It was a cold day on the beach , winds from the North were bitter . The sun had come out to tease people into walking on the beach, myself included . I had wanted to do some shooting at the waters edge , it is here you can capture some really interesting reflections and sunsets at the same time . It can also be dangerous if you are not careful.
The Ocean is very cold , not easy to swim in if you are unfortunate enough to get caught in a wave . The waves are not as dependable as you may think. Generally speaking the surf line retreats after High tide as it goes to the low tide , then advances at the end of the low tide till the peak of the high tide .
Tide charts are readily available on the Oregon Coast , or you can goggle them . For any travel and adventure on the beach they are indispensable. ON this day the tide was going out ...but even as the tide goes out the wave action is unpredictable , often time huge waves rush in even as the tide is receding.
I was wearing knee high boots because I anticipated getting a little wet . As I was shooting I glanced to my left and saw three young girls playing in the waves . Their parents were photographing the water bashing into them. MY first reaction was concern , it doesn't take a very large wave to knock an adult down , and before you can get up another wave will usually take its place . Along the Coast I had ran into several markers , like the ones you find on the roads where a traffic accident has claimed a life . ON the Beach these markers tell a different story , a story of a life lost to the ocean waves .
So here I was standing in the water , photographing the sunset and the reflection of the waves , and at the same time judging the behaviour of the group down the beach . As I think about it now safe at home I realize I was as vulnerable as the girls dancing in the waves . More than likely somewhere nearby someone else was commenting on my reckless behaviour .
To be honest I don't know what this all means . How securly do we secure ourselves from danger ? At what point do we allow fear to override our Joy and passion ? I don't think this is an easy question to answer.
The Girls while a few feet distant from their family and friends were being watched . They were helping each other stand against the waves , and when they were knocked over they rushed to help each other . More than likely they will have memories of a lifetime from this visit .
Sky divers , Mountain climbers , rock climbers , surfers , wind riders ....
Certianly there are limits to our risk taking ..and when the risk becomes its own goal we should take a step backward . But to dive into the deep , to race headlong into the storm , for the sake of enjoying His creation , for the Joy of being alive I wonder ....
How easy is it to feel the Breath of God , while sheltered in safe house ? How can we taste the Lord , if we dine on TV dinners ?
The Psalmist said " Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. "
Our refuge it would seem is in Him not fortresses and shelter so four own making ...
I would not consider myself a risk taker though I have taken risks ...for me the risk was never the object of the activity , the activity was always in pursuit of what i felt to be a more important goal . And I assure you I am not comparing myself to Paul , but Paul as a risk taker of the Highest degree ... He says about Himself " I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers." 2nd Corinthians 11:26
And then I ask do we take risks for our faith ? Do we watch from the balconies as some venture into the inhospitable waters of the Mission field ? Do we secure our selves and beliefs in such a manner we are never in any danger of sharing them with people who may think poorly of us if we do ?
More questions ..few answers ...but a start for me ....
The Ocean is very cold , not easy to swim in if you are unfortunate enough to get caught in a wave . The waves are not as dependable as you may think. Generally speaking the surf line retreats after High tide as it goes to the low tide , then advances at the end of the low tide till the peak of the high tide .
Tide charts are readily available on the Oregon Coast , or you can goggle them . For any travel and adventure on the beach they are indispensable. ON this day the tide was going out ...but even as the tide goes out the wave action is unpredictable , often time huge waves rush in even as the tide is receding.
I was wearing knee high boots because I anticipated getting a little wet . As I was shooting I glanced to my left and saw three young girls playing in the waves . Their parents were photographing the water bashing into them. MY first reaction was concern , it doesn't take a very large wave to knock an adult down , and before you can get up another wave will usually take its place . Along the Coast I had ran into several markers , like the ones you find on the roads where a traffic accident has claimed a life . ON the Beach these markers tell a different story , a story of a life lost to the ocean waves .
So here I was standing in the water , photographing the sunset and the reflection of the waves , and at the same time judging the behaviour of the group down the beach . As I think about it now safe at home I realize I was as vulnerable as the girls dancing in the waves . More than likely somewhere nearby someone else was commenting on my reckless behaviour .
To be honest I don't know what this all means . How securly do we secure ourselves from danger ? At what point do we allow fear to override our Joy and passion ? I don't think this is an easy question to answer.
The Girls while a few feet distant from their family and friends were being watched . They were helping each other stand against the waves , and when they were knocked over they rushed to help each other . More than likely they will have memories of a lifetime from this visit .
Sky divers , Mountain climbers , rock climbers , surfers , wind riders ....
Certianly there are limits to our risk taking ..and when the risk becomes its own goal we should take a step backward . But to dive into the deep , to race headlong into the storm , for the sake of enjoying His creation , for the Joy of being alive I wonder ....
How easy is it to feel the Breath of God , while sheltered in safe house ? How can we taste the Lord , if we dine on TV dinners ?
The Psalmist said " Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. "
Our refuge it would seem is in Him not fortresses and shelter so four own making ...
I would not consider myself a risk taker though I have taken risks ...for me the risk was never the object of the activity , the activity was always in pursuit of what i felt to be a more important goal . And I assure you I am not comparing myself to Paul , but Paul as a risk taker of the Highest degree ... He says about Himself " I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers." 2nd Corinthians 11:26
And then I ask do we take risks for our faith ? Do we watch from the balconies as some venture into the inhospitable waters of the Mission field ? Do we secure our selves and beliefs in such a manner we are never in any danger of sharing them with people who may think poorly of us if we do ?
More questions ..few answers ...but a start for me ....
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