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!

And That's The Way It Goes!

My mother-in-law, who has always been known for her wit, called me a couple of nights ago and she was on a roll. Typically, it is just a "check-in" call to see how things are going, but this night she was recalling some stories of her childhood and how she and her brother got into mischief. And that story led to another story. There are times when she'll repeat stories that I've heard dozens of times before, but this night, they were all fresh ones. She told me how the floods were coming quickly in Winnipeg (Canada) in the early 50s and how she had to pack a little suitcase and send her boy, my husband (then 4 years old), away to a friend's home so he would be protected. She said he stood in the driveway with his little coat on and holding his little suitcase....looking so sad and forlorn. I can visualize that picture now.

Mom finds great joy in talking about the past because she has such sweet memories of when times were tough, but God brought them through each and every time. The floods came, but they had the good sense to move their best furniture to higher ground before their home was under water.

Now, here we are in 2016 and. if taken at face value, it may seem we're in such a perilous and concerning time. When we listen to the news reports or to a voice that just called us on our phone, or when we've read the latest updates on social media and take them just as they are, it may seem as if the best escape is for God to open up a window above us in the sky and snatch us away to a better place beyond the clouds.

Mom has a habit of saying "And that's the way it goes". That's kind of the way she has looked at life -- when she could be down because her dear husband passed away and left her a widow some twenty years ago or that she can't get around as good as she once could.....she just patiently and calmly says, "And that's the way it goes."

Here's the deal -- we shouldn't be down about the way things appear. Let's don't lose hope based on what our news anchor or our social media feed or our great-aunt Lillie may be trying to tell us about the gloom and the doom and the brokenness of this world. All of this is not too much for God to handle. Whatever decade or political year or tough year it was, and is today, literally, whatever is upon us, will never stump God, or leave Him wondering what in the world to do next. I'm quite sure none of the stuff is enough to make God throw his hands up in surrender.

Psalm 147:5 says ".....He is abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite." ! Samuel 2:3 "For the LORD is a God of knowledge, and with Him actions are weighed." Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity; plans to give you a future and a hope." Psalm 27:1

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?"

Mom has it right. "That's the way it goes" -- trusting, leaning on and depending on our KNOW-IT-ALL God, is the way to live a calm, peaceful, and assured life.

Not Just a Moment of Silence -- PRAY FOR PEACE

Day 317 of Photo Inspirations: Not Just a Moment of Silence -- PRAY FOR PEACE
We are in perilous times.  There are those who are consumed with fear because of the atrocities committed by our enemies, near and far.  I have friends who tell me their children are afraid, and they, themselves are living in fear about what this day and tomorrow may hold.  It's understandable. With the outbursts of violence around the world, no wonder people are afraid.  All of us could speak words of fear. "If this could happen in Paris, it could happen in our own cities."

All of us could speak words of anger, fear, hatred, and malice.  But I refuse to go there.  My hope is built on the SOLID ROCK.  When all the earth around me is sinking sand, on Christ the Solid Rock I stand.  When I need a shelter.  When I need a friend....I go to THE ROCK.   I know I am accused of being a Pollyanna in this "dirty, rotten world", because my outlook leans to optimism and GREAT expectation, but, never has it been more important than now for us to LOOK UP....for that's where our help comes from.   Our help comes from the Lord.  As Winston Churchill once said, "We have nothing to fear except fear itself."  

I appreciate it when the media and public officials, in honoring of a fallen soldier or victims of disasters, say "Let us have a 'Moment of Silence', but I think we need more than just a "Moment of Silence".  We need fervent, audacious, faith-filled, believing prayers that move mountains (enemies).

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Yes, we are engaged in war but the most strategic, powerful weapon against all the demonic forces out there is still PRAYER.  Our prayers can change the war on terror.

Let's pray relentlessly and ask God to do the fighting for us. He never loses, He is never wrong, and He never ignores the prayers of his people. Christians might be the most important weapon in the fight on terrorism.  

We are reminded all the more that as darkness becomes darker, it's the light of Jesus that must become brighter. It's His light that brings love, brings us peace, and brings us hope. It's in His name and His name alone that we see and find goodness and that’s why even in the face of tragic events we can boldly say, "God is good. All the time.”