November 7, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 18:20-30Ruth 3:8-18John 13:31-35This weekend’s reading: Luke 21:1-4 FIELD NOTES Ruth and Naomi were at a disadvantage in a culture where men determined the financial arrangements and the social customs, but they were clever women. They knew Boaz should be their “redeemer,” and they figured out a way to bring…

November 6, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 18:20-30Ruth 3:1-7Acts 7:17-29This weekend’s reading: Luke 21:1-4 FIELD NOTES Today’s reading from Ruth centers on the act of “finding home,” especially crucial for Ruth who was a Moabite, not a Hebrew. For some of us, our home found us—caring family, food on the table, comfortable house, nice hometown, and…

November 5, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Luke 21:1-4 FIELD NOTES The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle that is found in all 4 Gospels. It happened at the conclusion of a seminar Jesus conducted on discipleship. As the hour grew late, the disciples noted that the people were famished.…

November 3, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES When her husband died, a young mother went took a minimum wage job.  Her junior high son worked on a neighbor’s farm.  Her daughter helped financially through babysitting.  Even though it was a meager amount, they joyfully and thankfully tithe their income…

November 2, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES A very wealthy man was generous with his money to his church, universities, and many charities.  In fact, a building at a university in Texas has his name on it because he gave the money. When the stock market crashed, he lost all…

November 1, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES Years ago, one church I pastored never raised more than $50,000 in its history.  But now they needed to raise $425,000 in one month to purchase an adjacent property.  While praying for Christ’s guidance, the members decided to redirect their personal spending.  One…

October 31, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES Tonight’s Trick-or-treating produces more children from our own neighborhoods at our doors than we see throughout the year.  More strangers open their doors to other strangers to give treats.  These children usually end up with more candy in their bags and baskets…

October 30, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 14:13-21This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES Jesus had compassion on the crowd and told the disciples to feed the people.  So, the disciples then did what most people do.  They counted the cost and evaluated the logistics.  They counted at least 5,000 men plus the women and children.  They…

October 29, 2018 DAILY READING Matthew 25:14-30This weekend’s reading: Matthew 14:13-21 FIELD NOTES The passage this morning is a part of a trilogy of stories about accountability. Three employees are given gifts by their boss to invest while he is away. Those who wind up receiving a promotion are risk-takers. One of our core values…