Lighthouse

one of the things i like best about going to the coast - or any of the great lakes - is that i know i will run into at least one light house, if not more.  i think they are so cool.  you find them at the end of a jetty, on top of a cliff, at the tip of a point that juts out into the water, or on top of a tall hill.  the stand in an upright, strong, and majestic way.  they have a job to do.  or, i should say, they had a job to do.  they kept ships from running aground, which could have been catastrophic for both the ship and its passengers and cargo.  sadly, their use has faded.  but, they are still beautiful, as they stand there in all their majesty.  isn't it wonderful that one lighthouse - that city on the hill - the church has not lost its usefulness.  it is still there to shine forth the light of Christ, keeping people from a catastrophic ending.