Author: The Kedge Anchor

The Kedge Anchor - Anchored in Hope “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul…” Hebrews 6:19 The Kedge Anchor - About Welcome to the Kedge Anchor. This blog started from a time in my life where I no longer liked changes. Changes, like the waves in the ocean can turn us upside down sometimes and the currents of this life can take us to places we really didn’t intend to go. But changes are a part of life and the older I get the less I like them. Maybe you can relate. Sometimes storms form over the ocean and totally churn up our lives like the ocean floor. And when all is finally over, we feel depleted, drained, exhausted. Turning to God’s word first is always a good place to start and gain footing again. And sometimes God leads us to other sources for encouragement, family, friends, church family, and oddly enough, for me, back to the still calm waters (of the ocean). Kedging is a nautical term “to draw (a vessel) along by hauling in on the cable of a light anchor that has been dropped at some distance from it, or (of a vessel) to be drawn in this fashion “ https://www.thefreedictionary.com/kedging Kedging is done in calm waters when one needs the boat to move forward or in the case when one is going against the wind. The sailor casts the kedge anchor out in the waters and pulls the boat towards the anchor. In a season of wait, when we feel like we are at a stand still and perhaps we aren’t hearing God’s voice or when we are in the middle of the storm, we can draw to Him. (James 4:8) We can cast our anchor (of hope) out and take a step in faith toward God, read the Bible, recall a favorite verse, and cling to HIs words. He is our anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19). When the storms and currents of life are changing our course and we find ourselves going against the wind, we can remain steadfast in His Word and love. Be encouraged. You are not alone. “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you…” James 4:8
Obedience

Back to School – Part 1

The Kedge Anchor
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There was always a feeling of anxiousness going back to school. That first day was always rough. Sometimes I’d hear rumors of how hard my homeroom teacher was going to be and stories from other students the nightmare that homeroom class was for them the year before.

It was always nice to be a little early and see some old friends and kids I hadn’t seen all summer, for a brief moment I would forget about being anxious. Then the bell would ring and all the students would walk into their classrooms. I’d be anticipating the teacher walking in or if the teacher was already there, I’d be accessing his or her mood.

I’d was always afraid that I would accidentally break a rule, make the teacher mad and send me to the principal’s office get detention and then when I got home, be reprimanded again. But isn’t that just like us humans to catastrophize everything, even as kids.

My goal was to do well in school, make my teacher and parents happy, make some friends and have some fun. But I still had this fear and worry I would do something wrong. I didn’t want to make my teacher mad or break a rule. I lived in fear those first few days of a new school year.

As a Christian, now, all I want to do is love God and obey His word. But I have to admit if I have the wrong perspective, I can live in fear of God. We are to have a reverent fear, an awe of God. Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I do have a reverent fear of God. He is in control, He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is sovereign and righteous. Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

All I want to do is please God, every day. But I know I am a sinner and I can’t be perfect. God sacrificed His Son to die for us and pay the penalty of sin, so that we can live with Him forever in eternity. Now if someone saved me from a burning building, rescued my from a sinking ship, whatever, I would be forever grateful to that person. I would welcome that person into my life as part of my family, I would stay in contact and give back however I could. The same is for me with God. He saved me from death and gave me eternal life and all I had to do was accept Him and receive the gift of salvation. He is my life, I stay in constant contact and try to give back when I can however I can.

So how do I please God? What can I do to make Him happy? After all it’s only His approval I seek. It’s only His approval that matters. Like the first day of school, I live in awe of God and sovereignty. Unlike the first day of school, I don’t have any anxiety about making a mistake or making God mad. But I began to think, what does make God happy? What do I do to please Him?

I want to obey His word, His commandments. God gave us His word, the Bible. It contains everything we need to know about Him and how to live for Him. But what is that exactly?

The Ten Commandments were the first set of guidelines to live by. After Jesus came to the earth, He narrowed those down to two. Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.“ Ok so there’s two. That’s not all.
Here are some other things I have found.

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Outside of the fact God is telling us not to be anxious (Do not be anxious, I believe that is in command form, He’s not suggesting, He’s telling us not to be anxious. Easier said than done, that’s a discussion for another time). So God wants us to communicate with Him about everything always.

Hebrews 11:6 – “ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” and faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God, Romans 10:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” Just exactly what that means. But prayer and talking to God isn’t always bowing our heads and folding our hands. (Another discussion for anther time).

1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” Being hospitable, that’s easy, without complaint, not always easy.

Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;” Your wealth may not be thousands of dollars in the bank. God just wants you give back and mange what He has given you.

James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Romans 14:17-18 – “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

There are sooooo many more ways in which we can please God and this post is getting long. What other ways, things can you find in the Bible that make God happy? Leave a comment. To be continued.

Coloring Page

August 8, 2022 – Nehemiah 8:10

The Kedge Anchor

” … the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Have you ever wondered exactly what that meant or means for us today? Click here to read a recent post about the joy of the Lord.



