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
spirituality
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
Precious memories
My cousin Dennis was born September 9, 1937, the first of six children born to Art and Katherine Goodnough. His wife called last week to tell us that his children were planning a surprise birthday party for him for his 80th birthday, last Saturday. Could we come? I thought about it briefly, maybe half a … Continue reading Precious memories
Journeying on
We were having Vacation Bible School and for crafts we were doing a manger scene with Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus. I started calling Mary’s husband Joe. I glimpsed a hint of a smile on Miss Parker’s face, just before Miss Napier let me know that I was not to be so flippant and … Continue reading Journeying on
Catechism Classes
(It has been five years since I first posted this. I thought it would be good to post it again to give some background before telling more of my spiritual journey.) About the only thing my parents had in common was a feeling that the church in which they had been raised had let them … Continue reading Catechism Classes
Is there any hope?
So many people want to save humanity. What do we need to be saved from? Who really knows? Is it the one who talks the loudest? Why does that person tell us it is a crime to allow those who disagrees with him to talk about their ideas? Is there any hope? The Bible tells … Continue reading Is there any hope?
Truth or heresy?
The Roman Catholic Church endeavoured to destroy all evidence of the faith of those whom they persecuted. Nevertheless, much can be learned from their accusations against those they called heretics. For instance, here is the accusation of Peter of Cluny against Peter de Bruys: “They deny that infants who have not yet attained the years … Continue reading Truth or heresy?
A living faith
I CAN NEITHER TEACH NOR LIVE BY THE FAITH OF OTHERS. I MUST LIVE BY MY OWN FAITH AS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD HAS TAUGHT ME THROUGH HIS WORD. -MENNO SIMONS THE TITLE ITSELF (MENNONITES) HAS NO SAVING POWER, IT'S VALUE LIES ONLY IN THE FACT THAT MENNO'S TEACHING IS ENTIRELY IN ACCORD WITH … Continue reading A living faith
Flatlander Faith 