Are we at the beginning of an era – a resurgence? Yes. As we advance the path of Christ in the world around us, everyday, you can expect:
- What John Does – Trigger Action
With foibles and all, what John does for a living is accelerate heartbeats, stimulate thought, illuminate the Word and, form new insights into our faith, culture and personal life. In other words, he triggers action in the lives of others with you always on his mind.
- What We Do – Connect One to Another
Grounded in biblical understandings and interwoven through personal stories, the Catch will continue to be our keystone in connecting as we create paths to the Christian and disenfranchised Christian, the un-churched and the seeker. Through The Catch’s on-site blog and email subscription, we will continue to experience new insights into our faith, culture, and personal lives.
2011 New methods of interactivity
- One-Minute Devotions for Telephone Downloads Recorded 1 minute devotions will be available beginning January 14th that can be downloaded to your phone.
- A Weekly Webcast Study Beginning Thursday evening, January 17th, the weekly webcasts will feature a Biblical Worldview that seeks to create bridges among the people within the church to out beyond its walls to people in the marketplace; how best to renounce rigid delineations of people into categories; and encourage Christians to meet people in the marketplace with a sense of inclusiveness, and diversity, while delivering a message of acceptance and love.
- Monthly Workboooks – The Monthly Workbooks will center on how faith has many faces, how the law can live in the same room with mercy, how the body has many parts and therefore, why we all do not have to be the same, and to learn how to disagree without disconnecting.
- Bi-Monthly Discussion Group Call-In Conference Calls Beginning in February, we will invite members of the Catch to interact with us around a specific subject of interest
- Hosted Regional Conferences on Worldview Thought and Implementation in our daily lives toward the desire to build our community, we will invite members of the Catch from areas with greater participation to host a general session and associated seminars presented by Marti and John Fischer.
- Internet Forum Boards – Beginning as early as March 7th, our online site will have message boards for online discussions where members of the catch can hold conversations in the form of posted messages.
- Chat Rooms – Members of the Catch will be able to register for the chat room of their interest.
- A Quarterly Devotional Journal/Booklet and Face-to-Face Meetings
i’ve been reading devotionals for years,thank-you for the blessings. in Christ
I am desperately trying to find a way of contacting John Fischer in order to get the words of the third verse of Death is Swallowed Up – I have it on an ancient tape and can’t make out the words. John, please would you send me the lyrics – it is for a funeral.
Thanks
Margaret.
Death Is Swallowed Up
Words by John Fischer
Music by Saint-Saens
C G/B C Am G C C/E F C
Now has Je-sus Christ been raised from death
C F Dm A Dm G C C G
The first fruits of those who are a-sleep
C G/B C Am G C C/E F E
As in A-dam all man-kind is dead
E Am Dm A Dm G C G C
So in Christ shall all be made a live
Now behold I tell a mystery
We shall not all sleep we shall be changed
We shall put on immortality
Death is swallowed up in victory
Here O grave where is your victory
and you wretched death where is you sting
Christ is resurrection and the life
He who trusts in him shall never die
Dear John and Marti,
Our country has a such a need for your ministry at this time. Our way of life, our values, Christianity itself is being questioned and attacked in so many ways. The need for strong leaders is great. Your plans for your ministry in 2011 are very exciting. As my life in this world is winding down, my concern for the world I’m leaving behind is heavy on my heart, but my prayers are being answered when I see how fellow Christians like yourselves are rising to meet today’s challenges.
The treatment for my breast cancer is not working. I will most likely discontinue my chemotherapy soon and go on hospice care, but I intend to go on reading and learning from the Daily Catch as long as I can. Thank you for blessing me each day through your ministering words. May our Lord bless you and keep you in the palm of His Hands, may He keep you safe and strong, may He continue to inspire your words and every step of your ministry. Isn’t it wonderful to be His children?!! All my best to you.
You moved me to tears Patricia.
me too, reading what Patricia wrote moved me to tears and to wisper prayers for her…
Patricia,
Sometimes God chooses to heal us here on earth and sometimes he chooses to heal us by bringing us home to be with Him. Either way, we are healed. What a wonderful testimony you share with all of us. We will keep you in our prayers! Remember that God is absolutely able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think.
