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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A Soul in One

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

You are body, soul and spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV)
May your whole spirit, soul and body
be kept blameless at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Body: in Greek, sóma–the physical body, flesh.
Soul: psuché (the root of psyche)–a person’s distinct identity
Spirit: pneuma–breath

You are a unique personality, housed in a body, brought into existence by the very breath of God.

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Bless Your Soul

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

“Bless your soul” is a frequent tag at the end of my posts. Who or what at am I blessing?

 

        • What makes me, me
        • My psyche
        • The part of me that’s going to heaven when I die

Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
He restores my soul.

“Soul” (in Hebrew nephesh) means a living, breathing person–our inner being.

The whole point of Souls Under Construction is restoration–God restoring our relationship with Him and transforming us into the living, breathing persons he designed us to be.

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Safely in Touch

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Work from home, stay away, don’t touch.

Keep in touch with God, stay close to Him. Pray.

 

Lord, we pray:

For those who welcome this break from their crazy schedules
and for those who are crushed by the isolation.

For leaders in front of microphones wearing suits and ties
and for folks who stay in their PJ’s all day.

For those happily settled into the comforts of home
and for anyone whose home is not a safe space.

For parents enjoying extra time with their children
and for parents who are frustrated, screaming and sobbing.

For teachers working fervently to transform lesson plans
and for parents completely bewildered by their new roles.

For students dutifully doing their school lessons at home
and for children exposed to the unthinkable at home.

For those who embrace the best and latest technology
and for those who long for written handbooks.

For healthcare workers who work, sleep and go back to work
and for people hoarding needed supplies.

For patients who are desperately ill
and for those worried they might get sick.

For those who are working harder than ever
and for those who have lost their jobs.

For those expediting vaccines, medications and supply chains
and for those complaining it’s not enough.

For those who are extravagantly generous
and for those who desperately need help.

In all this, Lord Jesus, be our strength and our shelter. Amen.

 

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Focused Containment

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

We’re upending our lives in an effort to contain the coronavirus. Why can’t we put the same energy into containing the evil work of our enemy?

 

2 Corinthians 2:11 (MSG)
After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!

In short, be alert (to more than COVID-19).

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Fresh Commitment

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

It’s spring! Announced by the calendar and affirmed by the yellow blush of forsythia. A fresh season, unmussed and unmuddled. Yippee!

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV)
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to self-isolate and a time to embrace others,
a time to give up old habits and a time for fresh commitments.

This season of isolation will pass away like winter. Embrace your routine with fresh enthusiasm.

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Faithless Complaints

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

For Lent, I’m studying the book of Exodus. Funny how the complaints of the Israelites sound a lot like complaints I hear about the coronavirus.

 

“The leaders are clueless.”
“How can we be expected to make do?”
“We’re gonna die!”

I’m intrigued by this description of the complainers, in the poetic part of the Old Testament:

Psalm 78: 57 (NIV)
Like their ancestors they were disloyal
and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow.

I don’t want to be a faulty bow.

Dear Lord, shut down my faithless complaints.
I want to be on-target, faithful and loyal to You,
in Jesus’ name.

 

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Fearless Captive

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

We interrupt our COVID-19 worries to celebrate St. Patrick.

A bit of fifth-century history: As a youth, Patrick was taken from his Christian home in Britain by Irish raiders. He spent six years as a slave in Ireland before escaping. Back in Britain, he heard God’s call to return to Ireland and share the gospel.

Where did he find the courage? In his own words:

 

“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
 Christ behind me, Christ before me,
 Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
 Christ to comfort and restore me.”

 

Let’s apply Patrick’s wisdom to our coronavirus isolation.

 

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Foreseen Consequences

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Minds wiser than mine have canceled events, closed schools and restricted travel–all  in an effort to slow down a virus. Will it work?

 

        • Hope so!
        • I have some doubts
        • I fear it won’t

Even if these actions succeed, there will be unforeseen consequences. Weighing all the consequences in advance requires more than human wisdom. It takes the mind of Christ. We should, first and foremost, seek His direction.

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