Shirlee Abbott

Simply Presidential

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Short but true:

“The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”
President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

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Presidential Concern

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

As the presidential campaign gets ugly, we’d do well to think like Lincoln:

“My concern is not whether God is on our side;
my greatest concern is to be on God’s side,
for God is always right.”
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

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Presidential Wisdom

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the United States, it’s Presidents’ Day, spun off from George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s February birthdays. With this generic title, it recognizes all US Presidents. How do you feel about it?

- - - All Presidents are worthy of recognition
    - I’m good with Washington and Lincoln; the others, not so much
    - All Presidents were flawed and don’t deserve endless honor

Let’s look to our first President for wisdom:

“It is to be lamented that great characters
are seldom without a blot.“
George Washington (1732-1799)

Bless their imperfect souls. And yours.

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Shelter from Over-Spending

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Per recent reports, as the American economy improves, folks charge more on their credit cards. See this recent article in Forbes:

“Historically, in the United States and around the world, household debt has been at its highest when the unemployment rate has been at its lowest . . . when the economy is growing, the higher levels of lending and borrowing make both banks and families feel wealthier than they truly are . . . When we swipe our credit cards, it doesn’t always feel like we’re borrowing money.”

What does the Bible say?

1 Timothy 6:6, 9 (NIV)
But godliness, with contentment is great gain . . .Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap.

Lord God, thank you for this heads-up about the temptations tied to prosperity. Protect us from foolish traps, shelter us with godly contentment, in Jesus’ name.

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Simply Modest

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
She is clothed with strength and dignity.

Strength and dignity–simple, modest, and always in style.

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Modest Glow

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 5:16 (TLB)
Let your good deeds glow for all to see,
so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

Forget the glitz and the glam. It’s all about God’s glow.

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Modest Beauty

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

“There is little virtue in the beauty
which calls attention to itself;
modest beauty is the last
to extol its own charms.”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

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Modest Prayer

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

John 3:30 (NIV)
He must become greater;
I must become less.

Lord Jesus, may the people I meet see
less of me and more of You.

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Modest Thought

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Modest. Per Merriam-Webster, moderate, neither bold nor self-assertive, decent.

Where does “modest” fit into our culture?

- - - Good riddance!
    - Lost in the crowd
    - Where’s the drama in “modest”?

All to often, our clothes our homes, our cars and our attitudes scream, “Look at me!” Remember this, God’s already looking.

1 Samuel 16:7 (TLB)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “. . . I don’t make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man’s thoughts and intentions.”

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Sheltering Kingdom Movements

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 24:14 (NIV)
And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all nations,
and then the end will come.

24:14 works to fulfill this Scripture (read more about this project here):

“Over the past 2000 years, the gospel has penetrated about two-thirds of the world; however, about one-third is still in total darkness, and recently the Church’s efforts have not even kept up with population growth. However, in the last 25 years, we have seen the rapid emergence of hundreds of church-planting movements worldwide, often in places most resistant to the gospel.”

24:14 called for 40 days of prayer and fasting for Church Planting Movements among unreached people groups, starting in January. But it’s not too late to start sheltering this movement with your prayers.

Your kingdom come, Lord!

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