JULY 4, 2018 DAILY READING Mark 9:14-29This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-15​ FIELD NOTES In his modern classic, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, scholar N.T. Wright says this: “Jesus is, at the moment, present with us, but hidden behind that invisible veil which keeps heaven and earth apart, and which we pierce in those moments, such…

July 3, 2018 DAILY READING 2 Corinthians 9:1-5This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-15​ FIELD NOTES If Davis called with a job that only you could do, would you be prepared to do it?  Are you ready to serve others at any time?  On the rare occasion that my wife and child are both out of the house, and I…

JuLY 2, 2018 DAILY READING 2 Corinthians 8:16-24This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-15​ FIELD NOTES Are you someone whom people find trustworthy?  Paul speaks up in this passage about the character of his trusted friend, Titus.  Titus was in charge of the money collected by the church.  When handling church funds, Paul wanted to make sure everyone…

June 30, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 130Luke 4:31-37This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-8 FIELD NOTES What does it mean to speak with authority? In today’s scripture passage, it is twice noted that Jesus teaches “with authority” and that this authority and power is the reason he is able to cast out demons. Authority means that there is…

June 29, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 1302 Corinthians 8:1-7This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-8 FIELD NOTES We live in a competitive world; a world where the narrative is that resources are scarce, money is tight, and time is fleeting. In this narrative, we are often encouraged to gain all we can while we can and that…

June 28, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 1302 Corinthians 7:2-16This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-8 FIELD NOTES It’s important to note that, over the course of the Corinthian correspondence, Paul claims to boast in and of only two things: the cross of Christ and the Corinthian believers. In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds the Corinthians that he could boast of…

June 27, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 119:113-128Mark 6:45-52This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-8 FIELD NOTES In verse 48, there’s a short sentence that we modern readers of the Bible might get confused with. The verse says (in the NRSV): “He intended to pass them by.” What does that mean? Was Jesus on his way somewhere else and…

June 26, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 119:113-128Acts 27:39-44This weekend’s reading: Colossians 2:6-8 FIELD NOTES There’s nothing about this story from Acts that sounds or feels safe. After being pummeled in a storm for two weeks, the exhausted crew finally sees land, though they don’t recognize where they are or if the land is safe for…

June 25, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 119:113-128Acts 27:13-38This weekend’s readings: Colossians 2:6-8 FIELD NOTES Paul’s journey’s through the closing chapters of the Book of Acts are miraculous accounts of God’s provident grace in the midst of trial, hardship, and disaster. Paul, a Jewish/Christian prisoner, is the least likely to take the reins of leadership on a…