During the night of September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key, a Washington attorney was sent to the British command to secure the release of a prisoner when the fleet began to bombard the placements of American fortifications in Baltimore at Fort McHenry. Though the battle raged through the night, the defenses stood firm. The sight of the flag still flying over …
Martinmas
Martin of Tours was a bishop who was martyred on this day in 397. Also on this day in 655, Martin of Umbria was martyred during the great Monothelite controversy. Both men demonstrated perseverance in the face of political persecution, personal humiliation, torture, starvation, and eventually, death, made them models of faith during the early medieval period. According to legend, …
The Battle of the White Horse
The Christian king of Wessex, Alfred the Great, defeated the pagan Viking warlord Guthrum at the Battle of Ethandun on this day in 878. The battle not only ensured that Christianity would survive in England, it made the unification of that land possible for the first time since the departure of Roman legions in the fifth century. The battle was …
Thus Saith the Iron Lady
“I am not a consensus politician. I’m a conviction politician.” “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.” “Being democratic is not enough; a majority cannot turn what is wrong into right. In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty and an abiding respect for the …
Happy Saint David’s Day
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 …
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 …
Childermas or Kindermord
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’s commitment to protect and preserve the sanctity of all human life—thus serving as a prophetic warning against the practicioners of abandonment and infanticide in the age of antiquity, oblacy and pessiary in …
Picking Our Battles
“Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning; but give me the man who has the pluck to fight when he’s sure of losing. That’s my way, sir; and there are many victories worse than a defeat.” George Eliot
Unstring the Bow
“Only the man able to rest and relax, to laugh and play will be able to fight and struggle, lead and guide. Only the man who knows when he has come to the end of his energy will be able to expend even greater energy.” Robert Taft At the end of the thirteenth century when the Norman English bowmen began …