Intentionally

He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – He remains faithful forever. – (Psalm 146:6, NIV)

He made the heavens and earth. He made the sea and everything in it. He can be trusted to do what He says. – (Psalm 146:6, ERV)

You keep all Your promises. You are the Creator of heaven’s glory, earth’s grandeur, and the ocean’s greatness. – (Psalm 146:6, TPT)

There is nothing quite like being near the ocean for me. Each time I draw near to the salt air, hear the crashing waves, and sink my toes into the sand, peace surrounds me and I am reminded of the powerful love of the One who made it all. Just as we can watch and count on the waves to continue meeting the shore, so too, we can depend on the Lord to be present and faithful forever. I find myself especially aware of God’s faithfulness as I am blessed with a weekend away in my favorite coastal town with my love. It is such a blessing to share the place I love with the one I love. Each wave that meets the shore reminds me that God is present and powerful, and that His love is never ending. May we each take time to observe the incredible beauty around us that is the work of His hands, and recognize the eternal faithfulness found in the One who made it all.

Faithful forever,

Creator of all;

The glory that’s seen,

His hands made it all.

Each great ocean wave,

The gorgeous blue sky;

The sand that warms toes,

Beauty can’t be denied.

The very same hands,

That formed such beauty;

Designed each of us,

Intentionally.

Forever faithful,

The Lord God above;

As He reminds us,

Of unending love.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You, who created all of the beauty that our eyes can see, also created each of us with a plan and a purpose. Thank You that Your faithfulness never ends. Forgive us for losing sight of Your faithfulness and love as we navigate all that comes our way. Teach us to trust in You, for You love us and never leave us. Show us how to appreciate all that Your hands have made, so that we may love those around us in the same ways that You love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your unfailing love and praise You for all that Your hands have made. Amen.

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

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10

Rest and Rescue

Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from Him. – (Psalm 62:1, NIV) 

I must calm down and turn to God; only He can rescue me. – (Psalm 62:1, ERV) 

I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him. – (Psalm 62:1, NLT) 

Rest, calm and quiet seem to come most easily for me when I am out in His creation. This is especially true near the ocean. There is something about the powerful repetition of crashing waves being commanded to only come so far onto the sand, that brings peace in the sanctuary of the shore His hands have made. I was blessed with a few days away at the ocean, and my heart is full at the reminder of His rest. Despite having to work the first full day that we were there, knowing we were in a space to retreat, paired with the salty air, brought calm into my chaos within. God is good and He is our place of peace and rest. I am so grateful that He provides tangible reminders of who He is and how He loves as we earnestly seek rest in His presence. May we ever seek the Lord to be our rest; for our salvation and victory are found in time with Him. 

Lord I am waiting, 

In quiet, I seek; 

You are my rescue, 

Where hope is complete. 

In You, salvation, 

Space of perfect peace; 

Love everlasting, 

Goodness is released. 

Lord, I’m so grateful, 

That You’re always near; 

Ready to help us, 

And calm all our fears. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your nearness and the rest You provide in Your presence. Thank You that You rescue us and grant us victory in Your salvation. Forgive us for allowing life’s circumstances to become overwhelming. Teach us to turn to You in trust, as You are where we find rest and safety.  Show us how to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to find rest and remember the hope that we have in our salvation. Amen. 

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

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. – Psalm 62:5

I Look Up

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. – (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV)

I look up to the hills, but where will my help really come from? My help will come from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. – (Psalm 121:1-2, ERV)

 

For me, there is nothing like getting out in nature to regain perspective as to who God is, and how awesome His power and might. All it takes is a glimpse of the crashing waves of the ocean or the mighty peaks that rise before me, to realize how great He is and how small I am. This morning, I have the opportunity to go and reset. In the midst of the madness of Christmas shoppers and chaos all around the city, some dear friends and I are going to escape for a few hours to hike in the snowy woods. Fresh air and the beauty of God’s creation await. I cannot think of a better way to spend my morning on this wonderful Wednesday before Christmas. May you all have an opportunity to find rest and reset amidst the madness, and recognize how great our God is, and from where our help is found.

 

As I lift my eyes,

What is it I see?

The glory of God,

Created for me.

The very same hands,

That made earth and sea;

Are ready to help,

All who choose seek Thee.

Our help comes from Him,

The Lord above all;

Who loves us to life,

And lifts when we fall.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the glorious gift of Your creation. Thank You that the very same hands that hung the stars in the sky are willing to come close and hold our hearts. Forgive us for not looking to You to be our help, or for neglecting to recognize the majesty of all that You have made. Teach us to see You and Your creation with a holy perspective, so that we would recognize how great and mighty You are. Show us how to love fiercely, so that others too, will be led to look to You as their Source of help and hope. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look up to You to be our help in all things. Amen.

