Tides
Reflections by the Sea © Bets yOre Glass
January 31, 2008
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18: 1-3
The tide comes and goes twice each day. It is calculated and certain. The way it ebbs and flows suggests it is the true music of the sea. Pacing itself with the wave that went before and the one that follows, unleashing its energy on the shore. The moon and the sun are responsible for the tides and their movements. Low tide is serene and exposes more of the shoreline at water’s edge. There I have found numerous shells and sand dollars just waiting to be plucked from the mud flats. High tide is not a beachcomber’s delight but it is certain that if you have the patience to wait for low tide, you may find treasures exposed that you never imagined.
My favorite, of course, is low tide. It’s when we can step out a little further towards the ocean in faith. We hope to see more as we inch towards deeper water. It is daring and exhilarating to be near the drop off, yet feeling safe and secure. When the tide is high however, the drop off is not visible and we can’t assure our safety.
God promises protection always to those that put their faith in Him. We are never alone. God’s love and His presence are constant like the movement of the tide. He is with us when our inner tide runs high with joy or low with sorrow. He can take us to new heights, teach us to dream, and expand our own visions. With God by our side, we don’t have to worry about getting into deep water. He is our protector and best friend.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Pelican
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 24, 2008
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3: 25-26
The Pelican is most graceful in flight but can be a little awkward on land. They are magnificent birds to watch as they circle around in large numbers in search of food. Flying high above the water, plunge diving in the sea from heights of up to 60 to 70 feet, the impact is cushioned by the air sacs just beneath their skin. With their pouch located under the bill, they are capable of holding large amounts of fish and water for quite some time. It is known that the Pelican requires up to 4 pounds of fish a day. The Pelican was once thought to be a threat to commercial fisherman because of their fish consumption but that is no longer the case today. Their diet consists of mullet, minnows and menhaden and other unimportant fish to the commercial fishing industry. The Brown Pelican is the species that mostly inhabits the Atlantic Coast. They normally nest on the ground or in the tops of trees. At one time they were on the endangered species list but fortunately there is an abundance of Pelicans now. Wouldn’t you agree that their presence, beauty and uniqueness adds to the Outer Banks landscape?
Watching Pelicans go about their daily activities leaves me with the impression that they are very confident. They know what they should do, they do it and they expect a positive result. Is confidence learned or taught? Maybe it is a combination of both. So many things are tied to confidence, like self-esteem, leadership and success. When we try something new, our confidence level may not be as high, but as we do it over and over again, we gain that feeling of accomplishment that translates into satisfaction. It’s important that we get this right because developing confidence and being aware of it, or the lack of it, can be at the core of so many decisions and outcomes in our life. Offering encouragement to chase a dream or realize a goal is something we can all do in our relationships. It is something we can do for ourselves. Positive self -talk will carry us far. Taking the first step to building confidence is to give our fears to God and to ask for His strength to flow through us. Knowing that God is by our side, what is it that we can do today that we were afraid to do yesterday?
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 24, 2008
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Proverbs 3: 25-26
The Pelican is most graceful in flight but can be a little awkward on land. They are magnificent birds to watch as they circle around in large numbers in search of food. Flying high above the water, plunge diving in the sea from heights of up to 60 to 70 feet, the impact is cushioned by the air sacs just beneath their skin. With their pouch located under the bill, they are capable of holding large amounts of fish and water for quite some time. It is known that the Pelican requires up to 4 pounds of fish a day. The Pelican was once thought to be a threat to commercial fisherman because of their fish consumption but that is no longer the case today. Their diet consists of mullet, minnows and menhaden and other unimportant fish to the commercial fishing industry. The Brown Pelican is the species that mostly inhabits the Atlantic Coast. They normally nest on the ground or in the tops of trees. At one time they were on the endangered species list but fortunately there is an abundance of Pelicans now. Wouldn’t you agree that their presence, beauty and uniqueness adds to the Outer Banks landscape?
