Shirlee Abbott

The Four P’s of Resolving Conflict

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Is there conflict?

Is it over PREFERENCES?
It’s not worth fighting over.
Is it over PRIORITIES?
Might be time to compromise.
Is it over PRINCIPLES?
Listen to each other carefully.
Don’t jump to conclusions.

The last P should also be the first P:
PRAY.

James 5:16 (AMP)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and PRAY for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged conflict, James 5:16, prayer | Comments Off

The Three F’s of Living in Unity

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

Today’s lesson comes from Paul’s powerful prayer:

Ephesians 3:14-15, 19
I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being . . . that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

We have one FATHER.
We are part of His FAMILY.
We can be FILLED with to overflowing with Him.

Father God, fill us with your fullness so there will be no room for division and disagreement.

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged Ephesians 3:14-19, family, Father, fullness, unity | 2 Comments

The Two R’s of Getting Along

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The week we’ll look at the ABC’s of getting along with others.

Let’s start with R.

Do you want to be right?

Or would you rather be righteous?

When you’re arguing that you’re right and the other fella is wrong, stop and think: “What’s God thinking about me?”

Habakkuk 2:4 (VOICE)
Look how pompous he is! Something is not right in his soul; he is not honest and just. But the righteous one will live by his faithfulness.

Being righteous in God’s eyes is better than being right in human eyes. Sometimes it’s better to let it go.

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Breath of Heaven

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

A contemporary Christmas song (originally written by Chris Eaton and rewritten by Amy Grant) includes this beautiful prayer:

“Breath of Heaven,
hold me together.”

Short, simple and timeless.

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Amy Grant, Breath of Heaven, Chris Eaton, Timeless Wisdom | 1 Comment

Breath of Ice

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The breath of God — more than fire:

Job 37:9-10 (MSG)
When blizzards roar out of the north and freezing rain crusts the land. It’s God’s breath that forms the ice, it’s God’s breath that turns lakes and rivers solid.

God — the power of fire and ice, of land and water, of wisdom and time.

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Breath of Life

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

God breathed life into Adam.

Genesis 2:7 (NLT)
Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

God breaths the breath of life into me . . . and you.

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Breath of Fire

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The same power that lit the stars now lights the fire in my soul.

Luke 3:16 (ESV)
John answered them all, saying,
“I baptize you with water,
but he who is mightier
than I is coming,
the strap of whose sandals
I am not worthy to untie.
He will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and fire.

Breathe on me, Lord. Fill me with your holy fire.

Posted in Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Breath of God, fire, Luke 3:16 | Comments Off

Breath of Light

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

The breath of God at work:

Psalm 33:6 (EXB)
By the breath from his mouth,
he made all ·the stars.

It’s like birthday candles in reverse. God blew the stars to light!

Posted in Constructive Thought | Tagged God-breated, Psalm 33:6 | Comments Off

Empty-Hearted

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Shirlee Abbott

If Jesus in my heart is the best there is, an empty heart is the worst.

“The human heart must have satisfaction, but there is only one Being who can satisfy the last abyss of the human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)

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Pure-Hearted