July 4, 2017 Daily Reading Psalm 47 1 John 4:1-6 1 Kings 18:36-39 Psalm 119:161-168 1 Kings 21:1-16 This week’s sermon text: Exodus 20:8-11 Field Notes Happy 4th of July!  What word from God does our nation need right now?  In our scripture, John tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are…

July 3, 2017 Daily Reading Psalm 47 Genesis 22:15-18 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 Psalm 119:161-168 1 Kings 21:1-16 This week’s sermon text: Exodus 20:8-11 Field NotesHappiness depends upon events that happen such as jokes, celebrations, and victories. When the event is over, the happiness fades. Joy comes from a relationship. No matter what happens to us,…

July 1, 2017 Daily Reading Luke 17:1-4 Psalm 13 This week’s sermon text: Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesLuke shows Jesus teaching his disciples to forgive within their closely bound fellowship. Jesus is realistic. In any community, members sometimes cause hurt to each other. Sin keeps us from living in true relationship with God and our neighbors.…

June 30, 2017 Daily Reading Galatians 5:2-12 Psalm 13 This week’s sermon text: Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesFreedom is a fine Biblical word, and approaching July 4, we remember that a Bible verse about freedom is engraved inside our Liberty Bell, Leviticus 25:10. Galatians 5 begins with another verse we hear often, “For freedom Christ has…

June 29, 2017 Daily Reading Micah 7:18-20 Psalm 13 This week’s sermon text: Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesWe know God first through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and we also know God as revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. God sees and responds to our distress, and as with Hagar, God’s mercy reaches the outcast…

June 28, 2017 Daily ReadingMatthew 10:5-23Psalm 86:11-17This week’s sermon text:  Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesThose of us who struggle to get our belongings in one carry-on for a flight will marvel at Jesus’ packing instructions for his disciples’ mission (v. 9-10). Excess baggage is not acceptable when someone is on a mission with Jesus! Jesus’ plan…

June 27, 2017 Daily ReadingRevelation 2:8-11Psalm 86:11-17This week’s sermon text:  Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesMy good friend has some wise words for when we face tough situations in our lives that seem to have no solutions. She says, “You may have to change the way you look at this.” I’ve discovered that her good, practical advice…

June 26, 2017 Daily Reading  Genesis 16:1-15  Psalm 86:11-17  This week’s sermon text: Genesis 2:1-3 Field NotesThe story of Hagar and Ishmael is intriguing on many levels. For Muslims this story connects their faith to Abraham (some of us studied Bruce Feiler’s helpful book “Abraham”). For women it lifts up difficult issues related to patriarchy.…