Tag: bible

healing, hope

Surrendering Doubt: Finding Peace in Faith

The Kedge Anchor

Today, I want to share something that’s been sitting heavy—but beautifully—in my heart. It was sparked by a devotional my pastor in Rhode Island, Pastor Dave, shared this morning on Instagram. @therrien6034 

Every day at 6:00 a.m., Pastor Dave posts a short but impactful video devotional called The Bible Café—a time where we receive “a serving of Scripture and a cup of caffeine (or the beverage of your choice).” Each week he focuses on a new topic, and many of us are keeping topical journals based on the Scripture he shares each morning.

This week’s theme is doubt.

In Luke 24:38–39, Pastor Dave pointed out that the disciples doubted they were really seeing Jesus after His resurrection. Despite walking closely with Him, they quickly forgot what He had already told them—and that forgetfulness opened the door to doubt.

Doubt often leads us to lean on human reasoning, which I know too well. In my own experience, doubt hasn’t just led to overthinking—it’s brought discouragement, disappointment, and sometimes even depression. When we doubt, we start trying to make sense of everything on our own, and it rarely leads us closer to God.

Earlier this year, in a season of deep grief, I found myself overwhelmed—like I was drowning, searching for a way out. That’s when a word began repeating in my heart: surrender.

It was simple, but powerful.

Surrendering my grief to Jesus didn’t make the pain disappear overnight, but it created space—a holy emptiness—for Him to step in and carry what I couldn’t. And lately, another word has joined that inner echo: seek.

Maybe it’s an “aha” moment from God.

When we surrender—whether it’s a habit, addiction, grief, doubt, or anything that weighs on us and pulls us away from God—we’re not just letting something go. We’re making room.
Surrender creates a void. But that space is not meant to stay empty. It becomes an invitation for Jesus to move in.

Letting go may feel like a loss at first, but in reality, it’s the beginning of something greater: peace, clarity, healing, and deeper intimacy with God.

The disciples were incredibly blessed—they saw the resurrected Jesus with their own eyes. His glorified body stood before them, scars and all. Sometimes I find myself wishing I could have a visual like that. But the truth is: we do.

We may not see Jesus physically, but we see Him in His Word, in creation, in the love of others, and in the quiet moments of prayer. His presence is still near. – Joshua 1:5 “ No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” We may not walk beside Him like the disciples did, but we can still walk with Him daily.

And just like the disciples, after their doubt, were filled with faith—we too can be filled.
When we surrender, we make space.
When we seek, we find Him. Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

So today, I invite you to do the same:
Surrender whatever is pulling you away.
And seek the One who is always ready to fill the void—with His truth, His presence, and His peace.

hope, Uncategorized

Who is God to Me? Anchored in the Storm

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Lukas on Pexels.com

Introduction
God is my anchor, my steady, unwavering presence when the stormy seas of life begin to swell. In moments of stress or emotional overwhelm, I often turn to comfort: food, TV, or even my art supplies. These things aren’t inherently bad, but they can’t hold me like God can.

🙏 What Does It Mean to Be Anchored in God?

When stress hits, I sometimes reach for things that feel comforting: a snack, a tv show maybe a movie or a paintbrush. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what I need. In 1 Kings 19, God cared for Elijah with food and rest—not with judgment.

But when I elevate those comforts above God, they can’t provide the stability my soul truly needs.

📖 God’s Love Reminds Me I’m Not Alone

Truths that anchor me:

  • He is always with me. (Omnipresent)
  • He is in control. (Omnipotent)
  • He knows and sees me deeply. (Omniscient)

One of my anchors is a journal entry from August 22, 2011. A hurricane was coming. We were preparing to move. And in the chaos, God gave me peace. (See Hope for the Future Part 1 Part 2  Part 3)

God is my anchor. He doesn’t move—even when I do.

🧁 Comfort Isn’t the Enemy—Misplaced Comfort Is

After I’ve prayed, read Scripture, or reached out to family and/or friends for support, I can return to those comforts—but now with peace, not panic.

  • Instead of mindless snacking, maybe it’s yogurt with fruit and granola.
  • Instead of bingeing, maybe it’s watching The Chosen, Tangled, or Shrek to relax.
  • Instead of spiraling thoughts, maybe it’s making art with worship music in the background.

These become life giving when they’re no longer the foundation—but just blessings on top of it.

🎥 Why I Rewatch the Same Movies

There’s actually science behind rewatching movies you love. They create a sense of safety. You know how they’ll end. Favorites like The Chosen, Shrek, Star Trek: Enterprise, or My Big Fat Greek Wedding bring peace when my brain needs it most.

Learn more about why rewatching your favorite movies can be therapeutic.

🎨 Art + Worship = Grounding for My Soul

When I create, especially while listening to worship or hymns, feel grounded and more focused. My breathing slows. My mind calms. God meets me in the stillness.

Try using grounding questions during anxious moments:

  • What can I see?
  • What can I hear?
  • What can I smell?
  • What can I touch?
  • What can I taste?

