Archive for April 2019

April 30, 2019 DAILY READING Psalm 122Esther 8:1-17Revelation 2:8-11This weekend’s reading: Matthew 7:7-12 FIELD NOTES May you be like Ruth and like Esther. / May you be deserving of praise.Strengthen them, O Lord, / And keep them from the strangers’ ways.                                                                        Fiddler on the Roof, “Sabbath Prayers” Ruth and Esther are Biblical women who were regarded…

April 29, 2019 DAILY READING Psalm 122Esther 7:1-10Revelation 1:9-20This weekend’s reading: Matthew 7:7-12 FIELD NOTES In today’s readings, we see two exiles, isolated for their faith. Esther’s family and other Jews in exile had been freed by Cyrus, but some chose to stay in Persia.  With a new king on the throne, the Jews were…

April 27, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:20-22This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Peter looks at the disciples and then notices John.  He asked, “Jesus, what about him?”  There is a nuance here that many of us miss.  The nuance is, “Jesus, you still want me to lead your church.  But what about John?  Shouldn’t…

April 26, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:17This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES This week, we looked at Jesus asking Peter “Do you love me unconditionally?”  Peter’s response was “Yes, Jesus, I’m your brother.”  Jesus each time said, “Tend my sheep.”  Peter didn’t hear the affirmation either time. Jesus doesn’t give up.  Now, I imagine Jesus…

April 25, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:16This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Sometimes we swim in our failures, mistakes, and disappointments such that we miss God’s affirmation and calling.            Jesus asked a second time, “Peter, do you love (unconditionally) me more than these fish?”  I can imagine that Peter is sitting at the fire busying himself…

April 24, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:15This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Jesus asked Peter, “Simon do you love me more than these fish?” The word Jesus used for love was agape, which means unconditional love no matter what happens.  Peter responds with filios, the Greek word for brotherly love. While I can’t prove this,…

April 23, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:1-14This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES When Peter realizes that it’s Jesus on the shore calling out to them, he’s excited.  It’s been weeks since they have seen him.  He’s so excited that he dives into the water and swims to shore to meet him. While it cannot be…

April 22, 2019 DAILY READING John 21:1-3This weekend’s reading: John 21:15-17 FIELD NOTES Have you ever felt like giving up?  Have you ever tried breaking a habit, stop a sinful action, keep New Year’s resolutions, or keep a Lenten commitment, only to discover you failed? When Peter says in verse three, “I’m going fishing,” there is…