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!

The Trees, The Climate, & ME Are Having a "Moving" Season!

I looked out my office window yesterday and noticed that my favorite crabapple tree is making an announcement. "I'm 'moving" into Fall. My leaves are changing colors!" Here in Tulsa, it still fills like summer with temperatures in the 90s, but the weatherman reported last night -- cooler temps are "moving' our way! Yay!

Just look at that cutie patootie holding that Texas license plate! What is he saying? He and his family live in Austin now, so maybe that's their announcement. Nope. They did that several months ago. That's MY new license plate. My "season" is going through change and the change is "I'm moving!" Back in July, God said, "Surprise! It's time for a new adventure!" That seems to be how God has had me tracking since my husband's passing. I feel so connected to God's plan because He makes it so very clear when a new season is upon me. God shows up with "Get ready. Get ready. Get ready. Saddle up your horse. You've got a new trail to blaze." Okay, He didn't say those exact words to me, but He made it very clear because my beloved home that I had custom built in Tulsa in 2012.... SOLD.....and I wasn't even trying to sell it. How's that for God giving me a subtle "time to move" nudge?

It's not surprising, because once my kids were all planted back in our home state of Texas, the longing for "going home to Texas" was in me. I've longed for being there to share their lives. After all, my grandchildren are having some really exciting times in their lives and I don't want to miss making those memories with them. AND, I have cousins and other family members and friends there, that I want to reconnect with. Where do those longings come from? I believe that God speaks to us and uses His subtle ways or out-loud ways to guide us. After all, "His sheep (that's you and me) know His voice." (John 10:27). This time, His voice was almost out-loud to me!

I'd like to say this process has been a breeze. The "Canadians" who bought my home, needed a closing date of September 23rd, but because I have ministry and business commitments here until the middle of November, I'll still be hanging around Tulsa a while longer. The movers come next Tuesday and will move all my belongings to a storage unit in Frisco. The icing on the cake was when one of my neighbors invited me to stay at her home because she's leaving town for 2-1/2 months. God sincerely cares about the details of our lives. At the urging of my kids.....I'm going to "gypsy" around for a while and see what God has up His sovereign sleeves for this new season. Some would say that's "flying by the seat of your pants". Moving is that time to amp up because God knows, it can be an overwhelming task, but in so many other opportunities I've faced, I know I eat this elephant.....one bite at a time. I told that to a friend and she said, "Could I bring you some Rolaids?" LOL!

Here's the deal. We don’t have to escape these seasons of our lives because right smack dab in the middle of what seems to be chaos, God brings us calm. And, that's when His strength is made perfect in our weakness and sometimes.....He helps us walk on water!

Opening Bell Rings Big on Nasdaq

Day 165 of Photo Inspirations -- Opening Bell Rings Big on NASDAQ
#TBT -- June 18, 2010 -- This was a day when a proud mama remembered her little Cub Scout selling all those Scout-A-Rama tickets. That was the start of his entrepreneurial endeavors.  Who would have thought that same little boy would be the CEO of a public traded company. At 8:30 a.m. this day, our son rang the Opening Bell on NASDAQ, and we were there to witness it.

What was equal to the experience, and the pride and joy we had in our son's undaunted determination for this day to happen, was my Sweetheart's undaunted determination, in spite of immense and excruciating pain to not let this moment escape him.  He was going to be a part of the celebration -- no matter how he felt or how ill he was.  Five months later he graduated to heaven for the biggest "I WIN" celebration of all.

I realized, as I remembered this day and so many other days and "firsts" that followed....there's one common word that explains this mode of operation.  We continue to be undaunted in our belief that "With God ALL things are possible!"  That's the message we cultivate into our children AND our grandchildren.  We may not come in first every time, but it's not because we lack determination and the will to win.

I'll be honest with you -- there were, and ARE, times when the temptation comes to slow down, take an easier road, and rest in green pastures a while, but once again, the voice of THE ONE Who knows no limits and knows no bounds, says "Trust Me!  Go ahead!  Walk on water!"  He calls us to new faith that overcomes fear and overcomes failure.  God always offers us the guarantee of His presence, and that’s enough to cast fears aside. The One who calls us has already won. We keep our eyes on Him.  He will carry us through. We are strong soldiers and we will continue to be undaunted in our faith and trust in HIM!

Mary, Did You Know?

She's the First Lady of the Faith -- Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She was always found faithful. And what faith she had!  She was the first to believe in Jesus as her Savior and Lord -- while she carried Him in her womb.

In 1984 Mark Lowery wrote the lyrics to, “Mary Did You Know?” – in response to his Pastor’s request to write the script for their Christmas production. Not until 12 years later did Buddy Greene put the script to music. The play was one of those "Jeremiah 29:11" moments “For I know the plans I have for you – plans to prosper you – to give you hope and a future.” Little did Mark realize the anointing of the Holy Spirit that was on him for that significant moment in time. BTW -- "Mary, Did You Know?" is one of my all-time favorite Christmas songs for so many reasons. It  shows Mary more than the lovely woman in blue and white clothing, radiant face, and a halo affixed perfectly above her head. This song made her one of us -- who hold our babies and think about their future.

And, what do you think? DID MARY KNOW? That He was her Creator, that He would walk on water, that He would heal the blind man, that He would raise the dead? Did she know that when she kissed her little baby boy that she was kissing the face of God?  I believe she did know, and I believe not only was she the vessel God chose to bear His Son, but I believe she was chosen because He knew she would be the role model, the caregiver, the trainer, the spiritual director, the guardian that her son “grew in wisdom and stature" from, after all, she sure knew scripture. Her magnificat (her song) was full of scripture. I believe she recognized that her boy's talents and abilities would "take Him places" and that He would do amazing things.  She was pretty tight with God and she held His promises closes to her heart.  She was there, and she could verify Gabriel's words to her "Nothing shall be impossible with God."

The question for us is "Do we believe as Mary did?" What God's Word says about Jesus is true. I love this beautiful song, and this amazing rendition by Pentonix. I share it as a gift for you to realize that Mary's faith and reality is our faith and reality, too. "This little child that Mary delivered, delivered her and us!"

http://faithtap.com/2089/pentatonix-mary-did-you-know/