John Fischer The Catch

Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

Had I started this Catch out with the above as my assessment of the current state of affairs in America, you wouldn’t have flinched. You might have even assumed I was a rather astute observer. Prophetic if anything. Destruction, violence, arguing and fighting, lack of justice in the courts, the wicked outweighing the righteous, justice perverted and the law, paralyzed (defund the police) — reads like the front page of my newspaper. But I didn’t write it. It is a direct quote of Habakkuk 1:3-4 from the Old Testament of the Bible. There is truly nothing new under the sun.

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Dear Catch Community,

As our three-week journey through “I’m Younger than That Now” nears its end, let’s reflect on the profound transformation we are undergoing. Bob Dylan’s words, “Ah, but I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now,” encapsulate our collective experience of shedding old perspectives and embracing newfound freedom.

Earlier in our lives we might have been confident, even opinionated, about what’s right and wrong. But the complexities of the world have unveiled many shades of gray, challenging our former certainties. Rather than growing older, we’ve become “younger” in thought, finding liberation in what we don’t know.

During these weeks, we’ve critically examined our past selves, exposing prejudices, sentimental romanticism, and self-centeredness. Instead of pointing fingers outward, we’ve turned the spotlight inward, fostering a humility that allows us to question our own beliefs.

Let’s distance ourselves from the divisive politics that surround us. What if we step away from the current definition others have imposed on us? It’s time to stop taking ourselves so seriously, acknowledging that we may not have all the answers.

The world’s issues are complex, and perhaps our thinking and expressions have been too simplistic. It’s time to inject a sense of playfulness into our writing, music, and interactions. Embrace a more lighthearted approach, allowing room for exploration and discovery.

As we close this chapter this weekend, let’s remember Dylan’s words: “I’m younger than that now.” It’s an invitation to infuse our lives with a renewed spirit, to be open to growth and change, and to approach the world with a youthful curiosity. Together, let’s ignite change, not only in ourselves but also in the way we engage with the world.

Join us in making the final push to complete our fundraising campaign. Your support has been the catalyst for this transformative journey, and your contribution will fuel the continued impact of the Catch Ministry.

Click the link below now to make a difference. We are a match away from our goal!

Mike High

Chairman, “I’m Younger than That Now” Annual Fall Campaign

I am thrilled to introduce you to a remarkable individual who embodies the spirit of adventure, leadership, and service, all exemplifying the “younger than that now” theme of our current campaign. With a nod to the iconic Top Gun theme song, allow me to present Mike High, Chairman of our Annual Fall Campaign and member of the Vanguard Leadership Team.

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The ‘I’m Younger Than That Now’ 10-Day Catch Experience with Scriptures and Journal prompts is here! Join us for a transformative journey that reconnects you with your authentic self and the core values of the Jesus Movement. Sign up today to be part of something meaningful:

https://bit.ly/ImYoungerThanThatNowPDF

We are now in Day 4 of our 10-Day Catch Experience with Scriptures and Journal Prompts, and it’s not too late to jump on board this journey. You can catch up over the weekend and be on track with us by Monday for our second week. Those who do will be glad they did. For example, look at this Journal Prompt from today’s lesson: Reflect on a time when you questioned the truth of a particular teaching or belief. How did you seek answers or clarity? What did you learn from this experience? I can’t wait to tackle that one! So sign up for your free download and get started on “thinking younger” today. 

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In the meantime, our list of what it means to think young is getting longer. Today, we are looking at:

You are less judgmental.

You are more forgiving.

You are less judgmental. A judgmental spirit comes from knowing too much, or at least knowing more than you can actually incorporate into your life. If you know more than you can act on, you are either humbled by it, or you pass your own guilt onto someone else. Jesus said that you will be judged by the same judgment you place on others. That’s because you wouldn’t see it in someone else unless you knew it was in you, too. That’s why we judge, to turn the attention off us onto someone else. When you’re younger in your thinking, you’re not that smart. You simply come before the Lord and admit your faults and walk in His grace.

