maybe we wouldn’t dream of leaving our Bible at home and using a phone app. Or perhaps the energy of a… 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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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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Things Unseen
Jesus keeps pointing us to the quiet places of faith. When you give, don’t draw attention to it (Matthew 6:2–4). When you pray, slip away and close the door (Matthew 6:6). When you fast, don’t make a show of it (Matthew 6:17–18). It’s not that public faith is wrong, but that Jesus knows how easily… 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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The Danger of Having a Commercial Spirit
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” – Matthew 19:27 Rees Howells (1879-1950) was a Welsh coal miner for many years before becoming a prominent revival preacher in Wales in the early 1900’s. Every night for three years, Rees would finish his 12-hour shift in… Continue reading
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Are You Being Choked Out by Life?
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. – Luke 8:7 In his book entitled, “Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad,” John Eldredge asks a very simple yet profound question: “What does it say that you look like some sort of a nut job… Continue reading
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What Shall I Render to the Lord?
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? – Psalm 116:12 Oh, the weight and wonder of this question! The psalmist stands, as it were, on the precipice of God’s overwhelming goodness, gazing back at a sea of divine benefits – mercies too numerous to count, too vast to comprehend.… 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!