Here is a nice Native poem from A friend on Native Smoke Signals Website

Wherever You Are

Whenever your shadow falls on stony ground
And there's not a hand for you to hold
Whenever the dreams you dream come crashing down

Every time you think of home
Remember that you're not alone
And I'll be with you heart and soul
Wherever you are

And if you should lose the path along the way
And find yourself walking in the dark
Whenever the ones you love seem far away

Every time you think of home
Remember that you're not alone
And I'll be with you heart and soul
Wherever you are

Whenever the fears you hide come reaching through

Every time you think of home
Remember that you're not alone
And I'll be with you heart and soul

Every time you think of home
Remember that you're not alone
And I'll be with you heart and soul

And I'll be with you heart and soul
I'll be with you heart and soul
Wherever you are, wherever you are

I'm with you heart and soul...
SWWA

Christian Right Insiders Reveal Racism, Virulent Anti-Immigrant Attitudes and Homophobia in Prominent Religious Group | Belief | AlterNet

Link

Jesus himself wouldn't support some of these racial remarks or statement's made by this pastor. He himself know's that he has no room to Judge anybody. He is only human & he is not above anyone here on earth. Unless he can prove that God himself gave him the authority to make these types of decision's upon his knowledge. I don't condone such behavior by anyone, especially if they claim to be a man of God.

PBS Just as Corporate, White, Male and Republican as Commercial TV � SpeakEasy

Link I totally agree with this statement. Most of the programming is paid for by Corporations that want their side of each subject shown, their ways? So how could that be diverse? It's all FAKE & whoever pays the most, get's the most AIRTIME just like regular Television. THE WHOLE IDEA OF PUBLIC WAS LOST!

SOMETHING SCARY JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN, The WENDIGO

The Wendigo is a non-dead creature that roams the earth destroying the good- hearted and those in love. His fate is to wander the Earth feasting on human hearts. The first Wendigo was a mortal who was betrayed by his sweetheart. In revenge for the treachery, he slew his love and ate her heart. Rather than savor the warmth of revenge, his heart was in turn, turned to ice. During daylight hours, and the phases of the moon, the Wendigo looks as you or I. Beware the Wendigo on the three days of the full moon when his power and appetite are greatest. Beware being attacked by the Wendigo. He duplicates himself by attacking but not killing his prey.

Read by Piper

THE ONLY KEY

THE ONLY KEY

Love is the only key
that fits in Paradise ports.
It is a piece of Paradise
in every smile, in every good word.,
in every kindness to another.
It is a piece of paradise in every heart
that being a port to a unhappy man,
in each house becomes a home with bread and wine,
with a little human warmth
and a song in the evening.
It is a piece of paradise
in each oasis where love blooms
and people have become human again
for humans, they have become a family,
are brothers and sisters for each other.

Love is your responsibility.
If you lack love,
you can not say that it is God's responsibility
for the misery in this world.
God put his love in your hands
as a key to the gates of every
little piece of paradise.

Some people have a heart of gold.
Of everything they do, it radiates love.
Others do not trust his heart
and never do what your heart
ives them an impulse to do.
It's a shame. Their heart silenced

PSALM 98:1 - 98:9 SING A SONG FOR YAHWEH

Psalm 98

1 Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.

2Yahweh has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

3He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

4Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

5Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp, with the harp and the voice of melody.

6With trumpets and sound of the ram's horn, make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.

7Let the sea roar with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.

8Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.

9Let them sing before Yahweh, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

YOUR SHEPHERD AND LORD

Your Shepherd And Lord

"The Lord is my shepherd... " - Psalm 23:1

Abraham Lincoln wrote, 'I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.' All of us feel that way at times. That's because we are all sheep in need of a shepherd. Of all God's creatures, sheep seem the least able to care for themselves. They're directionless: they'll walk off a cliff or wander into a river and drown. They're defenceless: they've no claws so they can't fight, run fast or climb a tree to safety. They're dirty: your cat and dog can clean themselves, but sheep get dirty and stay that way. You say, 'I don't like being compared to sheep.'All right, then answer these questions. How well do you control your impulses? Do you ever play the victim? Can you relate to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Are you always upbeat and upright? Do you add to the conflict and confusion, or do you always make peace? Do you truly love people, or do you just use them for your own ends? Are you generous, or do you mostly give to those who have something to give back to you? On a scale of one to ten, how do you score when it comes to the fear of people, or failure, or sickness, or death, or rejection or risk? Is your life an open book? How often do you fail and need forgiveness: weekly? daily? hourly? It sounds like you need a shepherd! So instead of saying, 'The Lord is my shepherd', try saying, 'Because I need a shepherd, I make You Lord of my life'.

