Tag: Advent

• CHRISTMAS – Day 25

  Posted at 2:09 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 25, 2019

  Merry Christmas

  You did it. WE did it! Hooray for us! 24 days of reading God’s word. 24 days of devoting a little time to learning God’s voice. I’m so proud of you and me!

  Take a moment to scroll all the way back to Day One. Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and jot down the websites, books, Instagram accounts, Music, Photography, Email subscriptions, Apps, Artists, Podcasts, Places, People, Recipes.

  Then, take note of what struck you most – was it the beauty, the pain, the encouragement, the community?

  Finally, we should list all the scripture from the posts. The Bible still blows my mind with all those words written so long ago and somehow still very alive and so powerful.

  You know what ALLLLL this tells me?

  GOD

  WILL

  STOP

  AT

  NOTHING.

  God will stop at nothing to get YOUR attention.

  These 24 days have just been a glimpse of how relentless God is trying to grab your attention.

  Christmas gives us the sweetest example of this. Immanuel is God with us.

  Jesus IS God with us.

  But wait, the story doesn’t end here. There’s Good News! Jesus wasn’t just born, end of story. Jesus lived a life full of friendship and story telling and healing and teaching and loving. There’s more to learn. Jesus didn’t just live for you and me. He also died for you and me.

  Today we celebrate His birth but there’s so much more.

  And hey, if you’re reading this you’re alive too which means God’s not done with you. Your story with Him might just be beginning. Or maybe you go way back. Either way, keep walking with Jesus. Read His Word. Learn His voice. Look for Him.

  Remember how we started this journey with Gods word as a “lamp for our feet”? Today let’s celebrate because the light is here. Jesus – God with us – is here “to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:79)

  Thank you for being with me this Advent. You have made it so special for me.

  One last song Reckless Love

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 John 1:5, 1 John 1:5-7, 1 John 5:14, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 5:6, 100 Days to Brave, 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, 2 Kings 20, Acts 2:28, Advent, Ann Voskamp, Annie F Downs, Christmas, Church of the Nativity, Colossians 1:9-10, Cory Asbury, Elevation Worship, Ephesians 5:13, Exodus 33:14, Genesis 28:15, Hooray, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 40:3-5, Isaiah 43:18-19, Jenna Mace Photography, Jesus, Jesus Calling, Job 42:5, John 11:38, Joshua 1:9, Journal, Luke 1:3-4, Luke 1:79, Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 28:66, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 27:14, Romans 15:13, Romans 15:4-5, Wonder, Zephaniah 3:17

• Day 24

  Posted at 2:19 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 24, 2019

  This song strings together all the words of promise and hope born tonight in Jesus. It might be my new favorite Christmas song.

  Enjoy: HERE COMES HEAVEN

  “Children, weep no more
  Hope is on the horizon
  Weary world behold
  Your promised Messiah

  Angels, let your song begin
  Here comes Heaven
  Christ is born in Bethlehem
  Here comes Heaven

  Sinner, wait no more
  Love has broken the silence
  Come let us adore
  The Savior is with us

  Angels, let your song begin
  Here comes Heaven
  Christ is born in Bethlehem
  Here comes Heaven
  Here comes Heaven

  Now, behold His glory
  Glory in the highest
  All the earth rejoice for Christ is born
  Now, behold His glory
  Glory in the highest
  All the earth rejoice for Christ is born

  Over all who mourn
  Breaks the dawn of salvation…”
  Posted in DECEMBER 2019, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Elevation Worship, Here Comes Heaven, How the Light Gets In, Jesus

• Day 23

  Posted at 9:44 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 23, 2019

  In all my years of parenting, you know something that still makes me tilt my head to the side, scrunch my eyebrows together in wonder and just nod? How a kid who gets raving comments on his/her report card can ALSO be the kid who rages in the pantry over my “terrible” grocery choices. Or how the same kid who skips off the school bus can transform into a punk the moment they step foot IN the house.

  “You should feel good about it. It actually means they trust mommy that much that no matter what you’ll still love them.” How many times did I hear that? Did it comfort me? Imagine me now and you’ll know the answer- chin to my chest, eyebrows raised and a smirk across my face.

  

  They trust me enough to dissolve into grumpy messes? Yes, yes they do. And yes, I still love them (sometimes I may hide but I still love them).

  What in the world does this have to do with Advent?

  HOPE.

  The “Thrill of Hope“- we all long for it a little extra right now. If you were to look up the definition, you would see Hope is not just an expectation but also “a feeling of trust.”

  2016…I’ll never forget Dr. Collins telling me and Joseph to head straight to the ER so Joseph could have a spinal tap. We nodded, gathered our things and left her office in silence. But just as we got to the car, we raged. Literally. We kicked the tires, screamed, cried and then hugged. Joseph looked up and yelled, “God do you even see me? I’m sick and I’m scared. Do you even know?” Watching my little boy trust God enough to get angry and ask questions felt like Hope in action – full, innocent and sincere trust.

