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The Why of Suffering... made personal
A few weeks ago we explored ‘why questions’. But we didn't touch on what is possibly the hardest ‘why question’ of all. The Why of Suffering. Then this week happened.
Edwin Shank
Jul 93 min read


Of Mile Markers and Satan (part 2)
Whatever I was bracing for, I know I was not prepared for what I heard. I simply was not expecting this from my seven year old.
Jefferson turned from his window and, looking at me very seriously, said, "Daddy, since God is stronger than anyone and he can do anything he wants to, why doesn't he just kill
It doesn’t seem that long ago, but I remember that our youngest son Jefferson was 7 and he’s 20 now, so no matter what it feels like it must have been 13 years ago. Wow
Edwin Shank
Jun 186 min read


Of Mile Markers and Satan
Today I’d like to share a personal story. It’s a story I’ve told many times but I’ve never written it out. So we’ll see how this goes.
It doesn’t seem that long ago, but I remember that our youngest son Jefferson was 7 and he’s 20 now, so no matter what it feels like it must have been 13 years ago. Wow! Makes me feel old!
Edwin Shank
Jun 114 min read
If Only I Knew...
How many times have you heard someone say: "If only I knew what God wants for me... How can I know what God’s will is? What are his plans for my life? Is it even possible to know God’s will? If only I just knew, life would be easier."
Edwin Shank
May 284 min read
Some Believed...
Today I’d like to share a bit of insight that struck me a while back. Like many flashes of clarity, you realizes afterwards that perhaps the thing was known all along. But there did come a definite point in understanding when it popped more fully into comprehension and since that time you were never able to unsee what you saw. I like to call these flashes of light "Aha moments."
Edwin Shank
May 154 min read
H2O and the Trinity
Have you ever wished, as a Christian, you could better explain the Trinity? Or maybe you wanted to understand it better, just because.
I think most of us recognize the feeling. I know I do. The Trinity is notoriously hard to explain. It's difficult because it's a spiritual God-thing and we have no perfect physical comparison to say, "Look, the Trinity is like this."
Edwin Shank
May 74 min read
First the Darkness
I remember the day like yesterday, though it must have been 7-8 years ago.
It was a warm summer morning. I and some of our family and team had been up since 4:00 AM out in the pasture at our mobile butchering wagon. Working together once
Note: At the end there is a special Christmas Bonus message so don't skip out too soon!
Maybe the reason the answer seems so elusive is because each situation is different. To know when to talk and how much to say and how forcefully, an
Edwin Shank
Apr 304 min read


The Spontaneity of Inspiration
It’s me, your Mennonite farmer-writer Edwin. I’m back from a long hiatus. I know it was way too long. Some of you wrote to check up on me and express your disappointment that I was not writing much. I’m sorry. Part of the reason for the....
Note: At the end there is a special Christmas Bonus message so don't skip out too soon!
Maybe the reason the answer seems so elusive is because each situation is different. To know when to talk and how much to say and how forcefully, and
Edwin Shank
Apr 233 min read


The Unholy Family
I have a Christmas Story for you. It’s not the typical story, but it’s a Christmas story nonetheless. Stick with me for a moment and I’ll explain.
Note: At the end there is a special Christmas Bonus message so don't skip out too soon!
Maybe the reason the answer seems so elusive is because each situation is different. To know when to talk and how much to say and how forcefully, and when it’s time now
Edwin Shank
Dec 24, 20258 min read


How Can We Balance Speaking and Silence?
This is a perceptive question, Nicole. It comes, I can tell, from a place of your personal experience with trying hard to find that balance and not being sure that you’ve got it right. Dawn and I’ve agonized long and hard over the same questions and we still are not sure we have the final answer. But let’s explore this together.
Maybe the reason the answer seems so elusive is because each situation is different. To know when to talk and how much to say and how forcefully, an
Edwin Shank
Jun 13, 20254 min read


Will we turn people away?
Last week, Nicole, a NY customer who’s become a dear friend of our family, sent appreciations for this truth discussion but she also had a few questions. We had a little dialog and I asked if she was ok if I'd share some of that with the rest of you. Her questions were highly perceptive and thoughtful and I’m sure she’s not alone with similar questions. She gave her consent so we’ll let you all eavesdrop a little today. :)
Edwin Shank
May 9, 20254 min read


So... What is Truth?
This week, if you’ll allow me to, I’d like to unpack the answer to Pilate’s seemingly flippant, agnostic sounding question: “What is truth?” (John 18:38)
Edwin Shank
Apr 25, 20256 min read


"To this end was I born"
I know it’s been too long since I’ve written, and I apologize for that. I didn’t plan this hiatus, but maybe the Lord did? Maybe he knew I n
Edwin Shank
Apr 9, 20255 min read


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..
Edwin Shank
Mar 16, 20245 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? ...
Edwin Shank
Mar 2, 20244 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...
Edwin Shank
Jan 13, 20247 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
Edwin Shank
Jan 6, 20246 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...
Edwin Shank
Dec 23, 20238 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...
Edwin Shank
Dec 9, 20236 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...
Edwin Shank
Nov 18, 20235 min read
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