Mennonites: The Silent in the Land

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Through centuries of observing nonresistant practices, accepting frugal life styles, and refusing to enter government roles, the Mennonites by enlarge have become known as a quiet people. We are not found on the front lines of the battle field, few among us choose jobs that require a large amount of education, and we are definitely not in the halls of Parliament adding our ten cents to the discussion.

We are quite literally a "quiet people". As long as we are allowed to live our life in the way that we believe Christ has called us to, we are happy to remain silent and content in our corners. 

Yet, that brings me to the question, "Is there such a thing as being too quiet? Could it be that in our quest to be a quiet, nonresistant, and submissive people, we have become passive as well?  

As I study the lives of the early apostles and martyrs, I sense a boldness and passion that I find hard to spot today. They stood up in front of crowds, spoke to kings, and preached direct messages of conviction to guilty parties. They were unafraid of confrontation, conflict, and persecution if needed to further God's Kingdom. Their view was much much bigger than their comfort or personal advancement. 

I believe some of us have slipped into the trap of thinking that the world can see Jesus if they look at us so why speak about Him. We live law-abiding, obedient, helpful lives, so our neighbours should understand the Gospel by watching. Right? I would like to insert here, that few of my students have learned how to do math simply by watching me do the problems over and over. Learning goes much faster and makes way more sense if I explain problems in detail alongside my demonstration.

As in the example of the math problem, demonstration is important. The way we dress, how we relate to neighbours, and how we do family life should speak freely of the grace that has changed our lives. However, if the world never receives an explanation for the reason behind our choices, then we have not shown them the true life-changing core of Christianity. 

The North American world at large is preaching an "everybody matters - everybody is accepted" message. As Christians, it is extremely easy to buy into the pressure of this thought pattern and to begin ignoring sin and its consequences. We treat people with soft, easy "love" that walks them straight into hell. Jesus never downplayed or ignored sin. He preached repentance. True forthright repentance. He cared so desperately for the sinners around Him that He was willing to speak up and suffer the consequences. 

Jesus told His disciples to proclaim on the rooftops what they heard whispered in their ears and to speak what they heard at night in the day-time. The Christian Gospel cannot and must not be retained. If we believe that speaking the Gospel was only for the disciples centuries ago or for certain "called" people in our churches, how is the Kingdom of God supposed to expand and grow? Who will tell your neighbour if you don't? 

I believe in our time period it is crucial that men and women stand boldly and unashamedly on the Truth, heralding it clearly in a confused and lost world. We live in the midst of a rising generation of Bible-illiterate individuals.  If we have the Light, we ought to shine it into dark places. God has given us His Spirit of power to proclaim His message to the nations. If we are silent, we are disobeying His mandate.

As a Christian people, we need to be filled and overflowing with the love that transforms lives and hearts. We need to be filled with the Spirit that moves and changes the hardest of situations. We need to be concerned and praying diligently for the lost around us. Then, we will begin to see revival and change all around us. 

The Gospel was so expensive and is so life-changing that we owe its words to the Saviour who died for us and its life-giving power to the lost beside us. 💗 

To the Men (and those becoming men),

    I write this post fully aware that I come at it from the standpoint of a single woman. However, as a teacher, daughter, sister, and friend, to various men and boys in my life, I have become quite passionate about your role and what you bring to the kingdom of God. 

    One short survey of North American society reveals a major breakdown in the godly roles God has entrusted to both men and women. Many women are no longer in their feminine roles and as a result men are no longer heralded for their God-given abilities. 

    As stated by Derek Mack, "The most critical need of the church at this moment is men. Bold, free men. The church must seek in prayer and humility the coming again of men made of the stuff of which prophets and martyrs are made." Specifically as a teacher, I have a vision for the boys under my care to become strong, godly men, with the kind of burning heart and passion for the kingdom of God that the early disciples had.

    And so, I write this to tell you how much you matter and how much you are needed. In a world that is losing morals, family structures, and truth, your God-given strength is needed. In her book titled The Mark of a Man, Elisabeth Elliot articulated the female heart well. "Stand true to your calling to be a man. Real women will always be relieved and grateful when men are willing to be men.” We want to be protected, we want to be led, we want you to be strong. 

    Women were created with beauty and a need for protection, a melodious complement to man's brazen courage and rugged strength. So, we thank you.

    Thank-you to those of you who show up behind the pulpit every Sunday and spend time in the prayer closet each week. Thank-you to those of you who lead your families well and protect the weak in society. Thank-you for standing on truth and having a vision for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Thank-you for working hard at your jobs every day and for being men of integrity. Thank-you for all the things you do behind the scenes that nobody ever notices. Thank-you to those of you who are still becoming men and are seeking God for what He has for you. Thank-you for leading so others can follow.           