Ideas for Creating Happiness Daily Coralie

Daily life can be made happier. It is a matter of choice. It is our attitude that makes us feel happy or unhappy. It is true, we meet all kinds of situations during the day, and some of them may not be conductive to happiness. We can choose to keep thinking about the unhappy events, and we can choose to refuse to think about them, and instead, relish the happy moments. All of us constantly go through various situations and circumstances, but we do not have to let them influence our reactions and feelings.

If we let outer events influence our moods, we become their slaves. We lose our freedom. We let our happiness be determined by outer forces. On the other hand, we can free ourselves from outer influences. We can choose to be happy, and we can do a lot to add happiness to our lives.

What is happiness? It is a feeling of inner peace and satisfaction. It is usually experienced when there are no worries, fears or obsessing thoughts, and this usually happens, when we do something we love to do or when we get, win, gain or achieve something that we value. It seems to be the outcome of positive events, but it actually comes from the inside, triggered by outer events.

For most people happiness seems fleeting, because they let changing outer circumstances affect it. One of the best ways to keep it, is by gaining inner peace through daily meditation. As the mind becomes more peaceful, it becomes easier to choose the happiness habit.

Here are a few tips for increasing happiness in daily life:

1) Endeavor to change the way you look at things. Always look at the bright side. The mind may drag you to think about negativity and difficulties. Don't let it. Look at the good and positive side of every situation.

2) Think of solutions, not problems.

3) Listen to relaxing, uplifting music.

4) Watch funny comedies that make you laugh.

5) Each day, devote some time to reading a few pages of an inspiring book or article.

6) Watch your thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, start thinking of pleasant things.

7) Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven't.

Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven't been able to do all of those things.

Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do. You may have accomplished a lot during the day, and yet you let yourself become frustrated, because of some small things that you did not accomplish. You have spent all day successfully carrying out many plans, and instead of feeling happy and satisfied, you look at what was not accomplished and feel unhappy. It is unfair toward yourself.

8) Each day do something good for yourself. It can be something small, such buying a book, eating something you love, watching you favorite program on TV, going to a movie, or just having a stroll on the beach.

9) Each day do at least one act to make others happy. This can be a kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite. When you make someone happy, you become happy, and then people try to make you happy.

10) Always expect happiness.

11) Do not envy people who are happy. On the contrary, be happy for their happiness.

12) Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy. Remember, happiness is contagious.

13) Do your best to stay detached, when things do not proceed as intended and desired. Detachment will help you stay calm and control your moods and reactions. Detachment is not indifference. It is the acceptance of the good and the bad and staying balanced. Detachment has much to do with inner peace, and inner peace is conductive to happiness.

14) Smile more often

Why Are There So Many Right-Wing Extremist Women? | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet

Link Some of these women are going to far, now that they have the right's to make some changes nowadays? I wished they would wait for and ask for other peoples opinions before they start making such extreme statements.

" I AM WOLF"

'I am Wolf '

I am the Shadow,
I am the Death at your Heels,
I am the Night Sound,
I am the Wolf.

I am the Prowler,
I am the Hunter in the Dark,
I am the Midnight Pelt,
I am the Wolf.

I am the Fanged One,
I am the Creature you Fear,
I am the Terror,
I am the Wolf.

You are the Prey,
I am the Runner of the Woods,
You are my Enemy,
I am the Wolf.

You have the Weapons,
I have the Claws, useless against You,
You are the Killer, not I,
I am the Wolf.

You are the Destroyer,
I am merely a Black Figure, Hidden.
The Moon is my Wittiness,
I am the Wolf.

I Howl Misery to the Stars
You are the Next to Go,
I am the last Shadow,
I am the Wolf.

FREE Pt. 2 By Charles Mays Associate Pastor.

