Many people are disturbed by the disorder in the world today, but we have very different ideas about the cause and an even sharper difference in our ideas about a remedy. As mentioned in my last post, the decline in our society did not begin with the Humanist Manifesto. That manifesto was merely one step … Continue reading A disinherited generation
spiritual heritage
A Question for Older Christians:
Are you leaving a spiritual heritage for your children and grandchildren and others who come after you? Image by -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay Grandparents can help children feel secure – help them know that they are loved even when they make mistakes. Children, young and old, love it when grandparents tell them stories. But what … Continue reading A Question for Older Christians:
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
I will be true to Thee, Lord
"Fully surrendered, Lord divine, I will be true to Thee." It's an old hymn, expressing noble aspirations. I have sung it often and believed that I meant every word. Lately, I've been wondering, though. "Though it may cost me friends and home." It's easy to believe I mean that when there appears to be no … Continue reading I will be true to Thee, Lord
Are we trusting in the wrong DNA?
Doesn't it almost seem that the church we belong to is determined by our DNA? Mom and Dad were Anglican, so were Grandma and Grandpa, so were my my great-grandparents, so I become Anglican too. For others it would be Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite and so on. But it is part of our heredity. With … Continue reading Are we trusting in the wrong DNA?
Ten easy ways to squander our spiritual heritage
1. Speak often about our goodly heritage but remain tongue tied when asked to explain what it is. 2. Say we believe everything in the Bible, but never read it from beginning to end. 3. Consider a worship service to be a spectator activity. 4. Never volunteer for any task in the congregation. 5. Be … Continue reading Ten easy ways to squander our spiritual heritage
A disinherited generation
This week I read a book that I feel to be tremendously important. Many people are disturbed by the disorder in the world today, but we have very different ideas about the cause and an even sharper difference in our ideas about a remedy. This book shines a clear light on the roots of the … Continue reading A disinherited generation
Inherit the earth
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth I guess by now it is evident that I have been meditating on the Beatitudes. The Sermon on the Mount is the cornerstone of Mennonite doctrine. Things like the right understanding of prophecy and the sacraments are important to us, too, but not nearly to … Continue reading Inherit the earth
What is our heritage?
One day, about twenty-five years ago, my wife and I were visiting in the home of an Old Order Amish couple. The husband was not ordained at the time, but is now the bishop of his Old Order Amish community. He is a fine man with many admirable qualities, kind, warmhearted, industrious, knowledgeable about many … Continue reading What is our heritage?
Flatlander Faith 