Gratefully Content

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you.

 

Envy and gratitude can’t share the same space. A contented person is a thankful person.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

I Want It All

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

What do you want?

 

  • More money
  • More time
  • More fun

Do you look at someone else’s life and think you deserve what they have?

Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

It isn’t about what you have. It’s all about who you are.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Safe Space for Someone Else’s Kids

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

There are over 400,000 foster children in America. Their own parents are unable, unwilling or unfit to care for them. Some kids spend a few weeks in the foster care system. Others are in foster care for years, sometimes bounced from one placement to another.

 

God calls us to get involved:

Psalm 82:3-4 (NLT)
Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless.

Are you called to share your space with somebody else’s kid? To be a friend to a foster child? To be an advocate for better care? To pray?

More than 400,000 children, Lord, and you know them all by name. Keep them safe, meet their needs, hold them close to your heart.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Rain to the Power of Three

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Rain down your blessings.
Rein in our rebellion.
Reign over our hearts.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Send the Showers

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Mercy-drops round us are falling,
  But for the showers we plead.”
Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901)

 

 

Let’s plead for the showers.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Let It Rain!

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

I was driving on the Interstate Saturday, traveling my usual safe sane 69 mph. Spritzes of rain required an occasional swipe of the wipers. Suddenly, God opened the fire hose. Traffic on both sides of the highway came to a full stop, and started up again at half speed.

Isaiah 45:8 (TLB)
Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness.

 

O Lord, we need your righteousness. Get everyone’s attention. Turn on the fire hose.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Simply the Best Rain Ever

Posted on July 17, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Isaiah 45:8 (ESV)
Let the clouds rain down righteousness.

 

 

A flood of righteousness — yes, Lord!

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Pray for Rain

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

 

Rain!

 

  • Clearing the air
  • Watering the earth
  • Filling the reservoirs

Rain, beautiful rain, ending our dry spell. For this rain we prayed.

There’s another kind of rain, coming down from God above. It’s rain for our spirits.

Deuteronomy 32:2 (NLT)
Let my teaching fall on you like rain;
let my speech settle like dew.

Pray for rain.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Safe Shelter at the End of Life

Posted on July 15, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

 

When life is good, we wrap our mortality in a distant fog, hoping some far-off day to go to sleep in bed and wake up in heaven. But when pain and suffering take hold, we dust off our hope of heaven, saying with Paul: “to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

Let’s think for a moment about those who face death without hope:

Lord God, may they call out to you with their dying breath and find shelter in your everlasting arms.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Heroic Heart

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

How to be a hero (from the mouth of God):

 

Acts 13:22 (NIV)
I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.

 

Be a hero. Do what God wants you to do.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments