Shirlee Abbott

Churches Burning

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Which images sadden your heart?

Bombed churches in Sri Lanka
Burned out churches in Louisiana
Notre Dame’s spire in flames

Flames damage buildings. Faith still stands. Stand strong.

Posted in other | Tagged faith, Louisiana churches burned, Notre Dame Cathedral fire, Sri Lanka Easter attacks | 2 Comments

Safety in Sri Lanka

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Just a week ago, on Easter Sunday, churches in Sri Lanka were bombed as believers gathered to worship the risen Christ. Some churches are now urging their members to worship and pray in the safety of their homes.

This article from The Atlantic offers an intriguing explanation:

“The exact motivations of the attackers are still not known. But they may have targeted churches in part because these spaces are powerful symbols of the West.”

“Symbols of the West.” We can respond with the words of John Oxenham’s hymn (1908):

“In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north.”

Dear Jesus, let believers in Sri Lanka and everywhere be such glorious reflections of You that we outshine our cultures.

Posted in other | Tagged John Oxenham, Safe Shelter, Sri Lanka, The Atlantic | 2 Comments

Rising Sun

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Wake up to sunshine!

Psalm 113:3 (NIV)
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Posted in other | Tagged Psalm 113:3, rising sun | 6 Comments

Hope Rising

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for
and assurance about what we do not see.

May your hopes rise and your doubts decline.

Posted in other | Tagged doubts, Hebrews 11:1, hope | 2 Comments

Rise to the Occasion

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Shirlee Abbott

The fastest way to rise to an occasion
is to kneel down in prayer.

Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.