Category: Christian Living

Christian Living, faith

Are You Looking For Something More?

by securelyanchored1 Comment on Are You Looking For Something More?
Are You Looking For Something More?

After watching a recent television advertizement I could only shake my head. A young woman was ordering an ice cream sundae and asking the waitress to pour more toppings on it and more and MORE until it is absoulutely ridiculous. The add was not for an all you can eat ice cream bar but for a lawyers’ firm. You deserve MORE. The commercial really sends the wrong message – more leverage or money doesn’t fix any problem. Are you looking for more education, satisfaction, success, money, power…the list goes on. Is bigger really better?

I was talking with a friend who had achieved her Masters degree which is something to be proud of. She bought a home and had a good job but seemed to be looking for something more. I explained that we are all designed with an empty void in our soul which can only be filled by a relationship with God.

Quoted review from Rotten Tomataoes: ” JESUS REVOLUTION is the story of one young hippie’s quest in the 1970s for belonging and liberation that leads not only to peace, love, and rock and roll, but that sets into motion a new counterculture crusade–a Jesus Movement–changing the course of history. Inspired by a true movement, JESUS REVOLUTION tells the story of a young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) being raised by his struggling mother, Charlene (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) in the 1970s. Laurie and a sea of young people descend on sunny Southern California to redefine truth through all means of liberation. Inadvertently, Laurie meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie-street-preacher, and Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer) who have thrown open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to a stream of wandering youth. What unfolds becomes the greatest spiritual awakening in American history. Rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith lead to a JESUS REVOLUTION that turns one counterculture movement into a revival that changes the world.” I strongly recommend watching this.

These young people called “Hippies” were anti-establishment, protesting the war in Vietnam and the government. They wore strange clothes, sported long hair and advocated spontanaity and “free love” while delving into alcohol and hallucinogenic drugs to elevate their consciousness. They were seeking for something more than what they were being offered and they found it in following Jesus.

Mark 10:17–22 (ESV)
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ”20And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Contrary to the “hippies”, that threw everything conventional away, this young man appeared to have it all. He was a good law abiding citizen, cared for his parents and was well off. The young man was checking off his list and something was missing. The aposte Paul was considered “the best of the best” as a Pharisee but was crusading for the wrong side. When he came face to face with Jesus he was radically changed forever.

Philippians 3:4–8 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)
Paul writes: even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree:5a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Ben-jamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law;6a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.7The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. 8Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ

Where are you on your journey in life my friend? Are you searching for something new, bigger, better? Just like the young man and the Apostle Paul even though life looks good and are doing all the right things, is your heart still empty? If today was your last day on earth do you have peace and assurance that you will enter heaven? Maybe you have been looking in the wrong places because things on this earth do not last.

Matthew 6:19–21,25 (ESV) – from the sermon on the mount
19“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 11:28 (The Message) Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

The Imperials – More Than You’ll Ever Know

If I could find the right words to say
To tell you just what Christ means to me
I’d say He is more than I could show
And more than you’ll ever know

If you could have seen me just yesterday
You’d know why He’s life and He’s breath to me
You’d know why He’s more than I could show
And more than you’ll ever know

Christ means more to me than you’ll ever know
Christ means more to me than I could possibly show
More, more, so much more, He’s more than you’ll ever know

Christian Living, faith

My Word for 2023

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My Word for 2023

For the past few years I have been challenged by several of my writing peers to choose one word for the year to focus on. To choose a word or words to incorporate into everyday living that will sharpen my thinking ,Bible reading and prayer life. In the past I’ve used “Choose Joy” “Behold” “Be Still” and “Grace”. This year I will focus on “Steadfast“. It means: firmly fixed in place, immovable, not subject to change. The word was first used in battle contexts to describe warriors who stood their ground. (common dictionary) It also means to be firm in belief and determination, loyal and faithful.

The Bible uses the word to mean to be unwavering in your faith. Being steadfast means we won’t let circumstances dictate our idea of God. God is God and bigger than our problems no matter what we think or feel. Trusting that He knows better than we do gives peace of mind.

Isaiah 26:3–4 (ESV)
 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

There are many stories about people who remained steadfast even during horrific circumstances in the Bible. An old favorite of mine is Daniel. Captured and transported from Israel to Babylon as a teenager he and a few friends were pressed into service of the King. They determined to be the best workers they could be but would never compromise their faith. Daniel served several different kings throughout his lifetime and despite an immpecable record there were always others in the court who were jealous and tried to get rid of him.

