Sunday, February 22, 2015

Making an Agreement

As many already know, the electronic age makes it quite easy to accomplish a great many transactions with the touch of a key or the click of a mouse.  I'm amazed at how much business I can accomplish while never leaving the place.  I'm also blessed at how much Good News can be published by simply clicking on a button labeled "send."  So many times I think of Isaiah 52:7 as I hit "publish" on the site builder.  This reality, though; has a down side to it as well and I've spent the last three weeks really pondering the importance of knowing what I'm agreeing to, before I click "agree" or "accept."

I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but as these end of days continue to unfold, it just seems that we could so easily agree to something without really considering the ramifications of that agreement.  It's easy to make "Big Brother" references and snide comments about NSA, but in that ease I sense a real desensitization taking place.  As we have incrementally agreed to give up our privacy for convenience, most of us have come to the point of knowing "they" have all the legal protection and we simply agree to go along without fully understanding.  I've spoken to many people who say they don't think they would understand the terms if they read the form, yet they sign or agree . . . How much more will we "agree" to without even reading it.

Some might call me paranoid or beyond diligent, but in the years of filing e-forms with my business, I've learned, clicking "submit," or "send" does legally obligate me to the terms or authority of the entity with which I'm dealing.  My ancestors know all too well, making a deal without knowing all the details still obligates all parties involved.  When I read the report of the raid on a Kansas household based upon internet purchases of grow lights, it became painfully clear, there is a great deal of enforceable power through internet transactions.  People are getting hired and fired based upon facebook posts and twitter comments.  We truly do need to know to what we are agreeing.  Taking it a step further . . .

Do we read the Patient Bill of Rights and the stack of papers that are signed for treatment at the local ER or doctor's office?  What about our local bank, when "they" are the ones with our money?   By the number of doctors who will not take checks and the amount of information needed for any banking transaction, it's clear the "authority" doesn't trust us.  Why should we be so trusting as to just agree that "they" have our best interests at heart?  As my three week hiatus from social media came to an end, I couldn't even log in to my account without enabling my cookies.  A window popped up directing me to enable my cookies before login was possible.  In that, I have agreed to allow facebook to track my browsing.  Hopefully, I've managed a way to still maintain my objective, but at least I know to what I've agreed . . .  There's a day coming, the price for "free" will just be too costly.

Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.  a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Sunday, February 15, 2015

A Divine Appointment

Although this will start a bit murky, it will clear up.  In words that may sound a bit racist, I was just feeling a real draw to make sure I didn't lose connection with my people.  Many Native Americans walk an interesting line between tribal tradition, white social progress, and spiritual truth . . . and Casino checks . . .  In the last couple of months I felt led to withdraw unto YHWH and seek Him.  Since it's about 3 more weeks until kids arrive in full force and milking season begins, this seemed the perfect time to take a short hiatus.  When RFID chips were added to Passports in 2005, I let mine expire, which makes returning to Israel out of the question for now, so I headed to Grand Lake of the Cherokees, for a time of refreshing.

Realizing my time of sharing the truth in one particular genre is changing course, I've sensed the door opening in my call, that is;  The Door in my CALL!  The past couple of weeks have been exhilarating.  I've been faunching to share it, but it's just not been quite time.  Many of the details have yet to be worked out, but Y'hshuwah has carried me over the threshold!

Much of the argument that has come against this ministry has come from those still walking in the traditional teachings of American Christianity and from those who have a dependency on mainstream medicine, a career in that area, or closely associated with those in that profession of choice.  As I've begun to witness the plan unfolding, that distancing now makes so much sense!  I simply do not have the "luxury" of walking in this call in compatibility with mainstream medicine, or mainstream religious teaching for that matter.  The past couple of years indicate, I apparently also had to experience first hand, Matthew 10:36, as there have been more than a few family members express their disdain in no uncertain terms.  Having experienced it now, in my face, more than once, I get it!  I truly regret being a slow learner on that one . . .

As the details are made manifest, I believe a new understanding of "be ready" will also come to light.  As we are all called to a ministry of reconciliation, I now see differences and even division are not necessarily a bad thing, especially when it comes to spiritual matters.  In some cases, we simply need to understand, a closed door means that's not our opportunity.

