We who preach and write, do so in a manner different from which the Scriptures have been written. We write while we make progress. We learn something new every day. We speak as we still knock for understanding...If anyone criticizes me when I have said what is right, he does me an injustice. But I would be more angry with the one who praises me and takes what I have written for Gospel truth than I would be with the one who criticizes me unfairly. -Augustine

Lamplighter Theatre Testimony from Generations of Virtue

Generations of Virtue is a ministry that equips parents to empower their children for purity in our world today. The founder of our ministry, Julie Hiramine, has spoken to thousands of parents and young people all around the world, giving them practical tools to train their children in purity starting from a young age and continuing on into the teen years. One thing we have learned after years of ministry is that without the Godly character to back up a commitment to purity, it is almost impossible to make wise choices in this area.

The Lamplighter audio dramas are ideal to pass along to parents who want to teach their children about virtuous character and making good choices. They make learning about the character qualities that produce good fruit in a person’s life approachable and fun. Parents can use these dramas to open doors to deeper communication about many spiritual truths. Most recently Generations of Virtue has ministered a significant amount in southeast Asia, and the Lamplighter audio dramas are perfect for families who want to teach their children about virtuous character, but don’t always have the same access we do in the U.S. to quality literature. Not only do their children get to learn about different cultures, they are also learning lessons about character that positively influence their lives.

Published in: on March 16, 2012 at 3:50 am  Leave a Comment  

Lamplighter Theatre-Please Pray!

I hope all is going well and you’re growing in grace…if you are, that would mean you’ve had some struggles lately….”come boldly to the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy, to find grace, to help in the time of need.” The phrase, “in the time of need” means, “in the nick of time!”

Also, I wanted to give you an update on a few things. In the past couple of months, I learned that a missionary family is using Lamplighter Theatre as an evangelism and discipleship tool in Pakistan, and our dramas are being heard now in Singapore, and just last week we learned about this tiny island, Samoa, in the South Pacific is listening to Lamplighter Theatre.

Visit Lamplighter Theatre to see a map and all of the locations of Lamplighter Theatre; you will see that it looks like a military map. We’re now closing in on Japan and China. My goal is to take over the world! Yes, I have always had trouble keeping my goals within normal range. I guess I played the game Risk too much as a child. So this is very exciting to see what God is doing.

The bad news is what I received today. Our board is putting the breaks on, for Season 4 until we raise at least 50% of the money to record the next dramas. As you know, we are scheduled to record The White Gypsy and Jessica’s Journey, the end of January or early February. We also would like to do The Lost Ruby. And then we would like to immediately begin the script writing for the powerhouse Titus: A Comrade of the Cross and then Ishmael or A Lost Pearle. We need your prayers and if God so leads for you to share this need with others. This will be the first time the board has put the breaks on like this but they see that though we are growing, we continue to get farther in debt to produce the dramas. The long term growth looks great but it takes 3 to 5 years to begin making a profit on the initial investments. But without forward motion, the radio stations will see that as a stall and we could lose some stations.

When I left that meeting, I was talking to the Lord and then I thought of you. I want each of you to know how much I appreciate you and all the prayer and support that you have given this year. I am so thankful to be a part of this great movement to awaken a sleeping culture to the beauty and redemption of Christ. Let’s pray and watch our great God once again, do the impossible!

Published in: on December 17, 2011 at 8:42 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Becoming Great

Chrysostom once wrote, “If you want to make your child rich, teach him this: He is truly rich who does not desire great possessions . . . and thinks lightly of this life’s passing glories.”

This truth that was highlighted for me last week in a way I will never forget. Each month our Lamplighter Guild students have the opportunity to listen in on a conference call with a master teacher. This month, I interview celebrated European actor Peter Moreton. When I asked how a young person can become a great actor like himself, his reply took my breath away.

He said, “First, you need to give up all desires of becoming a great actor. You need to devote yourself to your craft–not to desires to become great. Then, when opportunities present themselves, your primary goal is to lift up the actors around you. Your job as an actor is to accentuate the character of others–they are to increase while you decrease. If I play a servant, for example, and I’m in the presence of a king, my role is to communicate to the audience the character of the king by my humble attitudes and actions. The king will be known through me.” (If you’d like to listen to the rest of this interview, you may do so here).

When I heard these words I thought of Philippians 2: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him . . .”

If you’re looking for a new role to play–one that will make you eternally rich and presently rewarded–practice the art of serving those around you so that they might increase as you decrease. And, as it is in all good stories, you may be surprised when God unexpectedly changes your role from humble servant to royal knight of the King!

Published in: on December 2, 2011 at 4:18 pm  Leave a Comment  

Image is Everything

We were created in the image of God–but do we reflect his image in grace and excellence?

