Together in Peace

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. – (1 Peter 3:8, NIV)

So all of you should live together in peace. Try to understand each other. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Be kind and humble. – (1 Peter 3:8, ERV)

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and show sympathy, love, compassion, and humility to and for each other. – (1 Peter 3:8, VOICE)

In order to live in peace, we must try to understand one another, love each other like family, and choose to be humble and kind. When we do these things, we are living as God intended us to live. He created us for community and His plans for us include peace. We each have a free will to determine how we will live out our days. When we choose to follow after God, our hearts seek to know Him and His will for us. The more we invest our time in knowing Him, the more clearly we understand how to live out His love through all that we say and do. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His peace, and guide us with love, compassion and humility for each other like family.

Together in peace,

is how we should live;

choose humble and kind,

as love’s what we give.

Lord, lead us to learn,

how community;

can live together,

in love, peacefully.

May our hearts choose seek,

to understand well;

for Your love and grace,

through our choices tell.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

for Your way is best;

goodness and kindness,

show Your love expressed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to show us what it is to walk in love, compassion and humility. Thank You for Your forgiveness and grace that give us the capacity to do the same. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to do what You are calling us to do. Teach us to trust You more so that we might live peacefully within each community to which we have been called. Show us how to love like You in all situations and circumstances. May many come into a lasting relationship with You as they experience Your love made tangible through those around them. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love like You and to live peacefully like a loving family. Amen.

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

The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. – Psalm 29:11

Steward What’s Given

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. – (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)

You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. God paid a very high price to make you His. So honor God with your body. – (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ERV)

Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you? You do not own yourself. You have been purchased at a great price, so use your body to bring glory to God! – (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, VOICE)

The human body is an amazing creation, as it can do so much. Incredibly, when we give our lives to the Lord and invite Him to be King of our lives, He sends His Spirit to come and dwell within us. To think that God, the Holy Spirit, is within us in all that we do, is a powerful reminder of the importance of tending the temple. Our bodies are given so that we can love God and love people well. When we take care of our bodies, we are better equipped to utilize what we have been given for His glory. The older I get, the more I recognize the importance of taking care of the temple, for all that we do either strengthens or takes a toll. This tending to the temple must include mind, body and spirit if we want to be fit to serve God well. It is easy to get out of balance and prioritize one of the three, rather than be continually nurturing, fueling, and challenging each. Our mind and spirit can be kept clean and focused through washing with His word and through worship. Our bodies need movement to stay limber and strong so that we can go and do and be all that He has for us. Jesus is our ultimate example, as He sought time on His own to commune with the Father, and He traveled near and far on foot and by boat. Ultimately, He sacrificed His own life for ours so that we could be forgiven and made clean, and then sent His Spirit to remain with us. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in tending the temple in which we have invited Him to dwell, for He is faithful to show us how to best care for our mind, body and spirit as we follow after Him.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

for the body we’re in;

purposefully made,

the outside and within.

Each of us unique,

with specific design;

with strengths and talents,

to love well all mankind.

Thank You for Your life,

as You modeled the way;

to tend Your temple,

and love well through each day.

For Your sacrifice,

our everlasting hope;

forgiveness and grace,

anchor and safety rope.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your sacrifice that paid the price for our sin and shame. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit that comes and dwells within us when invited. Thank You for the gift of our body, mind and spirit, for each was given to glorify You. Forgive us for the times that we neglect the temple. Teach us to tend it well, as we seek You to strengthen and cleanse us – body, mind, and spirit. Show us how to love those around us with all that we are. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we tend well the temple of Your Holy Spirit so that we may love well. Amen.

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

May Your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You. – Psalm 33:22

Remarkable Roots

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, NIV)

“But those who trust in the Lord will be blessed. They will know that the Lord will do what He says. They will be strong like the trees planted near a stream that send out roots to the water. They have nothing to fear when the days get hot. Their leaves are always green. They never worry, even in a year that has no rain. They always produce fruit.” – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ERV)

“But blessed is the man who trusts Me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leave, serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.” – (Jeremiah 17:7-8, MSG)

I have a strong appreciation for analogies, as a visual person, they stick with me. This is no exception, as the imagery of a tree that has roots to a water source that does not wither when conditions are rough, and is ever able to produce fruit, resonates. A person who abides in Jesus and has planted deep roots in Him, does not worry about situations and circumstances that will come, for they know that God will provide what is needed, and consequently, will be able to bear fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in every season. May we ever trust in the Lord and invest time with Him so that our roots are firmly established in the goodness of His love, and may our Source provide all that we need to bear good fruit in every season.

