how the light gets in

Tag: Romans 15:4-5

• 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

• Follow Through

  Posted at 7:53 am by How the Light Gets In, on May 27, 2018

  Yes, the Athlete Analogy continues. Remember last time, when I wrote about being side-lined, taken out of the game, put on the DL? A lot has happened in the days since I last posted.  Walk with me.

  Jason and I met with a new surgeon. Dr. Johnson is a pelvic reconstructive surgeon.  A friend suggested him. I called. HE answered. We met Friday. Boom!

  I went in to the appointment hoping this doctor would have the surgery in mind, that we would look at the calendar and he would schedule my rescue.  And that’s exactly how it did not go. Like, not at all.

  Dr. Johnson told me surgery is simply not an option.  How dare he? He explained that in order to feel better it was up to me.   The road to recovery involves time, effort, money and it is up to me.

  Life hurt me. Life left evil, painful, sad scars on me through many ways over many years. Being opened up for surgery 5 times in 10 months didn’t help.  My heart didn’t realize how much it wanted this doctor to schedule a quick-fix surgery until it didn’t hear it.

  I left feeling so sad.  That sadness turned to anger.  Why is it up to me to fix what life gave me?  WHY?

  I asked. God answered.

  FRIDAY Jason came with me.  He asked good questions of both the doctor and me. He loved me well through good food, thoughtful conversation, much needed quiet, and hugs. And beautiful Grammie shows up with my absolute favorite beef and barley stew with loaves of bread PLUS brownies WITH icing. She is magic.

  SATURDAY I found myself zoning out at Luci’s basketball practice.  Coach snapped me back yelling, “Again!  Again! Guys it’s all about the follow through!” He was making the kids repeat the same moves over and over until it became one fluid motion.  They were all grumbling but they did it. Step left, step right, dribble and up. Over and over and over. But, they got it.  And you could see the confidence in their faces.

  Yes, I teared up during basketball drills. “Hey God, I see you seeing me.  I see how this path to healing involves a lot of Follow Through; the recovery, healing, letting go, committing and watching with hope.  Okay.” Good tears.

  SUNDAY is church and Nativity is just where God loves to hang out so that was good.

  MONDAY I got a text from Colleen

  

  Endurance and encouragement sound like great tools to make the Follow Through work. Grateful Colleen hit “send” for me.

  TUESDAY I listen to a podcast and hear the guest say he hoped after something hard in his life to be able to pray that God would make a NEW thing.  That his prayer is not to take something old and make it better but to make something TOTALLY NEW.

  WEDNESDAY Taylor shows up with flowers and in her best coaching voice she helps change the voice in my heart. “Yay!  It’s up to YOU and no one else, nothing else, just YOU!” Wisdom from a friend half my age.

  So this is up to me.  My healing is in my hands. And I got this.

  BECAUSE I believe there is a God.  I believe God is on my side.  I believe God loves me. I believe God shows up in ALL ways to prove it.

  Let the work begin! (and the sports analogies end)

  amen

   

   

  Posted in MAY 2018 | 1 Comment | Tagged Colleen, Follow Through, How the Light Gets In, Romans 15:4-5, Taylor