<![CDATA[Anchored Hope Blog

<![CDATA[Anchored Hope Blog - Blog]]>Tue, 19 May 2026 03:42:35 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Talking Back to Our Self-Condemnations]]>Mon, 18 May 2026 11:30:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/talking-back-to-our-self-condemnations

I messed up again. When will I ever learn?
I let them down, I’m such a failure.
Why did that happen to me?

Guilty. Ashamed. Unworthy.

We regret poor choices we made. Life circumstances overwhelm us. We wonder if God still loves us and how we could ever be useful. When these thought patterns overwhelm us, instead of listening to our negative self-condemnations, it’s time to talk back to ourselves. We need to tell ourselves who we are in Christ.

In Ephesians 1, Paul reminds us of our identity in Christ. These reminders are God-breathed truths that describe our present, spiritual reality.

“...blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing…” (verse 3)
When we start to dwell in the bog of self-pity, we can replace those thoughts with reminders of the spiritual blessings we have in Christ.

“...Chose us in him before the foundation of the world…” (verse 4)
Even before he created the world, God chose us. Not because we would be perfect, but because Christ lived the perfect life. And so, in Christ, we are made holy.

“...we have redemption through his blood, forgiveness of our trespasses…” (verse 7)
As believers, we are redeemed and forgiven. What we did ten years ago, or yesterday, or three weeks from now is covered by Jesus’ blood that was shed for us. We do not need to linger in self-condemnation, instead we move forward in repentance.

“...were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit…” (verse 13)
In the time of the New Testament, a seal was a stamp that served as a signature on a legal document. It represented the guarantee that the owner would follow through on the terms of the contract. The Holy Spirit is our reminder that we belong to God from the moment we believed the gospel.

These are only a few of the gospel truths that we see in Ephesians 1. They are encouraging and hope-filled. We can replace our feelings of unworthiness and shame with reminders of who we are in Christ. But they aren’t meant to be mere positive affirmations that we can rehearse to boost our self-esteem. They pull us out of our self-focused introspection and point us beyond ourselves.

We are blessed, chosen, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed so that we “might be to the praise of his glory” (verse 12). This isn’t an abstract, theological catchphrase. “To the praise of his glory” is how we live out our identity in Christ every day.

These truths about ourselves lead us to praise God! We have been lavished with his grace (verse 7). God hasn’t just blessed us a little — he has given us every spiritual blessing. We direct our thoughts to the one who planned from eternity past to redeem us. As our pity turns to praise, we are showing gratitude for who we are in Christ.

It’s not just about what we have been given in Christ. Our praise is for his glory. There is nothing we have done, or can do, to deserve to be blessed, chosen, or redeemed. When we praise him, when we rehearse the gospel truths, we bring him glory. In the rest of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul shows us how to live out these gospel truths.

In Ephesians 2:10, we see that we are God’s masterpiece, created for good works. We don’t do good works to be accepted or loved, but we do them out of gratitude for his many blessings. Later in chapter 2, Paul reminds us that we are now united with other believers. As we turn our thoughts from ourselves, that frees us to think more of other believers and show them the same love that God lavished on us. If there is someone we know who is discouraged or struggling? We can call them or meet for coffee and read Ephesians 1 together.

In chapter 3, Paul explains that the grace he was given empowers him to boldly and confidently proclaim the riches of Christ. We can imitate Paul by telling others about the love of Christ that surpasses understanding. We may think it shows humility to put ourselves down when we talk to others or post on social media. But this puts the focus on ourselves instead of on God. Instead of looking for affirmation from others, we can express our gratitude for God’s unconditional love.

We see another reminder of our identity in Christ in Ephesians 4. We have been renewed, created like God in righteousness and holiness (verse 24). Because of this, Paul says we need to speak truth, deal with our anger, work diligently, build others up, and forgive others. And we need to examine ourselves to see if we are harboring any bitterness, slander, or malice towards others. All these practical applications show us that we glorify God when we take our eyes off ourselves so that we can serve others. These are actions that flow out of a life rooted in Christ. We can’t do this without the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, so when others see these changes in our life, they bring glory to God.

Finally, at the conclusion of the Ephesians in chapter 6, Paul wraps up by telling us to stand firm. By using the imagery of pieces of armor, he reminds us of all the spiritual blessings we have through the truth of the gospel. We don’t have to live in doubt, discouragement, and despair. We can stand firm and glorify him, knowing that we are blessed, chosen, forgiven, and sealed.