Those who trust in God,

establish deep roots;

healthy and nourished,

able to bear fruit.

The more we trust Him,

the more we shall find;

His help, hope, and love,

as our hearts align.

Even in seasons,

of challenge and hurt;

the Lord equips us,

to still do good work.

To love completely,

give kindness and grace;

with patience and peace,

to walk in His ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we trust in You, You firmly establish strong roots within us. Thank You that we are nourished with Your goodness and grace no matter what comes our way. Forgive us for the times that we have lost sight of the truth of who You are and how You love and care for us when life and turned up the heat. Teach us to remain rooted in You, for You are our Source in every season. Lead us to love those around us and bear good fruit, so that all might know how very good You are. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace Your goodness and grace and choose to trust in You with all that we are. Amen.

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

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Let Go and Choose Love

“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” – (Leviticus 19:18, NIV)

Forget about the wrong things people do to you. Don’t try to get even. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. – (Leviticus 19:18, ERV)

Do not seek revenge or hold a grudge against any of your people. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself for I am the Eternal One. – (Leviticus 19:18, VOICE)

If we are truly trying to love God and love people, revenge and grudges will be far from us. The best way to get past offenses is to pray for the one who caused harm. This is a conscious decision, not a feeling. Sometimes, it takes years of repetition before the grudge fully goes away, yet making the choice to place hurts in God’s hands anew each day provides the strength that is needed to choose love. We all have people in our lives who have caused harm or hurt. Though wisdom may call us to break ties, it will never call for us to get revenge nor hold onto hurts. After a season of releasing the wrongs and the hurts over and over again, there comes a point when all that remains is the desire for God’s blessings to be granted to the offender, not harm. This is the ultimate goal, as truly loving people is desiring for God’s best to be in their lives. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love, for if He can forgive and love us with His life, we too, can follow after Him and love people well.

Choose seek not revenge,

and release each grudge;

for life is too short,

to choose anger’s plunge.

Instead, choose let go,

place all in His hands;

for His love’s enough,

to walk as He’s planned.

Let love be what leads,

all we say and do;

May our love shine bright,

as we live out truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to release grudges and steer clear of revenge. Thank You that such things bring more harm to us than to whomever offended us. Forgive us for the times that we are slow to release things into Your hands. Teach us to bring all of our burdens to You, for You are faithful to show us how to release hurts and live out love. Lead us to love well, all those we encounter throughout each new day. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your overwhelming forgiveness and grace, and for the strength to follow You and walk in Your ways. Amen.

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

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:21

Promote Peace

If it is at all possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – (Romans 12:18, NIV)

Do the best you can to live at peace with everyone. – (Romans 12:18, ERV)

If it is within your power, make peace with all people. – (Romans 12:18, VOICE)

The only thing that we can control is the way that we choose to interact and react to those around us. If our heart is determined to love in all that we do, we are promoting peace through our words and actions. We can be at peace with those around us, even if they are not interested in the same. As we walk in forgiveness, we do not carry the weight that holding grudges creates. On our own, this is an impossible ask, yet with Jesus, we are equipped and empowered to love and forgive and be at peace in all things and at all times. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and pray to Him to provide peace within us wherever we go.

Peace is possible,

wherever we go;

as we live at peace,

with all whom we know.

The choice, it is ours,

to love in all things;

respond like Jesus,

so goodness we bring.

Wherever we go,

whatever we do;

Lord help us bring peace,

as we choose love true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to peace. Thank You that You do not merely call us to peace, but You equip and empower us to be at peace with those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have held onto hurts or have grown a grudge against another. Teach us to release all things into Your hands, for You are just and good, and trustworthy with all things. Show us how to love those around us in ways that promote peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to Your leading and rely on Your love. Amen.