A Soldier of Purpose

He stands and peers across wasteland.     

The breathing country he used to inhabit 

Has become desert with ne'er an oasis in sight.        

His breath stills and his eyes follow the valley,      

Etched with lost battles and arguments against creation and all the realities it expresses.     

He sighs as he readies his horse to ride,

Then charts his gaze                        

To a Place that calls his attention.       

He mounts, then rides.     

Rides with heaven in view.                       

Rides through storm and hail.                   

Rides through blazing sun, driving rain, and blinding snow.           

He knows where he is going.

His mind is made up.

He rides with eternity in view.

The good of his people in view.

The Name of his Creator in view.

He rides with his heart on the line and a beat in his chest. 

He is willing to die should heaven require it.

Ready to offer each ounce of his strength. 

Ready to suffer if duty demands it.

Ready to bow for the sake of His King.

And so he rides.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.  Ephesians 6:10-18

    "The world cries for men who are strong; strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer." (Elizabeth Elliot - The Mark of a Man)  

    For the sake of the Gospel that is entrusted to you, the homes you've been asked to lead, the churches before you, the weak beside you, and the innocent around you, "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong."  1 Corinthians 16:13

Rafting Adventures

The clouds hide the sun slightly, as the brown water rolls across the tidal flats. We have donned shoes, life jackets, and all the right gear for a trip down the muddy Shubenacadie River.

Walking gingerly, we mince down a muddy, rock-infested slope and then across the flats to our little red water chariots. (aka boats) Climbing aboard, we listened to our seasoned guide spew a list of instructions and facts about the tide and its habits, before heading down the river at a couple knots per hour. (Forgive me, but I'm not a sea captain; it may have been forty or ten.)

Arriving safely, we remove life jackets and shoes and wade swiftly to shore. The mud banks are awaiting us! Slithering and sliding, we slowly make our way to the top where the most adventurous people are already coating their bellies in brown. One by one, we smack down into the goopy, gluey, brown mud and fly down the slope. Some head first, some sitting down, and some at every other odd angle. After what seems like a short time, our guides call us back to the boats and we slither our way back to the shallow salty water to splash and rinse and wash the mud from our ears, skirts, shorts, and toes. 

In a few minutes, we are all back in our boats with things securely fastened. Our guide directs the boat down the still shallow river and we head for the mouth where the tide will begin rolling in. 

Landing at a decently large flat at the edge of the river, we are set lose to wander around and explore or swim until the tide arrives. 

Some young men begin sinking themselves into the wet sand, feet first, in order to perform some ab-demanding stretches. Others, wander along the shore looking at the beautiful scenery, while the remaining folks chat quietly with their group members. 

Shortly, the command comes to remove our feet from the mud in order to be ready when the tide comes in. Much to the guides' amusement, we misunderstand and all head back to our boats immediately! Since we are ahead of time, we wait in the shallows and watch for the edge of the water to curl. 

Suddenly, we see a small white ridge rushing across the river. Our guides call us to board and into the boats we jump. Gunning the motor, we sail across the waves and enter the true rafting zone. For the next few hours, we fly through wave after salty wave and revel in the sheer excitement of water walls, speed, and the challenge of hanging on. Our guide spots the largest waves and heads straight into them. Of course, our boat has some female members aboard and so the ride gets much more exciting with some pitchy vocal additions added to it. 

Since the two people at the front get the chance to white-knuckle it through the waves, we switch places off and on so that everyone gets a turn to experience the worst (or I should say best). Unfortunately, nobody flies off the boat (Wouldn't that have been hilarious?), thankfully nobody drowns, and we all happily survive tidal bore rafting. 

Of course we are a little chilly at the end with some odd purple lips, goose-bumpy arms and shaking bodies. 

As we dock, we thank our great drivers and head up the bank for a warm, reviving shower and some hot chocolate. 

So the question comes, Should you go sometime? Well, let me lay out the options for you. 

#1) You like adventure and fun and you have some great friends to do it with you. Go and have a splendid time.

#2) You kind of like fun and adventure but you're terrified to go by your lonesome. I would advise you to find a strong, level-headed friend who can sit beside you on the boat and speak soothing words of comfort into your ear while hauling you back up onto your seat when the waves rise over your head.

#3) You hate mud and slime and water is freaky. Plus as one individual put it, there are not enough soothing words in the English language to keep you calm in such a state. Maybe you should just stay home and knit in your rocking chair. Or maybe skydiving would be a better option. 

Either way, we are all in this boat of life with different ways of living and moving and breathing. 

In the end, pick the option that floats your boat. 🙂