February 21, 2019 DAILY READING Revelation 3:14-22This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:14-22 FIELD NOTESBecause of its location on a trade route, Laodicea developed a great financial base.  When an earthquake destroyed the city in 61 AD, the Laodiceans told Rome, “We don’t need your help to rebuild.  We can rebuild everything ourselves.”  And they did. Thus, John…

February 20, 2019 DAILY READING Revelation 3:14-22This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:14-22 FIELD NOTESMost people prefer their hot coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, and hot apple cider hot instead of lukewarm.  Most prefer their water, ice tea, milk, orange juice, and soft drinks cold, not lukewarm.  Lukewarm drinks can leave flat, stale, and repugnant tastes in…

February 19, 2019 DAILY READING Revelation 3:14-22This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:14-22 FIELD NOTESWanting to do something grand to impress her friends and co-workers, Carol invited them to a magnificent dinner at her home.  Cleaning and cooking, she worked more hours than normal preparing for thirty-three guests.  The guests arrived.  She was the perfect host.  Everyone enjoyed…

February 18, 2019 DAILY READING Revelation 3:14-22This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:14-22 FIELD NOTESWarning:  Just as John in this scripture had some challenging words to the Laodiceans, this devotion may have challenging words for us. Dino, a good-for-nothing gangster, died.  His brother, Geno, order the priest, “No matter what you say during his eulogy, you must call…

February 16, 2019 DAILY READING Luke 11:27-28This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:7-13 FIELD NOTESIn ancient times, a woman’s value came primarily through bearing children — especially sons. Prevented by her culture of earning respect for her own accomplishments, a woman’s hope of honor was to have a respected son. Given that, can you imagine the honor…

February 15, 2019 DAILY READING Psalm 1This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:7-13 FIELD NOTES“They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither” (Psalm 1:3). Whenever I read this psalm, and this verse in particular, I am reminded of my mother. Her name was…

February 14, 2019 DAILY READING Acts 13:26-34This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:7-13 FIELD NOTESHappy Valentine’s Day! It’s the day of red paper hearts and frilly white doilies and heart-shaped red foil boxes filled with chocolate candies; the day when we celebrate love and eat little candy hearts that say, “Kiss me” or “Be mine.” The origins…

February 13, 2019 DAILY READING Luke 5:27-32This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:7-13 FIELD NOTESMany years ago, the YMCA in downtown Nashville was a “men only” facility. Women were not permitted to be members or use the facilities. In the late 1970s and early 1980s there were more and more women working downtown — women who wished…

February 12, 2019 DAILY READING 1 Samuel 9:15-10:1This weekend’s reading: Revelation 3:7-13 FIELD NOTESIn today’s reading, the prophet Samuel is sent to anoint Saul to be the first king of Israel. Listen to Saul’s response when Samuel tells him that he has been chosen by God to be king, “But I am only a Benjaminite,…