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. Andrew Pinnell’s letter contains a factual error that negates the argument. Despite Uri Schor, a spokesman for Israel’s Water Authority quoted in the Christian Post, the evidence is clear that Israel’s Wadi…
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…
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…
Celebrating Eastertide
I botched Lent this year. I didn’t fast from anything tasty or techno, or set aside time to meditate and pray. To be honest, I think my lack of motivation stems from the lack of inspiration I draw from the Easter story, at least as I’ve known it so far. The story of Christ’s victory…
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…
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,…
Readers write: April 28, 2014 issue
NHL players miss a ‘coachable’ moment Re: “It’s all part of the game,” Feb. 17, page 33. I attended the event held at Peace Mennonite Church, Richmond, B.C., at which Mike Fisher and Nick Spaling from the Nashville Predators were interviewed by Willard Metzger of Mennonite Church Canada, and I even stood in line to…
The deadly sin of wrath
“The only problem with them,” my friend said as we admired the soft closure hinges on my kitchen cupboards, “is that you can’t slam the doors when you’re mad.” Door slamming isn’t one of my main outlets for anger; instead, I’m more prone to loud stomping or yelling. I could readily see the appeal of…
What’s your ‘money personality’?
“Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” That’s from the Bible (Amos 3:3, New Living Translation). It was my parents’ wedding text when they were married 65 years ago. It’s a verse in the middle of a punishment text and I’ve always wondered how they came up with that. It’s a great…
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…
