Shirlee Abbott

“Turn from Your Wicked Ways.” Or What?

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

God says, “Humble yourselves and pray and seek my face and turn from your wicked ways” (from 2 Chronicles 7:14).

Or what if we don’t?

Abraham Lincoln, in his second inaugural address, suggested that the Civil War might have been our “Or what?” for the sin of slavery:

“. . . until all the wealth piled by the bond-men’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn by the sword.“

I’m worried about my generation’s “or what?”

Posted in other | Tagged 2 Chronicles 7:14, Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, slavery | 2 Comments

“And Turn from Your Wicked Ways”

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

“Turn from your wicked ways.” Ah, that’s the real challenge of 2 Chronicles 7:14.

When it comes to the state of my nation, I want the other fella to turn from his wicked ways. Cause I’m one of the good guys, right?

God: Are you content with the status quo so long as it’s profitable for you?

Me: Do I really have to answer that?

It is so easy to make excuses: Everyone is doing it. I’m not as bad as they are.

God doesn’t set much store by excuses. That’s where the “Humble yourself” comes in.

Posted in other | Tagged 2 Chronicles 7:14, prayer, repent | 4 Comments

Nehemiah Humbles Himself and Prays

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Nehemiah followed the instructions:

Nehemiah 1:6-7
Hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you.

It worked well for him. We should try it.
Check Lesson 2 in Rebuilding the Walls for more on Nehemiah’s prayer.

Posted in other | Tagged 2 Chronicles 7:14, Nehemiah 1:6, prayer | 2 Comments

My Tale of Two Houses

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

An internet writer friend, Norma Brumbaugh, asked me to write a guest post for her website.

Norma is an interesting soul. She’s the only walnut farmer I know. She also teaches, speaks and writes–as God leads. Read more about her here.

Read my renovation story and see some before and after photos of our barn.

Posted in other | Tagged guest post, Norma Brumbaugh | Comments Off

God, I’m Sorry

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

How often do you apologize?

Anytime someone is upset or offended
Only when I’ve done or said something stupid
Me apologize? Never!

Nehemiah 1:6 (ESV)
I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.”

Nehemiah confesses to God his sin, the sins of his family and the sins of his nation. He apologizes to God on behalf of we.

What about you? Do you confess the sins of we the people?
(See Lesson 2 in the Rebuilding the Walls series for more on this topic)

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A Full Loaf for Everyone

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

A quick quote from my favorite preacher:

“God thinks of every separate child of His as much as if He had only that one. The multiplicity of His elect does not divide the loaf of His affection. He has an infinite affection for each one and He will take care of the details of each chosen life.“
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1893 (read the full sermon here)

Jesus is the Bread of Life. And you get the full loaf.

Posted in other | Tagged Bread of Life, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Jesus Loves Me | Comments Off

My Daily Cake, Pie and Cookies

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I say, “give me this day my daily bread.”

I think, “give me this day my dessert buffet.”

I have much, I want more. Lord, change me!

Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

Posted in other | Tagged content, daily bread, Philippians 4:12, selfish | Comments Off

Abundant, Not Adequate

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

I admit it. Cooking isn’t my forte. My husband once told the church youth group that my cooking is “adequate.” They couldn’t wait to tattle on him. They were very deflated when I responded, “He’s right. I’m a woman of many talents, and cooking isn’t one of them.”

Lord God, I am adequate; you are abundant.
I do a few things well;you do all things well.
For that, I am eternally grateful. Amen.

Posted in other | Tagged abundant, adequate, cooking | Comments Off

Very Good Food

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
Taste and see that the Lord is good.

I don’t believe it is just random chance that we have a smorgasbord of cooking choices: crisp greens, sweet berries, fruits galore, a multitude of grains, and vegetables from asparagus to zucchini. Chocolate, coffee, and exotic spices are products of God’s imagination, not the primordial ooze.

Genesis 1:29
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”

It is very good. Thanks be to God.

Posted in other | Tagged food, Genesis 1:29, Psalm 34:8 | Comments Off

More than Manna

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Saturday I made squash & apple soup and pumpkin dessert. The food tasted good and smelled even better. What are your favorite scents of fall?

Apple cider
Pumpkin pie
Soup simmering on the back of the stove
All of it!

For forty years, the Israelites ate manna in the desert. The same simple food day after day. No “eat the rainbow” for them. Yet they were fully nourished.

God could have met our need for food with simple manna. Instead he offers us a smorgasbord of fragrance and flavor.

Thanks be to God!

Posted in other | Tagged autumn, food, manna | 7 Comments