See also: From the Mercy Seat to Christ, Biblical Meditation Part 1, Biblical Meditation Part 2

]]><![CDATA[When Angels Seem Near]]>Thu, 14 May 2026 11:30:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/when-angels-seem-near

“Cardinals appear when angels are near.”

This saying comes from a poem written to comfort those who are mourning the loss of a loved one.
Perhaps you have heard someone say this. Or you may have heard someone say that a cardinal was a message or sign from the person they are missing.

We deeply long for the connection we had with loved ones who are gone. When we mourn, it is natural to look for reminders of that person. We cling to the hope that they aren’t really absent. As comforting as it may seem to think that a cardinal provides a connection with our loved one, God’s word gives us a true, lasting hope, rather than just wishful thinking. The saying about cardinals and angels includes two misconceptions that can lead us away from truth that is rooted in Scripture.

The first misconception is the belief that when people die, they become angels. Humans are the pinnacle of creation, uniquely made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Angels are also created by God, but they are entirely different beings (Psalm 8:4-5). Nowhere does the Bible suggest that we become angels when we die. Scripture teaches us something more meaningful.

We continue to be human beings after death. For a time, our body and soul are separated, but when Jesus returns, our bodies will be resurrected. We will continue to live as humans, with glorified bodies, just like Jesus (Philippians 3:20-21).

The second misconception is that a bird, or any other type of sign, provides a connection with a loved one who has died. Seeing a specific object may remind us of someone we love, but these signs are not evidence of a spiritual or physical presence. Our comfort cannot rely on fleeting moments or symbols, because these can distract us from the truth.

When we see a cardinal, we can remember that birds are a part of God’s creation. We can reflect on God’s beauty and majesty as reflected in his creation. Meditating on God and seeing his creation as a reflection of his goodness can lead us to thank God for the time what we spent with our loved one. We can also reflect on what Scripture says about believers who have passed away. The bird — or any part of creation — can be a marker which points us towards God.

When Jesus was on the cross, he was hanging between two other men. One of them recognized that he deserved the punishment he was enduring. He also knew that Jesus was accused unjustly. Jesus assured him that he would be with him in Paradise that very day (Luke 23:43). When we think of our loved ones who believed in Christ, we can be reassured that they are with Christ, enjoying rest and communion with our Savior.

True and lasting comfort comes from the Lord. When we trust in Christ, we are promised that our loved ones who believe in Him are fully and eternally with Him. Our hope is not in seeing cardinals or other fleeting signs. Our hope is in Christ and the promise of spending eternity together with our Savior.

Rather than thinking of angels being near when cardinals appear, we can remember this instead:

God is always near and counts our tears.

See also: Is the Bible a Love Letter?

]]><![CDATA[Is the Bible a Love Letter?]]>Mon, 11 May 2026 11:30:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/is-the-bible-a-love-letter

Sometimes people describe the Bible as a “love letter” written to us. This is a statement that may resonate deeply with many, especially to women who are struggling to see themselves as worthy or loved.

It is true that Scripture tells us God loves us. But describing the Bible as a love letter moves the focus away from the Author and puts us at the center.

When we think of ourselves as the recipient of this “letter” from God, we can start to slip into dangerous territory. We may look for hidden messages or personal revelation that we think God is giving us, which removes verses and passages from their original context and meaning. One verse that is frequently misused in this way is Jeremiah 29:11. This was a promise given to the Israelites when they were in exile, not a personalized prediction of how our individual futures will look.

Another danger is that we could start to practice eisegesis -- reading ourselves “into” the text instead of trying to learn from the text the message that the Holy Spirit intended to convey through the human authors. The David and Goliath narrative is often used this way when speakers or authors encourage people to reflect on the “giants” in their life that need to be “killed”. This is a historical narrative, not a story meant to be stretched into a metaphorical reflection on obstacles an individual is facing.

Scripture does so much more than simply tell us that God loves us. It is not meant to be used as a sentimental self-esteem booster. Scripture equips and encourages. It rebukes us and instructs us. God’s word pierces and divides to our innermost being. It restores our soul and makes us wise. The word of God accomplishes his purpose and remains forever.

Rather than approaching the Bible as a letter written specifically to each one of us and looking for a special, unique message for ourselves, we need to remember that God is the author and the main character. The Bible provides a way for us to learn more about him. As we grow in our knowledge of him, our love for him deepens. This growing love should be a catalyst to forge connections with others. Then they will be drawn to Him through the God-breathed, enduring Scriptures.

