What do the titles of my blog and those in its address signify?

I would love to say that I put a lot of deep thought and prayer into these, however, I did not. Some time ago I secured a gmail account so that I could comment easily on a daughter's blog. At that time I also set up a blog. Much time passed before I started this blog, in the meanwhile I confess that I had forgotten the name of the blog and the address. I had to search to find it.

However, after reflection, I have with satisfaction accepted theses titles.

Growing.

As a believer I inspire to never stop growing. As a pastor I should never stop growing. As a student of the Word I would never stop growing. In 2 years or 10 years or 30 years I ought, by God's grace, to be more godly, have a better understanding of the Gospel and God's word, and have greater skill and wisdom in applying it to my own life as well as to the lives of others.

Others whom I minister the Word to/with, again by God's grace, will be growing in their likeness of Christ.

If the above is true than the church ought to be growing. This is not an assumption of numerical growth, while with God's blessing this might take place. A more important aspect of church growth would be that the whole would be united in faith, knowledge and service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, may this be so.

The website address: http://sonlight-dad.blogspot.com/ is a combination of a couple of titles.

First I am a father, and so 'dad'. As mentioned above, I acquired this account particularly to comment on my daughter's blog, so titled myself 'dad'. However, now that I will be having millions, if not billions, of people reading this – soon. I have dropped 'dad' as my signature and adopted my name: “Al”. This should eliminate some confusion.

Secondly, the term 'Sonlight' is from my business name: Sonlight Creations. My wife and I took this name for a couple of reasons. First, we live in Washington County, Maine. One of the first places in the continental USA to receive the light of the sun each day. We do our work in the day, well, sometimes late into the night, but the day is for working. We rejoice in the time to work that God has given us, and the provisions for life that come from the sun.

However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the light of the world, and is our light. His light is far greater than that of the light coming from the sun. We would live in the light he provides in His Word, the Bible. So over the years, with a great deal of imperfection on our part, we have set our hearts on building our lives, our marriage, family, and our business upon his Word, i.e. to walk in his light, and thus give glory to him.

I would like to comment on two aspects of glorifying God. As the light of the sun gives life to the world so the light of the Son is what gives life to his Kingdom. Therefore, the first aspect is in receiving and growing due to the 'energy' Christ's light supplies. The second aspect is simply acknowledging that all of our lives, everything that we do, is done through the strength and blessings that He supplies. If I show love for my wife, it is because of and through Him. If I turn a useful and beautiful bowl he must be praised. If I open the Scriptures so that others may be fed, to him be the glory. If I am alive today it because he holds my life together.

ESV Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
ESV Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,