Letters to the editor

Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please keep your letters courteous, brief and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is also subject to space limitations. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren Church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald 1310 Taylor Ave. Winnipeg, Man.  R3M 3Z6 or send via e-mail. (Please ensure that your postal address is included in your e-mail correspondence.)

Faithful witness

Recently my son, Theo, along with approximately 140 other youth from across Canada, attended Forum for Young Canadians, a federally sponsored educational opportunity for youth to learn more about our parliamentary democracy through a variety of simulations including a mock First Minister’s Conference. He enjoyed making friends with youth from every province and nearly every territory. A young man who is growing in his faith, Theo got up at the youth talent night and, with guitar in hand, sang “Unashamed Love,” by Starfield. Before singing, Theo explained he was the leader of a worship band, and that the song was one of his favourites. It was well received. Immediately after, a large number of youth came to him, identifying themselves as fellow believers. It was almost as if the “Spirit fire” that had been lit on the stage was suddenly attracting a bunch of “moths.” They thanked Theo, encouraged him for singing about his faith, and were themselves encouraged to maintain their stand as believers. As a result, a group of Christians gathered the following morning for an impromptu Bible study and prayer meeting, praying for national leaders to make decisions that would be consistent with our Christian heritage, and that they would honour and fear God. A Forum group leader expressed her appreciation for Theo’s actions; she had been praying earlier in the week that she would meet up with Christian youth. The same-sex marriage issue was of great to concern to Theo who, by the end of the week, had identified over 60 youth who were willing to take a stand in support of a traditional definition of marriage. Forum for Young Canadians is a great opportunity for Christian youth to exert influence and bear witness to the truth of the Scriptures to their own generation, and to spread that influence nation-wide. Incidentally, Theo was also elected by his peers to represent his province, Saskatchewan, as premier in the mock First Ministers’ Conference. One never knows the full impact of a faith-filled act.

Milton Block,
Waldheim, Sask.

Program effective

Re “After the failure of marriage” (Apr. 8). This was a well-written article describing a most effective program. I have been through a separation and the DC program brought me back to God as well. Thanks to the church for having the courage to offer it.

John Penner,
Sardis, B.C.

Significance of the cross

In response to “The Inukshuk of God” (Mar. 18), it appears that Chris Friesen is confused about significant aspects of the cross.

The cross is not an x, and never will be. It is a plus sign and when one gazes at the symbol, one’s eyes rest on the horizontal and vertical planes. This is psychologically pleasing to the mind, causing an elevation in mood. God made people’s minds so that these horizontal and vertical planes are easily assimilated by the brain, causing relaxation, an easing of anxiety. Also, a person can only leave their burdens at the base of a cross, as there is no place to hang problems on the cross.

The symbol x has a horrifying deep cranny to pile up burdens, holding them till they are ready to topple back on a person. Any sign that uses an x is a negative one, sending impulses of confusion to the brain. First looking at an x, the brain has to refocus as to what is being said, the thought pattern scrambled by the sign. A person cannot think straight when faced constantly with a symbol containing a bold x.

God chose the cross, a plus sign, a positive sign that connects God and people. Satan has been trying for centuries to push over the cross and cause confusion, but Jesus hung on a cross, not an x. A crucifixion would not work on an x, the torture not as gruesome and terrifying to the body. Hence, the cross and an x cannot be equated as the same sign.

The cross draws one’s mind, one’s eyes, to the two planes. Our natural indication is to let our eyes steer towards the direction those lines are travelling. If God had chosen a circle, we would be looking at a hole, a vast nothing. Instead God choose a cross, such a positive image that it has a strength not fully understood by anyone. It has been used extensively by churches for centuries to draw people to the truth that Jesus Christ died for them. The first impulse as one gazes at the cross is to let one’s eyes travel towards the centre: the centre over which hung the heart of Jesus Christ, the centre where the heart of God showed His love by giving His Son, the centre where the mind rests in perfect peace.

Darlene Erho,
Coquitlam, B.C.