And all things are of G-d, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Y'hshuwah Messiah, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  II Corinthians 5:18
   

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Opportunity and Discovery

Perhaps opportunity and discovery are more related than I first realized.  An opportunity came into my focus earlier this week that seemed just too amazing to let it pass, but . . . as the circumstances unfolded, the opportunity quickly seemed to be turning into anything but an opportunity.  At every juncture, there was a problem, oh not a big problem, not insurmountable, but each would certainly serve as a distraction.  That's when I began to really do some soul searching.  Was this opportunity, really a step forward, or a chance to pause and give reflection of my direction.

As I considered what could possibly be entailed by this presumed opportunity, the term entailed being the operative here, I assessed my current circumstances.  This so called opportunity was initially going to involve some serious work.  Work doesn't scare me, but unnecessary projects are just that, unnecessary.  I have projects I already have trouble working into the schedule.  My life is good, my life is full, and in nearly ten years of homesteading, I do not feel the need to "get away."  Clearly this opportunity, if it was truly an opportunity should amount to more than a get away with maintenance involved.

I prayed, I asked Abba why this, why now?  He then led me to further discovery.  This opportunity isn't about more land or expanding the homestead.  This opportunity was first introduced that I might truly discover more of His purpose in my life.  The homestead is where He has called it to be and that hasn't changed.  The fact that my life is full, I'm content where I am and do not need a break from this life is not the point.  It isn't about me . . .  This Cherokee does not need to own an acreage in the Cherokee Nation, but rather the call to invest time and knowledge to reach out to my people.

How often do we take on more than is necessary, which actually serves as a distraction and obligation rather than an opportunity and discovery?      


Sunday, February 1, 2015

Keeping the Trouble Outside of Camp

As this ministry continues to press into readiness, I've discovered a new revelation of what I hope is maturity.  It used to be when things didn't work out the way I'd hoped, I was disappointed, and frequently voiced that fact.  Of course, Adonai sees my heart, so I wasn't actually telling Him anything new, but in those words, I was feeding thoughts and attitudes that were of fleshly expectations.  Since writing "Can We All Be Wrong?" I've been told in no uncertain terms by many, that I'm wrong.  I will confess right now, I don't have everything right, but those same people who are sure I'm wrong, are obviously missing some valuable power and victory in their lives as well.

I truly tried to believe what mainstream American Christianity taught.  I searched, thinking I just had to find the right denomination, or the right translation of Scripture, or . . . or . . . or.  My biggest problem was I couldn't understand how so much of the Bible was taught to have been rendered obsolete by Jesus Christ.  Then it was even more difficult to comprehend that Paul now had more authority than Moses.  I was unable to base my life on a book that most folks promoting didn't believe in following.  The confusion was consuming, until the day I fell on my face before the Throne of mercy in repentance and confessed my sins.  The question I heard cut to the core of my spirit.  I experienced Hebrews 4:12 in an instant when YHWH asked me if I was willing to lay down everything I thought I knew.  I thought of the Psalms Grandma had taught me to memorize, the Bible Quizzes as a teen, and then three specific memories came to mind.  One was that the Torah was for "a culture," the next was the teaching that the gifts were for "that time."  The third was the haunting term of "G-d's permissive will."  In light of all the memories, I was aware of only one thing.  "Yes" was the only answer to give Adonai.  I was ready to lay down everything to have a relationship with Him and His Son.  Suddenly, the veil was lifted, and my mind was connected.  I was saved and healed!

Now, to get back to hope and maturity.  The ways of YHWH are far above our understanding, but He is willing to give us revelation when we seek Him.   Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.  Jeremiah 33:3  I find myself feeling so sorry for those who do not choose to incorporate into their life, Scripture that was written before Messiah came.  If we discount what He's already said, we won't hear or see more.  Abba is infinite and eternal; there is just so much more to Him than has been recorded.  John says the world couldn't hold the books of all the works of Messiah Y'hshuwah just in the short time He walked this earth.  Although I am still saddened when things don't work out the way I'd hoped, since writing that book; I am also thankful that the "physical camp" has been spared the divisive issues and discord.

For the Word of G-d is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.