May 30 - Daily Feast
The past is ripe with wisdom and knowledge because it brings to the heart the reasons for many things we did not understand then. Search among the memories for the sharp stones that hurt so much you covered them as in a grave. Shame whispered to hide them - but wisdom would have said to use them for good. One day you will say that it used to matter but it no longer rules. You can free yourself by taking old humiliations and using them like keys to open your own treasure boxes. And then you will love in a whole different and more wonderful way.
~ The red man must leave the land of his youth and find a new home. ~
SHABONEE - POTAWATOMI, 1800's
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 30
"Power comes and goes. It can vanish in the twinkling of an eye, like smoke dissolving in the air."
--Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
The East, South, West and North are the powers of the four directions. The Creator makes these powers available to do things. We pray to the Creator to give us the power to do these things. Often, we are given these powers for a while, then these powers disappear. Power is given and taken from us by the Great Spirit, the source of power. During the time we have this power, we should be responsible and use the power in a good way. Many good things can be accomplished when we realize where this power really comes from.
Great Spirit, today, show me how to use Your power.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Everyone must have a way of life. The home, the position, the social level, the health of the body and of the emotions are all part of daily living. But beyond that there must be a reason, a way of life. We must believe in something, live by something, and have a shelter within ourselves where there are no pretenses.
Life cannot be one carefree round of living on the surface. It is a thing of depth and width and height, and full of avenues never investigated. Like the body, it is made up of many parts. Beneath the skin there must beat a heart, a network of nerves, the strength of muscles, and much we cannot begin to explain.
As the body depends upon the heart, we must have in our lives something to depend upon, something with which to identify ourselves. There must be a central point, a hitching post to keep all of life running smoothly.
We need something to help us retreat as well as to go forward. We must have something to live by, as well as something for which we would willingly die. We need divine wisdom to see, and the strength to break away, those almost invisible fingers of possessiveness that grip our lives.
We do not simply live, we live because. We live because of others, because of beautiful things and times and places. We live because God gave us life, to be happy in, and to find a special way.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
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May 28 - Daily Feast
We tend to believe others are threats to our security-our personal gu da lv to. There has never been a time when so much threatens - but any Indian will tell you your security lies within you. The Cherokee learns from animals in the wild. A sharp eye and a stealthy step cannot rouse wildlife when it has vanished into its own absence - in the spirit-sense. Perfect silence negates hostility and excitement - those things that stir danger in any area. We know this is true when we pass someone we know well and they never see us - we are not present to their senses.
~ I think we will still win. I think there are enough people who want to understand the Indian mind. ~
AN INDIAN GRANDFATHER
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 28
"The land is a sacred trust held in common for the benefit of the future of our nations."
--Haida Gwaii - Traditional Circle of Elders
The Creator made the Earth to support life so that life would continue to reproduce, everything would support one another, and future generations would have the same benefits of supply and beauty as the generations the proceeded them. This cycle will only continue to the degree that we make choices and decisions for the future generations. Today, we are too greedy and selfish. We are cheating our children, grandchildren and the children unborn.
Creator, let me see the consequences of my decisions, and show me how to make healthy corrections.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
In those moments when we quietly sit with mind centered on the fact that God is only good, and that no situation devious or twisted in appearance, has any power except that which we give it by dwelling on how terrible it is - then, there is hope.
If we can become quiet enough in our own minds to know God is good, it will produce one of those times of sweet serenity that settles like an invisible veil between us and our troubles. In those moments of growth and faith will come peace that passes all understanding.
It is good to live an active life, but some of life's most productive moments are not when the mind and body are hurled through hectic hours at a furious pace. Life offers many tender and beautiful times that demand nothing and give only a quiet calm that will never come in pill form.
Contrary to the belief in any power except God's, there is a happy medium. It does not come simply by demanding, and there are times when it can be touched on only so briefly. But even in our sore travails there is a time when life finds balance and we live in harmony with God's laws.
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If you have a chance to make life better for others and fail to do so,
you are wasting your time on Earth. No matter what our station in life,
we are here to serve, even if that sometimes means making the greatest
sacrifice of all.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
Elder's Meditation of the Day - May 30
"Power comes and goes. It can vanish in the twinkling of an eye, like smoke dissolving in the air."
--Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA
The East, South, West and North are the powers of the four directions. The Creator makes these powers available to do things. We pray to the Creator to give us the power to do these things. Often, we are given these powers for a while, then these powers disappear. Power is given and taken from us by the Great Spirit, the source of power. During the time we have this power, we should be responsible and use the power in a good way. Many good things can be accomplished when we realize where this power really comes from.
Great Spirit, today, show me how to use Your power.
Aho , Amen , e-men .
God's Minute
IS ANY ONE OF YOU IN TROUBLE? HE SHOULD PRAY. IS
ANYONE HAPPY? LET HIM SING SONGS OF PRAISE. IS
ANY ONE OF YOU SICK? HE SHOULD CALL THE ELDERS
OF THE CHURCH TO PRAY OVER HIM AND ANOINT HIM
WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. FOR THE PRAYER
OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE.
( JAMES 5:13; 14 & 16 *NIV )
Dear Member's,
One of the most powerful things on this Earth is "The Power
Of Prayer!" For, THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE
RIGHTEOUS AND HIS EARS ARE ATTENTIVE TO THEIR CRY;
THE RIGHTEOUS CRY OUT, AND THE LORD HEARS THEM;
HE DELIVERS THEM FROM ALL THEIR TROUBLES.
( PSALM 34:15 & 17 )
So let us not forget to speak to God in prayer today, and
thank Him for all He has done for each of us! Let us also pray
for those who are suffering, or are going through trials and
tribulations in their lives! Let us pray for each other as well,
and ask God to fill us with His Love, Hope, and Faith!
Therefore Member's, I KNEEL BEFORE THE FATHER,
I PRAY THAT OUT OF HIS GLORIOUS RICHES HE MAY
STRENGTHEN YOU WITH POWER THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
IN YOUR INNER BEING, SO THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN
YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH AND I PRAY THAT YOU,
BEING ROOTED AND ESTABLISHED IN LOVE, MAY HAVE
POWER, WITH ALL THE SAINTS, TO GRASP HOW WIDE
AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST,
AND TO KNOW THIS LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE
--THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED TO THE MEASURE OF ALL THE
FULLNESS OF GOD. Aho , Amen , e-men !
( EPHESIANS 3:14; 16; 18-19 )
Have a great day Member's, and remember that God smiles
every time He thinks about you!
In His Love & Service,
Pastor cougarmoon
