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A friend of mine came into a drop-in center the other day waving an item in her arm and announcing that the new phone books were in. At that moment, another friend was reminded of a comedy movie in which actor Steve Martin's character showed a whole lot more excitement about the arrival of his phone book. I had to go to YouTube to watch the clip, since I wasn't familiar with the movie. In the scene, he jumped up and down excitedly as he had received his own copy of the...
Often, when we hear the word discipline, we don't associate it with healing in our hearts and our lives. We often look for words such as comfort and empathy and understanding. In the Indigenous historical events of our lives many atrocities and abuses took place, so when we hear the word "discipline" we don't necessarily think of the phrase "healing our hearts." Yet, when we look at the Bible, God's most precious holy Word, we do see the word "discipline," and we do see it...
It seems like our world is quickly growing dark. So much violence and hatred and disunity. In short, we are broken. The Bible tells us this . . . "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other... Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 24:10, 12-13 NIV). We can look at that and get depressed. We can grow discouraged by our ever-darkening...
It's the start of a New Year. A new beginning. New hope. Some people resolve to get some exercise-to start walking between the fridge and the couch, rather than using a scooter. Others ask, "What kind of person do I want to be by the end of the year?" This year I'm asking, "What kind of person do I not want to be? I think we've all met some people we don't want to become. Like the lady down the block who owns 49 ferrets and stands at her front window pointing her hair dryer...
I'm glad 2018 is over. It was one of the worst years of my life, it wasn't the worst, but it was in the top five list of worst years. My family went through a lot of unexpected illness and disappointments. My son said there were days when he felt like he was a nail and everyone else in the world was holding a hammer. I've been happy to see a new year arrive and I hope it is a happier, healthier, and better year than 2018 was. I guess it is just a date on a calendar, but...
The Gospel of John has a heart-warming story of a woman at a well in chapter four. This story takes place in an area where there were mixed race people called the Samaritans. The Jewish people looked down upon Samaritans because they were of mixed races. They worshipped God at a different temple, and they didn't believe in the entire Old Testament, like the Jewish people did. The Jewish people and the Samaritan people were very different and had a history of indifference and...
This past year, I focused my articles on chapters from my book, Walking with the Creator Along the Narrow Road. The book grew out of my own search for direction and healing. I had asked God how I could go on with life, and He gave me a beautiful answer; He said, "Look at who I am." I began looking at His creation because Romans 1:20 tells us that we can see His character and nature by looking at what He made. As I enjoyed the creation around me, researched some science books,...
Is there something that calls your name? Relentless and seeming sweet, it will cast no blame. It lures and pushes our buttons inside; when we run to it, it seems like a good place to hide. It produces destruction, trouble, and pain; but we obey its voice again and again. There seems to be no rescuing light, especially when our friends are in the same plight. The chains become heavier, the guilt and shame rage. How do we live in this terrible cage? This circle is deadly, it...
My older brothers had a favorite Christmas tradition. They used to save up the cardboard tubes from rolls of wrapping paper and whap me with them Christmas Eve until my mother made them stop. Through the years, our Christmas traditions became less violent. They involved sleeping under the Christmas tree, watching Star Wars, making Norwegian lefsa and cramming our house with relatives on Christmas Eve to eat too much and retell stories of Christmas past. Around the world,...
I was in a junk store a few years ago, it's one of my favorite places to shop. I like used books, and sometimes I find an odd cup or old plate that catches my fancy. Everything in the store has been donated or thrown away by someone who no longer wanted it. I saw a small antique doll that had a rough life. The doll's dress was faded and torn and it was missing a leg. It was only a quarter and I felt sorry for it and decided to buy it, when I got to the checkout stand the clerk...
When we think about Native American fashion design, traditional aesthetics usually come to mind-intricate beading, fringe and feathers, silver and turquoise-elements that have deviated little over time. Taos Pueblo heritage designer and style-maker Patricia Michaels, however, has taken her edgy, sophisticated one-of-a-kind fashions into the mainstream. In spring 2012, the native of Taos, New Mexico gained national acknowledgment for her designs when she appeared on the...
Enhance your chances of having a happy holiday by keeping these healthy tips in mind! 1. Wash your hands often. This time of year lots of people are out and about who shouldn't be. You'll find their germs all over the place, even on shopping cart handles. Wash your hands often to help your own health and consider carrying a small bottle of sanitizer in your pockets. 2. If you're sick or have a compromised immune system, keep the visiting short, stay home, or wear a mask. We've...
Today I write this to offer my apologies for all the pain my people instilled upon yours (Native North Americans). Ninety percent of my friends are Native, as is my fiancé, and at this time I would like to offer my heart, my soul and my mind to the Creator and ask for forgiveness and a state of welcome by anyone who chooses to read this. This world, this land and all its creatures offer more than I could ever ask for and every time I learn more about what is done to you by...
