The Anchor

I love to go antiquing. One never knows what one will find.
It is much like a treasure hunt!

On one such hunt, I found this lovely cross, at least that is what it was to my eyes. As I proceeded to pay for it, the shop owner asked if I knew what this was. Odd question, I thought.

Yes, I know.

He seemed surprised and said, " So you recognize this as an anchor?" No not at all! It was very heavy though. I had noticed that!

My mind turned to a familiar verse which is such a word picture:

"We have this hope as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" Hebrews 6:19a

Anchors are vital to a boater. Anchors hold the boat in place as the waves try to push it along.
Anchors hold us in place too when the storms of life roll over us.
What anchor do you use when life rolls over you?

Recently in studying Hebrews in Bible Study Fellowship (a world wide interdenominational Bible study for men, women and children https://www.bsfinternational.org/ ), the second half of this verse stood out to me:

"a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain". Hebrews 6:19b

HOPE...we hear the word and use the word HOPE a lot.
 I hope this works out. I hope you feel better. I hope I pass this test.

“Hope” is commonly used to mean a wish : its strength is the strength of the person's desire. But in the Bible hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. In Hebrews, hope enters. What is the inner place behind the curtain? The curtain in the temple separated the Holy of Holies where God was from the rest of the temple. Once a year the priest could enter to atone for his and the peoples' sins. 
But Hebrews goes on to tell us that Jesus entered as a forerunner on our behalf. (Hebrews 16:20)

Because He entered and atoned once for all (I Peter 3:18), you and I can have hope in forgiveness, reconciliation with God, forgiveness of our sins and peace with God. 

This hope anchors us when life is overwhelming and when life is good. 

My anchor/cross has hung on my front porch for years. Most days, I barely notice it but when the storms of life come.. my eyes rest on this symbol of Christ, the anchor for my soul. Everyone needs an anchor.

What are you anchored to?

All Alone?

My desk is upstairs by a double window overlooking the woods. 

Many days as I gaze out the window-----------I see lessons emerge

-----life lessons

Today's lesson has appeared most every winter for years. It shows up in the form of

 

a solitary leaf hanging staunchly onto the end of a tiny branch of a huge oak tree. 

All the other leaves had long fallen to the ground_____

but not this leaf. 

The wind blows.

The rain beats down. 

Yet, it remains----------All alone. 

Ever felt that way? All alone? I have! 

Like I am the only one----beaten down, rained on--------------All alone. 

This is exactly how one of God's prophets, Elisha felt. 

In I Kings 19:14, Elisha tells God "I am the only one left". All alone. 

But he wasn't. God tells Elisha in verse 18, "Yet I have reserved 7,000 in Israel". 7,000!!!!

Clearly Elisha is not all alone. It is his perception. 

As I gaze past my one little leaf to other trees nearby, I notice one with 2 leaves still attached---no! it's 3 leaves! And still further is a small tree with most of its leaves still connected to its branches. My little leaf really isn't all alone. 

These visual reminders of God's truth from God's world cause me to realize-------

just like my little leaf--------I am never all alone. 

My little leaf has the branch and really the whole tree! Some seasons of life are like that it seems. Just me and Jesus. But in other seasons of life, it's me and a few friends clinging to the branch (Jesus) together.  

Reality is---as God's child----I have the whole Christian community (the tree with all those leaves clinging)  "with me". I just need to look around......and see all God has given me! 

Reflections at Patriot Lake by Nancy Webb, photographer

Reflections

It's January...a time of reflecting back and looking forward to what a new year holds. 
It's January...a time of renewal as we await Spring. 
It's January...a time of quietness if we listen for it.
It's January...a time of examining my heart. 

As I gaze upon this lovely photograph, I notice first the trees. Their image reflects in the water but so different from their true color and shape. 
I notice the sky which reflects almost identical to its true appearance. 

I ponder my reflection to the world around me. 
What do I reflect to others? 
Is my reflection a true picture of who I am like the sky? 
Or is my reflection different like the trees. 

My reflection depends on my heart. 
What is truly in my heart is reflected in my life.

It's January...take time to let God examine your heart so you may reflect Him to the world around you.

 As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.

Proverbs 27:19English Standard Version (ESV)

     

A movie to watch for The Song

Movies have a way, like books, of inspiring me.

Therefore I am careful what I read and what I watch because I am moved by media.

Here is a movie I look forward to seeing: The Song!

Enjoy the trailer. And mark your calendars for Sept. 26!

To read a review from someone who has seen a preview of this movie, Click here http://www.rochellefrazier.com/rochelle-frazier-aheavenlyaroma/2014/8/could-a-movie-save-your-marriage

This post is part of THE SONG Blog Tour, of which I am delighted to be a part, along with many other inspiring bloggers. To learn more and to join us, CLICK HERE. - See more at: http://themoviescreener.com/thesong/index.php#register

New Years' Prayer

New Years' Prayer Church of Scotland 1952: 

 Almighty Father, we pray Thee 

graciously to lead us through the uncertainties of this new year of our earthly pilgrimage.

Protect us from the dangers of the way, 

prepare us for the duties, 
                                      the trials,
                                                     the joys and 
                                                                       sorrows that await us;

 and grant that each change the year brings with it may bring us nearer to Thyself,

 and to the eternal joy and rest that await the faithful

 in Thy blessed and glorious presence;

 though Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Ice Storm

As I sat in my warm house
 looking out at the glistening branches covered with ice,
 it all looked so beautiful!


Yet, a closer look showed
amidst the beauty and sparkle
of the ice covered branches,
 trouble lurked.

The younger, more pliable branches
 bent slightly with their burden of ice.









However, the older branches,



and especially the evergreens,
almost touched the ground under this burden.

 Further still,
 I saw a few branches simply fell off under the weight of the ice burden and lay upon the ground.

They could not endure.

What about me? 

      When burdens come, am I the young branch,
                                                                                the older branch or
                                                                                                       
                                               am I the branch that falls off?


I have had seasons of being each of these branches. I prefer to be the young branch who endures under the weight of the burden without bowing low or falling off!

How do you carry your burdens? Do you know the One who wants to carry those burdens for you?

Here is his invitation:

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest. 

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

 for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

 and you will find rest for your souls. 

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Twists and Turns of Forgiveness

As with most things in life, forgiveness is learned as we journey and grow. Early experiences with forgiveness usually include being told "Say you are sorry" as a child. Honestly, don't most of us wonder why we are saying "Sorry" when the other kid was mean to us?

Further along in life, we begin to seriously wrestle with our hurts. In the twists and turns of trying to understand forgiveness, we learn there are choices to be made. Here are a few:



We can ignore them.

We can bury them deep.

We can be angry.

We can seek revenge.




Eventually we discover that none of these choices comfort our soul.
Only one choice does that...forgiveness!
But how exactly does one forgive a hurt and especially a hurt that no one said "I am sorry for..."?

Here is what I have learned over the decades of my life:

• Forgiveness is something I choose.
• Forgiveness is between me and God.
• Forgiveness brings freedom.
• Forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation.
• Forgiveness is only possible because I have been forgiven. 

Remembering how much (like ALL of my sins from the past, present and even the future!) I have been forgiven by God through His son, Jesus....enables me to grant forgiveness to others even if they do not say
"I am sorry."

And then, my soul is comforted and I am free. 

See Matthew 18:21-35