how the light gets in

by Andrea Smithberger
how the light gets in
  • November 1: Honoring
  • Day 2: Signaling
  • Day 3: Revealing
  • DAY 4: Reminding
  • Day 5: Reflecting
  • Day 6: Changing
  • Day 7: Surrounding
  • Day 8: Healing
  • Day 9: Filtering
  • Day 10: Spreading
  • Day 11: Unveiling
  • Day 12: Distinguishing
  • Day 13: Challenging
  • Day 14: Nourishing
  • Day 15: Unassuming
  • Day 16: Leading
  • Day 17: Delighting
  • Day 18: Reaching
  • Day 19: Shining
  • Day 20: Reviving
  • Day 21: Growing
  • Day 22: Comforting
  • Day 23: Holding Space
  • Day 24: Beckoning
  • Day 25: Stunning
  • Day 26: Igniting
  • Day 28: Introducing
  • November 2020
  • Tag: priscilla shirer

    • 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
    • Now What

      Posted at 11:06 am by How the Light Gets In, on April 20, 2021

      Now What?

      I asked you to consider sitting in the suffering with me. I dared myself and you to not look away but to look at Jesus and the cross. You did it.

      So, now what… This is the best part!

      This is the best part of knowing Jesus and letting Him know you. This is the best part of understanding that while this world will mean suffering; there’s more because of Jesus.

      Now, it’s time to stand. The suffering of the cross is not the end of the story. The end is that we live.

      Because of Jesus, we live. Easter was not just Jesus dying on the cross but also His busting open the gates of heaven.

      Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, blood, whipping, humiliation AND because of His leaving a tomb empty, going to hell and then sitting next to God the Father in Heaven – because of Jesus we live.

      So, now what?

      Now, we start living the life we were meant to with purpose, through a promise.

      You did it. You were brave enough to look at the cross, to see Jesus suffering. You were brave enough to sit long with your own suffering. It was dark and heavy. That’s enough now. It’s time, you brave and beautiful person.

      Get up.

      Stand.

      Stand, knowing you are worthy.

      Stand, knowing you are loved.

      Stand up.

      If you know me, then you know right now I am standing and my arms are louder than my words because this “now what” part is THE BEST part, all because of Jesus.

      Because of Jesus; death isn’t the end of the story.

      Now what?

      Now there’s hoping.

      Now there’s rising.

      Now there’s living.

      You have purpose you spectacular human being. The way God made you, this world He’s put you in, the pain you’ve been through, may be going through and will go through; He sees the potential for you to rise and live and hope.

      ANTICIPATING so hard your calves are sore, LOOKING so hard your eyebrows are high up on your forehead, EXPECTING so much your heart is pumping hard in your chest – that’s what Jesus has done for me.

      If the only God you’ve seen is through parts of my story here on this babbling blog, Praise God. But there’s more for YOU.

      There’s still more for me too. I think I forgot! You know what looking at the cross did for me? It jogged my memory back through so many pain points AND through more miracles than I can count. I hope you didn’t get stuck on the pain points. It’s time to stand.

      After Jesus died, his disciples were alone and scared. Jesus could have stayed up in beautiful, cozy Heaven but He came back. Can we just recognize that? Let it sink in? He came back. John 20:19 sets the scene; “The disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came and STOOD among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.'” Sometimes, suffering can lock our hearts in fear. If that feels true for you, read that story again.

      Let the message be clear, there is a God old and powerful enough to part waters for His people, creative and beautiful enough to push crocuses up through winter’s frozen dirt, loving enough to constantly be on the search for open hearts so He can pull them in close under the shelter of His wing, bold enough to send His one and only Son after you – YOU. Are you clapping yet? It is ridiculously beautiful and generous and true.

      To keep us pushing through, I am stealing and paraphrasing this paragraph from Priscilla Shirer’s “Elijah” Bible study (p157).

      Stand up.

      Lord, I present myself to you. Here I am Lord. I want to walk in step to the rhythm of Your Grace. I want to lean on and depend on the empowerment of Your Spirit. I’m looking for you Lord. Show me how you want me to adjust my life so I can honor you. I pray Your Spirit would consume me. Give strength to my calves and eyebrows and hands as I live in the anticipation and expectation and hope of Jesus. Amen

      Before you hit play on this one, turn up volume okay? Let it shock you. Let the words bring you to your feet in gratitude and joy – THIS is life with Jesus.

      Posted in APRIL 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Elijah, How the Light Gets In, I Thank God, Jesus, John 20:19-21, Maverick City Music, Now What, priscilla shirer
    • Day 25: Stunning

      Posted at 9:54 am by How the Light Gets In, on November 25, 2020

      Day 25, the light comes in STUNNING but not the way you might expect…

      STUNNING

      Together, we’ve seen coral sunsets and bursts of light cutting through fog. But we’re going to try something different.

      Listening to light is stunning.

      It’s like a symphony
      Just keep listening
      And pretty soon you’ll start
      To figure out your part
      Everyone plays a piece
      And there are melodies
      In each one of us
      Oh it’s glorious

      The lyrics shine because words hold power and light.

      Hearing music or listening to stories can pull our thoughts with such intensity. They bring back memories. They remind us, teach us, point us, encourage us, warn us.

      The Bible is full of stories. Jesus taught with stories.

      This past week, I had to look up Hebrews 11 for some bible study homework (Priscilla Shirer, The Armor of God – dang).

      This particular chapter is called the “Hall of Faith” – here’s why:

      Hebrews 11 HALL OF FAITH
      Hebrews 11 HALL OF FAITH

      “By Faith” men and women from the Old Testament went through some stuff, right? And then Jesus comes along and connects the Old Testament history to his “walk the walk” practices. And now you and I get to read the history, learn the practices, bumble and walk and succeed and fail and SHARE OUR STORIES. When we connect and share our stories (not just the wins but the losses too) we are linking arms and moving forward “by faith” in light.