By Charles Mays
Associate Pastor

Free From Sin

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Rom. 6:18)

When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we do not become immediately sinless. The old sin nature is part of our flesh and can only be eradicated by the death of this body that is corrupted by it. For he that is dead is freed from sin (Rom. 6:7). Even a casual reading of Romans, chapter seven, demonstrates the struggle the saved Apostle Paul had with the sin nature that dwelled in his body of flesh (7:22-23). The struggle with the flesh is something we all endure. Paul states it directly, or alludes to it, no less than seventy times in his epistles. The conclusion is that in this earthly existence of ours, we will never be totally free from sin. That is, in our daily experience.

Positionally, we are free from sin. In Colossians 3:3, our flesh is viewed as dead, and our life is hid with Christ in God. We are in Christ, and in Him is no sin. Ephesians 1:3 says we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Paul continues to elaborate on some of those blessings, including our complete forgiveness of sins (1:7). Colossians 2:13 states: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. The effect is that we are given a new position. Ephesians 2:6 says that God has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This is known as Positional Truth. The struggle that we face is making it a reality in our daily walk; this is Practical Truth. But this has no effect on our position in Christ.

Free From the Law

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Rom. 6:14)

Most people think of the Ten Commandments when they think of the law. But it was much more than that. In fact, there were over 600 individual laws contained in the Mosaic Law. These laws governed every aspect of daily life for the Hebrew. It was Gods holy, righteous standard. This might initially be thought of as a blessing, but instead it was a curse. Not that the law was wrong. It was holy, just and good (Rom. 7:12). The problem came in the weakness of the flesh. Read again Paul's struggle in Romans 7:7-25. Man is simply not able to keep Gods righteous standard under the power of his flesh. So we read:

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:20)

The law could not save. It could only condemn. It pointed out the weakness of mans flesh and magnified his need for a Savior. What we could not do by the power of our flesh under the law, Christ did for us (Rom. 8:1-4). We also read, in Colossians 2:14, that Christ blotted out the law, took it away and nailed it to His cross. Yet many, even in our present day, fail to recognize this fact. I can only echo the words of Galatians 5:1:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Consider the words of Philip Bliss in the well-known hymn Once For All:

Free from the law, O happy condition.
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission.
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us, once for all.

Free To Choose

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:20)

The word beseech is not one we use in our vocabulary on a regular basis. It means to beg or plead with someone. If we are begged and/or pleaded with to be reconciled to God, then there is more than mere implication that man has a choice in the matter. Man is free to choose whether or not to accept Gods offer of eternal life.

The same holds true of our Christian walk. We do not save ourselves. It is God who saves us through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary; by faith in His death for our sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Again, our conduct has no bearing on the matter. The only issue in salvation is faith. But true faith should stir a desire in us to live a life that is consistent with our profession of faith. That is the thrust of Romans 12:1-2:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(See also Romans 6:12-13.)

God desires all men to accept His free gift of salvation and to live a life that is free from the slavery of sin and free from the bondage of the law. But clearly, we are free to choose.

TEACH US ALL TO HONOR THE EARTH

"We have a biological father and mother, but our real Father is Tunkashila [Creator] and our real Mother is the Earth."

--Wallace Black Elk, LAKOTA

Who really gives us our life? Who really gives us our food and nurturing? Who really allows us to be born? We are born through our parents who act as the vehicle of life for the Creator and Mother Earth. Our parents take care of us for a little while and when we are ready we must leave them and be faithful to our true Father, the Creator, and our true Mother, the Earth. Then we need to be of service to the Creator and be respectful to Mother Earth.

Great Spirit, thank you for being my Father. Teach me to honor the Earth.

"Make allowance for each other's faults.... (pt.2)

Make Allowance (2)

"Make allowance for each other's faults... " - Colossians 3:13 NLT

C S Lewis said, 'Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.' Author Mac Anderson writes, 'A few times in my life I've been wronged. My first reaction... was anger and resentment. I... felt my stomach tie up in knots, my appetite wane, and the joy slip out of my life... like I'd played the first half of a basketball game in steel shoes. In the locker room the coach said, "Try these new Nikes in the second half." Multiply that by ten and you'll understand how it feels to unload your emotional baggage through the power of forgiveness.' Jesus debunked the myth that love is based on feelings. It's an act of your will, and if you love God you'll keep His commandments. It's that simple. If you're struggling to forgive someone who's hurt you, here are some scriptural guidelines to help you.

