Changing Landscape

Changing Landscape

 

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me.  The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. -Psalm 118:13-14 NIV

 

Every time I take a look at the beach, the shoreline is different. The currents, weather conditions, strong winds and waves all combine to cause the landscape to change its appearance often. Mighty storms come ashore and take large portions of sand out to sea. The protective dunes often get swallowed up, leaving big cliffs in the wake of the storms. Other times, the beach will seem to be replenished. Sand is constantly being pushed  around by nature. For me though, that is the magic of being near the beach...to see the daily changes. It amazes me that a perfectly sunny day can disguise the havoc going on in the ocean. Offshore storms that we cannot see have the ability to push water into strong waves onto the shore from many miles away. Have you ever been to the beach when the wind was so strong, you were literally sand blasted? Winds blowing with such velocity do have the ability to move sand in such a way that walkways and vegetation get covered over. Yesterday's footprints are covered over leaving today with a clean, blank canvas to leave our mark.

While I wish I could take credit for this statement, instead, I heard it said at church last week from our Pastor. “Don't let your thoughts push you around. Instead, push them around.” When I heard those words, I knew exactly how important it was to follow that instruction. There is a reason that when we put on God's armor, we include the helmet of salvation. It is to protect our minds. We are told that we become what we think. So it all unfolds. If we let sickness, fear and worry fill our minds, we soon will be caught up in it and have plenty of sickness, and plenty to fear and much to worry over. It is like we become a magnet for what we think. That is reason enough to control our thoughts

Taking a road trip this week, I went in and out of little towns and my radio station had to be changed frequently as I searched for a new signal. That is how it is with us. When we get flooded with thoughts that we know are not good like all those “what if” thoughts,  we just simply have to change the channel. We should search for a new signal. By pushing negative thoughts out of our minds, we can consciously allow only the good ones in. Romans 4:17 says we can call those things that don't exist into being. The times in my life when I was sick, I would see myself well. When I was tired, I would think myself being refreshed. When there was lack, I would think prosperity and abundance.  By starting off our day  on the “right channel” we are embarking on a new beginning to live positively in hope. Our new thoughts will be an encouragement to us and to those around us.

October Harvest

October Harvest Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass October 11, 2012

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: - Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) October days bring cooler weather. The humidity is low, and the salt air seems to cling a little less. At the beach, it appears vacant sometimes with the tourists that have returned home. The sun is a little lower in the sky and everything has a warm October glow to it. Photographers and artists will love the clear blue skies of October because the grey haze of summer has left. Sunsets are vivid and rich and possess all the colors that we associate with this time of year like hues of orange, gold and red. Sweatshirts replace swimsuits. Warm soups are favored over cold salads. Squirrels outside my window are scurrying around storing acorns for winter. While the cold months of winter are ahead, there is special warmth that greets this time of year. It’s transitional. Fall door decorations appear, scattered pumpkins can be see in the fields, and rows of freshly stacked firewood are carefully placed by the back door. It is all part of the season. When we pray, we are planting seeds of faith, dreams, hopes, wishes, desires, pleas for ourselves and for others. Our faith and belief are the water and fertilizer that brings us through our daily prayers until the day of harvest when our prayers are answered. When God answers a prayer it is the greatest comfort of all. It builds our faith and strengthens our confidence that we are being heard. We want to tell everyone what wonderful thing God has done for us. It reminds us that God is in control and that He is with us, always overseeing our needs. We are never forgotten. We are not alone. Think about the times in your life when God harvested your prayers and they manifested right in front of you. When He brought help, or healing or guidance. When that one thing that you had prayed so hard for happened. When we think of all that God has already done for us, it reminds us of the blessings we have received. Take time to be grateful in the midst of this abundant time of year.

Watching and Waiting

Watching and Waiting Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass October 04, 2012

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6 NIV Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to sit on the dune line with Jesus and talk about ordinary and special things as we look together across the ocean. I know I would have so many questions. But hopefully I would have the wisdom to be quiet and listen to what He would say. For some people their relationship with Jesus is silent. For others, His Voice can be heard in hearts and in minds. But in order to hear His Voice, we must be still. There is nothing as special as spending prayer time and feeling His Presence around us. For me, it begins with music. Singing the words of praise and clearing my busy mind prepares me for our time together. For years, I supposed I learned to pray and when I stopped talking, it was over. Now, much wiser I have learned to wait on God. He may drop a thought in my mind. A scripture will come to mind. Perhaps in my sleep He will give me a dream that gives me the solution to a problem. Our prayer time will come alive when we realize they are being heard. It isn’t just a one way conversation. No, sometimes He doesn’t answer right away. To our disappointment our answers may come years down the road but we should expect to hear from Him. God talks through His Word. The scriptures are there to guide us, provide knowledge, and be a roadmap and so much more. God talks through people that we trust. Leaning on their wisdom can be helpful. God can use anything He wants to get a message to us. He is limitless. Everyone seems to be watching and waiting for something. A friend was interviewing for a job and it looked like it was his. But at the last moment a former employee surfaced that was highly regarded and was given the opportunity instead. Disappointed? Maybe a first, but then the recognition came that God’s Timing is better than ours. So now we are waiting for God to bring something even bigger and better in the way of a career opportunity. I was recently on a trip and met two lovely ladies to spend time with. Our paths were different, yet for some reason God put us together. I will be watching and waiting to see if He brings us together again. My daughter in law posts pictures and videos for us to see of our new grandson often. I am in great anticipation each morning when I turn on the computer…hoping for another glimpse of him to start my day. A friend wants to develop a women’s ministry. She is in prayer and waiting on God for confirmation and guidance. Another friend is taking her ministry to a higher level and is excited and overwhelmed, while trusting in God’s Plan with total faithfulness. Give Him your hope and dreams through prayer. He is listening. And expect the guidance and direction you seek. God never fails. Perhaps you will be an answer to someone who has been watching and waiting. God works in all of us if we are willing to be obedient to Him.