Daily Walk

Daily Walk Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass April 12, 2012

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7 NIV A daily walk is a good thing to do. It exercises our bodies and it promotes good health. A walk can be taken early in the morning, during a lunch break or at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter when. What does matter is that it is not forgotten. There is another daily walk that is important too and that is our daily time with God. But, somehow it is often the first thing that is shelved when a day becomes busy and overbooked. Everything else becomes a priority and God is left to wait for us to show up later. A daily dialogue with God is not only the most important time we will spend each day, we should try to make that time first before anything else. But, what happens if we become lazy and put God off day after day? No longer seeking God’s help and protection, we unknowingly open the door to the enemy. Fear, bitterness, anxiety, resentment and anger are just a few of the things that can come upon us and they are all destructive and harmful to our minds, bodies and souls. Our attitude and outlook turns sour and negative. Our vision is clouded. We become oppressed and find it hard to shake things off.   So, what is the benefit of this daily walk with God? One of the benefits of spending daily time with God is that it keeps us in dialogue with Him. We will begin to discern His Voice inside of us giving us guidance and direction. He is our protection and our shield. In our daily time with God we should repent of our mistakes and failings and be sincere and genuine. It means that we start off each day forgiven with a new heart and a new start. We learn that we can live in a place of blessing. While a daily walk exercises the body, a daily walk with God engages our faith. Why not do both? Each day can be a new beginning, knowing God is on our side in all we do.

Easter

Happy Easter to All!

The same Resurrections power that rose Christ from the dead is alive in each of us. On this highest of all Holy Days of the year, it is a time of celebration. Christ Has Risen!!

Hope Lives Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass April 05, 2012

I am the Resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25 What does the cross mean to you? For many of us it is a symbol of our faith. Jesus died on the cross and while it brings to mind Jesus’ suffering, the Resurrection three days later gives us hope eternal. Because Jesus rose again, which shines the light on God’s Promise for Eternal Life we know there is more than this earthly life that awaits us. I am counting on God’s Promise that as believers we shall never die, but live with Him in eternity. A favorite old Easter hymn is called “He Lives” and part of the chorus says this: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and He talks with me Along life's narrow way. He lives, He live, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart. Martin Luther is quoted as saying that “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring time.” How true. Each budding tree or bush we see now in our surroundings is showing us new life. It gives hope and meaning to new beginnings. Let’s go forward with renewed faith this Easter and seek God in a higher way. God doesn’t want us to just be satisfied with just our Salvation. There is so much more He can do through us if we are willing to let Him. It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. We can have a new beginning today. A fresh start. A new life. We have everything within us, on the inside of us, to start anew. God believes in us and wants the very best for us. Educator Alice Freeman Palmer said that “For I remember it is Easter morn, and life and love and peace are all new born”. Today is a new day. Lord, we believe in you and we ask for a fresh new anointing of love and peace to fill us and surround us, to see our life and circumstances in a new light through you

Holy Week

Holy Week Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass March 28, 2012

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna[ in the highest heaven!” When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:6-11 NIV We are approaching the beginning of Holy Week which begins with Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. The significance of Palm Sunday celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, which was the week before He died and His resurrection. The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, which is a symbol of peace, the crowds greeted Him by waving palm branches, thereby the significance of calling it “Palm Sunday”. Almost immediately following this time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, He begins His journey to the cross followed by the Resurrection which is celebrated on Easter Sunday. Many Christians will honor this time with reverence and by attending services to commemorate the week made holy by Jesus. No matter how each religious denomination honors these holy days, as Christians we are all unified with the knowledge of the love that Jesus has for us all. Reading the Book of Mark can offer a very concise timeline of Jesus’ life and resurrection. I know that I will pay more attention next week by being more prayerful, reading the Bible to follow Jesus’ last steps and walking my journey with gratitude for the gift of Jesus’ love. If you don’t regularly attend a church, just try it once and see what you think. If you do attend church, ask someone to come as your guest. There may be someone who wants to be invited so they can say yes to you and yes to God. Let’s glorify God and be mindful of Jesus in everything we do this coming week.

Spring

Spring Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass March 21, 2012

And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years. Genesis 1:14 NIV Although the official start of spring was just a few days ago, it feels like it has already arrived. The spring season will last about three months and is a season that most people look forward to. It is the tilt of the Earth that causes the rising change in temperature and also the longer days of daylight. This time of year represents a renewal in many ways. Lawns appear to come back to life, flowers and bulbs bloom in a kaleidoscope of color and the foliage of trees and branches spring forth in greenery. God has given us beauty beyond words on this Earth. It is the natural scenery that surrounds us that is so captivating. The bold yellow of daffodils, the majestic purple of hyacinths and wiry forsythia branches all contribute to the colors of Spring. For some blooms, it means “a coming back to life, a “rebirth,” and for others, it is a “new beginning, a brand new start.”   The mild winter is now behind us and we can spring to life too. It’s the season for sprucing things up like painting the house, bringing out the lawn furniture, or getting our hands in the flowerbeds, to work the soil. But these are all material things. So what about our lives? What lies deep inside of us waiting to be born? That is a question to take to prayer. Real change takes place in the depths of ones soul. For a person to seek a new beginning, it may take getting rid of old mindsets and adapting to different ideas or thoughts. To some, it may mean seizing the opportunity to learn something fresh and exciting through a book or class, that stirs a passion. Or it could be that it is time to give back, by volunteering time and God-given talents, to help others in need. Making positive changes in daily living has its rewards that are reflected in our mind, body and soul. But in making adjustments, it is important also to stay in balance to be sure there is ample time for prayer, work, rest and play. Spring is a good time to launch into action and accomplish a goal or a dream. But we should not forget that God has given us life and we are His. Prayerfully taking our lives to God, and asking for His lead on what to do in the next season of our life, is a starting point. He will bring us direction if we earnestly seek it. The hibernation of winter is past and it is time to awaken our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. Search Him for guidance to a “fresh start” this Spring and delight in the joy that awaits us.

