Category: Uncategorized

• Day 20: Reviving

  Posted at 2:50 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 20, 2020

  We’re all at risk of falling.

  Day 20; the light comes in reviving the faintest of thumps into a steady, strong heart beat.

  REVIVING

  

  This picture was taken just after surgery #5. There was just supposed to be one surgery. One. But that one ended up being five in ten months. That’s a lot of anesthesia and IV’s and stitches and “mommy’s in bed again” or “mommy’s coming home tomorrow.”

  Modern medicine was failing me and I was falling.

  What do you fall into? Alcohol, bad relationships, porn, isolation, fear, cleaning, work, resentment, pain, asking why…

  It’s all dark there, whatever it is.

  I’ve been there plenty. I don’t need to bore you or freak you out with the things I can fall into. You’ve got yours too.

  Just don’t get stuck there… barely living.

  It’s time for a revival. Be gentle with yourself. Now find some light. Get yourself to a window, light a candle, open the door and get out there.

  Stepping out into the physical light of day to let the sun warm your face is REVIVING.

  

  Close your eyes.

  Imagine Jesus with his hand over your heart,

  pressing in to where it’s the most quiet.

  Now listen.

  “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.”

  – Revelation 22:20

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Amanda Lindsey Cook, Fall Risk, House On A HIll, How the Light Gets In, Revelation 22:20, Reviving

• Day 19: Shining

  Posted at 7:37 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 19, 2020

  SHINING

  “The thing about light is that it really isn’t yours; it’s what you gather and shine back. And it gets more power from reflectiveness; if you sit still and take it in, it fills your cup, and then you can give it off yourself.”

  Anne Lammott

  Day 19; when the light comes in SHINING, make sure to gather it up. But don’t stop there.

  If you grew up in church or near anyone in church, you have to know the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” So, we had a more charismatic upbringing in the church. One of the lines and actions I remember most (because there was always a corresponding action) was:

  “Hide it under a bushel? (shrug your shoulders & look confused)

  NO! (point your finger & smush your eyebrows)

  I’m gonna let it shine (now puff up your chest & point to yourself)

  It’s going to be stuck in your head today. You’re welcome.

  In this world of restrictions and recounts and rising numbers, remember these words from Jesus. Gather them up in your heart and then shine them back:

  “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept… If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—SHINE! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Anne Lammott, Covid, How the Light Gets In, Light on a Hill, Matthew 5:14-16, Shining, This little light of mine

• Day 18: Reaching

  Posted at 10:05 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 18, 2020

  Day 18; the light comes in REACHING high, low, across, down and through.

  REACHING

  

  

  

  We can see how far-reaching the light is.

  For now, let’s consider what happens when we are the ones doing the reaching.

  

  Reaching out to God -for hope, an answer, for peace, for healing- it can feel vulnerable and shaky.

  Consider who you’re reaching to though.

  I just found this verse I’d underlined in my bible.

  Is anything too hard for the Lord?

  Genesis 18:14

  

  Shaky hand, somewhat steady heart – I reached out to God to ask for healing.

  Who knew that just three days later I would be completely healed from layers of deep pain and trauma and metal coils?

  He did.

  That’s the thing about God; He’s always behind, before, beside us. He’s just trying to reach you any way He can.

  God, Master Artist and Sweet Friend, I pray for my friends reading today. I pray they would put aside their fear and doubt. I pray they would push through their anxiety and reach out to You. Whatever is deep in their hearts, Father. I pray they would reach in and name it then offer it to you. I pray my friends are surrounded by and so overwhelmed by Your light, God, that after they roll their eyes and take a deep breath, they can say “Okay, here it is God. Do your thing.”

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Genesis 18:14, healing, How the Light Gets In, Reaching

• Day 17: Delighting

  Posted at 7:46 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 17, 2020

  Day 17; the light is coming in all sorts of ways bringing joy and happiness.

  DELIGHTING

  

  The light touches simple spheres of soap & water making them magical.

