Shirlee Abbott

Get Fatherhood Right

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged Fathers, Psalm 103:13 | 2 Comments

Father’s Image

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

How do you remember your father?

What father? Never knew him
Better off without him
He kept a roof over our heads
A good man, a great example

Different fathers, different images.

If you base your image of God on an earthly father, you’ll get it wrong. Our God is consistently, unchangeably perfect.

James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Posted in other | Tagged Fathers, Fathers Day, James 1:17 | Comments Off

Shelter for Grieving Fathers

Posted on June 16, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

On Father’s Day, SHOCKWAVES (Healing the Shockwaves of Abortion) offers this prayer for fathers who lost a child to abortion. It is a beautiful prayer. I offer it here for all men who have missed their opportunity for fatherhood–via abortion, divorce, distance or even their own bad decisions:

You are the Father of all,
And the source and pattern of all fatherhood.

You are our Provider, our Protector, our Encourager,
And you enable us to do the same for others.
I thank you for your mercy and healing,
Of which I stand in need
As I grieve my own lost fatherhood.
I turn to you, the Eternal Father,
And ask to be renewed
And to start again.
by Fr. Frank Pavone

Posted in other | Tagged abortion, Fathers Day, prayer, Safe Shelter | 2 Comments

Never Too Early

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

I passed the tissues as a friend described her daughter’s abusive marriage and nasty divorce. “I wish I’d started praying for her husband when she was just a baby,” my friend snuffled, “instead of waiting for it to be a crisis.”

It’s never too soon to pray for your child’s future. Just think, your prayers might divert a crisis.

Posted in other | Tagged children, prayer | 2 Comments

Simple Enough for a Child

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Micah 6:8 (MEV)
What does the Lord require of you,
but to do justice and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

You don’t have to be a good reader, a great speaker or a strong leader.
Play fair, be kind and follow God. You can do this.

Posted in other | Tagged K.I.S.S., Keep it short and simple, Micah 6:8 | 2 Comments

Teach It Early and Often

Posted on June 13, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Luke 6:31 (NIV)
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

When I was a little girl in Sunday School, dressed in my best patent leather shoes and bow-tied dresses, we repeated this verse every week. It’s served me well for over 60 years.

Let’s go out and do for other children as it was done for me.

Posted in other | Tagged Golden Rule, Luke 6:31, Sunday School | 4 Comments

Childish Anger

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

When my kids got really angry with me, they’d try to hurt me with their words. Our adopted children said, “You’re not my real mom.” My biological kids said, “I didn’t ask to be born.” Or the old standby, “I hate you.”

When I get really mad at God, I try to hurt him:

I hate you.
I don’t believe in you anymore.
You’re not real.

He could zap me with a thunderbolt, but he doesn’t. He patiently waits for me to grow up, calm down and come to my senses.

Posted in other | Tagged anger, hurtful words | 4 Comments

For the Children

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

What’s your prayer for the children in your life?

That they’ll be happy and healthy
Success in school
That they’ll stay out of trouble

How about these?

Love the Lord — heart, soul, mind and strength, and their neighbors as themselves
(Mark 12:30-31)

Be filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
(Galatians 5:22-23)

Seek first the kingdom of God
(Matthew 6:33)

Use their spiritual gifts to build up the Church
(Ephesians 4:12)

Posted in other | Tagged children, Ephesians 4:12, Galatians 5:22-23, Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 6:33, prayer | 3 Comments

Safe Children, Loved Children

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

“Americans recognize Mother’s Day, Father’s Day… so why not a national Children’s Day? A day that revives, celebrates, and commits to our children and their future.”
NationalChildrensDay.US

The second Sunday in June is Children’s Day.

Many children in America live in safe homes, with enough food and the support of loving parents. But more than 3.6 million referrals involving more than 6 million children are made every year to child protection agencies. Countless others live in unhappy, unsafe situations.

Let’s pray not just for our own children, but for the millions who find themselves in homes filled with tension and violence, on the street, in foster care and residential treatment. Let’s minister not only to the children we know and love, but also to these unknown children who desperately need love.

Open our eyes and hearts, Lord, to children in desperate need. Drive us to prayer and action on their behalf.

Posted in other | Tagged Children's Day, Safe Shelter | 2 Comments

Trust Your Best Weapon

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 20:7 (NIV)
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Our strongest weapon – the name of our God. Don’t be afraid of it.

Posted in other | Tagged Psalm 20:7, the Name of the Lord, weapon | 4 Comments