Shirlee Abbott

Good Work

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

That wise saint, Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) “was content doing the smallest chore if he could do it purely for the love of God.”
from Second Conversation,
The Practice of the Presence of God

Follow the good Brother’s example.

Posted in other | Tagged Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God, Work | 2 Comments

Simply Good

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

God is good.

For that, I’m grateful.

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Good God

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Lord God, I want to be good. Just like you.

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Good for God

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

No matter how good it is, if you aren’t working it “as for the Lord,” it’s not of God.

Posted in other | Tagged Colossians 3:23, good work | 3 Comments

Good or God?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

What does it take to get on your to-do list?

A good cause
Fits my schedule
Helps a friend
Called by God

There are worthy causes, honorable deeds, good works. But not all good works are God works. Say yes to God’s call.

Posted in other | 2 Comments

Safety for Firefighters

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Our eyes see the images, and our hearts turn to those fighting the wildfires.

Lord, honor their dedication. Protect them as they protect others. Keep them safe.

On the capitol grounds in Sacramento, there’s a lasting tribute to firefighters who didn’t make it safely home:

“The centerpiece of the California Firefighters Memorial is a stunning brushed limestone Memorial Wall with the names of more than 1,300 California firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1850.”

More than 1,300 lives. We need to pray.

Posted in other | Tagged firefighters, Safe Shelter, wildfires | 1 Comment

Simply Remember

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 106:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

Thanksgiving: a day to remember.

Posted in other | 3 Comments

Don’t Get Too Attached

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“The past is a guidepost,
not a hitching post.”
Thomas Holdcroft (1745-1809)

Remembrance, yes. Dead weight, no.

Posted in other | Tagged guidepost, hitching post, Thomas Holdcroft | 2 Comments

Jacob’s Memorial Stone

Posted on November 14, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Jacob had an unforgettable dream (read about in Genesis 28).

Genesis 28:18 (NIV)
Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it.

Interesting, God, how Jacob made a pillar out of a pillow. He met you, and it changed everything. The ordinary became an altar. Meet me, Lord, and change me. Turn ordinary me into an altar of praise.

Posted in other | Tagged Genesis 28:18, stone of Jacob | 3 Comments

Memory Stone

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Once upon a time, there was a battle. The victory came through God’s intervention, not military might.

1 Samuel 7:12 (ERV)
After this Samuel set up a special stone to help people remember what God did. Samuel put the stone between Mizpah and Shen and named the stone “Stone of Help.” Samuel said, “The Lord helped us all the way to this place.”

What’s your Stone of Help? An unexpected check, an appliance working well past its end date, a mysterious bag of groceries on your doorstep? Don’t forget to give God the credit.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Samuel 7:12, remember, Stone of help | 3 Comments