Winter White

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Isaiah 1 18

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Promised Winter

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

expert

Genesis 8:22 (NLT)
“As long as the earth remains,
there will be planting and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night.”

 

In 1886, Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon on this passage. His message is timeless:

“When winter has chilled us a while, we look for the spring and the summer; and when summer has browned our faces, we expect the falling of the leaf and the descent of the snow. I want you to ask yourselves—Why do we not believe God’s other promises?“
The Sermon of the Seasons

Why indeed?bless believing

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Well-Planned Winter

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

blueprint

 

As the mega storm blankets the Northeast, I ponder God’s purpose for winter.

 

 

Psalm 2:1, 3 (CEV)
Why do the nations plot,
and why do their people make useless plans?
. . . In heaven the Lord laughs as he sits on his throne.

Think of the meetings postponed, flights canceled, lessons pushed back, appointments rescheduled. I can imagine God chuckling on his throne, “So you have it all carefully planned. How’s about 20 inches of snow?“BLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL

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Purposeful Winter

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

thought

 

Fresh snow, cold air. Your reaction?

 

 

        • I love the beauty and quiet of new-fallen snow
        • Bring on the global warming
        • Heigh-ho! To the slopes I go!

I enjoy snow, in modest amounts. Cold weather, not so much. But I like the changing seasons.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ASV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

 That said, what do you think is God’s purpose for winter?bless snowflakes

 

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Whose Life Matters?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

disciplineI was reading the comments attached to a news story on the March for Life.  One said, “I won’t let [an unplanned] pregnancy ruin my life” (not an exact quote, I didn’t get the writer’s permission).

I thought about my two pregnancies. Neither was planned, and I threw up every day for months. My life wasn’t ruined.

I consider my grown sons (two born to me, two adopted). Their lives matter, and certainly not just because I decided I wanted them. My ego isn’t big enough to think it was ever all about me.life matters

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All Lives Matter

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

Many people see abortion as the best choice in cases of rape and incest.

all lives

I am disturbed by what seems to be a message of the easy fix: make the baby go away, and things go back to normal. Baby or not, normal will never be the same for the victim of rape or incest. Is it mom who doesn’t want the living reminder, or those on the outside looking in? Are we eliminating the one good thing to come out of the horror?

Before abortion was legal, those babies lived. Perhaps there a child of rape or incest in your ancestral line. That life matters to you.bless soul pic

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Unborn Black Lives Matter

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

jeremiah 31 15

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Dreams Matter

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

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Acts 2:17 (and Joel 2:28)
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old mean will dream dreams.

 

Proverbs 29:18 (AMP)
Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish.

Every day in America’s cities, young men of color perish for lack of vision. 

Dear God, grant them worthy dreams of light and life.Bless praying

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All Lives Matter

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

thought

Yesterday was Sanctity of Life Sunday. Today is Martin Luther King Day. The first focuses on babies in the womb, the second on equality for people of color. What do the two have in common? The biblical concepts that all humans are created in the image of God and their lives have value.

 

It’s a spiritual battle: on one side, Christ offers abundant life:

John 10:10 (NIV)
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

On the other side, Satan destroys life.

1 Peter 5:8
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Which aspect of this battle most troubles you?

        • Abortion
        • Gang violence
        • Suicide
        • Boko Haram’s terrorism
        • Addiction / overdoses

This is your call to prayer. You are a soldier in this battle.Bless praying

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Whole Day of Discipline

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Shirlee Abbott

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Exodus 20:8 (NIV)
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 

 

 

Hmmm. Not just the one-hour worship service. The whole day, a holy day.bless disciplined

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