Shirlee Abbott

Off-Topic But on My Heart

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Black lives matter.

But . . .

More young black American males die from homicide than accidents
500,000 Africans die every year from malaria
More black babies are aborted than born in NYC
6000 and counting Ebola deaths in West Africa

I weep.

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Season of Joy

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Where do you see the joy in Christmas?

Music: Joy to the World!
Shared times with family and friends
Getting (or giving) the perfect gift
Good news announced by angels

We associate the angels with joy. After all, the angelic announcement started with “I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10 ESV).

Look at Scripture more carefully and you encounter another image of rejoicing angels:

Luke 15:7 (ESV)
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

This Advent, seek and celebrate heaven’s joy.

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Season of Preparation (Friday)

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Surprise!

You are not the only one preparing.

While you have (hopefully) been preparing the way for the Lord, the Lord has been preparing a way for you.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.

So go, do the good works God specially prepared just for you.

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Season of Preparation (Thursday)

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

My prayers have power to change the world.

If I truly believe that (and I should), it will change my prayers.

Prepare to pray. Prepare for change.

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Season of Preparation (Wednesday)

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

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Season of Preparation (Tuesday)

Posted on December 9, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

The best-known account of Christ’s birth (Luke 2) starts with the words, “And it came to pass.”

Paul used similar words:

Galatians 4:4 (NKJV)
But when the fullness of the time had come,
God sent forth His Son.

God the Father had been preparing for this moment from before time. The whole creation was preparation. Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses were preparation. The shepherd king, David, was preparation. The Exodus and the exile were preparation.

Not too early, not too late, but at exactly the right time—

John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son.

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Season of Preparation

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

How are you preparing for Christmas?

Decorating—tree, lights, all color-coordinated
Shopping! Gotta find something for everyone
Baking all the usual favorites

The second Advent candle is said by some to represent love; others say it is the preparation candle.

Preparation seems a fitting description–16 days till Christmas.

Hmmm, I wonder how long it took our heavenly Father to prepare for the first Christmas?

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Season of Hope (Friday)

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

See some folks looking a bit glum or stressed out? Pray some hope into their Advent season:

Oh Lord God, what a grump! Grant him a glimpse of your plans for for him, your plans to give him a hope and a future. May he rest assured this Christmas season that you seek his eternal good, the long view for his everlasting well-being. Amen.

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Season of Hope (Thursday)

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

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Season of Hope (Wednesday)

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

We serve a God of hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

1 Peter 1:3
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Titus 3:7
. . . having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Live in hope – for the next 22 days and forever.

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