Why do we applaud and want to be like the famous athlete? Or the famous musician? Perhaps because he or she is the best; excellence in any arena is a magnet. The question is, how did the athlete or the musician get to be the best? Discipline. A master violinist held the audience breathless with … Continue reading Train yourself for godliness
I really like John Rosemond’s column in the Times-News, and generally I agree with him. This past week, however, I think his answer was off target. The question from concerned parents was what to do about their 17-year-old daughter and her boyfriend. The letter said the daughter is an honor student, and is not a … Continue reading Accountability is not “micromanagement”
I like to go back through my journal at year-end to see what I learned (and probably have already forgotten), in hopes that some of it might stick. I offer these ideas from 2011 for your enjoyment and, maybe, for your edification. “God makes people grow up.” I was at Jerry and Frances’ house in … Continue reading Don’t miss the boat that’s here
As we stand at the door of 2012, I would like to offer some random thoughts that may encourage you, make you smile, or even give you a nudge in a healthy direction. Someone sent me this from a church in another state: “We do not allow children between the ages of three months and … Continue reading Random thoughts on the doorstep
The wise men brought expensive gifts to the Christ child. The shepherds just brought wonder. But it is from the shepherds that we can all learn a life-altering lesson. Look at how they obeyed the messenger sent from God. The shepherds said, after hearing from the angel that the Savior had been born, Let us … Continue reading Lesson in obedience from the shepherds
Dave Barry wrote several years ago about the increase of political correctness we find in our culture surrounding Christmas: “To avoid offending anybody, the schools dropped religion altogether and started singing about the weather. At my son’s school, they now hold the winter program in February and sing increasingly non-memorable songs such as ‘Winter Wonderland,’ … Continue reading When great fear turned to greater joy
J. Mark Fox 