Daniel 6:4–5 (ESV)
4Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

The officials found a way to trap him by tricking the king to make a decree against praying to any God except the king. Daniel refused to stop praying or hide and was thrown in a lions den. God protected Daniel all night long. I honestly don’t know if I would have that much faith and courage. God is always faithful and we can trust in His goodness despite how things look.

Deuteronomy 7:9–10 (ESV)
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

James 1:2–4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

For Daniel, there was no room for compromise. He did his job in serving the king with excellence but obeyed the Lord above all else no matter what the cost. He may have been able to return to Jerusalem with the other exiles but stayed where God placed him. Daniel trusted God and fully believed the scriptures even in the face of death. He knew that ultimately God was in control. From his example and many others we are challenged to remain steadfast. It is too easy to compromise on what we believe or look around and feel like God isn’t paying attention. Will you dare to be like Daniel?

Christian Living, Encouragement

No More Resolutions, Excuses and Regrets

by securelyanchored1 Comment on No More Resolutions, Excuses and Regrets
No More Resolutions, Excuses and Regrets

I stopped making a “new years’ resolution” several years ago because they just didn’t stick. We all know in January the gyms are full and so are Weight Watchers and other dieting programs. Memberships start to dwindle in March. (I know, I have tried several gyms but I don’t enjoy going to the gym…) The intentions are good but often the goals are fuzzy or not worth the effort to follow through.

The noun resolution has a few related meanings having to do with being firmly determined about something. If you lack determination, you’ll never fulfill your New Year’s resolutions. . If you approach a task with resolution, you do it with determination. And if you make a resolution, you make a firm decision to do something or meet some goal. ( from vocabualry.com)

Because many of our resolutions are just wishful thinking, what follows is a terrible cycle of excuses with all the reasons to justify why we quit moving forward and even going backwards. This in turn can lead to regret if we do not learn from the experience. The Bible refers to regret as a way for Satan to get inside you mentally. Regret can be devastating if we don’t keep it in check. The apostle Paul addressed the root of the problem.

Romans 7:15–25 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)
What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.

How can we fortify our resolve to be better, do better? First we need to recognize our strengths and weaknesses before making plans. It is all too easy to let the tyranny of the urgent to take over. The newest crisis or “important” activity bumps what we know we should do. Sometimes I find myself living by the boxes on my calendar without leaving margins for health and soul care if I don’t prioritize and ask for God’s help.

We all need to begin the new year and every new day with a the right attitude for a fresh start.

Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold (sustain) me with a willing spirit. ( NIV reads : renew a steadfast spirit within me)

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Psalm 37:5 (ESV) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Instead of making a “resolution” try to form specific goals for the month or year. Ask yourself how important each goal is. What will it take to start moving in a positive direction to reach the goal? What are some action steps to take? How long will the goal really take to complete or see a difference? This is a more thoughtful process to get things accomplished. Blessings are in the new year my friends if we look to Him for guidance, discernment and determination.

A riddle for the new year: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!

Christian Living, faith

Have You Heard the Pumpkin Gospel?

by securelyanchoredLeave a Comment on Have You Heard the Pumpkin Gospel?
Have You Heard the Pumpkin Gospel?

A story of a new start with God!

My big round pumpkin shows me God gives us a clean heart.

He will forgive our mess-ups. He offers a new start.

The slime that fills the pumpkin, all stringy slipp’ry goo,

reminds me of my insides before God makes me new.

I scoop the mushy gushies like God cleans out my sin,

When He says “I forgive you,” I smile a great big grin.

Come look into my pumpkin: he is all clean inside.

And outside he is wearing a smile that’s big and wide.

God’s love is like a candle that shines from iside out.

It’s beaming deep within me, and so I now can shout.

To glow like my big pumpkin and have a nice clean heart,

ask God to please forgive you. You’ll have a brand new start.

By Mary Manz Simon

Matthew 5:14–16
14You are the light of the world. A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden,
15nor do they light a lamp and place it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines on all those in the house.
16In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Dear Readers, This delightful story, “The Pumpkin Gospel ” can be found in boardbook style on Amazon and at Christianbook.com for your children and grandchildren.