Scripture reveals who God is so that we can see how we have fallen short and allow him to conform us to his image. Instead of trying to make Scripture be what we want to hear, let’s allow Scripture to change us.

See also: Always Here, The Reception

]]><![CDATA[How to Teach Kids Theology]]>Thu, 07 May 2026 11:30:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/how-to-teach-kids-theology

“If we want our kids to stand firm in a culture that suppresses the truth of Christianity, we need to give them a grand view of God that overwhelms their hearts and fills them with wonder. Our children’s resolve is only as strong as the God they believe in, and if the God they believe in is presented to them as nothing more than a small deity, their loyalty will follow suit.”
How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams

In Aesop’s fables, we encounter a collection of stories with memorable characters designed to deliver a moral lesson. In The Boy Who Cried Wolf, we learn not to lie. In The Tortoise and the Hare, we see that good things come to those who are patient and consistent. We come away from each story with a simple slogan meant to help us do better.
Unfortunately, when we teach our children or teens, we can unintentionally create the impression that the Bible is not much different from Aesop’s fables. The Good Samaritan becomes a lesson about being kind to others. The narrative of Jonah and the whale turns into a reminder that we should obey when we are told to do something. These approaches reduce Bible passages to little more than character lessons, rather than revealing who God is and what he has done.
When we treat Scripture this way, we forget that any time we teach the Bible we are teaching theology. The real question is not whether we are theologians, but whether we are good ones. Reading this book pushed me to examine my own habits when teaching.
As I was reading the examples of how parents and leaders can miss the mark when teaching Scripture, I cringed many times. I have used almost every one of those techniques or explanations when talking with my own children or teaching at church. It was eye-opening to see how cute stories, analogies, and moral takeaways can minimize the true purpose of a biblical passage.

Sometimes it can be daunting to talk to children or teens about who God is and what he has done. We need to use vocabulary and concepts that they can understand, but without minimizing the deep truths that Scripture presents. This book reminds us that we can be transparent and admit when something is hard to understand. We can tell children and teens that we will have to study more and return to the subject another time.

I appreciated that the book introduces basic principles for studying Scripture. The authors encourage us to take time to read the passages we are teaching, understand them, and look for gospel implications. These are invaluable steps to take before attempting to teach. Luce and Williams also give excellent principles for preparing for lessons, and choosing appropriate curriculum. In addition, they provide practical tips for designing engaging, gospel-centered lessons.

So who would benefit the most from reading this book? The book is written for people who teach children and teens — including parents and grandparents. But I also recommend this resource for new believers who want to understand how to study Scripture. There are also many ideas that are also helpful for adult small group leaders. In short, if you are a believer, it is well worth adding to your reading list.

See also: Next Generation

]]><![CDATA[The Next Generation]]>Mon, 04 May 2026 11:30:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/the-next-generation

Every Christian parent wants their children—and grandchildren—to come to know God and serve him. We frequently wonder what if — despite our prayers, our teaching, and our efforts, the next generation walks away?
There have been many books written in recent years about teens and young adults who turn away from serving God. But Scripture shows us that this is not a new trend. The story of Israel shows this all too clearly.
The Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt through great wonders and signs. Then Yahweh brought them safely through the waters of the Red Sea. But despite all he had done for them, the Israelites were discontent and disobedient. Their doubts resulted in 40 years of wandering in the desert. When that generation had passed, Yahweh raised up a new generation who also experienced miraculous victories over enemies. They were led safely through the waters of the Jordan River and took possession of the promised land. And once again, another generation arose — one that did not know Yahweh. They abandoned Yahweh, followed other gods, and were sold into the hands of enemies that Yahweh had delivered them from (Judges 2:10-12).

One generation. That’s all it took.

The new generation forgot. They served the other so-called gods of the cultures surrounding them. Knowing Yahweh and remembering what he did wasn’t passed down as an automatic inheritance. The children needed to believe and trust Yahweh for themselves.

How can this happen in our families? We can so easily be complacent or make small compromises that result in slowly abandoning our convictions. Activities crowd our schedules. The world and its pleasures draw us away from the ultimate satisfaction of loving and serving our Creator. We have to be careful and deliberate as we plan our days so that our children — and their children after them — don’t forget him. As we live our lives, we need to remember to talk about God — not just on Sundays at church, but every day.

