WatchingReflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass
February 28, 2013

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. –Colossians 3:12 NIVAll across the beach and on docks, there are birds just sitting and watching. On the bridges, they will line up on the rails, facing the same direction. Maybe they are sunning themselves or standing against the wind. Whatever they are doing, they are doing it together and in harmony. When our lives are so busy that we don’t have the time to observe around us, it is time to slow down the pace. We can be used by God to do service for Him but first we have to see where there is a need. Are the elderly neighbors okay? Maybe the mother at the grocery store fumbling with change to buy milk needs a few dollars pressed in her hand. The homeless woman sitting on the bench looks hungry. At the office, perhaps there is a co-worker who is in emotional pain and needs someone to speak hope and kindness over them. I believe we should always be watching for opportunities to help and serve. God charges us to love and acts of kindness shows His Love. To give and not be boastful about what we have done is all the better. To serve and do it quietly, without recognition or praise is the Christian way. In my daily prayer each morning, I ask God to use me. I do my part by seeing and watching where I can be useful. Many times, an act of kindness leads to a conversation and it is there that we can talk of God’s Goodness and Promises to share with others

Being Prepared

Being Prepared
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
February 21, 2013

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. -Ephesians 6:10-11 NLT Each morning before I take our puppy for a walk, I check the weather and the temperature. I need to know whether to put a coat on both of us, carry an umbrella to shield us from any rain or grab the sunglasses and a hat on a sunny day. Even though I check the weather reports and predictions, I don’t know what to really expect until I actually walk out the door. I think I am fully equipped but many times the rain gives way to sun and vice versa and I realize I am not prepared at all! We are told to put on the full armor of God each day. What is the full armor? The belt of God’s truth. The breastplate of righteousness which protects our hearts and emotions. The shoes of peace. The shield of faith which helps us to see past our troubles and remain focused on God. The helmet of salvation to keep from doubting God and the sword of the spirit which is God’s Word, our offensive weapon when we are in battle against darkness. When we cloak ourselves in the full armor of God, we can be assured we have all we need to meet the day. Each day I specifically ask in prayer that God equips me with His full armor. But why is this so important? As in the weather, sudden storms come up, hurricanes can cut a swath through our geography and lives, snow surprises us wit a covering over the sand and so much more. You get the idea. In our life, how many times have we “planned” our day but things seemed to come out of nowhere. We were thrown off course, off balance. When we are outfitted with the whole armor of God we know we can rise up over our problems while keeping God at the center of our life. We know we won’t lose control of our emotions, that we will be able to see things as they really are because God’s truth resides in us. We have an abundant faith inside of us to make it through. We will not doubt God or His existence in our life or the situation we seek wisdom to deal with and we have God’s Word to back down the enemy when he tries to come against us. On the coldest day of winter you would automatically put on your heavy coat and when the rain comes, you’d seek an umbrella and maybe boots. You have trained yourself to do those things instinctively. So it goes with the full armor of God. We should make putting it on as an essential part of our morning until it becomes second nature to us. How could we even think of going through the day without Him?

Treasured Presence
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
February 12, 2013

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 Walking around my home sometimes I admire the little treasures I have collected over the years that have special meaning for me. Some of my favorite things are worn Bibles and dog-eared devotion books that have been highlighted for their encouragement, bowls of shells from walks on the beach, and family photographs serving as reminders of great times. Searching through one of those devotional books this week, a phrase caught my attention. It said, “Decorate ones’ home with the presence of the Lord”. I had never thought of it in those terms before, but it caused me to wonder about what my treasures really were and if I had included God into my “decorating theme”.  When I heard that phrase, I looked around my home with a new eye. What I saw brought me joy. God’s beauty surrounded me in this space through Bibles, books, artwork, photographs of nature, calendars with scripture, Bible study notes, intertwined with everyday life like music, stacks of newspapers, my puppies toys scattered about and a comfortable chair for rest. These walls have seen and heard a lot of prayers over time. I pray that this space we call home is pleasing to God. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt. 6:21My prayer today for you and for me is that the Lord is the head of our home always, that He greets us at the door, resides with us and fills us with His presence. When He is treasured in our home and there is a place made for Him, He will come.

February

February
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
February 07, 2013

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. -Hebrews 12:14 NIVThere’s always a chill in the air in February. But the weather patterns now seems to bring storms and colder than normal temperatures every few days. I find it fascinating to observe the weather. Living on the coast makes weather watching especially important and interesting too. February is also the time that we recognize those we love in observance of Valentines Day. It is a centuries old tradition that was originally called Saint Valentines Day but was shortened to simply Valentines Day as we know it and it continues today. It was intended to honor and recognize romantic love but is now extended to include all those that we cherish. In a perfect world, we would live in peace with everyone. But sometimes that doesn’t seem possible. The people that hold on to grudges with a death grip are also the ones that easily perceive offenses when none is intended. In short, they are easily offended and quick to judge. It springs forth unexpectedly and contaminates everything. This gives new meaning to the phrase, “there’s a chill in the air”. We have to navigate around people like this as though we are on an obstacle course trying to dodge the debris. This is the result of behavior when a person chooses not to walk in peace. The best we can do when these situations arise is to pray, pray and pray some more. And then let it go. Surrender it to God. Trying to be peaceful with someone that doesn’t want to be peaceful bears no fruit and is toxic. The tearing down, the judgment and condemnation serves no good but to feed grudges and offenses with more fuel. He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends Proverbs 17:9 NIVGod created us to live a life of excellence, to live our days in joy, peace and love. He has mighty work for us to do if we can step up and over the pettiness we encounter in life. God loves us and that is unwavering. His love is unconditional. What more do we need to move forward? Charles Dickens said “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.”As much as it depends on us, we are to live in love and peace. Valentines Day is a reminder to show love and to renew our commitment to God to walk in His Ways.