Tag: encourage

Anchor Angel Project, hope, prayer

Free Downloadable Prayer Images for Inspiration

The Kedge Anchor

⚓ “We all need encouragement—an anchor in the storm, a reminder that we’re not forgotten. Sometimes the simplest way to lift someone’s spirit is to let them know they’ve been prayed for. That’s what the Anchor Angel Project is all about and is here to help make it easy. 💙

Below you’ll find free prayer images you can download, save, and share with anyone who needs a reminder of hope and encouragement today.” Just right click and save to your device. The next time you are praying for someone, let them know, send one of these images with or without a short message of your own. I will never forget the day a friend of mine dropped by my office at work to have lunch with me. It was a wonderful surprise and really lifted my spirits. We don’t always have that ability to surprise a friend at work, but we can still let our friends and family know we are thinking about them.

While I have you here, please head over to my YouTube channel and check out my crafty Christmas card DIY videos repurposing old Christmas cards giving them new life. Check them out

God sees us, nothing goes unnoticed by him. Sometimes we just need to reminded in the storm when we can’t see past it. (2 Chronicles 16:9 – “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”)

encouragement

Finding Mental Health Lighthouses: Navigating Stormy Seas with Wisdom

The Kedge Anchor

Imagine you are out at sea on a stormy night. It’s dark, there are no stars in the night sky to guide you. You’re being tossed by waves and no sight of land. All feels hopeless. Until you see a light in the distance. A lighthouse, a light to guide your way to shore, to safety. You let out a sigh of relief, you feel encouraged, it’s gonna be ok. When you reach the shore all your fears are calmed and you know you can make it until the storm passes.

Have you been there? I know I have. Some of those storms like the storms of discouragement, have been just squalls passing through, others have been more severe, hanging around for a while. Being tossed and battered by my own thoughts or the outward events happening around me, I need something to help me, someone to help me. Whether it’s just a passing or the storm is sticking around for while, we all need encouragement through the rough seasons. Who or what to you turn to? What helps you navigate the stormy waters of discouragement when there is no light, no stars. Who or what are your lighthouses?

I am not a counselor and this blog is not about mental health, however, we need to be healthy mentally. This blog and blog post is just for encouragement. I have found some ways to cope and manage on the days when the waves of discouragement are overwhelming. I am just sharing what has helped me. So if you feel you need or just want to talk a professional counselor please click here to find one in your area.

Through the month of June we’ll be looking ways to find some mental health lighthouses for encouragement. With scripture we will reveal wisdom to help us find hope and direction.

Lighthouse – Trusted friends and family. Having a support system of friends and family is what God created for, community. Some days we need to reach out to others. Being discouraged and mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness. There has been a stigma over the decades of having a mental illness or diagnosis. That stigma, I believe to be diminished. With all the apps and commercials about mental health, it’s clear that this stigma is losing it’s punch. It’s not uncommon for someone to seek counseling just to get them through a tough situation.

It’s ok to feel sad, depressed, mad, anger, anxious. And at times we do feel do feel discouraged. God created you, He created us to feel these emotions, sometimes we need help processing them. He is not surprised at any time if you experience these emotions, He’s not angry with you if feel depressed or hopeless. He wants you to pour out your heart to Him. Jesus experienced these emotions the night before His crucifixion, – Matthew 26:36-46. He understands these emotions. He understands you because He created you. More importantly, He wants you, He wants to help you, He loves you – John 3:16.

Some will try to console by saying “You just need a little more faith.” It’s not about not having a lot of faith. Jesus just asks for mustard seed faith, Matthew 17:20. Even when we doubt He is there to help us. “… Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” – Matthew 9:23-24. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1.