  Kids teach us an important lesson in what trust looks like, don’t they? Open handed, open hearted, guard down trust. And sometimes it gets messy. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not stop them because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” – Matthew 19:14

  

  Advent is a season of HOPE when you trust God does hear you, God does love you. His love is so big He can handle your good, your bad and your ugly. If God feels too distant for you, look to Jesus and look to the children.

  So, listen up punk, we’re on the last few steps of our journey through Advent together.

  For Day 23, I’m hoping you to step into your mess, open your hands and your heart and trust God, wait for Him and let Hope thrill your weary soul.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, HOPE, How the Light Gets In, Jenna Mace Photography, Jesus, Matthew 19:14, TRUST

• Day 22

  Posted at 3:42 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 22, 2019

  Just some words and thoughts on who Jesus is to me.

  • The gift
  • The promise
  • The hope
  • The remedy
  • The ask
  • The directive
  • The answer

  He gave up His place with God and made himself nothing. He was born a man and became like a servant. Philippians 2:7

  You didn’t choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go bear fruit. -John 15:16

  For God so loved Y O U that He sent his beloved Son. -John 3:16

  This I command you that you should LOVE one another. -John 15:17

  God’s love is the Greatest Gift. The Greatest Gift is Jesus.

  I pray you accept the Gift, the Promise, the Joy, the Remedy, the Ask, the Directive, the Answer in Jesus.

  “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

  Mark 5:36

  Love, Jesus

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, John 3:16, Love, Mark 5:36, Philippians 2:7

• Day 21

  Posted at 6:55 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 21, 2019

  Start Clapping. The music has started.

  Watoto Children’s Choir

  Look. It’s your turn to jump in. The children are dancing!

  

  This is a celebration in anticipation of Jesus’ birth wrapped in culture from all over the globe. And YOU are invited!

  “The Advent Project” is a curated journey towards Jesus through Art and Poetry and Music and Scripture and Prayer.

  Have a look: The Advent Project – Biola University

  Prayer from “The Advent Project” Day 21

  Gentle me,

  Holy One,

  into an unclenched moment,

  a deep breath,

  a letting go

  of heavy expectancies,

  of shriveling anxieties,

  of dead certainties,

  that, softened by the silence,

  surrounded by the light,

  and open to the mystery.

  I may be found by wholeness,

  upheld by the unfathomable,

  entranced by the simple,

  and filled with the joy

  that is You.     

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Biola University, Emil Nolde, How the Light Gets In

• Day 20

  Posted at 11:21 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 20, 2019

  Dear Friend,

  I’ve lived long enough and through enough to tell you my pain goes deeper and wider than any of the scars on my body. The unseen scars, I believe, hurt the worst. 

  Every day, I feel braver and closer to sharing my story with you. 

  But I’m not yet. 

  Katherine Wolf is beyond brave enough; so let’s meet her.

  As 22 year old, fresh newlyweds, Katherine & her husband, Jay, were living in LA. Jay was pursuing a law degree. Katherine was modeling. Sounds pretty great, right? The couple had a son.

  

  But just 6 months later, Katherine suffered a massive brain stem stroke. She shouldn’t be here. But she is. And Katherine is very much alive. Her story didn’t end because life exploded and left her in a wheel chair with facial paralysis and more. Her faith wasn’t lost in the midst either. Neither was her joy lost.

  

  But how? Katherine clings to God and reaches out to teach you and me how to suffer strong.

  Suffer strong. Makes me cry and makes me stand a little more upright.

  Katherine and her family live in hope and have made more room for God than bitterness (which is probably what I would have chosen).

  “God always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial.” 
2 Corinthians 1:4

  Let the same God who made you, the ocean, the night sky come alongside you and help you through the hurt. But you have to let Him know what’s on your heart and sit with Him a bit too.

  “I will give you the treasures of darkness.”
Isaiah 45:3

  There are treasures to be found. It’s not easy work but if I can do it, you can too. Just because you’ve given up on God doesn’t mean He’s given up on you. Just because you don’t hear Him doesn’t mean God isn’t trying to get your attention, to sit beside you and hold you close. Hope is a scary thing. I get it. But for today, I will be praying for you to reach for it. Reach for hope and believe there is more waiting for you.

  “Life defines us.

  Suffering redefines us.

  Hope refines us."

  ****You can follow Katherine and Jay on social media @hopeheals, read their books, listen to their podcast and support or attend their camp (see how much MORE there is!!!): Find links to it all on their website hopeheals

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, Advent, hopeheals, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 45:3, Katherine Wolf, sufferstrong

• DAY 19

  Posted at 3:07 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 19, 2019

  Watch this – Lamar Jackson & Jesus

  Interviewer: Blocking out the noise, you don’t listen to the good or the bad. Is there something or someone that keeps you humble that’s in your life?

  The Lord. The Lord. You know I give him all His praise, the glory, the honor because without Him I could have been doing anything. Its crazy… I be thinking about it, talking to Him throughout the day like ‘Man, I appreciate you. I thank you… Gotta keep it going and let the Lord know he’s number one.

