The Lighthouse

Hey everyone, this weeks video is a music video, Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. A real thought provoker and very well made.  Hope you enjoy it!

Posted by The Lighthouse Admin

Hey all, this video is pretty funny. I honestly debated a bit about posting it, but it made me laugh so hard that I decided I would post it anyways. It's a video of the Ellen DeGeneres show where she calls an 88 year old woman named Gladys Hardy. Enjoy :).

Posted by The Lighthouse Admin

"This, is why we're doing this!" As I peered through a little window on the outside of the Auditorium this was the only thought my mind could muster. I saw many people raising their hands in response to the speaker asking how many of them had just accepted Christ. There were dozens in the packed auditorium, many more than I could see. But I was not interested in counting them. I was just prayerful and over-joyed that today I had seen many brothers and sisters enter the kingdom. Not just seen, but been a part of. You see, I was working a local event. I have to admit when I signed up to help, the band that was playing and getting into the event free were far higher up on my list of reasons why I was working that day than the scores that came to Christ. But as I stood there, that was the only thought that mattered. And slowly I realized. My mind doesn't want to just apply this to this event, but also being a Christian!

So often in life we are content to live in our own bubbles and we forget what we have been called to do. I know that I struggle with it sometimes. But our real duty is to make disciples, both within the church and outside of the church. But we are comfortable and don't always live out God's commission for us to be his witnesses...

Acts 1:8(NIV)
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We need to remember the first place God has called us to be witnesses is Jerusalem. Also read as, where you live, it could be New York, London, San Diego, Miami, Moscow, Tokyo, some small town who no one has ever heard of with 50 people, or somewhere inbetween. But we are first called to be witnesses to the one's around us. If we fail there then why are we spending thousands of dollars taking short term mission trips out of the country? I don't mean to knock short-term mission trips. I know people who have made great impact on them. But why are we continually failing to be witnesses to the people around us and not making an impact on them? The popular opinion of our country is to respect each others view points and not press matters. But I think this philosophy is from Satan. We have the redeemed, the Holy one of God and yet we do not want to share him because it might make someone uncomfortable. Well if they are sinners then they should be uncomfortable for a reason; and if I remember right, we're all sinners.

I want to caution you though. If you go out and try to make disciples and you are doing it for selfish motives or because you feel pressured to. Then that is not right. We are called to do this to bring honor to God because we want to. For He is the only thing worth living for.

So whether your living life on a daily basis, volunteering for something, committing something to God, or whatever else it may be. Remember, bringing glory to God is why we're doing this.

Written by The Lighthouse Admin

This should keep us all thinking...

Posted by The Lighthouse Admin

I am proud to present our first devotional from our newest admin, Wookiee!

Read Acts 12:1-9(NIV)
(KJV) (ESV) (NLT)

"Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church." -Acts 12:5

"I looked at my watch. To my dismay, it was 1:45 in the afternoon. I had promised my daughter Lisa, who was playing the piano in a competition for college scholarships at 1:30, that I would pray for her. I got busy, though, and forgot all about it. By 1:45 I knew she had already finished.
I sat at by desk with a feeling of lingering emptiness. I felt as if I had failed her. I knew the only possible way I could have assisted Lisa during her competition was to ask God to calm her and help her recall the music she had practiced so long and hard to master.
As I contemplated this situation, I was reminded of how important prayer is as a link with those we cannot reach. By talking to the Lord about a friend or loved one's needs, we have a unique opportunity to make a difference in their lives-even though we can't be with them in person. What an amazing concept!
No matter what the circumstances of our friends or family members who are away from us, prayer is always an effective way we can support them and be of help. It worked for the people who prayed for Peter (Acts 12), and it can work for us." -Written by JDB

"No greater help and care is givenTo others in their needThan when we bear them up in prayerAnd for them intercede." -Written by DJD

"When you can't be there,You can help through prayer."


Last night, my heart was aching for a friend of mine. My friend is going through something extremely difficult and last night I longed to be there for my friend. I hated the fact that I couldn't be with them physically. I felt so helpless. I knew all I could do was pray but I wanted to do more than that. Then I remembered this article and I went back and read it. It gave me peace. Because I knew that even if I was with this person physically I'd still be just as helpless, there is no way I  could take my friend's pain away myself. No matter how much I want to. Only God can do that. I never forget the fact that only God can truly free someone of their pain, but sometimes there's moments where you're so down and aching for someone you love and care about that you want to do something other than just pray. We forget that it's all in God's hands and the only real help we can give anyone is through prayer, that is a wonderful comfort. If we care for this person, how much more does God care? A million times more! One of a billion reasons why God is so good and great.

I still feel sad for my friend and they are in my prayers constantly, but I have peace and know that no matter what; God will come through and that my friend will get through this because God is by their side.

A song to go with this blog:
"Pray for a Friend" by Casting Crowns

Written by Wookiee

The Lighthouse official press release. (Like any of you care or not, lol)

This week some exciting new things are happening on The Lighthouse. We have added another whole feature. Yes, Forums! Go ahead and have fun with them. Add as many topics as you want. If it gets too spammy I might clean some of it up, but as of right now we have no rules aside from keeping it a clean and Christian atmosphere. We would love to hear from you on there, hope to see you soon!

