Shirlee Abbott

Simply Honor Your Father

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Exodus 20:12 & Ephesians 6:2
Honor your father and your mother.

It’s simple: half of your DNA comes from your father, half comes from your mother.

It’s who you are. Honor (value) each half of yourself.

Posted in other | Tagged Ephesians 6:2, Exodus 20:12, Honor your father and mother, K.I.S.S., short and simple | Comments Off

A Father’s Training

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

“Train your child in the way in which you know you should have gone yourself.”
Charles H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

If only our children would learn from our mistakes.

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What about Your Father?

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Your thoughts on your father?

I want to be just like my father
I want to be nothing like my father
I’m thinking . . .

Your father might be a good example. Your father might be a bad example.

You can be a good example. You can be a bad example.

Think carefully.

Posted in other | Tagged Fathers, good examples | Comments Off

Sheltering Dads

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Heavenly Father, shelter all the fathers
who lovingly shelter their children.

Posted in other | Tagged Fathers Day, Safe Shelter | Comments Off

Looking for Goodness and Mercy

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life.

Look back and see goodness and mercy. They’re just a step behind you.

Posted in other | Tagged Goodness and Mercy, K.I.S.S., Psalm 23:6, short and simple | 1 Comment

Looking at Mercy

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Micah 6:8 (NIV)
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and
to walk humbly with your God.

If God exercised justice without mercy, we’d all be facing condemnation. Let’s be quick to extend the same mercy to others.

Posted in other | Tagged justice, mercy, Micah 6:8 | 3 Comments

Looking to Be All Love

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

My intentions are good, but . . .

My heart breaks when I don’t get my own way.

My soul is pulled in so many directions.

My mind is preoccupied with foolish fantasies, self-serving excuses and momentary distractions.

I’m still working on it all.

Posted in other | Tagged love God, Matthew 22:37-38, the first commandment | 3 Comments

Looking Out for God’s Image

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Loving God or loving people . . . which is easier?

I’m good with God; people make me crazy
I see all the trouble people face, and I get mad at God
Both at the same time? No way
Love God, love His creation

If you’re having a hard time loving people and God, maybe you’re not seeing the God’s image in the people.

Genesis 5:1b (NIV)
When God created mankind,
he made them in the likeness of God.

Posted in other | Tagged Genesis 5:1, image of God, love God, love your neighbor | 3 Comments

Running to Shelter

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

When folks run from their homes, they are either running away from something or running to something. Which one makes a difference.

People running from danger seek the nearest safe place. Those running to something will keep running until they reach their destination.

We can help those running away by providing shelter as near as safely possible.

Some runners-to are headed for destinations that won’t be as welcoming as they hope. Angry teens might imagine life on their own to be more fun than it works out in reality. Distant family members can have problems of their own. A different community may be hostile to newcomers.

Lord, we pray for those on the run. May those running from disaster quickly find safe shelter. May other runners seek Your will for their future–here on earth and for all eternity. Show the rest of us how to help: rescuing when necessary, redirecting when practical, restoring relationships when possible, reviving troubled souls in Your name.

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive them. In Your righteousness bring their souls out of trouble (based on Psalm 143:11).

Posted in other | Tagged Psalm 143:11, running away, Safe Shelter | Comments Off