By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
01.04.24
The New Year brings the annual tradition of resolutions. In February of last year, the Fisher College of Business reported that “only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them"…that 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
12.22.23
Even the most secular of Christmas season greeting cards can be found promoting the idea of peace. Often seemingly quoting the angels message to the shepherds announcing the arrival of the Messiah found in Luke 2. That message in brief proclaims, “Peace on earth. Goodwill to men.”
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
12.08.23
It may not be a proverbial “dirty word,” but I believe the word “compromise" often comes very close. Not always, but often enough.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
11.22.23
Perhaps like me, you’ve wondered… “What would the Pilgrims think of our modern day celebration of Thanksgiving?” Or, maybe that’s never crossed your mind. Maybe your Turkey Day “to do” list has priority. First, the Pilgrims, who referred to themselves as the “Saints,” would have been very sad to learn that the New York Times was fairly clueless on the real events of life in the early 1600s. The paper tried to “help us” get educated with their 1619 Project, which came out a few years ago.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
11.09.23
Ahhh…the scenes and smells of the fall season in the Midwest are here. Leaf collection and burning — where allowed. Crisp morning air with men still wearing shorts who refuse to believe summer has ended. Pumpkin everything has arrived, including several variations of pumpkin lattes at Starbucks.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
11.03.23
It should come as no surprise that actor Matthew Perry went to his death as a relatively young 54-year-old on October 28th. A final autopsy is weeks away, but his body had faced demise before. Drugs had taken their toll. Perry survived a coma in 2018 after nearly dying from a gastrointestinal perforation.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
10.26.23
It must be terribly difficult to be rich. I wouldn’t know. And with God’s help, I never will. I don’t dream of winning the lottery. I don’t buy tickets. I don’t envy those who win. Or who are wildly successful in their endeavors. Including athletes. Wealth changes people. Often not in a good way. Sudden wealth is worse. The recipient is clueless on spending.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
10.20.23
Kolby and Keegan Kemp are not among your best known names from the college football ranks. Both played the sport at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois—a school known for excellence on the gridiron and in academics. Moreover, a school steeped in the Christian faith. Kolby played wide receiver for his four years there. Younger brother Keegan was a quarterback and receiver.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
10.14.23
Never underestimate a heart of hatred. Every day in the news there are acts of unspeakable brutality around our world. Over the last several days, Israel has witnessed again just how deep the work of the Evil One can unfold in a human heart. On Wednesday of this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his nation detailing atrocities that had occurred during the terrorist incursion into Israel last weekend. It wasn’t just killing. It was how people died.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
10.06.23
For those of us who survived the 1960s, we can recall the August 1969 festival known as Woodstock. Billed as “Three Days of Peace and Music,” the anticipated crowd of 50,000 instead grew to somewhere near a half a million people. All trying to survive those three days in less than ideal circumstances.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
09.18.23
Some phrase origins are hard to pinpoint such as “dropping like flies.” A story in the May 1902 edition of the Atlanta Constitution might have said it first, “I saw men and women rushing back and forth within the flames. They would run along, then came the choking smoke and they would drop like dead flies.”
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
09.01.23
Let’s face it. The unseen forces of evil are all around us. And because of sin, they always have been. And always will be. Prudence dictates that we don’t allow evil unnecessary opportunities to strike. We cannot be fully protected. But we can act wisely to protect those we love.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
08.18.23
It was a Lifeway Research report earlier this spring that “triggered” my interest on church security. Most of us in the faith community seem to go about our weekly church business not too concerned about safety at our house of worship. Fortunately, others take this quite seriously. Church security is a broader topic than one might think. I recall my membership in a Dallas megachurch in the 1980s where building and parking garage security was a must. Occasional visits from relatively non-threatening types often needed to be escorted from the premises. Even the pastor had a personal security detail present before and after services. Times have changed.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
08.04.23
Can you name the famed characters of Looney Tunes? Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Barnyard Dawg, Foghorn Leghorn, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam, Porky Pig, etc. And a personal favorite…Bugs Bunny. Their antics were crazy. Even…looney. The word “looney” has an ample number of synonyms. Silly. Stupid. Crazy. Even the softer "strange.” Our world is rampant today with looney-ness.
By Mark Elfstrand, Cultural Affairs Writer
|
07.07.23
In my basement sits a large, three ring binder. The contents are the handouts provided during a week long "Christian discipleship" course I attended in May of 1970. At the time, it was known as the "Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts." All the sessions were designed and taught by one Bill Gothard.
