Sunday, April 30. 2017
Abraham Kuyper said, “One desire has been the ruling passion of my life. One high motive has acted like a spur upon my mind and soul. And sooner than that I should seek escape from the sacred necessity that this is laid upon me, let the breath of life fail me. It is this: That in spite of all worldly opposition, God’s holy ordinances shall be established again in the home, in the school and in the State for the good of the people; to carve as it were into the conscience of the nation the ordinances of the Lord, to which the Bible and Creation bear witness, until the nation pays homage again to God."
I share Kuyper's vision and desire. However, I would amend it to read, “One desire is the ruling passion of my life. One high motive has acted like a spur upon my mind and soul. God’s holy ordinances must be established again in the home, in the school and in the public and civic lives of Believers for the good of the Nation; to carve as it were into the conscience of all Christians the ordinances of the Lord, to which the Bible and Creation bear witness, until the Church thus pays homage again to God in our Nation.”
Tuesday, July 29. 2014
You may have noticed that I have not posted here for several weeks. That is because my wife and I have been very busy relocating our home from Massachusetts to Maryland. Today, I pick up my digital pen and paper to blog once again. I pray that you will be helped in your life as a Christian by what you read here [and on my website, reformedliving.org] in the days ahead. - Cal
Tuesday, July 29. 2014
Both Jesus and Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God. One Biblical meaning of the word "kingdom" is power as in ... Another meaning is dynamic- reign and the third use is static- realm. There has always been the Kingdom of God inasmuch as God has always had and exercised power. He has always ruled in the affairs of humanity and the natural world. And where He has done that, there has been His Realm.
In a special way, the power and reign and realm of God were present in the world in the life and times of Jesus. Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Kingdom of God prevailed and conquered the Powers of Sin, Death and Satan (although these Powers deny and resist this Truth strenuously!) That is the penultimate good news of the Kingdom preached by Jesus and Paul. The Kingdom of God continues today in all 3 senses of the word. When the Risen and ascended Jesus personally and publicly returns at some point in History, the fullness of the Kingdom shall be manifest in the redemption and renewal or transformation of both earth and the heavens.
The Kingdom, power and glory belong to God alone- not to Satan or to Humanity, let alone any Nation, organization or political Leader. None of the latter can build the Kingdom. God alone does that.
However, God uses all these and the forces of Nature, as the agents or instruments of His Kingdom. The most important or primary agent that God uses to demonstrate His power and to expand both His reign and realm is literally the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God grows (the power, reign and realm of God are manifest) primarily through the spread of the Word of God. The Church is not the Kingdom, but it is the keeper of the Keys to the Kingdom (Matt 16:19) And those keys are Preaching the Word and Discipling those who respond to that preaching- those who confess the Faith, are baptized and learn to obey the commands of God. (Matt 28:19f; Acts 2:36-42, 8:12)
Preaching and Discipling! These are the major privilege and responsibility of the Church. I no longer have the authority or opportunity to preach in any church (although I can pray for and support those who do); but through the medium of the internet, I hope to continue to teach and disciple Believers.
Friday, March 1. 2013
I am proud and happy to say that Kudos Press is getting bigger and better. Please visit the site. The newest of 4 Platforms is a very innovative, interactive e-book!! The other 3 include Devotionals I have written, an e-zine of various topical articles and an e-zine for high-end motorcycles and sports cars (lots of photos). There are also audiotapes by well-known Christian Teachers (eg- J.I.Packer)
http://kudospress.com
Friday, January 11. 2013
I began this Blog 7 years ago (2/2005). There are now 256 pages in the Archives with 2560 Posts. Looking back over it, I honestly believe there are many good articles about many important, relevant topics.
I encourage you to check them out. Thank you and God bless!
Cal
cfoxinstitute@thinkersloft.com
Thursday, November 8. 2012
PERSONAL INTRODUCTION -
I am Calvin Fox, ordained as a Baptist Minister of the Gospel, according to the usage of the Baptist General Conference, in 1961. Retired from the Pastorate, I am now a lay-theologian in the Reformed, Covenant and Neo-Calvinist Tradition. (The Principles of Neo-calvinism are outlined below the photo.) We are also now confirmed Anglicans, having come to appreciate Liturgical, Eucharistic Worship. My formal education was at the University of Connecticut and Lincoln Christian Seminary.
Our 45 years of Ministry has included Pastoring full time and part time in a variety of churches, from urban to suburban to rural. We have been blessed in ministry to college students, as well as in Evangelism and church planting in several States. I have also had many years experience working in Social Services both in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Retired, my wife and I live in Springfield Massachusetts.
I share a vision seen by Abraham Kuyper. However, I would amend what he wrote to read, “One desire is the ruling passion of my life. One high motive has acted like a spur upon my mind and soul. God’s holy ordinances [Law] must be established again in the home, in the school and in the public and civic lives of Believers for the good of the Nation; to carve as it were into the conscience of all Christians the ordinances [Law] of the Lord, to which the Bible and Creation bear witness, until the Church thus pays homage again to God in our Nation.”
Sunday, July 29. 2012
As regular readers know, some of my Devotional writing, called QT Thots, may be found every week at
http://kudospress.com/serendipity/
My son, Kevin, also has a new, improved and very attractive website on which he posts material in his special field of writing and editing and publishing. He is a trained Professional and offers a lot of well-organized resources. I hope you will use them- I am.
http://www.fox4editing.com/
Monday, November 7. 2011
The area we live in was without power this past week. Hundreds of thousands had no electricity, including yours truly, for 7 full and stressful days. Hence I was not able to post. - Cal
Saturday, October 15. 2011
Inspiring and wonderful words are engraved in the walls of buildings all around Washington D.C. High-sounding ideals are engraved on the new memorial to Martin Luther King Jr, as well as on the older ones dedicated to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Woodrow Wilson, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson as well as on memorials to veterans of our various wars. They include words that every American can wholehearted agree to, words such as Justice, Equality, Brotherhood, Peace, Freedom, Honor. The same Ideals are engraved on the walls of the Library of Congress and the Congressional Building and Supreme Court Building and many others. These are words, Ideals, we all believe in. They speak of Principles that unite us, words for which we stand together as a People.
Then why are we so divided as a Nation?
Continue reading "READING WORDS ENGRAVED ON WASHINGTON MONUMENTS"
Friday, October 14. 2011
Our visits to the Washington D.C- Baltimore area are always filled with fascinating discoveries and experiences, thanks to the interests and hospitality of our daughter and her family who live there. They are a Navy Family, our son-in-law being retired after his 20 year career (but still involved in national security), a grandson who has served and another who is a midshipman now preparing to serve our Country in the Military. Our patriotism is always stirred up during these visits big time! Our daughter knows and enjoys both DC and Baltimore very well and we always visit historical places, National Memorial sites, museums and buildings of importance to functions of our Government. I really wish every American would do all that!
We have been several times to Fort McHenry in Baltimore, which recently opened a new visitors' center, and have become familiar with the War of 1812-15 when British armies and ships invaded our Nation from the Great Lakes to Louisiana, burning down our Capital, but being defeated in the 26 hour battle in Baltimore centered around the Fort. Watching the very well-done video of the Battle, ending with the display of our Flag that was still there in dawn's early light and listening to the (now) National Anthem sung by the Naval Academy Chorus really moves the heart and brings tears to the eyes, a lump to the throat and great thanksgiving for the mercies and blessing of God on our Country and a strong appreciation for those who have gone before us to fight for and preserve this Land of the Free!
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