Shirlee Abbott

Thank You for our Present

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“America! America!
God shed His grace on thee.”
Katharine Lee Bates, 1913
America the Beautiful

Today would be a good day to praise God for his gift of grace.

Posted in other | Tagged 4th of July, America the Beautiful, grace, Katharine Lee Bates | 3 Comments

Look to God from Both Sides

Posted on July 3, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

A friend recently told me that most political arguments come because one side is all about love and the other all about justice. Which side are you on?

God is all about both.

Hosea 12:6 (ESV)
So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.

Posted in other | Tagged Hosea 12:6, justice, love | 3 Comments

Happy Birthday to US

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

The US of A is getting older.
Are we aging graciously?

Going downhill fast
Somethings are improving
No place better

Better? In our eyes, or in God’s eyes?
In the end, God’s opinion is the only one that matters.

Posted in other | Tagged 4th of July, United States | 2 Comments

Safe Reentry

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“As release day approaches, the problems awaiting prisoners on the other side of the gate can be overwhelming. For years, they’ve been told when to eat, what to wear, and where to go. Now suddenly they will have to make decisions on their own.”

Prison Fellowship goes beyond winning prisoners to Christ. Their volunteers strive to equip them with the life skills, work habits, attitudes and support to be successful following their release.

Mighty God, we pray for Prison Fellowship and other Christian ministries that prepare the men and women in our jails and prisons for what’s on the other side of the gates. Raise up committed Christians to support these hurting souls through the awkward adjustment–to be your helping hands, feet and heart.

Posted in other | Tagged Prison Fellowship, Safe Shelter | 2 Comments

Slow to Say

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

James 1:19 (NLT)
You must all be quick to listen,
slow to speak.

Most of us get it backwards . . . quick to speak and slow to listen.

Try doing it God’s way. He’s the best listener . . . ever!

Posted in other | Tagged James 1:19, listen, speak | 3 Comments

Simply Said

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Watch your words.

Are they stepping stones or stumbling blocks?

Posted in other | Tagged K.I.S.S., Keep it short and simple, stepping stones, stumbling blocks | 4 Comments

Something Worth Saying

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“Aren’t you upset?”
“Why are you so upbeat?”
“How do you do it?”

1 Peter 3:15 (ERV)
Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have.

Don’t be afraid to speak up.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Peter 3:15, hope, words | 3 Comments

Something Worth Reading

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

If you follow the comments on this blog, you’ve read some wise, funny and poetic words from Andrew. He could be whining, screeching or cowering in a corner–because he’s facing a painful illness that will, barring miraculous intervention, eventually take his life. Instead, he shares his wit and hard-learned lessons on his own blog:

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart.

Check it out. It’s something worth reading.

Posted in other | Tagged Andrew Budek-Schmeisser, words | 3 Comments

Say Something

Posted on June 25, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

I overheard two women chuckling over a mutual friend’s long text. “She always has plenty to say,” one told the other.

What would your friends say about you?

Never at a loss for words
A man (or woman) of few words
Nothing worth hearing here

What do your own words say about you? What do your words say about God?

Posted in other | Tagged words | 3 Comments

Unsafe Souls

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“There is something very wrong with a system that makes it easier to arrest a homeless person than to get him the treatment he needs.”
Marjorie L. Baldwin, PhD
Homeless, Mentally Ill and Neglected

Estimates are that 20-30% of homeless people suffer from severe mental illness. That’s not just a social problem. It’s a spiritual problem. Even if we could get them all under a safe roof today, most would still be dwelling in an unsafe space spiritually.

I don’t have a quick-fix answer, but I know that Jesus loves them. We may not know how to help, and they may refuse our help. But we should never drive or walk past without offering up a prayer for their well-being.

Lord, these are your children. Watch over them, wrap them in your love, silence the voices in their heads, heal the hurt in their hearts. Restore their souls.

What would you have me to do?

Posted in other | Tagged homeless, mental illness, Safe Shelter | Comments Off