Even though it’s been a few years since my kids were in school, our household still settles into new routines in the fall. My wife and I sit down in September and fill out the calendar with our various commitments. While this activity has the potential to feel overwhelming, I’ve found that it readies us for the year ahead. When new opportunities arise at work or in the community, we can be ready to say “yes” if it fits into our schedule. Continue reading A Generosity Mindset→
I would be lying to deny that the health and economic crisis of the last few months hasn’t been weighing on my mind. My husband and I contemplated the uncertain future as we got ready for bed last night and pulled the covers up. My brow furrowed as I lay quiet, unable to shake the pressure I felt. But then I remembered a jar of peanut butter. The jar that taught me a lesson about the heavenly Father’s care. Continue reading A Lesson From the Peanut Butter Jar→
“Problems can be solved, conflicts can be resolved, but polarization can only be managed.”
This phrase resonated with me as the instructor began her lecture about the nature of polarization. As she unpacked this sentence for the class, the wisdom in it became even more profound. Continue reading Either/Or→
When you look at our cure, you have to conclude we have a major sickness. In the story of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35), the King, representing God, forgives the servant 10,000 talents of debt. A day-labourer, I am told, might pay that in 20 years, if he spent money on nothing else. Jesus is using exaggerated figures to make a point: God has given you a mind-blowing forgiveness, now go and forgive your fellow servant likewise. Continue reading Be Forgiven, You Vanquished, Conquered Warrior→
During this Advent season,Inever thought Mary and I had much in common. In onesupernaturalencounter, she accepts the honour of bearing the Messiah(Luke 1:29-38). I relate betterto someone like Gideon putting out a fleece or two,making certainof God’s calling (Judges 6:36-40). Continue reading Relinquishing the Impossible→
A number of years ago a friend of mine was leading a workshop with a group of children’s ministry workers when he was asked this question: “Why should we teach the gospel to children? They won’t understand it anyways.”
by Barbara Chambers, Director of Communications, Abundance Canada
Across the country, churches have stopped meeting, school has been cancelled, and non-essential businesses have implemented modified operating conditions or closed completely. Although everyone wants to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Canadians are unaccustomed to being confined to our homes (many of which have become simultaneous offices, playgrounds, classrooms, and nurseries).
Praise the Lord that we have Gospels written by Matthew for the Jews, as some people think; Mark, possible dictated by the apostle Peter and to whom everything seems to happen “immediately”; Dr. Luke, the physician; and John, a close friend of Jesus.
I remember hearing a sad lament from a deacon, recently appointed to deacon ministry. When this eager new deacon asked a friend in church to go for coffee, the friend got suspicious and asked, “Are you asking because you’re my friend or because you’re a deacon?”
It all started with a letter dated Nov. 27, 1940, calling my Dad, Cornelius B. Dueck, to report to a judge in Winnipeg, at 10 a.m., on Dec. 18, 1940, to establish his claim of being a Mennonite Conscientious Objector. In order to qualify he needed to explain his personal religious belief, a preacher to verify his church attendance, and evidence from family that they had come to Canada under the arrangement of 1873 and being an uninterrupted member of the Mennonite community.