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

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

He Makes Me Brave

Music has a way of touching spaces deep within us, and every so often, a song comes along and every word seems to hit home as if it were written just for you, individually. Sunday, as we sang a song that we have sung before, I had this very experience. I don’t consider myself to be a fearful individual, yet anxiety tends to rise when I am overwhelmed with too many unknowns or uncertainties. A place that always brings peace to my soul, is any space that is near water, so the song You Make Me Brave, by Amanda Cook, (click highlighted to listen and view lyrics) struck home on multiple levels.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         After a very full last day of school, as I was leaving a retirement celebration for our fabulous school finance secretary, a kind friend, and former teacher and colleague, reminded me of a favorite verse of mine in casual conversation. He had no way of knowing what uncertainties are standing before me, yet what he spoke, was clearly a reminder from God. When I am afraid, I will trust in You. – (Psalm 56:3) This will be my life verse, imprinted on the tender and tremulous places in my mind and heart, to remind me that I do not have to know what is coming nor what I am to do, I just have to choose to trust in Him.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       When I stand on shore,

in awe of the sea;

as mighty waves crash,

You stand, holding me.

Your love lifts me up,

replacing the fear;

I will choose to trust,

for I know You’re near.

Let Your waves of grace,

come wash over me;

remove all the fear,

of what I can’t see.

May I give to You,

all that is unknown;

and trust that You will,

take care of Your own.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we are afraid, we can trust in You. Thank You that Your waves of grace wash over us, and make us brave beyond what we could ever be without You. Thank You that You call us to so much more than just standing at the shore. Thank You that You want us to go far beyond what we could ever imagine on our own. Forgive us for the fear that hinders us, and help us to hold fast to the promises that You have made. May we go forth boldly in Your love and Your grace, and may many come to know the safety of Your eternal embrace. Be glorified as we trust in You. Amen.

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

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad. – I Chronicles 16:31

Cling to Hope

No one whose hope is in You

will ever be put to shame,

but they will be put to shame

who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me Your ways, O Lord,

teach me Your paths;

guide me in Your truth and teach me,

for You are God my Savior,

and my hope is in You all day long.

– (Psalm 25:3-5)

 

After a trying week, I knew as I woke, that the Lord was reminding me anew of my need to cling to Him, in hope. To hope in Him, is to look forward believing, trusting with complete confidence, that He will work all things together for the ultimate good of those who love Him, regardless of how things appear in the moment. He hold us in the palm of His hands, and leads us on the path He has prepared for us. There are no guarantees that the road with be smooth and simple, in fact we are assured that there will be times of trial; yet our hope, (the assurance that all will turn out for the best), remains, when we place our trust in Christ.

 

When every wall,

begins closing in;

what we thought sturdy,

we find paper thin –

let hope, rise up again.

When what was certain,

has become unclear;

when waves are crashing,

and we cannot steer –

allow hope, to draw near.

When pain overwhelms,

and it’s hard to breathe;

when what was assured,

has taken a leave –

to hope, let our hearts cleave.

Lord, show me Your ways,

teach me what to do;

for You are my God,

You lead me in truth –

all hope, made new in You.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that our hope comes from You. Thank You that when we trust in You, we need not fear, for You hold us in the palm of Your hands. Thank You that as we seek You, You show us the way that we are meant to go, and You grant us all that is needed to do whatever You ask of us. Forgive us for our fearfulness, as it is so difficult to trust when we get weighed down by the weight of the world. Free us from that which binds us, and grant us Your peace. May we walk in the freedom of Your hope, and share the assurance our hearts hold with all whom we encounter. May many come to know salvation in You, as we love people, as You love us. Be glorified in all that we say and do. Amen.

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

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.

– Acts 2:28

Mighty is Our God

“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the Lord on high is mighty.” – Psalm 93:4

photo by Jemma Lilley

More powerful than the roaring waters, with greater strength than the crashing waves; God alone, from upon His throne – the majestic power, indeed.

Mighty is defined as having superior power of strength; great in importance; exceptional.

Each of these merely scratch the surface as to who God is, and of what He is able to accomplish in His awesome power.

Our mighty God, Creator of all things, despite His infinite power and strength, longs to hold us close – as our Father and friend.  He who can build up or destroy with but a word, wants to be in relationship with us!

He is a loving Father who is fiercely protective of His children, yet is tender and kind – ready to touch and heal our places of pain.  He longs to lavish us with His love, and He delights in us, His children.

Regardless of our wreckage of the past, He welcomes us in the present, and provides us with a hope and a future as we choose to follow Him.  As we abide in Him, the hope of heaven holds our hearts, and grants us peace in the presence of storms.

Our mighty God is worthy of our hearts, our hands, our hope, our worship and our prayers.  He makes a way, when there seems to be no way.  He is, where we are not.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though You are mighty and majestic, You are also loving and kind.  Teach us to understand both Your power and Your passion for people.  Lead us to love like You, so that all may come to know You as our mighty Maker and faithful Father.  Hold us close and keep us in the shadow of Your wings, we pray.  Amen.

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