Category Archives: Uncategorized

Showing mercy

Posted on September 4, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7) As we saw yesterday, these two go hand in hand. You can’t be merciful without receiving mercy, and you can’t receive mercy without knowing you have no shot … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged mercy, teachings of Jesus | 8 Comments

Mercy for judgment

Posted on September 3, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7) Mercy is probably the most useful tool in our Gospel of Welcome toolbox, but perhaps the hardest to find. Believe me, we’re going to be pulling this one … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged mercy, teachings of Jesus | 5 Comments

The teaching of Jesus

Posted on September 2, 2014 by jwfisch

I just got off the phone with a friend who, after pointing out some of my flaws (he was right, of course), immediately mentioned his own so as to put us on the same level. And let me tell you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged humility, teachings of Jesus | 4 Comments

Labor Day 2014

Posted on September 1, 2014 by jwfisch

Experts are saying it was the shortest summer on record. Well, didn’t it feel like that? Of course everything gets shorter as you grow older, including you own height. Chandler, who will be 15 in eight days, is now taller … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged jobs, Labor Day, work | 2 Comments

Hungry and thirsty for God

Posted on August 29, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6) This teaching of Jesus is most important for what it doesn’t say. It doesn’t say “Blessed are the righteous.” That’s terribly good news for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged beatitudes, teachings of Jesus | 4 Comments

Naming the stars

Posted on August 28, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) A dear friend recently walked us out under the night sky and asked if we ever named the stars. “What do you mean?” we asked, and he went … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged teachings of Jesus | 6 Comments

No grief, no comfort

Posted on August 27, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) Comforted. Comforted in their mourning. Meaning that if they don’t mourn, they won’t be comforted. We’ve been spending some time with family members recalling, among other things, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged teachings of Jesus | 1 Comment

Meek, not weak

Posted on August 26, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) Remember, these are the teachings of Jesus that will make us His disciples, and set us free as we come to know their truth. And this is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged teachings of Jesus, unbroken | 6 Comments

‘I know, dear’

Posted on August 25, 2014 by jwfisch

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4) My wife used to receive comfort regularly from her mother before she passed away a few years ago. That comfort consisted of a weekly phone call, and whenever … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged teachings of Jesus | Leave a comment

Beggar soul

Posted on August 22, 2014 by jwfisch

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Don’t you want to be Christ’s disciple? Don’t you want to follow … Continue reading →