Pair this with prayer or scripture, and you’ll feel the storm subside.

💛 Anchored in Hope

When life gets chaotic, remember:

  • You are anchored in hope.
  • You are anchored in love.
  • You are anchored in God’s Word.

Bonus Devotional: How Do I Put Joy into Words? (Optional Side Post or Sidebar Widget)

When we are anchored, we can oddly still have joy!

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy…”
— Psalm 16:11

Joy is choosing contentment—even in difficulty. It’s not manufactured. It’s not circumstantial.
It’s found in God’s presence, where joy isn’t fleeting—it’s full.

encouragement

Lighthouse of Encouragement: Embracing Prayer, Scripture, and Support Networks

The Kedge Anchor
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It’s kinda funny. I decide to devote a month to encouragement and it’s probably been one of the most discouraging weeks so far. In the last post, I mentioned having “lighthouses” to help us navigate through the storms of life. And well I guess it’s time for me to practice what I preach. One lighthouse is friends and family, a support system, trusted people we can reach out to for prayer. I think that’s always my first go to. Prayer works and when you know you have your people praying for you, for me it’s like someone propping me up. Like in Exodus 17 – The Israelites were in battle with the Amalekites, verses 5-12- “The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” 8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So if you’re reading this, I could use some prayer.

Another tried and true lighthouse is reading scripture. Currently, I am doing Summer in the Psalms. David and the Psalmists weren’t exempt from discouragement or stormy lives. Yet. they cried out to God and they remind us God hears them, He hears us.

Psalm 103:8 – “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (ESV) God loves me, He loves you on the good days and bad days. We can rest our minds in this truth. The days that I am discouraged for whatever reason, He still loves me. When our minds are swirling and our thoughts are out of control, we need something firm and true to hold to and God’s word, His truths are just what we need to ground us. Without truth to stand on we can easily start to believe the lies and worst case scenarios.

I mentioned that friends and family are great lighthouses. We can reach out to them for prayer. However, we should pray ourselves. Hebrews 4:16 – “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” We should reach out to God ourselves. We can go to Him with anything. Yes, He already knows, but He wants to hear it and He wants to hear from us. He loves us!

So far we have three lighthouses, friends and family, a support system to hold up our arms in battle. Prayer, we can go boldly to the throne of our gracious God, where we can receive mercy and grace when we need it the most. And scripture, there we can find truths, solid ground for us to fight our battle. Stay tuned this month, head over to my YouTube channel I have a short tutorial to make a card to give to someone to help encourage, quick and easy.

Uncategorized

When You Can’t Find Comfort, Even in Scripture.

The Kedge Anchor
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Has this happened to you? You have been so distraught nothing is comforting? You try everything, listening to Christian music, worship music, listening to a podcast or a sermon online and nothing seems to stick. Not even just reading scripture? It’s ok it happens. We are human.

If there was ever a person who knew anxiety it was Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane – Matthew 26:36-36 – Jesus was about to be crucified, on a cross, separated from His Father in Heaven, v.38 – “My anguish is so great that I feel as if I’m dying. Wait here, and stay awake with me.” He knows anxiety. He experienced every emotion we, His creation has felt, feels and will feel. But noticed He asked for His friends to be stay with Him. (there’s more on that).

So what is one to do? Well first, for myself, I try to realize that God sees my heart and nothing goes unnoticed by Him. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” – Hebrews 4:13. Whether or not I feel this or believe it at the time, this is truth. It’s in the Bible, the Bible is infallible, it’s timeless and I know I can trust it. I can choose to believe it or not, I can have the faith of a mustard seed or not but the fact remains, God sees me, I am known by Him. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Like 12:7. He created me and formed me in my mother’s womb, – Psalm 139:13. He will never leave me nor forsake me, – Deuteronomy 31:6. Truth!

It also helps me if I can count my blessings, I know that can sound so cliché. There are days I am thankful for being able to get out of bed and put my two feet on the floor. Some days I am just thankful for being able to hold a pencil. Joni Eareckson Tada, she is paralyzed from the neck down and paints with a paintbrush between her teeth. She has an incredible story and ministry that God works through. Sometimes it helps to see how God has worked in other people’s lives. Bethany Hamilton survived a shark attack when she was 13. She’s not thankful she is missing her left arm, but she is thankful for where God has brought her spiritually. And as an athlete, she still surfs and competes with one arm. God had given her an amazing ministry encouraging others who are physically disabled. That difficult time in her life, God used for His glory. If you haven’t seen Soul Surfer, I highly recommend it. Nick Vujicic is another inspiration. He was born without limbs and God has worked amazing things in his life. The Bible tells us to give thanks in all things. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “give thanks IN all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” We don’t necessarily have to be thankful FOR all things but thankful IN all things

Another thing I do is reach out to others for prayer. This is very humbling for me because it makes me feel weak. Know what? I am. I need God’s help. God sometimes provides that for us through friends. Jesus had His disciples/friends with Him in the Garden and in Exodus 17:12 – God provided Aaron and Hur to stand beside him with stones to put under his arms to keep them lifted up. We weren’t meant to do life alone. God has provided community through our churches, friends, family, support groups, we just need to reach out. Jesus had community, He had His disciples, followers, and His family.  

