Right in the Centre Ken Waddell

Grandpa’s mother said they were forced to reap barley early, when it was still green, and try to make a poor kind of bread from it. She would get a slice of green barley bread and half a walnut per day as her ration.

I know of a man in a community in Manitoba who, as a young boy, was accused by the church leaders of throwing stones through the church windows. He said, he was no angel but he didn’t break windows. He was beaten and found it hard to forgive the church leaders.

These two stories, now only foggy memories being re-told, show that while the message about Jesus is one thing, how Christians live out and practise their faith is quite another.

A student of Christianity once told me that, in spite of all the rules a group might try to enforce, the Christian faith stands on its own merit. That is true, or at least it should be true.

I recently heard that some people believe that Jesus is ok, but his wife is a problem. Jesus didn’t have a wife as such, but the whole Christian church is described as the “Bride of Christ”. I can see where people might be ok with Jesus, but have a real problem with his wife. The Church, or the Bride of Christ, has done some wonderful things for sure, but the hurt and screwups brought on by Christians have caused a lot of deep-seated problems for sure.

One last story or lesson. When we let the problems caused by people come between us and God, we can only be sure of one thing. We can’t let the problem people, which happens to be us all at times, be closer to God than we are. Seeking God, accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, living for Him allows us to forgive the problem people and live in peace with God and others.

It’s not an easy road but it’s easier than fighting the problem people and being consumed by our experiences with them. It’s best to forgive and move on. Nobody needs the extra burden.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the writer’s personal views and are not to be taken as being the view of the Banner & Press staff.

Memorable Manitobans: Walter Abram “Walt” Toews (1923-2006) Farmer, educator. Born in Manitoba on Feb. 23, 1923, third child of Abram G. Toews (?-1962) and Agatha Bornn (1898-1988), he farmed for 40 years near Graysville. On Sept. 26, 1943, he married Rosabella “Rose” Groening (1922-1996) and they had four daughters. He returned to the classroom as an adult, earning his teaching accreditation and teaching at McCreary Collegiate (1963-1964) where he worked alongside his eldest daughter, also on the teaching staff. He went on to teach at Carman School (?-?) and Sanford School (?-?), and was Principal of Wingham School (19611962), Roland School (1966-1967) and Starbuck Collegiate / Starbuck Junior High School (1968-1972). He was also a Sunday School teacher, board member and lay preacher at the Carman Mennonite Church. He died at Carman on 10 September 2006 and was buried in the Graysville Mennonite Cemetery.

Accurate and concise. Selecting random individuals from my community, I researched Jack Murta. He was just a few years older than I and a contemporary of the Stowe brothers. Here is an excerpt from a newspaper article in 2013. “ Have you ever wondered how former politicians spend their time? The media often portrays retired politicians as simply living the good life on a gold-plated government pension.

Some retired politicians, however, put their time and energy into serving the Lord. David Kilgour and Jack Murta have occupied seats at the cabinet table, but now once a week at noon you can find them waiting on tables, serving the homeless at the Union Mission.

“I have made this my prayer,” Murta adds, “Lord, help me to love you more, because if I love you more, I will love others more. I need to live out that prayer wherever I go.”

Murta served as the Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament for the Manitoba riding of Lisgar from 1970 to 1988. ”

Murta was also involved in the Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast.

Looked up John R Wiens, a classmate from grades two through twelve.

“John R. Wiens is dean emeritus at the faculty of education, University of Manitoba. A lifelong educator, he has served as a teacher, counsellor, work education co-ordinator, principal, school superintendent and university professor.” That is a very brief summation of his achievements!

And there is Wayne James Watt, two years older, close friend, worked on Math curriculum for the province. Vernon Begalke who went from high school to seminary, now a retired Lutheran minister. John Warms, an author. Doug Harrison, above average curler.

We were a small school in a small community. There are so many more achievers. We did well.