Category Archives: grace turned outward

Ready or not here we go

Posted on October 22, 2020 by jwfisch

Things are getting pretty bleak on this side of eternity, but that does not mean we get depressed or lose hope. It just means that things are pretty bleak. Changes in the world’s situation have no affect on the truth … Continue reading →

Posted in church, discipleship, grace turned outward, pandemic, the gospel | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

‘If I perish, I perish’

Posted on July 23, 2020 by jwfisch

In the story of Esther, King Xerxes decides to honor one of his officials, Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, “elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles” (Esther 3:1). So … Continue reading →

Posted in diversity, Esther, Facing death, grace turned outward, the gospel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Servant girl helps cure enemy

Posted on July 9, 2020 by jwfisch

There is an fascinating story told in the Second book of Kings (Chapter 5) about a young Jewish girl who was taken captive by the commander of the army of the king of Aram, a neighboring country and potential enemy … Continue reading →

Posted in grace turned outward, relationships | Tagged , | 5 Comments

A better way to His heart

Posted on July 3, 2020 by jwfisch

“If you meet that poor wretch that thrust his spear into my side, tell him there is another way — a better way — to get at my heart. If he will repent, and look upon the one he has … Continue reading →

Posted in forgiveness, God's love, gospel of welcome, grace turned outward | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Grace Turned Inward

Posted on July 2, 2020 by jwfisch

The gift turned inward, unable to be given, becomes a heavy burden, even sometimes a kind of poison. It is as though the flow of life were backed up.  – May Sarton* I want to thank Joe for sending in … Continue reading →

Posted in grace, grace turned outward | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Finding a way forward

Posted on June 10, 2020 by jwfisch

Andy wrote me praying for healing for our country and that we might find “compassion, empathy and tolerance to be our guide forward.” I like his choice of words, and believe that if we can take on these attitudes ourselves, … Continue reading →

Posted in community, diversity, grace turned outward, racism | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Freedom train comin’

Posted on June 9, 2020 by jwfisch

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity and politics, diversity, freedom, gospel of welcome, grace turned outward, politics, racism | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

‘Jocelyn for President!’

Posted on June 4, 2020 by jwfisch

“When the world gets better, we’ll have a pool party, and everyone’s invited.” I can’t leave this alone. This is my granddaughter Jocelyn’s solution to the global pandemic, global recession, racial unrest and rioting and looting going on right now … Continue reading →

Posted in community, diversity, grace turned outward, Memorial Day, pandemic, politics | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The disarming nature of good

Posted on May 28, 2020 by jwfisch

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, … Continue reading →

Posted in grace turned outward, Integrity, Worldview | Tagged , | 2 Comments

First century Christians

Posted on May 14, 2020 by jwfisch

I just spent an hour with a few of our Vanguard leaders talking about the future of the Catch. With the world turned upside down right now due to the pandemic, and the church turned outside in due to the … Continue reading →

Posted in church, discipleship, grace turned outward, pandemic | Tagged , , | 3 Comments