Gazebo

Gazebo


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 25, 2011

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

I try to visit the gazebo in today’s photograph as often as I can. This gazebo is on the sound and there is a peace and serenity felt there making it a wonderful place to reflect on life. Whether it is a visit during an early morning walk or if I stop by with my camera to catch a magnificent sunset, it is so relaxing that I often feel like it is a spiritual place at times. With nothing more than the squawk of an occasional gull, or the drone of a boat motor in the distance, the view from this little gazebo offers a glimpse of God’s natural beauty. I like taking a mental picture of the scenery for later recall. Sitting on the gazebo at the end of the wooden walkway is a perfect place to take some time for thinking about things. Important things, like are we on the right track? Are we in God’s Will? Would He be pleased with the way we are living our lives?

January is a good time to look forward to another year ahead. But sometimes I believe it is necessary to look back, too. For instance, if any relationship needs special attention, or if a friendship has been neglected, I like to start there. If there has been unforgiveness in any area of my life, I know it has to be dealt with and disposed of, or it can harm me, both physically and spiritually. When I was much younger, I thought that in order to forgive, I had to “feel” like doing it first. That “feeling” never came. I learned that forgiving is a decision, not a feeling. Even though we may have a right to our emotions and no one would argue that we have been wronged, we must make that choice to forgive. It won’t happen naturally on it’s own. I believe time does not heal, instead, it only makes it harder and more difficult to forgive, as the bitterness grows out of control. So much of our wellness stems from whether or not we carry unforgiveness in our heart. It weighs us down and becomes heavy. It affects our outlook, health, our relationships and it destroys our faith. Unforgiveness is not from God and if we are carrying it, we must give it over to Him right away and ask His forgiveness. We can ask Him to change our heart and to give us the strength to forgive. We can ask Him to carry the pain of the situation and to give us His peace in its place. God never fails us

Peace

Peace Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Glass January 19, 2011

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. –Matthew 7:7 NIV  When I set out to take photographs, it is just me and my camera with a lot of expectant hope. I will do some things to ensure that I could have a bit of success by choosing the right time of day to take photos, scout out a special location with interest and then search for the best light for the subject. Then the focus shifts to composition. I then think about how can take a photograph of something ordinary and make it extraordinary. Many times it works out that I am able to capture a simple moment with my lens so that it can last a lifetime in my portfolio. I feel a wonderful peace when I walk with nature and my camera in tow. God’s Presence is ever present in the beautiful surroundings, but the beach is my favorite. It amazes me the amount of peace that can be found if we are willing to receive it. A simple walk on the beach can turn a dull day into one not to be forgotten. I love everything about it like the smell of the salt air, wet driftwood and sparkling shells that are being bleached by the sunlight. Then there is the sound of the gentle wash of the wave onshore or seeing the occasional shorebird skirting the waters’ edge with its leggy stance. There are treasures to stuff pockets with and people to nod hello to. And those moments of standing sill searching for objects far away on the horizon and of course, walking and talking aloud to God. I have many memories stored in my heart of days just like this. There is beauty in each day. We miss it sometimes. Carrying a camera reminds me to stop long enough to focus on my beautiful surroundings and get a photo or two when I could have missed it altogether. God’s Peace is like that. It is there if we seek it, but how often do we set it aside day after day? Within His Peace is His unfailing, abundant Love. No one can love us like God does. His Peace and Love will sustain us in all times. Through God’s lens, He loves us like a Father loves his child. He comforts us and teaches us to make choices guided by His Peace. We are not ordinary. God made us to be extraordinary. He put greatness down on the inside of each of us. When a photographer builds his portfolio, only the perfect, special photos are included and those are considered the masterpieces of one’s work. In God’s eyes, we are all masterpieces because He made us. He is perfect. He doesn’t make any mistakes. We can do great things when we seek and follow Him and by activating the gifts He placed inside of us by faith.

Sentinel

Sentinel


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 12, 2011

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. - Proverbs 4:23

There are many sentinels protecting the Outer Banks. I am speaking of the beautiful, historic lighthouses that have stood guard over the barrier islands for many years. The dictionary defines a sentinel as “a person or thing that stands and watches”. And the lighthouses certainly do just that. They watch the land and the sea. Each lighthouse is individual and unique yet they are similar in shape. I have enjoyed visiting them all and taking photographs from different angels. They are truly historic treasures and have become tourist attractions over the years. The sight of light from a lighthouse in the night sky still thrills me today like it did was I was a young child. A sentinel is thought of as a guiding light but that doesn’t just apply to a lighthouse.

