January 23, 2020 DAILY READINGS Luke 17:20-21 This weekend’s reading:Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 FIELD NOTES One time, I was sitting at a red light on my way to a local coffee shop. I was listening to the radio and waiting for it to turn green when I got rear-ended. My first thought was, “I really don’t have…

January 22, 2020 DAILY READINGS Matthew 5:1-11 This weekend’s reading:Ecclesiastes 3:18 FIELD NOTES Ah, the Beatitudes. They are so familiar. At the same time, so comforting and so complicated. So today, I think it might be worth re-reading. Read through the beatitudes again, this time Eugene Peterson’s Message translation and see if you hear them…

January 21, 2020 DAILY READINGS Psalm 145:4-9 This weekend’s reading:Ecclesiastes 3:18 FIELD NOTES This psalm is full of praise to God. This is a psalm filled with “WOW!” Entire generations will be filled with awe at God’s mighty acts. They will marvel at God’s splendor and majesty, thinking about all the good things God has…

January 20, 2020 DAILY READINGS Romans 12:9-21 This weekend’s reading:Ecclesiastes 3:18 FIELD NOTES Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A day we remember a giant of the faith. A day we remember how far the Civil Rights Movement he led moved us forward. And also a day we remember how far we have yet…

January 18, 2020 DAILY READINGS Psalm 111Deuteronomy 13:1-5Matthew 8:28-9:1 This weekend’s reading:John 1:29-42 FIELD NOTES Deuteronomy 13 is a reminder of how easy it is to get our priorities out of order.  The people are being urged not to listen to false prophets or false gods, but to worship the one true God who has…

January 17, 2020 DAILY READINGS Psalm 111Deuteronomy 12:28-32Revelation 2:12-17 This weekend’s reading:John 1:29-42 FIELD NOTES Today’s Psalm, number 111, is a great Psalm to practice Lectio Divina with.  Lectio Divina is an ancient prayer practice that means divine or sacred reading.  It is a way of meditating on the scripture and allowing God to speak…

January 16, 2020 DAILY READINGS Psalm 111Deuteronomy 3:23-29Romans 9:6-18 This weekend’s reading:John 1:29-42 FIELD NOTES In Deuteronomy 3, Moses begs God to be allowed to enter the Promised Land, but God says no and appoints Joshua to lead.  I will admit this is a tough text, and one I have never completely understood.  Moses isn’t…

January 15, 2020 DAILY READINGS Psalm 46Proverbs 8:1-21Mark 3:13-19 This weekend’s reading: John 1:29-42 FIELD NOTES In Mark 3, Jesus commissions the twelve apostles. Three things stood out to me in this story. First, he calls each of them by name. Though this happens in the last verses of the passage, I think it is…

January 14, 2020 DAILY READINGS Psalm 46Genesis 45:25-46:7Acts 5:33-42This weekend’s reading:John 1:29-42 FIELD NOTES Psalm 46 is a hymn that praises God for God’s protection and safety. “The Lord of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety.” The verses praise God for protection, strength, leadership, and more. God…