Beacon Shine

A Place of Light & Sound

Click Tune Title To Play - "Beacon Shine"
MP3 Format / File Size 4.5 MB
While waiting for file to load, I invite you to read the following.

Spiritual author Joni Woelfel, is a friend of mine. While working on her latest book, Joni asked if I would describe what a lighthouse means to me. I am honored that Joni included my comments in the following excerpt of her book,
Meditations for the Survivors of Suicide.

The Lighthouse: Beacon of Faith

by Joni Woelfel

Indeed, you are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness. 2 Samuel 22: 29

"Yet is the lighthouse, the ever-faithful lighthouse, towering over all else, which is the indisputable captain of the shoals," Libbie explains. "Its massive structure rises one hundred and sixty nine feet above the Atlantic, sending its beacon of safety and direction to all who look to it for guidance. It is sure and dependable, never slumbering. What a strong and comforting presence in the midst of danger! And what an awesome example for the human spirit to follow."

Years ago, when my friend, Gary Frye and I facilitated a web site for the chronically ill, Gary named our site The Lighthouse Café. I asked Gary why the image of a lighthouse meant so much to him and this is what he said: "The image of light and the safety a lighthouse projects has always had a calming effect on me. I am fascinated by the fact that a lighthouse can project such a penetrating beacon of light while in reality, its actual light source is really quite modest. The early lighthouse source of light was a simple, small oil lamp. Today, lighthouses are powered by electricity but the light itself is still relatively small and depends on magnification and direction. How can such a small light be directed and magnified in order for it to be seen through fog and storms? This is accomplished by the use of a Fresnel lens. A Fresnel lens is thick polished glass that is cut at intricate angles, which actually bend and direct the light source. Thinking about a Fresnel lens brings me vivid images that I can relate to with regard to our spirit. Do we have a Fresnel spirit? I think we do."

Gary continues, "Everything in our life can affect the light and spirit that we project. This includes the sickness, the hurt, mistakes and all of the burdens that we carry within us. Every human being walking this earth is a potential lighthouse. We all have a light within us; our light is surrounded by God’s spirit, which I relate to as our Fresnel lens. Our Fresnel lens is there to magnify and guide this light. Just like a lighthouse keeper must maintain the physical part of a Fresnel lens by keeping it clean and clear of anything that might limit the effectiveness of the light, we must be aware of all those things that can prohibit our inner light. In order to address all the obstacles that become burdens and therefore cause our light to become dim, we must take advantage of the serenity that dwells within us. As the well-known Serenity Prayer advises, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Gary’s merging of the lighthouse image, Fresnel lens and Serenity Prayer offers important insights to those whose lives have been shattered by the suicide of a loved one. In response, I wrote, "Light is traditionally associated with spirit or God, a sign of spiritual life within; the lighthouse image reminds us, that when we feel as if we are plunged into darkness, God is a beacon to us. When we feel as if we are drowning and storm-tossed, the symbolism of God as a lighthouse offers a perspective that is powerful and easy to grasp. In responding to the image, we discover that we always have God to turn to and that no situation or feeling is hopelessly beyond spiritual consolation. When our strength is temporarily gone and we are consumed and battered with doubt, the image of the lighthouse promises that God’s light, love and faithfulness to us will guide us to healing emotional harbors where we will feel safe again and sure of ourselves. We will be all right, because nothing can take the light of God in our hearts away from us. It is an eternal light that warms us from the inside out. It is the light of comfort.

God whose Guiding Beacon of Light Dwells Eternally Within, you penetrate our darkest despair and magnify the tiniest ray of hope within us. Within the waves of our grief and tears, you remind us that serenity is possible through the lens of faith.

Last Edit - 08 / 10 / 02

Page Published - 08 / 10 / 02