Filters

Filters Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass January 24, 2012  For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them). Philippians 4:8 AMP

My camera has been a friend to me for many years. I don’t know of a better way to capture a moment, a sunrise or sunset or that perfect wave than with a snapshot. When the moment is gone, it is gone forever, only to live on in our minds. But if we capture it with a camera, the moment can live on for years. My picture taking wouldn’t be complete with the use of filters on my camera lens. There are books on the subject of filters because there are so many to choose from. The definition of a filter is this: “Camera filters are optical elements that alter the properties of light entering the lens for the purpose of improving the image being recorded.” My favorite is the polarizing filter. Many types of filters absorb light, but what I like so much about the polarizing filter is that it absorbs unwanted reflections, which reduces the glare. It is a “must-have” filter when photographing the water. The camera lens is not the only place a filter could be applied. With the world today and the choices we are exposed and have access to, it is almost necessary to put a filter on what gets into our heart, mind and spirit. A filter can reduce and eliminate negative and unwanted things. As I get closer to God, I find myself being more careful about what I read, view or listen to, especially in my own home where it is the most important. If we don’t exercise caution about this, there is the chance we can become deceived about what is good or not. That is what becoming “desensitized” means. I will behave myself wisely and give heed to the blameless way--O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house in integrity and with a blameless heart. I will set no base or wicked thing before my eyes. I hate the work of them who turn aside [from the right path]; it shall not grasp hold of me. Psalm 101:2-3 AMP. We start by resisting anything we are not sure of. Our scripture today in Philippians shows us what things to think on. Now what things do we need to filter out?

Being Childlike

Being Childlike Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass January 18, 2012

How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. –Psalm 116:5-7 NLT January is a month of new beginnings. We are embarking on our new attitudes, plans and goals for the year and we are just a few weeks into it now. We’ve been talking about building faith and many people are coming to a relationship with God for the very first time. We are told to approach God with a childlike way and spirit. We can speak simply to Him, not using fancy words in our prayers. Our vocabulary isn’t nearly as important as our heart. A child’s heart is pure and innocent and that is what pleases God. A childlike faith is tender and young and while those just starting out don’t know a lot about the Bible, they know enough of what is important, because they have chosen to seek and follow God. Being childlike is sweet and genuine. Children listen to what is being told to them and they believe it. They view the world with eyes of love and kindness and a heart of wonder. Joy comes easy to them. Their demeanor is so precious. Some confuse childlike behavior and childishness. There is a big difference in the two. Some childish traits are acting spoiled, rebelling, pouting, and brooding. While we know better, we can’t resist giving in to our emotions and feelings and acting out these traits like a small child sometimes. Temper tantrums don’t glorify God! Thank heavens that God continuously perfects us and I am grateful He hasn’t given up on me! How merciful He is!! We are all a work in progress. We have choices. Be childlike or behave childishly when we act and react to things. What’s really important is how we choose to handle disappointments and difficult situations. Give it all to God. Release it. Let it go. And be sure to choose not to savor it in our mind and heart like cherished treasures because that keeps the feelings and emotion alive inside of us!! God is so good to us. He will save us from ourselves if we allow Him! Starting off 2012 with the desire to know God deeper also means we have to let Him do a work in us. We will begin to see our childlike faith develop into a foundation of strong spiritual maturity and the tendency to behave childishly will begin to disappear.

Feeding

 

Feeding Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass January 10, 2012

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. –Romans 10:17 NIV This is the time of year that I love to take a few loaves of bread to one of the piers to feed the seagulls. I guess I think they need a little extra nourishment on the cold days and I am more than happy to oblige. They seem to be waiting for me and their feeding frenzy begins at the first scattering of bread. Some gulls are patient and wait for me to throw bread directly to them. Others are aggressive and will catch the bread in mid-air practically taking it out of my hand. They are so hungry for it. Some are content to eat if there is any left over and then there are those that are simply uninterested. Isn’t it that way with us too? We know we should feed our faith. Some people are very hungry for the Word, others are lukewarm and then some simply don’t care to be bothered. You might be wondering, I’d like to feed my faith but how do you do that? Today’s scripture tells us that faith comes from hearing. Hearing what? Hearing the Word of God. Just by opening the Bible and beginning to read puts us on the right path. You might say that the Bible is big and I am not sure where to begin. I have heard it said by more than one person that Psalms is a great place to begin; Proverbs gives wisdom and in the New Testament, start reading the four gospels which are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. That is a terrific way to begin and a good plan. So, why the importance of feeding ones faith? What is the point? God’s Words and Instruction, His Promises are all things that will build our faith and provide a compass for our life. Knowing and learning God’s Word is the beginning and then we can boldly declare it as our faith builds and develops. When faith builds, we are then able to store these teachings in our heart for the day we are in need through circumstances or situations that comes against us. Psalm 51 talks about having a pure heart and a steadfast spirit within. Today could be a fresh start when we purposefully leave the past behind and set out on a new path to find deeper faith. Let’s imitate those hungry seagulls and feed on the Bread of Life non-stop.

New Beginnings

New Beginnings Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass January 05, 2012

Behold, I am doing a new thing! Can you not perceive it? -Isaiah 43:19 With this New Year underway, there is much to consider in the way of new beginnings, changes, goals and plans. January is often a quiet time on the beach. With the tourists gone, the year- round residents are the ones that remain to weather the winter as they do each year. It is a way of life and no cold weather, storm or anything at all could lessen the loyalty and love of the area that is called “home”. While the days in January are cold and the nights quiet and everything appears to be still and dormant, there is more than meets the eye. The life inside many of us is full of hope and strives for deeper understanding of our purpose. This time of year is when pondering thoughts become action, plans are set in motion, or a new attitude or mindset is adopted. Our surroundings may be still, but the inside of us is stirring with a new vision and expectancy of what is to come and what the possibilities for us may be. What lies ahead for each of us in 2012? Are we full of expectant hope supported by our strong faith? Do we believe that God is going to do a “new thing” for us in the coming year? Yes, we have to latch on to Him believing that the past is behind us and He has new plans and opportunities to bless us. He has a customized plan just for us and He can turn things around from bad to good. We just have to be willing to let Him work in our life for that ‘new beginning’ we have been hoping, dreaming and praying about. Our new beginnings come from the seeds He plants and nurtures within us.