Don't seek retribution. Instead, '... overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). God said, '... Vengeance is mine; I will repay' (Romans 12:19). Don't rush to judgment. That's not always easy when you're the injured party, but the ultimate Judge said, 'With what judgment you judge, you will be judged... ' (Matthew 7:2 NKJV). Make things right. Jesus said, '... be reconciled to your brother... ' (Matthew 5:24 NIV). Don't wait for the other person to make the first move, you do it. Paul says, 'Make every effort to live in peace with all men... ' (Hebrews 12:14 NIV). Pray for the offender. As much as it goes against your grain, when you '... pray for those who mistreat you' (Luke 6:28 NIV), God gives you the grace to forgive and see them through His eyes.

GOD'S MASTERPIECE

God's Masterpiece
By Cathy Irvin
Staff Writer

CBN.com - Have you ever sat and really looked at God's handiwork? Isn't it amazing? You can see the starlit sky at night. The stars seem to shine like diamonds. Or have you ever watched the heavens at dawn when it looks like a blazing orange canvas? Even when the stormy days come and they are filled with gray skies, torrents of rainfall, and winds sway the trees like they are dancing, it is a sight to see the wonders of God's artistic hand.

I couldn't help from daydreaming the other day as I gazed out my window. I watched the lightening and heard the thunder. The rain was so heavy you could hardly see the shapes of the trees. The Creator of the universe created all that artwork. Our minds are captivated at the wonders of God's creation. Flowers bounce back after torrents of rain. Birds and squirrels even sit in the trees as if to watch what is happening around them. Yet in all this beautiful scenery there is something greater.

His greatest masterpiece is you and me. Wow! When the Lord created the heavens and the earth, He rested and said all that He made was good. Yet, something was missing. us. So He made man in the image and likeness of Himself. Man and woman were created to have fellowship with God. We weren't the afterthought in creation. We were the special finishing touches. He longs for the day when he shall gather His children and we shall be with Him for all eternity.

The Lord dropped a thought in my heart. He loves us so much he chose not to live without us at the beginning of creation nor when He went to the cross! We are His greatest work of art, so valuable that He says we are the apples of His eye.

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. He says we are His workmanship (Zechariah 2:8).

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

Next time you look in the mirror, see what God sees and cherish your time on this earth. Take time to tell Him how much you love Him and all He has done for you. Try not to take life for granted, but rather value it. I see the tiny newborn baby who looks for someone to hold it and take care of it. I am glad that their mother chose not to abort them. Then I think of the sick and elderly people, and how they look to the Lord to help them.

The point I am trying to make is that you are the most prized possession God has. You are His masterpiece. What matters most to Him is you. He loves you.

A QUOTE FROM Chief Tecumseh a Pawnee

"Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion.... Respect others in their views, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long, and of service to all people. Prepare a noble death song for the day you go over the great divide."

"Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food, and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself."

"Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools, and robs the spirit of its vision. When your time comes to die, be not like those who's hearts are filled with fears of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song with all the zeal of life, and die like a hero going home."

TECUMSEH------SHAWNEE CHIFE

Why Do Arrogant Christian Leaders Want Their Religion to Take Over the World? | Belief | AlterNet

Link

STAYING SEXUALLY PURE

LifeWay Daily Devotional
Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Staying Sexually Pure

Selections from Genesis 39
Joseph was well-built and handsome. After some time his master's wife looked longingly at Joseph and said, "Sleep with me." But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master ... has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?" Although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her. Now one day he went into the house to do his work, and none of the household servants was there. She grabbed him by his garment and said, "Sleep with me!" But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran outside. (HCSB)

His master's wife wasn't just casually flirting with Joseph. She was coming on to him big-time, flaunting the kind of half-dressed half-truths that any man with half a hormone would have a tough time resisting. But the way he played it was a pure stroke of integrity.

The world's pleasures are nothing but slick advertising. Underneath the smile and the swimsuit is - not joy and fulfillment - but pain, loneliness, heartbreak, emptiness, and the sickening, sour taste of detesting ourselves later on. That's a strange way to define pleasure, but it's the best the world's pleasures have to offer. Your temptation to want them is really a hunger for the beauty of holiness. Living for Christ doesn't mean turning our backs on pleasure. It means discovering "eter-nal pleasures" from the hand of God (Psalm 16:11).

