"Turn On the Lights" -- Sanctus Real

I heard this song for the first time after working my last TEC. It was quite God-incidental; I felt like this song encompasses what TEC tries to teach as a ministry. This song is about burning bright with that light of Christ so that future generations understand the love and glory of the Lord that we've been able to experience. The lyrics are great and all, but it sounds incredibly passionate when you listen to it (so please do). There are also a couple verses that come to mind; John 11:9b-10 says, "A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."



We're sending out a message to the future
That words could not communicate
Don't think it's something that's electric
Just 'cause we're using the radio waves

We're turning on the lights
Down through the halls of time
Flip on the switch, illuminate the future
Send a shock through the power lines

Turn it up so everyone hears it
Transmit the signal to the world
You've got to listen for what you're missing
'Cause it's going to change your life

We're turning on the lights
Down through the halls of time
Flip on the switch, illuminate the future
Send a shock through the power lines
Flip on the switch, illuminate the future

I want to see the lights illuminate the night
Our endless hearts burning like the stars
Lights to the world arise

We're turning on the lights
Down through the halls of time
Flip on the switch, illuminate the future
Send a shock through the power lines

(Flip on the switch, illuminate the future)
Lights of the world arise
Flip on the switch, illuminate the future

Who Is Your Nathan?

I've recently started my journey through the book 11: Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without by Leonard Sweet. It characterizes 11 different Biblical figures and explains how each one's characteristics are important in your daily life. The first of these is Nathan ("You need an Editor").

Nathan was the man who told David, "Hey, you need to stay away from Bathsheba. She isn't God's calling for you." Sweet calls Nathan the editor because your Nathan should be someone who can speak the truth in an effort to get you to speak the truth. At the same time, your Nathan helps you maintain your own voice (much like when someone edits an essay).

To figure out who my Nathan was, it took one small section of the chapter that involved accountability. Instead of someone being an accountability partner they should take the stance of an editor. With accountability, "it is too easy to keep double books: one book for your accountability team, and another secret book for yourself." On the other hand, an editor receives your original copy and makes the necessary marks to bring out your own voice of truth.

My Nathan hasn't been a close friend for too long, actually; still, I feel as if God has truly placed us together as friends for a reason. We might never figure it out, but we've come to the conclusion that that isn't important. I won't tell you who this person is because it's not important. They will know who they are, I know who they are, and God knows who they are.