Archive for September 2018

September 29, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 5:13-20This weekend’s reading: Genesis 22:1-19 FIELD NOTES Jesus is teaching a huge crowd [probably comprised of all sorts of people] on the side of a mountain.  He has begun with ‘the Beatitudes’ in Matthew 5:1-12 turning ‘everything’ upside down.  ‘Whoever you are [anyone in this whole crowd], you are…

September 28, 2018 DAILY READING Acts 12:20-25This weekend’s reading: Genesis 22:1-19 FIELD NOTES Herod was a persecutor of the followers of Jesus.  He executed James, the brother of Jesus.  He imprisoned Peter.  Because Peter was popular Herod was worried a riot might ensue if Peter was executed.  So, he conveniently left town.  “Then Herod went…

September 27, 2018 DAILY READING Acts 4:13-31This weekend’s reading: Genesis 22:1-19 FIELD NOTES As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. Hearing the report, they lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony in prayer: “Strong God, you…

September 26, 2018 DAILY READING John 8:1-3; 21-38This weekend’s reading: Genesis 22:1-19 FIELD NOTES But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them. Then Jesus turned to the Jews who…

September 25, 2018 DAILY READING James 5:1-6This weekend’s reading: Genesis 22:1-19 FIELD NOTES People have said it is fun to try to figure out who has written a particular Field Guide entry.  I am thankful today that we do not ‘sign’ these.  There is some freedom in being anonymous!A few days ago at a four-way…

September 24, 2018 DAILY READING James 4:7-10This weekend’s reading: Genesis 22:1-19 FIELD NOTES “James wrote to Jewish Christians who were scattered throughout the Mediterranean world because of persecution. In their hostile surroundings they were tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith. James reminds us that true faith transforms lives…” And transformed lives put…

September 22, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 1Matthew 23:29-39This weekend’s reading: Genesis 18:1-15 FIELD NOTES Advice is not hard to get these days. For anything that ails you; for any problem you might have, there’s probably a book, a guru, a TV show, a radio host, or a website that can give you advice on how…

September 21, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 1Romans 11:25-32This weekend’s reading: Genesis 18:1-15 FIELD NOTES “Long my imprisoned spirit lay,Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;Thine eye diffused a quickening ray–I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free,I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.” – “And Can It Be” – Verse…