Archive for October 2018

October 31, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES Tonight’s Trick-or-treating produces more children from our own neighborhoods at our doors than we see throughout the year.  More strangers open their doors to other strangers to give treats.  These children usually end up with more candy in their bags and baskets…

October 30, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES Jesus had compassion on the crowd and told the disciples to feed the people.  So, the disciples then did what most people do.  They counted the cost and evaluated the logistics.  They counted at least 5,000 men plus the women and children.  They…

October 29, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 25:14-30This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES The passage this morning is a part of a trilogy of stories about accountability. Three employees are given gifts by their boss to invest while he is away. Those who wind up receiving a promotion are risk-takers. One of our core values…

October 27, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 8:22-26This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES Jesus healed a blind man’s eyes with his saliva and his touch. Can you imagine the change this wrought in the man’s life? No longer forced to beg, the man could now work and earn a living and support himself and his…

October 26, 2018 DAILY READING Nehemiah 1:1-11This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES After Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC, the Temple was laid waste and the walls of the city were broken down. The once-proud city of David was in a shambles and its remaining people were destitute and starving. Nearly…

October 25, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 34:1-8This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES When my children were small, we had a rule at our dinner table — you didn’t have to eat everything on your plate, but you had to at least try a bite before you announced, “I don’t like this!!” As parents we…

October 24, 2018 DAILY READING John 13:1-17This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES When I was in high school at a small private Christian school, my New Testament teacher did something I’ll never forget. In a lesson about Jesus’ humility and servant leadership, we read the passage from John 13 where Jesus took off his…

October 23, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 10:23-27This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES Ten years ago this summer I went to South Africa on a mission trip with our church. I traveled with my daughter who had just graduated from high school, one of her best friends and her father, and several other members of…

October 22, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 10:17-31This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES The story of the rich young ruler is a saga of a man who had everything. He had money, reputation, respect, and religion. He was the picture of piety and blessing. And yet, something was missing. Thus, he came to Jesus. “What must…