As a Christian in the United States, it’s hard to miss the blending of cross and flag. Bible verses are being quoted at political rallies and social media, not to call people to repentance or compassion, but to stir allegiance to a cause and country. But the Psalms tell a different story.
I find myself in a better mood overall when the days shorten, the air gets colder, and I can hold my cup filled with spices. What happens when I’m in a better mood? I can focus on grace.
Mexican festivities are scheduled to take place this weekend all over the country. Sadly, because of the current administration’s persecution of immigrants, many are afraid to go out and celebrate. Major cities like Chicago have already announced they will be scaling down their plans for the celebrations owing to security concerns for those attending. Yet Mexicans are not known to miss a party.
The unintended positive outcomes of the Derg regime in Ethiopia underscore a striking dynamic: adversity can sometimes lead to unexpected growth, resilience, and strengthened communities. The experiences of the MKC provide a compelling narrative of how faith can be deepened through hardship and how innovative strategies can emerge in response to oppression.
In many places, the next chapter is being written by people who, as my friend Hal liked to say, entered Anabaptism the old-fashioned way: by choice as adults – those bearing it as a conviction and who didn’t inherit the tradition.
I am writing about this now because it would be easy to judge those who cry out for the Epstein list to be revealed. I think it has become such a political issue that we stop thinking of what is really at the core: Who are the people targeting and harming our children? It isn’t just a conspiracy theory; these issues are real and they happen in our families and in our churches, even our good pious Mennonite ones.
Throughout the centuries, the Church of Jesus Christ has faced numerous challenges in a world often opposed to the Christian faith. In Ethiopia, the Meserete Kristos Church (MKC) endured a decade of persecution under a socialist regime in the 1980s. However, there are “good” challenges that MKC currently faces due to its remarkable growth, and are rooted in the healthy expansion of the church.
What does it mean to share the gospel of an inverted Kingdom with a captive audience of urban preteens, many of whom have been discarded and further marginalized by the “kingdom” they live in?
I appreciated the Mennonite Church USA convention for the multiple ways we could worship. From the morning hymn sings to evening worship with a worship band, I felt there was something for everyone.
At its core, worship involves engaging with God through prayer, singing, teaching, and other acts that foster a connection with the divine.
