Good will hunting

Posted on December 20, 2021 by jwfisch

 

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You know it well. It is probably the most famous greeting of Christmas — on more Christmas cards than any other — “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Or the shorter version: Peace on earth; good will to men. That’s what we’ve heard. Well, there’s only one problem: it’s wrong. That is based on the King James Version of the Bible which has stood since 1611 as the standard for the English-speaking world, but of all the translations that now exist, it is the only one that reads that way, proving that it is not the most accurate rendering of the most early manuscripts from which all the newer versions are taken. What it really should be is: “Peace on earth among men of good will.” Big difference.

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Wake up call

Posted on December 17, 2021 by jwfisch

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Last night was our last Catch online Zoom revival meeting for this year, and it truly lit a fire among those in attendance. If you weren’t there, the good news is, we have it on demand as soon as we can figure out how to make it available to you. With each guest we’ve had, from Barry McGuire two weeks ago, to Randy Stonehill last week, to Paul Clark last night, there was a readiness to be voice of Christ to this century’s generations, and especially to the Millennials. We all believe that God is on the move by His Holy Spirit. It’s not going to look like the Jesus Movement of the past, but it’s going to have the same passion, and that’s why those of us who were leaders in that movement are so excited. We’re excited about finding a new audience; we’re excited that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in spite of all the chaotic voices in the world right now, including the church; and that’s why we continue to be excited about focusing on the gospel of welcome — grace turned outward — to everyone everywhere as the message for the age.

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Raining cats and dogs

Posted on December 14, 2021 by jwfisch

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We’re getting rain today and there is something about rain that makes it feel like a blessing from heaven, especially in an area like southern California that has been experiencing a severe drought. Right now it’s a light rain, but steady. But every once in a while there is a squall that brings the English phrase “raining cats and dogs” to mind. I looked it up and there are two or three possible origins of the idiom, but the one that seems most plausible is the fact that drowned cats and dogs ended up in the streets and gulleys when there was heavy rain and flooding, so it must have rained cats and dogs.

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Not so amazing grace?

Posted on December 13, 2021 by jwfisch

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Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4

But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Luke 7:47

Knowing the love of God is a factor of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a factor of confessed sin. Confessed sin is a factor of realized sin. Realized sin is a factor of remorse, shame, guilt and self-loathing. Remorse, shame, guilt and self-loathing are factors of repentance. All of this compelled a woman of shame to find Jesus, wash His feet with her tears, dry them with her hair, and anoint them with perfume. Why this outpouring of love? Because He loved her and forgave her all of her sins “which were many.”

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Beginning of the Living End

Posted on December 10, 2021 by jwfisch

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We’re talking about being the voice of Christ to this century’s generations. Well last night we found the voice of Christ in rock and roll to this generation in the inimitable voice and songwriting of Randy Stonehill. 

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To be close enough to hear 

Posted on December 8, 2021 by jwfisch

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Does anyone ever have the false assumption that it’s someone else’s turn? I do.  Does anyone ever feel like the dial on their motivation is in the red zone? I do.  Is the Holy Spirit active in your life as he fulfills what the Lord has called you to do? Or do you feel like He has gone dormant? 

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Think about it!

Posted on December 7, 2021 by jwfisch

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Think about it! People like Peter, Paul, Phillip, John, Timothy, Lydia, Priscilla — these, among many others, were the voice of Christ to the first church — and its amazing how these few people expanded the word of Christ throughout the known world.

Think about it! People like Paul Clark, Barry McGuire, Nancy Honeytree, Larry Norman, Chuck Smith, Randy Stonehill — these, among many others, were the voice of Christ to the ‘60s generation.  Their prophetic word pioneered a movement that captured and defined the heart of a counterculture and changed the face of Christianity in America and around the world. 

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Posted in discipleship, gospel of welcome, Jesus Movement, Marketplace Christian | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Go forward!

Posted on December 6, 2021 by jwfisch

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It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27

What  do you think of when you hear, “He kept right on going”? Pictures come to my mind of a football game and a common practice when a running back or wide receiver makes a big gain.  Everyone on the team points downfield with their arms like they are karate-chopping the air signaling a first down. “Go forward!”

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What do Pooh Bear and Tinker Bell have to do with revival?

Posted on December 3, 2021 by jwfisch

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Our first revival meeting consisted of spending an uplifting evening with Pooh Bear and Tinker Bell. Those are Disney character names our guests, Barry and Mari McGuire, have taken for themselves, and they appropriately capture the childlike nature of their faith and of the revival of the simple, straightforward truth of the gospel they both embody.

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The First Revival

Posted on December 2, 2021 by jwfisch

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The first revival was held outdoors without a tent by a river called the Jordan. It was conducted by a fiery, unconventional prophet by the name of John, who was calling people to repent and be baptized because the kingdom of heaven was near. And people came from Jerusalem, all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley to see and hear John. “And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.” (Matthew 3:6) And they kept on coming, not only because of John, but because God was drawing them. People came in droves from all over. This was an unprecedented move of God and people everywhere were convicted. This is what a revival is: a move of God upon the hearts of people.

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