Author Archives: Shirlee Abbott

Good Thoughts

“Every year of my life I grow more convinced that it is wisest and best to fix our attention on the beautiful and the good, and dwell as little as possible on the evil and the false.” Richard Cecil (1495-1553) … Continue reading

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A Good Start

True goodness starts with God. The more careful attention I give to God and His Word, the more goodness I will absorb. In a spiritual sense, I am what I eat: take in more of God’s Word, be filled with … Continue reading

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Good as God

In English, good can describe all sorts of things: foods, experiences, weather, people. In the Bible, fruit-of-the-Spirit goodness is tied to the Greek word agathon, meaning inherently good, good by nature. We’ll start with Jesus’ response to the young man … Continue reading

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Kindness with Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.   Note to self: Sooner or later, someone will let me down. Be prepared to forgive. It’s the kind thing … Continue reading

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Kindness to Enemies

  “A good man is kinder to his enemy than bad men to their friends.” Joseph Hall (1574-1656)     Good morning, Lord. I want to be good and kind — like You are. But I find myself judging, trying … Continue reading

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Kindness to the Unkind

Luke 6:35 (NIV) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind … Continue reading

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Eternal Kindness

Ephesians 2:6-7 (GW) God has brought us back to life together with Christ Jesus and has given us a position in heaven with him. He did this through Christ Jesus out of his generosity to us in order to show … Continue reading

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The Kindness of the Lord

Isaiah 63:7 (NIV) I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us ….   Am I giving God credit for all the … Continue reading

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God’s Patience

“God’s patience is infinite. Men, like small kettles, boil quickly with wrath at the least wrong. Not so God. If God were as wrathful, the world would have been a heap of ruins long ago.” Sudhu Sundar Singh (1889-1929)   Good … Continue reading

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Understanding Patience

  Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.   Great understanding doesn’t require an explanation or an end-date. Patience acknowledges God’s wisdom and timing.   Good morning, Lord. It is so … Continue reading

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