MWR : Articles : Aug. 20, 2012

Articles : Aug. 20, 2012

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Bible

Therefore, be filled with faith

This quarter’s theme can be summed up in one word: faith. It’s a short, simple word, but a complex concept. My Greek-English dictionary describes 14 shades of meaning in English for the Greek noun pistis, which can be called faith, faithfulness, reliability, trustworthiness, confidence, and so on.

Editorial

Activism gone too far

In the lamentable case of Lisa Miller kidnapping her own daughter to another country, the teaming up of Beachy Amish members and Liberty University officials was one of the peculiar parts.
Streams in the desert

Kansas feels like a valley of dry bones, but there’s still a stream in the desert at Camp Mennoscah. “It’s flowing, but slow,” said John Regier, a summer staffer from Beatrice, Neb., describing the Ninnescah River, which runs through the Mennonite camp. “About ankle deep.”

Feature

China service brings comfort with the unknown

When many Radical Journey participants prepare for their first overseas mission assignment, they tend to use words such as “paralyzed” and “blurry” to describe their thoughts. A year later, they use words such as “maturation” and “new perspective” instead.

Letters

God’s good reasons

The prevalence of sexual abuse issues and the discussions concerning same-sex marriage highlight a dilemma in our society and the church to determine healthy sexual expression. I look to the Bible for help not only because the Word of God is a spiritual perspective but also because it is the best way for a promising future. Whenever God says no to something, it is for a reason. It is obvious that God consistently says no to same-sex marriage. Even without recognizing the fact that God calls some sexual relationships sin, there are many reasons to consider God’s design for marriage to be between a man and a woman: complementary body design for sexual gratification; the highest standard for health; the only mode for reproducing the next generation; a clear way to pass on a legacy through descendants; ability to experience the joy of parenting and grandparenting; meeting a child’s needs through the strengths of both a mother and a father.
Loss of liberty

The July 9 editorial, “Health Law and Justice,” suggested that the Supreme Court’s upholding the Affordable Care Act was an act of justice. From personal experience, I have a very different viewpoint. Twenty years ago I began suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Most of the alternative health supplements that are effective for my healing were not covered by insurance. The same is true today, and the supplements are a significant monthly expense. Our family was able to buy those supplements years ago because we chose to trust God for our health and did not buy health insurance. Had we been required to buy insurance, we might not have been able to afford the supplements.
Hetero-centric views

I’ve read the articles and responses to “Should One Issue Define Us?” (Nov. 28). Many responses demonstrated how biblical passages have been taken out of context and distorted to suit the desires of the heterosexual majority. For example, Ron Stucky (Letters, Dec. 12) stated “obedience to God” was the greatest commandment, yet my Bible reports Jesus said the greatest commandment was to “love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.” The warning in Matt. 7:13-14 had to do with not following the will of God by doing justice and showing mercy to the hungry, the sick, widows, orphans and aliens. It had nothing to do with homosexuality. Jesus did speak against sexual immorality, but the assertion that this included homosexual behavior is a hetero-centric interpretation.

News

Technology helps Amish confront medical disorders

A building stands in Jakob Stoltzfoos’ cornfield near Strasburg, Pa. Outside are hitching posts. Inside are an Ion Torrent DNA sequencer and a host of high-tech lab equipment.
U.S. Mennonite Brethren pass million-dollar budget

OMAHA, Neb. — Delegates to the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches biennial convention July 27-28 unanimously passed a $1 million budget that increases investment in church planting, national staff and promotion and marketing.
Modern ‘Martyrs Mirror’ Envisioned

GOSHEN, Ind. — More than 35 people from around the world gathered at Goshen College Aug. 5-8 for a consultation on “Bearing Witness: A New Martyrs Mirror for the 21st Century?”