how the light gets in

Tag: Jesus Calling

• 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 12

  Posted at 3:19 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 12, 2019

  Two of my kids are home with the flu.

  Stupid cancer has crept into some of my favorite families’ lives.

  Medical messes are tangling up even more of my friends.

  A heavy, sad anniversary just passed for a neighbor.

  Don’t even get me started on the world beyond what I see or the constant battle waging on cable tv.

  Boooooo.

  God, I’m mad and sad and confused. Do you hear me?

  In a very mature move, I hop onto Instagram hoping to scroll my way into distracted avoidance.

  Instead, I see a post that says “CHOOSE JOY JUST BECAUSE.”

  

  Dang it Morgan Harper Nichols and your gorgeous artwork and intentional words. Here’s a link to her work on Instagram.

  Morgan Harper Nichols

  The timing and simplicity of her post spoke directly to my grinchy, questioning heart.

  I’ve lived enough life to know this being a human deal isn’t easy. Life can feel like a roller coaster, can’t it? And I’ve learned some bonus lessons through the mayhem of Joseph’s illness and my own medical chaos.

  One thing I know is I can get angry at God. I have been angry at him. I’ve slung my frustration and disappointment and hurt at God with some ummm pointed language… and with tears.

  
  But God wants a relationship with me, with you. Knowing God, believing in Him isn’t just a ritual or a weekly habit to check off the list. And just like in any relationship, I can’t just sling words at God and not wait for a response. I wouldn’t do that to you and you wouldn’t do that to me.

  I see the Choose Joy just because; And I go outside to breathe in the crisp air.
  I close my eyes to soak up the vitamin D offered freely by the sun.
  I plug in the Christmas lights on the tree and on the banister and on the mantle.
  I light a few candles.
  I open my bible.

  And, one of the scriptures from the Jesus Calling reading today is 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I mean…

  My heart still hurts for the hurt around me but I’m making room for Joy because God hears me and answers me in artistic, meaningful ways in the most unexpected places and always in His word.

  I pray that if you are feeling grumpy, alone, neglected that you would tell God and then look, listen, wait.

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 Peter5:7, Advent, How the Light Gets In, Jesus Calling, Morgan Harper NIchols

• Day 2

  Posted at 9:59 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 2, 2019

  Day 2 of Advent

  Today we’re looking at the “Jesus Calling” Devotional. This little book has you set up day by day. So good, right?

  First step is look up the day you need.

  Before you start reading, imagine Jesus is the one speaking to you. That’s how the author has written it. Then look up the verses listed at the bottom of the page, open your bible and read God’s words for you.

  So for example, one reading today is from Isaiah 9:6. You can always google it.

  Or, if you have an actual bible, find the name Isaiah, then flip to chapter 9 and skim down to verse 6.

  Let me just show you.

  After I read, I like to write the verse down in all caps, sit with it a few moments, then write a thought or idea from it. You can underline in your bible. It is okie dokie.

  So this verse from John, I notice Jesus offers his friends PEACE in the midst of their fear. And while they were “overjoyed,” Jesus’ message is still PEACE. Did you notice that?

  We did Day 2! 💗

  Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 2 Comments | Tagged adven, How the Light Gets In, Jesus Calling, John 20:19-21