Shirlee Abbott

Rooms Under Construction

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

John 14:2 (ESV)
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

As I sleep, eat and clean in my rooms here on earth, I imagine Jesus preparing the perfect place for me in heaven.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for the hope of heaven, for the assurance that I will dwell there eternally. I don’t need a mansion … a tiny closet is more than I deserve. By Your grace, You grant me more than I deserve — today, tomorrow and forever, amen.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged John 14:2, rooms, the Father's house | Comments Off

Timeless Repentance

Posted on March 28, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

This ancient prayer of repentance says it well.

“O Lord, forgive me my sins, the sins of my youth, and my present sins, the sin that my parents cast upon me, original sin, and the sins that I cast upon my children in an ill example; actual sins, sins which are manifest to all the world, and sins which I have so labored to hide from the world, as that now they are hid from mine own conscience, and mine own memory … Forgive me, O Lord.” — John Donne (1571-1631

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I gloss over my sins, pretending they don’t exist. Other times, my thoughts are stuck on one sin, rehashing it endlessly and refusing to forgive myself. Teach me to make an honest inventory of my thoughts, motivations and actions, to admit my sin to myself and You, and to accept Your forgiveness and forgive myself.

Posted in Lent, Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged forgiveness, John Donne, repentance | Comments Off

Repentant People

Posted on March 27, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Daniel repented for his own actions and those of all God’s people hither and yon:

Daniel 9:4-5 (MEV)
Alas, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping His covenant and mercy to those who love Him, and to those who keep His commandments. We have sinned and have committed iniquity and have done wickedly and have rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and from Your judgments.

Lent is a good time for some after-the-fact thinking about our community, our congregation and our nation. Do we — individually and collectively — need a change of heart?

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to judge my actions not by group consensus, but by Your Word. When “everybody’s doing it,” it is easy to think we are all right. And yet, O God, we can be all wrong. Forgive us our groupthink and show us the right way. Direct our paths, in Jesus’ name.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged corporate reprentance, Daniel 9:4-5, Lent, repent | Comments Off

Self-Righteous Child

Posted on March 26, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

There’s a second son in the parable of the prodigal son. He seems stuck in the moment. No somber reflection, no change of heart.

Luke 15:28 (MSG)
The older brother stomped off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen.

In his mind, this son had consistently been right with his father. He was offended when his wayward brother was welcomed back into the family. Would he really prefer his brother be lost forever?

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m so sure I’m right that I’m wrong. My self-righteousness becomes my stumbling block. Forgive me!

You love is not finite — that is, more love for one person doesn’t mean less for someone else. Your love and grace are always and infinitely more than enough. Thank You, and praise Your holy name..

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Luke 15:28, Prodigal Son, self-righteous | 4 Comments

Repentant Child

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Luke 15:21 (NIV)
The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

Jesus told the well-known parable of the prodigal son. This rebellious young man foolishly claimed his inheritance and blew it on wild living. When his money disappeared, so did his friends. Alone and hungry, he engaged in somber after-the-fact thinking and changed his mind. That is, he repented.

During this Lenten season, be like this young man. Think … repent, change (the Father is waiting).

Good morning, Lord. I can be so rebellious and stubbornly follow my own way, even though I know I shouldn’t. Later, when I’m stuck in a mess of my own making, I call, “Help me, God!” You’d be justified in turning Your back, but no! You embrace me and help me untangle the web of trouble I created. You are merciful, and I am grateful. Thank You for loving me when I least deserve it.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Luke 15:21, Prodigal Son, repent | Comments Off

Repent for Lent

Posted on March 24, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Acts 3:19 (NIV)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Repent — metanoeó in Greek, from the words meta (after or beyond) and noeo (to think) — to think after the fact or beyond the moment. To change my mind.

Lent is a perfect time to think carefully about what I’m saying and doing. Is it bringing me nearer to God or moving me further away? Is it time to change my mind, change my plan, change my heart?

Good morning, Lord. I want to learn from my mistakes, not repeat them. But first, I have to admit my missteps … to myself and to You. Teach me to think after the fact and recognize the error of my ways — not to be stuck in regret, but to change my motivation or behavior. Then I can move forward, forgiven and refreshed.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Acts 3:19, change my mind, Lent, repent | Comments Off

Step up to the Throne

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

I imagine stepping up to Gods’ throne:

Praise.

Repentance.

Submission.

In humble submission, I kneel before the Lord, my Maker.

Good morning, Lord. I come to You with praise on my lips, repentance in my heart and submission on my mind. “Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged God's throne, Holy Holy Holy, Psalm 95:3-7 | Comments Off

Lord God Almighty

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

In my imagination, I approach the throne of grace, starting with praise, followed by repentance. As I get closer to God’s throne, I’m totally in awe of His power. The only response I can imagine is to fall to my knees in submission. I can’t picture standing there and arguing with the Lord God Almighty. There’s only one thing to say.

Your will be done (Matthew 6:10).

Good morning, Lord. May all that I say and do today line up with Your will. If I start to stray from Your plan, nudge me back into place. Keep my every step within the guardrails of Your commands. I want to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You. Transform me, renew my mind so that I may know and do Your good and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Holy Holy Holy, Lord God almighty, Matthew 6:10, Romans 12:1-2, submission | Comments Off

Holy … and Merciful

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

The second of my three imaginary steps to the throne of grace: repentance.

Luke 18:13 (ESV)
God, be merciful to me, a sinner!

We recognize our sin and look to Holy God for salvation and forgiveness.

As the old hymn says, “Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!” We repent and He is merciful.

Good morning, Lord. In Your great mercy, You don’t give me the punishment I deserve — thank You! I stand before the throne of grace, not because I am good, but because You are merciful. As Elvina Hall wrote so many years ago, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.” Yes indeed, Lord, I owe it all to You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Elvina M. Hall, Holy Holy Holy, Jesus Paid It All, Luke 18:13, merciful, repentance | Comments Off

Praise Thy Name

Posted on March 18, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Continuing to focus on God’s holiness as described in Reginald Heber’s hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy: “All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea.”

In my imagination, there are three steps to the throne of God. The first step is praise.

Psalm 148:13 (NLT)
Let them all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!

Good morning, Lord. I want my life to bring honor to Your holy name. Forgive me for the many moments when my words and deeds have dishonored You. Teach me to start and end every day with praise. Fill me with awe and gratitude. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight (Psalm 19:14) and praise Your name.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Lent, Morning Prayer | Tagged Holy Holy Holy, praise Thy name, Psalm 148:13, Psalm 19:14 | 2 Comments