Shirlee Abbott

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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Praying with the Holy Spirit

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Leviticus 11:45 & 1 Peter 1:16
You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged 1 Peter 1:16, Holy Spirit, Leviticus 11:45, prayer, Thomas T. Lynch | Comments Off

Praising in the Holy Spirit

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Corinthians 12:3 (ESV)
. . . no one can say “Jesus is Lord”
except in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the power behind our prayers of praise and worship. It is through God that we know God.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged 1 Corinthians 12:3, Holy Spirit, praise, prayer | Comments Off

The Holy Spirit Is Praying

Posted on June 8, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

When our world crumbles, when things seem darkest, the best we can manage is a one-word prayer:

God!

It is enough.

Romans 8:26 (NLV)
We do not know how to pray or what we should pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays to God for us with sounds that cannot be put into words.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Holy Spirit, prayer, Romans 8:26 | Comments Off

Praying at All Times

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
Pray in the Spirit at all times
and on every occasion.

Pray “at all times.” No way!

Good thing the Holy Spirit is here to help.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Ephesians 6:18, Holy Spirit, prayer | 2 Comments

Praying in the Holy Spirit

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The epistle of Jude is short (one chapter, 25 verses). In verse 20, Jude tells us to pray “in the Holy Spirit” (that’s how it’s worded in most English translations).

What does that mean? Let’s look at the verse in other versions of the Bible:

(NIRV)
Let the Holy Spirit guide and help you when you pray.

(NLV)
Let the Holy Spirit lead you as you pray.

(EXB)
. . . praying ·in [in dependence on; or as directed by; or according to the will of] the Holy Spirit.

Like these versions, the Holy Spirit helps us find the right words.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Holy Spirit, Jude 20, prayer | Comments Off

When God Says “Know”

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Ephesians 3:19 (NIRV)
And may you know his love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.

The better you know God, the better you know how to pray.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged 2 Peter 3:18, know, pray | Comments Off