Posts by jhumphries

December 15, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 126 Habakkuk 3:2-6 Philippians 3:12-16 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESIn Habakkuk’s prayer, which some say is really a hymn, the coming of the Lord is like a triumphal march “surrounded with a brightness like the sun with rays coming from his hand where his power lay…

December 14, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 126 Habakkuk 2:1-5 Philippians 3:7-11 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESThis hymn gives the singer a chance to revel in the anticipated joy of a restored Zion when the fortunes and future of the people of God are given back to them. And they “come home with…

December 13, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 27 Malachi 2:10-3:1 Luke 1:5-17 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESOld Zechariah was “getting on in years”—such a kind way of putting it—and he and his wife Elizabeth had no children. This was very hard for a faithful priest and his devoted wife to deal with, especially…

December 12, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 27 Isaiah 4:2-6 Acts 11:1-18 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTES An important song from the musical, South Pacific, says, “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear. It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear.” Strong words, but true. Accepting others, welcoming others—really…

December 11, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 27 Isaiah 26:7-15 Acts 2:37-42 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 FIELD NOTESThe singer of this psalm calls upon the Lord as “light…salvation…and stronghold…whom shall I fear?” And then, “One thing I asked of the Lord…to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”…

December 9, 2017 DAILY READING Mark 11:27-33 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESHave you ever had your integrity at work questioned? Have you ever been accused by a friend or neighbor of something you didn’t do? It’s pretty awful especially when you are trying to live with honesty and faithfulness. In the Advent and…

December 8, 2017 DAILY READING Jeremiah 1:4-10 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESLast Christmas, I had just given birth to our daughter, Iris. She was the cutest and most perfect little nugget I had ever seen. Holding her in my arms as I heard the Christmas story and passages like this one in Jeremiah…

December 7, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 85:8-13 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESI can remember when I was little being so excited for Santa to come that I couldn’t fall asleep. My little brother and I would always sleep in the same bed and we would stay up almost all night trying to guess…

December 6, 2017 DAILY READING Luke 21:34-38 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESThis passage in Luke comes as a command after Jesus tells a parable about trees. He says, “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is…

December 5, 2017 DAILY READING Micah 4:6-13 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESI often wonder what the world would be like if the Kingdom of God finally fully reigned. If the season of Advent is all about anticipating a Savior, I wonder what we anticipate as the Kingdom of God fully come. Is it…