Why Light in the Dark? & Hartley's Bio

Why Light in the Dark?
&
A Short Bio from Hartley

If you have yet to do so, I suggest you read Dave’s testimony, for it is because of his obedient heart this site exists, and it is by his gracious invitation I am part of it. I am merely an invited guest on this journey. This journey, a gradual passing from one state to another regarded as more advanced, is one I invite you to take with us for an extended period of time. My hope is that each paragraph from the home page to the final chapter will impact our lives dramatically; that the words we share will move us from some state of innocence to one of a more mature awareness. This will be quite an adventure, and I am thrilled to be along for the ride—and to refute, teach, clarify or accept the theological and scriptural arguments persons such as you might posit before my colleague and I.

Arguments? Really? Listen, our home page says it loud and proud: our purpose is “to teach the truth of God’s word.” My guess is you know at least one person who would gladly debate whether the Bible actually contains truth. Considering the design of this site beckons us to seek out and examine the validity of scripture, surely controversial and argumentative topics will arise.

Dave made an important point when he stated his mother taught him how to think for himself and to make his own decisions in life. That’s something the Bible causes us to do as well and why Light in the Dark exists. Many Biblical passages provoke such deep thought their words seem to badger you into deciding if they are pure and true. Life alone gives us plenty to think about, and our purpose in it is often a quandary. So many times it’s the big decisions in life that send us to others for guidance and direction. I believe the Bible exists to provide us a guide for living. I have found God’s word to be so dynamic it can cut to the deepest part of my personality, reveal everything about me, and shed insight on the person I am to become. While I recognize how many people (perhaps you as well) believe the Bible to be a strict, harsh judgment on an individual’s acts, I have found where passes of judgment is given, the judgment focuses the potential, plans, and attitudes of each individual. That’s why I’m along for this ride. To help you discover in scripture the potential and purpose for your life; to allow us to learn from one another as we continually challenge and shape our theological views; and to help you understand what God’s word means. Please share what you have learned from Scripture and feel free to email Dave and me for insight about the passages you struggle to fully understand.

As a vocational minister, I’ve spent my entire adult life searching through Scripture. I expend great effort seeking to understand what meaning it has. I will translate passages from their original texts in order to glean the most from God’s word. Understanding what it says, I then apply God’s truth to life, hoping to make sense of this world and our role in it.

Like Dave, I stepped into this venture as an act of obedience, but had Dave not invited me, I’d probably still be imitating Jonah prior to his intimate encounter with a fish—even though my passion and calling is to write. I have been a professional author and playwright for many years. Throughout most of that time I have been feeling God calling me to write devotionals and articles about Spiritual life and Biblical interpretation. But I’ve always ignored that feeling and have never done anything about it…until now. Hey, as Dave put it, (You really should read his testimony, you know.) nobody’s perfect.

-Hartley

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