Shirlee Abbott

Prayer Time

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

“Time spent in prayer is never wasted.”
Francois Fenelon (1651-1715)
French Catholic theologian and poet

300 years, and every bit as true.

Posted in other | Tagged Francois Fenelon, prayer, Time | 2 Comments

Marking Time

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Ecclesiastes 1:3 (NASB)
There is an appointed time for everything.
And there is a time for every event under heaven–

God hung the sun, moon and stars in the heavens to mark off time. He appointed the seasons. He makes time for every event.

And silly us, we complain that his timing is all wrong.

Posted in other | Tagged Ecclesiastes 1:3, Time | 2 Comments

It’s About Time

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Which phrase best describes you?

Time on my hands
Never enough time
Now is the time

Have you noticed that Creation was half over when God created time?

Genesis 1:14-19 (NIV)
And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years” . . . And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

Let us thank God for time.

Posted in other | Tagged creation, fourth day, Genesis 1:14-19, Time | 2 Comments

True Love!

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Corinthians 13:6, 1 John 4:8, John 3:33, love, Truth | Comments Off

Judging Truth in Love

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

“God’s truth judges created things out of love,
and Satan’s truth judges them out of envy and hatred.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

Truth and love on God’s side. That sounds right.

Posted in other | Tagged Dietrich Bonhoeffer, love, Truth | 2 Comments

Lovin’ the Truth

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Ephesians 4:14-15 (KJV)
That we . . . speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Just because something is true doesn’t it should be spoken.

May our speech be filled with truthful but loving words:

Philippians 4:8
. . . whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report.

It’s the grown-up, Christ-like way to tell the truth.

Posted in other | Tagged Ephesians 4:15, love, Philippians 4:8, speaking the truth in love, Truth | Comments Off

Stone-Hearted

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

The Bible speaks of hearts of stone and flesh:

Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Your heart pumps life-sustaining blood to every cell in your body. The stonier your heart, the weaker the pump, the less life to the cells. You starve, cell by cell.

Every time I harden my heart, O God, I cut off your life-flow. I don’t want to suffocate slowly. I want to live abundantly! Give me a heart of flesh.

Posted in other | Tagged Ezekiel 36:26, heart of flesh, heart of stone | 2 Comments

Heart-Healthy Forgiveness

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

February is Heart Month. What are you doing to keep your heart healthy?

Eat my fruits and veggies
Exercise
Watch my stress level
Forgive

FORGIVE?

“Studies have shown that bitter, angry people have higher blood pressure and heart rate and are more likely to die of heart disease and other illnesses.”
(read the article here)

We routinely pray, Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. It is good for our souls, we know. Forgiveness is good for our bodies, too.

Posted in other | Tagged forgiveness, forgiving, heart, heart disease | 2 Comments

Debate Buzz

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

This Bible verse should be the kick-off to every debate:

1 Peter 2:1 (ESV)
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Wouldn’t it be great if a buzzer cut off the speakers whenever words of malice, deceit or hypocrisy passed over their lips?

Come to think of it, I could use a buzzer like that myself.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Peter 2:1, debate | Comments Off

Passing on Popularity

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

I want people to like me. I hope others think I am doing a good job. But . . .

My kids thought I was a mean mom. My husband bristles when I nag. My coworkers don’t like it when I announce bad news. I’m really, really glad that my name isn’t included on the “who do you like” poll.

But my life isn’t about popularity. There’s really only one opinion that counts.

May my words and thoughts be acceptable to you, Lord.
(from Psalm 19)

Posted in other | Tagged polls, popularity, Psalm 19 | Comments Off