Shirlee Abbott

Secular vs Sacred (Thursday)

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

I tend to think of my body as secular and my spirit as sacred, with my soul as the referee between them. Not so, God tells me.

Through Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT)
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

Through my reading:

From The Strategy of Satan by Warren Wiersbe:
When God saved you, he put the treasure of eternal life within your body.

Through circumstances:

A friend invites me to go prayer-walking with her.

I’m a slow learner.

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Secular vs Sacred (Wednesday)

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Paul weighed in on the secular/sacred divide:

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
. . . whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Be careful, you say, about the context. And you’re right. We don’t want to distort Paul’s message. And this particular context is involves eating meat that has been offered to idols, a topic well outside my personal experience.

But if eating meat sacrificed to idols can be done for the glory of God, most of the stuff within my experience can be done for God’s glory too.

Posted in other | Tagged sacred and secular | Comments Off

Secular vs Sacred (Tuesday)

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Holy and mundane–never the twain shall meet . . .

. . . . until I meet up with the ancient writings of Brother Lawrence (ancient, as in the 1600’s):

“We can do little things for God; I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of him . . . It is enough for me to pick up but a straw from the ground for the love of God.”

If Brother Lawrence could pull weeds and make pancakes for the love of God, we can mow the lawn or load the dishwasher for the love of God.

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Secular vs Sacred (Monday)

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m writing this on Sunday, after worship. Come Monday, I leave the sacred behind and launch into secular, right? What are your thoughts on secular and sacred?

There’s nothing sacred about cleaning bathrooms and taking out the trash
It’s either mundane or it’s holy
Separate worlds, and crossing back and forth wears me out

What about Jesus? Did he leave the sacred (heaven) to come to earth (secular) and return to sacred? Or does his presence render it all holy?

If Christ is in me and I am in Christ, where does secular fit in?

Posted in other | Tagged sacred and secular | Comments Off

Who’s the Enemy? (Friday)

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

I know someone who routinely lies. But he does it so well, I keep thinking that this time it’s the truth. Alas! Not so.

Our enemy is a liar (the Bible tells me so):

John 8:44 (NLT)
He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Satan lies well, and I keep falling for it. Somewhere between “the devil made me do it” and “it’s all good” is the discernment I need.

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Who’s the Enemy? (Thursday)

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

From Martin Luther, 1592:

“For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe”

Satan, the ancient foe 400+ years ago, is still working woe. Our Enemy’s only admirable quality is his perseverance.

Posted in other | Tagged A Mighty Fortress, Enemy, Martin Luther | Comments Off

Who’s the Enemy? (Wednesday)

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

A friend told me about a contentious church meeting. The battle was pretty much a repeat of previous meetings, with two factions each accusing the other of ungodly behavior. After everyone was sliced, diced and miserable, the meeting adjourned.

This is the visual image I got from God:

Satan pushed his chair back from the table with a satisfied smile, just like folks do after a sumptuous meal. “Well! Another great meeting.”

Many victims, just one enemy.

Posted in other | Tagged Enemy, Satan | 3 Comments

Who’s the Enemy (Tuesday)

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 137:8-9 (NLT)
Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
it only leads to harm.
For the wicked will be destroyed,
but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.

This passage brings to mind the Beatitude about the meek inheriting the earth (Matthew 5:5). The Greek word for meek, praus, also means gentle.

We’re apt to equate meek with doormat and wimp. Not so! The meek man or woman is unruffled, calm, thoughtful–the exact opposite of out of control.

Satan wants to take control by getting you out of control.

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Who’s the Enemy?

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Enemy is an unpleasant word. Let’s take it down a notch. Who aggravates you most?

My spouse
My boss
My child
My neighbor

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The real enemy hopes you and the person aggravating you will start biting and tearing at each other. Then he can come in an eat the leftovers.

Don’t feed the enemy.

Posted in other | Tagged 1 Peter 5:8, Enemy | Comments Off

Parental Prayers (Friday)

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Jewish Sabbath tradition includes the father’s blessing (think “Sabbath Prayer” from Fiddler on the Roof). No matter what happens during the week, Friday night brings Daddy’s blessing:

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)
May the Lord bless you and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

When did you last bless your children–out loud, while they were listening?

Have a blessed Father’s Day, all you dads out there. Bless your children.

Posted in other | Tagged Numbers 6:24-26, parents' prayers, Sabbath Prayer | Comments Off