“The reality of exorbitant salaries, high class lifestyles and worldly ideologies does not negate or reduce God’s passionate quest to reach the professional athlete for Himself. If God has irrevocably called us to minister to this people group, we must not forsake His mandate regardless of their elevated position in life. They need to experience God’s redemptive grace no less than the homeless child in a far-off land. We must tell them of the Father’s amazing love as revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ.” – David W. Fisher/Founder/Epistle Sports MinistriesThursday, March 20, 2008
The High Calling of God
“The reality of exorbitant salaries, high class lifestyles and worldly ideologies does not negate or reduce God’s passionate quest to reach the professional athlete for Himself. If God has irrevocably called us to minister to this people group, we must not forsake His mandate regardless of their elevated position in life. They need to experience God’s redemptive grace no less than the homeless child in a far-off land. We must tell them of the Father’s amazing love as revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ.” – David W. Fisher/Founder/Epistle Sports Ministries
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Living on the Edge
Today I posted the following article on our "Pilgrim Scribblings" and "the Barnabas Blog" web sites. Trusting God for our daily bread can be stressful when we don't know where the next meal is coming from. You'd think that after 32 years of trusting a faithful God to meet the needs of Epistle Sports Ministries I'd know the secret. WRONG! I'm still learning.
Here's what I wrote:
Greetings, my friends! This morning I went digging in the Pilgrim Scribblings archive mine and came up with a post that evoked more response than most of my other writing. As I read it I realized that I am still "there". I still haven't learned to trust Him more implicitly. I'm still edgy as I "wait for the salvation of the Lord".
During these uncertain days I'm cast upon the Lord like never before. May I learn to trust Him more, the One who is completely trustworthy, the One who changes not and always keeps His word.
Here is that post. May the God of all grace use it to challenge you today!
I wrote:
Time and time again I go back to a book, Bright Days, Dark Nights, penned by a favorite writer of mine, Elizabeth Skoglund (see my links). She writes on subjects such as confidence, depression, anxiety, change and transition using the writings of the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, to illustrate her point.
The following quote by Spurgeon mirrors a statement that I used to make quite honestly and quite often. But now, I must confess, I don't know that I'm able to truthfully say it any more. The ravages of uncertainly, the stresses of being "down to the wire", the scariness of "not knowing" have played havoc with "all I once held dear".
Admitting this is difficult! What I once declared may have sounded very "noble", very "spiritual", very "right" but the years have taken their toll.
Let me give you Spurgeon's quote before I continue... "If I might have any choice between having abundant wealth, or being brought to absolute dependence upon daily supplies, if, in the latter case, I could have greater power to exhibit and to exert faith in Christ, I must confess that I should prefer the mode of living which would give me most room to enjoy the luxury of depending upon my God. I believe it is more happy and more divine a life to live from hand to mouth, dependant upon the provinces of God, and having the confidence to trust Him, than it is to have all the abundance of this world, but to have nothing about which faith may exercise itself." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon
There it is! As I said, I used to echo these thoughts although not so eloquently. Do I want to trust God implicitly? Of course! Do I believe that He can provide all I need? Absolutely! Do I want abundant wealth in a worldly way? Definitely not!
So, as I find myself in uncertain waters, I am crying out to God to be the Great Provider. He has been that in the past for me and He will never change.
Living on the edge has made me edgy and that can be a good thing.
For example...
Positively speaking:
1. I could be on the edge of another God-thing...another miracle that has no explanation other than that God did it!
2. I could be on the edge of a breakthrough where I experience deeper intimacy with God than ever before.
3. I could be on the edge of a new career path...a new vocation where God continues to be at the center.
Or, in a negative sense:
1. I could be on the edge of financial ruin.
2. I could be on the edge of unexpected grief or pain.
3. I could be on the edge of something that could shatter hope.
So, as I begin a new day with my hand held firmly by a Sovereign God I will say, "Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid." - Isaiah 12:2
Yes, the unknown is scary! Yes, I want to truthfully say what Spurgeon said! But, for now, I will say this, "Moment by moment I'm kept in His love."
I'll choose to look at the positive "edges" and "expect great things from God."
Thanks for your prayers during my bumpy pilgrimage!
Transparently,
David
February 15th, 2007 note: I trust that you will be encouraged after reading this post in which I bared my heart and soul. Step out by faith and trust Him wholly. Because... "those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true" as the hymnwwriter has so ably written.
Trust Him today!
