Tag: Bible

• Climbing

  Posted at 5:24 pm by How the Light Gets In, on May 9, 2025

  

  Reaching the summit of a mountain top is quite an accomplishment. That being said, “mountain top” writing would offer a pretty amazing view. And, I am here to say I am not a mountain top writer. You probably knew this about me before I did.

  I write from the spots along the way to the “mountain top.”

  In other words, I write from where I feel lost, from where I realize I don’t have everything I need in my backpack.

  I write from the rock I sit on to catch my breath.

  I love mountain top views. And yet, I am finding that I love looking back, looking around just as much if not more.

  Writing from the journey brings you along with me. So, if I’m here stringing words together; it’s because I find myself climbing and needing some encouragement, some direction or maybe just a “me too.”

  Not going to go into the details but let’s just say this hike is one of the most challenging with lots of dips and steep climbs and my backpack feels empty.

  This whole mountaintop thing came to me while literally flying over mountain tops. The lofty altitude offered more than a change in scenery. So, I scribbled some thoughts in my journal while sitting in window seat 14A, waiting for my Coke and complimentary salty snack.

  A few days later, two friends came over to pray with me (for me). Dana read Psalms 121. And as she read, those ancient, still very much alive Words caught my breath.

  “I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not allow your foot to slip. Your protector will not slumber. Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep. The Lord protects you. The Lord is a shelter by your side. The sun will not strike you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.”

  Let’s catch our breath here. If you’re in a tough spot, I pray this fills your lungs with a big chest puffing inhale.

  For sure, the word “mountain” got my attention when I heard it because I was writing about mountain top views while looking down on mountains.

  But, we need to keep moving past the coincidence. There is more.

  Psalms 121 is part of a collection in the Psalms called the “Songs of Ascent.”

  To ascend is to climb.

  The Psalm Dana chose to read over me, not knowing that I had journaled about climbing and mountains and such; is about climbing mountains.

  The Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were written for travelers on their journey up the mountain. The lyrics kept the weary focused. The phrases were reminding them of their purpose, pointing them to God, encouraging them to remember.

  One of my favorite things to “pack” for the tough trails is a playlist. Here are two for you:

  After journaling about the mountains and hearing Psalms 121; I reached out to Shannon (a Singer/Songwriter Superhero friend) to see if she had a song for the Psalm. She said, “Give me 20 minutes.” Like for real.

  Twenty minutes later, she texted me a voice memo. Shannon was singing and playing guitar, her voice giving fresh life to the question,

  “Where does my help come from?”

  Now let’s get back on the airplane and zoom out again for a loftier view to make sure we’re seeing the same thing together.

  Close your eyes and imagine the view. Can you see the mountain range? Can you see the peak? God isn’t just waiting on the mountain top.

  God is with us every step of the way – every slippery dip, every steep step, in the shade of the trees, in the hot sun – all of it. And when we aren’t getting it, He might just send a friend or two.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments | Tagged Bible, christianity, Faith, God, mountains, psalms

• Imprinting

  Posted at 1:57 pm by How the Light Gets In, on September 10, 2021

  Imprinting Podcast Episode

  Almost as quickly as a zebra is born, it disappears. Do you know this? The wobbly, striped baby and his momma steal away from the herd for the first two days of the foal’s life. The two stay close to one another, limiting direct contact with other zebras so he can learn to identify her by sight, smell and sound. This process, this special time is called “Imprinting.”

  Stripes are as unique to each zebra as a fingerprint is to you and me. That makes imprinting a powerful and important time for the baby to learn where he comes from and to whom he belongs.

  Sitting nose to nose with his momma, the baby zebra will notice the rich blackness in her markings. He will become aware that her white hair is soft, almost creamy. He will learn how her stripes drip into a diamond pattern just between her beautiful, big eyes. Sitting this close to her, he will breathe in her scent and unknowingly lock it into his heart.

  

  When the imprinting is done, momma will release her baby back into the herd. Can you imagine the overwhelm of black and white and neighs and manes? That’s where the imprinting is key – in the midst of the chaos, he can lift his head, look for the diamond on her face, the cream in her stripes and breathe in until he finds his momma.

  Leave it to one of my favorite bible teachers, Priscilla Shirer, to point out the way imprinting is just as important for us and our connection with Jesus. I’ll let that settle in with you a moment. I just think it’s so good.

  Taking time to focus in on the character and promises of the One who loves us the most is powerful imprinting for you and me as we head out into the “herd.”

  So, let’s do it. Right now. Together, let’s steal away for a moment with the One who loves us the most to get up close to His voice, His breath, His words.

  If you’re walking, slow down. If you’re waiting in carpool, pull your windows up. If you’re waiting on an appointment, this will only take a moment.