Christian Living, faith

Majesty, Monarchy and Sovereignty

by securelyanchored1 Comment on Majesty, Monarchy and Sovereignty
Majesty, Monarchy and Sovereignty

The Western world has been closely following the funeral proceedings for Queen Elizabeth, the longest reinging Monarch of the British Empire. The costumes, choreographed pageantry and traditions have held us captivated because they date back hundreds of years. Elizabeth stood for continuity and tradition even though she withstood a tremendous amount of change within her family, her country and the world. Even her kingdom has become smaller through the decades since 1953.

A monarchy is a form of government in which a person, the monarch, is head of state for life or until abdication. The succession in many cases is heriditary. It was the most common form of government until the 20th century. Most of todays modern monarchies tend to be constitutional in nature that exercize limited or no political power.

I learned that only the Queen (or now King) is referred to as Her Majesty. All other royalty are calledYour Highness . Majesty is a noun meaning regal, lofty or imposing grandeur, the supreme greatness or authority. Although Queen Elizabeth was sovereign (the only one, highest rank of the monarchy) she too bowed before the God of heaven and earth recognizing that He placed her in her position and she had a duty and responsibility to rule wisely.

Besides the crown, the other objects that signify the British monarchy are the Orb and Scepter which were crafted in 1661. The Orb is an eleven inch hollow gold sphere with a cross on top representing the monarch’s power in the Christian world. The three foot long Scepter represents the temporal power of the king or queen in the secular world and is associated with good governance.

What is the biblical definition of sovereignty? The bible teaches us that God is the source of all creation and that all things come from and depend upon God. Sovereignty means that God as ruler of the Universe, is free to do whatever he wants. He is not bound or limited by the dictates of his creation or created beings. He is in complete control over everything that happens here on this earth and throughout the universe. He is Lord of heaven and earth and cannot be opposed. He does not change. God is Omnicient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. Read Psalm 139

Colossians 1:16–17 (ESV)
16For 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.
17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)
17‘Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

What a comfort to know that God loved us so much He sent His Son to restore the broken relationship between us. The Sovereign God of the universe promises to be with us, guide us and give us strength to make wise decisions every day. He holds us together when we feel like everything around us is falling apart. Our God is an awesome God.

Christian Living, soul care

Perils of Social Media

by securelyanchored1 Comment on Perils of Social Media
Perils of Social Media

I have to confess that I’ve found myself wasting way too much time scrolling through Facebook posts.  I casually pick up my phone and look to see local news, friendly posts and then something catches my eye like “Weird Tales From the Woods” and I get sucked in. It’s like falling into a black hole and waking up to find I’ve been drifting for a half an hour or more.  What happened and where did the time go?  It definitely becomes more of a problem when I am bored or feeling lonely.

woman-3083376__340 It’s a waste of time to engage in political or ethical discussions which then become debates that spiral into pointless arguments. Warning alarms go off in my head telling me to EXIT quickly. )  I had to unfriend one person because I  thought I was having a discussion with him when two of his “Facebook friends” jumped in and started to verbally attack me when they realized I was a person of faith.

“… guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge… ”     1 Tim 6:20 (NLT)

I was not raised in an era of instant technology and information. I have learned the hard way to be very careful when commenting on a friends’ post or re-post.  The definition for discernment is:     1. the ability to judge well.   2.   (in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding.

Social Media can be such a wonderful thing. I love seeing pictures of friends and their texting-1490691_960_720children, grandchildren, celebrations and travels. I appreciate the encouragement of a shared scripture verse or sermon link. It is exciting to read updates from missionaries and ministries we prayerfully and financially support. Multimedia is such an important part of our everyday it would be hard to live without it.  Slowly I have become more aware of the dangers of time thieves, half-truths, one-sided news and opinions. I have also blocked acquaintances that share photos or memes that I don’t care to see!

Did you know that the Bible gives guidelines for what we view in any kind of media even though It was written thousands of years ago?!

23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech.
25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.                              Prov 4:23-27 (NLT)

We need to guard our hearts, minds and time. An old computer expression was “garbage in – garbage out” – you need to have clean programming for the system to work properly.  Sometimes its a matter of training and discipline. God has given us passages like this one to use as a guideline.

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.           Phil 4:8-9 (NLT)

As for me, I am going to limit my time on Facebook. I need to avoid the click-bait sites . I will try to stay away from the  political blah blah blah and discern what is true from other sources.  I really do want to use my time wisely and protect my heart. I encourage you to use the verses above to help you gain a new perspective on  the use of social media and Christian living today.

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