There was once a young lady growing up in an unstable home, who was attracted to a man somewhat older, but not much more stable. They got married and soon a daughter joined the family. Time went on, they moved hither and yon. The daughter grew up and left home to work hither and yon. … Continue reading Happy birthday to my wife
God
WHY?
Sunday evening, shortly before sunset, a freight train came shuddering to a stop on the tracks that run about 200 metres west of our house. At first, we didn't know the reason for the sudden stop. The trees on the west side of our yard hid the mangled pickup from our view. Slowly, slowly we … Continue reading WHY?
Life takes some unexpected turns
Alcohol had once enabled me to admit my interest in some day becoming a Mennonite, but the three other people who heard that statement didn’t take it seriously and never again mentioned it. My two trips into Regina to attend a Mennonite church had gone completely unnoticed by those who knew me. I was quite … Continue reading Life takes some unexpected turns
The Gate of the Year
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known … Continue reading The Gate of the Year
Preface
Half a century ago a drunken young man announced to a couple of friends that one day he would be a Mennonite and wear a beard. His friends dismissed this as babbling inspired by the booze he had consumed. The young man himself was bewildered. The few Mennonites he had met, from his mother’s side … Continue reading Preface
Living stones of Zion
Only living stones can strengthen the walls of Zion. Other stones do not bond and will be pushed out of place. A block of wood, a bale of hay or straw, will fill a gap in the wall, They do not bond, they offer a route for vermin to enter Zion. When the fiery darts … Continue reading Living stones of Zion
Looking for real Mennonites
All I learned about Mennonites while I was growing up was that my mother had been one and had left because the German language was more important than the faith and that my grandma, a dear sweet old lady, was one and wanted me to learn German so I could be a Christian. Perhaps there … Continue reading Looking for real Mennonites
Optimsm – Pessimism
A pessimist fears that every silver cloud conceals a dark and foreboding lining, and says that he is just being a realist. An optimist believes every dark cloud will have a silver lining and also says he is being realistic. Who is right? A pessimist looks at the increasing godlessness … Continue reading Optimsm – Pessimism
WASPs and other Canadians
When I was young, WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants), considered themselves to naturally be the epitome of all that was right and good. It was the privilege of the WASPs to grant each other entrance to the best schools, the best jobs and the best clubs. The Orange Lodge bears a large share of the responsibility … Continue reading WASPs and other Canadians
Darkness and light
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. (Genesis 1:2-3) The Scriptures speak of two kinds of darkness: the one a natural darkness … Continue reading Darkness and light
Flatlander Faith 