Turn It - Around

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32768519660840978632012-01-31T17:30:22.903-08:00Turn It - AroundI love to write: poetry, analogies, nonsense. So this is kind of a creative outlet for me. But it is also a place where I want people to learn more about my Savior, Jesus Christ. So sometimes the posts are serious and sometimes not, but either way, I hope it brings a smile to your face and a message to the world. I hope you catch the fire and spread the flame for the glory of God.Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.comBlogger271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-64750338898059792252012-01-23T22:22:00.000-08:002012-01-23T22:38:26.197-08:00Timing and Speech - John 1

When the priests and Levites question John about who he was, he does not give them an answer which they expected. I find it interesting the humility with which John answers them. Instead of becoming puffed up and pretending to be someone of immense significance, such as the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet,(which they asked him if he was) John says, "I am the voice of the one crying out in the

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-62689489808280833052012-01-23T22:17:00.000-08:002012-01-23T22:22:31.178-08:00Bible Study and David Platt

Began watching a session by David Platt,author of Radical and pastor of Brook Hills, recorded during his secret church service meeting. The portion I viewed discussed how to study the Bible. He made an interesting point of not just studying it to get an application. He said that should be the final step, not the initial step. I believe this is an easy pattern to fall into for most believers. Hope

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-4276787731304779352011-06-08T09:52:00.000-07:002011-06-08T09:59:54.060-07:00Procrastination Prevents Progress

For too many years, I've allowed myself to think that progress simply happens. Now, if you asked me, "Do you just naturally get smarter and accomplish goals without effort?" I would reply, "Why, no, that's simply ludicrous!" But in reality, I've allowed myself to live that way. Yes, I've pursued goals that I've had and followed routines in order to achieve an education. However, it's much harder

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-23062605578884809942011-04-06T09:13:00.000-07:002011-04-06T09:37:56.403-07:00What's My Motivation - - Accolades?

What is my motivation for helping those in my family?I think when I was younger and, sadly, even throughout many of my teen and young adult years it has been to hear a "Well-done." I enjoy recognition and proving my worth. A very interesting thought hit me recently: Do I serve for the person or for the praise? Seriously, though, do I sacrifice my time and energy in order to make someone's life

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-28729930052125404492011-02-19T15:43:00.000-08:002011-02-19T15:50:36.579-08:00Taking a Stand: Take Courage

(referring to Martin Luther King Jr. during an address in Washington): "Nothing in his expression acknowledged the fact that death was waiting for him just around the corner. Perhaps he was genuinely unaware, in spite of the threats piling up around him. Perhaps instead, he'd come to terms with the fact that truth telling and dying often go hand in hand" (p. 212). Notes from the Underground: "

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-88626671590253853992011-01-28T17:22:00.000-08:002011-01-28T18:02:51.652-08:00Attention Please

"So Moses thought, 'I will go over and see this strange sight--why the bush does not burn up.'" (Ex. 3).Moses. Yep, we all know who he is. The man God rescued as a baby, had brought up in Pharoah's house, and who he used to lead his people across the wilderness in a mighty way. We're pretty familiar with the story. I thought I was too, but as I was reading Sproul, a new angle came to mind.

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-73239725929705212492011-01-13T07:32:00.000-08:002011-01-13T08:13:51.894-08:00Sincerely Wrong

Many people think they are going to heaven. If you ask them, "Where will you go when you die?" they will reply, "To heaven." But if you press the issue, they usually add, "Well, most likely I will." They're not completely sure, but hoping real hard. I met a man like this on a plane once. And he was just one story out of many that I've heard. It always makes me sad.Jesus says we can know for sure

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-43678394847262683042010-09-24T21:53:00.000-07:002010-09-25T18:44:08.362-07:00Grateful for the Gospel

For too much of my life I took the Gospel for granted. I didn't realize how blessed I am to be God's child. I think three things have since altered my opinion:1. Education about the Gospel.2. Education about my depravity.3. Education of how few have heard.Growing up in the Bible Belt, I did not fully appreciate my salvation until I was older. Being Raised in a Christian home,having attended a

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-68709339035591323012010-09-12T20:13:00.000-07:002010-09-12T20:43:05.653-07:00Set Apart: Glorifying God Matters

I have been consumed with a phrase from Scripture. It's found in Romans' first chapter. Interesting is Paul often opens his epistles with a reference to being an apostle by the will of God. We are called to be God's disciples by the will of God. We are chosen by Him to be His children. I am called by God. A fascinating thought indeed! I have been reading in Romans lately. This book is so amazing!

