Josh Hatcher's Blog
Friday, March 17, 2006
Fishing Season is coming soon. My boys (and my oldest girl) got brand new fishing poles, and they can't wait to try them out. I'm looking foward to casting the pole out, and kicking my feet up, and catching some trout, or bass, or carp.
I'm not a big fisherman, but I used to do it with my dad, and it brings back some really great memories. And my kids deserve some of those memories too.
There's nothing like the feeling of hooking a nice one that puts up a fight.
But I can't imagine the feeing that theses guys felt when I read about it in my devotions this morning in the book of Luke.
_______
When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."
Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." It was no sooner said than done--a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I'm a sinner and can't handle this holiness. Leave me to myself." When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee's sons, coworkers with Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.
Luke 5: the MESSAGE
_______
I love Peter's response. He had not been following Jesus for long at all. Just a few verses before in Chapter four, he was scrubbing his nets, and Jesus said, "Hey man, follow me." and Peter said (or at least I can imagine him saying), "Yo man, I've had enough of this fishing crap. I work like a dog, and I'm getting no where. My life's a wreck. The worst that can happen is I'll have to start all over again."
So he does it.
And when God spoke to him in terms of fish.. SO MANY STINKING FISH THE NETS COULDN'T CONTAIN THEM. Peter was confronted with the reality of who this Guy with the Gallilean accent really was.
He calls Him Lord.
and Jesus says, "You're gonna catch men."
And all those fish were NOTHING compared to the number of men that can now trace their spiritual lineage back to Peter's work in establishing the early church.
God spoke to me in this today.
I want to reach men. I want to be able to tell them the stories about how God has blessed me so much my nets are broken. I want to reach more men thanI can think of in and of myself.
And right now I fall on my face in front of One so powerful, that I'm confronted with my sinfulness and unworthiness, and his Goodness.
I'm not a big fisherman, but I used to do it with my dad, and it brings back some really great memories. And my kids deserve some of those memories too.
There's nothing like the feeling of hooking a nice one that puts up a fight.
But I can't imagine the feeing that theses guys felt when I read about it in my devotions this morning in the book of Luke.
_______
When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."
Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets." It was no sooner said than done--a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.
Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I'm a sinner and can't handle this holiness. Leave me to myself." When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee's sons, coworkers with Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you'll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.
Luke 5: the MESSAGE
_______
I love Peter's response. He had not been following Jesus for long at all. Just a few verses before in Chapter four, he was scrubbing his nets, and Jesus said, "Hey man, follow me." and Peter said (or at least I can imagine him saying), "Yo man, I've had enough of this fishing crap. I work like a dog, and I'm getting no where. My life's a wreck. The worst that can happen is I'll have to start all over again."
So he does it.
And when God spoke to him in terms of fish.. SO MANY STINKING FISH THE NETS COULDN'T CONTAIN THEM. Peter was confronted with the reality of who this Guy with the Gallilean accent really was.
He calls Him Lord.
and Jesus says, "You're gonna catch men."
And all those fish were NOTHING compared to the number of men that can now trace their spiritual lineage back to Peter's work in establishing the early church.
God spoke to me in this today.
I want to reach men. I want to be able to tell them the stories about how God has blessed me so much my nets are broken. I want to reach more men thanI can think of in and of myself.
And right now I fall on my face in front of One so powerful, that I'm confronted with my sinfulness and unworthiness, and his Goodness.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Sharing Life...
We're getting ready to launch our second generation of G-12 Groups. I know it seems like it's taking forever to get everyone plugged into a group. And we're certainly not going to be able to reach everyone this time around, but next time, as each of these group members start groups, it will be huge. Thanks for your patience as we try to establish the foundation of our G-12 ministry, which will, ultimately, change this entire region, of not more.
But since we're getting things moving, let's take a minute to reflect on Community, and "sharing life".
