My Anchor Has Holding Power

I prayed with a friend a few days ago, and out of the blue (that “blue” being heaven, I’m sure) I said: "Lord, anchor her so she doesn’t drift with the winds and the storms. May her anchor hold fast and no matter the winds and the waves, may she stand strong, unscathed and unwavering."

You see this young woman was struggling with family concerns that had her looking from a natural, going-under mindset. We all understand those times. We have winds and waves vision that doesn’t see the possibilities of a better day and outcome. We can only see that HUGE wave coming to take us down. Remember Peter when he asked to go to Jesus Who was walking on the water? Jesus told him to come and his faith got him out of the boat and, with his eyes on Jesus, he was literally walking on the water toward Him. But, then, instead of keeping his eyes on Jesus, he turned and looked at the rough waters and he began to sink. We know the beautiful ending of that story. His loving Friend, the Lord, picked him up and saved him. I’ve got to hand it to Peter. He, at least, got out of the boat!

I think we can all agree that we are in perilous times and the winds and the waves are all around. If ever we need to be sure-footed, and sure-anchored, it's today. We will fall to the pressures and concerns when we aren’t “anchored” to our “Solid Rock”. When we think of an anchor, we usually picture the heavy object that's tied to a ship that keeps it secure to the bottom of the sea. In Scripture, an anchor is used to represent God and faith -- that which keeps us steadfast and gives us hope during the trials and storms of life. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that it is our hope that is the "anchor for our soul".

God provides Himself as our anchor so sure that no storm can overwhelm us. An anchor brings “comfort” to sailors because it gives them assurance that they’re not completely at the mercy of the elements. And our Anchor gives us assurance that we aren’t at the mercy of our circumstances. Believe me. I’ve been at the mercy of the storms -- feeling hopeless. But when I grab hold of my Anchor -- and hold fast to Him as He holds fast to me, I find my peace and confidence.

God is our HOPE ANCHOR. Hebrews 6:19 " We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure." His anchor draws us to Him for peace, joy, comfort, refuge, balance, security, wisdom and all those other "necessities" that cause us to be strong-footed and tethered to THE ROCK that keeps us unwavering in our hope and faith. Today I pray that you are anchored in God so that you don't drift with the winds and the storms. May your Anchor hold fast and no matter the winds and the waves, may you stand strong, unscathed and unwavering. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!

We Need ANCHOR Stores AND We Need an ANCHOR.

Anchor Store: a department store that is the principal tenant of a mall or a shopping center.

When I was buying and moving into my home here in Frisco a year ago, I was elated because a new Wal-Mart was being built within minutes of my home. And since it opened, I can’t begin to know the number of times I’ve made a quick trip there to pick up that one missing ingredient I needed to complete a recipe. Or, for that last-minute item I needed before I headed out on a trip or to fill up my car with gas before I headed out. So, I’m very thankful for this “anchor” store that is so close to me. Then within a few minutes are a Lowe’s, Kroger’s, Aldi’s, Hobby Lobby, Target, Best Buy, Staple’s – all so conveniently located to me. How wonderful to be living this close to services, stores, restaurants, and medical facilities.

I'm quite self-contained when it comes to being able to take care of my daily needs. I can dress myself, cook and feed myself, wash my own clothes, drive to where I need to go, handle everyday surprises that come up, but when I can't do for myself what needs to be done, I take it to the place that can do it for me. I am so grateful I live in such close proximity to all those stores that pretty well carry everything I need to take care of my necessities.

And, when I come to the end of my rope or when I need a place of comfort from the storms of life or when I need assurance that "everything's gonna' be alright" in my little world.....I have THE ANCHOR -- not the store -- but I go to the ONE Who is the ANCHOR of my soul. God is that HOPE ANCHOR. Hebrews 6:19 " We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure."

We Need ANCHOR Stores AND We Need an ANCHOR.

I had to get a new tire yesterday because the old one was "injured", per the sales guy at the tire store. Seems a nail was in an unrepairable spot. (One of the hazards of living in a new community where lots of construction is going on.) So as I sat in the waiting room, I started thinking about how thankful I am to have the "anchor" of living this close to services, stores, restaurants, medical facilties -- all within not even 5 minutes from my home.

Just north of my Hyde Park at Tulsa Hills community, is Tulsa Hills Shopping Center and The Walk at Tulsa Hills, both of which are complete with amazing "anchor" stores, like Lowe's, Sam's Club, Best Buy, PetSmart, Staples, Dick's Sporting Goods, Target, Ashley Home Furniture -- the big named ones. Maybe "anchor" store is a new name for you. When developers are master-planning a shopping area, it's a MUST that those big brand named stores are prominently located so that customers are attracted to them which also causes them to patronize all the other stores and shops in the mall.

I'm quite self-contained when it comes to being able to take care of my daily needs. I can dress myself, cook and feed myself, wash my own clothes, drive to where I need to go, handle everyday surprises that come up, but when I can't do for myself what needs to be done, like that tire, I take it to the place that can do it for me. I am so grateful I live in such close proximity to all those stores that pretty well carry everything I need to take care of my necessities.

And, when I come to the end of my rope or when I need a place of comfort from the storms of life or when I need assurance that "everything's gonna' be alright" in my little world.....I have THE ANCHOR -- not the store -- but I go to the ONE Who is the ANCHOR of my soul. God is that HOPE ANCHOR. Hebrews 6:19 " We have this HOPE as an ANCHOR for the soul, firm and secure."

His anchor is THE ANCHOR STORE.....that draws us to Him for those absolute necessities of life, like peace, joy, comfort, refuge, balance, security, wisdom and all those other "necessities" that cause us to be strong-footed and tethered to THE ROCK that keeps us unwavering in our hope and faith.

What or WHO is your ANCHOR? Mine holds me tight when the winds are blowing and the waves are coming. His ANCHOR holds.