Author: jmarkfox

Two preachers were standing on the side of the road holding signs. The first sign read, "The End is Near.” The next read,  “Turn around now before it’s too late." One driver flew past and yelled, “Get a job, losers!” followed closely by another who screamed, "Get lost, you religious nuts!” A few moments later … Continue reading The Gospel Message Will Stand

I wrote this column several years ago for the Times-News of Burlington. How many of you remember your Mom’s stern warning to you as a child: “Do not borrow anybody’s comb!” My Mom was pretty convinced that if I ran someone’s comb through my hair, I would instantly be infested with microscopic creatures that would … Continue reading Some Things You Just Don’t Borrow

At the very heart of the Christian faith is the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We have come to the heart of this Gospel, and it is the reason for our hope even in the face of our own death. Anne Graham Lotz said, “Death is a door. When we close our eyes in … Continue reading The Women who Watched Jesus Die

Plutarch wrote, “every criminal condemned to death bears his cross on his back.” Jesus was too weak to carry the patibulum, the cross beam, so the Roman soldiers “compelled a passerby” to carry it for him. Simon of Cyrene, which was on the north coast of Africa. Simon was likely a man of color, but … Continue reading There They Crucified Him

It’s OMIF time for Peter again in the upper room (Mark 14:26ff). Open Mouth Insert Foot. He is not a bit happy that Jesus has said that ALL of the twelve disciples will fall away. And it is interesting how Peter frames his protest, isn’t it? He basically throws the other ten right under the … Continue reading Grace Greater Than Our Sin