January 7 - Daily Feast
To the Cherokee, the land is not dirt and stone and trees, it is a life-nourisher. The seed is more than a dormant embryo, it is life. The person is more than a human creature, he is spirit. It is never the worship of nature - but it is the love and adoration of that which set it all in motion, the Substance behind moisture, the sunlight, the rise and fall of the tides. Incredible things are happening right before our eyes, but most are looking for things to mourn and things to celebrate. Look behind the events. The rays of sun can damage - but the reason behind all these depths and heights heals and restores.
~ The sun is my father; the earth is my mother; on her bosom I will repose. ~
TECUMSEH - SHAWNEE
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - January 7
"..when we become hollow bones there is no limit to what the Higher Powers can do in and through us in spiritual things."
--Frank Fools Crow, LAKOTA
If we want to be of maximum use to the Creator, we must ready ourselves to do so. If we are to become a channel for His purposes, we must prepare ourselves to do so. If we have resentment, fear, selfishness, or anger, we are not hollow bones. We must be rid of these things. We must change ourselves. We must ask for forgiveness for ourselves and forgive our brothers and sisters. We must keep our insides clean. We cannot use our power in a good way when we have blockages such as hate, judgment and envy. When we are free of these things the Higher Powers can use us beyond our wildest imagination. Then we can really help ourselves and help our people. Only when we are hollow bones can we have an effect on the world.
Oh Great Spirit, remove from me the things that block my usefulness to You. Remove from my day all thinking that is out of harmony with Your ways. Grant me Your peace and allow me to function as a hollow bone.
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THINK ON THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Following the wrong map will not get us where we want to be. Time and time again we have followed this map and though it seemed right we have always ended up in a sad place. Everyone has been on the wrong road at some time, but if they continue to insist their map is right -- then stress follows.
How many times we have asked ourselves what we are doing wrong. Chances are we don't ask because we really want to know. Do we ask for new directions or because we may be able to blame someone else? We know who must change.
Take the directions and flush them, they are bad news and even though it is not what we want to do, do we really want to find ourselves in another sad place?
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God's Minute
GIVE TO THE LORD THE GLORY DUE HIS NAME; AND
COME BEFORE HIM. OH, WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE
BEAUTY OF HOLINESS!
( 1 CHRONICLES 16:29 )
Dear Rodney,
If you haven't gone lately, why not attend the Church of
your choice today, and join with others as they worship our
Heavenly Father! For it is only right that we worship and
sing to Him as well! After all it is written that we should;
SING TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH; PROCLAIM
HIS SALVATION DAY AFTER DAY. ( 1 CHRONICLES 16:23 )
So; COME, LET US WORSHIP AND BOW DOWN; LET
US KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD OUR MAKER. FOR HE IS
OUR GOD, AND WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF HIS PASTURE,
AND THE SHEEP OF HIS HAND. ( PSALM 95:6-7 )
Therefore; Rodney, let us also; PRAISE GOD IN HIS
SANCTUARY; PRAISE HIM WITH THE SOUND OF THE
TRUMPET; PRAISE HIM WITH THE LUTE AND HARP!
PRAISE HIM WITH THE TIMBREL AND DANCE; PRAISE
HIM WITH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS AND FLUTES!
PRAISE HIM WITH CLASHING CYMBALS! LET EVERY-
THING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD.
(PSALM 150:1, 3-6 )
So again I say, why not attend your Church today, and;
COME LET US SING TO THE LORD! LET US SHOUT
JOYFULLY TO THE ROCK OUR SALVATION. Amen!
( PSALM 95:1 )
