At the Schaeffer gravesite is an apple tree planted when Francis Schaeffer was buried, some 29 years ago. The purpose of the tree, Middelmann explained, is to provide a place where birds might come to rest and where people might have something to eat. The tree is a reminder, to this observer, of the Schaeffers’... Continue Reading

We don’t, when our wife passes, have to wonder what God is thinking. We don’t, when our little girl joins her, have to listen to the accusations of the devil that we must have made our Father mad. He knows what He’s doing, and one thing He is assuredly not doing is expressing His anger... Continue Reading

This was a man who sang of the horrors of sin, with a longing for a gospel he had heard and, it seemed, he hoped could deliver him. In Jones’ songs, you hear the old Baptist and Pentecostal fear that maybe, horrifically, one has passed over into the stage of Esau who, as the Bible puts it, “could... Continue Reading

Walker was named Mr. Football as the state’s top player by this newspaper in 1998 after finishing his high school career with 5,153 yards and 76 touchdowns. He was a USA TODAY and Parade All-American and a consensus pick as one of the nation’s top two tailbacks. Every school in the country recruited him. He... Continue Reading

Author Eric Metaxas, the Wilberforce biographer, remarked that, eventually, marriage redefinition would have a “chilling effect on religious freedom in America” as churches would refuse same-sex couples space and personnel for weddings. “Most thinking Christians realize gays have not been treated as Jesus would have wanted them to be,” he surmised, “But when it comes... Continue Reading

The New York Jets released Tim Tebow this morning, putting an end to, well, not much. Tebow had a total of eight passes as a Jet. He completed six of them. He ran for a total of 102 yards. The Jets never really used him.   So what does he do now? Here are four... Continue Reading

While all formal connections with the magazine have been severed with my resignation, I have agreed to serve as a consultant from time to time when I can help in some specialized way.  But with the continuing and new staff, it looks like the future is on an upward course for the magazine in the... Continue Reading

Dr. Dalbey, who has served as interim president of the Seminary since June 2012, will become the fifth president to lead the institution. He has taken on several roles at Covenant since 1999, when he was named dean of students. A few years later, he became vice president of student development and assistant professor of... Continue Reading

Monroe may hold the record for the highest number of offices held during his career in public service. 1782, Virginia legislature; 1790, U.S. Senate; 1794, Minister to France; 1803, Minister to France and Spain whose initiative resulted in the Louisiana Purchase; 1803, Minister to England; 1810, elected to the Virginia legislature a third time; 1811,... Continue Reading

There are so many ministry lessons that can come out of something like this. In ministry, it’s easy to get caught up in the wrong priorities. You get caught up in numbers and money, and then something like this happens. It reminds you that ministry isn’t about making sure your church is the biggest and... Continue Reading