Shine On, Sparky!

From the first light of creation to the promise of an endless day, every light leads to Jesus Christ.

Have you ever noticed how often light appears in the Bible? It begins in Genesis, before God even creates the sun. It guides the Israelites through the wilderness as a pillar of fire. David calls the LORD his light and salvation. The prophets promise a great Light, a star leads travelers from the east to Bethlehem, and Jesus declares Himself the Light of the world.

These aren't disconnected Bible stories or simply beautiful metaphors. Together, they reveal one unfolding story of God's faithfulness, His promises, and the salvation He gives us through His Son.

In Shine On, Sparky! From First Light to Endless Day, Kimberly Billings takes readers on a conversational journey through Scripture, exploring the theme of light from Genesis to Revelation. Along the way, she introduces Sparky, her father's childhood black cocker spaniel, whose illustrated adventures provide humor, warmth, and an occasional reminder of how easily we get distracted.

Through seven chapters, readers encounter creation and the fall into sin, God's promises to His people, the coming of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, the Christian life of repentance and faith, and the glorious promise that night will one day be no more.

Rooted in Scripture and Lutheran teaching, the book emphasizes that salvation is God's gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our good works don't earn God's favor. They flow from the forgiveness and new life Christ has already given us.

With relatable examples, thoughtful biblical reflection, black-and-white illustrations, and seven opportunities for further Scripture study, Shine On, Sparky! invites adult readers to discover how the Bible's recurring images of light consistently lead us back to our Savior.

The message is simple:

We don't shine so people will notice us. We shine so people can see Him.