Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant Hapus! Today is the Feast of Saint David, the Patron of Wales. During a battle against the Saxons, David suggested to King Cadwallader that the Britons wear leeks in their hats to distinguish them from their enemies. They won the battle, and to this day, Welshman celebrate the victory by affixing leeks to their hats. “I …
TR On Heroes
“Every great nation owes to the men whose lives have formed part of its greatness not merely the material effect of what they did, not merely the laws they placed upon the statute books or the victories they won over armed foes, but also the immense but indefinable moral influence produced by their deeds and words themselves upon the national …
A Plethora of Sites
1. Our primary ministry blog: http://grantian.blogspot.com 2. Our church website: http://parishpres.org 3. Our school’s website: http://www.franklinclassical.com 4. The college website: http://newcollegefranklin.org 5. Our coop website: http://www.thecomeniusschool.com 6. Our study center website: http://kingsmeadow.com 7. This site, just for fun: http://eleventary.blogspot.com 8. Our pro-life blog: http://ppgi.blogspot.com 9. Our blog for the Parish Life Network: http://parishlife.blogspot.com 10. Our seldom updated (shame, shame) running blog: http://deruns.blogspot.com; which is a corollary of our running team …
St. Valentine’s Day
Valentine was a third century pastor who was imprisoned for his faith. He wrote small pastoral notes to members of his congregation on leaves he was able to pluck from a maple tree just outside his cell. These little “Valentine’s cards” expressed his love for the flock, and his desire that they demonstrate like love toward one another. Gradually the …
FAS 101
Variously called the “Guru of the Fundamentalists,” “Missionary to the Intellectuals,” and “Godfather of Evangelicalism,” Francis A. Schaeffer was born on this day 101 years ago. He was undoubtedly one of the most influential thinkers, theologians, authors, and apologists of the past generation. His books, tapes, and films gave new credibility to Evangelicals interested in the arts, culture, politics, and …
Ye Distant Spires
Ye distant spires, ye antique towers, Hold me in thy sway; Make me see, make me flee, Unto thy rich array. For there amidst, and there consist The root and branch and leaf, Of faith and hope and love persist In this, the world of grief. –Tristan Gylberd
Burns Night
Tonight is “Burns Night.” The birthday of Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796) has become an occasion for Scotsmen, their descendents, and their romantic wannabes, to gather together wherever they may be to the lilt of bagpipers and the strains of Burns’ poetry. Celebrants traditionally enter the rooms with the shout, “Hail Great Chieftan o’ the Puddin-Race.” While the drinking of …
My Friend
You have, to be sure, known pain and fear, And the anguish of failure and frustration are near; Yet your eyes read companionship not distance, Your home beckons forth, with no hint of resistance; Indeed, your cloak, though threadbare, is half mine, You are my friend, and I, most assuredly, am thine. –Tristan Gylberd
Roe at 40: The Logic of the Dark Side
“Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side. You have paid the price for your lack of vision.” Emperor Palpatine “Give yourself to the dark side. It is the only way you can save your friends.” Darth Vader “Learn to use the Dark Side of the Force. Good! Your hate has made you powerful.” Emperor …
Weird Science
Watkins’ Bookshop in Cecil Court, just off Charing Cross between Leicester Square and Covent Garden in London, was established in 1891 by John Watkins, and is still London’s premier occult bookstore. One of its most famous customers was Carl Gustav Jung, who would together with Sigmund Freud, pioneer the field of psychology and psychotherapy. Watkins became Jung’s publisher, producing the1925 …
The Epiphany Hymn Rings Haste
Incarnational hope hastens hence on bud, breeze, and blossom grieving rynds banished in lilac scents. Hark, the Epiphany Hymn rings haste from its loveliest biding-place. A lavish breach of winter’s curt hard sword an ardent repudiation of death’s dark pall the out-viening sun of the Christus Lord. Hark, the Epiphany hymn rings haste From its loveliest biding-place At the refectory …
Epiphany: “Midnight Bright as Noon”
The King of Glory sends his Son To make his entrance on this earth; Behold the midnight bright as noon, And heavenly hosts declare his birth. About the young Redeemer’s head What wonders and what glories meet! An unknown star arose, and led The eastern sages to his feet. Simeon and Anna both conspire The infant-Saviour to proclaim; Inward they …
Sanctity of Life Sunday
Often called Childermas or Kindermord, the Sunday between Christmas and Epiphany traditionally solemnizes the slaughter of the children of Judea by Herod. It provides focus for the Christian Community’s calling and commitment to protect and preserve the sanctity of all human life. Immediately after the birth of Jesus, after the shepherds heard the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,” after the Wise …
William Dunbar’s “Incarnation” (1512)
Rorate coeli desuper! Hevins, distil your balmy schouris! For now is risen the bricht day-ster, Fro the rose Mary, flour of flouris: The cleir Sone, quhom no cloud devouris, Surmounting Phebus in the Est, Is cumin of his hevinly touris: Et nobis Puer natus est. Archangellis, angellis, and dompnationis, Tronis, potestatis, and marteiris seir, And all ye hevinly operationis, Ster, …
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
Rarely in one carol does an author encompass the entirety of the Redemption story from creation, the prophets, the nativity, and the eternal glory of the Triune God, but the Imperial Roman poet, Aurelius Clemens Prudentius (348-413), skillfully weaves the redemptive narrative throughout the verses of the fine Advent poem, Corde Natus Ex Parentis. Consequently, its lyrics are also dense …