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DAILY READING Philippians 1:1-6 While on a mission trip, I got “doubled-over-sick,” unable to stand and walk. I was not happy, but I had joy. How? There’s a difference between happiness and joy. Because Paul weaves joy through its 104 verses, the church refers to Philippians as the Book of Joy. What’s the difference between joy…

DAILY READING Philippians 1:3-5 While being chased by a dog, the cat turned and “barked” at it. The dog, totally confused and now scared, ran to hide behind a bush. The caption of this newspaper cartoon read, “It helps to know a second language.” Paul’s second language was prayer with thanksgiving and joy. Paul was…

DAILY READING Philippians 1:1-2 Retired Bishop Emerson Colaw tells of six-year-old Mary Taft, whose family were members of Hyde Park UMC, Cincinnati, where he pastored for many years. On her first day of school, the teacher asked the children to introduce themselves. Mary stood tall and said, “I am Mary Taft. My great-grandfather was the…

DAILY READING Philippians 1:1-11 When beginning letters and emails, I usually start with “Dear St. _____.”  Many reply, “I am not a saint.”  Today, the title “saint” implies achieving a super-spiritual level. But Paul uses it to mean “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Paul designates a saint as one on a journey, growing in oneness with…

DAILY READING Luke 24:36-40 I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful to be reminded that even after resurrection, Jesus keeps his scars. It assures me that all that I’ve been through makes me into who I am. Those journeys don’t just disappear after healing. That wouldn’t be honest. Instead, the scars remain…

DAILY READING 1 Samuel 17:19-32 At this year’s Harvest Hands Advocates Breakfast, Rev. Brian Hicks talked about the gentrification of south Nashville. I was struck by his non-traditional way of accepting this change. Most non-profit directors would have said, “What a shame,” and began looking for ministry opportunities elsewhere. But Brian took what could have…

DAILY READING 1 Samuel 17:1-23 “When Saul and the Israelites heard [the threat of Goliath] they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” Boy, do I know the feeling.  A loved one was recently diagnosed with cancer. I heard the news and instantly a ton of bricks fell into the pit of my stomach. It was as…

DAILY READING Luke 24:1-12 In Luke’s resurrection story, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary mother of James, and a few other unnamed women are the first to preach the good news of Christ’s defeat of death to the apostles. Predictably, they are not believed.  Luke writes, “But these words seemed to [the apostles] an idle tale, and…

DAILY READING Psalm 118:19-20 Yesterday we focused on the 24th verse of Psalm 118, and gave thanks for the day the Lord has made. Today we’ll focus on these verses, as the psalmist says: 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,    that I may enter through them    and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord;    the…