God watches over us like a sentinel, too. He guides us all the time and He is there through trials and hardships, too. His light shines on us to light the way, both night and day. A sentinel guards and guides. We can look to God to be that for us. But we too have a responsibility to guard our lives. As we follow Him, we are to guard ourselves with our thoughts and actions, keeping them of pure motive and godly at all times. What lies deep within us is what springs forth and becomes how we are defined. If we are full of stress, it will show. If we give in to anger or strife, it will flow out of us to another. It is so amazing to realize our physical hearts are so sensitive to emotions. Doctors have long said it is not the situation we find ourselves in, but how we handle it that matters.

What will matter this week? Guarding our thoughts, binding stress, filtering what we let in to our hearts and keeping His guiding light before us with each step we take. A good way to shine the light on this New Year is to let Him be our sentinel, our guide, our light in everything.

Turning Tide

Turning Tide


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
January 05, 2011





I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands. -Psalm 119:166 NIV

The turning tide is what comes to mind this time of year. The outgoing tide from last year takes with it the memories of the last 12 months and we await the incoming tide that brings new things. The last boxes from the Christmas decorations are packed up now and put away. The special cards and letters I have received throughout the year are tied with a pretty ribbon and put in a special floral box with other keepsakes. I have taken the time to look back and say thank you for the many blessings that helped to shape this last year. Gratefulness fills my heart as I think of all the good that came and even the difficult roads taken, which always had a lesson to learn. The tide turns, as a new year unfolds

What will the New Year bring? I think that whatever comes, we can handle it, and get through it if we are rooted and established in love. If love is at the heart of our decisions and motives, we will manage well. I think this year is the time to look forward with rising faith.

The incoming tide always brings with it some treasures and a few surprises. One time I saw a beach littered with small twigs of driftwood. Other times jelly fish would catch the tide to shore and rest at the waters edge. After storms, the ocean floor gets churned up to bring large shells to the beach. Our life is much like that incoming tide. Not sure what each day will bring but we remain hopeful that it will be more “treasure” than “trash”.

Do we have things that irritate us and cause us frustration? Oh yes, but remember that the oyster produces a beautiful pearl that was once a speck of sand that created irritation in the beginning. Rising faith is like a rising tide that can sweep over a multitude of things and with God, all things can be made new. The lyrics to a song we sang in church on Sunday were,”I will follow you forward”. In this New Year, let us follow Him forward with rising faith and hearts full of expectant hope to uncover the pearls waiting for us in 2011.

Reflecting Thoughts

Reflecting Thoughts


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 30, 2010

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: - Proverbs 23:7a KJV

January is the time when holiday decorations are packed and stored back in the attic, school starts up again and we return to our regular routines as we begin thinking about what we hope for in the coming year. It is such a great feeling sometimes to sort of “wipe the slate clean” when an old year ends and a new one begins. The old habits and mindsets get left behind and we have high hopes for the New Year. Did you know that our lives reflect our thoughts? We should look hard at our life and see where we are at this moment. Have our thoughts limited us, do others believe in us more than we believe in ourselves? Do we think big or small? Are we afraid to break out of the box? Much to ponder here. What it a thought? It is something that we consider as a possible choice or action. It is important to guard and filter our thoughts. If a person sets out to accomplish something, they should continuously practice positive self talk. Saying things like, “I know I can do it. God is by my side lifting me up.” You may be one of the many people who want to improve finances, get out of debt, exercise more or eat healthier. We have many choices available to us to promote positive growth and change. We just have to take the first step. When we wish to embark on something new, it is always wise to ask for God’s Will and His Help. If He wants it to happen, He will open every door for us, but if He doesn’t want us going in that direction, we can count on Him to close every door. We shouldn’t get disappointed when doors shut because my experience is that God has something even better in mind for us than we could have hoped for. God gets the final say, but I believe He always takes joy in seeing us trying to improve our lives, our health, and our situation under His Protection. We can all use this time at the beginning of the year to practice good thoughts and positive self talk in our everyday life, whether we are making a big life change or simply going about our familiar routine.

O Holy Night

O Holy Night



Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 22, 2010

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. -Luke 2:14 NIV


My father’s favorite Christmas carol was, ‘O Holy Night’. He is resting in Heaven now but I think of him when I hear it on the radio and it brings sweet memories. Over the years, I would pull out the sheet music from the piano seat and try in earnest to play this carol without error. My father appreciated my annual effort and didn’t seem to notice that the left hand and right hand weren’t always in sync. Let’s just say that ‘O Holy Night’ and I continue to be a work in progress.

Interestingly, this carol has quite a history. It was the first carol ever played live on a Christmas radio broadcast, dating back to 1906. The broadcast on December 24, originating from Massachusetts, was intended for ships at sea and the signal was picked up as far south as Norfolk and even as far as the West Indies, when it was rebroadcast on New Year’s Eve that year. Of all the words in this carol, it is the third verse that has the meaning for me and maybe you will agree,” Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace.” That says it all, doesn’t it? Can we claim this as our Christmas message this year?

