Author: jmarkfox

As they carried the ark of the Lord back to where it belonged, with King David leading, the people of Israel stopped every six steps and worshipped. A sacrifice was made of oxen and fatted sheep. David was making sure that God was honored in this procession, and that the hearts of the people were … Continue reading Worship Is Defined by Heart Attitude

Leprosy was perhaps the most feared disease in ancient times. The devastation included physical trauma caused by nerve damage and muscle weakness, resulting in severe disfigurement and significant disability. But. Some would say that even more horrible was the social trauma; leprosy came not just with a diagnosis, but with a sentence. Lepers were socially … Continue reading This Is the Great Exchange

I remember when my oldest son, Micah, was about 2 years old. I walked into a room that he had just finished trashing and said, in alarm, “Micah!” He looked up at me with his big brown eyes and in all innocence said, “Wha’ Micah do?” That was 33 years ago. When he was 19, … Continue reading Outside the Greenhouse

The Times-News headline several years ago read, “Gone to the dogs: church starts pet service.”  The AP story was about a pastor in Los Angeles who, wanting to add more bottoms in the pews, decided it did not matter how furry those behinds were. He started a service for dogs, “complete with individual doggie beds, … Continue reading Gone to the Dogs?

A little boy said to the girl next door, “I wonder what my Mother would like for Mother’s Day.” The girl answered, “Well, you could decide to keep your room clean and orderly. You could go to bed as soon as she calls you. You could brush your teeth without having to be told. You … Continue reading Keepers of the Springs

I learned pretty early on in my Christian walk that I could run from God but I could not hide. Like the time I decided to skip church one Wednesday night and watch television at my grandparent’s house. The only problem was, I really needed to have my glasses if I was going to watch … Continue reading You Can Run but You Cannot Hide