More Light

Hey kids!Today we look at the first 10 words of the Bible, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God has created everything for His glory and all of creation sings a song proclaiming His handiwork! So sit in for the first short story of the the Little Lights Podcast.

Moose Mr. President Nevius (yes, that's his middle name) Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through the joy giving gift of being dog owners with author Karen Swallow Prior. If you take any interest at all in dog life this is an episode for you. How do dogs give people life? What affect do they have on everyday life? Should everybody be a dog owner? These questions and more are talked about in this podcast. The Parable of the Lost PointerLessons from Loving and Losing a PetOn Reading Well by Karen Swallow PriorBooked: Literature in the Soul of Me Karen's beauties: Weimareiner, Eva, & GSP, Ruby lounge for days, derp

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they have their good friend Heather McCullough on the podcast to talk about the gift of coffee. She has worked in the coffee industry since 2005 and has much to say about the daily enjoyment of each cup for God's glory. You may be surprised to learn more about where coffee as it goes from farmer to cup. It is a laid back conversation with a friend about a wonderful gift from God. I hope you enjoy this episode! Novo CoffeeUSCC Halloween barista buds Start em young! Latte art probably from Heather (its hot chocolate people)

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they speak with author Clarrisa Moll about the day to day gift of nature. Clarrisa talks through her experience of losing a loved one in a hiking accident and how that has changed her engagement with nature. We all on different levels experience and are changed by the beauties of creation around us. This conversation is a great opportunity for you to think more deeply about the grace of nature. Discovering Grace In GriefSurprised by Grief PodcastThe Art of Dying by Rob Moll

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they sit down and talk with contemporary artist Hubbard Savage about art in the everydayness of life. Hubbard brings to life the idea that all of art is a gift of grace that gives and gives as we participate. Hubbard is a multidisciplinary artist with numerous private collections. He lives in Kansas City with his wife and three children. Check out Hubbard's work here

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they introduce More Light's new 10 week podcast series called “Day by Day” You will not want to miss out on this series. The series entails a handful of day to day gifts of grace that we so often take advantage of. Gifts such as art, music, nature, dogs, coffee etc…With multiple special guests lined up, this series has serious potential to help us experience more grace in everyday life.

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they finish their summer series “How We Cope” with a talk on food. All kinds of food! From Doritos to HU Chocolate bars Ben and Elizabeth talk through the gift of food but also how we often use it to cope in life. Ben starts the conversation with a quote from John Calvin “We won't go wrong in the use of God's gifts as long as we let their use be governed by their author's purpose in creating and designing them for us, for truly He created them for our good, not our ruin. No one, therefore, will hold a truer course than he who carefully considers this purpose of God's gifts.” Food, as we discover in the podcast, is a good gift from God. God is glorified as our taste buds experience its wonder.Enjoy this episode! A Little Book on the Christian Life by John CalvinThe New City Catechism Introduction by Kathy KellerThe Road Back to You by Ian Cron

Join Ben & Elizabeth as they continue through their summer series “How We Cope”. Today they touch on the sensitive topic of shopping. They talk about how to shop is to worship, worship of self or of God, and how the unconscious click shopping can take root in the human heart to look for something only God can provide. Filled with fun and laughter, shopping is seen for what it is, an opportunity to either serve the kingdom of self or the kingdom of Christ. Enjoy this episode! Ropa Vieja!Sex and Money by Paul David TrippFlourishing by Miroslav VolfCounterfeit Gods by Tim Keller

Ben and Elizabeth launch their three part series called “How We Cope” by first talking through technology. Talked through is the ways in which technology is used and the way in which technology uses us. How can technology become a coping mechanism? How can we best glorify God with technology? Enjoy this episode! Tech Wise Family by Andy Crouch

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they have a conversation with author Seth Haines about his most recent book “The Book of Waking Up”. Listen as Ben, Elizabeth and Seth moves from the problem, to the pain to waking to the divine love. It is an insightful conversation dealing with the reality that we are all have dependency issues, turning to something for comfort in times of pain. We need new order, a new order that only the divine love can offer. Enjoy this episode! Coming Clean by Seth HainesThe Book of Waking Up by Seth Haines

