One Word: Discipline

Posted on December 30, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m one of those folks who select one word for the new year. I find it more motivating than a multitude of New Year’s resolutions. My 2019 word was fit as in “fit for service in the kingdom of God.” I lost weight and exercised more–but fit was more about soul than body.

 

For 2020, discipline dances in my head. What do you think?

  • Sounds punishing!
  • Noun or verb?
  • Who’s giving, who’s getting?

There are spiritual disciplines (such as silence, Sabbath-keeping, study, fasting, service). Yep, I could use more disciplines in my life.

There’s self-discipline (self-control). Check. More would be better.

And there’s God’s discipline. Not my decision, really.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Safe Shelter in Church

Posted on December 28, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Sexual abuse in the church makes news, hurtful news. People use their positions of honor and power for personal pleasure. Brothers and sisters, this should not be.

 

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)
Flee from sexual immorality.

Our enemy looks for every opportunity to give Christ a bad name, to hinder ministry and hurt believers. Let us take every opportunity to pray for purity, unity and safety:

Mighty God, make our churches safe spaces for those who are vulnerable. Lead our leaders “not into temptation;” teach them to flee from all immorality. Deliver us from the evil of sexual abuse, in our churches, in our communities, in our country, in Jesus’ name.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Simply a New Day

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

The word of the Lord:

 

Isaiah 43:18-29 (NIV)
Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!

A new day. A new week. A new year. Whatever time the Lord gives you, live it in simple faith!

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Day After the Night Before

Posted on December 26, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Advent is over.
Christmas has passed.
How does that feel?

 

  • A let-down
  • A respite
  • A return to the routine

Thank God.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
His mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning.

 

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

At Home, At Last

Posted on December 25, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

“O come to my heart, Lord Jesus!
There is room in my heart for Thee.”
Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
Emily E. S. Elliott (1864)

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Dark and Light

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.

Walk in the light!

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Asleep or Awake

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

“Stir our hearts, we beseech you, to prepare ourselves to receive your Son. When he comes and knocks, may he find us not sleeping in sin, but awake to righteousness, ceaselessly rejoicing in his love. May our hearts and minds be so purified, that we may be ready to receive his promise of eternal life.” 
The Gelasian Sacramentary (500)
Gelasius became pope in 492. This sacramentary is the oldest prayer book of the Western Church.

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Noisy and Quiet

Posted on December 22, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Christmas chaos and clamor getting you down?

It’s been more than 400 years, and Martin Luther’s words still whisper through the noise.

“Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled
Within my heart, that it may be
A quiet chamber kept for Thee.”
Martin Luther (1585)
Trans by Catherine Winkworth (1855)

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

To and From

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

You’ve got your lists, and you’re checking them twice. Who gave you what, who still to buy for.

Here’s the real from and to of Christmas:

1 John 4:14 (NIV)
The Father has sent his Son
to be the Savior of the world.

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , | 3 Comments

God and Man

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

“Jesus was God and man in one person, that
God and man might be happy together again.”
George Whitefield (1714-1777)

Share
Posted in Advent | Tagged , , | 4 Comments