In the Lighthouse

Two Generations: One Common Voice

The State of the Union is in turmoil, and the country is divided on various issues that cause people to become tribal and gather in their enclaves while attacking one another across social media. Do they think that this will end well? This divide is intentional and is an effective weapon sent by the enemy of our souls. Our battle is a spiritual one – therefore, not easily detected. To be equipped with eyes to see and ears to hear, you must be actively seeking the will of the Lord over your comforts and desires. Only then will your eyes be opened to the truth and the wisdom given for your discernment.

The Patriarchs and their Desperate Housewives - Jacob, Leah and Rachel - Part Five

Jacob's story as a patriarch demonstrates the difference between a life of obedience to God and a life of obedience to man. The family trait of deception and opportunism took center stage during the twenty years of indentured servitude to Laban. It was not only practiced in the immediate family of Jacob but also in the extended one. Under the protective bubble of his parents’ blessings from God, Jacob thought he could escape the consequences of his deception of his father. The outcome was God’s will and purpose, and Isaac accepted this with peace in his heart. For Jacob, however, God's purpose was what he was fleeing from. This time Jacob will see that God will allow us to be tested in order to surrender our will for his purpose - which is ultimately for our good.

The Patriarchs and their Desperate Housewives - Jacob, Leah, and Rachel - Part Four

Thirty-seven years of avoiding his brother’s wrath would pass since the time of the blessing of Jacob until a disturbing rumor was overheard by his mother, concerning Esau’s plan to kill his brother and reclaim his birthright after the death of their father.
Isaac and Rebekah enjoyed many years of relative peace because of God’s abiding presence and blessings. Yet, Rebekah was very aware of the combative nature of her twin sons. It all began in her womb, and the Lord explained prophetically what the outcome would be for these two nations she was carrying. So when she heard the news from the caravans concerning Esau’s promise of vengeance against his brother, she took her concerns to Isaac.
It was long past time for Jacob to marry and have a family. They told him the news of the threats coming from Esau’s camp and encouraged him to leave Canaan and go north to Paddan-aram to Laban, his mother Rebekah’s brother.

The Patriarchs and their Desperate Housewives - Isaac & Rebekah - Part Three

In this episode, our hero of the story, Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, is prepared to take his place as head of the clan — the patriarch. He has shown himself to be an obedient and steadfast young man who did not refute or disagree with whatever his father expected of him. Like his father before him, Isaac proved himself righteous and ready to be tested by God as the patriarch. Abraham’s obedience and faith were counted as righteous before the Lord. It was now time for him to pass the mantle to his son and heir, Isaac, and with this, the necessity of finding him a wife amongst the people of his own tribe. It was time for the establishment of the birthright and subsequent blessing. It was time for Isaac to marry.

The Patriarchs and Their Desperate Housewives - Abraham & Sarah - Part Two

When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly” . . . Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful . . . and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring . . . for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

The Patriarchs and Their Desperate Housewives - Abraham & Sarah - Part One

“The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you” (Genesis 13:14-18, ESV).

In the Lighthouse: Restored!

Curiosity is a wonderful trait for the inquiring human mind. It propels man to seek out and discover things that will teach and inform us. It is the foundation upon which explorers venture into unknown territory tenaciously. There are, however, some places where wisdom cautions the curious seeker to pause before proceeding any further. Knowledge for the sake of knowing that which is forbidden informs us of the consequences that would soon follow. And some consequences are devastatingly life-altering. When the moth flies too close to the flame, it is dangerously close to having its wings singed, rendering its ability to flee useless. One woman learned her learned to appreciate God’s grace amid the consequences of her quest for knowing of things best left unknown.

A Place at the Table - Season Finale

Children have very vivid imaginations, and when nurtured, they grow to produce works of art, excellent storytelling, or musical arrangements that convey the depth of their creativity. When tragedy strikes, and we’re shaken from our moorings, it may take a miracle to restore us to those people, places, and things that bring us back to that place called home. This story is entitled “A Place at the Table,” and provides us with a look into the picture-perfect snow globe of a family in a house that was built for that family. If we look closely, we’ll see that their family picture is not as perfect as it seems from a distance. Perfection will only be achieved when Jesus returns, but for our story, we will look to the hope of this world, a babe, found swaddled and lying in a humble manger in the little town of Bethlehem.

Single and Waiting - Episode 18

Our American culture has specific norms understood by all. Of course, the norms have changed through the years and are more relaxed. For instance, decades ago, a woman wouldn’t initiate a dating relationship with a man because it would be considered forward. Today, the approach is no longer questioned. The culture drives our norms – including dating norms. But not everyone follows the dating culture that is part of the American dating scene. There are social cues and morays to consider. But what happens if you haven’t dated in a very long time because the culture conflicts with your faith? Do you still date?

Joseph - A Story of Grace - Episode 17

Many of us come from dysfunctional families and have parents whose names would never be put forward by their children to a survey of “best parents ever.” When we closely examine the parenting style of the patriarchs of God’s chosen people, we find that they were imperfect and prone to favoritism, lying, cheating, abuse, and all manner of sin acted out in God’s sight. Yet, their children survived and carried on these same behaviors throughout the generations. The hero from the Old Testament, whose name is synonymous with persecution, is Joseph, the second to youngest son of the great patriarch Jacob, who chose to live righteously. His story demonstrates God’s abounding grace amid patience and perseverance under fire.