Posts by jhumphries

June 28, 2017 Daily ReadingMatthew 10:5-23Psalm 86:11-17This week’s sermon text:  Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesThose of us who struggle to get our belongings in one carry-on for a flight will marvel at Jesus’ packing instructions for his disciples’ mission (v. 9-10). Excess baggage is not acceptable when someone is on a mission with Jesus! Jesus’ plan…

June 27, 2017 Daily ReadingRevelation 2:8-11Psalm 86:11-17This week’s sermon text:  Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesMy good friend has some wise words for when we face tough situations in our lives that seem to have no solutions. She says, “You may have to change the way you look at this.” I’ve discovered that her good, practical advice…

June 26, 2017 Daily Reading  Genesis 16:1-15  Psalm 86:11-17  This week’s sermon text: Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesThe story of Hagar and Ishmael is intriguing on many levels. For Muslims this story connects their faith to Abraham (some of us studied Bruce Feiler’s helpful book “Abraham”). For women it lifts up difficult issues related to patriarchy.…

June 24, 2017 Daily Reading Ezekiel 29:3-7 Luke 11:53-12:3 Psalm 86:1-12 This week’s sermon text: James 5:13-19 Field NotesAs we prepare for Sabbath, we’ll use an ancient frame for reading scripture, Lectio Divina. This particular format was published in “Companions in Christ” by Upper Room Ministries. It was adapted from an article written by Joe…

June 23, 2017 Daily Reading Genesis 35:1-4 Acts 5:17-26 Psalm 86:1-12 This week’s sermon text: James 5:13-19 Field Notes“The Psalms express the full range of states of the human heart: in the Psalms we find honest, sometimes brutal, expressions of the human heart. The Bible would not be valuable if it were a string of…

June 22, 2017 Daily Reading Exodus 12:43-49 Hebrews 2:5-9 Psalm 86:1-12 This week’s sermon text: James 5:13-19 Field Notes“So how should we read the Psalms with understanding? For one thing, we should read slowly and deliberately in order to take in the sights and sounds, taste, touch and smell in which the truth of God…

June 21, 2017 Daily Reading Nehemiah 9:1-8 Luke 6:12-19 Psalm 126 This week’s sermon text: James 5:13-19 Field NotesA psalm can be adapted as a way to tell our life experiences and as a way to offer prayer. Psalm 126 tells a story and offers a prayer. Here is the first draft of my adaptation…

June 20, 2017 Daily Reading Genesis 25:7-11 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5 Psalm 126 This week’s sermon text: James 5:13-19 Field NotesThe Book of Psalms sits at the center of the Bible. It is a collection of songs and prayers that express the heart and soul of humanity. ‘Heart’ and ‘soul’ are words of depth; words of…

June 19, 2017 Daily Reading Genesis 23:1-19 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 Psalm 126 This week’s sermon text: James 5:13-19 Field NotesAs I was preparing this week to pray, read, and write, I felt a strong pull toward the Book of Psalms. Had I given the weekly psalm enough attention, or had I read hurriedly through it…

June 17, 2017 Daily Reading Mark 7:1-13 Psalm 100 This week’s sermon text: James 5:7-12 Field NotesIn today’s reading, Jesus draws a sharp line between human tradition and God’s commandments. As the passage opens, the Pharisees are criticizing Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before they eat, thus violating their religious traditions. Jesus calls…