We all at some point will face discouragement, depression, anxiety. You are not weak because you doubt, but be mindful of where it’s coming from. We have an enemy who likes to cause us to doubt. After all that is how he got Eve to sin, – Genesis 3. You’re not weak for feeling depressed and needing to reach out. Sometimes we just need a little help, a little encouragement. Who do you reach out to? Who is your support system? Many people are lonely and if you are one of those people who doesn’t have support system, if you’re not already, search for a local Bible believing church. Join, get involved, reach out and become part of a great community.

If you know of someone who maybe facing loneliness, reach out. Not sure how follow over the month of June for some ways to encourage others.

In the posts to follow we will find how we can find more lighthouses to help us navigate the stormy seas of life.

*** This blog post inspired by “Wisdom for Mental Health” – YouVersion

Love Languages

Love Language – Words of Affirmation Day 1

The Kedge Anchor
Valentine’s Day Words of AffirmationDownload

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and what better why to celebrate than speaking your spouse’s or your loved one’s love language. If you aren’t familiar with the 5 love languages, pick up a copy of Gary Chapman’s book The 5 Love Languages

The 5 Love Languages® is a valuable resource that can help individuals strengthen their connections and experience greater joy and harmony in their relationships. By understanding and expressing love in the language most meaningful to their loved ones, individuals can overcome feelings of disconnection and loneliness, fostering deeper and more fulfilling connections with the people they care about.

Speaking words of affirmation is a powerful way to build confidence and strengthen the bond in relationships. By expressing appreciation, encouragement, and compliments, individuals can uplift their loved ones, boost their self-esteem, and create a positive and supportive environment. This practice fosters a deeper sense of connection and fosters a strong foundation built on love and mutual respect.

This video focuses on words of affirmation and how you can wrap up words as a tangible gift.

I hope these videos provide inspiration for creating personalized gifts. Please leave your ideas in the comments I’d love to hear to hear them. And please like, subscribe and follow on social media. A heart felt thanks! : )

Uncategorized

How Do I Pray for Ukraine?

The Kedge Anchor
WARNING: This video has audio and at times a chilling sound of sirens. https://bit.ly/3Mqmh6H

Where does one begin to pray for the Ukraine and the situation over there? It can be a bit overwhelming, where does one start.

So I asked God and searched the scriptures and this is where He lead me.

PRAY FOR GOD’S WILL Pray for God’s will to be done. Matthew 6:5-15 and Luke 11:1-13, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Is what’s happening God’s will? He is allowing it I don’t know why. Since the fall of man sin has overtaken the earth we are dealing with those consequences. Not all evil is ordained by God. Look at Job, God allowed Job to go through what he did to show that Job was faithful. If God is allowing something He has a purpose and a plan. We can pray against anything that is not from God. Isaiah 54:17  – “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…” What was meant for evil God will use for good – Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” That can be hard but we have to trust that God sees all and He’s allowing it for some reason.

PRAY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE, EVEN THOSE IN AUTHORITY Pray for God’s will to be done in each of everyone’s lives. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-4 – “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants ALL people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

PRAY FOR ENCOURAGEMENT Pray for ur brothers and sisters in Christ to be encouraged. Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” God has a way of bringing His people together. Ask God to allow their paths to cross so that they can encourage each other. We have a big God and He can use anything to encourage.

PRAY FOR COMFORT Pray for safety, pray for comfort, not only for physical comfort but many have lost loved ones and are mourning. Matthew 5:4 – “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

There are other ways to pray for this horrible situation, these are just a few suggestions for those who may be having a hard time finding words. Please share how you have been praying for the people in Ukraine and Russia. And if this post has helped you, please like and share.

Uncategorized

Happy New Year!

The Kedge Anchor

Happy New Year!

Thank you to all who follow The Kedge Anchor. In a time where things in this world seem to be upside down and chaotic we hope that you have found some encouragement here. After all we are all about anchoring in Hope.

Praying for peace, encouragement and that whatever you may be going through right now, God will use it to draw you closer to Him. Anchor in Him today.

