Fighting Submission

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

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The last Titus 2 study focused on submission:

Titus 2:3,5 (NIV)
Likewise, teach the older women . . . to be subject to their husbands.

The Greek word used here, hypotássō, has two parts: hypo (under) and tasso (arrangement). It means to rank below, be subject to, to obey. Wives to husband. And we 21st century American women bristle and sputter, “it cannot be!”

Satan spins lies at both ends of marriage. At one end, women are devalued, mistreated and disrespected. At the other end, men are devalued, deemed unnecessary and disrespected. There’s gotta be significance to submission, or the enemy wouldn’t work so hard to distort it.bless submissive

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Fighting for First Place

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Romans 12 3

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Battles Worth Fighting

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

thought

 

Today’s constructive thought comes out of the last Titus 2 Women’s study.

How significant are the things you and your spouse fight over?

 

        • It’s a big deal, or I wouldn’t be fighting over it
        • It’s the little stuff that causes the most trouble
        • We fight only because my spouse is so stubborn; I’m right, s/he is wrong.

Are the disagreements over something with eternal significance? Will it matter five years from now? Will it matter 500 years into eternity?

Make sure the battle is worth the fight.bless soul pic

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Comfortable Criticism

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

discipline

I was driving home from work, pondering what I’d write for this last post on constructive criticism. I passed my usual flock of sheep, and they had an unusual look–shorn, clipped . . . naked.

That’s how I feel after receiving criticism, I thought. Exposed, naked.

Funny thing, the sheep didn’t look embarrassed. I suspect they feel lighter and more comfortable. Free. Free of all that hot and heavy wool. And surely the wool clippings will be put to good use. A win-win for all.

Maybe I need a good clipping. Some constructive, comfortable criticism. bless comfortable

 

 

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Old Constructive Criticism

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

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Sometimes old advice is the best.

 

“We often learn more of God under the rod that strikes us
than under the staff that comforts us.“
Puritan Stephen Charnock, 1628-1680

No one said it was easy, even back in the 1600’s.bless soul pic

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The Discipline of Wisdom

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

 Architect

Proverbs 19:20 (NIV)
Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

 

 Really, God? Can’t I just skip over the discipline part and go straight to wise? 

[sigh]bless disciplined

 

 

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Critical Wisdom

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

James 3 17

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Drink Up Some Constructive Criticism

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

thought

 

 

How do you handle constructive criticism?

 

        • Smile on the outside, seethe on the inside
        • I’ll take it under prayerful consideration
        • Criticism? Can’t be. I’m never wrong!

Consider these instructions from Paul relating to Communion:

1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)
Everyone ought to examine themselves
before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.

Self-criticism? Perhaps not that so much as God-criticism. How well do I listen to God’s whispers of constructive criticism? And what if God serves up his constructive criticism via hard words from other people? 

It’s hard to swallow.bless listening

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Fragrant Prayers for Our Nation

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

discipline

 

Yesterday was our National Day of Prayer. The weather was glorious. I drove to our Sussex County prayer gathering with the windows down, enjoying the sweet scent of flowering trees.

 

Our prayers for the government, public services and our fellow Americans should rise to heaven like the scent of the trees, a pleasing aroma to God.

Sweet prayers, my friend.bless soul pic

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Join in Prayer for our Nation Today

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Architect

 

An excerpt from Dr. Jack Graham’s prayer for today’s National Day of Prayer:

 

 

Hear our cry, oh God, and pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may walk in obedience to Your Word. We are desperate for Your tender mercies. We are broken and humbled before You.

Forgive us, and in the power of Your great love, lift us up to live in Your righteousness.

We pray for our beloved nation. May we repent and return to You and be a light to the nations.

Amen.bless you flag

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