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-28869191834346249042010-09-07T22:32:00.000-07:002010-09-07T22:51:00.105-07:00God is Always Enough

Though the way is longAnd the road is rough, Yet I know that my GodIs always enough.Though the way is hard,I can't see each bend,Still I know that my GodIs there til the end. Chorus:God is with me every hour,By my side he'll ever stay.And He keeps me by his powerHe will never go away. God is good, he seesEach moment I cry.God is good, He'll watchme close with his Eye. Verse 2:Though my life is

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-80794425362864484602010-08-31T07:48:00.000-07:002010-08-31T08:51:17.420-07:00God is not a God of Lipservice

Isaiah 55-58 Notice the context: these are God's words to His people, his people who have rebelled, mainly.Several verses especially encourage me: - 55:6-11 Given a chance to repent! Promise of his word not returning empty but accomplishing his purpose and succeeding in the thing for which he sent it. - 56:6-7 "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-62485819919752387152010-08-30T20:02:00.000-07:002010-08-31T09:03:39.321-07:00Optional Obedience?

Many Çhristians entertain an unrealistic view of God. They think of him as all mercy and not as holy and just. This misconception leads to grave consequences. It's as if they missed chapters 6-7 of Romans. I think we so often are not very grateful for our salvation because we forget just how bad sin is: dehabilitating, wrecking, destroying, uprooting, etc. If we focused more on the truth about

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-42921680852912554212010-08-23T16:39:00.000-07:002010-08-23T16:40:29.302-07:00

The Portrait of a PastorResolute forehead that may soften but doesn’t crack.A set chin that handles hard issues and sin of the flock.Kind eyes that see past the facade and into the heart.Lips that speak gracious words and that speak God’s words for God and not glory.Arms that wrap around the smelliest and most rebellious little child.Hands that give to the poor, comfort the sick, and that reach

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-5066362757985330872010-08-21T11:47:00.000-07:002010-08-21T14:23:38.106-07:00Nine Reasons Why We Can Believe Scripture - Brian Edwards

Many people attack the authenticity of Scripture in today's "No Absolute Truth" society. Knowing why we believe the Bible constitutes one of the most important weapons in the arsenal of the Christian's defense of the faith. Brian Edwards says,"We do not believe the Bible is true because archaelogists have proved it. We believe the Bible is true because of far stronger and more certain evidence.

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-75605807669783367952010-08-10T13:40:00.000-07:002010-08-10T15:27:30.877-07:00First Response - Christian

First response. To me that means high priority; first importance; requiring an immediate response. When you're injured, you want to be helped immediately, no? Think how you would feel if someone got a call about your situation and said, "Well, I'm kinda watching a movie right now, can you give about half an hour? Then I'll see to it." What would you do? You would be completely frustrated and

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-84157773914078768112010-08-09T20:25:00.000-07:002010-08-09T20:40:09.468-07:00A Poem

Looking back in RetrospectYou learn some things you'd not suspectSince He was with you all the way;So in your night you still had Day.God has led us where we'd beenFloundering - He took us inAnd didn't say, "That's it; you're done"But instead, "You're still my son."- - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - -- - -

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-24927567571688769642010-08-04T13:05:00.000-07:002010-08-04T13:17:45.826-07:00Jesus is either Lord of all or he is not Lord at all

Time. We don't have enough of it. I've been reading about commitment to Christ, evangelism, organization, and what to do with my down time. All of it thoroughly convicting. Why? Because God has shown me that I am a self-focused slug who isn't going to accomplish anything with her life unless I change my patterns. Patterns of thinking, patterns of focus, patterns of time spent. I am a very

