Archive for June 2019

Everyone | June 29, 2019

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Luke 9:21-27 FIELD NOTES We are reading the Bible with a lens that is over 2000 years further along in human history and development. Our circumstances are not the same as those faced by Jesus and his disciples and yet the truth-telling in the Bible we find still informs our lives today.…

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Long Distance Relationships | June 28, 2019

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Galatians 4:8-20 FIELD NOTES I was drawn to the description in the text of the relationship between Paul and the folks who cared for him after his Damascus Road experience. Paul’s arrival was providential.  It changed their lives. I know I am tugging on this neighbor thing pretty hard, but sometimes the…

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Am I a Good Neighbor? | June 27, 2019

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-402 Corinthians 13:5-10 FIELD NOTES I enjoy taking almost any self-assessment I come across…serious or silly.  Sometimes I am affirmed, sometimes puzzled, and sometimes convicted.  I pretty much knew what was coming when I took the short ‘neighbor quiz’ associated with our summer ‘good neighbor’ series.  I am a lukewarm neighbor! I…

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A Good Neighbor? | June 26, 2019

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Luke 9:37-44 FIELD NOTES There are many verses in this text worthy of reflection. I was trying to determine where to focus my writing. As I was walking to the refrigerator to get a cold drink, I wondered if Jesus had ever been called the Good Neighbor? He was 30 when he…

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Everyone | June 25, 2019

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Ephesians 2:11-22 FIELD NOTES I have chosen the Message for our daily reading because I enjoy its less formal language and I often gain additional insight into applying scripture to 2019.  In his letter to the Ephesians Paul is painting a picture of unity in Christ…everyone belongs!  “He [God] used the apostles…

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The Cross-Cultural Neighbor

Dr. Davis Chappell preaches on Philip and the Ethiopian on Pentecost Sunday – week six of Brentwood United Methodist Church’s series, Neighbors. This week’s challenge: Give. You may call this “reverse hospitality.” According to Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements in their book The Simplest Way to Change the World, “Reverse hospitality is where you take something…

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Discover Your Spiritual Gifts | June 4, 2019

DAILY READING Psalm 291 Corinthians 12:4-13This week’s sermon text: Acts 8:26-40  FIELD NOTES There’s a member of our church who owns his own business and for years was asked to serve on the administrative committees of our church — the ones that deal with finance and facilities and business-oriented tasks. He wanted to serve and he…

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