Shirlee Abbott

Jesus and Me–BFF

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

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Jesus, My Best Friend

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Does it seem a little sacrilegious to call Jesus my BFF? Selfish, maybe?

After all, Jesus has a whole world to watch over.

Here’s a thought from D. L. Moody (1837-1899):

“A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have.“

That friendship worked out well–for Mr. Moody and for God.

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Best Friend Secrets

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

BFFs share their secrets with each other, right?

John 15:15 (NIV)
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Jesus calls you friend. And he has shared the secrets of eternity with you. Friendship doesn’t get any better than that.

Posted in other | Tagged BFF, friend, John 15:15 | 4 Comments

Best Friends Forever

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

What makes someone your best friend?

Always there for me
We laugh at the same things
Tells me what I need to hear (even when I don’t want to listen)
I’m a better person when I’m with my BFF

Jesus is the bestest of Best Friends and, like no other, forever.

What a friend we have in Jesus. Absolutely!

What kind of friend does Jesus have in you?

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Heart Song

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

If you were a song, what type would you be?

A Sousa march – get moving
Country western – life is tough
Lullaby – sweet dreams
Rap – let me tell you what I think
Blues – slow down
Rock & roll – shake it up
Jazz – I wanna be different
Elevator music – pay me no notice
Classical symphony – tell the story

Uniquely you, making melody to the Lord with your heart (Eph 5:19 ESV).

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Morning Song

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Reginald Heber, 1826

I have an hour commute to work every morning. I use that time to pray. And most mornings I sing all four verses of Holy, Holy, Holy.

I imagine a throne room (it looks a bit like the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC). I see two thrones–the Father’s and the Son’s at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit travels around them, fireworks on a breeze. I’m surrounded by the saints and angels. My song rises to God.

What is your morning song?

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Sing an Old Song

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Images from some old hymns make my heart soar:

My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
(Charles Wesley)

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
(Isaac Watts)

Could we with ink the ocean fill . . .
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry.
Frederick M. Lehman

How about you? Do you have a favorite?

Posted in other | Tagged And Can It Be?, Charles Wesley, Frederick Lehman, Isaac Watts, The Love of God, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross | Comments Off

Sing a New Song

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Are you stuck in life’s rut? Is life a little too routine? Need a new song?

Psalm 144:9 (NIV)
I will sing a new song to you, my God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you.

David’s new song was played on the same old instrument. Same old, same old, new song.

The only thing standing in the way of your new song is you. Send a new tune, some fresh thoughts, God-ward.

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All About Music

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

What is your favorite worship music?

Gotta love the organ
Give me a praise band, one with drums
Nothing like listening to great singers
I want to sing it myself

Music touches our souls, no question about it. God knows the staying power of song. He gave his message to his people in song so they would remember:

Deuteronomy 31:19, 21 (TLB)
Now write down the words of this song, and teach it to the people of Israel . . . For this song will live from generation to generation.

You are created to sing!

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Winter Light

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Thank you, Lord God, for lengthening daylight.

Thank you, Lord God, for bright stars and clear cold nights.

Thank you, Lord God, for snow that illuminates dark nights and magnifies sunny days.

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