  

  Adding light to an ordinary night turns it into a summertime tradition of dance and attitude (clearly).

  These pictures make me smile from the inside out. Aside from the bubbles and glow sticks, these pictures also have kids in them.

  The littles are doing life right. You know?

  The American Academy of Pediatrics says: “Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.”

  Play is not just for kids. We need it to so we can interact with the world around us with physical and emotional strength in love with creativity for the good of ourselves and everyone around us. When was the last time you found yourself delighting in something? What was it?

  TODAY: Go for a walk, play tennis, basketball, kick a soccer ball, play frisbee, cornhole, climb a hill and run down it, play a round of Go Fish, lay on some grass and stretch, blow some bubbles and get up and catch them, paint, take pictures of where you are; GO UNTIL YOU FIND YOURSELF DELIGHTING IN THE DAY YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN.

  

  Today, let’s go…

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged American Academy of Pediatrics, basketball, Bubbles, Delighting, How the Light Gets In, paint, photography, Play, soccer, stretch

• Day 16: Leading

  Posted at 10:09 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 16, 2020

  Day 16; the light comes in LEADING us along our path.

  LEADING

  It’s important to understand that as it leads, the light illuminates our path but doesn’t lighten the load.

  

  Like this trail here. The light makes me aware of the rocky patches and the prickly cactus but the sunshine doesn’t erase them.

  There are still rough spots.

  Psalm 91 reads: “You will call on me and I will answer you. I will be with you in trouble. I will deliver you and honor you.”

  Isaiah 43 says: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze… you, YOU are precious and honored in my sight… Do not be afraid for I am with you.”

  Faith is more than a crutch or cliche. It’s work. It takes practice and effort. Just because you follow the light or love God doesn’t guarantee a cushy life. The scripture says “I will be with you IN trouble” not I will protect you from trouble. The verse in Isaiah says WHEN you pass through the waters not “follow me for an smooth ride.”

  Jesus himself, God in human form himself did NOT have an easy life. That says a lot. Despite it all, He came for you and for me giving more than this broken, rough world could ever offer.

  Call out to God when it feels dark, rough, overwhelming or scary. We have a God who knows what it’s like to lose a friend, to need some time away from the crowd, while also being the one who harnessed heat & light making the sun to greet us every morning.

  

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 43, leading, Psalm 91

• Day 15: Unassuming

  Posted at 8:05 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 15, 2020

  Day 15; the morning light comes in breaking through the dark of night, ushering in quiet power to start the new day.

  UNASSUMING

  It’s the morning light in particular that wins the prize for “Most Unassuming.” There’s no formal announcement, other than the birds singing. There’s no call to celebrate or salute the event that happens every single day.

  

  And there it is, quiet and powerful and modest and faithful.

  Unassuming is a quality I appreciate now in the noisy world we live in. My life feels loud at most levels – sound, color and speed. Does yours?

  The quiet sunrise feels like a sweet secret I find for myself everyday. (No one else is waking up for unassuming light around here.)

  That’s the key about this modest, powerful, faithful everyday occurrence- it’s available to you and me but you have to look for it. And when you set the alarm to look for it, you’ll find it.

  We’re on Day 15 friends, so you have to know this paragraph is going to point to more than light. Here we go… because that UNASSUMING, have-to-go-seek-it-out quality is true about God too.

  He isn’t loud. He whispers.

  Look for Him and you will find Him. He says so over and over.

  You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me WHEN you seek me with your whole heart. I will be found by you.

  Jeremiah 29:13-14

  Set your alarm for sunrise, go outside and salute the new beginning.

  Then with your whole heart, call on the One who is waiting to be found by you.

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Jeremiah 29:13-14, Sunrise, Unassuming

• Day 13: Challenging

  Posted at 1:23 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 13, 2020

  CHALLENGING

  Day 13; seeing light in the metaphorical dark is CHALLENGING. While Joseph’s brain was swelling, covered in lesions, his eyes crossing, white blood cell count rising; I was coming in and out of the hospital from one surgery after another at the same time. This kind of metaphorical darkness is when it can be CHALLENGING to see light.

