Weddings Among Plain Folks - behind the scenes photo story
Today I'm offering you a very personal behind-the-scenes glimpse into the simple preparations, community togetherness and God-centeredness..
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Edwin Shank
Mar 24 min read
If you want to understand the Anabaptist
Who were the early Anabaptist Christians? What were they made of? What was their core value which they valued more than life itself? ...
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Edwin Shank
Jan 137 min read
Not this man!
This morning I’d like to share a true story from the year I taught school. Even though it’s been a few years...
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Edwin Shank
Jan 66 min read
Why do your women look plainer than your men?
One of our long-time customers near Wellsville, PA, wrote to express her appreciation to My Plain Dilemma, but she also asked an astute ques
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Edwin Shank
Dec 23, 20238 min read
What DO Mennonites do for Christmas?
Dawn and I are moved by the many who made yourselves vulnerable after last week's post. Many of you shared personal stories of childhood...
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Edwin Shank
Dec 9, 20236 min read
No, Virginia, there is no Santa Claus
A friend of ours was shopping with her almost-4-year-old daughter a few weeks ahead of Christmas. A well-meaning cashier asked...
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Edwin Shank
Nov 18, 20235 min read
My Plain Dilemma
When I started this blog eight months ago, I noted that our mission was to answer questions about Mennonites and our Christian faith...
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Rodrick Shank
Nov 4, 20233 min read
Facing the Light
It's Rodrick instead of Dad today... Early last spring, my wife, Jeanette, started some new seedlings in the sunroom attached to our farm...
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Edwin Shank
Oct 20, 20238 min read
Do Mennonites Have Walls Around Their Communities?
The man listened politely but shook his head almost imperceptibly. “No, you don’t understand. It would be ideal to follow the teachings...
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Dawn Shank
Oct 7, 20236 min read
Down on My Knees
I spend many summer hours working in my vegetable garden. It used to be a family project. When the children were young, the planting...
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Wesley Shank
Sep 30, 20234 min read
"When I consider Thy heavens..."
Before I get started I need to make one thing perfectly clear. As Mennonite Christians, we believe the Bible is God's Inspired Word and the
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Edwin Shank
Sep 16, 20236 min read
More than Necessary
A number of years ago I stumbled upon a saying that goes something like this: “Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is likely
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Edwin Shank
Sep 2, 20238 min read
How do courting couples meet?
First, I want to thank the many of you who wrote to affirm the simplicity and beauty of God's design for a pure courtship. Your words of...
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Edwin Shank
Aug 25, 202311 min read
Courtship among us plain folk
"How old are Mennonites when they marry? Are there arranged marriages? Dowries? What is the courtship like?...
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Edwin Shank
Aug 11, 20235 min read
Plain People and Conscientious Objectors
Here is this week's question...
"Edwin, Thank you for this insightful post. I have a question that maybe you can answer. Are Mennonites...
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Edwin Shank
Jul 28, 20235 min read
Of Peace Churches and War Taxes
"I understand that Mennonites are 'peace church people.' So how then, do you deal with paying taxes for war?" This is an insightful question
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Edwin Shank
Jun 23, 20236 min read
Aim High and Don't Look Back
The words of my father ring like yesterday. “To drive a straight line, Edwin, pick out a point at the end of the field, and don’t take your
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Edwin Shank
Jun 10, 20236 min read
Dear Edwin, I have three questions
A few weeks ago, one of our readers sent these questions below. I replied to him directly, but I thought I'd share our conversation since...
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Edwin Shank
Jun 2, 20239 min read
Jesus Didn't Tell People to be Christians
A lady once asked me, "Edwin, what would you say is the most significant difference between you 'plain people Christians' and other mainline
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Edwin Shank
May 27, 20235 min read
The Quiet Time that Wasn't
During my devotional time this morning, I was impressed with a thought. And no, it was not a thought from the Word even though I was reading
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