  Rather than list a bunch of scriptures, let’s pay attention to this one story from the Gospel of Mark:

  Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you!” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

  Mark 10:46-52

  What do you notice about Jesus in this short story? He was traveling. He was with his disciples plus a bunch more. Jesus sought out friends and welcomed everyone. Also, how about Bartimaeus? The reputation of Jesus’ power was so compelling that this blind, beggar would be bold enough to shout out his name. And, Jesus hears him and sees beyond Bartimaeus’ blindness, stench, dirt straight through to his willing heart. If a cloak was all that man owned, Bartimaeus threw it aside the moment Jesus called his name. Now, this could have been a fantastical scene of power, drawing all sorts of attention with a big booming voice and fanfare. But, instead, Jesus called Bartimaeus in close to ask him a question. “What do you want me to do for you?” I wonder if the blind man was breathing in the scent of his Lord and recording the inflection of Jesus’ voice on his heart. Deflecting any honor, Jesus tells him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” Immediately, he could see. And released into the bustling world, what does Bartimaeus do? He looks for the one who loves him most – Jesus.

  This world is crazy and awful and hard and loud and fun and beautiful.

  When you find it’s all too much, try doing what we did here just now. Choose a story from the gospel of Matthew or John and pull out the details that tell you about Jesus. Or ask what Jesus is saying about you. If you feel like you don’t know who you are; read through Ephesians 1-3 a couple times to understand how purposeful and spectacular and powerful and necessary God says you are. If you’re suffering through a series of hard blows and find yourself asking why over and over; then read through the story of Job. If you have a lot of feelings, google a Psalm about those feelings and read what you find. You have a God who is for you, beside and waiting to hear from you. You have eternity written on your heart. And His plans for you are good. Take that into the herd.

  Don’t let the noise around you confuse you. Don’t let the chaos make your legs buckle.

  Steal away with the One who loves you the most and let imprinting be the way the light gets in.

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Bartimaeus, Bible, healing, How the Light Gets In, imprinting, Jesus, Mark 10, priscilla shirer, zebra

• Day 22: Comforting

  Posted at 8:23 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 22, 2020

  

  Day 22; Honey shows us how comforting the light can be.

  The old girl reminds me how warm and enveloping light feels. Every day she seeks out the brightest spot and basks in the warmth of it.

  COMFORTING

  Random transition here but – I used to think it was bad to write in my Bible. I thought it somehow disrespected the book or God. Or maybe I just thought it looked messy? Either way. My Bible was crisp and clean.

  Not anymore. Scriptures are underlined, highlighted and circled. There are dates and names scribbled all over it.

  To flip through my Bible and devotionals and read through it all is powerful for me. To then sit with the scriptures that held meaning in the moment feels like basking in comforting light.

  

  I was bitter (and confused and angry) because of all we were going through as a family. I thought I’d been a good Christian and deserved a smooth life because of it.

  Oh, how much I’ve learned and am learning… God is not transactional. This world is broken. Just because I’m a good Jesus follower doesn’t guarantee an easy ride. God is all-powerful but still very present in the most precise of details in my own little life and I’ll never get over it.

  Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with whole hearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him. “Go back and tell Hezekiah this is what the Lord the God of your father David says, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”

  2 Kings 20:2-6

  I held onto that promise for another two years.

  Then there’s this. Haha.

  

  Find a cozy, quiet spot and read this from Isaiah 30:15-21.

  

  Find your strength today sitting in quiet stillness. Let the comforting truth that no matter which way you turn, an all-powerful God is beside you whispering the way to go.

  

  Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 2 Kings 20:2-6, Bible, Comforting, Hezekiah, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 30:15-21, Jesus Calling, Streams in the Desert

• Day 13

  Posted at 8:42 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 13, 2019

  You can’t just click on the link without a little background. You need context when reading the Bible. And how does one get context? Google works. Do some homework before reading scripture and you’ll find:

  The book of Nehemiah is a rally cry to keep believing, to stay the course.

  In the reading from Nehemiah 8:1-10, we’ll hear about Ezra. He was a scribe – Ezra literally copied the Bible by hand. This shows us he was devoted to God and to Gods word. Yes? Yes.

  Now let’s read but look for who gathers to hear the word, for how long they listen(!), for what happens after…

  Promise of Joy

  Read the story, take note of the details, ask questions.

  A great resource when reading the Bible and looking for more depth is Bible Hub

  To know Gods word is to know His promises for you and me.

  Rest tonight with the assurance “… the JOY of the Lord is your strength.”

  Amen.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Bible, Biblehub.com, Dayspring, How the Light Gets In, Nehemiah 8:1-10, Promises