Simple Stories

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Jesus: Master of the short story. We call them parables.

 


Take the Parable of the Sower — read it for yourself in Matthew 13:3-9 — with the seeds on the path, on the rocks, among thorns and on good soil. In English (NIV), it comes in at eight sentences, slightly over 100 words. Simple, an easy read (3rd to 4th grade level), memorable. The meaning is clear and endures through the years and across cultures. Simple words with a big impact.

Matthew 13:23
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.

 

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Simple Stories

Morning Prayer: Words

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


Good morning, Lord. Here I am again, with my praise and my problems. And here You are, great and mighty God, listening to my thoughts and words. How amazing is that!


You created the world with words, You created us to think and speak with words, and You pay attention to my every word–my happy words, my angry words, my foolish words. Nothing I think or say surprises You. Nothing I think or say makes You stop loving me. I am speechless, filled with awe and gratitude.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged , | Comments Off on Morning Prayer: Words

Simple Prayer

Posted on January 23, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 

“Teach us to pray,” they asked.

Jesus answered, short and simple:

 

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.

Ten lines, just over 50 words. 2000 years later, these simple words still teach us to pray.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Simple Prayer

Morning Prayer: Keep It Simple

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I overthink things. Sometimes I overcomplicate my message. You call me to keep it simple–to trust You and tell others how good You’ve been to me.


Sometimes I strive for words that answer every question and solve every problem, when all You ask for is a smile or a kind word. Teach me to listen more (to You and to others) and think less about what I should say.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Morning Prayer: Keep It Simple

Simple Words

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

If you know me well, you know that I try to use simple words and short sentences. There are lots of Christian adults who struggle with reading. I want to make my message as easy to read as possible (like Habakkuk).


Habakkuk 2:2 (MSG)
And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. 

 

Half of American adults read below high school level. We don’t know how far below–folks tend to keep that information to themselves. For their sakes, let’s keep it simple.

Share
Posted in other | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Simple Words

Morning Prayer: Godly Wisdom

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m proud of how much I know. Sometimes I’m ashamed of how much I don’t know. You, O Lord, don’t judge me by the depth of my knowledge, but by my spiritual maturity — how well I know Your Word and how much I apply it to daily life.

Teach me to view what I learn and know through the lens of Your truth. Fill me with both common sense and godly wisdom. Grant me “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Morning Prayer: Godly Wisdom

MLK: Education

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

 


Why study?

 

 

“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Purpose of Education, 1947

2 Timothy 2:15 (MEV)
Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

It’s more than book knowledge. Study to recognize truth and build character. Grow in wisdom and spiritual maturity.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged , , | Comments Off on MLK: Education

Morning Prayer: Spiritual Maturity

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. I want to avoid hard times. I want to detour around the rough seasons. I want to skip life’s tough lessons. And yet, You use those tough lessons to chisel the sharp edges off my heart, to focus my eyes on You, to strengthen my soul. Those unwanted events build a solid foundation for my faith.

The easy life I desire would make me a spiritual wimp. Thank You, Lord, for lessons learned the hard way.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Morning Prayer: Spiritual Maturity

MLK: Character

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott


“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.


What does the Bible say about character?

Romans 5:3-4 (AMP)
Hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 

Character = spiritual maturity.

Am I judged by my spiritual maturity? Interesting thought.

Share
Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on MLK: Character

Morning Prayer: Love and Grace

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Good morning, Lord. Sure, I want people to like me. Sometimes, I confess, I seem to want that more than I want You, O God. But no! I cannot imagine life without You, without Your Spirit. Give me strength to resist the temptation to say what’s popular. Teach me to stick with Your truth, in words of love and deeds of grace.

Share
Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Morning Prayer: Love and Grace