The world desire for their children that which is earthly and perishable, such as money, honour, fame and wealth. From infancy they train them up to vice, pride, haughtiness and idolatry. But with you, who are born of God, this is not the case; for it behooves you to seek something else for your children … Continue reading Instructions for parents from Menno Simons
Adversity, affluence, happiness
Good and evil are not what popular opinion accounts them; many who seem to be struggling with adversity are happy, many amid great affluence are miserable. -Tacitus, Roman historian and senator, 58-120 AD
Only an empty box
Agnes grew up 100 years ago on a farm in southwestern Saskatchewan. Her parents were members of a church which called itself Mennonite and worshipped in the German language. At home the family spoke a Low German dialect called Plautdietsch, and English. There were 14 children in the family, spaced about two years apart. Agnes … Continue reading Only an empty box
Report on a drive-by shouting in our community
A newspaper in a small Saskatchewan city recently reported on a shocking rise in drive-by shoutings. That trend has now come to our tiny hamlet of Swanson. In this hamlet there is a seniors’ residence; yesterday two of the residents had a birthday. Melvin was 86 and Wilbert was 91. With no visitors allowed, a … Continue reading Report on a drive-by shouting in our community
Note to myself
I believe I know something that others should want to know, but telling is not a good way to get their attention. What does he/she want to know? Why? What are the barriers to even considering the spiritual aspect of life? How do I help someone become interested in something he/she believes has no importance? … Continue reading Note to myself
The voice of God
Early in my Christian life I obtained some literature that gave an intellectually logical explanation of the atonement. The theme was that Jesus had suffered punishment in hell equivalent to the eternal torment of every soul that would ever be saved. Therefore there was no way that a saved soul need ever fear hell, because … Continue reading The voice of God
How I stay sane during a time of confinement
(Or at least try to) Talk to my cats. I know this probably sounds like I'm already losing it, but if there are not many people to talk to, cats are not a bad substitute. They are not persons, but they do have personalities, often a little eccentric, Both of ours are largely Siamese and … Continue reading How I stay sane during a time of confinement
A time of testing
Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof; namely, five lords … Continue reading A time of testing
Jesus and Satan
Jesus and Satan were not strangers when they met before Jesus began His earthly ministry. They had known each other since before the world began. Each understood the other’s intentions and that it would be defeat for them if the other one could gain his goal. Satan offered Jesus sovereignty over all the nations and … Continue reading Jesus and Satan
The Visible and Invisible Poor
I believe we in North America have a problem in the way we see the poor. We are acutely aware of the poor people in Africa and Asia and believe it is up to us to do something to relieve their poverty. We are blind to the existence of poverty in our own countries, because … Continue reading The Visible and Invisible Poor
Flatlander Faith 