Shirlee Abbott

Peace and Quiet

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Just imagine – all the clatter and clamor of our world ceases.

Habakkuk 2:20 (ESV)
The Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth keep silence before him.

Awesome!

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Habakkuk 2:20, peace, quiet, silence | Comments Off

Make Peace

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers.

For years, this was the screensaver on my work computer. The computer screen faced me, not the folks on the other side of my desk. I was the one needing the reminder:

- - - to listen compassionately
    - not to rush to judgment
    - to speak kindly
    - to keep my cool

Peacemaking —
easier read than done.

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Live at Peace

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Romans 12:18 (AMP)
If possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.

“Live at peace.”

Don’t pick a fight. Don’t take the bait. Watch your words.

Now would be a good time.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged peace, Romans 12:18 | Comments Off

Birthday Blessings, USA!

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged 4th of July, America, God bless America, Irving Berlin | Comments Off

The Discipline of Healing

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

If you’ve had surgery, you’ve probably met up with the dreaded compression stockings. They’re hot, ugly and hard to put on. Punishing.

But these nasty stockings improve circulation, reduce swelling and help prevent blood clots. They reduce risk.

Still, I don’t wanna wear ’em. I do it reluctantly. I exercise self-discipline.

Likewise, spiritual disciplines aren’t meant as punishment. Bible study, prayer and service don’t promise me an easy life. But they do reduce the risk of bad outcomes.

Proverbs 10:17 (EHV)
Whoever practices discipline is on the path to life.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged compression stockings, spiritual disciplines | Comments Off

A Pain in the Hip

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 12:4 (NIV)
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.

A badly behaving spouse is like a bad hip.

O Lord, I want to be a spouse of good character,
and not a pain in the hip. Fill me with wisdom.
May my words be kind and my actions helpful.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged hip pain, noble character, Proverbs 12:4 | 2 Comments

When a Body Part Doesn’t Work

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

For years, my hip hurt. Then it quit bearing its part of the load. My knees pitched in and carried the slack. They started hurting too.

Fixed my hip –voila!–my knees felt better.

It reminded me of this Biblical wisdom:

1 Corinthians 12:14, 21, 26 (ESV)
For the body does not consist of one member but of many . . . The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you” . . . If one member suffers, all suffer together.

When one member of Christ’s body suffers, we all do.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged 1 Corinthians 12:14-26, hip surgery, spiritual gifts | 2 Comments

New Life for My Bones

Posted on June 28, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

Revere God and be good . . . it’ll give new life to your bones, kind of like hip replacement surgery.

Take my word for it, you’ll feel better.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged hip surgery, Proverbs 3:7-8 | 2 Comments

Fix-It Break

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m back!

It wasn’t a vacation. It was a medical procedure to fix what ailed me, to replace my wonky hip. I feel better and I’m walking well, thanks be to God, the medical professionals and the wonders of modern medicine.

We all need fix-it breaks:

- - - for a broken body
    - for a wounded soul
    - for a weary spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (MSG)
May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.

Fixed . . . whole, holy and fit.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 5:23, body-soul-spirit, hip surgery, modern medicine | 8 Comments

Time Out

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

See you in two weeks.

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