by Marti Fischer

Fear, in my opinion puts us into a little box. Even though it is entirely too small for us to fit in, I think that, like a bully, fear chases after us until we jump into the little box to try and get away. The problem is, we don’t fit. We try to squeeze in whatever way we can, but however hard we try, we leave an arm or a leg, or our head sticking out.

Fear can overcome us on any ordinary day — like when we have been “had” or we feel like everything is “too big” for us, or we think we do not have what it takes to do what is called for. In the little box, fear is thrilled that an attitude of denial seeps in as we find good reasons and rationalizations for bad behavior, and justify unacceptable actions in others as well as ourselves.

Fear deceives us; telling us we are not capable of doing more. In the little box, fear says we have no initiative, no energy, no get up and go. This is because we either cannot do the right thing right, or we have to always be 100% right, and thus, not able to show up for anything until we are perfect. 

In the little box, fear makes sure there are no perspectives except little things for little people … like we become when in the little box. 

We left everything we need to be big on the outside. We left behind who we truly are.  You see, fear makes sure there is no room for us to be who we are in Christ. We don’t even fit in the little box by ourself, much less anyone else. While in the little box, fear almost guarantees we will never be interactive and gracious.

How to escape the little box? How do we eliminate fear in our lives?

Get out of the box and go. Step on fear — no, stamp on fear. Acton dissipates fear. Head for the light. Be centered in Christ. Remain focused. And through the Holy Spirit, with finesse, give it your all — always willing to graciously give more from what has been given to you… Grace.

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I have Bob, Mark and James (and Marti) to thank this morning for their important feedback about wanting to hear more from me as to their comments on individual Catches. While I read all of the comments every day, you opened my eyes to recognize what an important interactive platform we have. Thank you. And so, therefore, I wish to invite the good thinking of everyone as we use this additional avenue toward building the Kingdom of God on Earth. In many cases FaceBook also provides the same opportunity to exchange ideas, insights, and thoughts.  At the bottom each Catch there is place to click through to add your two cents or read others’.

James is not the only one curious to learn when the Visible Evidence T-shirts will be sent to those who participated in our Visible Evidence campaign by giving more than fifty dollars. Given the number of times we have had to return to the vendor to make right the printing on the shirt, I am very happy I am not in the T-shirt business. In appreciation for your investment in our expansion plans, we look forward to sending the T-shirts to you as soon they are in our hands

We want to acknowledge Gunnar Simonsen who is working to format for mp3 download one my favorite albums, Naphtali.  As soon as this rather complicated process is completed, we look forward to notifying those who contributed to our end-of-the-year campaign that our ‘thank you’ gift is prepared and ready for you. I loved the artistic nature of this album, and hope it encourages creativity in you as it does in me.

As we close today’s Catch, I ask you to sit back on His great power and rest for a minute with me as we marvel at how the Lord has brought us together and the various ways he has provided for us to interact with each other. I am sure you tire of me reminding you of what’s coming, where we will be incorporating Johnny’s Cafe, where everyone is welcome. At Johnnys, which will offer chatrooms, discussion boards, social connections, and education, the challenge to our faith when we are in the marketplace, will be over how best to care for others and specifically those who do not know the Lord. As one person who expressed his relationship within the Catch community as an “Oasis that can be trusted,” we are seeking to be worthy of their trust.

Thank you Jesus.