A Comforting Christmas
Sharing True Christmas Joy
December 9, 2017 DAILY READING Mark 11:27-33 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESHave you ever had your integrity at work questioned? Have you ever been accused by a friend or neighbor of something you didn’t do? It’s pretty awful especially when you are trying to live with honesty and faithfulness. In the Advent and…
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December 8, 2017 DAILY READING Jeremiah 1:4-10 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESLast Christmas, I had just given birth to our daughter, Iris. She was the cutest and most perfect little nugget I had ever seen. Holding her in my arms as I heard the Christmas story and passages like this one in Jeremiah…
Read MoreExcited for Santa!
December 7, 2017 DAILY READING Psalm 85:8-13 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESI can remember when I was little being so excited for Santa to come that I couldn’t fall asleep. My little brother and I would always sleep in the same bed and we would stay up almost all night trying to guess…
Read MorePrepare, Prepare, Prepare
December 6, 2017 DAILY READING Luke 21:34-38 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESThis passage in Luke comes as a command after Jesus tells a parable about trees. He says, “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is…
Read MoreNo More Suffering
December 5, 2017 DAILY READING Micah 4:6-13 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESI often wonder what the world would be like if the Kingdom of God finally fully reigned. If the season of Advent is all about anticipating a Savior, I wonder what we anticipate as the Kingdom of God fully come. Is it…
Read MoreAdvent is Here!
December 4, 2017 DAILY READING Micah 4:1-5 This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 FIELD NOTESThis week marks the start of Advent, the season of anticipation and preparation for the birth of Christ. During this season, we remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for, and need of, forgiveness, salvation and a…
Read MoreLamenting Christmas
Let God Be God
Saturday, December 2, 2017 Daily Reading Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Micah 2:1-13 ***Matthew 24:15-31 Field NotesSome of our readings during this week have pointed to the end of times or to the second coming of the Son of Man. I’m not certain I focus much on either of those things happening. That doesn’t mean that I…
Read MoreRemember
Friday, December 1, 2017 Daily Reading Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Zechariah 14:1-9 ***1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 Field NotesI will forego paraphrasing the text from Thessalonians. Eugene Peterson has done a fine job. As you read from the Message, think how, really, not much has changed. We are human, after all! ***”One final word, friends. We ask you—urge…
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