By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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08.12.25
As tourist hotspots around the globe push back against mass tourism, maybe it’s time to rediscover the wonders of home—like Chicago’s museums, Illinois’ natural beauty, and yes, even vampire-killing kits. But beyond all the sights and selfies, there’s a better destination ahead—one without crowds, pain, or disappointment. You just have to know where to look.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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07.31.25
As the Christian Reformed Church holds the line on sexuality and gender, pressure from academia, media, and even reality TV is mounting. From Calvin College to Chip and Joanna Gaines, from Baylor to a baseball prodigy turned away by a Christian school—faithful institutions are being tested. Will they hold fast to truth, or bow to the spirit of the age?
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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07.01.25
Fireworks and cookouts light up the Fourth, but are we missing the heart of the American Revolution? We cheer heroes like George Washington against 'tyrannical' King George III—yet was the king a mere villain or a complex figure in a turbulent age? This July 4th, ask: when does civil disobedience cross the line, and how does it echo the Declaration of Independence’s ideals?
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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06.27.25
Football fans come to know, and often despise, the term “interference.” It usually results in a penalty against the defensive or even the offensive player preventing a pass from being completed. The Chicago Bears have seen their share of these—and our Illinois college teams as well.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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06.19.25
This second article on this topic takes us deeper into the story of John Blumberg. John is a national speaker, thought leader on integrity, and author of four books.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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06.02.25
Hey…what’s your sign? I’m a Libra. You know what THAT means…? Absolutely nothing!
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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05.21.25
Judging by the frequent surveys of employees in the workplace who seem unhappy in their jobs, you’d think companies would make some serious changes. This does not account for the fact that there are perpetual “grumpies" who wish work itself would go away. There are plenty of those!
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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05.14.25
No doubt it baffled a significant number of Catholics worldwide when the more-than-100 cardinals at the Conclave earlier this month chose a onetime Chicagoan as their new Pope. A Southsider. As Gomer Pyle used to say, “Surprise. Surprise. Surprise.”
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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05.02.25
As if we needed it, the Department of Homeland Security posted this reminder on April 12th:
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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04.16.25
We’ve come to what is often referred to as “Holy Week.” Bar none, it brings us to the most significant of all Christian events in history.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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04.01.25
It seems appropriate today to consider the nature of a “fool.” After all, it is “April Fools Day.” We view the day as an annual game of mostly harmless, practical jokes played on others. Any potential embarrassment is supposed to be softened when the prankster states, “April Fools!!”
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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03.21.25
At the age of 14, a teenager wrote in the back of his King James Bible, “Contend for a Generation.” Who does such visionary spiritual thinking?
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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03.15.25
What is the difference between a betrayer and a traitor? Cambridge dictionary defines a betrayer as “a person who is not loyal to their country or to another person, often doing something harmful such as giving information to an enemy."
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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03.07.25
There are often times when my mind weighs in on hot button issues as I consider a “pastoral response.” Not being a pastor—but having served in various ministry leadership roles—makes this not too much of a stretch. I feel for pastors who take a stand—and pay for it.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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02.17.25
While at one of my doctor visits earlier this year, I was caught off guard by a staff member quite upset over a recent news story. Perhaps you saw it. I had not.