When we are riding in the car we can point out the beauty of God’s creation. We can use current events to help them understand the world through a biblical framework. As we play or watch sports, we can use the challenges and disappointments to help them grow more Christlike. Each moment we are given with our children is ordained by Yahweh for our good and his glory.

We can’t do all these things consistently or perfectly. And so we admit to our children when we have fallen short — and show them how we trust in God’s forgiveness for our failures. And when they mess up, we can point them to his character, his love, and the hope we have through Christ’s work on the cross.

And yet, doing all this still doesn’t guarantee that our children will truly know Yahweh and trust in Christ for their salvation. It isn’t our parenting that saves them. Regular church attendance won’t save them. Memorizing verses or going on mission trips isn’t the answer, either. We think that when we follow the words of Proverbs 22:6 and train them up in the way they should go, all will be well. But this proverb is not meant to be a blanket promise that our children will not abandon Yahweh.

Does this mean all our efforts are meaningless? How does the next generation come to saving knowledge and lasting faith in Yahweh?

When the next generation of Israelites had abandoned Yahweh, they were disciplined for their faithlessness. Yet he didn’t leave them without hope. He raised up judges who would deliver them from their affliction. These judges would save them from the enemy. For a while, the people would appear to obey and serve Yahweh, but the change was temporary. They (and their flawed leader) would fall back into their old ways and the cycle would continue.

But we have a better Judge — a perfect Deliverer. Jesus is the way that all generations come to know Yahweh and serve him wholeheartedly. As we humbly acknowledge our inability to save ourselves, we look to the One who delivered us from darkness and the power of death. The washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit changes hearts and makes us new creations. In the same way, our children will only come to a saving knowledge of Yahweh through the Spirit’s work in their hearts.
Knowing that the next generation can only follow Yahweh if the Holy Spirit changes them does not mean our efforts are meaningless. We pray for them, coming humbly to Yahweh and acknowledging that we trust him to do what is best for our children and grandchildren. We are called to be faithful parents—teaching, admonishing, nurturing, and loving our children in the Lord. We do this out of gratitude and to model, although imperfectly, how our heavenly Father teaches us.
Faithfulness in this generation is our part, as we trust the Holy Spirit to bring about regeneration in the next generation and beyond.

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
Titus 3:5

See also:
The Command to Parents We Overlook

]]><![CDATA[Avoiding Reader's Remorse]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/avoiding-readers-remorse

Have you ever tried something new — only to be disappointed? Maybe that restaurant everyone was raving about — and you left hungry?

A similar feeling of disappointment has happened to me sometimes when I read a book from an unfamiliar author. I start the book with high expectations, but then I think a few times: “Uh oh, did that say what I think it said?” A few pages later, another sentence makes me stop and wonder. But after a few chapters, I give up and wish I could turn back the page (pun intended) to the moment before I decided to buy the book.

There are so many options out there, but truth be told, not all “Christian” resources promote ideas that align with Scripture. It’s wise to be “picky eaters” when we select what we read, watch, and listen to. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence. What we take in shapes our thoughts, our emotions, and our desires. Since we can’t treat books like lotion samples (no ‘try before you buy’ option) how do we know if something is going to be a great read or another book in our DNF (did not finish) list?

One way to see if a resource is worth your time and dime is to look over the reviews or testimonials on the cover of the book or on the website. A quote from an author or teacher that you trust can give you confidence in the decision to read the material. And of course, a teacher, pastor, or mentor at your church can offer wise counsel when we are unsure of a source. They may even have a copy for you to read!

We don’t want to start making a new recipe before checking all the ingredients that are needed. Likewise, you can possibly avoid reader’s remorse by checking out an author’s online bio. Knowing some general facts about their experience, skills, and education can be eye-opening. It’s worth noticing what degrees they have and what institutions they studied at. The denomination of their alma mater may have a significant influence on their views. Along with their education, their past and current job titles can also provide insight.

It’s also helpful to look at the author’s church affiliation. A few extra minutes browsing their church’s website can help shed light on their doctrinal views. Other points of interest are the overall structure of the church leadership and the names/photos of people on staff (including the author in question). If there isn’t a church mentioned, or the church doesn’t have a clear statement of faith, you may want to remove it from your TBR list before regret sets in.

So you’ve done some research, read reviews, and you have decided to get the book from the author that everyone is talking about. But that is just the warm-up. The next challenge is to use those discernment muscles as you are reading!

You can stop and ask yourself questions as you are reading. Does the author rely on emotional pull or speculation to draw conclusions about a Bible passage? When an author mentions a verse, does the verse actually say what the author says it says? (Don’t ask me to say that again!)