Our next new update is the front page has been completely redone. I have added a new widget to process these articles a little better. And take away from some of my work. And then I have added a new section to highlight forum topics! I have removed the Missionary Martyr of the Month and moved the "Album Preview of the Week" (check out this weeks featured album-- Julian Drive's major Label debut!) down a block.  And I also have a new Artist of the Month planned for next month, so as much as I know you guys have liked having Code of Ethics around. You'll have to say goodbye to them on the Lighthouse's front page :P.

We also have removed the "Christian Music" section since we now have a place to discuss Christian Music on the Forums. If I need to announce anything Christian Music wise. I will use the forums or possibly the Articles Blog in the future.

And Lastly, I am not always that productive about keeping the articles coming, so I thought I'd introduce a new feature to the Lighthouse to spice it up a bit. The new feature is "Random Video of the Week"! It may be inspirational, funny, informative, or a music video. But hopefully it will keep The Lighthouse a little more active and give us something else to waste--I mean spend our time on :P.

This weeks video is "Always" by Building 429. It's kind of a combination between a music video and a behind the song video. Jason Roy explains the inspiration behind the song and a portion of it is playing. Great story and song, enjoy!

Hey everyone. Sorry for the second Hiatus. I hope I can keep this site going again. I really do miss it, but sometimes with school, church, and friends I get busy and it gets pushed to the back of my plate. But I am back and hopefully I can keep it going. Even if it's just one or two things a week. I recently wrote a new article so I hope you enjoy it. It's Titled "Never Enough". Kinda short, but I like it(but then again I'm biased since I wrote it...) Here it is...


Never Enough
Today as I was reading a book on relationships(When God Writes Your Love Story) and I came across this passage that made me think. The passage was talking about Singleness strengthening inward qualities. The passage started off with a quote from a movie called Cool Runnings. For a quick plot summary it's about some Jamaican guys that aspire to go to the Olympics and when they fail to get to the Summer Olympics they have a crazy idea to try out for the Bobsledding category in the Winter Olympics. Well they somehow make it there and before they are about to compete their coach gives one of them a piece of advice "Listen, kid. A Gold Medal is a wonderful thing. But if you aren't enough without it. Then you'll never be enough with it."

That statement got my brain going. I have never equated it with spiritual things with how-many-ever times I'd seen that movie and heard that quote. But it's a great truth! How often do we put a future spouse, money, job, basically any possession, or anything at all as our Idol and we expect that thing to give us satisfaction. We think it will be enough, and when we finally get it, when we finally arrive. It isn't enough.

The latest gadget, video game, CD, etc. "O, if I get this video game it will make me so happy and I won't want another one EVER, mom!" Haha, that's a lie. It's just our basic human nature to desire more and more and more. But it will never satisfy.

Matthew 6:19-23
"19Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This whole process reminded me of the popular worship song called "Enough". I know many of you have heard it. Dozens of worship albums have included it.

"And all of you
Is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough"

How true is that? So many times I put myself up on the throne and walk away from my King of Kings. Then I come back to Him thinking how stupid I am. I deserve punishment, but he gracefully rebukes me when he should scold and punish me. It makes me wonder how I could ever forget His love for us. How I could ever forget how he is more than enough for my wants and needs.

But the things of this world...well, they're never enough...

Hello everyone, it has been a long time since I have updated The lighthouse. I am sorry for not updating it sooner. I have been slightly busy, but that is no excuse. I don't have an article or anything cool to post, but I thought I should write something so you guys know I'm still alive :P.

Today during my quiet time I read a chapter from A. W. Tozer's The pursuit of God. There was a paragraph in the chapter I thought was really awesome. So here it is...

"Millions call themselves by His[God's] name, it is true, and pay some token respect to Him, but a simple test will show how little He really is honored among them. Let the average man be put to the proof on the question of who or what is above, and his true position will be exposed. Let him be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men, between God and personal ambition, God and self, God and human love, and God will take second place every time. Those other things will be exalted above. However the man may protest, the proof is in the choices he makes day after day throughout his life." - A. W. Tozer

How true this is. If we really loved God would we live as if we loved Him. Yet we spend 2 hours watching television every night and 5 minutes with God in prayer.

A truth I have come upon recently is the need for God to permeate our whole lives. Not with the way we live(although that is very important), but with what our souls are fixed upon. I think many Christians don't see them as putting God in a box because they are dedicated to his cause, but we get caught up in the noise of life and the normal pressures we forget how to multitask in our spiritual walk. We push God aside and put our own desires there, maybe not even our desires, but we push God aside just the same. We need to learn how to keep in continual contact with our father and never shy from his presence. A life without continual contact with God will gradually lose meaning. Every day, every hour.

If God is so great, then why do we not treat him so?

Well, that's all I have. Hopefully you got something from it :).