Community: according to Merriam Webster:
Main Entry: com·mu·ni·ty Pronunciation: k&-'myü-n&-tEFunction: nounInflected Form(s): plural -tiesUsage: often attributiveEtymology: Middle English comunete, from Middle French comuneté, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis1 : a unified body of individuals: as a : STATE, COMMONWEALTH b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itselfc : an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location d : a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society e : a group linked by a common policy f : a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests g : a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society 2 : society at large3 a : joint ownership or participation b : common character : LIKENESS c : social activity : FELLOWSHIP d : a social state or condition
Community: according to Acts 2
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
You know, I've been in small groups before. And while they were nice, I always felt like the odd man out. I even led a group for awhile. Talk about uncomfortable: leading people who had been Christians so much longer than me....
But what those groups became is just a "Bible Study".. we met once a week. We ate a snack... we prayed for the bunions on grandmother's toes.
to be honest, it stunk.
That's not what the G-12 is. While we'll study the Bible, and pray together (maybe evenGrandmother'sher's Bunions) and we'll certainly eat, these groups are meant to be so much more. If you're in a G-12, you're not just getting together with friends once a week.
You're adding members to your family. You're hooking up with people you to whom you can share your struggles and your secrets.
People who will be there when your car breaks down. People who will need you to get them through dark and lonely times. People who you can call in the middle of the night when you're at the end of your rope. People you can invite to your kid's birthday party.
People to Break Bread with. People to sing songs with.
That's the heart of G-12. AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY.
And the heart of Open Arms is the G-12. Because Open Arms is not about the building on East Main Street. It's about US. It's about you and me, and you neighbor, and your cousin, and the people with whom you are organically connected, sharing life together.
Not in a G-12 yet? Send me an email, we'll see if we can get you plugged in.
But since we're getting things moving, let's take a minute to reflect on Community, and "sharing life".
Community: according to Merriam Webster:
Main Entry: com·mu·ni·ty Pronunciation: k&-'myü-n&-tEFunction: nounInflected Form(s): plural -tiesUsage: often attributiveEtymology: Middle English comunete, from Middle French comuneté, from Latin communitat-, communitas, from communis1 : a unified body of individuals: as a : STATE, COMMONWEALTH b : the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
Community: according to Acts 2
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
You know, I've been in small groups before. And while they were nice, I always felt like the odd man out. I even led a group for awhile. Talk about uncomfortable: leading people who had been Christians so much longer than me....
But what those groups became is just a "Bible Study".. we met once a week. We ate a snack... we prayed for the bunions on grandmother's toes.
to be honest, it stunk.
That's not what the G-12 is. While we'll study the Bible, and pray together (maybe evenGrandmother'sher's Bunions) and we'll certainly eat, these groups are meant to be so much more. If you're in a G-12, you're not just getting together with friends once a week.
You're adding members to your family. You're hooking up with people you to whom you can share your struggles and your secrets.
People who will be there when your car breaks down. People who will need you to get them through dark and lonely times. People who you can call in the middle of the night when you're at the end of your rope. People you can invite to your kid's birthday party.
People to Break Bread with. People to sing songs with.
That's the heart of G-12. AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY.
And the heart of Open Arms is the G-12. Because Open Arms is not about the building on East Main Street. It's about US. It's about you and me, and you neighbor, and your cousin, and the people with whom you are organically connected, sharing life together.
Not in a G-12 yet? Send me an email, we'll see if we can get you plugged in.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Bye Bye Bad Theology
Wow. Changes. Big Changes.
I've realized that for a long time, I've believed some well crafted and thought out theology and doctrine, that is just that…. Theology and doctrine.
Merriam Webster's says this:
Main Entry: the·ol·o·gy
Pronunciation: thE-'ä-l&-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
Etymology: Middle English theologie, from Latin theologia, from Greek, from the- + -logia -logy
1 : the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world
2 a : a theological theory or system
3 : a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminary
----------------------
Main Entry: doc·trine
Pronunciation: 'däk-tr&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin doctrina, from doctor
1 archaic : TEACHING, INSTRUCTION
2 a : something that is taught b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief : DOGMA c : a principle of law established through past decisions d : a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations
Not that either of these in and of themselves are bad…. All that theology is is the study of God,, and doctrine is just teaching or instruction..
