Earlyon the settlers expressed their thanksgiving for the evidence of God’s goodprovidence in their lives. Despiteall the hardships they faced, they recognized the peculiar opportunity they hadbeen afforded. Thus, theyoutwardly affirmed t…
The First Proclamation
The Mayflower was not the first ship ofcolonists to arrive in the New World. It was not even the first in the English domains. Yet it retains a place of first importancein the lore and legend of this land. In this romantic verse&n…
A Literary Life
Long before the bane of cable television and the internet invaded our every waking moment C.S. Lewis commented that while most people inmodern industrial cultures are at least marginally able to read, they just don’t. In his wise and wonderful bo…
The Battle of Lutzen
In the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Lutzen—one ofthe most crucial engagements in the bloody Thirty Years War—it was announced tothe world that King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden had died. During the course of the battle on thisday in 16…
Christmas Wish List
1. “Civilization” by Niall Ferguson2. “The Kingdom New Testament” by N.T. Wright3. “Bully” by Rick Marschall4. “Death of Kings” by Bernard Cornwell 5. “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson6. “Holidays in Heck” by P.J. O’Rourke7. “…
Martin Bucer
Martin Bucer was born on this day, Martinmas, in 1491 in the Alsace-Lorraineborderland between France and Germany. He would eventually become one of the most influential men in the GreatReformation.He served as a mediator between Luther, Zwingli, …
Favorite Quotes on Prayer
1. “Prayer does not fit us for thegreater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers.2. “What the church needs today is not more machinery or better,not new organizations or more novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost canuse—men of pray…
The Prevailing Power of Prayer
“Prayer does not fit us for thegreater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers“Prayer can never be in excess.” C.H. Spurgeon”Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in thecloset.” E.M. Bounds”There is no power like that of prevail…
Martinmas
Martin of Tours was a faithful pastor in Gaul who was martyred on this day in397. Also on this day in 655,Martin of Umbria was martyred during the great Monothelite controversy. Both men demonstrated perseverance inthe face of political per…
A Most Zealous and Efficient Evangelist
According to tradition, on this day in the year 432, a youngBritish monk—formerly held captive as a slave by the very people he now soughtto serve—arrived in Ireland to begin his ministry.Patrick was said to have been born at one of the littleChris…
Killer Angel: Margaret Sanger in Her Own Words
“We must discourage the defective and diseased elements ofhumanity from their reckless and irresponsible swarming and spawning.”“The mass of Negroes, particularly in the South, still breedcarelessly and disastrously, with the result that the incr…
All Saint’s Day
In the earliest years of the church,so many martyrs died for their faith, Christians set aside special days tohonor them. For example, in 607 Emperor Phocas presented the beautiful RomanPantheon to the church. Boniface IV, the Bishop of Rome, qui…
Hallowmas or Halloween
Christians have celebrated All-Hallows-Eveor Hallowmas since about the 8th century as a night of prayerfulpreparation before All Saints Day. But, the pagan associations of Halloween with the day are actually mucholder—and perhaps more deep…
Luther’s Gospel Cry
From depths of woe I raise to Thee The voice of lamentation; Lord, turn a gracious ear to me And hear my supplication; If Thou iniquities dost mark, Our secret sins and misdeeds dark, O who shall stand before Thee?To wash away the crimson s…
Until the Nation Pays Homage
On this day in 1907, the entire nation of theNetherlands celebrated the seventieth birthday of Abraham Kuyper. A nationalproclamation recognized that “The history of the Netherlands, in Church,in State, in Society, in Press, in School, and in the Scien…