Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Counting Ruby Blessings


Blogging isn't that easy when life is going steep uphill. I have to focus on breathing and where to place my feet. Blog Sister Debbie has taught me that counting blessings is a wonderful way of holding on to the good things in life. 



On our way home from a cousin meeting in August we stopped by this old light house now open to visitors. Here's a museum, an art gallery and beautiful coast surroundings. The sky has the rare August blue color.               
You can see why this sea way to Stavanger needed a light house. Small islands, riffs and underwater rock all the way.

 The staircase up to the tower was old and steep. I said I'd never make it, but hey; I did.


The Norwegian coast line is like an intricate  work of lace with fjords and islands 25148 kilometers long. No wonder our coast needs to be guarded by lights and earlier also lighthouse watchmen. They worked 24/7 all around the year in the toughest surroundings. Luckily many had their family living with them as a support.



These days almost all lighthouses have been automatized. They still live on as monuments of guardsman ship and valuable historic buildings.



Tungenes lighthouse also is the gallery of the painter Oskar Sorreime. He was above all a master of sky painting. Need I tell we returned home with uplifted spirits?

Actually the meaning and the strength of the lighthouse has been made a parable of Jesus in the hymn voted the most popular in Norway by the end of last century .
Google translation goes like this:

"In the midst of the darkness of night flashes, like a lighthouse beacons Jesus' name
And every homeless sailor waved to the safe harbor of salvation
And when the sun shines more a Jesus-name will light on,
Then the crowd sings saved its high price in the heaven."


Magical Mystery Teacher is hosting Ruby Tuesday 2 together with Gemma Wiseman

12 comments:

lina@women said...

Really enjoying your shots!

Mrs. Mac said...

In all of the busyness of summer, you have found a brief moment to share your world. Thank you! I could almost 'feel' the past from looking at your pictures ... I could hear the shuffle of the lighthouse operators and their families .. staying warm during the winter .. with all the fuss. Loved the tour.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful photos but my fave is the third one!

Ruby Leaves is one of my entries. Please come and see, your comment will be very much appreciated.

Jada's Gigi said...

What a beautiful day for Lighthouse looking....Jesus is such Light in our darkness....guiding us to a place of safety and rest...Himself

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

One step at a time Felisol, even when it's uphill, your steps are guided by His hands.I agree with you about Debbie, she counts her blessings so beautifully and she inspires me also.

Your lighthouse pictures are so interesting, can't you just picture a cold Norway winter and the keeper and his family tucked into that lighthouse, cozy and warm.

I pray for you often and think so often of your sweet mother, hope and pray she is doing well.

Terry said...

dearest felisol..what a wonderful ruby tuesday you have created!
i admire you so much that you climbed all of those stairs as sonja said. "one step at a time".
you i respect.
the lighthouse must be a comforting sight to that big ship...i can't imagine being in a ship like that with the sea all around me...it scares me.
in the niagara region they have torn many light houses down and this is a shame...isn't it wonderful that the christians can sing, "if it wasn't for the light house where would this ship be?!", eh jada gigi?
i have been thinking all day about the princess serina and pray that she is looking at the lighthouse of HER soul!
god bless you dear felisol, my bestest and dearest friend....love terry

Life and Breath and Everything Else said...

Great pictures and wonderful reminder about who is the light of the world.

Amrita said...

Beautiful photography. Such clear pictures.
So glad you climbed up those stairs to get an good view.

So good for the artist to display his work in a place of natural beauty

Leah H. said...

Interesting photos and all neat looking..

Visiting from Ruby Tuesday 2- hope you can stop by..

http://dsahmblogs.com/2012/09/tcp-zip-up-sherpa-hoodie.html

Crown of Beauty said...

I really love this post, dear Felisol. But then that is nothing new, because I honestly love every post you make. The photos, the words, the song at the end. Above all, this post is special because I know you are going through a painful and uncertain season. I know what it's like, though our circumstances differ. THe first picture above, the landscape beyond the wire fence - sometimes life looks that way to us, doesn't it? But look up in hope, my dear friend. Our salvation draws nigh.

With much love
Lidia

John Cowart said...

Dear Felisol,
I think that you will always make it to the top.
John

Annie Jeffries said...

Elise, I just love, love, love that first picture. The view through a red chainlink fence - so unexpected. Your coastline is so beautiful. The lighthouse is very like one that I visited in Oregon a few years ago.