Here's what I wrote:
Greetings, my friends! This morning I went digging in the Pilgrim Scribblings archive mine and came up with a post that evoked more response than most of my other writing. As I read it I realized that I am still "there". I still haven't learned to trust Him more implicitly. I'm still edgy as I "wait for the salvation of the Lord".During these uncertain days I'm cast upon the Lord like never before. May I learn to trust Him more, the One who is completely trustworthy, the One who changes not and always keeps His word.
Here is that post. May the God of all grace use it to challenge you today!
I wrote:
Time and time again I go back to a book, Bright Days, Dark Nights, penned by a favorite writer of mine, Elizabeth Skoglund (see my links). She writes on subjects such as confidence, depression, anxiety, change and transition using the writings of the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, to illustrate her point.
The following quote by Spurgeon mirrors a statement that I used to make quite honestly and quite often. But now, I must confess, I don't know that I'm able to truthfully say it any more. The ravages of uncertainly, the stresses of being "down to the wire", the scariness of "not knowing" have played havoc with "all I once held dear".
Admitting this is difficult! What I once declared may have sounded very "noble", very "spiritual", very "right" but the years have taken their toll.
Let me give you Spurgeon's quote before I continue... "If I might have any choice between having abundant wealth, or being brought to absolute dependence upon daily supplies, if, in the latter case, I could have greater power to exhibit and to exert faith in Christ, I must confess that I should prefer the mode of living which would give me most room to enjoy the luxury of depending upon my God. I believe it is more happy and more divine a life to live from hand to mouth, dependant upon the provinces of God, and having the confidence to trust Him, than it is to have all the abundance of this world, but to have nothing about which faith may exercise itself." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon
There it is! As I said, I used to echo these thoughts although not so eloquently. Do I want to trust God implicitly? Of course! Do I believe that He can provide all I need? Absolutely! Do I want abundant wealth in a worldly way? Definitely not!
So, as I find myself in uncertain waters, I am crying out to God to be the Great Provider. He has been that in the past for me and He will never change.
Living on the edge has made me edgy and that can be a good thing.
For example...
Positively speaking:
1. I could be on the edge of another God-thing...another miracle that has no explanation other than that God did it!
2. I could be on the edge of a breakthrough where I experience deeper intimacy with God than ever before.
3. I could be on the edge of a new career path...a new vocation where God continues to be at the center.
Or, in a negative sense:
1. I could be on the edge of financial ruin.
2. I could be on the edge of unexpected grief or pain.
3. I could be on the edge of something that could shatter hope.
So, as I begin a new day with my hand held firmly by a Sovereign God I will say, "Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid." - Isaiah 12:2
Yes, the unknown is scary! Yes, I want to truthfully say what Spurgeon said! But, for now, I will say this, "Moment by moment I'm kept in His love."
I'll choose to look at the positive "edges" and "expect great things from God."
Thanks for your prayers during my bumpy pilgrimage!
Transparently,
David
February 15th, 2007 note: I trust that you will be encouraged after reading this post in which I bared my heart and soul. Step out by faith and trust Him wholly. Because... "those who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true" as the hymnwwriter has so ably written.
Trust Him today!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Fond Memories
It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed since I resigned from BASEBALL CHAPEL after serving as the Toronto Blue Jays chapel leader for 29 seasons. Memories abound! I've captured many of those happy moments on camera over the years. Over the last few days I've been rummaging through some old photos and found these. Interesting...
From top to bottom:
- The good ol' days of Carter, Fisher and Alomar
- Big Fish with a big fish. Actually Blue Jays' radio broadcaster, Jerry Howarth, caught it. I just got to hold it.
- Toronto Blue Jays' minor league Baseball Chapel leaders at a get-together in Toronto at the ball park. Front row, left to right - Terry Hoke - Hagerstown Suns, Jeff Raub - Syracuse Chiefs, Vince Contessa - Knoxville Smokies. Back row, left to right - Jack Scruton - St. Catharines Stompers, David Fisher - Toronto Blue Jays, John Fitts - Dunedin Blue Jays
- John Olerud signing an autograph for a young man during a hospital visit
- Pete & Barb Metzelaars (Buffalo Bills) and their sons. Pete spoke at a Blue Jay chapel service that day.
- Honoring Detroit Tigers radio broadcaster, Ernie Harwell, just before his retirement.
Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to touch many lives over those 29 years of baseball ministry. I'm a blessed man and God gave me many lifelong friends.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
32 Years
Please keep EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES in your prayers.
