DAILY READING Romans 12:9-21 FIELD NOTES As a pastor in the adult discipleship department at church, I have been asking people what spiritual practices (or Wesley calls them “spiritual disciplines”) have helped them to grow deeper in their faiths.  Spiritual practices like prayer, Bible study, and serving others often come up.  One time, I was…

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Luke 9:21-27 FIELD NOTES We are reading the Bible with a lens that is over 2000 years further along in human history and development. Our circumstances are not the same as those faced by Jesus and his disciples and yet the truth-telling in the Bible we find still informs our lives today.…

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Galatians 4:8-20 FIELD NOTES I was drawn to the description in the text of the relationship between Paul and the folks who cared for him after his Damascus Road experience. Paul’s arrival was providential.  It changed their lives. I know I am tugging on this neighbor thing pretty hard, but sometimes the…

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-402 Corinthians 13:5-10 FIELD NOTES I enjoy taking almost any self-assessment I come across…serious or silly.  Sometimes I am affirmed, sometimes puzzled, and sometimes convicted.  I pretty much knew what was coming when I took the short ‘neighbor quiz’ associated with our summer ‘good neighbor’ series.  I am a lukewarm neighbor! I…

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Luke 9:37-44 FIELD NOTES There are many verses in this text worthy of reflection. I was trying to determine where to focus my writing. As I was walking to the refrigerator to get a cold drink, I wondered if Jesus had ever been called the Good Neighbor? He was 30 when he…

DAILY READING Matthew 22:36-40Ephesians 2:11-22 FIELD NOTES I have chosen the Message for our daily reading because I enjoy its less formal language and I often gain additional insight into applying scripture to 2019.  In his letter to the Ephesians Paul is painting a picture of unity in Christ…everyone belongs!  “He [God] used the apostles…