A Cherokee Feast of Days
by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
We are persons with a desire for variety. Rigid routine can make our spirits sag. Following the same path at the same time every day, repeating and repeating without the slightest change, dulls the spirit. Life gets to be routine because we let our minds fall into a rut that has no future. Nagging fear enters when living falls into inertia, and we are troubled not so much by what is going on around us as what is going on inside. There are many words for spirit, but the Cherokees call it a da nv to, or life, v le ni to nv. It means to show some initiative, some serious intention. It is not something we only hope to have one day. It is a necessity - moisture that feeds the roots and sunlight that draws new life. But it must be stirred up.
~ Warriors stir themselves to go to battle - and so must we. ~
STRONG LEGS
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 22
"In the Indian way, we are connected to that flower if we understand its spirit, the essence of its life."
--Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
Everything on our Earth is alive. Every rock, every plant, every animal, every tree, every bird, every thought is alive. This is true because everything is made by the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is alive. We need to slow our lives down each day and realize, consciously, that this is true. First we need to realize it, second, we need to acknowledge it, third, we need to appreciate it and, finally, we need to go on.
Great Spirit,
let me see life through Your eyes.
Today let me be alive.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
When there's thinking to be done a person does well to have a little private retreat....a place where there's no worry that any minute someone will interrupt. And at the very ease of knowing that here is a little time to do nothing but just think.
Except that I must carefully direct those thoughts so to never let them roam to things that serve only to disturb. But where does one find a place these days that affords a time alone?
It doesn't take much room to think. Some have little special places hidden from view....a hillside maybe....a sunny spot along a path....a closet not so large....a park bench....or they may even take a drive.
But that place that is always available to us is that place within our own selves. This is the secret place within the heart where desires are stored. And no matter what we do, where we go, thoughts are productive.
Here is where thankfulness is stored....here is where love is born....here is where the very life of life is built and rebuilt. This is our retreat when there's thinking to be done.
February 22 - Daily Feast
Eager expectations is the activity of the spirit; it doesn't come from some outer excitement. Enjoy friends and don't criticize - however much the need seems to arise. Spend time with friends and family but save some time to be alone. Peace and hope come to those who wait for them - and joy overtakes the grateful one. Even to withdraw for ten minutes breaks into the emotions to smooth away sharpness. Be a good friend to yourself and the sweetness of it will draw others like nectar lures the honeybee. Open your spiritual eyes and see that you are never alone.
~ Do not take up the warpath without a just cause and honest purpose. ~
PUSHMATAHA - CHOCTAW LEADER
"A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II" by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - February 22
"In the Indian way, we are connected to that flower if we understand its spirit, the essence of its life."
--Larry P. Aitken, CHIPPEWA
Everything on our Earth is alive. Every rock, every plant, every animal, every tree, every bird, every thought is alive. This is true because everything is made by the Great Spirit and the Great Spirit is alive. We need to slow our lives down each day and realize, consciously, that this is true. First we need to realize it, second, we need to acknowledge it, third, we need to appreciate it and, finally, we need to go on.
Great Spirit, let me see life through Your eyes. Today let me be alive.
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THINK on THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
We often wonder why we must come in contact with some phases of life that seem so unrelated to how we think and plan. It seems we should be able to proceed without stopping all along the way to contend with things that really have little kinship to what we're trying to do.
But no matter how we question and analyze, situations and events continue to present themselves for solving. It takes a great deal of wisdom to know the difference between that which we must do and that which we must refuse serious consideration. This very thin line is the deciding factor in the victory or defeat of any plan.
Like a well-written story, sometimes the smallest incident hidden among our experiences can play a very big part at some later time. It is difficult to know just which parts of the puzzle will fall into place to complete a picture we seek.
We must take one step at a time, being sensibly aware of the thoughts we store in our minds. For "as a man thinketh in his heart, so he is." As long as we dwell on all the unnecessary activities we will never have time for the important things. If we seek the wisdom of the one Creative Mind we have much less chance of being led astray by the glitter of unimportant things.
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God's Minute
BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, DO NOT FEAR OR
BE AFRAID OF THEM; FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS
THE ONE WHO GOES WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT LEAVE OR
FORSAKE YOU.
( DEUTERONOMY 31:6 *NJKV )
Dear Member's,
Those words were spoken by Moses to all the children
of Israel.
The Prophet David wrote, IN GOD I HAVE PUT MY TRUST;
I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?"
( PSALM 56:11 )
Our Savior Jesus Christ said, AND LO, I AM WITH YOU
ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.
( MATTHEW 28:20 )
Those words are as true today as when they were spoken
by Jesus, David and Moses! For our Heavenly Father is
always with us, helping, guiding and protecting us as we walk
the pathway of this life. With help like that why be fearful of
the future or anything else?
Therefore as a child of God do not fear another person,
place or thing! After all what is fear but the opposite of faith!
So put all of your faith in God and you will be able to say,
"I SOUGHT THE LORD, AND HE HEARD ME, AND
DELIVERED ME FROM MY FEARS." Amen.
( PSALM 34:4 )
Have a Wonderful day Member's, and may God Bless
You!
With My Love & Prayers,
your servant , Pastor Cougarmoon
