I am not one for gadgets or the latest electronic fad unless the word functional can be associated with it.

When our daughters were learning to drive, cell phones entered our personal lives as a way for them to contact Mom or Dad in the event of an emergency.  I did so with white knuckle reluctance.

Let’s fast forward the phone procurement timeline to the here and now.

Two years ago we took the plunge and purchased an IPhone.  I love using it!

• I can listen to music or podcasts.
• I use it when cycling to record my whereabouts and a boat load of numerical information about my frequent rides.
• I can text, email, and talk.
• I can read blogs or catch up on the latest in the world of sports while Jackie is shopping – that is worth the price for me as it keeps my brain cells occupied!
• I can show off pictures of my wife, kids, and grandkids without pulling out a mile long document from my wallet.  You know the drill!

I am not an Apple spokesperson, but love using my IPhone because to me it has proved its functionality.

However, the coolest thing to me is the voice activated response feature via Siri.

• If I ask, “What time is it?” Siri responds with the exact current time.
• If I say, “Give me the current weather report”, my gal Siri promptly replies with “OK, here are the current conditions in Watsontown” or wherever my current location might be.
• If I make the inquiry, “How fast does light travel?” Siri responds with “Alright, here’s what I got” and then lists several speeds based on metric or miles (186,252 miles per second).

To this simple mind I can sum it up in one word , F-A-S-C-I-N-A-T-I-N-G!

The voice activation that Siri provides got me thinking of another “system” with a far more sophisticated voice activation feature.  One that is by far more powerful and starts with the mouth.

Yes, you heard me correctly.  My mouth. Your mouth.

I was listening to a talk by one of my favorite speakers, Lance Wallnau, this week.

In his speech he indicated we live in a voice activated universe.  We, by our own words, often make or break our own situations.

This voice activation feature was first unveiled in the book of Genesis.

• GOD SAID, “Let there be light” and there was light.
• GOD SAID, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth”.
• GOD SAID, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear”.
• GOD SAID, “Let the land sprout with vegetation”.
• GOD SAID, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night”.
• GOD SAID, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind”.
• GOD SAID, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind”.
• Finally, GOD SAID, “Let us make human beings in our image, TO BE LIKE US”.

Think about it.  It all happened.  All that we are familiar with from the statements above is rooted in a verbal declaration.  Again, F-A-S-C-I-N-A-T-I-N-G!

It got me wondering where I have failed or succeeded by the declarations originating out of my mouth.  Words, mere words.  Words are powerful and they go to bat for us or against us – and we have control of them!

We can use words creatively or destructively on behalf of ourselves and others.

When I am terse with my wife or another with my words, I have failed – many times.

When I offer a verbal kindness, I am not sure if I have succeeded.  However, I may have influenced another for good. I guess that can be considered a success.

At this time of year lights adorn our windows, Christmas trees, and houses.  We gather for tree lighting ceremonies.  We have candlelight services.   Lights, electronic and otherwise, are everywhere.  A symbol of hope against the backdrop of darkness.

About a month ago I purchased a book, One Light Still Shines, by Marie Monville.

I had some other books in my reading queue and had to defer picking it up until today. I am only a few pages into it and can honestly say I cannot put it down. Her story is compelling and has pulled me into it’s honest grip.

I will allow Marie to outline her story in the video link provided.  As you listen, you will recall the events which were all too real and engulfed her world in the flames of this tragic moment.

• Marie and her family most certainly experienced it firsthand.
• I recall learning about this event via our daughter who was a nurse in training at a local hospital where the wounded were brought and she helped attend.  
• Lancaster knew.
• Pennsylvania knew.
• America knew.
• The world knew.

In the midst of a very great tragedy, Marie decided to invoke her own voice activation system to alter the effects of what was happening around her.

She had a choice.  Be the victim or overcome.  She chose wisely.

I will let her words paint the picture:

“I knew the enemy would believe he had the victory through whatever losses those sirens were now rushing toward.  I decided that this would not be the end for me or for my children.  Satan would not triumph.  We were not going down in defeat.

Suddenly I found myself standing with a boldness and confidence I had never known.  I began declaring Bible verses of God’s promises of care and protection over my household. I called out for the provision of the Lord and told Him I trusted His ability to bring good out of any situation. 

I felt like a teenage Mary, who yielded herself to an unknown future by saying, “May your word to me be fulfilled”.

I don’t know what you are facing.  I am only a guy behind a keyboard and have no crystal ball to see all.

Whatever the situation might be, you have a choice in how you respond.   That choice is critical.

“Will I let this define me or will I choose to make it a defining moment?” you may ask.

Many of us are facing situations that leave us grasping for answers and asking many more questions.  Stuff is weighing on us.  Hope seems lost.

Do yourself a favor, an experiment of sorts.

• Go into a dark room, the darkest spot you can locate.
• Light a candle or a match.
• See with your eyes what happens to the darkness.
• Experience the reality – darkness is dispelled as the light shines!

I will leave you with Marie’s words:

“No matter how tragic your circumstances, your life is not a tragedy.  It is a love story.  And in your love story, when you think all the lights have gone out, one light still shines.”

By declaring what you know to be true, even when everything around you makes you think and feel otherwise, how can you alter your situation even slightly? 

Know this – One Light still shines!

Suggestion – if you are having trouble seeing any light in the darkness of your world, buy the book!

One Light Still Shines