Happy New Year!!!
Hi, Marti, I am sorry that your cancer treatments are not working for you. I of course do not know your prognoses, but I will commit myself to prayer for you this year. I don’t know how you believe, but I believe that God is still in the healing business. I once was crippled up because of a serious back injury, but by the grace of God I am healed. My mother and my sister-in-law both were healed of cancer this very year. I believe in prayer, because I know that it works. I believe that God wants to heal you.
If you would like to check my website, I post daily devotions. When God puts it on my heart, I teach on healing. I strongly believe that with the word of God in your heart you will be healed.
Darrel
Darrel,
I think you meant to address Patricia (see above). At least up until now, we have not had this particular struggle.
My Christmas gift to John and Marti is applause for their labors of love and assurance of my prayers and ongoing support throughout 2011. My husband and I have loved your work for decades and we know God has used you to deeply touch and heal parts of us, especially in our 20s, but also with the writing, the blog, the staying-in-touch. Thank you for your faithfulness to our great Savior–He is carrying you and will keep doing that–He is carrying all of us, every day, every millisecond. He’s so near and dearly loves our closeness, our trust, our daring to believe He’s using and blessing our availability. May the peace of Christ by with you all!!
typo above: last line “be” not “by”
May the peace of Christ be with you all!!
I am very excited to read about what is coming. I am ecspecially excited about the weekly webcast studies. I teach middle school Bible and I am encouraged by your out of the box thinking on how to reach the marketplace. I know this next generation is searching and we must bring the gospel to them in new and innovative ways. I believe that you are being used of God to help us see how to do that. We must bring the church to them, not them to the church. Thanks again.
Dearest Patricia,
Your words of love and faith have brought me to tears. Thank you for the blessing your words have brought. God is good and your ability to say it at this time is inspiring. God Bless you and all those you love.
You will be in my prayers
Ralph
My name is Seth Winston and I am Patricia Kantrowitz’s nephew. I have been staying where she lived taking care of her cat since March 4th when she went into a Nursing Home because her health was so bad. Sadly, she passed away this Tuesday June 14th (Flag Day) at 12:45 PM. I wanted you to know this because now she’s in a better place.
Dear John and Marti–I start my morning at the computer. Three important devotionals are waiting for me to read. I don’t know that I could say that one is more valuable that the others–but there are special parts about yours–parts that prompt me to read this one first. I always appreciate the fact that you see fit to look at other points of view–which I call witnessing as opposed to sermonizing. You show universal respect. Another special part is that you dare to give your readers an opportunity to respond, even though we may at times take different points of view. It makes us feel that we are valued parts of your ministry. My occupation was in education–and I learned long ago that I was not there to impart knowledge, but to facilitate learning. Your style demonstrates that philosphy. Thanks for being there.
Dear Patirica,
My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family. You are inspiring!
Dear John & Marti – God’s Blessing on you & your family. 2011 will be very exciting.
Merry Christmas, John and Marti! Thank you for all you do and are going to do in the upcoming year! Exciting!
Dear Patricia – I am keeping you in my prayers. Please feel God’s healing touch on you and His arms cradling you through this time.
Dear John & Marti,
The question, “What’s next?” reminds me of my father who passed away at the age of 101. In his later years this was one his ways of saying, I’m done with what just happened; now what? In your case the changes are an expansion of what has gone before. You are now part of my people for whom to pray. In 2011 I beflieve it will work out for me to help financially.
Incidentally, I am old enough to remember some of John’s earlier music. My favorite is the song he wrote for his son, Christopher. Remember Christopher Knows Christopher’s Toes? So fun!
Alma
You asked for and idea….how about “Mission Possible”
Decorations: old audio tapes with the tape pulled out completely and stretched out on the tables. Big styrofoam balls painted black for “bombs”. Sparkler looking table decorations. Lots of them are at Dollar Tree for 1 dollar. Use the “if you choose to accept this assignment” from the show with Mr Phelps. “this tape will destroy itself in 5 seconds” Lots of ideas. The Mission Impossible theme played.
