Elder's Native American Daily Devotional

First topic message reminder :

Although a practicing Christian, my deep respect/fondness for Native American spirituality/philosophy thrives within me. For some time I have been considering including a Native American spiritual daily devotional, within "THE CROSS ROADS". After all, they were hunting these same lands long before we were.

Reading these devotionals moves me to feel closer to Mother Nature, in a way that is hard to explain. It's not my intention to have two contradicting philosophies within this sub forum, I just feel it's the right thing to include this here. Perhaps some of you will enjoy these readings as well. With that being said, here's the first devotional.
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Elder's Meditation of the Day - June 4

"Wakan Tanka never stops creating."
-- Archie Fire Lame Deer, LAKOTA

The Medicine Wheel teaches about change. It says that which is created
will fall apart; that which is loose, will be used to create new. In
other words, everything on Earth is participating in a constant change
that is being directed by an order of laws and principles which were
originated by the Great Spirit. We humans are equipped with natural
change abilities. We have the ability to vision; we can use imagination
and imagery; we can change belief, attitude, habits, and expectations.
We need to know ourselves and we need to know how we work inside to
enable us to change naturally.

Great Spirit, teach me to change in harmony.

"With one mind we address our acknowledgement, respect, and
gratefulness to the sacred Cycle of Life. We, as humans, must remember
to be humble and acknowledge the gifts we use so freely in our daily
lives."
-- Audrey Shenandoah, ONONDAGA

The sacred Cycle of life - the baby, the youth, the adult, the Elder.
Let us respect all directions, the four directions of the Grandfathers;
let us respect their power. Let us remember we belong to the earth, the
earth does not belong to us. Help us to be respectful to all the gifts
You have given us.

Oh Great Spirit, help me this day to be humble. Let me not attack
anything in deed or in my thoughts. Let my thoughts focus on the beauty
You have created in all things.

"A bit of sunshine, a drop of rain, a puff of life from the Great
Spirit as He gently breathed upon that spot, created the Native
Americans. They were well formed and agile, copper colored and proud.
-- Harriet Starleaf Gumbs, SHINNECOCK

We are made in the image of the Great Spirit. A long time ago He
breathed life into our ancestors. He made the Indian strong. He created
a Warrior. Our ancestors created more warriors. We have been tested
throughout the seasons and we are still here, stronger than ever. It is
good to be Indian. We are proud of ourselves and our ancestors. Mostly
we are proud the Great Spirit has never forsaken us, and continues to
guide us.

My Creator, let me live my life today in a way that would make my
ancestors proud. Let me remember each month that I am here to serve
You. Today let me conduct my life in a way that also would make You
proud.

"The best teachers have shown me that things have to be done bit by
bit. Nothing that means anything happens quickly - we only think it
does."
-- Joseph Bruchac, ABENAKI

There are no short cuts. Every tree must grow according to the growth
plan of the Creator. Every flower must grow according to the plan of
God. The moon must make its trip around the earth according to God's
plan. Every human being must grow according to the plan of the Creator.
Sometimes we look at ourselves and we think we are not growing but we
are always growing. Because we cannot see it with our mind does not
mean it is not happening. We must be patient with ourselves and let the
Creator direct our growth.

My Creator, let me be patient. Let me realize that You are in charge of
all things. Let me realize that I must grow my roots a little at a time
to become strong.

"If we keep everything in balance, we are in harmony with ourselves and
are at peace."
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA

As within, as without, our present thought determines our future. If we
want peace outside ourselves, we must first have peace inside
ourselves. It's not what is going on but how we are looking at what is
going on. We need to keep ourselves in balance. We must be careful to
not get too hungry, angry, lonely. or tired. We must know the times -
time to work, time to rest, time to play, time to sleep, time to pray,
time to lighten up, time to laugh, time to eat, time to exercise. There
is a saying "The honor of one is the honor of all." This means when we
work with all, we need to also work on one. We need to take care of
ourselves. You cannot give away what you don't have.

Great Spirit, let me walk in balance today. Remove from me resentment,
self pity, and self seeking motives. Let me love myself so I can love
my neighbors.

"The greater the faith, the greater the result."
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA

The Creator designed us to act on faith. We are able to do this by
holding firm to our beliefs. If we believe something and if we don't
want the belief to change, we need to add the power of the Great Spirit
to this belief. We must always have the spiritual added to our beliefs.
If we don't add the Spirit, then we may very well change our minds the
first time we are tested. Each time we are tested and we don't change
our minds, we get stronger. The wind may blow on the red willow trees
bending them and causing the roots to grow deeper. The more the wind
bends the tree, the bigger, stronger, and deeper the roots grow. We
should be happy that we are tested. It's the Creator's way of making us
have greater faith for greater results.

Great Mystery, Grandfather, I know if I am tested today that I can
count on You to give me the courage to get to the other side. On the
other side of every test is the reward of strength. Make me strong.

"God is making use of you - you should be grateful He's found a use for
you."
-- Mathew King, LAKOTA

The Creator can only create through human beings. Each human being has
a purpose given to us by the Creator. We are on this earth to fulfill
this purpose. Our only work is to make ourselves ready, to become a
channel, to perform for the Creator. We prepare ourselves by prayer. We
prepare ourselves by becoming unselfish. We prepare ourselves by
seeking and choosing to walk on a spiritual path. Each morning we look
to the east and we say an honor prayer to the Creator. We offer our
gifts: tobacco and corn. We ask him to help us do His will for today.
In this simple way, we still fulfill our purpose. It should be an honor
to serve the Creator.

Great Spirit, today I am ready to serve You.