August-8-2022
Uncategorized

Think on These Things

The Kedge Anchor
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How often do you have worrisome thoughts where you can’t seem to think about anything else. The same thought keeps playing over and over in your head. It can be hard sometimes to shake our thoughts, we are after all human. But this isn’t healthy. This way of thinking can cause us some physical issues such as hypertension, upset stomach, heartburn, headaches, tight muscles all of which just adds to the stress level and makes us tired. This just impacts our day to day life making us forgetful.

But we do have a choice. We don’t have to have worrisome thoughts. Worry is a form of meditation and if we can worry about something, a situation, or whatever it is we can change our thinking by praying about the situation. Praying is a form of meditation. This all may sound a lot easier said than done. It takes time and practice but with God’s help we can change the way we think.

Taking the case to God is the first step. Lament. Tell God all about it. Your words don’t have to be pretty, no “art thous,” no thees,” you just need to let it all out. There’s no hiding how you feel, God sees your heart. So let it out, He can take it, He’s a big God! He wants to hear all about it. Maybe write it out in a journal then when there’s a breakthrough you can go back and see how far God has brought you.

While your journaling, if you are journaling, write out a verse you that comforts you. If you don’t journal, jot the verse down on 3×5 card or just a piece of paper and put it in your pocket. Pull it out and read it over and over when you find the thoughts creeping in. This is something that will keep you mindful of your thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Think about what you are thinking about. Try and catch yourself and when you realize you aren’t thinking healthy that’s when your thoughts can jump track and think about more praise worthy things. Satan is subtle. He can get us thinking about some really “innocent” things. He can use something someone says to you that just eats away at you. Be careful where your thoughts lead. Your thought could start out innocent. Satan can corrupt and innocent thought. I could be thinking about something, a project I want to do. Then I can start to think about how I will get it done, which sometimes can lead me to think, “how would so and so do this?” Then I begin to compare myself to so and so and think that they are so much more successful than I am and I have no business doing this project. Next thing I know I have a bitter heart. If I’m not careful and I can’t retrace my thoughts I will just keep going down that road of comparison. I need to catch myself when I compare and thank God for the things and the abilities He has given me and move forward with that confidence.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Self control takes practice, so does controlling your thoughts. It most likely isn’t going to happen overnight. When you find yourself in a cycle of worry and thinking not so healthy thoughts, ask God to give you the courage to stop and begin by thanking Him for one thing. Then thank Him for another and then another. Think about the times He has come through for you, think about how He has provided and think about how He has created the earth and the universe for us to enjoy. Make it a daily practice to “think on these things.”

Coloring Page

August 1, 2022 – Psalm 103:11

The Kedge Anchor
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Mercy. God’s mercy has been a running theme in my head and my heart lately. It’s good to be reminded of His mercy for us.

Coloring Page

July 25, 2022 – 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Kedge Anchor

Happy Monday! Where is the month of July going? I cannot believe it’s almost August. As time continues to fly, I can’t help but be reminded how urgent it is for us to draw nearer to God every day. We can do that my memorizing scripture.

If these free downloadable coloring pages are helping you memorize scripture, please like and share.

July-25
Coloring Page, scripture

Isaiah 41:10 – July 19, 2022

The Kedge Anchor

Monday, Tuesday, it’s always a good day to memorize scripture : )

This verse was posted back on March 29, 2021 as a wallpaper for your devices, if you’d like to keep the verse in front of you.

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Stress

Got Stress?

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Recently I have been reading in 2 Corinthians from The Modern Life Study Bible. In 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Paul talks about dealing with stress. There is a little commentary in the margin that I had to reread a few times. Let me just preface this by saying I am not disagreeing with the following, there were just some things that made me go hmmmm.

“Tension, conflict, weariness and suffering are common place in our world but some hold out that God will bring life struggles to an end. They assume that a relationship of Christ ushers us into peace, even prosperity… as long as we live on this earth we will experience the unbreakable connection between trouble and hope. It may not be pleasant but it brings lasting benefits… James challenges us to find joy in our various trials because they produce patients which in the end makes us mature (James 1:2-4).  As long as we attempted to obey Christ we can count on having to deal with stress but whatever strain we feel today reaps riches to enjoy for eternity.”

The Modern Life Study Bible, Thomas Nelson 2014

I agree with some of this, “Tension, conflict, weariness and suffering are common place in our world but some hold out that God will bring life struggles to an end.” Hmmm, well shouldn’t we hope that God will one day end all the strife in the world? Perhaps I am not reading that correctly. Maybe not this side of heaven but God will end all suffering when Jesus returns. I am looking forward to that day. Shouldn’t we hope that God will end our whatever current crisis we are enduring? Shouldn’t we hope that God will put an end to the chaos and craziness in our world? 

