"Running Home: The Anchor Holds (Behind The Story Series Part 6)

 

As we jump back into the world of Running Home, I am so excited to continue sharing the thoughts behind each individual story. A few weeks have passed by since my last post and today I wanted to revisit "The Anchor Holds".

The heart behind the scenes of this installment can only be described as a continuation of my own true-to-life salvation story. Knowing Jesus and loving Him has been my greatest joy.  The timespan between the first scene with Melda's mother asking her what was wrong, and the finishing scene where Melda is pouring out her heart of emotion to Jesus was in reality a gap of sixteen years within my own personal life. It was my heart's intention to include a story of healing and wholeness through the power of Christ within the series and this was the perfect way to capture it.

I chose to name the story "The Anchor Holds" because it is the title of a song that hit close to home for many years. I was never one to speak up for myself. The experience of a childhood riddled with sexual abuse, continuous bullying, and an absentee father shaped my view of the world and its inhabitants. Even though I was safe and secure in terms of my salvation, I felt ashamed of the chaos of my uncontrollable emotion. My heart knew what it needed to pray, but for the longest time...I only dreamt of being able to confront my past in a healthy way.

Yet, my Savior never left my side. Not even once.

Jesus is always the faithful anchor that holds us in place and carries us through those moments of time when we can't seem to find the words or the courage to pray. Our emotions often cause us to drift into the sea of confusion, doubt, and personal grief. The aftermath of traumatic experiences can only be defined as indescribably painful in nature.

The comfort that can be found through pouring out your heart to Jesus is truly wonderful. The healing process is challenging and the only hint of encouragement I can give through writing this is that it all takes a little time, patience, and most importantly, prayer. Please know that the power of His saving grace will not only rescue you from an eternity spent in the Lake of Fire but it will also bestow upon you the hope of a better day and the promise of unconditional love. Jesus is the greatest source of healing that one will ever know.

My message today is simple: 

Don't allow the deceptive fear and shame within your psyche to steal your joy. Never be afraid to come to Jesus and to surrender the poisonous sorrow that has taken up residence within you. He knows your heart and will NEVER condemn you for situations that weren't your fault to begin with. Know that salvation and having faith is never about a feeling; there are some days when emotions will resolve you into a puddle. There are times when He may seem far away, but I promise you...Jesus is always right there waiting for you to run to Him no matter the situation. Those words ring true whether you are saved or lost. 

You are NEVER in too dark of a place for Jesus to rescue you. You can have joy unspeakable because of His infinite mercy and grace.

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 KJV)

And you will NEVER be in storms that are too severe for His anchor to hold. His loving presence will always be enough to sustain you. 

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1 KJV)

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV)

 

"Running Home: The Rescuer" (Behind The Story Series Part 5)

 

    "The Rescuer" was formed and written as a true-to-life salvation story. I knew in my heart when I wrote it that this was a turning point in the series; it holds a crucial message for many in this world. I hope that through my words, those who have not trusted in Christ to save them from their sins and from spending an eternity in Hell will do so before it's everlasting too late. I prayed fervently over each story, but "The Rescuer" was the main feature of the entire project.

When I think of Jesus, describing Him as a "rescuer" seems like a perfect fit. I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of twelve. I was raised by a single mother and within those first few years, after my father chose his absence, a cloud of emotional tribulation soon appeared. I truly felt as if I was always a little girl who found herself running away from painful situations; my life was never at peace, and my heart was always searching for an escape. 

However, it doesn't matter what your current circumstances are or what kind of childhood experience you had; even the best of lives lived without Christ have the same ending result.

A life that's never at peace. A heart that's always searching for an escape: a place to belong, and a remedy for brokenness. Days without an ounce of purposeful direction and eventual eternal separation from God.

A life without Him will leave your heart filled with emptiness and no hope at all; in this world, being accepted by an ever-changing society holds no eternal value. The best man-made medicines or therapies will never be a healer of sorrow; they will simply act as a temporary band-aid that fails to address the root cause.

Friend, there's no greater remedy for your sorrow than placing your life into the hands of Jesus. If He's tugging at your heart, please don't ignore Him. Tomorrow is never promised. He loves you more than you could ever fathom. The past seventeen (almost eighteen) years with Jesus as my Savior have been a whirlwind of purposeful lessons and experiences. I've not regretted it one bit! 

He is the rescuer of my soul and continues to fight battles for me every single day; Jesus rejoices with me on my greatest days and carries me through the darkest of valleys. My heart always needs the Lord. I wouldn't be able to write any meaningful messages or stories without having His hand of guidance upon each of them. I praise His name for every bit of my journey! 