      And

      THAT

      takes

      my

      breath

      away.

      Open your ears and listen for the light today.

      Choose the stories you share at the Thanksgiving table to connect and empower and entertain those around you. And share them

      Posted in November 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged Armor of GOd, David Archuleta, Glorious, Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, How the Light Gets In, Inspired: Slaying Giants Walking on Water and Loving the Bible Again, Jesus, Lifeway, priscilla shirer, Rachel Held Evans, Stunning
    • News Flash

      Posted at 3:18 pm by How the Light Gets In, on October 18, 2020

      The pandemic we are suffering from is not a virus in need of a vaccine.

      The widespread disease covering our country is isolation; symptoms include loneliness, fatigue and anger.

      We are triggered.

      And the upcoming Presidential election is pouring fear on thick and cold.

      I’m over it. Aren’t you? I refuse to accept this as the “new normal.” We were NOT made to be hunched over our devices “connecting” or worse, hitting like or send on divisive ideologies pushing us further and further apart.

      Ugh.

      So, I’ve pulled together some reminders of who I am, who you are, who we are meant to be and who God is to put my heart in check.

      Tell me what you think. PLEASE, add to the list.

      I am a person of integrity, character and honesty. 

      I will love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul and with all my strength.

      I will put on the full armor of God so that I can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

      I am the head, I am not the tail. I am above, I am not beneath. 

      I am a leader. I am not a follower. I will have the praises of God in my mouth continually.

      I will be a blessing to my teachers today.

      And I will be a blessing to my friends.

      -Priscilla Shirer prays this blessing over her boys.

      “I AM one in whom Christ delights and dwells.

      I live in the strong and unshakeable kingdom of God.

      The kingdom is not in trouble and neither AM I.” 

      James Bryan Smith

      the kingdom is greater than the nation …We should be lukewarm partisans at best because we are such passionate kingdom-minded people.

      Lecrae on Annie F. Downs “That Sounds Fun” Podcast: Episode 252

      “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

      Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John 17:20-23

      Print this out. Cut it up and tape it where you can see it. Remind yourself of who you are, whose you are and the job before us all.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged Annie F Downs, coronavirus, Election, How the Light Gets In, James Bryan Smith, John 17:20-23, Lecrae, Pandemic, priscilla shirer
    • Compass in the Chaos

      Posted at 4:18 pm by How the Light Gets In, on March 19, 2020

      Where the heck are we right now? What is going on?

      I feel a little lost in all the Coronavirus updates and state mandated restrictions and empty grocery shelves. It’s all so disorienting.

      How are you?

      Since you can’t be student, boss, employee, non-teacher, hostess, room-parent, coach… how are you?

      It’s weird and slow. 

      I know. I feel it too. Right now, I want to sit next to you (virtually) and offer you a compass in the chaos.

      Because I’ve been here before.

      From 2016-2019, we were swirling in a medical mess and I felt lost in a sort of wilderness. Just like you now, I wasn’t able to be all the things I’d signed up for like coach, room mom, hostess, tennis player, volunteer, etc.

      My calendar was wiped clean of every layer of identity I’d wrapped myself up in. They were all taken without asking my permission. 

      As you read this; COVID-19 has wiped your calendar clean. And you didn’t get a say. We’re back to basics with no clear path of what lies ahead. So, what next?

      First, let’s get our bearings. Friends, we are IN the wilderness.

      And, I can tell you from experience and from reading lots of scripture, the wilderness is where God does His thing.

      This is where He works.

      Behold, I am doing a new thing;
      now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
      I will make a way in the wilderness
      and rivers in the desert.
      – Isaiah 43:19

      Rachel Held Evans wrote “…some of Scripture’s most momentous events occur not at the start of a journey, nor at the destination, but in between, in the wilderness.” Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water and Loving the Bible Again

      We are IN BETWEEN right now.

      And God is in it with us offering “a way.” In all this uncertainty and pandemonium, why not, WHY NOT invite God into it and ask for direction.

      How does this work in real life, like right now? Well, if you were lost in the literal wilderness; you would keep your eyes open for signs to point you in the right direction. Same applies to you and God in the metaphorical wilderness. Really.

      Here are a few “signs” in the wilderness to point you in the right direction: Read the Jesus Calling Devotional, sign up for a reading plan on the Holy Bible App, follow Aussie Dave or Priscilla Shirer or Bianca Olthoff or Bishop Jakes on Instagram, listen to 95.1 Shine-FM, look up She Reads Truth and join the community, tune in to mass on Church of the Nativity’s website.

      We’re feeling a little lost right now but we have a God who loves to show up IN the wilderness in remarkable ways. He’s full of promise and hope and relief.

      Point the compass His way, ask Him for help and TAKE NOTES! {You might not be able to see God in the moment but being able to look back at what you asked for can be a powerful way to see He was working all along.}

      Just yesterday, I was journaling about my worry with the news of even more closings and my anxiety over my daily routine being swallowed up with the needs of all the kids home now. The “Jesus Calling “reading for March 18 was from Matthew.

      “Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.” – Matt 6:34

      I’ve seen it before. I know I’ll see it again and again. You might be lost but you are not alone.

      Let God be your compass in the chaos.

      Posted in March 2020, Uncategorized | 1 Comment | Tagged 95.1 Shine FM, aussiedave, Bianca Olthoff, Church of the Nativity, compass in the chaos, coronavirus, covid-19, Holy Bible App, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 43:18-19, Jesus Calling, Matthew 6:34, priscilla shirer, Rachel Held Evans, She Reads Truth, Wilderness

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