Easter: Exalting the Eternal

After sorrow’s lowly night,

image by Kim Biegacki

new day had come with morning’s light.

Confusion within their sight;

stone removed, it wasn’t right.

Angel appeared where they stood,

said, “fear not, for this is good.

He’s done as He said He would”,

then at last, they understood.

Joy rose up where pain had been,

laughter and life, back again.

Off to tell the eleven,

that their Savior had risen!

Only Peter did believe,

the others could not conceive,

this miracle to receive.

Our hope to which we must cleave.

In the glory of new growth.

In the rise and sunset both.

May His hope hold fast our heart,

allowing grace in each part.

“He is not here; He has risen!  Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ Then they remembered His words.” – (Luke 24:6-8)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for that miraculous morning!  For the third day, on which He rose again, is the very day that changed everything for us.  As death was defeated, our promised hope for eternal life was given breath.   Thank You Jesus for willingly bearing the burden that none of us could possibly withstand.  Thank You for making the way for all who call on Your Name and trust in You, to come into relationship with You that lasts not only in this life, but into eternity.  Forgive us for allowing anything else on earth to take away from the significance of this day.  Help us to fix our eyes and hearts on the magnitude of the miracle that You did as You defeated death on this day, all those years ago.  Thank You that You are alive and still performing miracles in us and through us, as we seek You.  May hearts be moved and lives be changed today.  In Your glorious Name.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

A Sorrowful Sabbath

Observing the Sabbath

image by Aronsky Dina

in anguish and in wait.

The countless tears falling

at our dear Savior’s fate.

Forgotten the promise

that He would again rise.

They had lost hold of hope

as they released their cries.

For was it not Jesus

who’d promised to reign?

Were all the miracles

and wonder done in vain?

Imagine their posture

if they had truly known,

of the coming promise

at the rolled away stone…

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Matthew 24:2-3)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our God of all hope, despite how things appear.  Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of hope because of how things look to our limited human understanding, and help us to hold all of our hope in You.  Thank You that though there are seasons of sorrow, joy comes in the morning.  Thank You that Your joy is not dependent on our circumstances, but rather it is a deep-rooted blessing that rises up, from You.  May Your joy be our strength and Your love lead us to live lives that honor You in all we say and do.  May many hear of the hope held in the miraculous resurrection, and may they come to receive all that You have for them.  Let this Easter be the beginning of a brand new life.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Saga of that Somber Day

Agony

Withdrawal

Prayer

Disappointment

Prayer

Frustration

Submission

Betrayal

Healing

Denied, denied, denied

Mocked

Beaten

Insulted

Questioned.  Answered.

Accused

Questioned.  Replied.

Justified

Slandered

Sent away

Questioned

Accused

Ridiculed

Robed

Returned

Presented

Exchanged

Sentenced

Surrendered

Burdened

Crucified

Mocked

Defended

Believed

Accepted

Taunted

Forgave

Darkness

Torn

Committed

Received

Finished.

(Responding to Luke 22:47-23:46)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only Son for us.  Jesus, thank You for enduring the excruciating

image by 123rf.com

separation and the weight of the world’s sin, for our sake.  Thank You that the story does not end in darkness and death, but we look forward to Sunday, knowing that You alone defeated death and rose again, so that we might come to know new life.  May we recognize the gravity of this day, yet not lose sight of the joy and hope held in You, our overcoming One.  May many come to know You this week, as so many are willing to walk into church and will hear Your word.  Let Your love, light and hope be heard, held and received.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Purposeful Passover

On this sacred day

Leonardo da Vinci’s
The Last Supper

many years ago,

Jesus told His men,

“find a room, now go.”

Preparations made,

the table was set,

for Passover feast,

they still knew not yet.

As each one arrived,

Jesus washed their feet.

Is this how a king,

comes to claim His seat?

While eating the meal,

He stopped and soon said,

“One will betray me,

who shares in this bread.”

Sorrow surrounded,

with “surely not I’s.”

Anguish awaited,

the one who denied.

Christ then took the bread,

gave thanks, handing each,

saying, “remember,

whenever you eat.”

He then took the cup,

and in the same way,

gave thanks and shared it,

“remember today.”

The bread – my body,

my blood is the cup,

both broken and shed,

to save and lift you up.

(Responding after rereading each of the accounts of the Last Supper from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son so that we have a way to come into a personal relationship with You.  Thank You that because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we are able to come together as a body and remember with thanksgiving as we commemorate the Last Supper, each time we take communion.  Forgive us for not recognizing the significance of the moment as we partake, and help us to move forward with a fresh understanding of just how significant was Your sacrifice, and what a privilege we have to be a part of Your body – able to stop and remember all that You have done for us because of Your great love.  May our lives be lived in such a way, that Your love is evident in all that we do and say.  May many come to know You, by our love.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Wednesday’s Wait

Past the triumphant entry,

image by lassekongo83

prior to the painful cross,

after He’d cleared the temple,

and left leaders at a loss.

In the midst of the scheming,

Christ kept His eyes fixed on God,

disciples still not hearing,

of the path He’d have to trod.

I imagine on this day,

anticipation began.

How would Jesus take His throne?

When would He reveal His plan?

Despite the countless warnings;

repeated foreshadowing.

The disciples could not see,

what the next few days would bring.

Perhaps a day of resting,

from their travels near and far.

