Tag: hopeforthefutre

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All Things Work Together, Even Our Brokenness – Part 1

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When God created us He had a purpose in mind. Like like an artist has a plan for a piece of art. An artist is usually inspired by something to create a piece of art and has a plan and a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is to just add beauty, or it may be more functional to hold flowers or utensils, or something from which to drink, maybe to carry light.

God uses the imagery of a potter sculpting a piece of pottery. “Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV). God formed us in His image, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, …” Genesis 1:26 (NIV). And He has a plan for our lives, “For I know the plans I have for you, …” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).


When the potter takes a block of clay, or a lump of clay it has no aesthetic form. The clay out of the package is moist and pliable, it can be easily formed and molded into anything the potter wants.


But before the potter begins, the potter has a plan, a design and a purpose in mind for the pot. The clay is slapped down on the potter’s wheel and is pounded. It is kneaded like bread to get the air out. The potter does this for a few minutes and as he does this kneading process, the clay becomes warm and softer. The the clay is slapped down one more time on the wheel and as the wheel begins to turn the potter wraps his hands around the lump of clay and begins to give it form. The clay can get a little dry from the friction of the potter’s hands, so the potter wets his hands and adds water to the clay and continues to shape and form the pot.
Now comes the time to add more pressure, this time from the top to make an opening, hollowing out the inside. By adding pressure at certain points on the outside, the potter can create grooves and curves giving the pot some interest and design. The potter is almost done. The lip of the pot is formed and smoothed out, he gives the it one final spin on the wheel, checking it, looking it over. The wheel stops and he takes a piece of string, slides it under the newly formed pot and lifts it off the wheel.

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; …”

Isaiah 64:8


He takes it to a shelf with other pieces to dry for a few weeks. That clay, that lump of clay has been through a lot, pounding, kneading, spinning, pressure from all sides, from the top, emptied out, now resting on shelf, in the stillness, nothing happening, no movement, other pieces come and go, it’s still there just resting until the potter is ready to bake it.


The days pass and the potter takes the pot off the shelf. It is dry now. It is ready. It is ready to be baked in the kiln. The temperature in a kiln gets between 2124 – 2264 degrees Fahrenheit. The pot will bake for up to ten hours in the kiln. When the firing is complete and things have cooled down the potter takes the pot and gets it ready for its desired use.


The potter’s room is square like most rooms and as a matter of fact everything is square in the room, pictures, windows, furniture, books, bookcases, area rugs, tables, everything is square. The pot is round and will add contrast to the square room. (sometimes a contrast could be a compliment, opposites do attract). It will be obvious of it’s roundness. The pot will also have several uses. It will first hold fresh cut flowers. When the flowers fade the potter has another use, to hold paint brushes , pens, and pencils.


But one day the pot falls and breaks into several several pieces. Still, the potter loves this little pot and puts it back together. The cracks form an interesting pattern and the potter paints the cracks into a pretty motif. He adds more fresh flowers and water. The pot is holding water again. The pot is more beautiful with it’s pretty painted motif. It’s adding more beauty to the room, standing out even more.

How much like that pot are we after we are broken and healed? How have you experienced brokenness? Have you healed? Are you the same? What has changed for you?

Pause and think about your brokenness, where has it brought it you? How have you healed? Maybe you haven’t healed, maybe you’re in the process. There is hope and there’s more to this story, like there’s more to our brokenness. Stay tuned for next week.

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April 19, 2021 – Luke 24:6-7

The Kedge Anchor

He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Luke 24:6-7

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

To download, click on the image, click file, click save. Save anywhere on your device and go into your wallpaper settings on your device it’s that easy. : )

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March 29, 2021 – Isaiah 41:10

The Kedge Anchor

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

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

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March 1, 2021 – Philippians 4:19

The Kedge Anchor

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

The month of March is all about God’s promises. The world maybe celebrating luck and finding pots of gold but the Word of God and the His promises it contains are worth more than any pot of gold.

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

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Boldness – Sharing Our Faith

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Oliver Sju00f6stru00f6m on Pexels.com

Why do we find it hard to share our faith? We readily share our passion for our hobbies, TV shows, or sports but when it comes to our faith, we shy away. Why? Perhaps we are afraid we may offend someone and they won’t like us anymore. Or maybe we just don’t feel like we are adequately well versed to share what we know about God and His Word. Perhaps we fear we may get a question we can’t or don’t know how to answer.

We are commanded to share the Gospel: “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” – Matthew 16:15. (NKJV) When God says “Go”, GO! It may feel uncomfortable, it may feel weird, but we can trust God to give us the words we need at the right time when we have His Words in our minds and in our hearts. “The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary.” (NIV) – Isaiah 50:4.

