When Paul entered Athens in the first century and was provoked to see it was a city submerged by idols, he didn’t turn around and walk out. Neither did he go to the city square holding a sign that said, “God hates Athens.” No, he reasoned with the people there, in three very different arenas. … Continue reading Go and gossip the Gospel
Category: 2014 Column
This morning, my son Judah will cross the stage with 18 other homeschoolers who have completed their high school education. He will receive his diploma from his mom and me, gifts and cards from family and friends, and words of affirmation from many. Some will compliment him on a job well done, pat him on … Continue reading This is a day to congratulate others
No, it’s not a country song, though it would make a good one. It’s a story right out of the Bible, about two unlikely characters who came to faith in Jesus in first century Philippi. The slave girl was possessed of a spirit of divination, by which she made lots of money for her owners … Continue reading A slave girl and a jailer
Lydia came to faith in Jesus Christ when she heard the Gospel preached by Paul, and the Lord opened her heart. She did not come to believe by doubling down on doubt. Zaccheus came to faith in Jesus Christ when the Nazarene invited the vertically-challenged tax collector to clamber down the sycamore and let the … Continue reading Faith, not doubt, opens hearts and homes
When Jesus was crucified, there was darkness over the whole land for three hours. We know what it’s like when the power goes out, don’t we? But even when we had no power a few weeks ago because of the ice storm, we could see during the day. The “light” was still on. But at … Continue reading The dark day had to come first
I’ll be honest, most Christian-message movies make me cringe. I get “embarrassed chills” as my kids like to say, at the bad acting. I sigh at the limp writing, and struggle with the Captain Obvious plot. But there are exceptions, and I would add “God’s Not Dead,” the surprising hit to the short list of … Continue reading God is not dead
J. Mark Fox 