December 16, 2019 DAILY READINGS Acts 21:17-26This weekend’s scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 FIELD NOTES There is always a measure of risk when we decide to live fully into the mission God has called us into. In today’s scripture, we see Paul, returning to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem church. Paul tells the elders…

How might you help the weak, the least, the last, and the lost this Christmas?

Are you familiar with the term “Christian atheist?” Of the various meanings, the one that challenges me is “one who believes in an all-powerful God and yet acts as if God does not exist.”

I purchase a gift for another as if I am purchasing that gift for Jesus. I ask, “What would delight her if she were Jesus? What would benefit him the most if he were Jesus?”

While needing to learn from our past, washing our hands of the success or failure of those experiences reduces the chance of unhealthy memories infecting the current encounters. It prepares us to be more fully present with the current encounter.

Jesus’ answers to our prayers usually are not what we expected; yet he has, and he will continue to help us move through our situations.

In preparation for Christmas Day, we decorate, cook, and purchase gifts. How do we prepare for Christ’s coming?

Today, our challenge is to actually put our faith in Christ.