Shirlee Abbott

What, Then, Shall We Pray?

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Love him or hate him, American has a new President. And Scripture reminds us to pray for those in authority–love ’em or hate ’em.

If words fail you, quote Paul:

Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless.

Colossians 1:9
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

Pray for the President? We’d love to!

Posted in other | Tagged Colossians 1:9, Philippians 1:9-10, pray, President | 2 Comments

It’s OK by God

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

We have lots of people converging on Washington DC, people from all sides of lots of issues. All of them should pause before their boots hit the streets, look skyward and sincerely say

May these words of my mouth
and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, LORD.
(Psalm 19:14)

Forget the reporters, the cameras, the other marchers and your Twitter followers. God knows. And if it’s OK by God, it’s OK.

Posted in other | Tagged inaugaration, Psalm 19:14, Washington DC | 4 Comments

Count the Categories

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

The world’s categories:

Wall Street / Main Street
black / white
red / blue

God’s categories:

those who are saved by grace / those who need to be

Guess which category counts for eternity–

Romans 8:1
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Posted in other | Tagged economics, politics, race, Romans 8:1, salvation | 2 Comments

One Nation, Under God

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged John 3:16, politics, race | 2 Comments

What’s There to Like?

Posted on January 16, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

America, we’re a house divided.

We slice and dice ourselves by

Race
Politics
Income

Over the years, I’ve made my home in seven states, and in rural areas, small and mid-sized towns, suburbs and cities. What have I found?

Most people are nice.

Drop your snap judgments. Don’t assume. Ease off the labels. Get to know those people on the other side of the debate.

You might discover that “the content of their character” isn’t all that different from yours.

Posted in other | Tagged division, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., judgment | 6 Comments

Gratitude Ratings

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

We complain. A lot.

We complain about the weather, our jobs, our homes, the food, our kids, our commute, the people we elected to govern us.

How does all that sound to God? Like we’re evaluating his job performance?

OK God, today you get just 2 stars for the weather. My cranky coworker was sick, so I’ll give you 3 stars for my workday. But that commute–not even 1 star. Come on, God, you can do better than that!

Our God is a God of grace and mercy. And for that, I am very thankful.

Posted in other | Tagged complaint, gratitude | 2 Comments

Humdrum Gratitude

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Taking God for granted?

I plead guilty!

Thank you, Lord, for the daily details, the tedious tasks, the repetitious routines — for

. . .
coffee beans
electricity
windshield wipers
direct deposit
supermarkets
pots and pans
toothpaste
pillow and blanket
. . .

Posted in other | Tagged gratitude, prayer | 4 Comments

The Power of Gratitude

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

“. . . gratitude, like hope,
is a force powerful enough
to penetrate even the deep pit
of depression.”
Kathleen Norris
The Quotidian Mysteries

John 14:1 (ESV)
Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.

And be grateful.

Posted in other | Tagged depression, gratitude, John 14:1, Kathleen Norris, The Quotidian Mysteries | 2 Comments

Acceptable Hearts

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, O LORD,
my rock and my redeemer.

As noted yesterday, a grateful heart gleefully puddle-jumps through life. A resentful heart is like quicksand, pulling me further down with each step. A worried heart makes for a hard walk, breaking a path through knee-deep snow. An apathetic heart drags through hot desert sand, bored and thirsty. A hateful heart is a lava flow, first burning me, then cooling into lock-stepped stone.

Guess which heart rates God’s approving smile–

Posted in other | Tagged gratitude, Psalm 19:14 | 2 Comments

Splash of Gratitude

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Shirlee Abbott

Quick! What are the last three things you thanked God for?

Breakfast
That I woke up this morning
I cleared the latest snowfall from my sidewalk with a broom

If you had to think awhile before you answered, you may be trudging through life with an ungrateful heart.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

Don’t slog through mud and muck. Pull on your happy boots and puddle-jump through your day. Go ahead, splash some gratitude on your nearest and dearest. It will bless their souls–and yours!

Posted in other | Tagged gratitude, Proverbs 4:23 | 6 Comments