Anchor House Week 5: The Puzzle

We have a tradition at Anchor House. We keep a space dedicated to working on a jigsaw puzzle. When there is downtime the volunteers take a seat at the table and work on the puzzle. They sit there quietly and seek for the right pieces. Slowly, over several days, the pile of puzzle pieces without a home diminishes. Each piece is found and put in the space it uniquely fits. No other piece could fit the same. The picture begins to take shape as each piece is found and placed.

In Luke 19:10 Jesus says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” To apply it to this puzzle analogy, His purpose is to sift out of the pile each puzzle piece and put it in its proper place. The Message version of the Bible says that Jesus has come to "restore the lost." Puzzle pieces once placed in their unique spot are restored to the position the creator intended for them to be.

Scripture tells us that God knows us intimately. It says, "the very hairs of your head are numbered…" He created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows that we don't belong in the pile. God calls us out of that pile. The fact is, none of the pieces belong in the pile. We all belong in His puzzle because of Jesus. We belong in the unique place He has created for us.

So, when the world tries to tell you that "You don't fit in" or "You don't have a purpose" or "You aren't like us.". Remember your Father in heaven created you to be a unique piece of His puzzle. He knows exactly where you fit.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt

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Anchor House Week 31 - NAMMA

The first week of August, I had the chance to attend the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) Conference. NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. I had the privilege of attending the conference with our summer intern, Gabe. For both of us it was the first time we had the chance to be a part of the conference. I enjoyed getting to meet so many individuals who serve the Lord across the globe. Each of us serves at different ports and in unique ways. The exchange of ideas was both enjoyable and informative, especially for me as the new guy. Each of the people I met had a heart for the seafarer and the challenges they face. Their hearts poured out to show the love of Jesus to the men and women aboard the vessels that visit their respective ports. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting one

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I've gotten almost a week behind on my reflections from Anchor House. It seems there just isn't enough time in the day. The way these blogs come together is different from week to week. Some weeks God puts a message clearly on my heart. Others it feels like a struggle to put "pen to paper". This week was one of those that I knew exactly what I'd write about. However, each day passed and I missed the opportunity. You see, I write best in the mornings. Not sure if it's the limited distractions, a product of my habit of practicing my spiritual disciplines in the morning, or something else entirely. Most of my afternoon writing is intelligible and requires numerous edits. In the AM, however, they seem to make more sense. What's funny is that as I am writing, I am feeling God moving. He's moving from what I thought I was to write about to what He wants me to share. These shifts and changes are a part of the shipping industry. Things hap

King of the Jews

Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head. They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped Him in the face. Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus g

Matthew TwoSix:ThreeNine

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