Look At It This Way
It's hard to miss God's concern for purity. He demanded the use of pure gold in the construction of the tabernacle; he prescribed pure incense for use in worship; he required pure animals for sacrifice; he commanded pure hearts, pure religion, and pure relationships. In other words, the model Father communicates - in contrast to modern culture, peer pres-sure, and media messages - that purity is good. The model Father commands purity because purity is something he values. And purity is something he values because he himself is pure. That's the kind of father I want to be. I want my kids to know that purity is good. I want my children to understand that purity is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. I want them to reject the fascination with immorality and deviancy that their culture, peers, and the media so often display. I want them to know that I value purity, like the Father I serve and seek to emulate. I want them to see the benefits of purity. And I want them to see a godly standard of sexual purity in me. - Josh McDowell

A Final Thought
Usually, the knowledge that someone else is present and may see you is enought to quash the lies of sexual temptation. Make it your daily, ongoing habit to "Keep the Lord in mind always" (Psalm 16:8).

This devotional is courtesy of the One Minute Bible for Men of Character

The RED ROAD A return to the Circle (16 Steps of Empowerment)

RED ROAD ~ A Return To The Circle

(16 Steps of Empowerment)

1. We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives and
stop being dependent on substances or other people for our
self-esteem and security.

2. We come to believe the Great Spirit awakens the healing wisdom
within us when we open ourselves to that power.

3. We make a decision to become our authentic selves and trust in
the healing power of the truth.

4. We examine our beliefs, addictions, and dependent behavior in
the context of living in a hierarchal, patriarchal culture.

5. We share with another person and the universe all those things
inside of us for which we feel shame and guilt.

6. We affirm and enjoy our strengths, talents, and creativity,
striving not to hide these qualities to protect others' egos.

7. We become willing to let go of shame, guilt, and any behavior
that keeps us from loving ourselves and others.

8. We make a list of people we have harmed and people who have
harmed us and take steps to clear out negative energy by making
amends and sharing our grievances in a respectful way.

9. We express love and gratitude to others, and increasingly
appreciate the wonder of life and the blessings we do have.

10. We continue to trust our reality and daily affirm that we see
what we see, we know what we know, and we feel what we feel.

11. We promptly acknowledge our mistakes and make amends
when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have
not done, and we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for
the shortcomings of others.

12. We seek out situations, jobs, and people that affirm our
intelligence, perceptions, and self-worth to avoid situations or people
who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.

13. We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives,
reduce stress, and have fun.

14. We seek to find our inward calling and develop the will and
wisdom to follow it.

15. We accept the ups and downs of life as natural events that can
be used as lessons for our growth.

16. We grow an awareness that we are inter-related with all living
things and we contribute to restoring peace and balance on Mother
Earth.

Native American Serenity Prayer

Oh Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the winds

and whose breath gives life to all the world

Hear me

I come before you, one of your children

I am small and weak,

I need your strength and wisdom

Let me walk in beauty and

make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made

my ears sharp to hear your voice

Make me wise, so that I may know

the things you have taught my People

the lesson you have hidden in every leaf and rock

I seek strength, not to be superior to my brothers

but to be able to fight my greatest enemy, myself

Make me ever ready to come to you

with clean hands and straight eyes,

so when life fades as a fading sunset

My Spirit may come to you without shame.

~ Mitakuye Oyasin

WHITE BISON'S PHILOSOPHY FOR NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE

White Bison's Philosophy

White Bison, Inc., is an American Indian non profit organization

We believe...

