Shirlee Abbott

Blessed Plans

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged James 4:13-14, plans | 2 Comments

Acts, in Obedience

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

My plans were in place for a women’s Bible study on the Trinity. First lesson ready to go. Second lesson, started, then trashed. Started over, stuck again.

I prayed. Silence.

We went to the movie, “The Insanity of God” (it was powerful). There was a passing comment about a Bible study on the book of Acts. Just one sentence, not essential to the movie.

I sensed God saying, That’s it. Acts. I nodded, and concentrated on the movie. While the credits rolled, I wondered, Acts? Really?

Again, I felt the rumble, Acts.

Acts it is.

Church under Construction, A Study of the Book of Acts.
(in person on 1st & 3rd Saturdays, starting September 17,
and posted on this website)

Posted in other | Tagged Acts, Bible study, The Insanity of God | 4 Comments

Turn Here!

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Think about a time when God changed your plans.

Rained on my picnic
Caught with my hand in the cookie jar
A door opened
God said, “Don’t do it!”

Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

When have you heard God say, Turn here?

(I heard it last Tuesday. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.)

Posted in other | Tagged Isaiah 30:21, turn here | Comments Off

Sorted Words

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Imagine that every word you spoke yesterday fell to the floor. Sweep them into three piles: kind words, angry words, neutral words. “Please pass the salt” counts as neutral (polite does not equal kind).

Which pile is biggest?

Posted in other | Tagged kind, words | Comments Off

Sweet Words

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Amy Wilson Carmichael (1867–1951), missionary to India, is best known for her work rescuing young women from forced prostitution. Her wisdom still applies:

“For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.”

Posted in other | Tagged Amy Carmichael, words | 2 Comments

Stubborn Words

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

It is easy to think that words just fade into the air. Without consequences. But those words have power I don’t see. They leave tracks in our brains–for good or evil. Blessings or curses.

James 3:10 (NIV)
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Oh Lord, forgive my stubborn, hurtful words.

Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth . . .
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Posted in other | Tagged blessings and curses, James 3:10, Psalm 19:14, words | 3 Comments

Word Power

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

I am reading a book, Thirty Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain, on the importance of early language development.

I learned that words aren’t just essential to communication, they set up neural pathways that define future aptitude. Think of the first three years: a baby with no words becomes that toddler with a thousands whats and whys.

John 1:1 (NIV)
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.

Beginning . . . Word . . . God. It’s God’s glorious plan to start us off with words.

Posted in other | Tagged Dana Suskind, John 1:1, Thirty Million Words, words | Comments Off

Getting Older, Getting Easier

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

As I get older, things get harder. How about you?

My joints creak
I forget things more often
It’s harder to learn something new
A name or word I know well is suddenly gone

I thought about my “senior moments,” when I can’t find the word I want. I know it would be almost impossible to learn a new language at my age. I asked, Why, Lord, does it get harder as I get older?

It is easier for you to hear me.

Indeed. To God be the glory!

Posted in other | Tagged aging, hearing God | 4 Comments

Green Grass-Fed

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

I’ve heard Christians say, “I need a church where I’m fed.”

The Good Shepherd of Psalm 23 led his sheep to the green pasture. There’s nothing about him pulling up the grass and putting it in their mouths. Looks to me like the sheep still had to eat on their own.

So when someone says “I’m not being fed here,” I think they really mean “The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence.”

Posted in other | Tagged Bible study, Good Shepherd, Psalm 23 | 2 Comments

Basic Bible Study

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

“Do not study about the Bible,
study the Bible.”
R. A. Torrey, 1856-1928

‘Nuff said.

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