Welcome to another issue of the Beacon Lights – my final issue. Since Erin Molenaar and I plan to get married in May, I have decided that I will not be able to assume both the duties of a newly married husband as well as those of the editor of the Beacon Lights. Erin and I met through the Beacon Lights. Sarah, Erin’s sister, wrote an article, I contacted her, met her family, and, as they say, the rest is history. As an interesting side note, Pete Faber, the previous editor whom I replaced, met Karen through the Beacon Lights. She wrote an article, contacted Pete, they married, and Pete resigned as editor for reasons similar to mine. I still plan to be active in the Beacon Lights as an Associate Editor, and there are some book projects I am interested in doing, but I can no longer spend as much time on the magazine as I once did. Being the editor consumes an enormous amount of time. I am not yet sure who will be the next editor, but there are several eminently qualified people interested.
Mindy Steenhold presents for us her article Fulfillment of the Lord. I believe that I promised her I would publish it a few months ago, but I never did. Sorry, Mindy. Sarah Hanko wrote a part two for her articles, entitled Righteous in the Lamb’s Blood. Sarah is the daughter of Reverend Ronald Hanko, a missionary in Northern Ireland. George Molenaar, my future father-in-law, wrote an article about the importance of giving. In our rich worlds we often think that we have only enough to get by in life, and the needs of the Kingdom of God go begging. We would do well to compare our lifestyles to those in other nations, realize the munificent blessings of God, and give accordingly.
Tom Bergman wrote a continuation of his rubric on the Church Family. I remembered to include the second half of Reverend Mahtani’s convention speech, and apologize for not remembering last month. The second part of Reverend Gritter’s article on marriage is also included this month.
Reverend Heys wrote an article on Calling upon God with a Pure Heart. He continues to have back troubles, so let us remember him in our prayers. Reverend Hanko penned an interesting article entitled Two Swords, Mindy included her first installment of Church News, and Connie Meyer provided yet another fabulous Little Lights story. Although Thelma Westra has written a few more poems for the coming months, I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for contributing her time and talents; they were appreciated. The devotionals this month were written by Cornie Jonker.
May God be with you both in the coming month as well as in the rest of your lives.