January 17, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 86:11-17 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 3:13-30 FIELD NOTES The word “steadfast” is one of my favorite words of the English language. I think this is because it is one of the most comforting, descriptive words that we have for the character of God. Synonyms for steadfast included faithful, loyal,…

January 16, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 86:3-10 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 3:13-30 FIELD NOTESHave you ever had a day where you seem to be missing everyone? Every call, text or email seems unanswered or straight to voicemail. In the workplace it can be a huge inconvenience, and, personally, it can make you question your relationships…

January 15, 2018 DAILY READING Psalm 86:1-4 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 3:13-30 FIELD NOTESMany years ago, I attended a woman’s retreat in the snowy mountains of South Korea. The keynote speaker was a dynamic woman named Esther Fleece, unknown to me, but deeply passionate about the message God had given her. She began the retreat…

January 13, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-30 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 2:1-16 FIELD NOTESThe king saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. Then he noticed a fourth person with them who appeared to be like a god. The king then told them to come out of the furnace. The three were not hurt.…

January 12, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-30 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 2:1-16 FIELD NOTESAccording to legend, the Roman army had a brave and gallant unit of one-hundred soldiers, who were Christians, also noted for practicing their faith. The Roman Emperor created an image of himself and decreed that all Roman citizens and soldiers would bow…

January 11, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-30 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 2:1-16 FIELD NOTESArriving to a former church I pastored, a member hugged me and with a big smile said, “I want you to know that I haven’t been back to church since the last Sunday you preached.” What he thought was a compliment, I…

January 10, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-30 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 2:1-16 FIELD NOTESShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to listen to God, not to humans. Wallace Chappell, Davis Chappell’s father, was sitting in front of me at a session of our Tennessee Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. A visiting bishop was preaching one…

January 9, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-30 This weekend’s reading: Daniel 2:1-16 FIELD NOTESShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to worship God, not an idol. Every day, we are faced with giving ourselves to potential idols, priorities, and pressures versus worshipping and following God. As members entered the sanctuary for Sunday worship, the altar was covered…

January 8, 2018 DAILY READING Daniel 3:1-30 FIELD NOTES I used to hate being thrown into life’s fiery furnaces. Now, I am more likely to say, “I don’t like this Lord. Because you helped me before, I can’t wait to see how you are going to get me out of this mess.” Shadrach, Meshach, and…