how the light gets in

Tag: Isaiah 40:3-5

• 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 8

  Posted at 3:56 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 8, 2019

  We are starting Week 2 of Advent with a look into how the Bible works. Don’t roll your eyes or stop reading – stay with me. Pleeeeeeease!

  First, the basics: There are two main parts to the Bible; The Old Testament (before Jesus) and The New Testament (Jesus’ life and after). I’m not going into the argument of whether to interpret the Bible literally, scientifically, etc.

  The Bible is a beautiful example of the mastermind Author that God is and how His word is full of purpose and intention. I’m pumped. Can you tell?

  It’s no mistake that two of my favorite humans sent me a text relating to the same verse. No mistake, no coincidence; just God.

  On Tuesday, Colleen sent me a link to Isaiah 40:3-5 -“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” She told me how her Pastor suggested putting emphasis on IN THE WILDERNESS. Sit with that for a minute and see how it changes the directive of the verse? IN the midst of the crazy, the painful, the sad, the chaos, look for God there. Don’t just look for Jesus in the celebration or healing. Look for Him IN the mess so He can help make a way out.

  Which leads me to Josie (a friend I never dreamed I would have), who sent me a link to the song, “Waymaker.”

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE_M9noEhNE

  Isaiah was a prophet in the Old Testament, so his words were written before Jesus walked the Earth. While Jesus lived, he referenced Isaiah a lot. One of Jesus’ friends continued sharing Isaiah’s words even after Jesus had died. Paul wrote a letter to the Romans. An excerpt from that letter was our Second Reading at Mass today.

  

  Paul is encouraging us to look at what was written before for our HOPE. He wants the Romans to know the God of patience and comfort and offer the same to each other.

  Here’s where we come in because everyone listening to that reading today, YOU reading it now; we are ALL invited to participate in this overarching, powerful and lovely story of Hope.

  Day 8 – My prayer for you right now is that no matter where you are that you will call on God to make a way through it.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Biblia.com, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 40:3-5, Waymaker

• One step at a time (Day 1)

  Posted at 7:29 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 1, 2019

  Grab a notebook or a stack of Post It notes! Oh, and grab a pen too. I want to try something together.

  Today is Day 1 of Advent. Advent is the season of four Sunday’s leading up to Jesus’ birth. Advent means “the arrival of a notable person.” In my faith, that notable person is Jesus. Advent is a season can feel like a build up for the senses – lights are twinkling, cider is simmering, cold is settling in, familiar tunes are playing, anxiety rising (?).

  There’s anticipation in the air. Do you feel it? Maybe you don’t. Why don’t we work at building up our Faith together this year?

  God tells us the best way to build up our Faith is one step at a time.

  Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

  It feels like the right pace this time of year while everything else is a tornado of parties, shopping lists and family expectations – one step at a time.

  “Your word is a lamp to my feet...” if you think about it, a lamp doesn’t light up a whole path; just your next step. So, one step at a time, one day at a time – that’s where DEVOTIONALS come in. Have you ever tried one?

  A devotional usually offers a scripture with a brief explanation, just enough to light your next step. I went through my emails, instagram account, books around the house and put together a list of devotionals we can try. These always start with God’s word and then offer a paragraph or artwork to accompany it.

  Compiling the list just proves that God will stop at nothing to get your attention. So, here’s what we do:

  1. Read the Bible verse from the devotional
  2. Write the verse on your paper in all caps
  3. Read the paragraph
  4. Write down a thought, question, idea that comes from the verse

  At the end of this, we’ll have 24 different ways to “hear” God’s voice.

  Day 1 comes from the Holy Bible App. Just a verse. Nothing more.

  

  
  (If you download the App https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible/id282935706, you can subscribe to daily emails.)

  Day 1: I’m going to write down PREPARE. It’s a good step one. Right?

  Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Advent, Holy Bible App, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 40:3-5, Psalm 119:105