Archive for December 2018

December 22, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 12:38-42Psalm 105:1-11This weekend’s reading: Micah 5:2-5 FIELD NOTES Why don’t we get it?  We do we always make excuses or say things like “God, give me a sign?”  Just as people back in Jesus’ day asked this question, so do we today.  I wonder why we our faith is so…

December 21, 2018 DAILY READING Acts 7:44-53Psalm 139:1-12This weekend’s reading: Micah 5:2-5 FIELD NOTES Home is where the heart is.  Isn’t that how the old saying goes?  What kind of home are you living in?  Furthermore, the scripture says “’What kind of house will you build for me?’ Says the Lord.” So often we talk about our…

Action December 20, 2018 DAILY READING 1 Corinthians 4:14-20Psalm 105:1-11This weekend’s reading: Micah 5:2-5 FIELD NOTES Being a dad is constantly pushing against my introverted tendencies.  My wife and I, who are major introverts, find ourselves overwhelmed by this little boy, as he is the biggest extrovert I have ever seen.  He LOVES being around…

Gentleness December 19, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 12:15-21Psalm 139:13-18This weekend’s reading: Micah 5:2-5 FIELD NOTES At a former job, before going into full-time vocational ministry, I had a boss who carried himself with a gentle spirit.  He would greet everyone by their first name as he made his way through the office.  He would lead…

December 18, 2018 DAILY READING Galatians 4:21-5:1Psalm 139:13-18This weekend’s reading: Micah 5:2-5 FIELD NOTES One of my favorite stories is that of Jim Elliot. Jim Elliot, along with 4 other missionaries, was killed by the very tribesmen he was attempting to evangelize in the jungles of Ecuador. While that part of the story is harrowing in…

December 17, 2018 DAILY READING Revelation 14:12-20Psalm 139:13-18This weekend’s reading: Micah 5:2-5 FIELD NOTES One thing I have never been good at is the mile run.  Or any run if we are being honest.  Growing up, playing various sports, I could manage short bursts but anything more than 400 yards at a time would kill…

December 15, 2018 DAILY READING Luke 7:18-30This weekend’s reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20 FIELD NOTES “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”At that very time, Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who…

December 14, 2018 DAILY READING Luke 2:8-11This weekend’s reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20 FIELD NOTES This morning thinking about people I love.  All I want for Christmas is time.  Time to spend with those people…time to remember…time to enjoy and laugh and shed a few tears.  There is nothing so important to me as their presence in…

December 13, 2018 THIS WEEKEND’S READING Zephaniah 3:14-20 FIELD NOTES A Reading from a sermon of Bernard of Clairvaux [1090-1153; Benedictine who founded the Cistercian Order] “…something superlative was needed in the beginning if the majesty of God was to deign to come down from such a height, for a dwelling that was so unworthy…