Uncategorized

The Hope of a New Day

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

    “… for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Have you ever watched the sun rise? Each day is truly a gift from God. Don’t take that for granted especially if you are waking up in a warm bed. Each day God gives us is a new space in time. He gives us this new space in time in which to live, to repent, if we haven’t the day before, a new space in time to start over, to try again, to get it right. With each new day there is hope of a break through, there is hope of restoration, reconciliation. We can start anew everyday, fresh because His mercies are new every day.

We can begin each new day with pouring out your heart to God. Express your anger, disappointments, your plea for help, your sadness, sorrow, repentance. Express your joy, your thanksgiving, be grateful, the Bible does say, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. So right there if you are waking up and thanking God, you are doing God’s will.

We all have problems, we all carry them around with us. Reflect on the day before. Did you carry those problems into the new day? God asks us to give Him our burdens, Matthew 11:28-30, 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” To me without starting this new day and not recognizing whether or not I am still carrying my problems with me is like moving into a new house and bringing the garbage with you. God doesn’t want you to carry your problems. He wants them. God has given you this new day, this new time in space to give Him back your worries. We are human we tend to want to do things our way and in our time. But God’s ways aren’t our ways, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8 and everything in His time, “He has made everything beautiful in its time… ” Ecclesiastes 3:11. Those problems, the strongholds that challenge us everyday they may seem like they aren’t going away and they just shadow us day after day, give them to God, bring them to Him in prayer. God gives us enough grace and mercy for each day, not for the next day or the day after that, enough for today. We don’t have tomorrow, but God does go before us because He is omnipresent, eternal. And He does tell us not to take thought about tomorrow, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

We are human and just when we say ,”Ok God it’s yours, we sometimes can take it right back by fretting and trying to figure out how to solve the problem, either through manipulation, stealing, cheating, lying, whatever to change the situation. So what does that look like? What does giving it to God look like? What does it look like to you? How can we not let a situation overcome us?

This is what it looks like to me. Turning that worry into prayer. Pray God’s word, pray His promises back to Him. We can let God speak to us by quieting our hearts and not get distracted. His words have power and authority. What a great resource! Maybe try to reach out to someone. Maybe there is someone you know who may be struggling too, ask them how you can pray for them. Is there an elderly person or a shut in that needs some company or something done for them? Reach out to them, bring them a home cooked meal or a dessert and spend some time with them. Offer to babysit for a friend or a single parent. Write a letter, a good old fashion letter with pen and paper or even a greeting card with encouragement and mail it. Research shows that not only helping others feels good, but we can reap the benefits by helping others. While we are doing God’s work, by helping and ministering to others, we are taking letting God take our problems and worries by getting our minds off our problems. In Galatians 6:2, the Bible tells us to carry each other’s burdens; “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Sometimes it may be necessary to reach out to a counselor or therapist or a pastor for help. And that’s ok. God can use anyone and anything to help heal us. The struggle can be real and hard sometimes BUT with GOD… all things are possible, – Matthew 19:23-26. Watch the sunrise one day, get up early and begin your day pouring out your heart to God. There is HOPE. There is HOPE in each new day. Be encouraged.

Uncategorized

November 15, 2021 – Colossians 3:15

The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page, Colossians 3:15- “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” God asks us to be thankful. If you want to know the will of God, be thankful. Yes God has more than that for us to do, but it’s a good place to start if you are looking to do God’s will. We were called to be thankful and the peace of God to rule in our hearts. There are many benefits to being thankful. Being thankful can improve mental and physical health. Having a heart of gratitude can foster empathy and allow us to be content with what we already have. For are you thankful for today? Share in the comments and if you find encouragement in the post, please like and share.


Nov 15Download

Colossians 3:15

Uncategorized

Do You Think About What You Think About?

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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.

Uncategorized

February 1, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 16:14

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Porapak Apichodilok on Pexels.com

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Download the image to your phone as wallpaper or print it out to keep in front of you to help you memorize scripture.