“Those people at the church, aren’t like me. They have their lives all together and they don’t have struggles like I do.” If he only knew. If he only knew. She was there – every time the doors opened. She taught children’s classes. In worship she sang with a joy of someone forgiven. She lived … Continue reading shame

He sat down in the waiting room a few minutes before his annual physical. Just as he was about to pick up one of the magazines, she spoke. “You look like someone I can talk too,” she said. He replied that he could be a good listener. They were the only two within earshot and … Continue reading Why is that STONE in YOUR Hand?

Tears flowed freely now. Now that she was alone and now that no one could see them. “Why? Why did she say that? Did she mean to hurt me?” Later, she came to talk to her preacher. She wondered why she made people feel that way about her. She didn’t know what she did, but … Continue reading Sticks, Stones, and Words

He stood in the pulpit on Monday surveying the empty church auditorium. As he stood, he began to picture the same view on Sunday. He could see the Smiths in their normal seats, he chuckled as he remembered John and Lisa's frustration over their toddler's fidgeting, and he remember the kindness in Sister Ida's eyes … Continue reading Helping the Church Grow

If you will, take 20 minutes to watch this video embedded below. It is of a sermon that I preached on January 16, 2022 at Central Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. Others have preached similar sermons, some I have heard and some I have read. I owe many people credit for the seed thoughts that … Continue reading Meet Barabbas

Before Spring arrives, I will start a new trip around the sun. I am at the time of life where I am not old, but I am no longer young and with that comes a change in perspective. As I look back at the last half-century or more, I am thinking about what I might … Continue reading Dear Younger Scott

Every once in a while a thought crosses my mind that helps me see the world in a different way. Let me back up . . . I like Sci-Fi from the original Star Trek series to the spin off series and movies, Star Wars (Amy and I are currently rewatching all the franchise movies), … Continue reading An Alien Invasion

Dear Readers, Thank you for taking a moment each week to read the words that I share. I hope in some small way that what I post brings you information, joy, and helps you grow closer to God in Christ. Thank you for being an encouragement to me. - Scott

Sometime ago we watched a 1938 movie Pygmalion based on the play of the same name by George Bernard Shaw. You may be more familiar with the 1964 musical My Fair Lady (Pygmalion set to a musical score). The play finds roots in Greek Mythology and Ovid's poem Metamorphosis. In this poem an artist and … Continue reading The Metamorphosis of Grace

Four questions and a fifth one as a concluding thought. Here are the questions along with a thought about each one: Who do you love? That question seems simple enough. Since I asked this on a religious blog, you know the answer was God, Christ, Church, or maybe your spouse. But then again, there are … Continue reading A Series of Thought Provoking Questions