The courage of Maria Braun

[First posted March 14, 2014] Maria Braun, a teenage girl in the Kirghiz Soviet Republic, was arrested in 1966 for teaching a foreign ideology to young children. She had organized classes for preschool and older children to teach about faith in Jesus Christ. Another lady was arrested with her and at their trial the judge … Continue reading The courage of Maria Braun

Thinking outside the zeitgeist – 3

Surveys show that people are searching for truth - so churches offer them entertainment. Isn't that because money will get you a magnificent building with excellent acoustics, top notch musicians and rousing speakers, but money can't get you servant leaders with compassionate ears and caring hearts?

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?

The diminished reputation of Christianity

Here is a link to an excellent article from the UK about the declining number of people identifying as Christian and what can be done about it. https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/the-census-proves-the-uk-church-must-change-here-are-7-suggestions/14410.article?

Without God, we don’t know who we are

If the things we see, hear, touch, taste and smell are the sum total of reality, then we are orphans cast adrift in a meaningless world. Life has no meaning, no purpose. People may try to construct their own meaning, but that leads to conflict with the meanings imagined by other people. We have been … Continue reading Without God, we don’t know who we are

How to read the Bible

I grew up in a home where the Bible was read every day, my father often talked bout things he read in it. We attended a church, the Anglican Church of Canada, where every service had a reading from the Old Testament, another from the New Testament, and several other passages from the Bible were … Continue reading How to read the Bible

What is baptism all about?

Folks talk about baptism as a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. That it is, but when I was baptized I was asked to go a step further. I was asked if I would be willing to accept reproof from members of this faith community and if I would be willing to give reproof … Continue reading What is baptism all about?

The quiet in the land

According to the Scriptures, Christians should lead quiet and peaceable lives. Is that the same as being “the quiet in the land?” That slogan has taken deep root among many who call themselves Mennonite. The words come from Psalm 35:20: “For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet … Continue reading The quiet in the land

The faith of Menno Simons

Thus we do not contend with carnal, but with spiritual weapons, patience and with the word of the Lord, against all flesh, world and devil, trusting in Christ. Nor shall there ever be found other weapons with us. Therefore, be not afraid of us (behold, in Christ Jesus I lie not); for we do not … Continue reading The faith of Menno Simons

An imposter in the temple of God

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the … Continue reading An imposter in the temple of God