Restored Shelter for Iraqi Christians

Posted on February 2, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

ISIS attacks drove Christians in Iraq from their homes. In the historic Christian city of Qaraqosh, for example, almost all of the 50,000 residents left to find shelter elsewhere, some families packed into small spaces for years. 14,000 of them have chosen to return, finding their homes and churches destroyed.

Samaritan’s Purse is helping to rebuild. Project Nehemiah has helped complete almost 500 homes, with 250 more in progress.

“When we fled, we kept our faith. God is not limited to one area . . . In Him we are so strong. He is always by our side in the darkest times.”
Atheer, one of the returning Christians

Lord, we pray that your Church in Iraq will grow and thrive. Provide the money, materials and muscle power to restore their buildings. May they worship, work, sleep and share the good news of Christ in safety.

 

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Simply Humble

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIRV)
But they make themselves humble . . .
They pray and look to me.
And they turn from their evil ways.
Then I will listen to them from heaven.
I will forgive their sin.
And I will heal their land.

Healing starts with humility: 

Lord, we’re making a mess on our own.
We need you.

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Blood for Blood

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

In his second inaugural address, President Lincoln offered this possible explanation for the loss of life in the Civil War:

 

” . . . until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword . . .”

 

 

What price, then, might America pay for every life lost through abortion?

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Change of Heart

Posted on January 30, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

 

Abortion advocates are more hard-hearted and vocal than ever, Lord. Change their hearts, O God, as only You can.

 

 

 

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No Wisdom

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

I watched the video: folks clapped and cheered as New York’s governor signed a law allowing abortion up to the time of birth. I thought, “There’s no fear of God here.”

 

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

 

 

No fear of God = no wisdom. ‘Nuff said.

 

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I Don’t Understand

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

I’m pro-life, anti-abortion. But I can understand why someone might choose an abortion.

 

  • I can’t take care of myself, how will I take care of a baby?
  • Sex with this person was a bad choice, sharing a child would be worse.
  • No one can know about this. Ever.

This I don’t understand:

How a woman can see a pregnancy through 18, 24 or 30 weeks without choosing. How she can hear the heartbeat, see the ultrasound, feel the flutters and jabs of little arms and legs–and then decide, “good riddance.”

And this:

How folks can grandstand, celebrate and light up the night sky, declaring “this is a victory for women everywhere.”

I weep for America.

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Safe Shelter for Unborn Babies

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

This week, the state of New York made abortion legal up to the time of birth.

I don’t often make a public stand on a political position, but I cannot let this one pass. Those people who celebrated this law have lost sight of an important truth:

The womb is created to be a safe shelter for the unborn.

Psalm 139:13
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

The God who sees into the womb saw their cheers and applause. I know our Lord can forgive even this offense, should they have a change of heart.

Change their hearts, O God! 

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Praying Like a Superhero

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 31 Ministries posted a devotional I wrote. I’m excited to share it with you.

Click here to read today

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Yes, I’m Privileged

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

I admit it. I’m a woman of privilege:

 

Parents who loved God, each other and me.
A godly husband and gracious friends.
A safe home, warm bed and enough food.
Good teachers and great books.

 

I thank you, Lord, for my many, many blessings. I pray for my readers who lack these privileges, those who feel unloved and unsafe, cold and hungry, cut off and alone. Wrap them in the warmth of your love, the security of your protection, the nurture of your Word and the hope of your heaven. 

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Simply Not Good Enough

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Under slavery, there were laws against teaching people of color to read and write. Some urban schools are the 21st-century version, cutting students off from future success.

 

This is unacceptable. We Christians should raise our voices:

  • prayerfully, asking God to remove the barriers.
  • politically, advocating for better practices.
  • practically, keeping our own words short, simple and easy to read.

 

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