Finally, if you want to level up your discernment skills without having to buy anything, Quill Meanwell is at your service! Check out our Learning Discernment blogs and become a pro at spotting common missteps in Christian literature.

Remember, your heart follows what you treasure (Matthew 6:21). A little discernment now may prevent reader’s remorse later.

See also: When Stories Don’t Match Real Life, Book Buffet

]]><![CDATA[When Stories Don't Match Real Life]]>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/when-stories-dont-match-real-life

Okay, let’s talk fiction! Christian fiction, that is.

As a writer, I stick mostly to blogs, poems, and short reflections. 1,000 words or less. I am content to leave all the plot twists for others to expertly weave and untangle. I have the utmost respect for the skill it takes to craft a well-written novel.

But as we know from our Quill Meanwell series, even Christian resources should be approached with discernment. Over time, I have noticed a few storytelling patterns in Christian fiction that show up often enough that they are worth mentioning. Three in particular stand out— fortune cookie verses, random theology drops, and greeting card dialogue.

Fortune cookie verses
Let’s set the scene. Mr. Professional Christian sits at his desk, deliberating the sticky situation he is facing. He opens his Bible and voilà, the angels sing as the perfect verse appears. He ponders the inspirational delight for a moment and just like that…his problem is solved.

In stories like this, we usually don’t see characters reading larger sections of Scripture, thinking about the context, or struggling to understand what it says. We could be tempted to think that Bible reading is as easy as cracking open a fortune cookie to satisfy our cravings.

In fact, I did try this method often. And guess what? No choirs of angels. I didn’t discover any immediate answers to my problem.

Random theology drops
Now let’s picture Sweet Suzie at the grocery store. She bumps into NonChristian Nancy and they start to talk about their children, who are on the same sports team. Suzie says she is glad that her daughter can participate because it is a great way for her to learn how people can work together — just like the body of Christ lives together in community. Nancy is instantly intrigued and from there Suzie launches into a thorough gospel explanation.

Scenes like this depict characters inserting random theology drops as part of everyday conversation. It can imply that we should be able to turn encounters from an everyday topic like the weather to deep doctrines in 3.2 seconds.

I would get frustrated because I wasn’t “spiritual” enough to think of these connections and have frequent redemptive conversations in everyday situations.

Greeting card dialogue
In another scene, we read about Mike and Carol, who have been married for a few years. She is explaining to him how she felt when he said something insensitive. He responds thoughtfully and repentantly. Bible verses are quoted and the misunderstanding is resolved. And of course, they finish by reaffirming their enduring love.

Difficult conversations presented as perfect greeting card dialogue can lead to unrealistic relationship expectations. At least it did for me. My husband didn’t respond to me like the husbands in Christian fiction when I presented my well-rehearsed grievances. And needless to say, our conversation didn’t end like the ones in the books.

From fiction to reality
As I read more Christian fiction, I found myself looking for these things to happen in my own life, and I was angry when they didn’t work out the way they did for the characters in the story. I began to wonder if something was wrong with me. At times I even questioned whether God loved me the same way He seemed to love the characters whose stories always wrapped up so neatly.

Looking back, I can see how my own sinful desires and lack of discernment played a role. When my imagined “happily ever after” didn’t unfold the way I expected, I made poor choices and even became frustrated with others. Over time, I learned to spot these elements and remind myself that they are only part of a fictional account. These are not real life examples and they are not models that we are expected to follow.

As we read Christian fiction, it is important to reflect on the lessons we are learning from the characters. Are they lessons that will prompt us to view God correctly? Are they practical examples of godly living? Or are they creating unrealistic expectations?

We are called to imitate Christ and the godly people he has placed in our lives. As we walk together, we look to him as our example. As we grow in Christlikeness, the Holy Spirit will work in us to live in ways that will glorify him.
Through regular, focused Bible reading we can learn more about God, his character, and his works. This will lead us to be able to make wise decisions that honor God. We won’t expect fortune cookie verses to guide our thinking. As we know God and love him more, that love will be evident in genuine relationships with others. We can find ways to share what we know and love about God without needing to awkwardly drop theological insights into our conversations.

When we work through a relationship struggle, we won’t expect our conversation to flow like a formulaic greeting card sentiment. We will make mistakes. The problem won’t be settled in a few minutes. We will need to remind ourselves that we have been forgiven. We can extend forgiveness and patience to others.
Let’s continue to read and support the authors who create redemptive stories for our enjoyment and edification. But as we enjoy their work, let’s remember to use discernment. This applies to anything you read here at Anchored Hope, too.

