Simply Change the World

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

John 13:34 (CEV)
Love each other,
just as I have loved you.

 

 

Nine simple words. World-changing simple words.

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Watch the Words

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

The battle is more about words than race.

 

In Genesis 11, the people got all arrogant and decided to build a tower to the heavens. God put an end to it . . . not by changing their skin color, but by changing their language.

 

Genesis 11:9 (NIV)
That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world.

“Babel” means confused. Lately, I’ve been hearing lots of babel.

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Reflections of Glory

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

2 Corinthians 3:18 (TLB)
We can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord.

 

Two assignments:

  1. Be a reflection of God’s glory.
  2. See the reflection of God’s glory in others.

You can do this.

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Prejudiced Confession

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

A big black pickup rear-ended me a few weeks ago and totaled my cute little Honda. Now I’m prejudiced against all big black pickups. My heart beats faster when I see one in the rear view mirror.

I know it isn’t rational. Big black pickups aren’t out to get me. Someday I’ll get over this.

 

Lord, give me eyes to see my other prejudices. Give me the wisdom to let them go. And when I see prejudice from others, give me the compassion to think, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

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What Color Is Your Soul?

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Skin color has been in the news. We know that God doesn’t look on our outward appearance. He looks at the state of our souls. So what color is your soul?

 

  • Down-in-the-dumps blue
  • Peaceful green
  • Black as sin
  • Bright white

God transforms our souls from dirt-dark to glorious white:

Isaiah 1:18
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow.

The only white privilege that matters is found in Christ alone. And it has nothing to do with skin color. It has everything to do with God’s grace.

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A Reliable Roof

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

I ran across this post a few weeks back, and the phrase “reliable roof” grabbed my attention.

Safe Shelter. Reliable Roof.
Often one in the same.

 

The story here is about Haiti, a place crying for safe shelter. It’s about people with spinal-cord injury living in a land with limited resources. It’s about Hope Health Action, a British charity providing “life-saving healthcare to the world’s most vulnerable.” It’s about one person deciding to make a difference. It’s about God transforming a good plan into a better plan.

Oh Lord, there’s so much opportunity for prayer here! We pray for more reliable roofs in Haiti; deliver them from homelessness and hopelessness. We pray that your beloved children with disabilities will not have to resort to begging; place them under reliable roofs. Grant Hope Health Action the resources to build more reliable roofs–more health care and hope to more people. Show each of us ways to expand these reliable roofs: with our prayers, with our money, perhaps even with our time. Take our good plans, Lord, and transform them into your glorious plan.  Amen.

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It’s Nothing New

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Some things haven’t changed in the last 500 years.

 

Same enemy:

“For still our ancient foe
 doth seek to work us woe.”

 

Same hope:

“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
 We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.”
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther, 1520
Translated by Frederic H.Hedge, 1853

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Let’s Do This God’s Way

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Our best weapon . . . prayer.

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Love the Haters

Posted on August 16, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

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Pray the News

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

The news interrupted my plan for this week’s blog.

You’ve heard this before: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.” Here’s my variation on the theme:

I disapprove of what you say, and I will defend my right to pray for your soul.

 

You see it all, God. Angry words hurled at angry words, judgment piled on judgment, violence facing violence — take away those hearts of stone, Lord. Replace them with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Prince of Peace, fill us all. Restore our souls.

 

 

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