On the move

Posted on January 31, 2024 by jwfisch

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The Lord had said to Abram [his name was later changed to Abraham], “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

Abraham was a pioneer. He was told to pack up all his belongings and take off, although he was not told where: “…to a land I will show you.” I think that’s pretty much par for the course for pioneers. Pioneers don’t know where they are going; they just go. They have a general direction (“go west young man”), but nothing specific.

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Pioneering in the twenty-first century

Posted on January 30, 2024 by jwfisch

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Covered wagon breakdowns? Rough terrain? Blinding snow storms? Robberies? Indian attacks?  Is that what we’re talking about in the twenty-first century? No, but we are talking about venturing into the unknown against the odds of our culture like a rapidly changing technology, a polarized society, generation gaps, racial hatred, war, class distinctions, homelessness, postmodernism, suicide, school shootings, climate change, gender dysphoria, dwindling resources, retribution versus healing … no wonder why so many of the younger generation are checking out and older people are becoming one with their La-Z-Boy recliners, waiting out the end.

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‘What Can I Do For You?’

Posted on January 25, 2024 by jwfisch

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So here I am, fiddling with words in the only language I know. I feel that there has to be some way to further refine what I want to say, and then write it. If each time I hit the delete button represented a crumbled up ball of paper, the wastebasket would be already overflowing.

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Every Grain of Sand

Posted on January 24, 2024 by jwfisch

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In the fury of the moment I can see the Master’s hand

In every leaf that trembles, and in every grain of sand

             – Bob Dylan

Okay, I officially declare this Bob Dylan Week at the Catch. And I’m good with that. Especially when there is so much to be gained and so much beauty expressed when he was rescued from despair by the Lord and lived to write and sing about it.

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The reluctant messenger

Posted on January 23, 2024 by jwfisch

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“Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground; take off your mask” is one of the most powerful lines Dylan has ever written. And I won’t argue with the fact that, now that the mask is off, the naked man underneath is more beautiful than ever, because the glory of God shines through him. – Paul Williams

The above quote is from the book Dylan — What Happened? (1979) by Paul Williams (see yesterday’s Catch). I’ve received a number of comments and questions about what happened to Dylan after “What Happened…” where he appeared to drift away from the faith. I cannot answer those questions because only God knows his heart; I can only give my opinion, which is that I can’t foresee that the commitment and transformation that resulted in over 30 songs and the courage to go forth with them in concert against much opposition could be anything but genuine. I tend to agree with someone who commented on yesterday’s Catch, “Personally, I believe that being a follower of Christ is dramatically different from being a modern western Christian, and likely a large part of what drove Bob Dylan in a different direction.”

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Dylan — What Happened?

Posted on January 22, 2024 by jwfisch

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Marti and I have been enjoying a book given to me by our good friend Dave titled Dylan — What Happened?. The author is Paul Williams, late rock and roll journalist who created Crawdaddy!, the first national US magazine of rock music criticism.

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Right now

Posted on January 19, 2024 by jwfisch

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Here is a question that, taken seriously, should infuse meaning into all we do: Why am I meant to be alive right now?

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Always Christmas

Posted on January 18, 2024 by jwfisch

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So in the long saga of our magnificent Christmas tree this year, how long can we let it grace our living room before they send in the psych squad? Of course nothing says we couldn’t leave it up all year, but soon, it will start to dry and drop its needles. I’m thinking about the legitimate outer limits of an extended Christmas. (Too far and the neighbors will start to wonder.) Some people wait until Epiphany, but that was January 6. Then a few wait until the traditional date of Christ’s baptism which is thought to be the third Sunday after Christmas, which this year was January 14. (We missed that one, too.) So I guess that leaves the last possible option as Candlemas, which this year is February 2. I have heard that some people keep their Christmas decorations up until then. That would make it legitimate. Two more weeks, then. Dare we leave it up?

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What’s under your branches?

Posted on January 16, 2024 by jwfisch

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It’s January 16, and our Christmas tree is still casting its warm glow across our living room. The reluctance to take it down isn’t just a matter of logistics; it’s a testament to the magnificence of the tree itself. In the 23 years we’ve called this 80-year-old cottage home, this tree stands out as the most splendid we’ve ever had. Within the confines of our tiny abode (680 square feet), the open beam living room ceiling reaches a peak of 14 feet. The mystery of how we managed to fit it through the door remains, but there it stands, reaching within a foot of the ceiling and spreading its branches almost to the walls, claiming half of our living space.

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Great expectations

Posted on January 8, 2024 by jwfisch

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Well, the first week of 2024 is now history and Marti and I are carrying great expectations for this coming year. It’s going to be a challenge because there is much in my life telling me to ease up. You’re getting older; don’t expect so much from yourself.

But do you know what I think when I hear that?

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