Our telephone conference Bible study begins tonight (Wednesday, January 11) at 7 pm PST (10 pm EST). You can access the conference by calling 218-237-3840 and entering the access code #124393. To get the most out of this hour together, email Marti at [email protected] to obtain a download of our study guide ahead of time. We are looking forward to meeting you!
I married an agent of change. I didn’t mean to, really. I just fell in love. The fact that she was already leading a national organization of Christians in her industry (Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel) after just becoming a Christian herself should have been a big clue that being married to this person was going to be a ride. Well it has been (we celebrate 37 years together a week ago. Actually I have the tenses right: we have yet to celebrate it. One of the worst things about having an anniversary so near the end of the holidays is that your money and effort are spent by the time you get to it. We still have our anniversary gifts to each other wrapped and sitting in a little sack in the kitchen).
My biggest mistake in 37 years with her is that I have kept her under wraps for most of the time. I have spent most of my career in the evangelical subculture, and I have been afraid Christians wouldn’t accept Marti. I’m probably right, but that shouldn’t have stopped me. She’s brash. She’s blunt. She’s sometimes wordy, but she has no clue about how evangelical Christians are supposed to talk and act. She’s from outside, and because of that I’ve kept her outside. Now I couldn’t be happier because she is the one who is pulling me out. She is the one who is keeping me honest. She is the one who is always asking “So what?” to all my neat flowery arguments and teachings that wrap up so nicely as long as there isn’t anyone around like her to question me. (That’s the wonderful thing about lecturing: unless you take questions at the end, you can finish up with everything sounding so perfect.)
This is why it’s so great to be doing this teleconference study together. It’s the first time we’ve done something together in ministry since we taught a new couples seminar after three years of marriage. (That’s another story I’ll have to tell sometime.) And Marti’s got her stamp all over this. She finally gets to do what she’s always wanted to do – interrupt my talks. Take my word for it… she will mess things up. But didn’t we just decide that’s what the marketplace is… messy? So I just wanted to prepare you for this. Some of our people from the last study are still scratching their heads.
Now if we can just get her to slow down a little and keep her cell phone off speaker, we might be able to keep up with her.
John Fischer The Catch 
I love Marti! That’s what I love about Marti! Just had to say that.
Word!
I love Marti. Thank God for the “high” calling He has given you and Marti for reminding you daily that you need to walk the narrow path.
I am very much looking forward to learning from you and Marti this evening on the teleconference study tonite… 🙂
“She’s from outside, and because of that I’ve kept her outside. Now I couldn’t be happier because she is the one who is pulling me out.” Words so true John… Marti really gets it. Now you’re getting it too – Together you’re a dynamic force.. Actually – you keep each other honest! None of us are perfect, but when you start to question and learn, and not just believe blindly, in my humble opinion you reach more and more people – people of all faiths, non-believers, agnostics, etc. I think it quite wonderful that ALL people are so welcome, and that you actually listen.
It’s obvious you love Marti deeply, in spite of–or maybe because of–your differences. But I sense that on the basic issues, you agree; you just have a different way of living that out.
My husband and I are different, too, but we compliment each other.
Herre’s to two great partnerships!
John & Marti, I am really looking forward to joining in this study. I am living in rural Michigan right now, waiting to start grad school, and this is just perfect for where I am right now (physically and in my spiritual growth). I will unfortunately have to miss tonight because of work and the late start time (I’m on EST) 😦 But I am on for the rest of them! Thanks, Emily
John and Marti:
missed tonite because of work but hope to participate in the future. By the way, think my husband and I were at that couples retreat you mentioned and while I don’t remember the content I do remember really appreciating the two of you.
I am behind in my reading online so just read this!! Wow…………I feel that is what has happened to me!!!!!! “Someone” has kept the lid on me because of ???????????? not sure just what. I do hope that ‘someone’ will read this and my comments 🙂 I just may share it directly.
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!!
Just to let you know Malinda i’ve read your comments and have you in my thoughts & prayers and i don’t think anyone here will ever want to put a lid on you! So for me and i believe the rest of the Cacth member please feel free to share what you feel you need to, Ok…
Since we can’t comment on the “non-Catches”, I wanted to say I hope you all will be feeling better ASAP!!! Meanwhile, rest during the downtime and use it wisely. In spite of how cruddy you feel, you can also recharge during it.
And yes, Marti adds a great aspect to all of this. Why do you think God paired the two of you up!!!