"Those who live for one another learn that love is the bond of perfect
unity."
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA

To serve each other, to respect each other, to trust each other, to
honor each other, to love each other, to cooperate with each other, to
care for each other, to forgive one another, to focus on peoples' good,
to laugh with one another, to learn from one another, to pray for each
other; these are all acts of love. These values and actions will
connect us to one another in the Unseen World. Nature is a good example
of how we should get along with one another. Watch nature. She is our
teacher. Nature lives to give to one another. The insects give to the
birds, who give to the four legged, who give to the two legged. The
Creator made all things perfect.

Oh Great Spirit, let me serve the people today. Let me see that it is
better to give than it is to receive. Be with me today.

"We begin by letting the Powers know that we are willing to be their
servants to others."
-- Fools Crow, LAKOTA

There are certain prayers or actions we can take that will call the
Powers. The Powers can only work through the people. The Powers are
always waiting to express themselves through people that are ready.
Every person born is born with a purpose. They have a song to sing.
They have a mission to accomplish. Every true purpose will always be
about serving the Creator and helping others. When we let the Powers
know that we are ready to serve the people, the Powers get excited
because they can now do things to help the people and make things
better for them. The decision is powerful because it turns an idea into
action.

Great Spirit, the greatest joy or feeling that I have ever experienced
is when you are using me to help the people, the feeling of giving, the
feeling of being your channel. Today, let me have that feeling of
giving. Use me as You will.

"The devastated earth, the air, water, the extinct species of mankind,
animalkind, and plantkind, the drugs, suicides, family separations -
these are all the result of false ceremonies."
-- Barney Bush, SHAWNEE

All life is a ceremony. Every act is a ceremony creating a result in
our lives. Every ceremony we do always brings results to our lives. If
we do bad medicine to others, we do bad medicine to ourselves. If we
keep on doing bad ceremonies, we will eventually destroy ourselves. Any
time we live our lives out of harmony, we are doing bad ceremonies. Any
time we treat anything with disrespect whether it is another human
being or a plant or an animal, we are performing bad ceremonies. These
ceremonies not only have an effect on ourselves but will simultaneously
affect everything. We need to use our power well, only do good
ceremonies.

My Creator, teach me only good ceremonies. Teach me ceremonies that
accomplish good for all the people. Good ceremonies cause good results.
Teach me ceremonies that are helpful.

"I remember Dawson (No Horse) said, 'Once you say your prayers, don't
worry about them. If you worry about them, they'll just fade away.'"
-- Chuck Ross, LAKOTA

Today I need to remember You are everywhere. I need to remember how
much You love me. I need to know, Grandfathers, that You are always
listening. Today I need to know how much You care. Today I will
remember the advice of the Elders. "Say your prayers and then don't
worry - know that the Great One has heard you." It's so much easier to
do this, Grandfather, when I feel connected to You.

My Creator, allow me this day to feel your presence. Let me walk the
path of life today and talk to You many times. Give me faith, my
Grandfather.

"Keep your life simple because the more you get, the more complicated
it becomes."
-- Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE

The old ones say, lead a simple life. The society we live in is all
about getting more houses, cars, luxury and credit cards. The law of
worry says, the more you have, the more you need to worry. You get a
house, then you need insurance, then you need to take care of the yard
and the list goes on. Next, you may want a bigger house with a bigger
yard which costs more in insurance. Along with the accumulation of
materialism, are other "gifts." Soon you become a slave and the
materialism owns you. Lead a simple life and have peace of mind. Lead a
simple life and be spiritual.

Creator, let my foundation be spiritual and simple.

[quote="Dave Mullins"] It's not my intention to have two contradicting philosophies within this sub forum,


Dave, I hope you take this as constructive criticism, but you do understand that they ARE INDEED contradicting worldviews?

Yes I am aware of that. Still, it all comes down to giving thank to The Creator. My Creator's name is JESUS CHRIST. I include the Native American Daily Devitionals because there are members who appreciate the messages, myself included.

This is meant to be a very casual, enjoyable offering of reading for those who are interested. I'm not trying to worship any false Prophet, or not recognize JESUS CHRIST as my ONE,TRUE, & ONLY savior.

It just seem to go hand in hand with what we do, from a bowhunting standpoint. I'm referring specifically to the oneness with & respect for Nature. That's where I'm coming from with these posts.

Thanks for your post, it's all good. See we can even talk religion here, without people going all crazy.

"If you get troubled, go and sit by the river. The flowing water will
take your troubles away."
-- Joe Coyhis, STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE

Sometimes we get mixed up and we don't know what to do. Go to the river
or creek. Take your sage and tobacco; sit and be still. Talk to the
water, offer tobacco and the healing water will take your problems
downstream. Give thanks.

Great Spirit, heal my mind today, let me see love.

"When that spirit comes, we don't ever ask questions. If I don't
understand, I just hold onto it. Then later down the road, maybe in a
couple of years, I understand what that spirit meant."
-- Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA

At certain spiritual events or happenings, it is possible for the
spirits to come. Sometimes these spirits look like sparklers of light,
sometimes you can feel them, sometimes they will look like live human
beings. The spirits always come for a reason. When we deal with the
spirit world, we need to be patient. The Great Spirit will tell us the
meaning of these happenings when He is ready.

Great Spirit, let me be aware of Your presence.

Elder's Meditation of the Day September 25
"Even the trees have spirits - everything has a spirit."
--Mary Hayes, CLAYOQUOT
The trees are great teachers. The trees are great listeners. That is why we should meditate in their presence. The Great spirit is in every rock, every animal, every human being, and in every tree. The Great Spirit has been in some trees for hundreds of years. Therefore, the trees have witnessed and heard much. The trees are the Elders of the Elders. Their spirits are strong and very healing.