Viewpoints
An ever-expanding circle
Readers write: May 12, 2014 issue
Writer claims argument against Al Najd based on ‘factual error’
Re: “MCC should consider new partner in Gaza” letter, March 17, page 8.
Redefining success
How do we measure success? When I served as a mission worker in Botswana, an African leader shared with me that their defi-nition of success is “good relationships.” By this he meant that all our economic success, status and all the letters behind our names mean nothing if we have sacrificed relationships in order to achieve these.
The shape of things to come?
In April, voters in la belle province rejected a political party that had drafted a charter of values that would have treated the overtly religious as unfit for public service. The Parti Québécois (PQ) secular charter intended to make publicly funded spaces free from the intrusion of “conspicuous” religious attire and symbols like hijabs and crosses.
Celebrating Eastertide
A pilgrim people on the margins
Five loaves and two fish. The story of the feeding of the five thousand illustrates how Jesus uses the small amounts we bring to him. In this story, a crowd has been with Jesus all day. As sunset approaches. the disciples tell Jesus to send these people away, but he tells them to feed the crowd first.
Small self vs. whole self
In my last article I wrote that Spirit attunement and ego consciousness are rival states of being. Jesus refers to this internal rivalry by pitting the self against the Self. Jesus teaches that in order to truly live, one must deny one’s self, crucify one’s self or lose one’s self. Paul teaches this as well, with regular references to “dying to self” and being “crucified with Christ.”
Readers write: April 28, 2014 issue
The deadly sin of wrath
What’s your ‘money personality’?
For kids too!
As the mother of two boys aged 6 and 11, I am happy to see the wide variety of faith-shaping resources for parents of young children available from Mennonite Church Canada’s Resource Centre.
Children are sponges. Adding Anabaptist faith-based books, DVDs and downloadable resources to the other materials they view helps shape their faith as they grow.
Readers write: April 14, 2014 issue
Writer stands up for the victims of John Howard Yoder’s abuse
Re: “MennoMedia questioned over John Howard Yoder disclaimer” letter, March 3, page 11.
There are a number of misconceptions in this letter that need to be addressed:
Thinking biblically about sex
A cry for equality
What gets missed at meetings?
Meetings are always interesting, as they take on personalities of their own. And groups develop their own style or flavour. The 2014 Mennonite Church Alberta annual meeting was no different.
An affirmation of celibacy
Having read “Between horizons: Biblical perspectives on human sexuality” (the fifth Being a Faithful Church [BFC] document), I found myself questioning once again how we approach the intertwined issues of singleness and celibacy—abstaining from sexual activity.
Readers write: Mar. 31, 2014 issue
Mandela refused to renounce violence to get out of prison
Re: “Lessons to be learned from Nelson Mandela” letter, Feb. 3, page 11.
The prophet margin
In our rush to welcome Jesus, we often skip those who paved the way for him.
Consider the prophets, who tend to be marginalized by others or by themselves. The margins they occupy actually become the focus for people and their real-life stories. Prophets often represent a paradox. They call for repentance and radical change while maintaining an apparently unchanging resolve.
A reluctant traveller
A ri$ky topic to ignore
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).