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My wife and I moved to Michigan to pastor in 1983 where we served for 18 years. I became fascinated with lighthouses and started decorating my office with them. My wife used the word, "clutter" … I preferred the word "décor." I had over 150 of them displayed from sardine cans with lighthouses to expensive models from the Lefton Company. I have never gotten tired of them.
They are great reminders that navigation on the seas was always dangerous. Without navigational aids shipwrecks were common and deadly. Families began building bonfires on hilltops and along shorelines so that the men of the community could find their way home after dark.
As trade developed and products were exported and imported into the countries warships were need to protect the industry. Better ways of making the shorelines safer became necessary. "The lights changed from bonfires to hanging firepots, then to lanterns in trees or fire in barrels. The open fires were used as night beacons, but during the day the smoke from these fires would also signal danger. Smaller fires, torches and lanterns served to signal harbor entrances" (Larry Wright in Bonfires and Beacons).
One of the most interesting of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Pharos in Alexandria, built in 280 BC to guide ships into the Nile River. It stood 400 feet (forty stories) high. Unfortunately, it fell into pieces and was ruined during an earthquake in the early 1300s, but it lasted almost 1,500 years!
Evolution from bonfires to electric lights (about 1930) still had one purpose of the lighthouse … to save the lives of people.
Isn't that the purpose of the church: each church … each person … has the purpose of shining the light of Jesus into a dark world … a dark life to help them find salvation? It includes making a difference by caring and loving … one person at a time. How is your church doing at shining the light? What Samaritan lies along the path of your church or life? How are you doing about shining the light of Jesus?
They are great reminders that navigation on the seas was always dangerous. Without navigational aids shipwrecks were common and deadly. Families began building bonfires on hilltops and along shorelines so that the men of the community could find their way home after dark.
As trade developed and products were exported and imported into the countries warships were need to protect the industry. Better ways of making the shorelines safer became necessary. "The lights changed from bonfires to hanging firepots, then to lanterns in trees or fire in barrels. The open fires were used as night beacons, but during the day the smoke from these fires would also signal danger. Smaller fires, torches and lanterns served to signal harbor entrances" (Larry Wright in Bonfires and Beacons).
One of the most interesting of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the Pharos in Alexandria, built in 280 BC to guide ships into the Nile River. It stood 400 feet (forty stories) high. Unfortunately, it fell into pieces and was ruined during an earthquake in the early 1300s, but it lasted almost 1,500 years!
Evolution from bonfires to electric lights (about 1930) still had one purpose of the lighthouse … to save the lives of people.
Isn't that the purpose of the church: each church … each person … has the purpose of shining the light of Jesus into a dark world … a dark life to help them find salvation? It includes making a difference by caring and loving … one person at a time. How is your church doing at shining the light? What Samaritan lies along the path of your church or life? How are you doing about shining the light of Jesus?