You are more forgiving. This grows out of the former. When you are younger in your thinking, all these spiritual transactions seem to be happening at once in your life. Your realization of sin, your experience of God’s grace and undeserved favor, your forgiveness, and the overwhelming sense of astonishment that all of this could be happening to you is your constant reality. But when you are in an older state, you take too much of this for granted and become too distant from these realities and feelings in your life. You become old, bored and smug because you are not dealing realistically with your life. And the longer you live like that, the more distant you become from your awareness of sin and your need for forgiveness. And then pride sets in and you are almost impervious to God’s enlightenment. “Ah but I was so much older then …” Not where you want to be.

This is our second in a series of exploring what it means to think “younger than that now.” In yesterday’s Catch we looked into:

You take more chances.

You don’t have to know everything.

You can do some things just for fun.

Today we look at:

You don’t have to play by the rules. When we say we don’t have to “play by the rules” we don’t mean disregard for the laws of God. Ambivalence for the rules of tradition is more what we mean here. Jesus let his disciples pick grain on the Sabbath because rules like that are extracurricular brownie points which amount to nothing more than pride markers on the road to heaven. The Pharisees had tons of these; Jesus loved to step all over them. The “rules” we speak of here are the traditions and social mores and expectations that make you conform to the status quo. Some of them are religious, and some are social. It’s thinking older to pay attention to the letter of the law; it’s thinking younger to seek out and follow the spirit of the law.

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Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey into self-discovery, unlocking a world of fresh perspectives, joy, and authenticity? Join us for the ‘I’m Younger Than That Now’ 10-Day Catch Experience.

Have you ever felt burdened by preconceived notions or stuck in a mindset that no longer serves you? Our “I’m Younger Than That Now” experience invites you to let go of the old and embrace a new perspective. It’s an opportunity to rediscover your vitality and reclaim your joy, all while exploring the values of grace, love, and welcome.”

We invite you to participate using our 10-day Journal Experience that includes daily readings, reflections, and journal prompts along with zoom calls designed to connect with others within the Catch Community sharing about their 10-day experience.

The goal is to encourage you to shed the old perceptions that may have defined you or no longer serve you and embrace a mindset that promotes new perspectives, transformation, and a renewed connection with the core values of the Jesus Movement.

We believe it’s essential to revisit and revitalize our perspectives periodically, as it can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. This experience will help you align with values that promote love, grace, and a sense of welcome, fostering a deeper connection with your authentic self and others.

This Experience Journey spans 10 days, offering a structured and immersive experience that encourages meaningful introspection. We’ll begin today, November 6th, so be sure to sign up and get your 10-day journal pdf right away via the link provided. You won’t want to miss a day.

Beginning Wednesday night, we will be hosting interactive Zoom meetings to facilitate community engagement and meaningful discussions. These meetings will take place on the following dates: November 8th, 13th, 15th, and 16th from 5-6 pm Pacific Time.

To access the PDF containing the special content and journal prompts, please sign up for the I’m Younger Than That Now Experience at https://bit.ly/ImYoungerThanThatNowPDF.

We invite anyone who is interested in exploring fresh perspectives, reflection, and digging into the themes of grace, love, and welcome. This invitation extends to individuals or groups who want to engage in a deeper understanding of their faith and the values experienced during the Jesus Movement.

The ‘I’m Younger Than That Now’ 10-Day Catch Experience is almost here! Join us for a transformative journey that reconnects you with your authentic self and the core values of the Jesus Movement. Sign up today to be part of something meaningful: https://bit.ly/ImYoungerThanThatNowPDF

As a creature of habit, I drink my coffee at home out of one of two different cups.  Early in the morning during the week I use my Starbucks stainless steel mug with the snap-on lid and black handle. It has an air chamber built into it that keeps the coffee hot almost as well as a thermos would. It’s dented in a couple places from the numbers of times it has been dropped and the black handle is beginning to get a little sticky from going through the dishwasher almost every day for at least three years. I am resolved, however, to keeping this mug in service and will not easily part with something that has become, in essence, an addition to my hand.

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It’s the morning after. The only sign that 3,000 people invaded our little street last night are the candy wrappers littering the street, the sticky spider webs still stretched over the bushes and trees, and the inflatable ghouls and dragons that towered over us last night now lying in heaps on the ground. Fortunately the city will send a street cleaner to sweep up the litter; everything else is up to individual homeowners to tackle.

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