  In the deep vastness of chronic pain or a devastating diagnosis or global pandemic chaos zero-ing in on your job security or holiday plans – the darkness comes in consuming your landscape.

  

  “I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.” 

  Barbara Brown Taylor, “Learning to Walk in the Dark”

  This daily exercise of looking for how the light gets in is much more than looking for a silver lining. I’m not a fan of another positive spin. I want the real deal. The power of dark, looking for light in it, the challenge to appreciate them both is a daily exercise.

  So, everyday I bring what I’ve got. And Jesus sees it. Takes it. And Answers.

  

  With five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed thousands. A boy brought Jesus what he had, and Jesus worked a miracle.

  Bring Jesus your dark and your light today. He sees your darkness. He is offering light. Challenge yourself today. What will your miracle look like?

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Barbara Brown Taylor, Challenging, Darkness, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Learning to Walk in the Dark, Matthew 14:17-20, Miracle

• Day 11: Unveiling

  Posted at 8:14 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 11, 2020

  Day 11; the light gets in to lift a covering of darkness.

  UNVEILING

  Light doesn’t just change a landscape; it gives meaning,

  

  When your 4 year old is shrieking about a “monster” in the room; turning on the light becomes a powerful tool UNVEILING the “monster” to actually be a pile of clothes in the corner.  Or maybe you and your spouse are holding onto resentment. Pulling that resentment into the light of truth unveils a deeper conversation needed. What if you are gripping shame or a belief about yourself? Bravely bringing that to a friend to carefully go over that idea in love and honesty is a powerful light lifting the veil to reveal who you truly are. 

  When something needs unveiling; that means we’ve wrapped it in a layer of our own fear. It doesn’t belong there.

  

  Today let’s pray for the courage to turn the light on the scary, resentful, shame-filled corners of our hearts. Ask God for the loving light of His truth to unveil that darkness. You belong in the light.

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, Morgan Harper NIchols, Psalm 119:130, Unveiling

• Day 10: Spreading

  Posted at 3:14 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 10, 2020

  Day 10; the light comes in spreading from one spot all across the landscape.

  

  SPREADING

  The sun is majestic on it’s own but there’s something about the way it’s light spreads across the mountains that takes my breath away. The glow is SPREADING reaching up, gathering from side to side, stretching down celebrating the far off purple-blue mountains along with each individual blade of grass.

  …the Creator of the Heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to it’s people, and life to those who walk in it… I will take hold of your hand. Isaiah 42:5-6

  There’s power in the reach of light and how it spreads. The same can be said of the power of God but there’s more to His reach. God spreads his arms out to also pull you in and take you by your hand.

  Our God spreads his arms to create scenes like this. And he pulls us close in comfort and protection.

  

  David Guzik digs deeper into the verse from Isaiah and the idea of spreading: “First look up, because He created the heavens and stretched them out. Then look down, because He spread forth the earth and that which comes from it. Then look in a mirror, because He gives breath to the people on it. The God who did such great things can fulfill His promises about YOU.”

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged David Guzik, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 42:5-6, Spreading

• Day 7: Surrounding

  Posted at 2:48 pm by How the Light Gets In, on November 7, 2020

  Day 7: When light comes in from all around you, on top of you, from behind you and alongside you, SURROUNDING you – it gets in you.

  SURROUNDING

  We’ve been lucky enough around here to have wide open blue skies with the sun front and center. November light is full and everywhere.

  

  The Lord bless you
  and keep you;
  the Lord make his face shine on you
  and be gracious to you;
  the Lord turn his face toward you
  and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

  

  The Blessing. Have you heard this song? It combines ancient promises with new voices and it is awesome.

  Press play. Look around and allow yourself to be surrounded in Gods light and promise.

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged How the Light Gets In, numbers 6:24-26, surrounding, The Blessing