Shirlee Abbott

Labor with Love

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691)
The Practice of the Presence of God

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Directions Count

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

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Science Counts

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Some say the Bible is anti-science. I disagree. The Bible puts God’s face on science.

Psalm 104:5 (GNT)
You have set the earth firmly on its foundations,
and it will never be moved.

I can’t imagine we’ll get to heaven and say, “Yep, we knew it! The Bible is wrong.” I think we’ll discover the Bible is right in ways we cannot fathom.

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History Counts

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

We don’t think of the Bible as a history textbook, but history is woven through its pages:

- - history of the world
  - history of mankind
  - history of the Jewish people

In the words of this old hymn, the Bible is:

“Mine to tell me whence I came,
Mine to teach me what I am.”
John Burton, 1803

Cover to cover, the Bible is His Story–the story of Jesus, Son of God, Savior.

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Math Counts

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Next school subject up for discussion: arithmetic. Love it or hate it, you have to admit it’s useful–counting, earning, spending, planning, playing Sudoku. Numbers are helpful, reliable and infinite. Just like God.

Thank You, Lord God, for math. Teach me to put it to good use.

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Words Count

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

‘Tis the back-to-school season. Even as adults, we need to hit the books–at least the Book.

John 1:1 (ESV)
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.

Reading and writing words … in the Bible, from the Bible, about the Bible.

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Quiet Fools

Posted on August 25, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Proverbs 17:28 (NLV)
Even a fool, when he keeps quiet,
is thought to be wise.

Note to self: talk less!

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Quiet Waters

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB)
The Lord is my shepherd,
I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul.

O Lord, we live in a boisterous world overflowing with rushing water, flooding water, dirty water. You are the Prince of peace, leading us to green pastures and quiet waters. Thank You for room to breathe, room to think, room to rest.

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The Quiet Soul

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

John 10:27 (NIV)
My sheep listen to my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.

It is best to learn to silence the faculties and to cause them to be still so that God may speak.
John of the Cross (1542-1591)

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A Quiet Spirit

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Peter 3:4 (NASB)
It should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

A quiet spirit–hésuchios in Hebrew, meaning tranquil, peaceful.

When your heart overflows with peace and tranquility, you don’t sweat the small stuff.

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