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.

Influence

Influence Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass September 24, 2012

O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling. –Psalm 43:3 The beach has been such a part of my life since I was a child. It made sense that I would share my love of the beach with my own children. They were influenced by me and both of our children love everything to do with the beach today. I enjoy seeing parents taking their children to the beach for the first time or out on the pier with their first rod and reel. Little children want to emulate their parents. We don’t have to tell them what to do as much as we must show them by our actions and live a life that would make them want to follow. When our actions and words surround them, that is called “influence”. We each have the power to influence anyone. It is a mighty thing to know that something we can say or do could shape another person’s life, choices and decisions. Using our influence in a subtle way is far better than actually telling someone what to do. To be told what to do can often be received as unsolicited advice, unappreciated wisdom, and just plain interference. To have success in this area, we must realize that our actions carry more weight than our words. How are we using our influence in our everyday life? Who do we look up to? Who looks up to us? Everything that we say and do reflects our character which reflects our relationship with God. If we are using the gift of influence to guide others, we must pray that it is God’s Light and His Truth leading us to lead others.

Today

 

Today

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

–Psalm 118:24 NIV

 

More than once, I have found myself leaning against a sand fence and thoughtfully staring at the ocean into the distance. I wonder if there was someone on the other side staring back at me with a heart full of hopes and dreams, too! It is a great past time to wonder what lies beyond what our natural eye can see.  At times I wish I could see supernaturally for what is coming next week, next month or next year. But, God knows best when He limits our vision to the “here and now”. When I was a child, my friends and I wished our life away, as though we were in an anxious race to mark time quickly, so we can become adults. Only to become adults, and long for the carefree days of our youth again! How foolish we were!

 

The Bible teaches us to not worry or have fear about His Provision. We aren’t to worry about tomorrow, just live in today. Worry can’t accomplish anything. In fact, worry is actually a sin. It cancels out our prayers.   We are to trust God for His blessings and favor.  It is a blessing to just being able to live and enjoy each day in contentment without fear or anxiety. He provides for us in all ways, each day. God brought this message to me another way this week. As I was going about the house, I was humming a hymn. Finally I paid attention to the song He put in my heart. It was “Great Is Thy Faitfulness”. The refrain says it all:

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Beachcombing

BeachcombingReflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
September 13, 2012

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. -Psalm 16:11 NIV A beachcomber, according to the dictionary is defined this way, ”a drifter or loafer usually by the seacoast”. Is that all it says? They left out the part about having fun, getting exercise and clearing the mind. I am not too crazy about being described as a “drifter or loafer”, but if that is what you call strolling along the shoreline in search of washed up treasures, then I’ll take it! Filling my pockets with shells in all shapes, colors and sizes is heaven on earth to me. Maybe there is a little “drifter” in you, too. Slowing the pace and enjoying a walk on the beach is a precious gift we can give ourselves. I am not sure what draws people to the beach. Maybe it is the ever-changing grandness of it. The ocean looks different everyday. The way the sunlight reflects off of the water and waves that curl and roll in to shore is mesmerizing. And maybe yesterday’s footprints have been worn away by a strong ocean breeze so the sand looks untouched and new. To me, the best part of beachcombing is to arise early and be the first one on the beach in the morning to be a part of the day as it unfolds. God wants to be part of our day. And, He wants to be first in the order of things we have on our schedules. Before the demands of the day can multiply, I can honestly say that making God first is the best way to meet the day head on. Finding that special time and place to rest in His Presence may take some effort. Especially, if the TV is blaring, children and pets have to be fed and the phone starts ringing. It may take a juggling act to find that time with God but it is worth it. Plugging in to God’s Word, His Peace and Protection will start the day right. It is a discipline at first, but once God’s Presence is truly heartfelt in those special moments with Him, you may find yourself waking up a little earlier just to spend more cherished time together with God.

Being Guided
Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass

September 05, 2012

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—Proverbs 1:5 NIV The Outer Banks offers so much to do and many times, tourists aren’t sure which way to turn. Fortunately the “locals” are a wealth of information and are always willing to share to make the vacationers visit special. When we travel we always ask where the “locals” dine and for directions to those special places that are off the beaten path. We will take any advice that we can get from anyone “in the know”. Being guided by people who know more than we do is a blessing. We would never set out in a boat without charts, or hike without a compass or travel somewhere without a map to guide us. That’s why it is important to seek information, wisdom and knowledge which give us the tools to stay the course on our journey.  Spiritual guidance is a blessing, too. When we allow ourselves to be guided by God, it is amazing the places He will take us. Sometimes we think we know all we need to know and on our own will we set out to do things, move, change jobs, make things happen. Many times it will work out and sometimes it won’t. But I can tell you from experience, when we surrender our will to God and allow Him free rein in our life, mighty things happen. Part of surrendering is to let go of worry and fret too. It is counterproductive to “give it all to God” and then take it back again with anxious thoughts.  I know too that with each new day we have to make the decision about what will guide our lives or will we allow ourselves to be guided. Make no mistake, there will be days, weeks, maybe months when absolutely nothing happens. I know because that has happened to me and I think God is off on assignment tending to other people and just hasn’t gotten to me and my life just yet. But that isn’t true even though it feels like it at times. Keeping faith strong in these quiet times when we aren’t hearing anything is vital. In our “I want it now” world, it is easy to get impatient with God’s Timing. But this I know. When we think nothing is happening, God is actually lining up things behind the scenes for us. And then one day, the blessings pour down on us and we are flooded with opportunity, blessings and more. The phone will ring and the news is what we have been waiting for. We may have a divine appointment to meet that “right” person of influence that will help us to make our dreams a reality. He guides us in many ways. But what is important is to stay with God during the drought. He has not forgotten us or forsaken us. We haven’t done anything wrong. The drought builds our faith and when God is ready, He guides us higher. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14 NIV

Higher Ground Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass August 29, 2012

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. -Proverbs 2:11 NLT Walking the beach not so long ago I was with my family and we set out to search for sandollars. They are my favorite. Everyone was at the waters edge looking for the one that was riding the tide of seafoam before settling onto the wet sand. There would be one, two and three. Then, more. As more sandollars were found, we began to attract a crowd. I decided to leave the shallows for higher ground. To my surprise, I collected just as many as everyone else, but mine were dry and white as they sat on top of the hard sand. They had been there for days and had gone unnoticed to my delight!  This week I was been given many choices to either take the higher ground in my actions or wade ankle deep in the muck. It is a choice to not enter into discussions that you know are going to end in disagreement. It is a choice to walk away from a person that is argumentative or negative. It is a choice to guard our thoughts when it would be so much easier to gossip or mock someone. Yes, I think God puts us to the test sometimes to remind us that He is always watching us and He knows our heart. We either pass or fail this test. And if we fail, it means we must do better and that if we are truly living in God and He in us, we can make only one choice…to always take the high road…to walk the higher ground with Him. A friend told me this week that our mouth acts as a rudder. The rudder is what steers the direction of a boat. It is very small but very powerful. I thought that was such an accurate statement. There is a saying, “The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live”. So it is up to us which road we take. Temptations will chase us down to pull us back in to the old strongholds like the speed of a rushing tide. But it is the choice that we make in that split moment about how to conduct ourselves and what path we choose to walk that steers our path. God will always meet us on the higher ground.