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they wrap up the 10 week series “otherworldly”. Questions asked here (1) What does it mean to live in the flesh? (2) What are some way we can keep in step with the Spirit? Quoted for us is portions of Galatians 5 and Romans 8 to help us understand how the Spirit works. They also introduce the up and coming summer series called “How We Cope” and their next up coming guest, Seth Haines, who walks through his book “The Book of Waking Up” for the start of the series. Enjoy! Forever by Paul Tripp

Join Ben & Elizabeth as they walk us through the final fruit of the Spirit, self-control. We learn in this podcast to reorder our loves. Our tendency to make good things ultimate things and that the Spirt leads us to a life of self-control. That is, a life of using His good gifts for His glory. Enjoy this episode! The Book of Waking Up by Seth HainesHandle with Care by Lore Ferguson

Sit with Ben and Elizabeth as they sip on some novo coffee and talk through gentleness. They enjoy sharing a few of their own impactful stories when encountered with a gentle spirit and the massive difference it can make. Enjoy this episode! Gentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlundJesus the King by Tim KellerWith All My Heart by Nathan PartainNovo Coffee

Ben steps into a conversation with professional skateboarder Brian Sumner to talk with him about skateboarding and Jesus. Brian shares a bit of his story, the freedoms and restrictions that come from skateboarding, the vanity of life, the cost of following Jesus and the power of the gospel.Enjoy this episode Never Fails by Brian SumnerFoolishness Podcast

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through the faithfulness of God. They open the conversation with some questions of the heart. Ben asks “If I were to click on the about page of your heart what would I read?” Here Ben presses in on the idea that your faithfulness reveals your loves. On a different note Elizabeth picks at the question “How often do we base His faithfulness on how good our life is going? The truth comes out, God is always faithful, despite us, despite our circumstances, and this is very good news!Enjoy this episode! Ordinary by Michael HortonWhy Bother With Church? by Sam AllberryCup of Calm Tea

Join Ben, Elizabeth and guest Gabrielle McClellan as they wade through the waters of God’s goodness. A compelling conversation is ahead as ideas are put together as they walk us through Genesis, Exodus and the cross. They talk through 2 main ideas (1) God is good despite us (2) God is good through us.Enjoy this episode! A Little Book on the Christian Life by John CalvinHe Held Radical Light by Christian WimanAll You Do Is GoodDrift Away by Liz Vice

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they walk us through kindness. We first learn that kindness must be shown, that God’s kindness leads us to repentance, also that hospitality is kindness put on display. They point to Christ in this episode as the one and true kind person. The true essence of kindness is seen most clearly in Jesus.Enjoy this episode! Made for Friendship by Drew HunterThe Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria ButterfieldEncouragement for the Depressed by C.H Spurgeon

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through patience and it’s other family words “passion” “suffering”. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “patience”? Important points on patience are made as they teach us how to wait well.Enjoy this podcast! Parenting by Paul David TrippLiturgy of the OrdinaryOn Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior Be Still My Soul edited by Nancy Guthrie

We live during a time of unrest and hostility. Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through the peace that comes with Christ. It is an overwhelming peace that surpasses understanding, it is a peace that goes beyond our circumstances. Their desire is to see the “peace of Christ rule in our hearts” (Col 3:15). Enjoy this episode! Be Still My Soul- Sandra McCrackenThe God of Peace by Erik Raymond

Join Ben, Elizabeth, and guest Kitty, Ben’s mom as they talk through the otherworldly nature of joy. Here they dive into the world’s vision of joy and compare it to Scriptures vision as they take a closer look at the book of Philippians. They talk through joy filled living and come to see that “joy is the steady heart beat of a Christian in action who, by God’s grace, is living by the Spirit.” Enjoy this podcast! Rain for RootsLiturgy of the Ordinary Fighting for Joy Podcast

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they kick off their “Otherworldly” series on love. Some particulars talked about are the differences between mere empathy and real compassion and the supernatural nature of agape love. Ben gives an example of how this can play out even in the day to day things with family life happening. Love through the Spirit is a wonderfully “otherworldly” reality that we should all pay close attention to. Enjoy! On Reading Well by Karen Swallow PriorGod So Loved, He Gave by Kelly KapicMeaning of Marriage by Tim Keller