Scripture tells us that Lucifer was once the reflection of the glory of God. In fact, his name literally means “light-bearer”; in Ezekial 28 we read that Lucifer was the sight and sound of God’s glory–he was the Cherub that covered the throne of God with the brilliance that was created in him. When he fell, he was cast down to the earth, and since that time has been distorting the image of God–through sight and sound.

Many have fallen prey to the wiles of the devil, addicted to both mediocrity and the temporary unfulfilling pleasures of our day. Like the proverbial frog we are being amused to death (amuse – def’ – not thinking).

But there is hope.

In the beginning of time, God vested the treasure of His image to humanity, charging Adam and Eve to bear His image by taking dominion, being fruitful, multiplying, and filling the earth. God tasked mankind with the vocation of re-creation.

It is our calling to bear His image with honor and excellence as we reflect His glory in our work and relationships. In 2nd Peter 1 we read that His divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.

If you have ever longed to reach the highest level of excellence in your God-giftedness, there is an unprecedented opportunity that awaits you. This summer you will have an  opportunity to work and study side by side with godly mentors who have excelled in their God-given skills, reaching the highest level of mastery.

During the week of July 17-22, the team behind the creative genius and excellence of audio dramas such as Chronicles of Narnia, Les Miserables, Left Behind, Adventures in Odyssey, and their most recent creation, Lamplighter Theatre has decided to use their collective experiences and talents to pass down to the next generation! During this once in a lifetime opportunity, you can participate in an entrepreneurial-apprenticeship type platform to be inspired, instructed, and mentored by some of the most talented professionals in the fields of Dramatic and Visual Arts.

Find out more by visiting www.lamplighterguild.com or contact us at mail@lamplighterguild.com with any questions.

Lamplighter–making ready a people prepared for the Lord, by building Christ-like character one story at a time.

 

Looking forward,

Mark Hamby

Published in: on March 8, 2011 at 5:40 pm  Leave a Comment  

Accumulated Effects

A father once wrote to me with the following concerns:

Dear Mark,

My 14-year-old son despises school. He sits at his desk and feels as if it’s a prison. He enjoys working with his hands–doing anything from mechanics and woodworking to farming and landscaping. When we tell him that God has gifted him, he just denies it and says he can’t do anything. I tell him that he needs a good education in order to get a good job, but I’m not sure I even believe this. Can you help?

I replied:

Dear Dad,

First, I would pray and ask God to open an apprenticeship door for your son. He needs the opportunity to work with someone who can teach him a skill and help cultivate his character at the same time. Until this door opens for him, teach him that his devotion to his studies may be the prerequisite for new and greater opportunities ahead. The lives of Joseph, Ezra, and Daniel would be good examples for him to follow, as each endured difficult preparation for the great doors of opportunity ahead.

Next, teach your son about the “Accumulated Effect of Knowledge.” This is what happens when we read, study, take tests, and learn about subjects that are both enjoyable and distasteful! Everything we read and study (except for things immoral) has a positive accumulative effect upon us. Your son might not think that school is helpful now, but down the road, whether he goes to college or not, he will find that opportunities open in direct proportion to his accumulated knowledge–it all adds up! The more we learn, the more potential for unique opportunities!

In Luke 8:18, Jesus says, “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”

There is much to learn–and many doors waiting to be opened. Are you looking for an apprenticeship opportunity where masters will mentor apprentices with excellence? Learn more about The Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines at www.lamplighterguild.com–and spread the word!

Published in: on February 16, 2011 at 5:47 pm  Leave a Comment  

Lamplighter Guild Registration Now Open!

After 20 years of prayer and planning, I am excited and thankful to announce that registration for The Lamplighter Guild is now open!

The Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines will be held at the world-renowned Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY from July 17-22.
Mohonk 3
The Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines provides an entrepreneurial platform whereby masters will mentor apprentices through creative and compelling instruction. Each learner will be inspired to cultivate a high level of excellence in order to uniquely reflect the image of God in his work and life.
The Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines provides an entrepreneurial platform whereby masters will mentor apprentices through creative and compelling instruction. Each learner will be inspired to cultivate a high level of excellence in order to uniquely reflect the image of God in his work and life.
Masters will provide instruction in the following disciplines:

Discipline 1: Dramatic Arts (script writing, directing, producing, sound design, music composition and engineering, and voice acting)

Discipline 2: Visual Arts (oil painting)

For more information about this exciting opportunity, please visit www.lamplighterguild.com!

Published in: on January 24, 2011 at 4:29 pm  Comments (2)  

Wow! Theatre Blog

Wow! I just found out that we have a Lamplighter Theatre blog that is filled with some very interesting information. I knew that they were writing something behind the scenes but I had no idea it was this in depth. I think you will enjoy rummaging through some of the unique material (audio, video, and text) Jared has put together.

Published in: on March 3, 2010 at 3:27 pm  Leave a Comment