Shirlee Abbott

A Working Worldview

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Do you view the Bible
through the lens of our culture,
or do you view our culture
through the lens of the Bible?

Psalm 19:7-9 (NIV)
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

That works for me.

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What’s His Worldview?

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Worldview: your philosophy of life, how you think the world works.

What’s your worldview?

- - - You work, and then you die
    - It’s all good
    - It’s no good
    - God’s got this

Assuming God exists (and I do), what’s His worldview?

John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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Shelter-in-Place for Easter

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Gathering together for Easter–not allowed!

This is a new experience for most of my readers. It gives us a quick glance into the lives of Christian brothers and sisters elsewhere. Ponder these numbers from Open Doors USA:

“In just the last year*, there have been:

- - - - Over 260 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution
      - 2,983 Christians killed for their faith
      - 9,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked
      - 3,711 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

*2020 World Watch List reporting period”

Jesus doesn’t call us to be safe. He calls us to have faith.

John 16:33b (NIV
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Remember this as you shelter-in-place.

O Lord, forgive me for thinking I have the right to be safe. I lift up our brothers and sisters who risk all to worship You. Be their safe shelter, Lord. Be my safe shelter now and forever, for Your name’s sake.

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The Passion, the Greatest Love

Posted on April 10, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

“You taught us, Lord, that the greatest love a man can show is to lay down his life for his friends. But your love was greater still, because you laid down your life for your enemies. It was while we were still enemies that you reconciled us to yourself by your death. What other love has ever been, or could ever be, like yours?”
Bernard of Clairvaux, (1090-1153)

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“The Passion of Patience”

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

“Patience is not indifference; patience conveys the idea of an immensely strong rock withstanding all onslaughts. The vision of God is the source of patience, because it imparts a moral inspiration … the power to endure is there because you see God … The proof that we have the vision is that we are reaching out for more than we have grasped.”

Oswald Chambers
“The Passion Patience” (May 5)
My Utmost for His Highest

In the midst of this pandemic, seek the passion of patience. Keep your eyes on God.

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Simple Compassion

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

In this pandemic, ask yourself:

Am I acting to keep myself safe?
It’s all about me.

Am I acting to keep others safe?
That’s compassion.

Short and simple: motivation matters.

Ephesians 2:4 (ERV)
Don’t be interested only in your own life,
but care about the lives of others too.

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With Passion

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

“Passion” comes from Latin and means suffering. “Compassion” comes from Latin cum, meaning with, and passus, to suffer, to endure. Compassion suffers alongside the one suffering.

Psalm 103:13 (NIV)
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

Good news! Christ suffered for us, and Christ suffers with us. We do not suffer isolated and alone.

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A Week of Passion

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Pandemic or no, this is Holy Week, a time to remember the Passion of Christ. Why Passion? We don’t find that title in Scripture. It comes from Latin, passio, suffering. We remember how Christ suffered on our behalf.

Most of us are stuck at home, keeping our social distance. How are you doing?

- - - I’m bored
    - I’m inconvenienced
    - I’m sad
    - I’m at wit’s end

Many among us are working fervently. Some are seriously ill. Some are suffering the loss of loved ones. And many of us are actually quite comfortable. Christ suffered for us all.

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Shelter at Home in Prayer

Posted on April 5, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

I can think of nothing more appropriate for today than this prayer posted two weeks ago:

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Pandemic, Perplexity and Purpose

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

“I will trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond us. He does nothing in vain.”
John Henry Newman (1801-1890)

Sick, scared and sad, yes. But not without hope. Ultimately, the pandemic will serve God’s purpose and plan.

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