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they introduce to us a new series called “otherworldly”. This series will include 10 weeks on the fruit of the Spirit. In this podcast they explain where the name “otherworldly” came from and where they hope this series goes. Enjoy! On Birth by Timothy KellerThe Holy Spirit by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk about how they got to where they are in their journaling life. They make clear the practice of journaling as an ongoing process of growth. They are not journaling experts but have benefited from it greatly as they have been able to look back to see the faithfulness of God and write forward knowing all He does is good. Enjoy this conversation as they sit back, sip on tea and encourage everyone to get busy in their journals. Prayer by Tim Keller Woman of the Word by Jen Wilkin Moleskin Journal

Join Ben and guest Matt Angell as they talk through the gift of mentorship. Within this podcast you will be gripped by three key questions (1) Are you content with shallow relationships? (2) Are you willing to ask for more? (3) Are you praying for the right people to do life with within your church family? This is a fun podcast full of laughter and encouragement. They persuade us that so much can be had within a church family if we are willing to try. The Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through the nature of sin and the beauties of the gospel. Seth Haines among others is quoted in helping us understand the problem of sin and how it plays a role in each of our lives. Talked about is the importance of how we view sin, Ben says, “if we have a small view of sin we will always have a small view of Jesus. If we believe we only have a little bit of sin in us then we will believe we only need a little bit of Jesus to fix us. But the cross says so much more than that.” Enjoy this episode! The Book Of Waking Up by Seth Haines Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller Sunflower galore!

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they discuss failure in family life. Talked about in more detail is the failings they have run into as parents and a married couple. The depths of the gospel are searched out and celebrated as the answer to our failings as they point to Christ as the only One who has succeeded on their behalf. Our appetite for the grace of Jesus grows as we confess our failures before Him. Enjoy this episode! Parenting by Paul David TrippGentle & Lowly by Dane OrtlundThe Wonderful Grace Of Jesus by Nathan Partain

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they walk through the topic of friendship. Talked about is the substance of friendship, it cannot be forced but is a gift of grace as people share natural chemistry. Discussed is friendship in church and family.Enjoy this episode! The Four Loves by C.S LewisGentle & Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Join Elizabeth and Ben as they discuss the topic of singleness with show guest Gabrielle McClellan. Gabrielle is a junior pursuing a degree in English at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. She is passionate about pursuing a career that promotes healing and growth in the church, more specifically in woman’s ministry. Within the topic of singleness she talks us through her experience in regards to singleness and family life, singleness and church life, singleness and loneliness, and singleness and intimacy with Jesus. Enjoy this episode! Handle With Care by Lore Ferguson WilbertSayable.netLiturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison WarrenMea Culpa by Kyle McClellanSex, Jesus and the Conversations the Church ForgotLife Together by Dietrich BonhoefferPassion and Purity by Elisabeth ElliotArchetype Coffee

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they share their thoughts and feelings around the death of George Floyd. In view is the response of Lament, unguarded prayers to the God we know to be true and faithful. Prayers of lament live in the tension between real suffering and real hope. To lament is to hang on to both realities without belittling the value of either. Mentioned are passages of Scripture from Lamentations and the Psalms. The writers of Scripture were not aloof from the presence of injustice, but rather injustice was all around them all the time. Talked about is “meaningful action” as we take steps to pour our souls out to God through prayers of lament He uses us to take good action His heart being the motivator. Enjoy this episode! The Justice Calling by Bethany Hanke Hoang and Kristen Deede JohnsonStrong and Weak by Andy Crouch The Color Of Compromise by Jemar TisbyBifrost Arts: How Long?

