What is wrong with the world?

2Timothy 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.1Timothy 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.2Timothy 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. … Continue reading What is wrong with the world?

Why would anybody want to belong to this church?

I’m talking about the church to which I belong, the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite and I’m quite sure a lot of people are asking that question, at least to themselves. Most of them probably think it’s got something to do with our ethnic heritage and traditions. But neither I nor my wife fit … Continue reading Why would anybody want to belong to this church?

Humility: What is it?

The signification of the Greek word that is translated humility in the New Testament is “lowliness of mind.” That indicates a lack of pride, not thinking of myself as better than others, whether because of ethnic origin, economic status, education or because of anything that I might claim to have achieved. Jeremiah10:23 says: “O LORD, … Continue reading Humility: What is it?

The Origin of the Mennonites

Trying to trace the origin and history of the Mennonite faith by ethnic or genealogical lines leads to confusion and error, much like those who trace the lineage of their church through a continuous line of ordination from the days of the apostles. One might be able to establish a historical connection from person to … Continue reading The Origin of the Mennonites

How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part five

The Kleine Gemeinde Klaas Reimer was elected minister of the Flemish Mennonite church in the Danzig area in 1801. He began to study the Bible, the Martyrs Mirror, and other books and came to the conclusion that there was no future for the Mennonites in the Danzig area. In 1804 he and 30 members of … Continue reading How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part five

Thank God for poverty

Thank God for poverty That makes and keeps us free, And lets us go our unobtrusive way, Glad of the sun and rain, Upright, serene, humane, Contented with the fortune of a day. BLISS CARMAN, 1861-1929

How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part four

My mother left the Mennonite church of her parents when it sunk in that the German language was more important than the faith. My father’s parents had been Wesleyan Methodist, but that church got swept away with the Social Gospel and ened up as part of the United Church of Canada. When I was 11 … Continue reading How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part four

How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part three

By 1870, there were close to two million Germans living in Russia. For the most part they lived in self-governing colonies, exempt from taxation, military service and other obligations of Russian citizenship. They had their own German language schools, regulated their own affairs and kept apart from the Ukrainian and Russian people. Is it any … Continue reading How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part three

Five things to do to maintain mental health

As taught in Norway, based on British research and reported in a French news magazine, with comments (in italics) by the Canadian writer of this post. Establish social connections.(Social media connections don’t count.) Keep physically active.(Leave the car at home and walk to the store.) Pay attention to details.(But forget the details of mistakes made … Continue reading Five things to do to maintain mental health

How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part two

The two most prominent leaders of the church that came to be known as Mennonites were Dietrich (Dirk) Philips of Flanders (now part of Belgium) and Menno Simons of Friesland (northern part of Netherlands). These leaders did not establish a new faith, or a new church, but simply gathered together the remnant of the Waldensians … Continue reading How Mennonite became an ethnic label rather than a religious one – Part two