Sunshine

Sunshine

The Lord watches over you-

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

-Psalm 121:5-8 NIV

At this time of year, waking up to a day with sunshine always brightens my spirit. In contrast to the gray days of winter, a sunny day gives me that extra motivation to get things done so I can step outside to enjoy it, if only for a few moments, before retreating back inside. One day it is winter coat weather and the next day it feels like Spring! I think the key word here is being adaptable in what awaits us each day, no matter what it is.

To adapt suggests that we modify, conform to or accommodate what lies before us. We often get thrust into situations that we would prefer didn’t exist. Like being confronted, being misunderstood or misjudged. Circumstances like this, no one enjoys, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. We are not responsible for other’s actions towards us but we are held accountable for how we treat our accusers. When unpleasant things come up and have to be dealt with, just remember that Jesus had to deal with situations too and He was mistreated. We can gain strength from His example. Take heart and know that God knows everything. It is also important to teach our children to listen, to be fair-minded and Christian in their actions and reactions to people and situations. If we all do this, then we will know that we have taken the high road and God will give us His peace

Lifeline

Lifeline Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass March 08, 2012

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 (NIV) My puppy loves to go on walks whether it is our neighborhood, the park or the marina. But he must always be on a leash. I call it his “lifeline”. Without the leash, his explorations and wandering curiosity would surely put him in harms way like chasing squirrels into traffic or losing his way and not being able to find his way back home. Or worse yet, falling in the water. While he seems quiet and restful lying at the foot of a park bench, it would only take a second for him to wander off and we couldn’t risk losing him. When my dog and I go to the marina for walks, we notice all the boats are tied up with lines and the boats have life jackets on board. Anchors are used to keep from drifting when out on the open water and some of the larger boats even have life rafts. Lifelines are essential. I just finished a wonderful Bible study on the book of James. There are so many nuggets of wisdom in that book. Too many to mention actually but worth the time to delve into it. Today’s’ verse is the one that really spoke to me and it is a “call to action”. Many of us, me included, will sometimes shy away from speaking to a loved one or a good friend when we see them taking the wrong road. We rationalize that they are old enough to know what they are doing and we look the other way and hope for the best. That is not what we are being called to do. If after praying for wisdom, seeking God’s Will and we show ourselves willing to help, God may equip us with the courage and strength to bring a person back from sin. We have to be careful here because we can become righteous for the wrong reasons, but when God asks us to help to offer a lifeline to one of His people, we should step up. What comes to mind are teenagers that are overwhelmed with choices and temptations and often times succumb to the wrong influences in their life…and there is no one to notice or say anything. That is just one example. Good people that get out of balance with too much of a bad thing needs a loving friend to tap them on the shoulder and pull them back. We can love someone back in a loving way with dignity rather than preaching, taking a superior tone or threats. We can be the lifeline that brings someone back to God which saves them and their soul. Biblically, we are responsible to help if we can.

Blooms Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass February 29, 2012

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. -Psalm 51:10 NIV The Outer Banks is beginning to burst into bloom with flowering trees, flowers and bulbs announcing the arrival of spring. I have always associated the spring season with a time for new beginnings. The outdoors looks fresh and rejuvenated with new growth and buds. The colors of the emerging blooms are vibrant, especially the yellow forsythia and daffodils. We have learned to have faith that a flowering tree will bloom again as it has in year’s past, even though it was just a mass of bare limbs weeks ago. Remembering also that beneath the barren ground there is a cluster of bulbs that will soon give way to a colorful display of beauty that can’t be ignored. Spring is a showcase for nature in its purest form. It is the season of eternal hope. I have seen the phrase, “Bloom Where You Are Planted” on many greeting cards. In spiritual terms it could also mean to take what God has given you and make the most of it. There are things that happen to all of us. Painful experiences, deep wounds, emotional disappointments, hardships. No one escapes them as they are part of life on this earth. However, we don’t have to make them the focus of our life either. Talking about our problems to friends over and over and living in self-pity keeps it fresh, day after day. What we can do is to leave negative experiences behind in our thoughts and minds. Dwelling on those times of sorrow or loss after an appropriate time has passed has an amazing impact on us. Reliving events in our minds and hearts can be as though they have happened to us again! We have to change our focus from disappointment and sadness to God and get back to where we belong. We can get stuck in a lifeless cycle where nothing good happens because we don’t expect it to. Letting go and releasing painful experiences and attitudes to God will free us up for a new beginning. We can pray for a clean heart to accompany a new positive steadfast spirit towards our future. Let the old pass away to make room for the new!