Let it Be With Me
Steph Wieand
During the time of discernment before deciding to go to begin seminary, I kept encountering passages and even whole sermons on ‘do not fear’. Now, this theme pops up quite a bit in the Bible. I’ve heard this phrase is present around 365 times, one for every day of the year. But encountering the command […]
The Blessing Place
Richard A. Kauffman
Zephaniah, a minor prophet, consisted of nine prophetic oracles (that is, messages from God). Eight of these oracles were judgment against Judah and Jerusalem for their pride and failure to keep the covenant. This book was written during King Josiah’s reign, a reform-minded monarch. Despite his best efforts, there was still a great deal of […]
Being Compassionate . . . to Ourselves
Dan Schrock
When it comes to acting with compassion, we Mennonites are outstanding. Imitating the example of Jesus’ own compassion, we founded Mennonite Central Committee in the 1920s in order to alleviate the suffering of others. It was compassion that motivated us to go overseas in the PAX program of the mid-20th century, that caused us to […]
A Hen in the Foxhouse
Mark Schloneger
I was talking with a friend a while ago. He was telling me how it feels to have an empty nest after nearly twenty years raising two children, both sons. And he told me of the ache he feels to see his oldest son make choices that go against what he’d been taught, how he’d […]
In Deep
Mark Schloneger
To all who are loved by God and called to be saints, there is grace and peace for you – in abundance — through our Lord Jesus Christ. Discombobulated. Befuddled. Flabbergasted. Flummoxed. If there are ever words that sound like their meaning, it’s those. And that’s kind of how I’ve been feeling lately, in dire […]
Breakfast is Ready
Mag Richer Smith
This past week my friend played a song for me that she and her husband would sing together, especially after his Alzheimer’s diagnoses and throughout his illness. I did not know this song, but maybe you do. Lyrics were something like this: We are going. Heaven knows where we are going. It will be hard […]
Wild Peace
Mag Richer Smith
I think was in 4th grade when the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred, and I remember vividly overhearing my parents ask each other if this was the beginning of WW3. My heart froze. And after that my fear increased. It was the era when people were building fall-out shelters, and we had regular drills at school […]
Wild Courage
Mag Richer Smith
Today we are in the wilderness with the people who’ve been liberated! With those who have been FREED … With those whom God has FED everyday for forty years, With those who have been trusting the CLOUD of Presence to be out ahead and lead into the PROMISE. We are here with these who’ve stayed […]
Come and See
Joanne Gallardo
A few weeks ago, after work I took a look at my news feed on my phone. I find that over the past year I do so with a great amount of fear and trepidation. I was amazed that a certain crude, descriptive word, not censored, no stars or symbols where certain letters should be, […]
Do Not Fear
Marilyn Rudy-Froese
When the promise is first given, it comes with a call for Abram to step out in faith, to follow God’s call to an unknown land and an unknown future: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a […]
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