Watching Pelicans go about their daily activities leaves me with the impression that they are very confident. They know what they should do, they do it and they expect a positive result. Is confidence learned or taught? Maybe it is a combination of both. So many things are tied to confidence, like self-esteem, leadership and success. When we try something new, our confidence level may not be as high, but as we do it over and over again, we gain that feeling of accomplishment that translates into satisfaction. It’s important that we get this right because developing confidence and being aware of it, or the lack of it, can be at the core of so many decisions and outcomes in our life. Offering encouragement to chase a dream or realize a goal is something we can all do in our relationships. It is something we can do for ourselves. Positive self -talk will carry us far. Taking the first step to building confidence is to give our fears to God and to ask for His strength to flow through us. Knowing that God is by our side, what is it that we can do today that we were afraid to do yesterday?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Waiting
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 17, 2008
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. -Psalm 27:14 NIV
We are all waiting for something and that includes even the sea gulls that sit on pilings waiting for their next meal! Waiting has different degrees of intensity such as something as simple as waiting for a phone call or a letter to arrive, or as critical as waiting for the miracle to take place that we have prayed for. I must admit that I am not good at waiting. Is anybody? Like most people, I would prefer to have what I want when I want it! It’s the culture we find ourselves living in today that promotes immediate gratification. Our impatience sometimes makes it difficult for us to wait in the checkout lines at the grocery stores! But in our impatience to hurry our life along, we are missing out on God’s instruction. He uses waiting as a way to renew us, to refresh us and teach us. There is a reason that He makes us wait. If we sped through our life without time for pause and reflection, we would not grow and learn as we go. God thought of everything. There are lessons to learn along the way. He is our teacher and we are His students and He needs time to work with us. We can’t hurry God’s process. The hardest thing is to wait on God. When we pray, we want our answer now and He doesn’t always give it to us in that moment. The answer always comes, but it is when He is ready, not because we want it. If we begin to realize that we are complete in the Lord and He will take care of everything, it makes the waiting much easier. He is always in control. Our impatience and rushing around doesn’t line up with the scripture which tells us to be strong, take heart and wait for Him. Praying for peace and patience during any wait we find ourselves in will serve us and God better.
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 17, 2008
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. -Psalm 27:14 NIV
We are all waiting for something and that includes even the sea gulls that sit on pilings waiting for their next meal! Waiting has different degrees of intensity such as something as simple as waiting for a phone call or a letter to arrive, or as critical as waiting for the miracle to take place that we have prayed for. I must admit that I am not good at waiting. Is anybody? Like most people, I would prefer to have what I want when I want it! It’s the culture we find ourselves living in today that promotes immediate gratification. Our impatience sometimes makes it difficult for us to wait in the checkout lines at the grocery stores! But in our impatience to hurry our life along, we are missing out on God’s instruction. He uses waiting as a way to renew us, to refresh us and teach us. There is a reason that He makes us wait. If we sped through our life without time for pause and reflection, we would not grow and learn as we go. God thought of everything. There are lessons to learn along the way. He is our teacher and we are His students and He needs time to work with us. We can’t hurry God’s process. The hardest thing is to wait on God. When we pray, we want our answer now and He doesn’t always give it to us in that moment. The answer always comes, but it is when He is ready, not because we want it. If we begin to realize that we are complete in the Lord and He will take care of everything, it makes the waiting much easier. He is always in control. Our impatience and rushing around doesn’t line up with the scripture which tells us to be strong, take heart and wait for Him. Praying for peace and patience during any wait we find ourselves in will serve us and God better.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sky
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 10, 2008
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27 NIV
What I love so much about being at the beach is the unobstructed view of the sky. For miles it can be seen. When frontal systems and storms approach the area, they change the look of the overhead landscape. It’s probably my imagination, but sunrises and sunsets seem to linger longer in the expansive sky. An atmosphere full of clouds is worth taking notice of. And so is a sky without a cloud in it. Both are breathtaking. I once rode in a hot air balloon. What I expected to hear were rushing winds as we navigated through the currents. But, to my surprise and serene delight, there was no sound at all, except for my breathing. We soared above the birds. There was no wind in our face as we lazily drifted along for over an hour. We could see for miles all around us. It was truly a bird’s eye view. Noise from the city below couldn’t be heard either. I couldn’t imagine that we had enlarged our vision and found such unexpected peace at the same time.
We get stuck in routines and the same old mindsets sometimes. It is good to take a close look at our life and see if we have become everything we had hoped for and more. Sometimes our dreams are not big enough. We like to limit God in what He can offer us based on what we know. But, God is all knowing and all seeing. He has plans for us and if we allow Him to work in our life, we can do more, have more and experience more because of Him. We can live a life of joy and happiness and enjoy the rewards in life. But first, we should be willing to expand our thinking and be willing to put our life in His hands. Today is a good time to open our minds and hearts to all kinds of possibilities that await us. Forget that voice that tells us all the reasons why something won’t work. It is God’s promises and vision that we seek for an “enlarged” life.
