|
|
|
Tuesday, 04 March 2008 |
|
This is a book
report on, Black Elk Speaks. It was recommended to me and I approached the book from a neutral
posture. Since reading it and forming my opinions I have talked to another
friend who is an Oglala and was raised on the Pine Ridge reservation. He is a
born-again Christian and concurs with my
observations.
First of all the book does provide
excellent historical perspective of the Oglala tribe and the Pine Ridge. It
does show the intricate connection between the Native religion and the culture.
It’s impossible to separate one from the other. It also gives great insight
into Native American thinking and ways. There are many pages that describe the
heart-ache, blood-shed, hunger and sickness that the Oglala suffered. There is
an under-current of how the Native Americans are very spiritual people and are
aware of supernatural events and spirits. To understand Native Americans you
must understand their quest for spiritual life.
When you super-impose the Word of
God on this book you can see clearly the distinction between the spirits of the
world and the Holy Spirit of God. Black Elk was a medicine man and came from a
long line of medicine men. The practices of these men are obviously in the
mystical and demonic realm.
The results of their practices are often
supernatural because demon powers can accomplish supernatural results.
When
Black Elk relates his experience as a young boy and his vision seeing geese
becoming people and men becoming bison etc. it is not of God’s Holy Spirit at
all. It falls in the realm of witchcraft, sorcery and demonic activity.
Additionally, Black Elk speaks of the sweat lodge and purification and ridding
himself of evil. Interestingly, people whether Native or any other culture have
an innate awareness of evil, wrong or sin. And they do all manner of things to
rid themselves of wrong-doing. Any anthropological study of world cultures
will show various methods used. For Black Elk and Native Americans the sweat
lodge was the means to rid themselves of all evil.
However, the truth is that
none of us can save ourselves or rid ourselves of evil no matter what our
penance may be. There is only one way to be forgiven of all sin and that is by
the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. He is the One who has paid the price
and satisfied the legal requirement of the penalty of sin. Calvary is the proof that Jesus shed His blood and whoever
believes on Him will not perish but have Eternal life. The old hymn says it
well: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”
Remember too, that the enemy will
always use the counterfeit to deceive and confuse. His deceptions are often
accepted by people who are really seeking to know truth. As sincere as they
are, they are sincerely wrong because the deceiver has in fact tricked them with
a lie. Sounds like Adam & Eve all over again, doesn’t it?
The conclusion for us should be a
new resolve to reach and help Native Americans with the Good News of God’s love
acceptance and forgiveness. The Apostle Paul said: “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Old
things have passed away and behold all things have become new.” II
Corinthians 5:17
Let’s continue to tell the story and help Native American
people everywhere.
|
|
Wednesday, 06 February 2008 |
It always amazes me what little kids remember. They
fool you sometimes because you think they’re not listening and then they blow
you away with their recall and delivery. Sometimes it will make you laugh,
sometimes you’ll cry. Either way, you’ll be amazed!
Less than six months ago I was driving with my oldest
grandson and we were talking about where God lives. (See: “Where Does God
Live?” TO THE POINT October, 2007). I chocked the experience up as very
rewarding and moved on. But, for him it was locked away for another time and
place. Recall and delivery happened yesterday.
Not long ago, our kids made the wise choice to enroll
Grant in a Christian pre-school. He loves it, talks about it, plans for it,
thinks about it and cries when he’s sick and can’t go to school. Imagine that!
He’s always telling me about art, letters, numbers, snacks, play-time and the
Bible stories. Recently he told the class when the teacher asked if anyone knew
what happened to Jesus after he was born, “Sure, he was born and then he grew up
and then he went to live with the Indians!” The teacher was a little puzzled
with that until our daughter explained that Grant’s Papa works with a Mission that helps Native
Americans, physically and spiritually.
But yesterday the recall and delivery feature was in
high gear. The Bible story was about Jesus and his disciples. Again, the
question was asked if anyone in the class knew about the disciples and those who
followed Jesus. Grant, immediately put up his hand,
“Yes, Grant. Can you tell the class about the disciples
of Jesus?”
“My Papa says that anyone can be a disciple of Jesus,
all they have to do is ask. If they ask then he will come into their heart and
then they can be a disciple.”
I must admit, that is great theology coming from a four
year old. Makes you want to stand up and shout something! For me, I want to
shout, “Right on! You’ve got it! Way to go, son! Way to
go!”
Most importantly, however, it causes me to reflect on
the impact of my words to my grandson. His life is being impacted in profound
ways when I don’t even realize it by what his Papa says. I’ve prayed it many
times before and I’ll keep praying it:
“May these words of my mouth and
this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
|
|
Tuesday, 18 December 2007 |
It’s been a habit of mine for a long time. Every year
in December, I read the Christmas story from Dr. Luke’s account. He was telling
the narrative to his friend Theophilus and he includes a lot of details and
interesting facts about what happened when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. And, as many
times as I’ve read it, I still see new and beautiful things. I think of it
like a diamond. Every time the light hits the angled surface the reflection
causes you to see it just a little differently. So it is with Scripture when
the Holy Spirit shines His light on truth. You see things that you’ve never
seen before. Amazing!
It happened again this year when I read about Gabriel
giving his message to Zechariah and Elizabeth about her pregnancy and the birth
of their son, John (the Baptist). Remember, they were old. She was barren.
Yet, she conceived and gave birth in her old age. She was well past the age of
child bearing, but it happened. Consider if this happened now and it was your
grandmother who gave birth. That’s right, you’d be amazed too.
Then, Gabriel talked to young Mary, a cousin of
Elizabeth. Mary
was of child bearing age, but she was unmarried and still a virgin. Yet, the
Angel told her she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth
to a male child and she was to name him, Jesus. And, he would be the Son of
God. Again, if it happened in your family and a teen-age daughter told you that
an angel told her, what she was telling you, well, unbelief is just the first
word that you would use to describe your response. But it happened and she did
give birth.
Now, this is what riveted me. Gabriel finished his work
by saying, “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37) You
see if it had been me hearing those proclamations, the word “IMPOSSIBLE” would
definitely have been my response. Probably a number of times! Can’t happen!
No way! It’s just, well, impossible! Because I would have evaluated everything
on the basis of what I understood and what was natural. And that’s the
problem. I don’t know everything. And, God is not limited to the natural.
Notice he didn’t say, “Nothing is impossible.” He said, “Nothing is
impossible, with God.”
So, for this Christmas of 2007, my motto is this verse,
“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH
GOD.” He is not limited by anything. He can do anything. Anytime.
Anywhere.
There is no problem, no relationship, no financial need,
no question, no dream, no health issue, no depression, no loneliness, no
addiction; nothing, that is beyond His power and provision! Nothing!
Now, when I include myself with Elizabeth, Zechariah,
Mary and Joseph and worship the God who does the impossible, I’m in very good
company, indeed!
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, Jesus!
|
| | << Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
| | Results 1 - 13 of 14 |
|
|
To The Point 