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through the process of healing in it’s various forms. Ben shares with us his first awareness of wounds and the road of healing it has taken him on. Elizabeth shares with us her journey in healing while seeking health. What we find here is that “the process of healing exists in order we grow closer to His divine love”. We learn that Christ loves to heal His body as wounds give us a focus on our need of Him. Discussed further in this podcast is the reality that Christ knows better what we need than we know ourselves and that He will do what it takes to have all of us. Enjoy this podcast! The Relational Soul by Richard Plass and James CofieldGentle and Lowly by Dane OrtlundJesus is King by Timothy Keller

Join the fam as they make pico de gallo and have a lighthearted conversation on craftsmanship. Not only will you here Levi’s voice in this episode, but also Calvin munching on fresh tomatoes! Taken from Genesis 1, which gives us a call to care for creation, Ben and Elizabeth give a brief peek into the care for craft within their family life. Mentioned more than once is the reality that this is a slow process and takes time to develop. In making this point Andy Crouch writes “If I make dinner tonight for my family, nothing much will change in my family’s culture. But if I make dinner tonight, tomorrow night, next Tuesday and for the next fifteen years of our children’s lives, seeking to do so with creativity, skill and grace that grows over time, even if I never become an avant garde chef and always follow the recipe, that discipline alone will indeed create a powerful family culture with horizons of possibility and impossibility that we may not even now be able to glimpse.” Growth in this world is a slow process.Enjoy this episode! You Are What You Love by James K.A. Smith Culture Making by Andy Crouch

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they spend a beautiful morning on a rooftop in Denver. Here they explore the realities of the invisible world and get down to the “nitty gritty” of aroma. They break the podcast up into three sections (1) Worship (2) Sin and (3) grace.1. WorshipBen reminds us here that“We smell like what we worship”. Taken into account is Paul in Athens as his “spirit provoked” by all the idols around him. The “idols” we worship start to really stink up the place and create a strong aroma. 2. SinTalked about is how misguided worship (when we replace the love of God with other things) is sin. Sin carries a stench with it and has the power to change the feel of a place and family. We see how sin plays a dark role in family life as it wreaks havoc and causes disunity.3. GraceAs we see our sin and repent of it we see a real change take place. The house lights up and is filled with the “aroma of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15). The house begins to smell like Christ as He becomes the central worship of our hearts. Discovered is a pleasant, compelling, attractive aroma. Enjoy this episode! Jesus the King by Tim Keller

Join Ben and Elizabeth as they explore both the negative and positive side of complaining. Negative: Grumbling and murmuring. Our current situation has “turned the volume up” on what’s happening in our hearts. Our hearts are quick to grumble, especially when fleeting comforts of the world are taken away from us. Ben mentions that grumbling is like a “dark hidden guest” that lives in our hearts and loves to spread like an infection. To grumble is to blame God for the issues we see happening in our life.Positive: Groaning, longing, wrestling. The Scriptures do not condemn complaining, but rather they encourage it. We are to complain in this way, we are to take our situations and honestly talk to God about them, we are to groan to Him, we are to ask him questions about how confusing life really is. We are to complain like David does in the Psalms “How long O Lord? Will you forget me forever” (Psalm 13) This is the aim. Not to blame God but to talk to Him.Enjoy! Valley Of Vision The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs Prayer by Tim Keller

The imagination is a lovely gift. Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk through ways they cultivate the imagination within their household. From potty training to the beauties of architecture the imagination is put to use. Seen is a gracious God who fuels our imaginations through His Word. One example of such language comes from the Psalms: “From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work” Enjoy this episode! Skip To The Loo by Sally Lloyd Jones Desiring The Kingdom by James K.A. Smith The Stories We Tell by Mike Cosper MiddleState Coffee

Hey guys!This episode Ben and Elizabeth share with us some of their camping experiences. They first draw our attention to the beauties of creation.Psalm 19 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaim His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”Creation sings to us a song! It draws us in and compels us to worship our glorious God. Ben poses the question “are we inhaling the beauties of creation and letting it do its work in us?”Andrew Davis is quoted “As we walked as children through the beauty of a forest in the splendor of fall, breathing in deeply the musty smells of the forest floor, feeling the warm breezes of a late fall afternoon on our faces, having our breath stolen by the fiery glory of a sudden scenic vista, a magnificent mountain valley, splashed with vivid reds and golds of trees preparing for the impending winter, our hearts were being shaped for the central reality of the universe: Almighty God.”We learn in this episode that behind the mess of camping (which is painted for us) the glories of God are nonetheless in it. Ben and Elizabeth walk through some of their family camping experiences and flush out some camping take aways. Enjoy! Creation Booklet by Andrew M. DavisArt Of Manliness Turquoise Lake 2018 Tent life 2018 Twin Lakes 2018 This is our OG Dodge Caravan - the last and only time we slept in it instead of putting up a tent. We froze our tails off that night. Poor Levi.Lost Park Campground 2016 Sugar Loaf Campground near Granby, CO 2019 Cottonwood Lake area near Buena Vista, CO 2019photo taken by Elizabeth Moose in his element