This is a very cool idea.
Someone just sent me a link to your website and ministry. It appears that your approach to ministry is something I have been looking for. I sense a spirit from our Father’s heart. I look for all of that I can find. Looking forward to joining with you and many others as we grow together and continue to connect the body of our dear Lord.
Carol Thomas
So glad to welcome you, Carol. Look forward to hearing from you, too.
I wanted to know if there was any way myself and a volunteer of mine could attend the Feb.16th ceremonies? We have been delivering clothes to the ladies at Isaiah House for over 6 years now.
Our organization is about giving clothes to the homeless in the Santa Ana area but it is for the purpose of builidng self esteeem and relationships. We want to be able to share the love of Jesus.
Check out our website.
In Christ,
Sue Sonnenberg
Clothing the Homeless
Absolutely. You will be hearing from Marti soon. I passed on your email.
John,
I am a 52 y/o pastor and have been enjoying your articles, devotions and books for years. I am trying to find an article you published in CCM about what it means to be a music minister. I remember it talking about that there is nothing in the Bible about singing a song in Jesus name, but there is plenty about giving a cup of water, feeding the hungry, etc. Is there a way to locate those articles online?
Thanks. I asked this here because I couldn’t find an email address to ask.
Dwight Duhon
Pastor
Carlton, GA
Wow. That could be anywhere. Sorry. I don’t think I can help you on this one.
I would like to use your “Coming Alongside” in our church newsletter. What do I need to do to gain permission?
Also, thank you very much for The Catch, I really enjoy reading it.
Blessings,
Dave Pederson
Go right ahead. That’s the whole idea. It would be nice if you could cite http://www.fischtank.com as the source and encourage your readers to sign up for the Daily Catch.
Thanks for spreading the word!
John
how can i buy 12 steps to recovering pharisee.hurry fathers day is almost here
Your best bet is Amazon.com.
John, I don’t know this is the best place to inquire, but since I don’t know where else to ask I was wondering if you will ever make “Casual Crimes” and “Between the Answers” available digitally as you have “Still Life”. I’ve loved all of your stuff, but those two hold a special place in my heart. My wife and I listened to “Between the Answers” several times before and during our move to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute. It fit the questions and struggles I was going through well, and I still have the LP’s for both, though my turntable’s been bust for some time.
Yes, we will eventually get to everything, but it may take a while. Patience is a virtue.
Wow, I haven’t visited your website in over a year – what a great change. I especially love that you music is going be available for download. As many have said, your music was instrumental in shaping me as a young Christian and guiding my walk. I still have some your early vinyls but not all and I am sad to admit that a couple of them are not in the best shape.
I do have question. I am excited about many of your new methods of contact but have not been able to determine how to participate in them. I think I have looked everywhere on your website but cannot find anything. Are they out yet or still in the works?
Still Life is now available
I’m sorry, I wasn’t clear. The music I found and I understand the rest will be coming over time. I was referring the devotions and webcast studies, etc. Any idea when these will go live?
I’m looking for the call in number for the teleconference Bible Study starting tomorrow night 7 PM. My wife and I are in Anaheim this week visiting her aging parents (92 and 90). I would like to join the Bible study but need to
Hope you got it in time. Just in case, it is 218-237-3840; access code: 124393#.
Hi John,
I can not begin to tell you how many times I have listened to your album Naphtali especially when I was in my teens and early twenties and often over the years . Even when I back slid so many times putiing a needle in my arm for years again anagain living in a fog trying tio kill the pain of a murdered brother and watcing my family fall apart and my mother have a nervious brake down for more than twenty five years.
Over and over again I have heard the words you wrote and sang encouraging me and giving me the strength to go on. I know now that a lot of the lyrics you put to music are quotes from scripture. And that witch was not a direct quote was a beautiful word picture of His word.
Today I am fifty one years old and have worked abroad in missions since 1990 whare I met my wife and now have four children ( fifteen,furteen,ten and eaight one boy and three girls.) .
