This has been a monumental year so far. With this being an election year, and a completely divided electorate throwing contempt from pole to pole, and evangelical Christians sought after by both sides — not for their faith or their wisdom, but merely for their voting power — there couldn’t be a more critical time for the Catch Ministry vision to take hold and make a contribution as to what followers of Christ bring to the marketplace. Here is a great list for starters.
We are peacemakers.
We love our enemies.
We are healers.
We are full of compassion.
We are kind.
We are meek.
We are merciful.
We are non-judgmental.
We are forgiving.
We hold no grudges.
We are generous to the foreigner.
We expect to be wrongfully accused.
We mourn with those who mourn.
We come to the aid of the “different.”
We stand in other people’s shoes;
And if their shoes are dirty, we wash their feet.
We identify with poverty.
We are purveyors of grace, and grace turned outward.
We should be excited. The things that we stand for and seek to live out are in many ways opposite to the prevailing winds of culture. Read through that list again. Is not the wind of culture blowing, in almost every instance, in the opposite direction? This is why there is, and will always be, something countercultural about following Christ.
Think about the impact you can have at work or in your neighborhood by simply being a peacemaker, or an enemy lover, or someone who is meek and merciful. Put some boots on the ground here; that’s what we are all about. This is what we mean when we say, “boots on the ground.” We mean flesh and blood people like you and me with feet on the ground, living out our faith in ways that make a difference. And it’s not that we are trying to make a difference. We are making a difference simply by being who Christ is making us to be. Our ministry is to be who we are in Christ, wherever we are. And that is no small thing.
John Fischer The Catch 
Against the wind
We were runnin’ against the wind
We were young and strong, we were runnin’
Against the wind
The years rolled slowly past
And I found myself alone
Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends
I found myself further and further from my home
And I guess I lost my way
There were oh so many roads
I was living to run and running to live
Never worried about paying or even how much I owed
Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time
Breaking all of the rules that would bend
I began to find myself searching
Searching for shelter again and again
Against the wind
A little something against the wind
I found myself seeking shelter against the wind
Well those drifter’s days are past me now
I’ve got so much more to think about
Deadlines and commitments
What to leave in, what to leave out
Against the wind
I’m still runnin’ against the wind
I’m older now but still runnin’ against the wind
Well I’m older now and still runnin’
Against the wind…
~ Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band (1980)
Yes. Older now, but still runnin’ against the wind. Thanks Bob. I heard this in my head all morning long but hadn’t looked up the words yet.
Very good list Pastor John! Now if you could please consider giving a Scripture reference for each listed that would be deeply appreciate…
PS Until than I’ll not post this on Facebook or send out as a Twit.
Ok, but this may take a little time. If anyone wants to help, that would be great. I can start with the easy part; almost half of them are from the Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7.
We are peacemakers. (5:9)
We love our enemies. (5:44)
We are meek. (5:5)
We are merciful. (5:7)
We are non-judgmental. (7:1)
We expect to be wrongfully accused. (5:11)
We mourn with those who mourn. (5:4)
We identify with poverty. (5:3)
We are full of compassion. (How about half of the Bible on this one! OK. 1 John 4:7-21)
Anyone want to help with the rest?
TY Pastor John deeply appreciate it & you!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!