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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…