  Lamar says he doesn’t listen to the good or the bad he says he just keeps thanking God for it all. Does Lamar know Colossians 2:7 “Let your roots grow down into him and let your lives be built in him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” I don’t know if he does but he is living it and speaking it.

  “Talking to Him throughout the day…” Blocking out the noise of the world to move step by step with a grateful heart to the God who gave you everything – THAT is a champions way to live.

  If you’ve been reading this blog then I HOPE you are learning God’s dream for you, His promises to you and His love in you. You are a light and you are made for more.

  Consider this a holy huddle in the locker room. Let’s get pumped. You know what to do.

  Get out there and be a light with a big, grateful heart. (Ephesians 5:8-9)

  “Gotta keep it going and let the Lord he’s number one.”

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Colossians 2:7, Ephesians 5:8-9, How the Light Gets In, Lamar Jackson

• Day 17

  Posted at 2:40 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 17, 2019

  First the chocolate chips. What do you see?

  I see walking into Leah’s brand new kitchen. I don’t know what makes me happier, the rich smell of warm chocolate or watching three generations of women all in a circle fussing over the “Chocolate Chip Pie.” Here’s the recipe: try it and you’ll see what all the fuss is about.

  Chocolate Chip Pie

  Leah was my friend first. Then her daughter, Anna, and I became friends. I love Marleah (momma to Leah and grandmother to Anna) because how can you not? The gift of Leah and Anna in my life wrapped in a chocolate chip pie… they’re one of the sweetest of my life’s gifts. That God would love me enough to give me friends like mine feels extravagant.

  Next, the Chili Sauce. What do you see?

  I feel hospitality and family all in that Heinz bottle. The other day, Criste posted a picture of 3 ingredient Cocktail Meatballs that remind her of her mom. Criste is the queen of cozy and loves her people fiercely. This simple recipe reminds me of her heart.

  Carrots – you see where we’re going right?

  A few years ago, my sister Angela shared a recipe from her mother-in-law called, “Harvest Soup.” I haven’t stopped making it or sharing it. It tastes as honest and direct as the recipe. It reminds me of the honest and direct love of my sister. Here’s the recipe (we’ve adapted for our lactose free fam.)

  

  God is all around you.

  He is constantly inviting you to see Him and know His love for you. Sometimes that invitation looks like chocolate chips, carrots and a jar of Heinz Chili Sauce.

  Look, smell, feel, hear and listen your way to God today.

  Psalm 34:8 puts the invitation out there: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. See! The invitation has been waiting for you for ages.

  This Holiday season as your senses are on overload; I encourage you to say yes to God’s extravagant invitation for you.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 2 Comments | Tagged Advent, How the Light Gets In, Psalm 34:8, Taste and See

• Day 16

  Posted at 7:50 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 16, 2019

  The “Messiah” – written by George Frideric Handel in 1741.

  

  The “Messiah” is 259 pages long. Handel wrote it (259 pages of original music) in just 24 days. Anyone else catch that coincidence? 24 days to compose a piece that fits just right in the timeframe for Advent.

  The elaborate composition puts the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to music.

  Fast forward to 2016, when a dad/Financial Adviser/lacrosse coach, Hillery Schanck was feeling an ache in his soul after the holidays. That emptiness led to a search which led to the “Messiah.” But, there was no Messiah Advent devotional. So, Schanck set out to write one himself.

  “The Soul Feels It’s Worth”offers daily scripture and a prayer based on a part of the composition.

  The Messiah Advent Project is a WOW team effort between Schanck, Koehler Books Publishing, Symphonicity and the Sandler Center Foundation to bring scripture and music together as we step closer to our Savior’s birth.

  The Messiah Advent – Day by Day

  Day 16’s portion is based on Psalm 68:18 “that the Lord God might dwell among them.”

  I pray you are inspired, feel connected and opening your hearts to the Lord God who is coming to live among us.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged A Soul Feels It’s Worth, Advent, Devotional, Handel, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, The Messiah, The Messiah Project

• Day 15

  Posted at 10:46 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 15, 2019

  Sunday mornings have always meant scarfing down Cheerios, screaming for the other shoe and piling in the car to get to church. Always. 

  Before I go further, you may have been hurt by someone at a church. I know.

  I’m sorry. So sorry.

  Jesus had it right and humans mess things up. 

  For me, going to mass sets a rhythm to the week –  a rhythm of ritual and tradition in a community of believers and hopers.

  Remember on Day 13, when Ezra was reading scripture to the people? Thousands of years later, we’re doing the same thing every Sunday. It just feels sacred.

  We sing songs (not like yo momma’s church though) at Nativity. And those prayers set to music always make me cry.

  Here are some bits from the Readings for today:

  Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come,  he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

  Psalm 146:6-10 “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – He remains faithful forever.“

  James 5:7-10 “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

  Matthew 11:2-11 “…more than a prophet, he is the one of whom scripture was written.”

  And if you want to give church a try… join here Church of the Nativity

  If you ever want someone to sit with, I’ll save you a seat.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Church of the Nativity, How the Light Gets In, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11, Psalm 146:6-10