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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Pestilence, Plague and Protection

Posted on April 2, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Act wisely, and fear not:

 

Psalm 91:1-3, 5-6 (NIV)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence . . .

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Day and night, God’s got this.

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A Simple Picture of Power over the Pandemic

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

I have a simple question:

If there were no new COVID-19 cases tomorrow morning, would you give God the credit?

 

We’re looking to flatten the curve. What if God ended it?

Ephesians 3:20 (NIRV)
God is able to do far more than
we could ever ask for or imagine.

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Put the Plague on Pause

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Here’s an Old Testament plague story. King David knowingly disobeyed God, and there were consequences–with a limit set by God:

 

1 Chronicles 21:14-15  (NIV)
So the Lord sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead . . . the Lord saw it and relented concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.”

The angel hit the pause button.

Let this be enough, Lord! Hear our prayer, in Jesus’ name.

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Post-Plague Prayer

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

This is a familiar verse. Have you, like this verse says, been spending more time in prayer?

        • You bet!
        • Isn’t everyone?

Do you recognize the verse right before this familiar “if“?

2 Chronicles 7:13  (NIV)
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people

I’m not saying God launched this coronavirus. I’m wondering what it takes to make us pray.

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No Safe Shelter for the Homeless

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Most of you will read this post from the comfort of your own home. Sheltering in your home is a safe option. What about those who don’t have a home?

 

Here’s a March 20th report from Pix11.com:

“An estimated 64,000 New Yorkers were homeless at the beginning of this crisis — 60,000 of which generally spend their evenings in city shelters . . . the shelter system is not set up for the appropriate amount of social distancing necessary at this time.”

Kassandra Frederique with the Drug Policy Alliance adds:

“Even a sink where they can wash their hands, and follow this very standard medical advice, public health advice, is a challenge for people.”

Street Life Ministries continues to reach out to the poor and homeless in New York City. This is from their most recent newsletter:

“The poor, hurting, and homeless still are poor, hurting, and homeless. They are in even greater need of love and compassion, as well as the practical items we bring weekly. Over 60,000 are in shelters, 10-20,000 are on the streets throughout the boroughs of New York City. All are in dire need and it’s worsening by the day!”

We are grateful, Lord. for our safe spaces. Shelter those who have no safe space. Protect and provide for those who leave their safe spaces to minster to them, in Jesus’ name.

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Ever-Lovin’ Soul

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“The soul that walks in love
neither tires others
nor grows tired.”
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591)

 

 

 

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Restoring my Soul

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

I’m a soul under construction. My mind, will and emotions are a work in progress. God isn’t finished with me yet.

 

First up in God’s tool box? His Word, the Bible:

Psalm 19:7 (NASB)
The law of the Lord is perfect,
restoring the soul.

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Simple Triple Soul

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

God seems to like sets of three:

Father, Son, Spirit
Sun, moon, stars
Body, soul, spirit

 

Think of the soul as a threesome: mind, will, emotions.
Simply put:

I think.
I choose.
I feel.

Psalm 103:1 (ESV)
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!

Choose to bless the Lord with your thoughts and feelings.

 

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