But when scripture is interpreted in such away that takes away from it's original meaning, it is "crafty" theology that preaches a doctrine that is not true….
I decided that I want to take scripture for what it says, and subtract anything that I've learned that is added to scripture, or "twisting" it to get a desired doctrine.
It's going to be hard.
If there's one thing I learned in my church background, it's to take scripture at it's word. It's infallible, It doesn't contradict itself.
And the times it appears to contradict are those places that doctrine and theology often try to iron out the wrinkles… unfortunately, their just stretching all the cloth to the back, and wadding it into a ball, hoping we don't notice the wrinkles in the back, because the front sure looks nice…. Even if the shirt is tight and about to pop a button or two. (if that picture makes no sense, grab the back of your shirt and pull it tight to pull the wrinkles out of the front, and you'll see what many Christians are doing to the faith… making a lot of wrinkles in the back, to make the front more presentable.)
Ultimately, I know this. It doesn't MATTER what I believe about half of the things that Christians argue about in terms of my position in God's eyes…. What does matter is what GOD thinks about those things.
And I refuse to be so prideful to tell God what He can and cannot do. And Who he should and should not be.
If he wants me to dance naked in the street, if he wants me to scrub myself with fire ants, I'll do it.
And I know he wants me to take Him at His word….
So my question for YOU for today is this…
What about God and His word am I trying to explain away?
Do I believe that the Bible is true, and infallible? Why or why not?
And do I believe that scripture has the power to transform me?
I've realized that for a long time, I've believed some well crafted and thought out theology and doctrine, that is just that…. Theology and doctrine.
Merriam Webster's says this:
Main Entry: the·ol·o·gy
Pronunciation: thE-'ä-l&-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -gies
Etymology: Middle English theologie, from Latin theologia, from Greek, from the- + -logia -logy
1 : the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world
2 a : a theological theory or system
3 : a usually 4-year course of specialized religious training in a Roman Catholic major seminary
----------------------
Main Entry: doc·trine
Pronunciation: 'däk-tr&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin doctrina, from doctor
1 archaic : TEACHING, INSTRUCTION
2 a : something that is taught b : a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief : DOGMA c : a principle of law established through past decisions d : a statement of fundamental government policy especially in international relations
Not that either of these in and of themselves are bad…. All that theology is is the study of God,, and doctrine is just teaching or instruction..
But when scripture is interpreted in such away that takes away from it's original meaning, it is "crafty" theology that preaches a doctrine that is not true….
I decided that I want to take scripture for what it says, and subtract anything that I've learned that is added to scripture, or "twisting" it to get a desired doctrine.
It's going to be hard.
If there's one thing I learned in my church background, it's to take scripture at it's word. It's infallible, It doesn't contradict itself.
And the times it appears to contradict are those places that doctrine and theology often try to iron out the wrinkles… unfortunately, their just stretching all the cloth to the back, and wadding it into a ball, hoping we don't notice the wrinkles in the back, because the front sure looks nice…. Even if the shirt is tight and about to pop a button or two. (if that picture makes no sense, grab the back of your shirt and pull it tight to pull the wrinkles out of the front, and you'll see what many Christians are doing to the faith… making a lot of wrinkles in the back, to make the front more presentable.)
Ultimately, I know this. It doesn't MATTER what I believe about half of the things that Christians argue about in terms of my position in God's eyes…. What does matter is what GOD thinks about those things.
And I refuse to be so prideful to tell God what He can and cannot do. And Who he should and should not be.
If he wants me to dance naked in the street, if he wants me to scrub myself with fire ants, I'll do it.
And I know he wants me to take Him at His word….
So my question for YOU for today is this…
What about God and His word am I trying to explain away?
Do I believe that the Bible is true, and infallible? Why or why not?
And do I believe that scripture has the power to transform me?
