Shirlee Abbott

Come, Emmanual

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, God-with-us.

With all of us–all believers round the world.

Come, God-with-me.

With me.

Posted in other | Tagged Advent, O Come O Come Emmanuel | 2 Comments

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Come, sing your way through the Bible.

“O Come, Emmanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

“O Come, thou Rod of Jesse.”

Isaiah 11:1
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

“O Come, O Dayspring.”

Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.

“O Come, Thou Key of David.”

Revelation 3:7
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.

“O come, Adonai, Lord of might.”

Psalm 38:22
Make haste to help me, O Lord [Adonai] my salvation.

Posted in other | Tagged Advent, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:78, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Psalm 28:22, Revelation 3:7 | Comments Off

Old Testament Carol

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s Advent.

Christmas is coming–

Lights
Presents
Carols!

Ah yes, the music of Christmas. Let’s start with O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

This carol dates back more than a thousand years, written by some unknown monk, someone who understood both the Old and New Testaments. It explains how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies of the Messiah.

Emmanuel means God with us. God-in-the-Tabernacle with the Israelites, God-in-the-manger at Christmas, God-on-the-cross at Easter, God-in-our-hearts today.

“O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.”

Cheered by Advent. So be it, amen.

Posted in other | Tagged Advent, Christmas Carols, O Come O Come Emmanuel | 2 Comments

Color Me Thankful

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m thankful for color:

the brown of roast turkey and my grandsons’ eyes
the red of cherry dessert and weathered barns
the green of pickles and pine trees
the white of marshmallows and highway lines
the orange of sweet potatoes and the new kitten
the black of ground pepper and the night sky

It’s a bright and beautiful world!

Posted in other | Tagged colors, gratitude, Thanksgiving | 2 Comments

God Bless Us All

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Thank you, Lord, for

the people I love,
the people I like,
the people I don’t like, and
the people who don’t like me.

Bless them, each and every one.

Posted in other | Tagged Bless them all, Matthew 5:44-45 | 4 Comments

Instead of Complaining, Give Thanks

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Blaise Pascal lived just 39 years, from 1623 to 1662–a brilliant young mathematician, inventor and Christian author. He was wise beyond his years and his era.

“Instead of complaining that God had hidden himself,
you will give Him thanks for having revealed so much of Himself.”

For God’s goodness revealed at our Thanksgiving tables . . . let us give thanks.

Posted in other | Tagged Blaise Pascal, gratitude, Thanksgiving | 2 Comments

Have It All

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

We want the good life. We want to have it all.

James 1:2-4 (AMP)
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

God wants us to have it all. Including trials.

Posted in other | Tagged have it all, James 1:2-4, trials | 2 Comments

God Said, “Everything”

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

What tops your gratitude list?

My family
My home
My salvation
My troubles

Troubles? Ha! You’d have to be crazy to be thankful for all the bad stuff that comes your way. Except . . .

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
In everything give thanks.

God could have said, “In every good thing, give thanks.” But he didn’t. He is quite clear, “everything.”

So what trials go on your gratitude list—money troubles? Family problems?

Even politics?

Everything.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 5:18, gratitude, politics, Thanksgiving | 2 Comments

My Stone

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

I am a stone for those around me. I can and should be an Ebenezer, a stepping stone. Or I can be a stumbling block.

I noticed a co-worker today just because of her frown. For her, a frown is a rare event. She’s always good for a word of encouragement, a joke or a happy story. Unlike the doom-and-gloom fellow with his steady stream of complaints. I once told him, “there’s never a sunny day where you can’t find a dark cloud.” He offered a nod of solemn agreement.

Oh Lord, make me a stepping stone! Amen.

Posted in other | Tagged Ebenezer, frown, Smile, stepping stone, stumbling block | 2 Comments

I Choose Stepping Stone

Posted on November 17, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged Romans 14:20, stepping stone, stumbling block | 2 Comments