I have a theory that when a preacher starts coming down hard against something there’s a pretty good chance that something is a particularly personal problem for the preacher. I have this on good authority – my own experience. For instance, I can get really riled up about Christians being judgmental. I can cut and dice this sin a hundred different ways because I am so well acquainted with it in my own life. When it comes to judging judgmental Christians, I can really dish it out. Welcome to Evangelical Myth #3: Christians practice what they preach.
Busted.
As a writer and speaker, I am often having things I have said or written come back to haunt me. One particular example of this is in a song I wrote about giving your wife roses every Wednesday. The inspiration behind this was a couple I had the privilege of knowing and observing early on in my career. Horton and Edna Voss were the most in love couple I have ever known. Edna was clearly the focus of Horton’s affections and her glowing demeanor was evidence of the attention he lavished on her. He was always surprising her in thoughtful ways and the most famous example I eulogized in a song, “Roses on Wednesday.” The practice started when they were dating and continued throughout their marriage. He never missed a Wednesday.
Here’s the deal: Even though I have told and written the story numerous times and sung it a thousand times more, and even though I know that I could give my wife roses – even a single rose – every Wednesday until I pass from this earth, and it would never cease to amaze her, have I done it? No. Such a simple thing… Such a dead ringer for success… Yet my track record is poor.
It’s especially painful when I run into a happy wife who thanks me profusely for giving her husband the idea, because he hasn’t missed a Wednesday since he heard about it from me. Seems I’ve made other wives happy and missed my own.
Hey guys… Don’t look now but it’s Wednesday. Come on, you can’t do worse than me. You don’t have to make a pact with every Wednesday yet to come. Just get this one. Help me practice what I preach, even though I busted this myth.
John Fischer The Catch 
Hope Marti enjoys her roses!!! : )
I think it was Richard Bach in his book “Illusions” who noted something to the effect that “we teach best what we need to learn most.” As a pastor, that statement has come to fruition for me on more than one occasion. I guess it’s one of those “thorn in the flesh” experiences that makes me so grateful for God’s grace and mercy. And so in the light of His love, we move ever onward.
Thank you for your “realness,” John!
“I have failed time and time again…and this is why I succeed”-Michael Jordan
Read this on fb this morning:
“Nothing truly meaningful is achieved on the first attempt, and if that’s where you stop, then failure is all you will have.”-“Message from God”
Did you do it? Thanks for the blessings of your posts. You always give me something to think about or motivate me to get moving and do something! That’s the best gift to get: encouragement to keep movin’ forward.
Love your authenticity! Love reading about your journey!
Couple updates in the Phoenix area: Buddy’s heart has been continuing to soften. He sometimes stays with us. Miraculously, he’s been offered another swimming scholarship here locally at Grand Canyon Univ. We’re watching him try to figure things out as we bite our tongues (mine has a hole in it.)
Our precious little grand daughter was born on Monday and our hearts are over the moon. Reinstates the majesty of “love at first sight”!
Travis will attempt to be full time at Life Partners sometime in the near future (instead of juggling three careers).
Me~ I’m encouraged by what I’m reading between the lines of your stories.
Grateful for others that are on this journey with us……..the journey towards oneness!
Thanks, John. I’ve got it on my calendar.
How about putting “Wednesday Roses” on every Wednesday’s “Catch.” It would remind all of us – and in doing so, you would remind you, too!
John….I am not commenting to this post, but wanted to send you this latest beautiful YouTube video that is going around and I knew of no other way to get it to you. Hope you enjoy as much as I did – it will surely lift your spirits!
Thank You Ann,
This has made my day. I so wish that I could be someplace where this sort of thing happens. I think this is a glimps of what heaven might be like.
I live in Canada and due to our obsession with *political correctness* this sort of thing would be frowned upon.
Thank you again and May God bless you.
Ken
My husband and I had 21 rose bushes planted in our yard several years ago (a dream come true for me!) I get roses all over my house in their peak season – not just on Wed.!!
I am bummed! Our Bible study group is studying the Live Like You Were Dying study. Page 46 of the workbook directs us to your website for a free download of your song, “Roses on Wednesday.” Not only can I not find the link under ‘downloads,’ it is also not attached anywhere near your “Roses on Wednesday” postings. (As an aside, it would be helpful if you would re-locate the search button to the top of your website.) Can you link it to me by e-mail, since I have to share my e-mail address with you?
Thanks.
Kristine
Loxahatchee, Florida