October 25, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 34:1-8This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES When my children were small, we had a rule at our dinner table — you didn’t have to eat everything on your plate, but you had to at least try a bite before you announced, “I don’t like this!!” As parents we…

October 24, 2018 DAILY READING John 13:1-17This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES When I was in high school at a small private Christian school, my New Testament teacher did something I’ll never forget. In a lesson about Jesus’ humility and servant leadership, we read the passage from John 13 where Jesus took off his…

October 23, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 10:23-27This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES Ten years ago this summer I went to South Africa on a mission trip with our church. I traveled with my daughter who had just graduated from high school, one of her best friends and her father, and several other members of…

October 22, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 10:17-31This weekend’s reading: Matthew 25:14-30 FIELD NOTES The story of the rich young ruler is a saga of a man who had everything. He had money, reputation, respect, and religion. He was the picture of piety and blessing. And yet, something was missing. Thus, he came to Jesus. “What must…

October 20, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 10:17-27This weekend’s reading: Mark 10:17-27 FIELD NOTES From the book Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals— A Prayer:Lord, let your servant now rest in peace.For you have kept your promise. With my own eyesI see the salvation you prepared for all peoples,A light of revelation for the GentilesAnd glory to…

October 19, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:19-30This weekend’s reading: Mark 10:17-27 FIELD NOTES And now, as Paul Harvey used to say, the rest of the story: Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest…

October 18, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-18This weekend’s reading: Mark 10:17-27 FIELD NOTES “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” How powerful is this? Faced with certain death, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stand on…

October 17, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 96This weekend’s reading: Mark 10:17-27 FIELD NOTES Sing to the Lord a new song;    sing to the Lord, all the earth.Sing to the Lord, praise his name;    proclaim his salvation day after day.Declare his glory among the nations,    his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;    he is to be feared above all gods.For all…

October 16, 2018 DAILY READING 1 Peter 5:1-5This weekend’s reading: Mark 10:17-27 FIELD NOTES Are you a willing servant?  Or are you a begrudging servant? A couple weeks ago, before Love In Deed, we had only one volunteer signed up to help unload the truck on Friday evening before. I was tasked with asking the Point Men ministry…