January 22 - Daily Feast
Volume II
Words are judged by what we have in our hearts. Our ears pick up the words we hear, but once inside the heart decides the meaning. Love is one of those words. To some it is purely physical - and others hear it as flowery springtime with little substance. But to some it is healing and a deep and wonderful commitment that cannot waver. It is the power at the core of a person, a strength not dependent on muscle and bone but life and principle and character. If the heart is right, the decision
Cannot fail.
~ I shall exercise my calm, deliberate judgment in behalf of those most dear to me.... ~
PUSHMATAHA - CHOCTAW LEADER
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - January 22
"The first factor in the revolution of consciousness is the mystic death of the ego - the death of negative thinking, negative personalities. We must purify the soul of the inner enemies. Every time a defect manifests- envy, gluttony, anger, lust, whatever-that impulse to the heart. Ask, `Do I really need to invoke this?' And then honor the heart."
--Willaru Huayta, QUECHAU NATION, PERU
Our egos have character defects. These character defects we sometimes act out and they invariably bring results to our lives that we might not want. If we continue to use these character defects, we will continue to have undesirable results in our lives. How do we change ourselves or get rid of a character defect? We can go to the heart-ask a question, make a decision-then honor the heart. For example, say I get angry today. I would go to the heart and ask, would I rather be right or would I rather be happy? How we answer this question can have an enormous impact on how our day goes. Once we decide the answer to this question, we need to honor the heart by saying, "Thank you for the power of changing my thoughts. I choose to be happy and to experience peace of mind."
Great Spirit, today, let me teach only love and learn only love.
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THINK ON THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Much has been blamed on lack of opportunity, but some of the strongest and most successful had no opportunity at all. They had to make it themselves -- right in the face of those who would defy a person's right to think for himself, to be creative.
We can turn away from those who would tell us that we haven't a chance. As far as they know, maybe we don't, but why give any thought to what others think -- what do we think? How things look may be important to some but those who are ready to kick over the traces, have every chance and no one can stop them from success.
We cannot take huge steps at first, but there are small steps waiting for someone to recognize their importance. Take those little steps and prove that opportunity comes to those who truly look for it.
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January 21 - Daily Feast
Volume II
Identity does not require a label - for man is spirit, and spirit is nonpolitical and unconscious of color or class. An Indian woman is not as apt to board a luxury cruise ship or to sit at a bridge table hour after hour as she is to pitch camp beside some sparkling stream where the sunset tips the mountains with gold. People are different and fall naturally into different categories - though basically they are spiritual entities. These diverse spirits can even love each other if they can evade the labels. Labels are indicative of importance - but it is the heart that counts.
~ Is it wicked of me because my skin is red? Is it wrong of me to love my own? I am a Sioux because I was born where my father lived. ~
SITTING BULL - SIOUX
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - January 21
"This is the time of awakening to the inner father and the inner mother. Without this we will receive no high initiation; instead we get initiated into darkness. That's because any investigation or revolution without God leads, not to freedom, but to more slavery."
--Willaru Huayta, QUECHAU NATION, PERU
Honor the Father and the Mother. Father stands for wisdom and Mother stands for feelings. Inside each of us is the Father and the Mother. If we do not honor both, we will not grow in balance. To honor both the Father and the Mother helps our masculine and feminine sides grow. The winter season is a good time to focus on this. This is our season of reflection. Honoring both sides allows us to see the Creator is both Father and Mother.
Great Spirit, Father Sky, Mother Earth, guide me today. Let me experience balance.
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THINK ON THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Happiness seems to be an ultimate goal -- but what about contentment? Is there any difference? Definitely. Happiness is a kind of butterfly thing that can flit in and out -- but contentment? It is the best for knowing peace and being able to share it.
Contentment is ease regardless of what is going on. If we ever once experience it, we want to go back to where it was. Going back isn't necessary because contentment is a part of anyone who doesn't stew and fret and stir up contention.
When we know that what others do doesn't have to change us, we feel humility, knowing that God knows us as individuals and we receive our comfort individually. Trifles should never get inside to irritate our well being and steal our freedom.
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God's Minute
Jesus Christ said;
"PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY PEACE I GIVE YOU. I DO
NOT GIVE TO YOU AS THE WORLD GIVES. DO NOT LET
YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED AND DO NOT BE AFRAID."
( JOHN 14:27 *NIV )
Dear Member's,
Now with all that is going on in the World today it
is hard to have any peace of mind. After all, with wars
and rumors of wars, terrorists, and violent weather etc
happening all over the World, it is a bit unsettling to say
the least!
So remember that Jesus told us; "YOU WILL HEAR OF WARS
AND RUMORS OF WARS, BUT SEE TO IT THAT YOU ARE
NOT ALARMED. SUCH THINGS MUST HAPPEN, BUT THE
END IS STILL TO COME. NATION WILL RISE AGAINST
NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. THERE
WILL BE FAMINES AND EARTHQUAKES IN VARIOUS
PLACES." ( MATTHEW 24:6-8 ) So no doubt the Universe is
unfolding as it should be.
Therefore keep your mind focused on Jesus Christ
for He said; "I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, SO THAT
IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THIS WORLD YOU
WILL HAVE TROUBLE. BUT TAKE HEART! I HAVE
OVERCOME THE WORLD." ( JOHN 16:33 )
So Member's, why not start each day with the following
prayer, and even better yet, why not try to live by it as well.
Then; LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS,
SINCE AS MEMBERS OF ONE BODY YOU WERE
CALLED TO PEACE, AND BE THANKFUL, (COLOSSIANS 3:15)
and by living this prayer it will help you find true peace and
serenity indeed!
God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful World as it is,
Not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things right
If I surrender to Your will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
Forever in the next. Amen.
Now Member's, don't you feel more peaceful right now?
I thought so. Have a great day! Amen.
NOW THE SERPENT WAS MORE CUNNING THAN ANY
BEAST OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD HAD MADE.
AND HE SAID TO THE WOMAN, "HAS GOD INDEED
SAID, YOU SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE
GARDEN?
( GENESIS 3:1 * NKJV )
Dear Member's,
The serpent (satan) has been tempting mankind since
the beginning of this earth age. Just as he tempted
Adam and Eve, he tempts us as well! Therefore you
must; BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT; BECAUSE YOUR
ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WALKS ABOUT LIKE A
ROARING LION, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.
( 1 PETER 5:8 )
Now as Childern of God we have added protection for
It is written; NO TEMPTATION HAS OVERTAKEN
YOU EXCEPT SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN; BUT
GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHO WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO
BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE, BUT
WITH THE TEMPTATION WILL ALSO MAKE A WAY
OF ESCAPE, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT.
( 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 )
THEREFORE SUBMIT TO GOD, RESIST THE
DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. For when you;
DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO
YOU. ( JAMES 4:7-8 )
So Member's, the next time satan tries to tempt you
tell him to take a hike! For Jesus Christ gave you that
power when He said; "BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU THE
AUTHORITY TO TRAMPLE ON SERPENTS AND
SCORPIONS, AND OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE
ENEMY, AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS
HURT YOU." Amen ( LUKE 10:19-20 )
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant , Pastor cougarmoon
