10 Years of Heartlight
In late November of 1995, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I sat in a church service frustrated out of my mind. We were going to have to cancel our only real media outreach and advertising because of the cost. With all the buyouts in radioland, the costs for drive time 1 and 2 minute Heartlight spots had simply gotten out of hand.
As I sat there during communion sharing my frustrations with the Lord and asking for His guidance, a very clear thought kept pounding in my head, “The Internet, Dummy, the Internet!”
Now some folks can talk about a clear call from the Lord and describe it in glowing terms. My experience contained no dazzling lights, no audible voice, and no appearance of visible angels. What I received, however, was a clear message in “cornbread English” that I believed was from the Lord. A few months later, that call was confirmed when I met Paul Lee. He had felt a similar calling about the same time. The Lord stitched us together and ten years ago, April 3, 1996, we officially launched Heartlight.
Over the last ten years, we’ve visited with people from around the world, kept the ministry going on a showestring, and God has shown us that He still multiplies loaves and fishes. There have been heartbreaks and highlights, but most of all, there has been a profound awareness of God’s constant provision and the incredible encouragement of our Heartlight family — now well over 500,000 folks world over.
It seems only fitting that on this tenth anniversary of Heartlight that Paul and I both launch blogs. Once again, we’re not sure why — it just seems like something the Lord is leading us to do and we’ve learned over the years the “why” is not nearly as important as following the Lord’s lead. Hopefully something useful will come out of these musings and your replies, but for now, let’s just leave it as an humble beginning, just like that first ugly web page we posted ten years ago today.
If there is anything of substance or blessing, it is because of the Lord’s mercy and grace, and a deep-seated desire that He may receive the glory He is due.
Finally, if you would like to wish Heartlight a Happy Birthday, feel free to do so by leaving a comment or two.
I am so thankful this site was here when I needed to learn so much about God and His love. I am a recovering alcoholic and my background was so legalistic that it was very difficult for me to discern where to go in my search for God’s Will. There are many good and bad websites and I got so confused. The first time I stumbled accross Heartlight, I knew I was “home”. I visit daily and this is one area I don’t have to question. The Spirit of God confirms to me in my heart that I can believe what I read here. Thank you for you obedience and for all your hard work. It is life or death for me!
Rosemarie
3 Apr 06 at 6:03 am
Happy Birthday Heartlight!!!
i’m daily blessed when i read your articles and devotionals. i thank God who planted this vision in your hearts and i pray it continues to grow and reach out to people like me.
God’s favour and grace be with you now and always. He who started this good work in you will certainly be faithful to complete it.
Cheers Phil and Paul!!
Nonye
3 Apr 06 at 6:16 am
Dear Brother,
Heartlight has been a part of my daily devotions for several years. I can’t tell you of all the blessings I have received. Further, I share the messages, quotes, etc. with others.
I thank God for your faithfullness to the calling and to the labor day after day. On this 10th birthday, may it be filled with God’s love, joy and favor. God bless you, Phil and Paul. You will hear the words some day, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Dean A. Zerby
3 Apr 06 at 6:22 am
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for so many over the last ten years! Happy Birthday Heartlight. You are a bright spot in my inbox every morning. I have laughed, cried and been convicted so many times over the years since I found your wonderful site. God bless you many times over as you begin blogging.
Dana Qualls
3 Apr 06 at 9:24 am
Happy Birthday Heartlight!!! I can’t even remember how I found you, but I did. You have become my homepage, and a daily part of my life. I visit you everyday for my verse, prayer, and article, it is my devotional time, my wife has also started visiting you daily for her verse and prayer. Thanks so much Phil & Paul, and to all the other folks that contribute to the articles and prayers. God Bless. Michael
Michael Lewis
3 Apr 06 at 9:38 am
A very happy birthday to Heartlight!!! I was looking around websites for good Christian material and came across yours – and what a blessing. God has been faithful to you, Phil & Paul, and your commitment to His call delights His heart, and is most encouraging for us. As great learning curves come your way, may you more and more echo the words of Paul – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
Joo-Lee Dierikx
3 Apr 06 at 7:15 pm
Thank you for blessing us daily! May the Lord continue to bless your ministry beyond what we can imagine, or think!
Ray
4 Apr 06 at 8:15 am
I didn’t know the actual birthdate of this ministry but I’m sure excited I haven’t missed the party. I’ve only been here since 2003.
My bible reading, learning, and praying took one giant step forward when I arrived. In this busy life I live the most exciting part of my day is around 4:30-5:00 when I turn on this box and become fed, led, & armored up for the day.
Thanks for hearing Gods voice when you did. I can’t be the only one being blessed out here. Pray that we all hear his voice as clearly you have then WOW can be our next conversation with God.
Thanks, Dale
Dale Huffman
7 Apr 06 at 4:56 am
Uh, Phil -
Did anyone explain that blogging usually entails more than 1 entry? Some people even write daily blogs.
Bob A
7 Apr 06 at 7:56 am
You have blessed my life daily with the “Daily Wisdom” and also Hearlight articles. Many times the article or scripture was just what I needed at the time I needed. I call that a “God thing” and he is using you to bless us all. Thanks!
Linda
7 Apr 06 at 4:40 pm
Hey, your site is awesome! I especially use the Graphic section for church powerpoint, even for a church in Germany! Thanks a lot for that!
Is there any possible way to get a glimpse of this first site from 10 years ago? Would be interesting! =)
Chrisch
8 Apr 06 at 4:44 am
Hey Chrisch!
FYI, we are working to launch a version of Heartlight in German in January of 2007. So hope to see you down that road. Lord willing, I’ll bein Cologne in January!
You can see some of the earliest Heartlight articles by looking in our archive pages, for example:
Special Features
Two Minute Meditations
Caring Touch
Phil
8 Apr 06 at 6:16 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEARTLIGHT!
I too, am ever so thankful for your ‘daily visits’ into our home. You are also our screensaver and wallpaper…I love it! May God continue to bless you (and your families) as you continue to bring the encouragement and conviction of God’s word into our lives! Thank you!
Carol
8 Apr 06 at 6:43 am
That’s so cool, that Heartlight will be available in German, thought it’s still some time until 2007. =(
Any idea who is going to edit the German site yet?
From Phil:
Yes, we are working with someone that we will reveal in January. The team, however, is just now being put together. Pray that the Lord will open the doors and lead the way!
Chrisch
8 Apr 06 at 7:46 am
Happy Birthday!
I’m so very glad to have found your website. God bless you all.
If there is any one out there who want to help out in my ministry please write me a mail to kadabalanga@yahoo.com
Eveline
11 Apr 06 at 7:03 am
Hello! I am looking for a bible study that I can share with the women in prison. We want something that we can physically work on together. Do you have any suggestions?
Wendy Chico
11 Apr 06 at 10:12 am
I thank you for your emails that I get each morning. Many the time they have been what I needed that day. Often I have been able to use the idea in a Bible Study or sermon. Thank You.
Allan Burr
12 Apr 06 at 7:56 am
sorry i am late for the party but better late then never
George Jackson, Jr.
27 Apr 06 at 10:05 am