Shirlee Abbott

Still Whisper

Posted on January 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart …, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper ...

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NIV)

God’s still small voice whispers, “What are you doing?”

Good morning, Lord. Tune my ears to hear Your still small voice. Give me the humility to admit when I am wrong. Grant me discernment to see the right path and the strength to walk in it. Keep me honest, O God, and give me a willing and obedient heart.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 1 Kings 19:11-13, gentle whisper, still small voice, What are you doing? | 4 Comments

Still Know

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

We live in a noisy, chaotic world. It’s easy to lose sight of God, to doubt His existence. Stop! Look and listen. His creation reveals His glory. His power is still at work. He still speaks to our souls.

Come and see what the Lord has done …
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:8,10 (NIV)

Good morning, Lord. I believe in You, in Your power, and in Your love. When I slow down and notice, I see You in the night skies, in the sun lighting the hillsides, in the early morning birdcall. You are good! When I don’t see You, it’s because I’m not paying attention. You are constant — I’m the one who is distracted.

Be exalted, O God, in my heart, my thoughts and my actions.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged be still and know, Psalm 46:8-10 | 2 Comments

Resolution: Redo

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Every day is a fresh start, an opportunity for a do-over.

Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for second chances. Yesterday’s mistakes are past and today is a clean slate. Is there something new for me to do? Something old that needs a do-over? Something unfinished that needs completion? So many choices, so many opportunities … guide my decisions, give me wisdom.

Show me where to start, what to tackle, how to finish — for Your glory, Lord, not mine.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged do-over, fresh start, Lamentations 3:21-23, redo, Resolution | 2 Comments

Resolution: Renew

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I can’t deny it. I’m getting old. My body aches and my joints creak.

Somedays I feel it more than others.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV)
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Good morning, Lord. Renewing my soul isn’t a do-it-yourself job. You do the work, but I have to be willing, I have to put in the time, I have to cooperate. All the while the enemy whispers that I don’t need the help, I don’t have the time, I can do it all in my own power. Teach me to ignore him and listen to You. I’ll never outgrow my need for You.

Renew me, O God — mind, soul and spirit.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 2 Corinthians 4:16, renew, Resolution | Comments Off

Resolution: Refocus

Posted on January 1, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

Good morning, Lord. It’s a new year. I want to forget what is behind and reach for what is ahead (Philippians 3:13). Teach me to value the old lessons and embrace the new opportunities. Show me how to count my blessings from You and be a blessing to others. I want to avoid the distractions of the world and focus fully on You.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Helen H. Lemmel, Philippians 3:13, Refocus, Resolution | Comments Off

Resolution: Remember

Posted on December 31, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 103:2 (NIV)
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.

Good morning, Lord. I forget to be grateful, forgive me. Open my eyes to the many blessings You poured out on me this year: good home and good health, safe travels near and far, abundant food, people who love me, a job I enjoy, Your constant presence and the hope of heaven. The list goes on … thank You.

I remember the little things too: unexpected words of encouragement, surprising delights of nature, small successes that made me smile. Your goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life, and my cup overflows (Psalm 23) … thank You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Psalm 103:2, Psalm 23, remember, Resolution | Comments Off

Resolutions for 2025

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

This week, we cross the threshold to a new year. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions. Hopefully, we will live up to our resolutions as well as Barnabas and the believers in Antioch did.

Acts 11:23 (EXB)
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and full of faith … He encouraged [exhorted; urged] all the believers in Antioch always to obey [or remain true to] the Lord with all their hearts [resolved/resolute hearts], and many people ·became followers of [were added to] the Lord.

Good morning, Lord. I resolve to set my heart on You this coming year and forever. I want to obey — may my deeds line up with this desire. Empower me, Holy Spirit, fill me with the faith, humility and discernment … Your will, not mine, be done.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Acts 11:23, New Year's resolutions, resolute heart, Your will be done | Comments Off

Coming Glory

Posted on December 27, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“How divinely full of glory and pleasure shall that hour be when all the millions of mankind that have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God shall meet together and stand around Him, with every tongue and every heart full of joy and praise!”
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged coming glory, Isaac Watts | Comments Off

Thank You, Jesus

Posted on December 26, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“You gave us so many gifts
on the day of your birth:
A treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick;
Spiritual light for the blind;
The cup of salvation for the thirsty;
The bread of life for the hungry.”
Ephrem the Syrian (306-373)

Posted in Advent, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Christmas, Ephrem the Syrian, gifts | Comments Off

Happy Christmas to All

Posted on December 25, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“May the Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening
bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven,
for Jesus’ sake.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Posted in Advent, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Christmas, Robert Louis Stevenson | Comments Off