Shirlee Abbott

A Call to Intercede (Tuesday)

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

There’s good advice in Scripture for those in authority within our schools:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

James 2:13
Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Romans 12:3 (NIV)
I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.

1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

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A Call to Intercede (Monday)

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Two friends faced off against their sons’ schools last week—different schools, different issues. Were you ever caught between your children and their school?

Never, thankfully
Issues were few and far between
Behind-the-scenes battles, but the kids never knew
It was a constant struggle

Last week’s situations both involved administrators who seemed more concerned about their careers than the well-being of the students entrusted to their care. If a few students had to be sacrificed in the upward climb, so be it.

It’s not my school district, not my children, seemingly not my battle. But I sense God’s call to enter the battle via prayer. Come, intercede with me.

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A God-Shaped Home (Friday)

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

God and I had a conversation about the shape of my home:

God: Daily prayer?

Me : Check.

God: Regular Bible study?

Me: Pretty much.

God: Worship?

Me: Never miss a Sunday.

God: Tithes and offerings?

Me: Check.

God: Remember the Sabbath?

Me: Check . . . well, there was that trip to Walmart. But it was an emergency. Car needed antifreeze.

God: Good works?

Me: Now and then.

God: Encouraging words?

Me: I was critical of my neighbor and rude to my husband, I admit.

Better shape than I used to be, not yet the shape I ought to be.

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A God-Shaped Home (Thursday)

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Yesterday’s post featured a quote from John Wesley. His mother was a remarkable woman. Mother of 19 (nine of whom died in infancy), her challenges included financial hardship, an oft-absent husband, destruction of their home by fire (twice!). Yet she was a woman of faith and discipline. She homeschooled her young children (girls as well as boys), and set up a schedule to spend one-on-one time with each child. She wrote meditations and spiritual commentaries and organized a church in her own home.

She had 16 rules for her God-shaped home. I like #5:
To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak.

Susannah Wesley is my hero!

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A God-Shaped Home (Wednesday)

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

A God-shaped home nurtures holiness:

“. . . your children; immortal spirits whom God hath, for a time, entrusted to your care, that you may train them up in all holiness, and fit them for the enjoyment of God in eternity. This is a glorious and important trust.”
John Wesley (1703-1791), sermon On Family Religion

What a concept . . . more focus on holiness than grades, sports, talent or popularity. I think most of us miss this mark.

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A God Shaped Home (Tuesday)

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 24:3-4 (NIV)
By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.

Rare treasures? I’m guessing God doesn’t mean fine paintings, expensive knick-knacks or fancy furniture. How about a well-used Bible, family prayers and the nurture and admonition of the Lord? And wisdom.

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A God-Shaped Home (Monday)

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

I was introduced to a new phrase last week: shape our home (see the Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion here). I was intrigued.

How do you describe the shape of your home?

Our home is quirky and cheery
Cluttered chaos, I’m afraid
Mine is my security blanket of serenity
I go for the Better Homes & Gardens look of perfection

Look to the Bible (instead of HGTV or home décor magazines) for inspiration.

A God-shaped home may not have the latest in furniture and window treatments, but it will be loving and welcoming, a place of peace and joy.

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Right to Choose (Friday)

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

35 years ago, my hubby and I were houseparents to a cottage of wayward adolescents. Our director was adamant about natural consequences. If a boy was late to dinner, he went hungry; if he was rude, people avoided him; if he broke something, he replaced it.

Tantrums, whining and pouting weren’t rewarded. When a boy chose inappropriate behavior, he suffered the consequences.

Galatians 6:7 (NIV)
Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

We have the right to choose, but consequences come with the choice. Jesus saves us from our sins, but not necessarily our consequences.

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Right to Choose (Thursday)

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

I was reading an article about abortion when God startled me.

God: You . . . abortions, many abortions.

Me: What? Absolutely not, Lord!

God: You abort my plans often–because you’re too busy, too comfortable or just not in the mood. You choose not to listen.

Me: I don’t know . . .

God: You know the times that you put me off, the times when you eventually come around. You don’t know the one-shot opportunities, the fleeting windows of opportunity, the aborted assignments: dead before they could begin.

That was a sobering conversation.

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Right to Choose (Wednesday)

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Shirlee Abbott

MLK Day and March for Life fall in the same week this year. The two intersect over non-violent protest and focus on our right to choose our own responses.

On December 19, 1956, Dr. King offered a set of suggestions related to the integration of buses (here). Two items stand out for me:

Be quiet but friendly:
proud but not arrogant;
joyous but not boisterous.

Be loving enough to absorb evil
and understanding enough to turn an enemy into a friend.

Good advice for those marching in Washington today, good advice for all of us.

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