Shirlee Abbott

Silence and Song

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Christmas music plays everywhere. Maybe you need the sound of silence to calm your soul.

Habakkuk 2:20 (NIV)
The LORD is in his holy temple;
let all the earth be silent before him.

Make time for a bit of quiet time.

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, Habakkuk 2:20, peace and quiet, silence | 4 Comments

Winter and Summer

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

“Christ is not merely a summer sun of the prosperous
but a winter fire for the unfortunate.”
G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, Christ, G.K. Chesterton | 3 Comments

Eat and Drink, Hunger and Thirst

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

All too often, we overindulge at Christmas, eating and drinking more than is good for us.

Try less eating, more hunger:

Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, hunger and thirst, Matthew 5:6 | 3 Comments

Humbug and Hope

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Christmas can be a hard season. Some folks are lonely. Some are grieving. Some are depressed. Some are envious. Many are stressed. Bah, humbug!

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let humbug go. Grab on to hope.

Posted in Advent | Tagged Romans 15:13 | 3 Comments

Owed and Paid

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Is Christmas costing you too much?

Think what it cost Jesus.

Philippians 2:7-8 (MEV)
But He emptied Himself,
    taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
    and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in the form of a man,
    He humbled Himself
    and became obedient to death,
        even death on a cross.

Jesus paid it all! All I have I owe to Him.

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, Philippians 2:7-8 | 3 Comments

Ignore or Adore

Posted on December 8, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Don’t ignore the reason for the season.

“O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.”
Adeste Fideles
Variously attributed to John Francis Wade (1711–1786),
John Reading (1645–1692) or King John IV of Portugal (1604–1656)
Translated by Frederick Oakeley, 1841

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, Frederick Oakeley, John Francis Wade, John Reading, King John IV or Portugal, O Come Let Us Adore Him | 3 Comments

Lies and Truth

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Can you sort the lies from the truth?

Lies: What you buy will bring happiness.
You have the power to put together the perfect Christmas.

John 8:44 (ERV)
Yes, the devil is a liar.
He is the father of lies.

Truth: Money can’t buy happiness.
God put together the perfect Christmas.

Ephesians 4:21
Yes, the truth is in Jesus.

Posted in Advent | Tagged Ephesians 4:21, John 8:44, lies, Truth | 3 Comments

Holidays and Holy Days

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Corinthians 7:1 GNT
So then, let us purify ourselves from everything that makes body or soul unclean, and let us be completely holy by living in awe of God.

Make this holiday season holy. Live in awe of God.

Posted in Advent | Tagged Advent, holiday, Holy | 3 Comments

Less and Blessed

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

It isn’t the hyped excitement of a mound of presents under the tree; it is the minute-by-minute acknowledgement of God’s blessings.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
Be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Posted in Advent | Tagged blessed, Hebrews 13:5 | 3 Comments

The Gift and the Giver

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus, the Gift:

John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.

Jesus, the Giver:

“You gave us so many gifts on your birthday:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicine for the sick;
Spiritual light for those that are blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)

Posted in Advent | Tagged Ephrem the Syrian, gift, John 3:16 | 3 Comments