Shirlee Abbott

Trick or Treat / Blessings and Curses (Tuesday)

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

Trick or Treat. Treat or Trick.

Reminds me of biblical blessings and curses:

James 3:9-11 (VOICE)
. . . this same tongue can be both an instrument of blessing to our Lord and Father and a weapon that hurls curses upon others who are created in God’s own image. One mouth streams forth both blessings and curses. My brothers and sisters, this is not how it should be. Does a spring gush crystal clear freshwater and moments later spurt out bitter salt water?

This week, and every week, let the blessings flow from my tongue.

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Trick or Treat / Blessings and Curses (Monday)

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

It’s almost Halloween. How do you feel about the costumed kiddos on your doorstep?

Gotta love ’em
Help! They’re holding me hostage (for chocolate)
Dental disasters in the making
Can’t we just skip the whole Halloween holiday?

Dress-up is always fun–the more imaginative the costume, the better. Who can resist a trick or treat from a princess in a parka or a robot wearing blue jeans? But there’s an edge to Halloween that makes me uncomfortable–too much blood, too much death, too much honor to the dark side.

Can we make Halloween all blessing and no curses?

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Uniquely You (Friday)

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

One of my spiritual leaders, Lee B. Spitzer, said in his book, Endless Possibilities, “God does not begin a process in our lives by chance or on a whim, but rather because He has specific and achievable goals in mind for the course of our lives on this globe.” That is, God specifically equips each of us according to his purpose.

When I started school, we lived in a economically-challenged rural community. Later we moved to more sophisticated town. The adjustment was difficult. But I thank God now for the very different lessons learned. I am uniquely equipped. How about you?

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Uniquely You (Thursday)

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique.
Just like everyone else.”

Margaret Mead got this one right.

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Uniquely You (Wednesday)

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

God reveals his plan for me. I choose my response:

Me (1): Oh, God, I don’t want to do that! I’m better than that. Can’t you give me something else?

Me (2): Dear God, I couldn’t possibly do that! I’m not good enough. Can’t you give me something else?

Me (3): Yes, Lord, your will be done.

Sometimes I think too highly of myself; other times I under-rate myself. But if I truly believe that God is all-knowing, all-powerful and in control, there is only one right answer.

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Uniquely You (Tuesday)

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

The Apostle Paul was a unique fellow. He was a Roman citizen of Jewish faith, born in Turkey who studied law and knew how to make tents (see the Christian Life study on Paul here for the biblical background).

Paul had specific credentials for the position of Apostle to the Gentiles. No one was better qualified.

God has a special assignment for you. You are uniquely qualified. Nobody can do it better than you.

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Uniquely You (Monday)

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

Each of us is a combination of DNA, experience and spiritual gifts, prepared by God for his calling. It might look like this:

Organizational skills + business experience + administration = charity executive
Passion for those in need + seminary + pastor/teacher = missionary
My own: Way with words + meeting minutes & newsletters + teacher = this blog

This is oversimplification–you are more than 4 simple sides. Think Rubik’s cube to the nth power. You are uniquely chosen and prepared by God to accomplish his purpose. No one else can do it better than you.

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I Like Gravity (Friday)

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

As I watched the movie Gravity, I wondered about the title. Why that single word? Why not some other phrase? But after watching all the weightless drama, I left the theater feeling grateful for the power of gravity.

I take so much for granted. I thank God for little pleasures, which is good. Why not thank him for big things too–like the gravity that keeps my clutter under control.

Thank you, Lord God, for gravity, for the air I breathe, for the rising and setting of the sun, for the beauty of the earth. Amen.

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I Like Gravity (Thursday)

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

Thank you, Sir Isaac Newton, for the Universal Law of Gravitation:

All objects attract each other with a force of gravitational attraction. Gravity is universal. This force of gravitational attraction is directly dependent upon the masses of both objects and inversely proportional to the square of the distance that separates their centers.
(from physicsclassroom.com)

Sir Isaac put the world into math formulas, but also into words:
“I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”

That is as true now as it was in the late 1600’s. There is still a great outer space of truth all undiscovered before us.

We serve a great and true God.

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I Like Gravity (Wednesday)

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Shirlee Abbott

In the movie Gravity, the communication link with earth is lost. Thankfully, my com-link with God cannot be broken. Static from my busy life can garble the transmission at my end, but God always hears loud and clear.

My aunt suffered a series of strokes that left her cognizant but unable to speak. Only her communication link with God was intact. I sensed that she spent a lot of time talking with Him.

Truth be told, I’ve had harried days when I almost envied her continual conversation with God.

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