Unintended, Not So Simple

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott


Anybody out there saying, “I really, really hope our kids never learn to read.” Raise your hand.

No hands? Thought not.


The US NAEP exam (National Assessment of Education Progress) is given every year to 600,000 students from all over the nation. USNews.com reviewed the 2019 results:

“Compared to 2017, the scores of lower performing students declined in three of the four grade-subject combinations.”

The students who most need to do better are still falling further behind.  Unintended, it’s not the plan. 

Lord, we pray for children falling behind in school, especially now. Establish literacy programs that succeed. Teach us how to teach them.

 

 

 

 

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Unintended Consequences

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Continuing in Daniel 6:

Without giving it much thought, the king agreed to ban prayers to anybody but him. It sounded good.

 

“Daniel is praying to his god,” the conspirators said. “It’s the lions’ den for him. You can’t disobey your own law.” The king was stuck.

Daniel 6:14 (VOICE)
He thought a great deal of Daniel, so he tried to figure out a way to help him. All day long until evening he looked for some loophole in the law.

No loopholes. The king was stuck with a consequence he never intended.

We’re stuck with some unintended consequences, Lord. Help!

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Hidden Agendas (Then and Now)

Posted on June 2, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

In the account of Daniel in the lions den,* some government officials plot to dishonor our hero. There was just one problem:

 

Daniel 6:4b (NIV)
They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

 Their solution: a new law – no praying except to the king.

Were they passionate about praying to their king?  Probably not.
Were Daniel’s prayers harming the kingdom?  Not likely.
Why a 30-day moratorium? They needed a quick fix. 

Hidden agendas hard at work–thanks to some corrupt, self-serving officials. Then. And now. Watch for them.

 

 

 

*read the whole story in Daniel, chapter 6.

 

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Lessons in Time

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

My pastor’s sermon this week was on Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6). I kept thinking, “Just like now.” How so?

 

        • Hidden agendas
        • Unintended consequences
        • What goes around, comes around

Hidden agendas made public. Good intentions gone bad. Perhaps we’re getting what we deserve. 

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV)
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Death and destruction. Disease and death counts. Isolation and suicide. Lost income and looting. Police brutality and riots. “What has been done will be done again.” 

Rescue us again, Lord.

 

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Shelter–From or In?

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott


Disease and riots, death and destruction–
these are difficult days.

Has God has forgotten us?

 

Psalm 61:2-4 (NIV)
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.
I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Rest assured, God has not forgotten.

Lord, so often I ask You to shelter me from trouble, and I’m disappointed when hard times come my way. But no matter what happens, I know You are my shelter in the storm. I am safe, in Jesus’ name.

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Favored Hands

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Psalm 90:17 (NIV)
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

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Working Hands

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Quiet hands.
Productive hands.
Respected hands.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12a (NIRV)
And do everything you can to live a quiet life. You should mind your own business. And work with your hands, just as we told you to. Then unbelievers will have respect for your everyday life.

Busy hands. Not a busybody.

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Dirty Hands

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Psalm 26:10 (VOICE)
These men hold deceit in their left hands,
and in their right hands, bribery and lies.

 

 

Handcuffs were made for such as this.

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Clean Hands

Posted on May 26, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 24:3-4a (GW)
Who may go up the Lord’s mountain?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.

 

Good deeds and pure thoughts. Not as simple as it sounds.

Lord, help us!

 

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The Right Hand

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the USA, it’s Memorial Day. A day for remembering. Remembering loved ones who left too soon. Remembering those who gave their lives serving their country.

Remembering God. Remembering God’s right hand at work:

        • in my nation
        • in my community
        • in my church
        • in my family

Thank God for His strong right hand.

Psalm 20:6 (MEV)
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
with the saving strength of His right hand.

 

 

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