Tag Archives: gospel of welcome

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

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

‘ALL HAVE SINNED’

Posted on May 22, 2020 by jwfisch

The sign inside the historic Church of the Open Door, once in downtown Los Angeles, is remarkable if you think about how many churches would be willing to put “ALL HAVE SINNED” over the front of their church. Think of … Continue reading →

Posted in church, forgiveness, gospel of welcome, grace | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Billy’s Cross

Posted on April 15, 2020 by jwfisch

This poem about Billy Graham was composed in 2013 by his brother-in-law, Leighton Ford, for Billy’s 95th birthday. Billy Graham died in February of 2018, nine months short of his 100th birthday. For almost a century, he was “America’s evangelist.” … Continue reading →

Posted in church, gospel of welcome | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Heck with social distancing, we’re going ‘face-to-face!’

Posted on March 17, 2020 by jwfisch

Marti pointed out that my title yesterday might have been a bit misleading. “Germ-free community” sounds so sterile and so perfect. “Look at us; we’re all germ-free!” I can see that title might have given that impression. That, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in discipleship, gospel of welcome | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Fear not

Posted on March 10, 2020 by jwfisch

Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened, but in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:14-15 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. … Continue reading →

Posted in gospel of welcome, grace turned outward | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Living bridges

Posted on March 5, 2020 by jwfisch

[Today Marti reminds us of our mission.] For as long as I have known John, which is more years than I care to admit, he has sought to create bridges among people within the church to those out beyond its … Continue reading →

Posted in diversity, gospel of welcome | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Everyone’s welcome. Some have other plans.

Posted on March 4, 2020 by jwfisch

Everyone’s welcome. This is the Gospel of Welcome and everyone’s welcome. And we mean everyone. Every color, every race, every religion and none, every sexual preference (LGBTQ and you can add XYZ if you want to — they’re welcome, too) … Continue reading →

Posted in gospel of welcome | Tagged | 4 Comments

Put out the welcome mat

Posted on March 3, 2020 by jwfisch

It’s voting day here in California. Out and about you find voting signs and there are police warnings on my emergency app about possible congestion around polling places. We’ve been talking a lot about politics lately here at the Catch … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity and politics, grace turned outward | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Coffee with John

Posted on January 10, 2020 by jwfisch

Let’s face it, we’re all caffeinated Christians. Well, maybe you aren’t, but everyone else with a cup of coffee nearby is. I even woke up with an acid stomach this morning, and still, the first thing in my mouth was … Continue reading →

Posted in Year End Giving | Tagged , | 4 Comments