MWR : Articles : July 23, 2012

Last updated July 25.

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Articles : July 23, 2012

Purpose higher than ourselves

Second Chronicles is the account of the southern kingdom of Judah and the reigns of the monarchs there, including Asa, Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah. Scholars agree that this part of Israel’s history is written from a post-exile perspective and recognizes the ways in which Israel has not adhered to the covenant with God.

Not just a game

The arrival of another Olympics invites us to care about televised gymnastics, track and field, synchronized diving and, well, ping pong. It also reminds us how international athletics provide an amplified example of sports allegiance.
Dance of unity

Stressed by conflict and worried that congregations might leave, members of Western District Conference needed a word from the Lord July 6-8 in Oklahoma City. Two pastors brought it: God desires unity in the body of Christ.

Fire takes books, gives connection

One night in May of 2011, Lowell and Patty Stutzman and the youngest of their children were awakened by a knock at the door.
Canadian soccer player prepares for Olympics

At least one Mennonite will be among the Olympians taking part in opening ceremonies July 27 in London.

The value of a soul

Your soul is that part of you that has judgment, that makes moral decisions. Your soul also involves your will. Your will chooses or rejects things. It has memory — the capacity for storing up knowledge. There is something down inside us that is beyond science to know. Most of us have knowledge, but we don’t have wisdom.
We’re sinners too

There is a popular idea that good Christian preachers are so well in touch with God that they are beyond sin. Yes, they preach about sins being forgiven and the general need for grace. But they don’t actually still need that grace, do they? Yes, indeed we do!
Silence and fear

Ransford Nicholson (Letters, June 25) alluded to one of the main arguments for homosexual sex not being a viable alternate expression of human sexuality. That argument is based on the relationship that form has to function. In all the universe, every form has a corresponding function. No event can be deemed right and, in this case, considered righteous, if this relationship is violated.

Western District upholds decision not to discipline pastor

OKLAHOMA CITY — Western District Conference delegates on July 7 upheld a decision by a leadership group not to discipline a Kansas pastor for performing a same-sex covenant ceremony.
Planting a church? Don’t quit your day job

ELKHART, Ind. — If you feel called to plant a church in these tough economic times, it’s a good idea to maintain another job.