Shirlee Abbott

A Good Model

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

A model of fine fashion, great hair and flawless makeup,

or . . .

Titus 2:7 (ESV)
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works.

Both take discipline. One has eternal value.

Posted in other | Tagged fashion, good works, model, Titus 2:7 | 1 Comment

Still, and Better Looking

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

“Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.“
Have Thine Own Way, Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907

Molded by God . . . can’t look better than that. But I’m not so good at yielded-and-still.

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I Want to Look Good

Posted on June 10, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Workday mornings, standing in front of my closet, looking in the mirror:

Me: I want to look good. I want to be a good reflection on you, Lord.

God: Do you want to LOOK good, or BE good? There’s a difference, you know.

Posted in other | Tagged looking good | 2 Comments

Maybe Not So Good-Looking

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Scripture says this of our Savior:

Isaiah 53:2 (ERV)
There was nothing special or impressive
about the way he looked.

It wasn’t good looks that attracted people to Jesus.

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Looking Good

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

What do these things have in common?

Facelifts
Padded resumes
Personal trainers

It’s all about looking better. We want to look smarter, slimmer, sexier.

Do we look good to God?

1 Samuel 16:7 (ERV)
God doesn’t look at what people see.
People judge by what is on the outside,
but the Lord looks at the heart.

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Real Home

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Posted in other | Tagged Home, In my Father's house, John 14:2 | Comments Off

God’s Home

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Remember the old hymn,
We Give Thee But Thine Own.

Think about your house and everything in it, and sing these words:

“All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.“
William Walsham How, 1864

An interesting perspective, don’t you think?

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Battles of Home

Posted on June 3, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

God and I don’t always agree when it comes to my home.

Me: We just need to buy a few more things and the house will be perfect.
God: Money buys perfection? Really?

Me: Gotta clean. Company’s coming, and I don’t want them to think we live like this.
God: You do live like this. What happened to honesty?

God: Invite them over. Exercise hospitality.
Me: It’s MY house. I want to enjoy it. ALONE.
God: What happened to sharing and an attitude of gratitude?

Of course, this is just me. You’re never like this.

Posted in other | Tagged cleaning, Home, hospitality | 2 Comments

Treasure of Home

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Handy Hubby and I spent a lot of time and money renovating the barn we call home (you can read more about it here).

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I’m trying to keep my heart in the right place.

Posted in other | Tagged heart and home, Matthew 6:19-21, treasure | 1 Comment

Heart’s Home

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Where would we find you at home?

Tinkering in my workshop
In the kitchen
Out in the garden

“Home is where the heart is.” Pliny the Elder

“Home is the nicest word there is.” Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Love begins at home.” Mother Teresa

Not all homes are filled with love. All homes are filled with imperfect people—at best, sinners saved by grace.

And this is the ultimate saving grace,

“This world is not my home,
I’m just passing through;
my treasures are laid up
somewhere beyond the blue.”
Albert E. Brumley

Heaven is the place of true love. And yes, Your home is where your heart is.

Posted in other | Tagged Albert E Brumley, heart, Home, Home is where the heart is, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mother Teresa, Pliny the Elder | Comments Off