God Bless You all!
The Lighthouse

     Once upon a modern time, there was an Atheist. This Atheist was once a Christian and desired to hear his voice once more. So one day the atheist knelt and did something he hadn't done in many years. He prayed, not a prayer of new life but this: "O God, if you are there show me you are God. Let me hear you."

Several weeks passed after this time and the man went on his annual hike in the mountains alone. When he reached a spot in the mountain roughly halfway up he stopped for a moment to catch his breath watching the beautiful horizon. It was at this time that a great wind began. It howled through the woods below like a wolf in the night. Rocks were riven in two and several rock slides occurred on the mountain. He had to brace himself in a hallow until it died down.

When the wind had subsided. The atheist came out from his hallow and said "Wow, that was truly a great wind." and continued on his hike.

As he continued his hike he came to an impassable portion of the path because the wind had knocked a rock from above below into the path. As he looked out into the horizon he saw a mighty storm approaching, probably pushed in by the wind. He knew that this storm was not something to be trifled with so he went into a cave he had just passed decided to spend the night there. He started a fire and set up supplies inside of the humble cave.

As he was getting into his sleeping bag he heard a faint trickle, followed by a thunderous roar of heaven pouring it's contents to earth. He then knew, this would not be a restful night.

Somehow he managed to get to sleep. And sleep he did. Through the better part of the night. He was awakened by a light. At first he assumed it was the light of dawn, but it was not so.

The storm had produced great cracks of lightning, of which he was surprised he had slept through. They had alighted the forest below. Before him laid a great valley a fire, none like he had ever seen. It was as if the belly of hell laid before him, and it persisted even with the mighty torrent coming from above.

This greatly troubled the man, but as it was, he was safe in his cave and that was all that mattered. So he headed back to his sleeping bag to try and catch a few winks before morning.

When he awoke the torrent was still falling, but the fire had burnt itself out. A great column of smoke rose from the wasteland that was once a forest he had loved dearly. He rekindled the fire in his cave and made himself a meager breakfast from what he had.

Around noon the torrent died down and the wasteland had cooled to a point safe for walking (not without the occasional hidden ember, of course). So the man left his cave and headed down the mount. Once he reached the bottom of the mountain he heard a still small voice calling his name. It was at this time he remembered his plea to God. He had dismissed it short afterward because he felt it was a silly thing he had done in a moment of weakness.

But nevertheless he stopped there and pondered a moment, but decided hastily it could not be him. It sounded nothing like God, it was probably a reporter or fireman checking out the aftermath and calling to his friends.

He then started across the field of ash which lay before him. It was not easy to traverse, but it became easier as he went. Once more he heard the voice, but again he dismissed it.

As he was exiting the field he heard the voice one last time. At this he shouted "God?" But immediately he blushed and felt stupid because he could see reporters across the way looking towards him inquisitively, some even laughing.

At this he stormed to the nearby bus stop and sat down. At this he heard the voice again, but this time it said not only his name, but it asked him this, "Why do you run from me?"

The man humbly replied, "Who said I was running?"

"I did."

"Oh..."

"I am not pleased with you Elijah. You asked for me to speak to you; and then you turn from every sign and voice. I was not in the wind, storm, or fire. But you should have seen me through them. And then the voice, I spoke it not once, not twice, but three times to you. On the third you acknowledged me, but quickly turned away because of your pride. You are a part of an adulterous generation who does not acknowledge me even. You ask for signs, but even when I present them you turn away from them and deny me. It has been said 'Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.' Let it be known. I have let you see me and yet you still have turned away and not believed. What you say?"

The man sat there speechless before God. A word, not even a syllable could he produce off his lips. He sat there as a mute, crying before God in his holy shame. At that very moment, he keeled over dead. For he could not bear to be in the presence of God any longer.

Some say the man accepted Christ at that fateful moment. Others say he had not the chance, but who are we to decide his fate. He is standing before God right now. Let Him decide the fate of this man.

Therefore I declare unto you, let it be known to all the tale of the Atheist on the Mount. For God gave a sign when asked and was ignored. God spoke when asked and was not heard. So be watchful, be listening.

God works in mysterious ways. I'm not going to go into detail, but recently my love and passion for God has increased. I think that is a challenge of our modern day world. We live in such busyness we get caught up in the things of the world, they may not even be bad things, but we lose track of God. We put off small things that show our devotion even. Things like reading His word and prayer. We may even have these things in our life, but we do them in appeasement. We say "God, here is 30mins, let me have the rest of the day for myself." We put off witnessing thinking that the person does not want to be bothered or that we are embarrassed. We do things for God in duty rather than in Love. This has been a challenge in my life, but I think my heart finally understands. I have been striving to honor God, but have been pushing aside the greatest commandment...

Matthew 22:34-38
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.
(emphasis added by me)

But how often to we give God that much power in our lives. We may try to honor him, but honoring him pales in comparison to truly loving him. When we truly love Him then it will be easier to do His will in our lives, rather than being a struggle.

1 John 5:3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

I am in no way perfect. My passion has increased, but I know it will still be a tough road. But I feel like I am on a better road than where I was previously. Care to join me?