You are the light of the World...

I kind of have a fascination with lighthouses ever since we went to Cape Lookout, NC. This year we are going to the lighthouses up and down the Outer banks. I love the stories of the lighthouse keepers of the days when they used to have to be "alert" all hours of the night to keep the lights lit in the top of the lighthouse. There were no automatic lights in the early days. A ship destiny depended on being able to see the light.

A dear friend of mine has a son getting married in Chicago in September. She's trying to think of table arrangement for the rehearsal dinner. It's will be outside...a cookout of sorts. I love candle light and it got me to looking up things online. Here are some interesting tips about candles:

Candle Tips
The tranquil elegance of candlelight offers a richly rewarding experience.

Learn to put love, joy and romance in everything you do. Candlelight is a mysterious source which excites our vision. It radiates and reflects our imagination, interest and love.

Float candles in warm water.

Store candles in a cool dark area.

Display your candles with charred wicks. This gives your home a warm prepared look and candles will relight quickly.

Candles should be placed two to three inches apart to avoid melting each other.

Avoid drafts (open windows, heat ducts and air conditioners) to prevent rapid and uneven burning and dripping.

Clean soiled or marred candles by buffing with nylon stocking or a damp soft cloth.

Always use a holder.

Never place a candle directly on your furniture.

Place glass candle holders and other holders that get very warm on heat resistant surface.

Votive candles will burn longer in a snug holder.

Pillars need to burn 3 to 6 hours the first time they are burned. This will allow burning to the edge of candle and create an illuminating well.

Candles don't just cover odors. They eliminate odors by burning off the tiny odor particles that permeate the air.

Add 1/4 teaspoon water to candle holder before adding a votive candle. This will help to protect the holder from excessive heat and will make cleaning easier.

Place floating candles in warm water extend the burn time of candle.

Candlelight induces quiet. Light several candles and listen as the volume goes down.

Never Leave a burning candle unattended.

Jesus has much to say about Christian being the "light of the world". When I drive into Kingsport early morning or late at night I come over that stretch of roads that opens up to that wonderful view of the city and all the lights...I think of " A city set on a hill cannot be hid". If we are true believers our light will be visible to others I believe.

Interesting facts about light in the Bible...

Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," comparing God's word to light. 1 John 1 is one of the places in the New Testament where God's revelation to humans is compared to light.

Job refers to the day when he was born, and wishes that it had never happened (chapter 3) saying that he wishes it had been condemned to darkness. Darkness and evil, and light and good, are often linked, in the Bible.

In 2 Samuel 22, David said: "For you are my lamp, O Lord,and my God lightens my darkness." (verse 29) Perhaps this is the first time that God's presence and communication with humans is compared to light. In Psalm 27:1, first part, David wrote that"The Lord is my light and my salvation;whom shall I fear?"

After the flood, God promised never to destroy the earth again, and He chose a rainbow, a phenomenon caused by light passing through water, to signify this.

God's first creative fact was "let their be light". Maybe that's why James 1:7 calls him the Father of Lights???

I'm not afraid of the dark, but I like the light better. I'm so glad that "God is light and in Him is NO darkness at all!"

I wonder if we would be better lights if we knew someones "destiny" depended on if we kept our light of a christian testimony well lit?