Yet there are a few benefits for sharing what we know. We don’t know everything there is about God and the Bible and that’s ok. When we share what we know, we are increasing our own knowledge. Repeating what we know helps us learn and helps us to remember. Our learning and our memories benefit from active involvement. Hearing ourselves repeat what we know helps us retain that information. Thus, why here at the Kedge Anchor, Memorize Mondays is offered to help anyone who wants to memorize scripture. And having scripture stored in your memory you will be more confident to recall God’s Words when you are sharing. And more importantly sharing our faith, can lead others to God and salvation. The Holy Spirit will help you recall what you have learned and in the process of sharing don’t be surprised if God reveals something to you whilst you are sharing. It can happen. I’m not just talking about sharing just the Gospel, I’m talking about sharing our experiences, our walk with God, His promises. God will use anything to lead you to share the Gospel.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:11

The waterfall in the picture in this post, reminds me how powerful the God’s Word can be. The waterfall has tons of pressure and force behind it, yet it’s beauty is inviting, captivating and mesmerizing. When we are presenting God’s Word, be it the Gospel, or a promise, or just words of encouragement, when spoken in truth and grace, those words will be inviting, captivating and mesmerizing. God can use anyone, anything, any circumstance for your to share His Word.

So, you maybe asking, how? Practice. Practice just sharing your faith or what you have learned with another believer. Share your faith online. Be bold. If you lose a few friends, then pray for them. A seed has been planted and God will take care of it. Practice living your faith out day to day. Our actions speak louder than words and when others see our responses in certain situations they will wonder, “what do they have, that I don’t have?” Memorize scripture. Sometimes you may not learn a verse word for word, but knowing where it lives in the Bible you can pull it up on your phone. Here is one I find useful: thebible.com. If we are living out what we have learned that too is an active involvement. Start little by little. Be vulnerable when sharing. It’s hard, it’s not easy. We all want to be accepted but we need to live out the Gospel in BOLDNESS!

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Can We Find Hope in Perseverance?

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Lena Khrupina on Pexels.com

We could all use some encouragement and hope these days. Can we be encouraged and find hope through persevering?

As God’s children we should want to please our Heavenly Father. We can glorify God in what He asks of us and even in the midst of a trial. Jesus set that example for us. He glorified His Father by completing the work He was asked to do here on earth, even to the cross.- John 17:4. When God puts before us a task or places us in a situation that tests our faith we can find ourselves uncomfortable and want to quit. Sometimes we have no choice but to endure, yet we must persevere. Jesus set the example for us when He endured the cross to complete the task His Father asked of Him, to die for the sins of the world. – John 3:16

Perseverance is the ability to progress in spite of adversity.

Jerry Bridges

When our boss asks us do something, we can choose to do it or not to do it. But by choosing not to do it or do it poorly dishonors our boss. Whether or not we agree with the task or enjoy doing it, we complete the task to honor our boss. Luke 9:51 – “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” (NIV). Jesus was resolute in carrying out the task His Father set before Him. He endured the cross for us to glorify His Father.

So when God sets before us a task we need to resolve that we want to glorify and honor God. Even if given a list from our spouse, parent, or whomever, when we complete the task for them we are honoring God as well. By anchoring in Christ, we have this hope firm and secure – Hebrew 6:19, giving us the ability to persevere, especially through a trial. Knowing that Jesus endured the cross for us so that the Father would be glorified we can find encouraging because Jesus knows what it’s like to face a trial.

We can find encouragement as God provides what we need to endure and persevere. His provision gives us hope that we can accomplish what He has asked us to do.

When we see how God provides what we need, it gives us hope and encouragement that we will be able to accomplish the task or endure the trial so that God will be glorified.

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“…let words of prayer be on our lips.”

The Kedge Anchor

Nothing, nothing surprises God. There is nothing new under the sun. A new administration has begun in our government and some citizens are feeling disappointment whiles others maybe celebrating. One thing holds true and remains the same, God still sits on the throne. He knew before the foundations of the world how this election was going to play out and He knows the future. Daniel 2:21 – “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” God is in control.

Now, whether or not we agree with the outcome, we have a new president. We don’t have to agree on anything and we don’t have to resort to violence or name bashing and tearing other people down. What we need to do as Christians is pray for our leaders. The Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” And in Romans 13:1 – “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” We need to pray for our leaders. As hard as that may be, we need to pray for them.

When authorities begin to cause us to go against scripture and disobey God that’s when we need to resolve who we are worshipping. Who will we obey? As Daniel resolved to do when King Darius ordered that everyone worship him, if anyone was caught praying to any other god or man beside Darius, they would be thrown in the lion’s den. Daniel had been getting down on his knees praising and worshipping God three times a day and he resolved that nothing was going to change that. It cost him a night in the lion’s den, but God protected him and shut the lion’s mouth. The next morning, King Darius saw no harm was done to Daniel. He recognized that the God Daniel worshipped was indeed God.