I watched this year as the summer season morphed to fall. It happened quite abruptly as the September snow fell on the green leaves and grass of an ecosystem that wasn't quite ready for it! It looked like a battle between the trees trying desperately to stay alive and green, but the cold, white snow having none of that argument. Every party involved or watching knew who the ultimate winner would be. Hey, welcome to winter for a few months (before spring makes a comeback)!...
As I start this column I am on day number 12 of 16 of a mission trip to Fort Simpson and Hay River and Fort Resolution in the North West Territories. I came with a contact from Gideons International and my wife, Angeline. We didn't have enough resources to bring our kids, so we are missing them. Our children are dwelling at home with their big sister, and we are dwelling with the Indigenous people in what ever way we can. We have put on services with singing and teaching from...
I think about the miracle of water's cleansing ability every time I wash the dishes, do the laundry or take a shower. Can you imagine what our lives would be like if we couldn't get clean? Thankfully, Jesus made water work like it does for our physical health. It also serves as an example of how we get spiritually healthy when we wash in God's Word. Ephesians 5:25 tells us, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy cleansing her by the washing with...
On 2012 Mike Dils suffered a terrible stroke that left him on a ventilator, unable to move, breathe or speak on his own. He was totally paralyzed. Mike's family was told by the doctors that there was nothing they could do. His family struggled with whether to sign a "do not resuscitate order." Amazingly, Mike could hear the discussion his family had with the doctors; that his diagnosis seemed as if he were brain dead. He was a prisoner of his own body; he had no physical stren...
"Life isn't fair!" Tayanita, Young Beaver complained. "I work all day gnawing down trees and building dams while the other animals in the forest do nothing but eat and sleep. How I wish I had nothing to do but nibble on tender twigs and sleep in the warm sun." Young Beaver was convinced no one in the forest worked as hard as he did. From sun up to sun down and sometimes after dark, he gnawed down small trees and dragged them into the stream. He weaved them together, using his...
Known as one of the Five Moons, celebrated ballerina Marjorie Louise Tallchief (Osage descent) was the younger sister of acclaimed ballerina, Maria Tallchief. Marjorie was born in Denver, Colorado but grew up in Fairfax, Oklahoma, along with her siblings, including her brother, Gerald. The family moved to Los Angeles to further the girls' ballet training. There, Marjorie studied under Ernest Belcher, teacher and dance director, whose school of dance in 1942 was considered the...
I hate to exercise. I mean really hate to exercise, but my doctor says I need to exercise. He lists a dozen health benefits. It helps avoid heart disease and diabetes, controls weight and high blood pressure, improves sleep and muscle strength, prevents bone loss, boosts energy, and more. I don't believe the "boosts energy" part. Exercise makes me tired and sweaty, and I don't like either. Exercise feels like too much work. I have enough to do every day. I'm tired when I get...
When a person commits suicide, every person in the immediate and extended family is touched to some extent. This was a good family, not without problems, but overall a good family with a mom, dad and two children-a boy and then a girl. Life was usual. Then the call came of his death. The dad had taken his life. The emotions that ran through us were close to indescribable, as we had never felt such pain. Nothing could possibly prepare the family for this unfathomable nightmare...
"Stand on the red-painted feet," the officer ordered. "Don't smile. This is not Sears Portrait Studio." With my feet now on the red feet, I stood in front of a massive glass wall looking at a funny camera peeking through its side. It was still early. An already-stressed-out officer came to my cell door. "Torres, get your jumpsuit on. We are going to take you to get your picture taken." I quickly put on my shirt, socks, jumpsuit, and shoes. With a quick splash of water, I ran...
Finally! It looked like we were really going on vacation. My husband had finished his doctor appointments and felt fine for our first vacation since his cancer diagnosis. My son and I had taken time off work. My daughter had arranged to register for high school when she returned. So we gathered our clothes to leave the next morning. Then I got the message from Janie’s sister. Janie and I became friends during our Bible college days right after high school. Through the following decades, sometimes we saw each other more, a...
Tears are real. They happen every day all around the world. Tears protect us from an infection and they lubricate our eyes. Humans are the only ones who can shed tears as a result of an emotion. Have you ever noticed that when you cry, you feel better? That's the miracle of tears! If we couldn't cry, we would emotionally explode. What does God say about tears? Tears are never for nothing and our suffering is never for nothing. The Bible says that God is near to those who cry...
Matthew 6:9 NihiTaa' yá ąąshdi honílóonii, nízhi' diyingo óolzin le', Matthew 6:10 Bee nóhólníihii náásgóó k'ee'ąą yilzhish le'. Áádóó bee íinínízinii t'áá yá'ąąshdi áánítígi áte'ego nahasdzáán bikáa'gi ááníit le'. Matthew 6:11 Ch'iyáán t'áá ákwíí jį́ niha'iyíttsódígíí díí jį´ nihaa náádiní' aah. Matthew 6:12 Áádóó t'áá nihich'į' bąąhági ádaaníitii bá yóó'adahidiit'aahígi át'éego nich'į' nida'ayiilzíhígíí nihá yóó'ahidí'aah. Matthew 6:13 Áádóó nihí hodínóotahjį' ni...
