Shirlee Abbott

Outside My Comfort Zone

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

A meeting opened with prayer, and I had a problem: the person praying did so in his native language. I impatiently crossed my arms and tapped my toe (spiritually, not literally), waiting for the real action to begin.

I sensed God’s disapproval.

The next time, I listened carefully and recognized a few words: dios, padre, casa. I found myself asking my heavenly Father to fill the house with his presence.

I sensed God’s Atta girl!

Since then, I’ve not only learned to pray alongside words I don’t understand, I’ve learned to like it.

Posted in other | Tagged comfort zone, Dios bendiga tu alma, prayer | 2 Comments

Eternal Change

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Worship isn’t about our level of comfort. Worship is about God. We tend to think that “our way” is the way God likes best. But whenever the focus of my worship drifts to me instead of God, it ceases to be worship.

Revelation 7:9 (NIV)
Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

Now might be the time for you to step out of your comfort zone and into someone else’s style of worship. You may well be standing next to them in eternity.

Posted in other | Tagged Change, Revelation 7:9, worship | 2 Comments

In the Zone

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Change is uncomfortable. How do you react?

Bring it on!
I’ll meet it halfway
I dig in my heels and resist

A very wise woman I know explained that when it comes to worship, people want to re-create for others the experience that brought them to Christ. The motive is honorable.

The outcome, however, places people in uncomfortable situations. The music, the order of the service and the styles of worship that are uplifting to some people make others uncomfortable.

Worship is about God, not comfort. Perhaps it is time to enlarge your zone.

Change worship style? Fear not.

Posted in other | 2 Comments

Snow Season

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in North Jersey, many people long for a snowless winter. I tell them that I like snow (in modest amounts), and that I wouldn’t want to live where there was no snow. I would miss the quiet transforming beauty of snow.

We all need spiritual snow seasons, seasons when we experience the quiet transforming beauty of the Spirit.

Posted in other | Tagged snow | Comments Off

Snow’s Song

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

“This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.”
Maltbie D. Babcock (1858-1901)

“All nature sings.” I wonder . . . does each snowflake sing a different melody?

Posted in other | Tagged Maltbie Babccock, snow, This is my Father's world | 2 Comments

Snow Day!

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

It snowed last Saturday. Serious snow, snow that shut us in for the day.

Most years, we get one or two snow days like that. A few years ago, I decided to count such a day as a respite, a day to restore my soul. It is tempting to see it as an opportunity to attack the to-do list. But the necessary work will somehow get done, and the combination of fresh snow and quiet pleasures renews my spirit.

Thank you, Lord, for your bounteous gift of a snow day.

Posted in other | Tagged restore my soul, snow day | 2 Comments

Planned Complexity

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

There are people whose full time job is to study global weather patterns and tell us what to expect. They tend to be both right and wrong—yes, it snowed last weekend, but our 3-5 inches turned into 8-15 inches. Weather forecasting is improved, but imperfect.

Some say that the science of weather forecasting proves that God’s not in charge. It’s all just a natural sequence of events.

I think that it reveals the glorious complexity of God’s plan.

Job 12:10 (ESV)
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of all mankind.

Posted in other | Tagged Job 12:10, weather | 2 Comments

Who’s In Charge?

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Over the weekend, from DC to NYC, deep snow upended schedules and canceled plans. How’d you take it?

Yippee! Time for hot chocolate and a good book
I was disappointed, but these things happen
My weekend was ruined!

This ancient passage from Job still applies:

Job 37:5-7 (NIV)
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways . . .
He says to the snow, “Fall on the earth,”
. . . he stops all people from their labor.

Yep, God’s in control.

Posted in other | Tagged Job 37:5-7, snow, Snowmageddon | 2 Comments

For Your Thoughtful Reading

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Shirlee Abbott

Thank you, American Baptist Churches of NJ (of which our congregation is a part) for posting my Imagine One Body article on their website.

Posted in other | Tagged ABCNJ, American Baptist Churches of NJ, Imagine One Body | Comments Off

Prayer for Life