To Tell the Truth

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

To tell the truth, I don’t know who’s telling the truth.

What “truth” do you question?

 

        • Opinion parading as truth
        • Anything quoting anonymous sources or experts
        • One-sided fact-checkers
        • Clickbait headlines

Here’s an intriguing thought from the Apostle Paul:

Romans 3:7-8 (ERV)
Someone might say, “When I lie, it really gives God glory, because my lie makes his truth easier to see. So why am I judged a sinner?” It would be the same to say, “We should do evil so that good will come.” 

That’s some messed up thinking.

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Sheltering Unborn Black Lives

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

Last Friday was the 2021 March for Life–virtual this year. Abortion is on my mind. I cringe at the number of abortions in our country.

This 2018 data breaks my heart. It comes from the CDC.

 

Basically, black babies are aborted at three time the rate of white babies. How sad. Color shouldn’t matter. But apparently, it does.

Lord God, I weep for these lost babies. Shelter unborn children of all colors. I pray for their mothers. Meet their needs, and fill them with hope. Save the next generation, in Jesus’ name.

 

 

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Simply Unacceptable

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

This week we looked at the unacceptable:
words, thoughts, worship and work.

 

 

Note to self:
The unacceptable words, thoughts, worship and work have no tie to reading ability or academic achievement. Acceptance is tied to wisdom.

Where do we find wisdom? Ask God.

James 1:5 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Asking is always acceptable.

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Unacceptable Work

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 


Work hard.

 

 

1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (NLT)
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.

Hard work on the wrong foundation and wrong work on the right foundation–both are unacceptable.

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Unacceptable Worship

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

God doesn’t want our castoffs.
He has no use for our leftovers.

The Bible tells us so.

 

Malachi 1:6-7 (TLB)
 “I am your Father and Master, yet you don’t honor me, O priests, but you despise my name.”

“Who? Us?” you say. “When did we ever despise your name?”

7 “When you offer polluted sacrifices on my altar.”

“Polluted sacrifices? When have we ever done a thing like that?”

“Every time you say, ‘Don’t bother bringing anything very valuable to offer to God!’”

Bring your treasures. Give him your best. Offer acceptable worship.

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Unacceptable Thoughts

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott


Let’s look at another part of yesterday’s verse:

Psalm 19:14 (GNT)
May . . . my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord.

 

I think I know what others are thinking. I pass judgment based on my thoughts about their thoughts (seems to be a lot of that going around).

I’m sorry, God. That’s unacceptable.

 

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Unacceptable Words

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott


All too often, I hear words that bother me. Words that would have been unacceptable in by-gone years. 

What words bother you?

 

        • Swear words
        • Nasty names
        • Insults

It feels like an out-of-control playground, with no adult supervision. Problem is, the unacceptable words are coming out of the mouths of adults.

Who’s to judge? God.

Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Let the words of my mouth . . .
be acceptable in your sight, O Lord.

His acceptance matters most.

 

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Sheltered News View

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott


Without noticing, I’ve acquired tunnel vision–for news. I’m not sure when and how it started. I recently realized how much of the news I hear, see and read is about my own country. How little is about the rest of the world.

 

So today, I typed “world news” into my search box. Surprise!

        • Thousands are protesting in Russia (BBC)
        • The UN is sending peacekeepers to CAR (Central African Republic) (UN News)
        • A new Chinese law allows its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels (news.com.au)

It’s new news to me. It’s not all about us (US).

The USA isn’t the center of the universe. God’s eyes are on the whole world. 

Give me eyes to see the news as You do, Lord. Give me Your unsheltered worldview.

 

 

 

 

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Classroom

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Millions of American students are going to school virtually. At home, on-line.

 


Between video games, social media, television, movies and smart phones–is there room to learn?

May they soon be back in the classroom, God. Meanwhile, give them space to think, room to learn, in Jesus’ name.

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Quiet Room

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Shirlee Abbott


John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.

 

 

Lord, the clatter of our culture makes it it hard to hear. Lead me away from the noise. Let me listen in peace and quiet.

 

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