In the Lighthouse

This first episode, "Tell Them I AM Sent You,” continues the story of the sojourn and settlement into the land of Egypt by the seventy members of the household of the Patriarch Jacob (renamed by God, Israel).  Joseph’s family returned from Canaan to Goshen, where they settled and flourished under the protection of Joseph, who was second to Pharaoh. Their life in Egypt was peaceful as long as Joseph was in charge. But years must pas...

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, ...

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 co...

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...

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 ri...

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 nati...

“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 ...

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 wou...

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 ...

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 dat...

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 ...

Do you feel as if you’re living through an endless period asking God to help you? You might ask, “Does God hear my prayers? Does he pick and choose which prayers he will answer? Are there certain people who have God’s ear over others?” Yes, there are people whose prayers are heard by God and they are those who abide in Christ Jesus and are not hindered by unconfessed sin. The truth will be his response and if you are not prepared t...

When we look at our image in a mirror, there are many who will inevitably find flaws and turn away perhaps feeling one way or another. We all look for emotional avenues to express how we feel and much of it occurs when we’re alone. Unspoken truths and feelings can be expressed in the presence of that cold image staring back at us behind the looking glass. If we don’t possess a firm foundation found only in the saving grace of Jesus...

A princess is the daughter of a monarch – the ruler of a kingdom. Following her birth, she is cosseted and left in the care of handmaidens who will care for her, dress her and respond to her every whim. She brings value to her family in the form of strategic marriage alliances, and if she is beautiful, she would prove even more valuable through her father’s negotiations for the kingdom and the fortunes of her family. This week we w...

Genesis 2:24 says, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” to demonstrate the ordinance set forth in the marriage covenant made before God. They are to rely on one another in all things. The mystery (and difficulty) of this type of union implies sacrificial responsibility – putting your spouse’s needs before your own.

Promises made and kept by a trustwort...

In this episode we’ll hear from Kinney, a woman who, along with her husband, built their safe harbor to withstand the winds and rain. They also built a ministry together alongside their individual careers and family. Sadly, the place originally intended as a sanctuary – their marriage – could no longer be their haven of peace and security. The shifting sands upon which the marriage was built also contained fault lines that were lef...

When it comes to our relationships with one another, we enter into our own understanding based on who we are and our past experiences. God created us for relationships, so it is inevitable that we will have conflict because we are fallen creatures.

Daphne and Melissa are joined by Jimmy Saenz (Melissa’s husband) as they sit down and have a frank discussion about marriage from two perspectives: married or single in today’s culture. ...