We are into our 32nd season of ministry to professional and amateur athletes and we are trusting God to do great things this year.
We depend on the prayers and financial support of the Lord's people.
Last night we had 21 of the Peterborough Petes in attendance at our bi-weekly MONDAY WE HAVE FISH Bible studies.
Thanks again, dear friends!
"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." - Colossians 3:28 (NIV)
Friday, April 28, 2006
FAQ Regarding Epistle Sports Ministries
Click on this link for the FALL NEWSLETTER - 2006
EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES was established in 1975 as a ministry of encouragement to professional athletes. Of course an "epistle" is a letter and we seek to build up and affirm athletes through cards, notes and letters of encouragment. The acronym for EPISTLE is: ENCOUNTERING PROFESSIONALS IN SPORTS THROUGH LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. In recent years we have expanded this ministry to include amateur athletes.
HOW ARE WE SUPPORTED? ESM is a faith ministry and, as such, we depend on the free-will gifts and offerings of interested friends, family, corporations and the athletes themselves.
WHERE CAN I SEND A DONATION? ESM is located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed to:
EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES
294 RINK STREET, SUITE 101
PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J 2K2
DO YOU ISSUE TAX RECEIPTS? Yes, receipts are issued at year-end for all donations of $10.00 or more.
PRESENT AND IMMEDIATE NEEDS . . . The most immediate and pressing need is for a newer car for the ministry. Our car now has over 300,000 kms. on it and it recently failed the emissions test. We are looking for a late-model, low mileage, full-sized car in the $12,000.00 price range. We've seen the Lord provide in remarkable ways in the past. He will do so again! Hallelujah! THIS NEED HAS BEEN MET. THANK YOU, LORD!
EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES was established in 1975 as a ministry of encouragement to professional athletes. Of course an "epistle" is a letter and we seek to build up and affirm athletes through cards, notes and letters of encouragment. The acronym for EPISTLE is: ENCOUNTERING PROFESSIONALS IN SPORTS THROUGH LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. In recent years we have expanded this ministry to include amateur athletes.
HOW ARE WE SUPPORTED? ESM is a faith ministry and, as such, we depend on the free-will gifts and offerings of interested friends, family, corporations and the athletes themselves.
WHERE CAN I SEND A DONATION? ESM is located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed to:
EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES
294 RINK STREET, SUITE 101
PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J 2K2
DO YOU ISSUE TAX RECEIPTS? Yes, receipts are issued at year-end for all donations of $10.00 or more.
CAN I E-MAIL EPISTLE SPORTS MINISTRIES? Yes, e-mails may be sent to dwfisher@nexicom.net
CAN I MAKE A DONATION TO ASSIST CERTAIN PROJECTS? Yes, we presently need to seriously upgrade our computer systems both at the EPISTLE office and in our home office. We need approximately $2,500.00 to cover this. THIS NEED HAS BEEN MET! SEE NOTE BELOW!
PRESENT AND IMMEDIATE NEEDS . . . The most immediate and pressing need is for a newer car for the ministry. Our car now has over 300,000 kms. on it and it recently failed the emissions test. We are looking for a late-model, low mileage, full-sized car in the $12,000.00 price range. We've seen the Lord provide in remarkable ways in the past. He will do so again! Hallelujah! THIS NEED HAS BEEN MET. THANK YOU, LORD!
QUIET REFLECTIONS on the Many "Tears" of Ministry . . .
Oops! I almost did it again. One of my typos almost got widespread distribution but I caught it just in time. I was referring to the past 29 years of sports ministry but I accidentally typed "tears" instead of years. 29 tears of ministry? Actually there have been many more than 29 over the years. Ministry and life, in general, are not without their share of heartaches, sorrows, tears. They are part of the equation. I'm reminded, though, of one of my favorite Bible verses . . . a promise that I have appropriated and I have seen God confirm the truth of His Word.
The Psalmist writes, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5,6) As we share God's "good news" with love, compassion and tears, we can expect a glorious harvest in His time. Don't shy away from tears. As the songwriter penned, "Tears are a language, God understands."
P. S. I guess the classic typo from my pen was when I stated that "many livers have been changed through the Epistle, letter-writing ministry."
Check out our web ministry, PILGRIM SCRIBBLINGS, for devotionals, thoughts on daily living, poems, short stories, highlights from other sites and some humor mixed in. Click here!
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