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-65278219570546647172010-08-03T16:27:00.000-07:002010-08-09T20:48:28.393-07:00Trivial Pursuits

Hopelessness. I read it on the face of a teenage girl I saw in City Market. You read in the eyes of movie stars, of politicians, of millionaires: those who seem to have it all in the world's estimation. What do they have going for them than the vain opinions of those around them? While I was camping, I thought about the fact that we have hope. HOPE. Consider the untold numbers fighting and dying,

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-32725763853687148582010-07-20T15:35:00.000-07:002010-07-20T15:36:24.165-07:00Faith

Faith is the wedding band with which we have pledged ourselves to Christ. Martin Luther.

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-54620974979510673192010-07-15T20:04:00.000-07:002010-07-16T13:07:24.242-07:00Fire Alarm

Cooking. Harmless, painless, and usually quite fun. Usually. But some days it doesn't turn out so well. Last week, I was cooking eggs. And I made the fire alarm go off. Let's just say the tortilla and the burner decided to get acquainted. Well, the fire alarm went off. . . which is really embarrassing. But, eventually the smoke cleared out and the alarm quit beeping. Unlike my kitchen alarm, that

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-44948325547171443402010-07-15T13:52:00.000-07:002010-07-15T13:54:11.304-07:00Alexander Whyte

"A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can live in this world."

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-35233665956270807792010-07-07T13:57:00.001-07:002010-07-07T14:18:48.836-07:00Poetry Isn't for Wimps

I went to a yardsale about a month ago and got a book of poetry. It is over 70 years old and has "101" poems. Pretty cool. What is interesting is the amount of famous male poets in the book. However, even though many famous poets have been male, try explaining the masculine characterstics of writing poetry to a group of Junior High Schoolers or to High Schoolers. I haven't tried it yet, but my

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-23018393590845254232010-07-06T07:06:00.000-07:002010-07-06T07:18:42.535-07:00Sin is Like a Mess on the Floor

Peanut butter sandwiches. They taste good, but the creation of the sandwich is the creation of a mess. You want the sandwich, but afterwards, it can be easy to be lazy. You don't feel like cleaning up after lunch. Why? Becuase it takes effort. You want to relax. However, as we all know, if you don't clean up the mess, then it is still there at dinner. Now, you can delay cleaning and just leave

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-74490618771903646472010-06-27T21:26:00.000-07:002010-06-27T21:40:28.286-07:00Be a Taker

Although you have often heard that you should give, which is true, certain instances exist where you should take. And not just a little. Take as much as possible. When people around you offer words of advice and wisdom, instead of nodding your head politely and simply smiling at them, take them seriously. You never know when their advice might come in handy. So many people have so much to

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-11492428106756334222009-08-10T18:57:00.000-07:002009-08-10T19:20:17.732-07:00Twinkle in you[r] i: it's not about you, you know

Hum-Drum:The twinkle in you[r] i AwakenAriseBlinkSuprise - - morning is hereAlready. Its hard to holdsteadyIronShaveEat what youcrave Then it's back:routineDoing the samethingonce more. What I would like to know is what puts the twinkle in the hum-drum of your life? What puts the sparkle in your routine? Going to work today was the same old, same old. I work at a Doctor's office.

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-88234216614805199212009-08-04T17:49:00.000-07:002009-08-04T17:57:24.976-07:00Looking for Something with which to Fill Your Time?

Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. (2)Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.(3) Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.(4) Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. (5)Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. (6) Let

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276851966084097863.post-52762211586697417262009-08-04T14:44:00.000-07:002009-08-04T14:54:44.545-07:00Welcome

Sometimes, I wonder exactly what to do in life. I want to accomplish a lot of things, but mostly, I just want to live for the Lord. This blog, hopefully, will communicate my feelings about my God and will encourage the hearts of those who love Him as I do. I don't have many answers and I don't know specifically where my life will lead. However, I do know that every day I decide. I decide to

Laurie M. Abbotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11904865090324861204noreply@blogger.com0