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 10, 2008
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27 NIV
What I love so much about being at the beach is the unobstructed view of the sky. For miles it can be seen. When frontal systems and storms approach the area, they change the look of the overhead landscape. It’s probably my imagination, but sunrises and sunsets seem to linger longer in the expansive sky. An atmosphere full of clouds is worth taking notice of. And so is a sky without a cloud in it. Both are breathtaking. I once rode in a hot air balloon. What I expected to hear were rushing winds as we navigated through the currents. But, to my surprise and serene delight, there was no sound at all, except for my breathing. We soared above the birds. There was no wind in our face as we lazily drifted along for over an hour. We could see for miles all around us. It was truly a bird’s eye view. Noise from the city below couldn’t be heard either. I couldn’t imagine that we had enlarged our vision and found such unexpected peace at the same time.
We get stuck in routines and the same old mindsets sometimes. It is good to take a close look at our life and see if we have become everything we had hoped for and more. Sometimes our dreams are not big enough. We like to limit God in what He can offer us based on what we know. But, God is all knowing and all seeing. He has plans for us and if we allow Him to work in our life, we can do more, have more and experience more because of Him. We can live a life of joy and happiness and enjoy the rewards in life. But first, we should be willing to expand our thinking and be willing to put our life in His hands. Today is a good time to open our minds and hearts to all kinds of possibilities that await us. Forget that voice that tells us all the reasons why something won’t work. It is God’s promises and vision that we seek for an “enlarged” life.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
January
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 03, 2008
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. - Proverbs 15:32 NIV
Dropping temperatures have produced a winter chill this past week that seems will stay around for a while. For some it might be the excuse to sit inside and do nothing, but for others, the weather means very little when it comes to implementing our resolutions and getting started with new ideas and new goals for the New Year.
January marks the beginning of the year, but for many of us, it means so much more. Like being able to close the door to the events of the past year and look forward in the New Year with hope and expectation. January represents a fresh start, new beginnings, and a new way to look at old things. New Year’s resolutions are declared, diets are started and exercise classes are filled to capacity with those that want to be healthier. January is also a time when we can look at our own spiritual healthiness. Taking stock of our own spiritual growth is important. God wants to promote us and to shower His blessings on us. But we have to be in a relationship with Him where we can receive what He wants to give us. That takes knowing Him on a daily basis. We can’t just go to Him occasionally when we are sick or we are praying for a family member and expect to live in His fullness. He wants us to come to Him in the good times, too. He has wisdom to impart and guidance to give. Being a disciple of God takes daily discipline. He teaches us through His Word and then He uses us as a witness so that we can teach others. It is a good time of year to begin to set a schedule where we make time for God… everyday. To start off the New Year with a desire to grow in Him, and then take action to make our desire a reality, is the most important resolution on our list. And He will honor our desire by being there when we reach out to Him.
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 03, 2008
He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. - Proverbs 15:32 NIV
Dropping temperatures have produced a winter chill this past week that seems will stay around for a while. For some it might be the excuse to sit inside and do nothing, but for others, the weather means very little when it comes to implementing our resolutions and getting started with new ideas and new goals for the New Year.
January marks the beginning of the year, but for many of us, it means so much more. Like being able to close the door to the events of the past year and look forward in the New Year with hope and expectation. January represents a fresh start, new beginnings, and a new way to look at old things. New Year’s resolutions are declared, diets are started and exercise classes are filled to capacity with those that want to be healthier. January is also a time when we can look at our own spiritual healthiness. Taking stock of our own spiritual growth is important. God wants to promote us and to shower His blessings on us. But we have to be in a relationship with Him where we can receive what He wants to give us. That takes knowing Him on a daily basis. We can’t just go to Him occasionally when we are sick or we are praying for a family member and expect to live in His fullness. He wants us to come to Him in the good times, too. He has wisdom to impart and guidance to give. Being a disciple of God takes daily discipline. He teaches us through His Word and then He uses us as a witness so that we can teach others. It is a good time of year to begin to set a schedule where we make time for God… everyday. To start off the New Year with a desire to grow in Him, and then take action to make our desire a reality, is the most important resolution on our list. And He will honor our desire by being there when we reach out to Him.
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