Author Archives: Shirlee Abbott

Telling the Truth

  Politicians all seem to say their opponent is lying. It becomes a circle of lies: “The other guy is lying when he says I’m lying.”     Don’t get caught up in the storm. If you’re not sure it’s … Continue reading

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Letting It Go

I check the day’s news reports. Seems a lot like yesterday’s. All rearview mirror. No windshield.   The apostle Paul got it right: Philippians 3:13b (GNT) The one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and … Continue reading

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Bearing False Witness

Through no fault of my own, a black pickup truck crashed into my car. For months afterwards, I’d catch a glimpse of a black truck and feel my blood pressure rise. It was unfair to black pickups everywhere, and I … Continue reading

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Jumping to Judgment

  We so easily label others and call them hurtful names. So much judgment, so little grace.      “The nature and end of judgment or sentence must be corrective, not vindictive; for healing, not destruction.” John Owen (1616-1683) This English … Continue reading

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Sorting Them Out

I’m trying to have an honest conversation with myself about racism. I thought about my ten years in the Medical Staff Office of a hospital. Certainly, I sorted doctors into categories:   Specialty–surgeons, internists, radiologists, etc. The old guard and … Continue reading

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Shelter from Religious Oppression

  China is cracking down on religion. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended the U. S. government:   “Redesignate China as a ‘country of particular concern,’ or CPC, for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom … Continue reading

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Unfinished Discipline

  My 40 days are up. But the discipline continues.   Philippians 1:6 (NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when … Continue reading

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39 Days of Discipline

  Deuteronomy 8:5 (VOICE) I want you to know in your hearts that the Eternal your God has been training you just as a parent trains a child.   Day 39 – I know in my heart that God has … Continue reading

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Disciplined Service to God

  All too often, my prayers are some version of “Do it my way, Lord.”     That’s a far cry from Christ’s example: Luke 22:42b (NIV) “Not my will, but yours be done.” Day 38 – God’s way.

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Disciplined Service to the World

  Matthew 13:38a (NIV) The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom.    Day 37 – Good for the world. Lord God, teach me to be a good seed.

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