Life doesn’t always turn out like the stories we read, but we know that this life is not all there is. Someday we will worship, work, and live together in perfect harmony on the new heavens and new earth.

See also: Literarily by Kristie Anyabwile, Book Buffet

]]><![CDATA[Powerful Proclamations]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/powerful-proclamations

The following devotional is intentionally written by a fictitious character to illustrate common missteps in Christian resources. It is not an endorsement of these ideas, but a tool to help you practice discernment.

As you read Quill’s devotional with a discerning eye, notice how the verses are used. Do they faithfully reflect the main points of their passages when read in context? Are there ideas that subtly undermine God’s character, or suggest that humans possess abilities or authority that belong to God alone?

Prayer: Dynamic Declarations by Quill Meanwell

In the first devotional in the Prayer series, we learned how prayer is as easy as breathing. We saw that when God breathed life into Adam, the very act of breathing was designed to say God’s personal name (Yahweh). Now we will see how the Creation story gives us the key to strengthening the power of our prayers.

Even before Adam was created, God spoke. His words created light and life. His words formed the universe and filled it with plants and animals. Then God’s speech made Adam. He blessed Adam and gave him authority over creation. Specifically, in Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam to subdue and have dominion over everything. Adam’s first dominion task was to give names to the animals. In naming the birds, fish, and livestock, he used his words to give them their identity. Not only could Adam breathe God’s name, but now he began to use his words to actively shape creation.

Life giving words. Wonder working speech. Words with the power to create and form.

Just as God simply said, “Let there be….” he has given us the authority to use our words to make powerful proclamations! Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that life is in the power of the tongue. We can boldly and confidently pray for what we hope to see happen.

At this point, you may be skeptical —why do our words sometimes fail to create the reality we expect? We know that God has promised us that our prayers are powerful. Rather than doubting God, it would be helpful to take some time to examine our hearts.

Weak faith or a spirit of negativity will hinder our prayers. When we eliminate our fears and hesitations, then God can step in mightily to answer our life-giving prayers. We can pray like the psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and test my heart. See if there is any offensive way in me.” These words will bridge the gap between our hearts and what we have declared in our prayers.

Breathing Yahweh’s name. Speaking powerful proclamations.
This is how we connect with God and bring light and life into his creation.

Quill continues to encourage prayer and summarizes Genesis 1 & 2, suggesting that Adam’s task of naming the animals demonstrated the same authority and creative power as God. He implies that we can shape, create, form, and give life just as God did. This blurs the distinction between humans as God’s creation and God as the Creator, leading readers to believe that their words could be as powerful as God’s. These ideas reflect the “Word of Faith” movement, where followers are taught that their words carry equal authority with God’s and are encouraged to make bold declarations about what they wish to see happen.
Quill quotes Proverbs 18:21 to support the idea that our speech can make things happen. However, the book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings that use metaphor and imagery to instruct people in faithful living. When read in context, it is clear that Proverbs 18:21 was not intended as a literal guide for how we should pray. This verse, like many others in Proverbs, reminds us to be careful with our words. Our speech can help others—or it can hurt them. But our words cannot be equated with God’s words. We cannot create life or light, and we cannot change reality through our prayers.

Quill correctly points out that we often do not see the answers we expect to our prayers. It is true that our prayers can be hindered by sin we harbor in our hearts, and it is good to regularly pray Psalm 139:23–24 so that God can help us see what sinful attitudes or desires may lie behind our words. However, it is important to remember that God acts according to His will at all times. He is not waiting for us to have a perfect attitude or the perfect words before He responds.

Quill’s declarative prayers may give the impression that God is obligated to respond to our requests. If we say the right things, God dispenses what we ask for. If we eliminate doubt and use the correct language, God will act. But prayer is not as simple or as transactional as Quill would like us to believe. True prayer frees us from the burden of making things happen. It invites us to rest in the assurance that God is at work, whether or not we have the perfect words.

Prayer is humbly acknowledging that we are God’s creation and that He is the Creator. When we pray, we are invited to come to our heavenly Father and ask Him for what we need. Often we do not ask with the right motives or for what is truly best for us, yet He delights to listen to us and loves to give us what is truly good.