There is hope to be found for the hopeless.

There's victory to be claimed for the defenseless. 

There's a remedy for the broken-hearted.

There's a beautiful story of His grace within your mess just waiting to be told.

Jesus holds a desire to rescue you and no one is ever too lost to save. Please don't go another second without asking Him into your heart. Tomorrow is never promised. He is not willing that anyone should perish. 

Anyone means YOU.

The Bible Way to Heaven

 

We’re All Sinners: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

 

We Were Sent A Savior: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

 

We Were Supplied A Gift: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

 

We Can Simply Call: “For whosoever shall upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

 

We Must Confess: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”. (Romans 10:9)

Stick Like Glue (Part 1)

In light of current world affairs, the term sticking together comes to mind. How many of you have an important person in your life? Someone you couldn't imagine being without? Someone you love with all of your heart? 

Your hearts have held onto a promise to stick to each other like glue. Am I right?

The buddy system is very helpful in traveling through this life. No one should ever walk the path alone. 

However, as I lead into my message today...

The fact that we are human and are naturally drawn to this world leaves room for us to often be stuck like glue to the all of the wrong things...(in this regard,  words from the world that give us happiness instead of joy, distraction instead of peace, fear in place of concern. (There's a vast difference between fear and concern)

Now, in thinking again of your important someone...not only SHOULD you lean on them for support...but most of all, you should know that Jesus wants to stick like glue to you, too. He wants to spend time with you. His desires are to fill your heart with the peace and joy of His presence. He desires to teach you His ways and to show you what true unconditional love is. He wants to be that friend your heart so desperately needs. 

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17 KJV)

Allow Him to clean off the dust and the dirt from your life and to cover you with His mercy and grace. His presence will never falter. His saving grace will forever keep you. His love will give you strength for each and every day. 

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 KJV)

Through it all, make sure you stick like glue to Jesus.

An Endangered Generation (Armor of Salvation Series Part 1)

 

    I've spent the past several days deeply immersed in thought over the state of the world and the desperate need for hope to be placed into the hearts of many. The unwelcoming darkness is creating an endangered generation as its raging presence is becoming widely celebrated and welcomed with open arms. Social media accounts continue to reveal the declining condition of today's society: an epidemic of filtered selfies, promotion of sinful behaviors, and the dangerous practice of loving oneself. 

People are angry and in search of lasting hope and a place to belong; a source of refuge for an endangered generation. The ever-growing deception on this planet has hearts turning away from the most valuable wisdom they could ever receive: the unchanging truth that will keep one safe from the stranger danger that has taken hold and firmly protected from the path of eternal destruction.

Oh, how we all need the wisdom and protection from God as we travel through this land.

The term 'stranger danger' came to mind as I was forming my actual thoughts surrounding this post because that's a simple and accurate description of what is happening. Countless souls are being lured by the pleasures of this temporary world; boundaries continue to be pushed and the line drawn between what's defined as good versus what is evil doesn't seem to exist anymore. 

The world stands to offer us no protection at all from the perilous times we are living in.  The faithful shield that the presence of Jesus provides is the strongest form of safety one will ever know. 

Keep your eyes watchful and your hearts prepared and protected. I have written a few (hopefully) helpful survival tips for an endangered generation. 

Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings: I know. I know. You are probably reading this and thinking, "I am aware"....the ongoing destruction of this world is on display. So much evil continues to unfold and the hearts of many are crumbling. The world of your surroundings offers no lasting hope; there is a nasty author of confusion among us. The greatest promise of safety and truth to be found is through trusting in Jesus. Know that life is but a vapor and that tomorrow is never promised. This planet and its pleasures are temporal, but the love of Christ is eternal.

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 KJV)

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8 KJV)

Always Ask For Help: Jesus is the helpful hand that is always willing and able to meet whatever physical or emotional need we may have. The unconditional love of Jesus and His incomparable strength waits for anyone who will call upon His name. 

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13 KJV)

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Phillipians 4:19 KJV)

Secure Your Armor:  Placing your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is of utmost importance. It is the greatest form of protection you will ever possess amongst the evil in this world. Your place of eternal residence is a serious matter. God is not willing that any should perish. You don't have to live another day without the armor of salvation. You don't have to face another moment of hopelessness; for Jesus is the greatest source of refuge in the midst of an endangered generation.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

 "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:11-13 KJV)