Or time spent with Lazarus,

sweet scent of alabaster jar.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word.  Thank You for access to the record of what happened during the life, death and resurrection of Your Son for our sake.  Thank You, Jesus, that though You are the Son of God, You came close and made Yourself approachable and available to all.  Forgive us for forgetting how easily we may access You.  May we approach You with respect and reverence, yet daily, fall more deeply in love with You.  Let our love be what leads the lost to Your arms of grace.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Far Better than a Bunny

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” – (I Corinthians 10:13)

Our way is provided,

image by Central Valley Arts

because He bore the cross.

He took each temptation,

loves us through every loss.

Equipped by His Spirit,

His power, we’re given;

to face each temptation,

and make right decisions.

He is faithful to us,

to provide a way out.

No temptation too great,

nor path He won’t reroute.

So stand strong in the Lord,

place your whole trust in He,

who will teach us to know,

when to fight or to flee.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that no temptation that we face is new.  Jesus has already endured every temptation know to us, and He alone, was without sin.  Thank You that His sacrifice that we celebrate on Friday, and even more, His resurrection that we remember this Sunday, are the very events that let to our option for empowerment to withstand the temptations that test us.  Forgive us for failing to fully depend on You.  Deepen our dependence on You as we walk through this holy Easter week.  May our reverence for the remarkable redemption that we have been granted, and our love for others, lead many to Your amazing arms of grace.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Running Our Own Race

Not merely observers,

image by Debbie McDaniel

we are each called to race.

Not in a simple sprint,

but for a lifelong pace.

Train not to win a prize,

of temporary things;

but rather seek His face,

for what eternal brings.

To discipline ourselves,

requires our whole heart,

be engaged with the One,

who knows our end and start.

He asks us to follow,

His personal race plan;

designed by Him for us,

to be bold and to stand.

The prize will never fade,

nor taken back from thee.

We can trust His promises,

into eternity.

(Responding to I Corinthians 9:24-27)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are all called to be participants in this “race” called life, and none are meant to be mere observers.  Thank You that You have designed an individual “race plan” for each of us, and our job is to run our own race – not our neighbor’s race.  Thank You that we are each designed with different gifts, talents and strengths that are given by You to be used for Your glory.  Forgive us for taking our eyes off the only prize that matters – our eternity with You.  Teach us to live and love each day as if it were our last, so that each day we are fully engaged and invested in You and in all that we do.  May many come to know You by our love today, so that they too may enter into an eternal race plan.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

To Choose Love

True wisdom is found

image by Green Monkey Tales

not by man’s own accord,

but rather through time,

spent loving the Lord.

For knowledge puffs up,

points only to man;

but love, it builds up,

showing God’s perfect plan.

Though we have freedom,

we must be aware,

will our choice throw off,

and become a snare?

For those who are weak

or new in their walk,

might they go astray,

by our actions or talk?

Far better to fast,

things which we consume,

than to make a choice,

that sways someone to doom.

(Responding to I Corinthians 8)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You choose love.  When You created, You loved.  When You sent Your Son to bear the burden of our brokenness, You loved.  Thank You that each new day that You cause the sun to rise again, You love.  Forgive us for our selfishness that keeps us from making decisions based on anything other than love.  Lead us Lord, so that we might love and care for one another as You love and care for us.  May many hearts hear of Your heavenly hope as we move in Your love today.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Where Freedom is Found

To each one remain

image by Jason Federline

in truth and in spirit,

to where we’ve been placed,

for Him, endure it.

Our true freedom lies,

not in our found space;

but within our hearts,

when we know His grace.

Bought at a great price,

debt none can repay,

for us, it’s a gift,

to receive today.

Stay true to the Lord,

the choice it is ours.

Do all that He asks,

and honor His scars.

“Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.  Were you a slave when you were called?  Don’t let this trouble you – although if you can gain your freedom, do so.  For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.  You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.  Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.” – (I Corinthians 7:20-24)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that true freedom is not a physical thing, but rather a heart condition.  Thank You that in You, we are no longer slaves to sin and death and are free to live in Your goodness and grace.  Forgive us for returning to the wreckage of our past sin, and help us to sever ourselves from that which You have declared that we are set free.  Teach us to trust You so that we may walk triumphantly in Your truth, wherever we are placed.  Use us mightily to move many toward trusting You.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Grace or Grudge?

When there is dissent

image by Jenny Charlesworth

found among brothers,

God will grant enough

for peace with each other.

No need to seek out

law suit or revenge;

among believers,

such things will unhinge.

For found in the courts,

the ungodly rule.

The decisions made,

make one side the fool.

Better to be wronged,

let God be the judge.

Release the grievance,

hold not to a grudge.

We as believers,

have been sanctified;

set free from our sins,

old nature has died.

Our ultimate prize,

comes not in this place;

our eternal home,

in God’s loving grace.

(Responding to I Corinthians 6:1-11)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that the moment we ask, You forgive us our sins and remember them no more.  Father, forgive us for holding grudges rather than giving grace.  We need Your help to do as You have done for us.  Teach us Father, so that we will be quick to forgive.  Keep us from seeking revenge, and help us to allow You to heal our hearts.  Thank You that we have been sanctified, set apart and freed from our sin, and prepared with a purpose.  May we ever keep our eyes on You, remembering that we are not home yet.  May the grace we grant to those who grieve us, guide them straight to You, God.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present