As we consider what words to use when we prayer, we can follow the example of the model prayer in Matthew 6. Or we can read and meditate on Paul’s prayers in the New Testament (Ephesians 1, Philippians 1, Colossians 1, to name a few!) As we follow the models given in Scripture, and consider verses in their full context, we will better understand how to pray with wisdom and insight.

See also: Cookie Crumb Prayers
Biblical Meditation part 2

]]><![CDATA[As Easy as Breathing]]>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/as-easy-as-breathing

Prayer: As Easy as Breathing by Quill Meanwell

For many people, prayer seems like a struggle. We have trouble remembering to pray and are easily distracted during prayer. Prayer isn’t meant to be hard or complicated. In the very act of creating man, God gave us what we need to pray. In Genesis 2:7 after God formed Adam, he gave him the breath of life. From that moment, Adam became a living soul. Every human being while alive has this breath.

Each time we breathe - we speak the name of God as we inhale and exhale. The sound of our breathing corresponds to the personal, covenant name of God (YHWH - pronounced YAH - WAY). When we inhale, we are saying “YAH”. When we exhale, we are saying “WEH”. Yah-weh. As you breathe, you are praying to God. As we breathe, we are acknowledging that he sustains us and gives us our very breath (Acts 17:28). This is how we know that we can pray unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Our very breath is a prayer. We don’t need to be discouraged or frustrated by struggling with active prayer because our breath is praying for us. Even as we breathe, we are speaking God’s name.

Yah. Weh. Yah. Weh.

We can also add words to our breath prayers. Choose a short phrase (5-6 words) from a Bible verse. As you breathe in, say the first few words, then as you breathe out, say the last few words.

For example: Psalm 36:7 How precious is your unfailing love.
INHALE (How precious is) EXHALE (your unfailing love)

Repeat this until the words become as natural as breathing. You will be breathing and speaking God’s word. As the words calm your soul, you will be ushered into the presence of God.

Now that you have read the devotional, it’s time to examine it. Rather than immediately pointing out concerns, let’s begin with guiding questions to help you practice discernment for yourself.

What is the purpose of the devotional?
What biblical truths is Quill claiming, and what Scripture is used to support it?
Read the verses in context. Do the verses support what Quill is stating?
How do breath prayers minimize God’s attributes?
What are the potential ramifications of this teaching? How would this affect someone’s prayer life?

Commentary

Quill addresses a common struggle —prayer can be hard. The very purpose of the devotional -- to make prayer easy — contradicts Bible passages which show that prayer can be challenging. In Romans 15:30, Paul asks them to “strive together with him in prayers”. Jesus tells the disciples to “watch and pray” when they had trouble staying awake (Matthew 26:41). Scripture presents prayer as dependent, personal, and intentional rather than effortless and involuntary.

Genesis 2 highlights the creation of mankind in the image of God. To emphasize the difference between man and the rest of creation, we see that God forms man from dust and breathes life into him. Nothing in Genesis 2 suggests that breathing is the way in which God expects man to communicate with him. Likewise, the verse in Acts 17 is not from a passage that teaches us how to pray or that our breathing is praying. Paul is speaking to pagan philosophers to explain God’s sovereign sustaining power and our dependence on him.

Quill’s use of these two verses is an example of “prooftexting”. Prooftexting is the practice of lifting a verse out of its context to support an idea. As you read or listen to Christian resources, it is important to take the time to go to Scripture and read the full context of verses when they are quoted.

Curiously, Quill does not give us a verse that would seem to support the claim that breathing produces the same sounds that are in God’s personal name. The concept of breathing as praying has its roots in some strands of Jewish and Eastern mysticism. The practice of repeating several words and combining it with breathing techniques attempts to facilitate access to a higher power. Quill uses some of those concepts but reinvents them with Christian lingo (calm your soul, ushered into God’s presence).

Breathing as praying minimizes God’s attributes in several ways. First, his personal, covenant name is reduced to nothing more than an involuntary bodily function. This pulls our focus away from the reverence that is due his name. God’s sovereignty is diminished when we treat communication with him as an automatic reflex, rather than an intentional act of humble worship. Finally, Quill tells us that breath combined with words will bring us into God’s presence. This leads us to think that God is not omnipresent and that we must do something specific to draw him to us.

While Quill certainly means well by trying to help us with our prayer lives, these techniques can lead us away from a godly discipline of prayer. If praying were as easy as breathing, it would no longer be necessary to study examples of prayers in the Bible to enrich our prayer lives. Repeating phrases in combination with a special breathing technique may lead us to think that it is our work (our breathing) that is key to a relationship with God. Our frustration with our attempts to pray should lead us to acknowledge our weaknesses and rely on God’s strength.

