Living Stones, Living Souls

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Rock solid

 

If you follow this blog, you know how much I like Spurgeon.

 

 

spurgeon

“Was ever a thought so massive as this—a building built of souls—a structure made of hearts? There is no house like a heart for one to repose in. There a man may find peace in his fellow-man; but here is the house where God delighteth to dwell—built of living hearts, all beating with holy love—built of redeemed souls, chosen of the Father, bought with the blood of Christ.“
From Tabernacle of the Most High, preached Aug 14, 1859
Read the whole message here.bless heart

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

As the Stubborn Stone Rolls

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

ArchitectPer Monday’s post, we are God’s building stones:

1 Peter 2:5 (MSG)
Present yourselves as building stones for
the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life.

 

I confess that I don’t always present myself to God as a willing stone. Sometimes I whine,

Can I be in a different wall? Please? Not next to her!

I complain.

I don’t like this spot. The sun is too bright, the rain is too wet and the wind blows too much.

And sometimes I stubbornly jump out of the wall, roll down the hill and pout in a dark corner.

Thankfully, our Builder is patient.bless willing

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

God’s House on the Rock

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

blueprint

1 Peter 2:4-5 (TLB)
Come to Christ, who is the living Foundation of Rock upon which God builds . . .  And now you have become living building-stones for God’s use in building his house.

 

house on the rock.jpg

Wisconsin gal that I am, I once visited the House on the Rock in Spring Green, WI. It is built high atop Deer Shelter Rock, with views down to the forest below. It reminds me of this Bible passage. Stonework on a mighty stone foundation.

Alex Jordan built a house that is impressive but impractical. It’s a tourist attraction, not an eternal dwelling. Jordan’s house is a poor imitation of the real thing.

 

Let’s be living stones in God’s House on the Rock. The view will be glorious.bless soul pic

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on God’s House on the Rock

God’s Rocks

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

thought

 

You’re a rock. 

What kind?

 

        • I crumble under pressure
        • I’m a smooth stone, my rough edges worn off by years of troubled waters
        • For decorative use only
        • May not look special, but I’m solid

Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
. . . on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

 Jesus spoke these words to Peter. Peter passed the message of the rock on to future generations. 

1 Peter 2:5
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

 We are God’s rocks.rock ur soul

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on God’s Rocks

I’ll Be Back!

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

vvacation

 

 

I’m taking a break to restore my own soul.

 

Thank you for stopping by. Check back on the 27thBLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL

Share
Posted in other | Comments Off on I’ll Be Back!

Closeted Treasures

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

discipline

 

 

Line the walls of your prayer closet with shelves where you keep your answers to prayer.

 

From time to time, pick up these treasures and remember the circumstances. Remember how God answered your prayer at just the right moment. Remember how he surprised you with an unexpected answer. Remember when he gave you more than you could ask or think. Remember when he didn’t give you what you asked for, because he had something much better.

Psalm 77:11 (ESV)
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.bless grateful

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Got Prayer in Your Closet?

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

blueprint

 

Matthew 6:6 (NASB)
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Those of us who grew up on the King James Version called this “inner room” our “prayer closet.” There should be room in you closet for you and God. If there isn’t, you need to get rid of some worldly possessions. Make room for prayer.bless soul pic

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Got Shoes in Your Closet?

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Rock solid

 

From Take My Life and Let It Be by Frances Havergal (1874):

“Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for Thee.”

Do the shoes in your closet focus on speed or beauty? Is that in the view of our culture, or in the eye of the Lord?

I don’t need spike heels or cross-trainers. I want to just step out in faith.bless faithful

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Got Shoes in Your Closet?

What’s in My Closet?

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Architect

 

 

There are outgrown clothes in my closet, roles that don’t fit me anymore.

 

Me: I am too saggy and baggy for this outfit. But I can’t let it go. I really like it.

God: Your culture says getting old is bad. I say, embrace your maturity. Grow old graciously!

Proverbs 16:31 (ESV)
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

I always said that a woman who’s 40 doesn’t look 30 by dressing like she is 20. Now that I’m in my 60’s, it’s time to let go of my 40’s [sigh].bless gracious

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on What’s in My Closet?

What’s in My Closet?

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

thought

 

Whenever I clean my closet, I find things I don’t need. They occupy space that could be put to better use. Same thing with my life. There’s some worthless stuff occupying space:

 

        • Couch time that is neither useful nor restful
        • Paperwork that I should finish and file
        • Worry about something unlikely to happen (and I can’t change if it does)
        • Annoyances that aren’t worth the effort

Time to clean the closet of my soul. I’ll start with that stash of snapish responses I never delivered (the world is better off without them).

How about your closet?
bless soul pic

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , | 2 Comments