Hey guys!Join Ben and Elizabeth as they talk about money from Matthew 6. They discuss three overarching ideas in regards to money:1) Money Can Be An Idol. Tim Keller writes “a counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living.” Why do we put money in this place? In Matthew 6 Jesus tells us not to put money in this place because money and possession will not last. 2) Money Clouds Our VisionWhen we worship money our desires for it increase, our hearts look for it and desire it and overtime will darken our hearts. In Matthew 6 Jesus talks about the eye for this reason. In God’s good grace He enlightens the eyes of our hearts to desire Him and the life He gives rather than money with it’s destructive power. We are to pay close attention to the desires of our hearts. 3) Money Is A Cruel MasterThe prophet Isaiah writes “Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” Money is a cruel master because it never does what we think it will do. We think it will satisfy, but it never does, we think it will give us life and security, but it never can. It is like drinking water from the sea, the more you drink the more dehydrated you get.The power to break the love of money is to look at the love of God seen in Christ Jesus. Jesus pours out His wealth on the cross for us that we might be rich (2 Cor 8:9) We are rich in Christ, and He is a good master. Enjoy! Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller Sex & Money by Paul Tripp Redeemer Fellowship Sermon On Money

Ben and Elizabeth talk through the precious gift of time and how we were created to use it for God’s glory. They speak on how time matters for the heart, soul, mind and body. Time matters, and what we do with it impacts these areas dramatically. The heart: The heart is the center of a person. Talked about in this episode is the importance of feeding the heart good nutritious food each morning in starting our day.The mind: God created the mind in order it be stimulated. Talked through are ways in which we can use our time for the benefit of a clear and healthy mind.The body: The body is to be cared for, but this takes time. Talked about are ways in which the body can be used for God’s glory. The body matters and how we use our time effects it directly. Enjoy this episode! On Reading Well, Finding the Good Life through Great Books, by Karen Swallow Prior

Ben & Elizabeth talk through fear. What is it and how it leaks into family life. “Fear swells up inside of as our loves are at risk or in danger. As our lack of control over situations and circumstances progress, fears and anxieties often become all consuming. They have a paralyzing effect as we continue to trust in our own abilities to handle or control the uncontrollable.” Unlike the power of nature the power of Christ comes with love. Within this episode we are encouraged to “let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts” (Col 3:15) Enjoy this episode!

Ben and Elizabeth talk to us through family and convenience. They talk about how convenience often (not always) replaces the overall good and wellness of family life. They recommend the easier way to not always be the better way and walk through 4 examples within their household 1) Food (ever try a fried oreo?) 2) Exercise 3) Transportation 4) Technology

Why are we doing a podcast on family?Behind the mess of poopy hands and orange peel book marks, Ben and Elizabeth give us three foundational reasons behind their podcast on family life. 1) Family provides a massive platform for God’s glory to be displayed. Here they explain in a broad sense the glory God gets and deserves through family life. Described is the vastness of opportunity for God to get glory in the moment by moment stuff within the life of a broken family. 2) Family life creates a dependent heart wherein we see our need for God. Within an imperfect family weakness is highlighted. We quickly realize our inability to keep and hold our family together which in turn creates posture of utter dependance. We depend on the One who has the strength to hold us, to keep us, and give us real lasting joy in the process. 3) Lastly, God uses family as a tool of refinement. We know that God works all things for His glory and our good and family is real proof of this as He does the work of molding and shaping us more and more into the image of Jesus Christ. Behind every tear, behind every mishap, behind every struggle is the wonderful providence of God. Moments are being used for His glory and our refinement. God uses family life to form us into the image of Christ. Resources:Why Does It Have To Hurt? The Meaning of Christian Suffering, Dan G. McCartneyChasing Contentment. Trusting God In a Discontented Age, Erik Raymond