We now live in the mountians north of Spokane WA. I was forced to retire four years ago do to a grenade attack while working in the Philippines in 1991. Physicaly and in other ways it has continued to take it’s toll. Thanks Mr.Fischer for the words of encouragement.
By the way I met you I think in the 70′s at a place that was then a countryish kind of setting just outside of the town of Paoli Pennsylvainia. Near Valley Forge state park you know whare George Washingtons’ men camped during the Revelutionary War. I can’t rember the name of the church, but you did a weekend singles workshop if I remember right.
Believe it or not none of the above is the real reason why I was writhing you but I couldn’t write you without sharing.
The reason I wrote was to ask you where I could find the sheet music for the song Mary and Joseph from the Naphtali album. My wife and I would like to try and share it this year Christmas eve morning at our church. Any help would be apprecaited .
Thanks Again John.
I really did not plan on sharing these thing wth you but…
Bryan
Wow, what a story! Thanks for letting me know.
For anything to do with Mary & Joseph song, contact Pam Mark Hall at pammarkhall@mac.com
OK John, i would have called but, I don’t have your phone #, lucky you! I just want you the know that I feel especially burdened to pray for you today but, I don’t know what to pray about. But, that will not stop me from praying for you. I pray that whatever situation or situations you are dealing with, whether, personal, financial, family, or ministry that God will, in a fresh new way, be especially real and close to you, that He will give you peace and rest, that we will wrap His Big Arms around you and comfort you, that He will lift you up in His Big Hands and give you strength for each day, and that He will put a new song in your heart. Many you be so overwhelmed with the Glory of the Lord and your heart so filled with the Love of God that your gitty-up lifts you so high that you soar above the eagles. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace. In Jesus name, AMEN
Thank you!
John, Eight years ago my wife and I visited LeTourneau University (Longview, TX) with our daughter, who was considering going to college there. (Regrettably, she didn’t.) You were there that day, leading the morning chapel service, and I remember being stuck by a poem that you read, which I have the impression you wrote. A practical examination of what it means to be in the world but not of it, I recall the poem as a powerful, no-holds-barred challenge to comfortable Christians: incisive and challenging; raw yet loving. (Yes, someone was listening!!) Ever since, I’ve wanted to read it, reference it, and share it. Surely the poem is as relevant now as it was in 2004. Would you kindly email it or post it on your web site? Thank you!
Here you go…
The in’s and out’s of it
by John Fischer
“In it not, of it,” the statement was made
As Christian One faced the world, much afraid.
“In it, not of it,” the call was made clear,
But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.
“Not in it, or of it,” was the thing that he heard.
And knowing the world was painfully absurd,
He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,
And went to the potluck for something to eat.
Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,
He show those fundies a thing or two!
How will the world ever give Christ a try
If we don’t get in there and identify?
So “In it, and of it,” he said in his car,
As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.
“I’ll tell them the truth as soon as I’m able
To get myself out from under this table.”
Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus,
In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.
His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune
About how the Lord is coming back soon.
“Not in it, but of it,” he turns down the hill
And stops in for a bite at the Agape Grille.
Like the gold on the chain of his “God Loves You” bracelet,
He can have the world without having to face it.
While way up in heaven they lament these conditions
That come from changing a few prepositions.
“Not in it, or of it,” Christian One thought.
But who in the world will know that he’s not?
“In it, and of it,” thought Christian Two.
But who in the world will know that he knew?
“Not in it, but of it,” thought Christian Three.
But who in the world watches Christian TV?
And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.
“‘In it, not of it,’ wasn’t that what I said?”
On one of the conference calls last year, someone talked about how great your book “Making Real What I Already Believe” is, so I found it online and ordered it. And in reading it now, it’s like you’re telling me my life story and helping me to learn how to work out my salvation in real life.
It seems to me that it would be good if it could be re-released, maybe with a new cover and title. Probably a long shot, but still, it would be good.
I have a friend who is currently in the process of being saved and doesn’t have all of the background of a Christian home and church, but has many of the mis-understandings about Christianity that you discuss. Have you written anything that would explain these mis-conceptions about Christianity to someone who is not yet a believer and doesn’t have all of the Christian background? The way you explain things really makes sense.