Lenting from Home
Like most things during this pandemic, Lent will look a lot different for us this year. So here are some ideas and resources that you can use to shape this season as we remain physically distanced from one another.
Read MoreYes. The Church Still Has Legs!
So much has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Is the Church still relevant even though we can’t meet in person? Will the Church be needed after the pandemic is over?
Read MoreI Hope We Don’t Go Back to Normal
During this pandemic, I can’t count how many times I’ve longed for things to go back to normal. But I’m starting to realize that my hopes for everything to go back to normal uncover my own place of privilege.
Read MoreThe Gift of a Coffee with John H. Neufeld
One of the greatest gifts you can give another person is your time. That’s why I was honoured when one of the pillars in our Mennonite church took the time to have coffee with me.
Read MoreA Prayer for 2021
As much as I want to say “Happy New Year,” entering 2021 doesn’t mean the darkness we’ve witnessed in 2020 is over with. There’s some serious work left for us to do as we enter this new year, especially as the church. And so I offer this prayer for 2021.
Read MoreTaking a Break
I will be taking a break from writing here in order to finish my semester of studies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Read MoreGiving Thanks in 2020
2020 has been and continues to be a difficult year for many. So can we get a pass on giving thanks and simply agree that this year sucks?
Read MoreWhy Canada Can’t Just Move On
The narrative that most Canadians receive when it comes to Indigenous-settler reconciliation is that we apologized for what happened in the past, so now it’s time to move on. We may talk the talk, make apologies, and pass declarations, but when the walk doesn’t match the talk, we realize that all those words are empty.
Read MoreHow Stories Shape Us
Stories have the power to shape our worldview - how we believe the world functions and what our place in it is. But the big question remains - how do we judge the stories we tell? How do we know what stories are true?
Read MoreIf Only My Opa Met Bonhoeffer
My Opa and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were both German. My Opa was a soldier in Hitler’s army. Bonhoeffer did all he could to oppose the Nazi state. How is this possible? One reason is that Bonhoeffer believed a very different narrative about Germany, Hitler, and those who were different from him.
Read MoreLessons from a Nazi
The fact that my Opa was a Nazi is something that I’ve tried to hide for a long time. However, his story has taught me something powerful about racism - that is that stories matter! If we want to know why some people do horrible things to others because of their race, we need to pay attention to the stories they are telling.
Read MoreAn Ode to the Bode
In 2008, I went to Germany to attend Bible School at Bodenseehof. Were it not for COVID-19, the halls of the Bode would be full once again. I am sad that the school year has been postponed, but it’s also got me thinking about my time there.
Read MoreThe Gift of Rest
If we want to live as God intended, we need to include rhythms of sabbath - times when we stop and take a break from that which we consider “work." I find this extremely difficult because rest often feels unproductive and selfish. But it’s something I continue to work on.
Read MoreFinding the Kingdom of God at Camp
A few months ago, I thought any hope of still running summer camp this year was gone for good. But I’m so thankful that our camps have found an innovative way to open up their space to kids this year. Once again, I got to witness the kingdom of God at work.
Read MoreWhen Our Freedom Costs Others
Is wearing a mask an infringement of our freedoms? How should we respond to all the rules and regulations that are in place because of COVID-19? Surprisingly, Paul addresses how to deal with our freedoms in 1 Corinthians 8.
Read MoreTo All Our Friends in Cross Lake
Were it not for COVID-19, we would be returning to the community of Cross Lake for the 11th year in a row, Instead, we are sharing our love and greetings in this video.
Read MoreBirth and Death During COVID-19
My family and I experienced both birth and death during this COVID-19 pandemic. While the experiences were vastly different, both solidified for me the importance of relationships and community.
Read MoreGod Our Mother
I’ve heard a lot of fathers tell me that having kids has taught them more about God. But for me, at least for now, observing my wife be the mother of our child has taught me more about God than my role as a father.
Read MoreWhat is the LGBTQ+ Community Actually Asking of Us?
I can’t count how many times I have heard talk about a “Gay Agenda” or reverse discrimination. I understand the fear, but if we want to enter genuine dialogue about sexuality, we need to understand what is actually being asked of us.
Read MoreNever Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste
There’s an old saying: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” It often refers to people taking advantage of others during a crisis in order to get ahead. It’s not usually positive, but I think Christians should take time to consider it seriously.
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