Prayer is not easy. There are not simple solutions, but we do have a sufficient Savior. Jesus understands that we are weak and easily distracted. He is sitting at the right hand of God as our intercessor. Because of Jesus we can actively pray with confidence, despite our imperfections.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

See also: Cookie Crumb Prayers, Biblical Meditation Part 1, Devoted Dorcas Part 1

]]><![CDATA[Escaping the Anxiety Tornado]]>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.anchoredhopeblog.com/blog/escaping-the-anxiety-tornado

Worry has stolen many hours of sleep from me. And yet the next morning, the worries are still there. And then I have to face the day tired, grumpy, and still anxious. I know that the Bible says “Do not be anxious” — but it’s hard not to be. I can’t just flip a switch and end the tornado of anxious thoughts and emotions. I have found that meditating on Matthew 6:25-34 helps redirect my thoughts.

Jesus starts by telling us, “Do not be anxious,” and repeats it two more times. This is comforting for us because it shows that he knew that his listeners (and future followers) would struggle with being anxious. Jesus understood that we would be pulled in different directions and distracted from following him wholeheartedly. But Jesus doesn’t only tell us not to be anxious — he also reminds us why we don’t need to be anxious.

Jesus uses several questions and two object lessons as he teaches. Earlier in his sermon, Jesus had instructed the crowds to pray to “our Father in heaven” and to ask for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:9,11). Now he is reminding us that our heavenly Father even provides sustenance for the birds that he created. We are created in our heavenly Father’s image, so why wouldn’t he provide for us also? To wrap up the lesson from the birds, Jesus reminds us that we are not able to extend our lives by worrying. Rather than being distracted with worry over what we can’t control, we can remember how our heavenly Father delights to provide for all of His creation.

The second object lesson uses another word picture from nature. Just as the birds “neither sow nor reap,” the lilies “neither toil nor spin” — and yet, God clothes them with glory greater than the richest, wisest king of Israel. The Greek word for “consider” indicates that we should watch and learn. The lilies can teach us about God! This argument ends with another sober observation —our worry reveals little faith.
After the object lessons from nature, Jesus asks us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. He doesn’t say to work harder to increase our righteousness. He had already told the crowds in Matthew 5:20 that they wouldn’t be able to enter the kingdom unless they were more righteous than the Pharisees. He also warned them about pridefully exhibiting their righteousness in Matthew 6:1. Our righteousness will always be tainted with sin and will never be enough.
We need to seek Jesus because in Him, we are made righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was sinless and fulfilled all righteousness. Because of his perfect obedience, we can rest in his righteousness.
This is amazing news! Our confidence is not in the strength of our faith or our ability to control our lives -- our confidence is in the object of our faith. Jesus is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Through Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, we have been given everything we need. Why would we be anxious about things such as food, drink, clothes, or our bodies? Why would he not graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32). We can easily be pulled away by fear of the future, but we know that God is sovereign.
When we take a close look at Jesus’ words, we realize he didn’t tell us to never think about clothing, food, or our bodies. It isn’t wrong to be concerned about those things. Jesus isn’t saying we should sit back, relax, and forget about providing for ourselves and our families. Rather, Jesus says, “Seek first.” Seeking his kingdom is the first priority. When our thoughts start to spiral out of control, we can reorient our compass.
So what does it look like to seek his kingdom when we’re staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., when our bodies are exhausted, but our minds refuse to rest? It may look less like having the “right” thoughts and more like bringing our anxious ones honestly before our Father.
Seeking his kingdom in that moment might mean turning our worry into prayer. They may not be polished or eloquent prayers, but simple ones. Heavenly Father, you know what worries me, and you know what I need. You see tomorrow more clearly than I do. Help me trust you for what I need each day.
Jesus doesn’t call us to deny the reality of our needs or pretend that tomorrow doesn’t matter. He invites us to remember who reigns over the future. When anxiety presses in, we are reminded again that we are not sovereign—but God is. And the One who rules the kingdom is also our Father.
Worry leaves us weary. Jesus offers something better.
He offers rest grounded in his righteousness, not our performance.
He provides peace rooted in God’s provision, not our foresight.
When sleep doesn’t come and anxiety lingers, we can return—again and again—to the truth that our lives are held by him.
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Also see: Always Here, Winter Glory

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