To add to the sights of this season, the recent early snow on the Outer Banks brought in the first frosty breath of winter. Each snowflake that fell added up and before long there was a glistening of white glaze. It makes everyday things different. Was nature showing us that with one snowflake at a time we can change the landscape? Imagine what His love and peace could do if it was passed around the world! We could be a lighthouse in the darkness. He offers His Love as His pure gift to us. It is not wrapped. You won’t find it under the tree. It is there in our hearts where He placed it. He wants us to find the light He placed within us and pass it on. Now let us see if we can blanket the earth with His love and peace and change the look of things, just like a snowflake does…one at a time.

Merry Christmas and May God Bless You!

Traditions

Traditions


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 15, 2010

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, -- Galatians 5:22 NIV

One definition for tradition is, “a story or a custom that is memorized and passed down from generation to generation”. I think of it as a circle of love. It goes round and round to warm and comfort a family in their own specialness.

It is the time of year to finalize those holiday plans and bring to life those childhood traditions again. This year our family won’t get to see everyone all at once as we have in the past. That has been our tradition in previous years, but we will have to revise it this year. We have been fortunate to be together so often over the years that we must celebrate that instead. It is the traditions that were set in place long ago that are the common thread in our family, whether we can geographically be together or not. We will still enjoy my mother’s cornbread stuffing because all the cooks in the family now have that recipe. My husband will have a bit of his mother with him as we eat out of her mother’s cranberry bowl. It has been passed down now 3 times! We haven’t decided if we will have my fathers’ fruit ambrosia or banana pudding. He finally conceded and gave us his secret recipes just a few years ago to our delight! Whether we are all at the same table together or scattered across many states, it is the comforts of tradition that brings about closeness and bridges any gaps. It is also a reminder to us of the memories that have helped to shape us and our holidays’ past.

Many families, regardless of their faith or heritage will begin celebrating using their traditions carried from generation to generation. The Jewish community will celebrate Chanukah by lighting the Menorah for eight days. The Christians will celebrate Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ on the 25th.. African-Americans will honor their heritage for seven days in a fairly new tradition called Kwanzaa, beginning on the 26th. A local Outer Banks tradition called, “Old Christmas” goes back over 100 years and is still celebrated by some, but this celebration occurs as it always has, in January.

What will you pass down this year? A recipe, an old treasured family tablecloth, that special saw that always cut down the Christmas tree? Maybe we can add to that. Let’s meet this season with peace and the fruit of the spirit in our hearts to love and forgive the offenses from the past. Let it be a time to right the wrongs, make peace, love the unlovable and be merciful. We are all God’s Children and we are a part of His Circle of Love. Pass it on!

Christmas Wreath

Christmas Wreath


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
December 08, 2010

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. -Psalm 118:29 NIV

It is said that in ancient times, the Christmas Wreath, made of evergreens, symbolized the strength of life overcoming the forces of nature. The Romans hung wreaths as a sign of celebration and victory. But the Christians believed that the circular wreath represented immortality, making the Christmas Wreath very symbolic and meaningful. The colors of Christmas are green and red. Green represents the continuance of life through winter and the belief of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Red is representative of Jesus’ blood at crucifixion. Today, evergreen wreaths with red ribbons are found on doors and windows, both inside and out at the holidays. The Advent Wreath has its own importance that originates back to the 16th century in Germany. Four candles nestled in an evergreen wreath are lit, one at a time each week leading up to Christmas. A fifth candle in the center of the wreath represents Jesus’ birth and is lit on Christmas Eve. It is a symbol of hope and light. The custom of lighting the Advent Wreath is still practiced today in many homes and churches.

The season is here. The wreaths are hung and the tree is adorned. It is a busy time. There are menus to plan and family to prepare for. Jingle Bells are ringing and Christmas Carols are hummed out of tune while scurrying from errand to errand. In the frenzy of getting ready for Christmas, I am reminded that we shouldn’t lose sight of the deeper meaning of it. Festivities, parties, presents and Santa are a part of the Yule time and it may be easy to get absorbed in little things and miss the whole point of Christmas.

Like the holiday wreath, the circle of unbroken love that God surrounds us with each day is something that we can rely on anytime. He won’t let us go too far out before he pulls us back in where we belong. He is there for us in any situation or circumstance. He carries us when we are weak and he walks along side of us when we are strong. He leads often and asks us to follow. Asking God in prayer how He wants us to honor Him in our homes and hearts this holiday and the New Year ahead is the beginning of shining the light back on Him and His Son this Christmas. Setting up a tabletop nativity scene, blessing the holiday meal, reading about the birth of Jesus to young and old are all things we can start with. Making it a more meaningful, spiritual Christmas will cause us to come closer to Him and He will come closer to us.