Philippians 4:8-9 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.’ ” When we think bad of others, we are dishonoring God. We are to take every thought captive. – 2 Corinthians 10:5. Will you resolve with me to think good of others and pray for our leaders? We won’t be perfect at it, we will have days. But God is gracious, just and willing to forgive us. – 1 John 1:9

God still sits on the throne, He is in control and He is sovereign.

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When Worry Becomes Consuming

The Kedge Anchor
Dark, still waters. Light is limited, can’t see and not moving anywhere, need direction and light. Is this you right now? Read on.

Waiting on the Lord when you need an answer from Him, or direction, or a healing can be difficult. It’s those difficult times it seems like we are walking in a wilderness, or in still waters and we need to do some kedging (see the About page). We can’t see the light, we don’t know in what direction to turn, we search for answers to the point we become consumed with the problem. We need to consume ourselves with THE problem solver. Jesus.

So often we hear people tell us to “just give it to God”, “hand your problems to Him”, and, I like this one, “Try not to worry about it.” All given with good intent and probably for a lack of not knowing what to say. Even the Bible does tell us not to worry – Matthew 6:25 -34, but God also gives us some instruction in verse 33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness“. So when we read or hear those words, “Give it to God”, what does that look like? I believe that handing it over to God is going to vary slightly for everyone. But I do believe there are two important practices with which we can start. First, we need to pray and read God’s Word. (Those two go hand in hand) Obvious I know, but it’s how we pray; pray specifically. God knows our situation, after all He is in control and nothing surprises Him, – Hebrews 4:13, but He still waits and wants to hear from His children. So perhaps we can pray specifically for putting the right people in our paths to encourage, speak truth to us, and that our eyes and hearts are open to them. There’s a quote in a book by Ruth Chou Simons titled Gracelaced, an awesome devotional, beautifully illustrated in watercolors and photographs that takes you through the truths from God’s Word as you transition through seasons of life. There is one quote that really stood out to me. “God is more interested in your desperate need for His lamp-lit direction than your path-paving skills.” By praying and reading God’s Word, getting to know Him more, and growing closer to Him, we will begin to focus less on our current situation and more on Him and what He has to say to us. We also begin to see the light on His path, just enough for the next step. That’s all we need. Any more would overwhelm us and if we knew more than we needed, we would be relying on that knowledge and not trusting God and “His lamp-lit direction”. Besides we only have today, not yesterday, and tomorrow is history. Focus on scripture, write out a scripture verse for the day, carry it with you, memorize it, draw it, paint it, sing it, whatever is going to help you remember it. This needs to be a daily practice. And when we come out of this wilderness, hopefully we are still practicing this important step.

The second thing we can do is serve. Text a friend ask them “how can I pray for you today?” and pray for them. A handwritten note is always encouraging and who doesn’t like to get a nice surprise in the mail? Ask to serve at church, a local non-profit, look to your neighbors, ask a friend if you can babysit so they can have a date night, mow a lawn, etc. I know serving may look different in this current state of lockdown and limited mobility. But there are ways to get creative. It may be just serving your family at home. Serving others helps get our minds off ourselves and our problems.

“God is more interested in your desperate need for His lamp-lit direction than your path-paving skills.”

Ruth Chou Simons

This is not to say that worry isn’t going to creep in. If you’re like me, “ok God, not going to worry about this, this is yours to handle, Amen.” LOL right? Ten seconds later, I’m back where I started. That’s ok. We. Are. Human. And once again, God isn’t surprised. So we need to recognize our worry and hand it back over to God with a prayer of asking for forgiveness and moving forward. Pick up the verse you wrote down and read it again, this time from memory, if you can. This is also not to say we can’t do anything at all. If it’s a financial struggle, a health issue, a relationship issue, a spiritual battle, whatever it is we are trying to navigate, we can still do a part. For example, if it’s a health issue, we can research healthy ways to combat it or search for a doctor that specializes in the health issue, but what we can’t do is obsess over it. And we will, from time to time, find ourselves obsessing. That’s when we need to repent and release it back to God. Walk away from it, regain our focus. As it was said in Hope for the Future Part 2, “While it’s good to plan and prepare responsibly, it’s bad to dwell and worry about all the ways our planning could go wrong.”

So when we feel like we are wandering or sailing in uncharted waters, seeking God’s “lamp-lit direction” by “kedging” (spiritual kedging) or pulling closer to Him, seeking Him in His Word daily, we allow God to show us the light and lead us in the right direction.

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