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

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

The Blessing of Baptism

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. – (Galatians 3:26-27, NIV)

You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This shows that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-27, ERV)

It is your faith in the Anointed Jesus that makes all of you children of God because all of you who have been initiated into the Anointed One through the ceremonial washing of baptism have put Him on. – (Galatians 3:26-27, VOICE)

Today will be a memorable day in our household, as my Viking and his son are both going to be baptized this morning at church. Not only are they both making a public declaration of their faith, but my husband will have the privilege of baptizing his son. Additionally, my mother-in-law, our other children, and family near and far will be able to witness their moment both in-person and online. Being baptized is an outward expression of our inward confession. It is a way to exhibit a dying to self and a reliance on the power of Christ that is ours through His resurrection. Additionally, it is a way to openly identify with a church community of believers. I know for both my Viking and our son, the two have both come to know what community truly means in the way that God intended. They have established amazing friendships and have grown in goodness and grace as they have followed God. May we ever remember the goodness of God each time we witness the blessing of baptism and give Him thanks for the new life that we are given through Christ.

Sweet is the water,

That cleanses our sin;

The washing away,

As new life begins.

Public expression,

Of goodness and grace;

A dying to self,

Embracing God’s way.

Thank You, Lord Jesus,

That You made the way;

To cleanse us from sin,

And walk in Your way.

Please show us anew,

The power of grace;

As we follow You,

And live life Your way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to be baptized as part of our journey with You. Thank You for a tangible expression of our inward confession as we seek You to live out our days following You in a community that is seeking the same. Forgive us for the times that we have taken Your goodness and grace for granted or have not upheld the standard You have set before us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we follow You wholeheartedly. Show us how to love those around us in ways that demonstrate Your goodness in action. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we celebrate the gift of new life that we have been given in You. Amen.

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

And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. – 1 Peter 3:21

Through Your Eyes

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. – (1 John 3:18, NIV)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love. – (1 John 3:18, VOICE)

We are charged to live a life that overflows with love, not by mere words, but rather through the things we do over and over again. It is only through living life in a pattern of gracious love that our words will bear any weight. This charge is both a challenge and a command, for if we are to love as Jesus loves we must do as Jesus did. He did not shy away from those who were different than Himself, nor did He walk the other way from those with infirmities, deformities, and various other physical and emotional ailments. Do we choose to love those we do not understand, or do we avoid them? In today’s culture, this is a daily challenge, as we cannot go anywhere without encountering others who view the world through a different lens than our own. How we choose to interact is a demonstration of either love or lack thereof. At the end of the day what matters most is whether or not we choose to love well. Though far from perfect, this is my aim as I wake and begin each day. Some days are more successful than others. Thankfully, we serve a God whose mercies are new every morning, and with each new day is another opportunity to love as He loves us all. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and may every encounter we have demonstrate His love through our actions.

Let love be the aim,

In all that we do;

May all our actions,

Show God’s love is true.

Be it not through words,

But rather what’s done;

Kindness and goodness,

Like the Holy One.

Lead us in Your love,

Throughout each new day;

Help us share Your heart,

And walk in Your way.

Be glorified Lord,

Through every deed;

With hands set to serve,

And give where there’s need.

Show us Lord Jesus,

Each day as we rise;

How to love like You,

View all through Your eyes.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us what it is to love with actions and in truth. Thank You Jesus, that You touched the “untouchables”, You fed the hungry, drew near to the despised and rejected, and in all situations and circumstances, chose love. Forgive us for the times that we have not chosen to love through the things that we have done. Teach us to seek You and do as You would do. Lead us to love with actions and in truth so that Your heart may be made clear to all those around us. Show us how to love everyone as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love throughout each new day, and help us to reflect Your goodness as we walk in Your way. Amen.

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

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. – Hebrews 10:24

Truth in Love

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It aways protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, NIV)

Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. – (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, ERV)

Love doesn’t celebrate injustice; but truth – yes, truth – is love’s delight! Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what. – (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, VOICE)

These descriptors of love are referring to how God’s love is and how our love ought to be. If we love God, He teaches and equips us to love people too. His love protects, is trustworthy, grants hope, and never quits. With real love, truth is the delight and injustice brings forth sorrow. May we ever seek the Lord to continue to reveal His love for us and to instruct us so that we might love all like Him.

O Lord, make it clear,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

When things are unjust;

And help us rejoice,

In truth we can trust.

Please grant us a heart,

That mirrors Your own;

For real love protects,

And makes Your hope known.

Love does not give up,

By grace perseveres;

It keeps keeping on,

Despite honest fears.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

In Your love that’s true;

May we in all things,

Look and love like You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our model of what love means. Thank You that You protect and provide, grant hope and help, celebrate truth, and never stop loving us, Your children. Forgive us for the times that we have fallen short of loving as You intended for us. Teach us to seek You and trust You to lead us so that we love You and those around us in ways that convey the goodness and grace that are granted through Your perfect love. Show us tangible ways to make love known, so that hope, protection, provision and truth are extended to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love as You love us. Amen.

