An Anchor for my soul....

As we approach the end of summer and the beginning of the seasons changing once again, I find myself reflecting on what holds my life together.  What anchors me?  What allows me to be held or kept in a place of peace and/or contentment?  What holds me to a specific harbor, if you will?

An anchor is a metal device that is attached to a vessel and cast overboard to keep the vessel in place.  To be anchored is to be held or to hold onto.  If we are talking about a ship, it is many times anchored in a harbor or moored in a specific location.

What location are you in at this moment?  Are you in a place of peace?  Contentment?  Calmness?  Tranquility?  Do you feel composed?  Do you have serenity in your soul?  What causes that in a person's life?  As you can imagine, there are many, many answers to those questions and I hope you will investigate and find your own answer....

For me, the answer if found in one of my favorite Scripture verses in Hebrews 6.  This verse confirms where my soul anchors itself to and what gives me supreme peace amongst a world torn with suffering.

Hebrews 6: 16-20 says:

"Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.  Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath.  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.  We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure.  it enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a High Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Does that verse speak to you in your soul?  Do you have hope?  Do you have a firm and secure place to anchor your soul?  Think about your answer and reflect on what harbor you may be in at this moment.

I believe there is an anchor for each soul.......and, I know there is someone that holds me safe from winds of adversity, sickness, fear, doubt and the troubles of this world.  There is Someone who holds me close.  Someone who never leaves me nor forsakes me.  And, that Someone is Jesus Christ.

I pray each of you will find this peace and comfort.  I pray you will find this anchor for your soul.   It is an incredible "knowing" that I am home where my "True North" is and my soul belongs.

Melodies, art and miracles....

 I was reading one of my devotions today from The Upper Room Ministries and wanted to share these wonderful revelations....

As I walk each evening after work, I purposely do not have portable music running through my ears....I listen to the birds chirping, the rustling of the leaves of the trees I walk past, and enjoy the calm of the waters gurgling in the stream beside the trail.  It is truly God's symphony!!  Think of that!  God creates melodies in nature all around us!!! His artwork is incredibly beautiful, serene and gorgeous!  His miracles surround us every day, yet do we see them?  Do we look for them?  To we watch for them?  There are a million peaceful sounds that we can hear just by going outside and listening!!!

Today, go for a long walk....or, tonight,go outside and look up at the stars, clouds or whatever is shining down from above.....listen for the sounds of the locusts, the crickets, the frogs in the distance...and listen for your neighbor's wind chimes....don't let the distractions of our everyday life rob you of the beauty of nature and God's Glory!

Then, listen for the voice of God speaking to your heart.  What do you hear?  A melody of joy from Him? Do you see the artwork He created in you?  Have you witnessed the miracle of life?  God has provided an entire natural symphony in His creation.  Just for you....just for me!!!

Go.....experience it!  

Still your mind and your heart and listen.....for He says in Psalm 46:10:

"Be still and KNOW that I am God."