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.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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02.12.25
A while back, in the first decade of this century, Moody Publishers offered a prayer journal notebook by E.M. Bounds. This Methodist minister died in 1913. During the 70-plus years of his life, he wrote several books on prayer. One of his classics is titled Power Through Prayer.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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02.03.25
As I write this, these were the latest numbers of the devastation from the California wildfires. It will only get worse. Total emergency responses: 34,354. Total wildfires: 227. (You read that right.) Acres burned: 40,687. Fatalities: 28. Structures destroyed: 15,798.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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01.22.25
Somehow, this atheistic musical reflection from former Beatle John Lennon found its way into former President Jimmy Carter’s recent funeral service.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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01.13.25
On Wednesday, January 15th, my wife and I are hoping to celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary. We’re grateful our partnership has come this far! Especially in the season of life when we hear about what is termed “gray divorce.” Another unflattering way to describe these late-in-life divorcees is "silver splitters.”
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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01.04.25
It’s the start of a new year and you know what THAT means! Two things: worthless resolutions and a bevy of awards shows on television. The first of those shows is coming up Sunday, January 12th. It’s billed as The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards. Hosting the big night will be Chelsea Handler. It will broadcast live on E!
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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12.28.24
Word of the year candidates for 2024 included “Polarization"—Merriam-Webster’s choice. Dictionary.com opted for “demure.” They both had their reasons. My personal choice would be “comeback,” recognizing the remarkable reemergence of a political “has been” and his party winning both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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12.20.24
His/Her name is Drew Stever. She holds a position as a female minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Drew is a transvestite who identifies as a man. I’m fairly confident she has found much support within her denomination, which is headquartered in Chicago.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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12.06.24
Tomorrow will be the annual recognition of Pearl Harbor Day. It seems like the more that time separates us from the horrific events of that day, the less significant is the place it holds in our memories. December 7th, 1941, was ten years before I was born. So my early school years included rather fresh tributes and recollections.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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11.25.24
For the most part, America has been spared early snowstorms in 2024. Colorado being a significant exception. Here in Illinois, it is not unusual for us to get a white covering as early as October!
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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11.15.24
I first met Pastor Derek Buikema in my radio work around 2018. We broadcast my two-hour talk show from the Orland Park Christian Reformed Church (OPCRC) where he serves as lead pastor. Later, he would join me on a frequent segment I hosted called the Pastors Roundtable. Always an insightful guest.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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11.08.24
I didn’t like any of the three non-binding advisory questions on the ballot here in Illinois. The “Millionaire Tax” serves as a “gotcha” move by those who live with envy. And the Assisted Reproductive Healthcare Advisory Question is laden with controversy.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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11.01.24
One of our Facebook friends, with whom I served on a church council, posted an invitation to visit his church on October 20th for a “politically” themed sermon. Oh, that can be dangerous.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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10.28.24
It’s that time of year. Most children in Illinois will parade through the streets on October 31st begging for treats instead of tricks. The truly savvy candy hunters know exactly which neighborhoods hand out the best of the best. And there is a ranking system, as all parents likely know.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
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10.14.24
“Will Your Presidential Vote Send You to Hell?” It was a bit of a startling headline. But that, of course, is the idea of such a tease. I love the challenge of headline writers.
