Shirlee Abbott

The Pride of Self-Sufficiency

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Give God the credit He’s due.

Deuteronomy 8:16-18 (MSG)
If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.

A little humility goes a long way.

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for taking all the credit for what I have. You are the provider of it all: my talents and skills, the resources, and the foundation established by those who came before me. Thank You! Teach me to be a good steward of all that You have given me, to be generous and hospitable, willing to serve others for the sake of Your kingdom.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Deuteronomy 8:16-18, humility, pride of self-sufficiency | Comments Off

Abounding in Hopeful Prayer

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the USA, today is the National Day of Prayer. This year’s theme focuses on hope:

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Let us pray —

God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit …

We pour out our hearts for our nation, for the people and places, relationships and responsibilities the Lord has established: the Church, Family, Education, Business, Military, Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Government. May all who live, serve, and steward in these be filled with Your purpose, wisdom, strength, and truth …

In abounding hope, anchored by our hope in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

(Prayer from the National Day of Prayer website. Read the whole prayer for yourself here)

Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged hope, National Day of Prayer, Romans 15:13 | Comments Off

Wait!

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

While I’m taking a vacation from writing, COMPEL Training posted a few words from me.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Vacation | Tagged COMPEL Training, waiting | Comments Off

See You Next Week

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in Vacation | Comments Off

Let’s Take Easter Personally

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Philip P. Bliss, 1875

Jesus stood in my place. Jesus died in my place.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for loving the world. But on a personal note, thank You for loving me, for dying for me, for granting me eternal life. Teach me to look at Easter from both a corporate and an individual perspective: You pour your grace on me … and on a world of others. Grace isn’t a limited resource — there’s more than enough for everyone!

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Easter, grace, Man of Sorrows, Philip P. Bliss | Comments Off

Heaven and Earth Meet

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

The cross — where heaven meets earth.

John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus left heaven to die on earth so that earthly beings can live in heaven.

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for the cross. Thank You for stepping out of heaven and dying so that I can step into heaven and live … forever and ever, time without end, amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged cross, heaven and earth, John 3:16 | Comments Off

Centered on Love

Posted on April 17, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

The cross is all about love.

John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world …

John 13:34
… Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

God loves. I love.

Good morning, Lord. I cannot love others as much as You love me … but I can try. Teach me to see (and love) Your image stamped on every person I meet. Grant me power to look beyond the moment and envision them with You in eternity. Even (especially) when they rub me wrong, put a prayer in my heart and kind words in my mouth.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged cross, John 13:24, John 3:16, love | 2 Comments

Forgiven and Forgiving

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 6:12 (NLV)
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Picture the cross:

Forgive us our sins is the upright beam,
representing our relationship with God.

As we forgive is the crossbeam,
representing our relationship with others.

Good morning, Lord. May I be as quick to forgive others as You are to forgive me.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged cross, forgiven, forgiving, Matthew 6:12 | Comments Off

Guilt and Shame Meet Mercy and Grace

Posted on April 15, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

These parallel thoughts meet at the cross:

Guilt: I have done something bad, committed an offence.
Shame: I am a bad person, unworthy and unlovable.

Mercy: God is not giving me the punishment I deserve.
Grace: God is giving me blessings I don’t deserve.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
For the joy set before him [Jesus] he endured the cross, scorning its shame.

Let go of guilt, scorn the shame.
Be grateful for mercy, embrace grace.

Good morning, Lord. That messy and painful cross is the source of mercy and grace. Once again, O God, You take what is ugly and turn it to beauty, what is unlovable in me and transform it into a reflection of You. There is nothing on earth to compare with the power of Your holy love. I stand in awe of You, I praise and thank You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged guilt and shame, Hebrews 12:2, mercy and grace | 4 Comments

Intersection of Sin and Salvation

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

John 3:17 (EASY)
God did not send his Son into the world because he wanted to punish people. He sent his Son to save the people in the world from punishment.

Calvary’s cross — the intersection of sin and salvation. We bring the sin, Christ brings the salvation.

Good morning, Lord. My sins nailed You to the cross, Your death opened the door to my salvation. You didn’t deserve death, I don’t deserve eternal life. Your plan for the world — bigger and better than I can ask or think! “Thank You” isn’t enough.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged John 3:17, salvation, sin | 4 Comments