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

Memorize Monday, free coloring page – Psalm 31:24 -“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” The key word in this verse for me is HOPE. That is what the Kedge Anchor is about, hope. There is hope, Jesus is our only hope in this world. Hope gives encouragement. Anchor yourself in God’s word today, He will give you the strength you need if you place your hope in Him.

If today’s post has given you hope, please like and share. Perhaps you will be encouraging someone today.

Nov 8 Download

Uncategorized

Do You Think About What You Think About?

November 4, 2021August 19, 2024 The Kedge Anchor

Why is it by three o’clock in the afternoon I can’t remember what I read in my devotional in the morning? I barely can remember what I ate for breakfast or dinner the night before. Has that thought ever crossed your mind, that you can’t remember what you read in your devotional? Is it just me? James 1:23-24 says, “For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Ok, if I get like that… please someone help me. If I can’t remember what I read in God’s word, I am not going to carry it out.

Do you ever think about what you are thinking about at any given moment? Have you ever traced your thoughts? I could be in the middle something like sweeping the floor then the next thing I know I am thinking about something that happened in the fourth grade. Has that happened to you? Sometimes that initial thought can change my mood and remind me of something that made me mad and then I get mad and irritable for the rest of the day. I found that happening a lot. So I stop and trace my thoughts, what was I thinking about prior to that angry thought? Most of the time it’s so unrelated. But isn’t that how the enemy likes to work? He throws out the fiery darts. Sometimes the innocent of thoughts that lead to the most angry thoughts and emotions. Subtle, huh? Sneaky right? That’s how the enemy likes to trip us up.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” I know that can be hard sometimes. Thoughts can grab hold of us and fester and we can’t let go. But once again, that’s how the enemy works. Sometimes we are good at blocking out certain things, events, people. But sometimes unconsciously we aren’t even aware of our thoughts. There are times I have to stop myself from thinking about past events or people that have hurt me. Then I am either asking for forgiveness or forgiving someone and letting go of the hurt of old wounds.

So why is it by mid afternoon I’m thinking about what I read in my devotional? Is like a spiritual hunger? There have been times I have been so busy and so engulfed in what I am doing either my stomach reminds me it’s time to eat or if I am working with others, someone will ask “what’s for lunch?” Perhaps that thought about my morning devotional is a spiritual hunger pang, God gently reminding me of His presence. And what would it take to just stop for 5 minutes and give God a thank you, or simply opening a Bible app or listen to some worship and praise music? Maybe it’s just God tugging at my heart to let Him in for a tick and hear what He has to say.

Think about what you think about. Maybe start a journal to trace your thoughts. Take notes of what you read in your devotional. Share what you read and hear from God with someone, it will help you remember. Deuteronomy 11:18 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” I guess those would be ways to take captive every thought.

Coloring Page, Uncategorized

November 1, 2021 – Psalm 27:14

November 1, 2021October 15, 2024 The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” I can be hard waiting. Sometimes God can feel like God is silent. So if you are waiting on God, and don’t know what to do, serve. You just may hear God speak to you in the middle of serving.

If you are enjoying these coloring pages, please like and share. Thank you.

Nov 1 Download

Uncategorized

Surrendering

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 The Kedge Anchor

What is it you are struggling with today? Has it been for a while? I am sure you are tired and exhausted and just want the whole thing to just go away. I can guarantee that you have asked God to remove it. And I bet it seems like nothing is changing your situation. In our reality it can seem that way but in God’s reality everything is right on time. I know those are likely the words you did not want to hear. But, that is the truth. It’s hard for me to accept sometimes.

The Bible says in Proverbs 5:21 – “The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching.” Nothing gets past Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Isaiah 55:8, the NLT versions says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

Every time those verses are brought to my mind, my reaction; ugh! It means if I love God and am choosing to follow Him, then it’s His will on earth as it is in Heaven, as the Lords’ prayer states in Matthew 6:7-15. At this point I have to surrender if I am choosing to follow Him. Is can be easy, sometimes, if we are trusting God, but most of the time I want something done and immediately. I am sure Jesus felt the same way in the Garden the night before being nailed to the cross.

I need to rely on what I know, not what I think, not what I speculate, not what I guess, not on someone else’s opinion, not what I feel, but on what I know to be true of God and what He says in His Word. So I know that He sees me and nothing goes unnoticed. I know that He is sovereign, I Colossians 1:16-17 – “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Job 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Our country’s current state of confusion, division, and unrest, God is aware of it and has His reasons for it happening. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

It can be so hard to let go and surrender all to God. And you can choose to hold on to whatever it is that you are struggling with. God is waiting patiently for you to give it to Him, when you are ready. He will not force you to do anything, He’s not that kind of God. God will work things out, Romans 8:28 – ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” After you choose to hand over your struggles, keep an opened mind to how God works things out. The outcome is most likely going to be different than you expected but still right on time.