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

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34

Jesus is Our Refuge in Suffering

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. – (Psalm 62:1-2, NIV)

I must calm down and turn to God; only He can rescue me. He is my Rock, the only one who can save me. He is my high place of safety, where no army can defeat me. – (Psalm 62:1-2, ERV)

God, the One and only – I’ll wait as long as He says. Everything I need comes from Him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, an impregnable castle: I’m set for life. – (Psalm 62:1-2, MSG)

Though I have not been suffering, I have been navigating uncharted territory through this whole skin cancer ordeal. From biopsy of the unknown to a bigger biopsy to determine nature of what had become known, to the confirmation that my new normal will include a medical team to watch diligently, to make certain that what was surgically removed, will not return. In the coming weeks, I have two appointments with two different oncologists, and an appointment with a dermatologist. Again, I am not in a space of suffering, but I am in a space of uncertainty of the unknown. God has been faithful to be ever near as I have walked through two biopsies and two surgeries that followed. I can trust Him to be faithful to remain near as we navigate all that lies ahead. Thankfully, His peace has been present and He is helping keep fear at bay. Yes, the not knowing makes me uneasy, but the certainty in knowing that He will be with me grants the courage to keep pressing forward without allowing the unknowns to monopolize my thoughts. Also, He has provided financially, as being double-covered with medical insurance has kept the bills that have come to a minimum. The Message says it well, as it states, “He’s the solid rock under my feet, and breathing room for my soul…” May we ever seek the Lord in our uncertainty, suffering or sorrows, for He is our refuge and the One on whom we can depend.

Present through trials,

God is ever near;

Foundation to stand,

As He calms each fear.

Forever our hope,

Our place of refuge;

Comfort Provider,

Love that each day’s new.

Help us rise up, Lord,

Our strength comes from You;

All thanks and our praise,

Are unto You, due.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our help and our hope, and that You are our refuge in suffering. Thank You that You promise to be present through every trial as we call on You to be near. Forgive us for our fears and doubts, for in all things, the ultimate outcome is forever with You. Teach us to have an eternal perspective and to trust in You to be our strength and peace. Lead us to love those around us in ways that promote peace, pray for healing and wholeness, and bring hope to spaces that hope is lacking. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to be our comfort and praise You for Your unending faithfulness that we know is true. Amen.

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

But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. – Psalm 59:16

Promoting Peace and Building Each Other Up

So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. – (Romans 14:19, HCSB)

So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith. – (Romans 14:19, ERV)

Join us, and pursue a life that creates peace and builds up our brothers and sisters. – (Romans 14:19, VOICE)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification. – (Romans 14:19. NIV)

This is important in every aspect of our lives, and we all are an ongoing work in progress. It requires an intentional decision to seek and depend on God to lead us to do and say things that promote peace and build others up. As we do, there is opportunity for faith to be fortified. To do this requires a never-ending cycle of seeking God, listening to Him, and a willingness to be corrected and redirected. Right now, my husband and I are on vacation. We are two very different types of people; though this is good, as it creates balance for both of us, it is an ongoing work to recognize one another’s needs and desires. For me, when I go somewhere new, I want to see and experience everything humanly possible in the short time we are provided. My husband, bless his heart, wants to slow down and simply relax. He is a champion at being willing to go out and explore, and I am learning to slow down and accept the need to rest. It is an ongoing battle, as I don’t want to miss out, yet know that if I just remain present in the moment, there will be peace and both of us will be built up. God is good, and He shows us what we ought to do to promote peace and build one another up. It is our task to listen and follow His lead. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to best promote peace and build up those around us.

We’re called to pursue,

That which promotes peace;

Willing compromise,

As grace does increase.

Each time that we choose,

To bless each other;

Both are encouraged,

Sisters and brothers.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

To love, promote peace;

Build each other up,

As Your love’s increased.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us so much that You call us and show us how to promote peace and build each other up in Your love. Forgive us for the times that we have either not listened to You or have only sought after our own selfish ambitions. Teach us to be a blessing as we make decisions that promote peace and encourage those around us. Show us how to love and make choices as You would. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in promoting peace and building those around us up in the goodness of Your love. Amen.

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

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11