Conflict – whether it’s a disagreement with a spouse, a personality clash with a co-worker, or a church split in the making – fills most of us with anxiety. Avoiding …
Intersection of faith & life
- ColumnsFrom the communityinspirationalLife & FaithMB HeraldViews
How a girl changed my worldview
by James ToewsIt’s a girl?!” I blurted out. Three pairs of eyes peered over their masks and fixed themselves on me. Those were not the right words for the moment.
The first church that had to endure me as pastor was a gracious lot. I was 23 years old, idealistic, and sure my convictions were right. I had been raised …
The trip was one I had dreamed about for nearly a decade, ever since my cousins Walter and Anne Willms had begun working with the Mennonites in the village of …
- ColumnsFrom the communityinspirationalLife & FaithMB HeraldViews
Flesh-covered robots, familiar strangers, or neighbours?
I was outraged. Back in June, our friends had booked a provincial park campsite for us. We were planning to stay two nights one August weekend. But our friends were …
- ColumnsFrom the communityinspirationalLife & FaithMB HeraldViews
Tell somebody to tell somebody
by Phil WaglerEvery once in a while, a conversation happens that reminds you what it’s all about.
- ColumnsFrom the communityinspirationalLife & FaithMB HeraldViews
Getting back into the boat
by James ToewsEven if it is at Jesus’ command, there are few places as miserable as being in a crowded boat during a storm. That is where the disciples would soon find …
I had a nice house: the wide front porch my wife always hoped for, a great backyard the kids could frolic in, a garden, a master suite with fireplace and …
In the past, I’ve gone door-to-door conducting surveys related to faith and the church, gone on mission trips, and even worked at a drop-in centre where we lived out and …
“Button.” It was the only word I understood as I leaned over the battered young man. He was asking for help and his broken body left him helpless – helpless …
- ColumnsFrom the communityinspirationalLife & FaithMB HeraldViews
Reviving a community Spirit
by Phil WaglerAre we no longer communities of the Spirit?
I don’t know about you, but when I first became a Christian, I tried to have it all together so that I would be a good advertisement for the faith. …
“Like all true believers, he was deeply skeptical,” writes Malcolm Muggeridge in tribute to Blaise Pascal (The End of Christendom).
- ColumnsFrom the communityinspirationalLife & FaithMB HeraldViews
Welcome to sociological purgatory
by Phil WaglerI grew up in southwestern Ontario where – by my childish observations – most everyone was religious, or at least made excuses if they weren’t. The statistics verify my early …
I have a confession to make. I am not Mennonite Brethren by birth. I do have a last name that gives me some MB street cred, but it’s a gift …