I also agree with, “They assume that a relationship of Christ ushers us into peace, even prosperity…” Regardless if we walk with or without God, if we are in a relationship with Him the rain, the stress falls on the just and the unjust. Being a believer, Christ follower, Child of God, a Christian doesn’t mean a life prosperity. So I’d rather have the stress with God then without Him which I believe there is a peace maybe not so much ease and prosperity but with God there is a peace, He is the Prince of Peace. John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Just because we have a relationship with God doesn’t mean we won’t encounter hardships here on earth. John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Even Jesus encountered some rough times. I can think of one very rough day. 

“…the unbreakable connection between trouble and hope.”

The Modern Life Study Bible, Thomas Nelson 2014

Hmmm, not sure what is meant by that. The now and the not yet? That is a difficult place to be. But I believe there is always hope in any situation.

There are some benefits to following Christ.

Matthew 16:24,25 – If we lose our lives for His sake we will find them.

Hebrews 12:8-11 – We are God’s children and when He disciplines us that is evidence we belong to Him as His chlidren.

James 1:2-4 – James encourages us to find joy in our trials, for trials produce patience. We don’t need to ask for patience when we have enough trials in front of us to help us cultivate patience.

1 Peter 4:12,13 – Facing these trials can cause us to waiver in Christ. Trials in this life are pretty common but they can produce some great results. We can experience the suffering of Christ so that we can also experience His glory.

God never said it would be easy to follow Him, He never promised that. But He did promise that He would never leave us or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:8 – “
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” He said in Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The conflicts, tension, and weariness won’t come to a complete end until Jesus returns. There is always hope, Jesus is our only hope, He is  the only hope this world has. So if there is going to be conflict and stress in this world, I’d don’t want to take another step with out God by my side. After all He has overcome the world.  

Coloring Page

Ephesians 3:12 – July 11, 2022

The Kedge Anchor

Happy Monday!!! Hope everyone enjoyed a great celebration this past Fourth of July! Our country may be going through some tough and turbulent times right now, but God is in control and we are still a free country. For that we can be truly thankful to God.

Some of you may have noticed that scripture memorization here happens in different translations. I don’t think God expects us to remember every translation or just one. For myself, different translations help me to better understand the original words of Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, etc.

For me the goal is to have the meaning in my heart and mind. The best I am going to do with my memory is have a general idea where the scripture lives, (numbers aren’t my jam) if I can recall the book, I’m good and even then those wires can cross. I hope these coloring pages help.

Please remember to like and share. Thank you.

July-11-22

Trust God

What Can You Handle?

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1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (NKJV)

Some people interpret this verse to say God will not give more than you can bear. That He won’t put you in a situation that is so overwhelming that you just can’t go through it. Others will say this verse is being taken out of context, that, that’s not what it means, that it pertains only to being tempted.

The Greek word for temptation; peirasmos: an experiment, a trial, temptation, can also mean test and tested. Well, I agree and kinda disagree. I may be splitting hairs here, but bear with me. Did God give Job more than he could handle? Did God give Mary and Joseph more they they could handle? Did God give Jesus more than He could handle? Job, “A man who so feared God and fled from evil at all costs. When he was 70 years old, God allowed terrible temptations brought by the devil to fall upon him.” Job was tempted, his fear in God and seeking to flee from evil at al costs, was Job’s way out. Joseph wanted to secretly divorce Mary, – Matthew 1:19, but he didn’t, God provided an angel to encourage Joseph to remain with Mary. Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. The night before His crucifixion and angle ministered to Jesus, -Luke 22:41-43. They all could have given into temptation at any time. But God provided a way out. Ok so Jesus being an example, He was fully God and fully human here on earth, so… He had a bigger advantage, none the less, He could have in His humanity not go to the cross.

In the midst of temptations and the trials in our lives we are tempted to take matters in our own hands, by either manipulating others or a situation in order to get out of it or get our way in order to just get through it or get what we want. We can be tempted to walk away from God or our faith because it just doesn’t seem to be working.

BUT GOD, is faithful! “The more than we can handle” in a trial or a bad season isn’t the season itself as some interpret. I tend to agree with that. I think “the more than we can handle” is the temptation to sin in that hard season. No one wants to go through hard times. I know I don’t and it’s so easy for me to complain and whine and get angry. And it gets me no where. I am learning to ask myself – what does God want me to learn from this? I still wrestle with God and that’s ok, because it can be an intimate way to get closer to Him. God is faithful. He will provide a way out, search Him, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Coloring Page

July 1, 2022 Galatians 5:1

The Kedge Anchor

There have been many men and women who have given their lives for our freedom. Posting a little early for the holiday weekend. Take some time to make some space for creativity and relaxation, print this coloring page, pour yourself a cool glass of lemonade and relax. Remember that God is still in control, He sees what is going on in our world, it’s not a surprise to Him. We still live in a free country.

Happy 4th of July!

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