Uncategorized

October 25, 2021 – Psalm 16:11

October 25, 2021October 27, 2021 The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” KJV

Relax and meditate on God’s Word as you color this week’s coloring page. In His presence is the fullness of joy. Read that again. Although at times we may not feel God’s presence, we can know that we are for God says “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. Multiple times in the Bible does God reassure us of His being near us.” God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble,” Psalm 46:1. While our circumstances around us may be troubling and trying we can KNOW that God is near and what joy that can bring us if we choose to trust Him.

Oct 25 Download

Uncategorized

GRACE

October 22, 2021October 22, 2021 The Kedge Anchor

In the small mining town of Bovey Minnesota, Charles Wilden approached Eric Enstrom to take a photograph of him. Charles Wilden, was just a salesman selling foot scrapers at the time. Perhaps this encounter was more than just a hapenstance. Enstrom was getting ready to attend a convention of the Minnesota Photographer’s Association at the time and was compiling a portfolio to take with him. This photograph dates back to 1918 and has been shared all over for many decades.

“*I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful fo*r”

For years I thought the book on the table was a Bible. I guess it could be but, according to Enstrom it is just a family book. To complete the composition he added glasses resting on the top of the book, a knife, a bowl of gruel, and a loaf of bread. He then had Wilden bow his head and fold his hands in prayer. It is often said “a picture is worth a thousand words and this photograph seemed to say a lot. This gentleman didn’t have much to speak of but he had a grateful heart. I know it can be hard to be thankful for somethings. But the Bible says to be thankful IN all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (KJV). God’s not asking us to be thankful for all things but in all things. This is also God’s will for us. If you’re struggling to be obedient to God, here’s a simple way to start. Just be thankful. There are so many blessings that come from being obedient to God.

For over 100 years this photograph has been hung in homes, churches and restaurants across America reminding us to give thanks and with a grateful heart. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching why should we wait or limit ourselves to just one day of being grateful for all that God has given us? If you have or had this photo or painting hanging in your home be reminded to be thankful to God. He loves you and has given His all for us.

To read more of the history of this photograph follow the link . Please like and share, thank you.

Uncategorized

October 18, 2021 – Matthew 9:35

October 18, 2021October 18, 2023 The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – Matthew 9:35, ““The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” there are many people hurting out in the world today. Many people need to know about the love of God and His salvation. One of the goals here at the Kedge Anchor is to perhaps reach that one soul that is seeking God here on the internet. Never limit yourself in whatever capacity God has you. He is a big God and He can use anything to point to Him.

October 18 Download

Uncategorized

Oh Lord Our Lord How Majestic is Your Name!

October 14, 2021October 13, 2021 The Kedge Anchor

PSALM 8

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
²Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
³When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
⁴what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

⁵You have made the a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
⁷all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
⁸the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! (NIV)

After reading Psalm 8 I saw something in a new way. God created us in His image. He created us out of nothing. Only God can create something out of nothing. Just as He created the mountains and the ocean out nothing, just by speaking with His breath He created!! We can create things but we always start with something, something God created. He is the God of all creation. He is also the God of re-creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV) God recreates His creation! God created us out of the ground which He created out of nothing. We all know what happened in the Garden, sin entered God’s creation resulting in death.

But God. God transforms us. He re-creates His creation making us new again!!! Oh Lord Oh Lord how majestic is your name!!!

Uncategorized

October 11, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 16:13

October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

We need to be alert to what is happening around us, in our immediate surroundings, our neighborhoods, our communities, our churches and in the world. With so much going on we all need to be firm in what we believe in the Bible, standing firm in our faith in God all the while being strong and courageous. Text a friend, a family member, a neighbor and let them know you are praying for them. Encourage someone today be stand firm in God.

Added coloring page bonus today. If you want a different look and enough black ink in your printer or maybe your boss will be generous enough for you to print these coloring pages at work. Fall is a such a pretty time of year. Bright reds, yellows and oranges grace the trees creating breathtaking scenery. Today, there are two coloring pages, one with a black background. Loved to see how these pages are colored. You can post on the The Kedge Anchor Facebook page. Hope to see you there.

Please like and share these coloring pages and hope you are encouraged today.

Oct 11 Download