God still loves us even on the hard days when scripture doesn’t seem to be working. Remember to go with what you know, recall how God has provided in the past. Reach out to a friend for prayer. God is still in control, He sees you, He sees your heart. Be strong and courageous.

Uncategorized

Joy is Having a Feast

The Kedge Anchor
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“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8

David, a man after God’s heart, who wrote the psalms, encourages the reader in Psalm 34 to experience God for themselves. We can hear about God’s goodness but David invites us to experience His goodness. We can’t really experience anything just by hearing about it. But when we use our other senses we can become fully engaged. We are invited to taste and see for ourselves God’s goodness.

All throughout the Bible there are passages that speak of feasts, festivals and food. Adam and Eve were placed in a garden with food, (Genesis2:8). In the Old Testament we can read about seven feasts that point to Christ. The Passover, (Leviticus 23:4-8); Unleavened Bread, (Leviticus 23:6); First Fruits, (Leviticus 23:10); Feast of Weeks, (Leviticus 23:16); Feast of Trumpets,(Leviticus 23:24); Day of Atonement, (Leviticus 16, 23:26-32); and the Feast of Tabernacles, (Leviticus 23:34). In the New Testament, God’s goodness was experienced at the Wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11) where Jesus turned water into wine. Jesus fed 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21) with five loaves of bread and two fish, another miracle that people were able to experience God’s goodness through food. Jesus and His disciples ate at the Last Super (Matthew 26:17-30) in the upper room and fellowshipped. In Revelation we read of the marriage super of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9) where we will celebrate finally being united with Jesus face to face.

Food grows us, food can heal us, food fuels us, it sustains us. Is any coincidence that God’s word is the bread of life? When we taste and see, we are experiencing. When we read God’s word, we are tasting and seeing, we are fueling our souls and fortifying our bodies. Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”

God speaks to us through His word, we can experience a revelation or a “ah ha” moment. We learn and when we learn we are growing our knowledge. We grow when we partake of God’s word daily. We can enhance our experience by fellowshipping with others and reading His word together. It’s kind of like sharing a meal with someone when we share God’s word and fellowship with others in His word, we are tasting and seeing, experiencing. We are not only experiencing the taste of food but enjoying company of the person or persons with whom we are eating. And what a joy it is, either sharing a meal or sharing God’s word and hearing from God Himself.

Taste and see that the Lord is good today. Feast on His word, experience Him by reading His word and sharing it with others.

Uncategorized

Happy New Year! 2020

The Kedge Anchor

AHOY! Welcome to the Kedge Anchor.

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Jeremiah 29:11 ” For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

Happy New Year! WOW the year 2020. Sounds so futuristic. Then there’s all the 2020 jokes, 20/20 vision in the new year. LOL The future can be exciting. And it can be scary. Simply because we don’t know what the future holds.

But it doesn’t have to be scary. The Bible tells us “be anxious for nothing.” Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (NIV) You can ask God anything. He already knows what’s on your mind and heart. So why ask, you may be thinking. Because he loves you, he wants to hear from you. Just like you want to hear your spouse, your parents, your friends or those you love to say “I love you.” You know it, but you want to hear it. Jesus is the same way.

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (NIV) Sometimes this is easier said than done.

But when you think about it, like verse 27 says, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Worry isn’t changing anything. It’s just stealing your peace.

We can have confidence in the future. Confident that God knows all, he is omniscient. Psalm 139:1-4 “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.” Job 28:24 ” for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.” He knows us in the past, Psalm 139:13 “For you created me my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” He knows us in the present ” Matthew 10:30 ” And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” And we shed hair constantly, don’t we? So, he knows at any given time how many hairs on our heads, even the gray ones. And he knows our future, Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD…”

“Worry is assuming responsibilities that God never intended for you to handle, …” I’m not sure where this quote originated, other than Facebook, but that’s exactly what we are doing when we worry. It’s hard NOT to worry, I’ve been there, but I have also been there in total surrender to God and HE HAS ALWAYS COME THROUGH!!! YAY!! VICTORY! WHo doesn’t want that? Sometimes things turned out totally different than how I planned, but it always turned out for the best. Sometimes I was in a holding pattern and for a reason. Usually to transform me and grow me and time for him to just do his work. Because, 1 Corinthians 2:9 “However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him. (NIV).

Every time a hard situation comes up, try to let go and give it to God. And fill that void of no worry with praise and prayer. Reach out to someone in need and watch those plans he has for you unfold. The future doesn’t have to be scary. Not when you know who holds it. It’s hard, I know, but trust, little by little that trust will grow and VICTORY will be yours!
Happy New Year! 

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