• Mother Earth is governed by a set of Principles, Laws and Values

• Leadership exists to serve the people first

• Leadership existence is to ensure that information (Truth) is given to the people

• Changes are the result of implementing Natural laws

• All Native people believe in a Supreme Being

• In the Elders and teachings as a guiding force to direct ourselves, families and communities

• That there is a natural order running the universe

• That our traditional ways were knowledgeable about the natural order

• When the community leads, the leaders will follow

• Alcohol and drugs are destroying us and we want to recover

• That change comes from within the individual, the family and the community

• That within each person, family and community is the innate knowledge for well being

• The solution resides within each community

• Interconnectedness - it takes everyone to heal the community

• Healing will take place through he application of cultural and spiritual knowledge

• Alcohol is a symptom...not the cause, drugs are a symptom...not the cause, Domestic Violence is a symptom...not the cause. To "heal a community" it needs to deal with the cause

• That the Circle and the Four Directions are the Teachers

• In the Four Laws of Change
  1. Change is from within
  2. In order for development to occur, it must be preceded by a vision
  3. A great learning must take place
  4. You must create a Healing Forest

• OUR CULTURE IS PREVENTION

Don't Be

\/\----------------------------------------------------------
\ / TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/----------------------------------------------------------

October 4, 2010

VERSE:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may
bring forth.
-- Proverbs 27:1


THOUGHT:
Don't you have your hands full with today? Don't you find
yourself distracted from the urgent and important things of today
when you worry about the problems of tomorrow? Don't you
occasionally find yourself missing an opportunity today while
fantasizing about all the possibilities down the road? Isn't it a
waste of time to be anxious about those things over which you have
no influence? So why worry so much about tomorrow, and next week,
and ...? Let's walk with God today and trust in his faithfulness
for us tomorrow.

PRAYER:
Holy God, give me the strength to seize the moment and live the
life today that will please you and bless others. Help my heart
feel the urgency of today and act with boldness, kindness, and
salvation instead of worrying so much about what may happen
tomorrow or next week. Give me the immediacy of the moment I see in
your son's ministry when he walked the earth. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT /\/\

An Adaptation of the 12 Steps With GOD,

AN ADAPTATION OF THE TWELVE STEPS

1.We admitted we were powerless - that our lives had become unmanageable. 2.Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3.Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5.Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6.Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked him to remove our shortcomings. 8.Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. 9.Made direct amends to such people wherever possible except when to do so would injure them or others. 10.Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11.Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of his will for us, and the power to carry that out. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

THE KEY TO SAFETY IN GOD

The key to safety is being in a close relationship with the Lord so we can hear His battle plans. To be able to hear the voice of God, we must study His Word, pray and stay in fellowship with like believers. Psalm 91 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible and I claim it every day for myself and my loved ones. This Psalm should encourage every believer in the keeping power of our God.

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

Prayer for the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your promise of protection from the enemy. Thank You for the many times that I have been spared from the evil plans of the devil. I do appreciate Your angels watching over me and my loved ones. I am grateful that no weapon formed against me prospers. Lord, I submit to You, knowing that when I resist the enemy, he must flee from me. Thank You for answering me when I am in trouble and showing me the way out and how to overcome every problem that I face. Lord, help all of Your people to know the promise of Your power to keep us from harm. Strengthen our faith to trust You in all of our ways. Amen.

PRAYERS TO BE SHARE IN GOD'S LOVE EACH DAY

PRAYER
Praise God for caring for the things that are out of your control:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
(Psalm 105:1-3)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from
sin:
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me. (Psalm 19:12-13)

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations.
(1 Chronicles 16:14-15)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
The fruit of the Spirit in your life
Those who minister in the inner cities
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations,
"The Lord reigns." . . .
Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
(1 Chronicles 16:31, 33)

Depression - are you drifting?

Link I think we all do this at sometime or another. It's a part of being human. But, when you can't find your way of the drifting, that's when the DEPRESSION BEGINS? I have been suffering with Depression most of my life, I should know!!!

PORTLAND OREGON A CREEPY TOWN, I don't think it is, DEBRINCONCITA

What It's Like to Live in a Creepy Town

Locals share the perks and drawbacks of living in 5 spooky cities

By Rachel Wise and Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 5/10/2010

A full moon rises over spirit-laden Portland, Ore.

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PORTLAND, ORE.

An eerie past and frequent reports of ghost sightings have earned Portland, Ore. a reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the Pacific Northwest. Diane Burns has heard her fair share of spooky stories in her 18 years as a Portland resident, but they don't deter her from thinking of the city as a beautiful place to live with lots to offer.

Creepy factor: Some of Portland's spookiest spots are the Willamette River, where a phantom rowboat is sometimes spotted, and Shanghai Tunnels, a network of underground passages connecting the city to the waterfront. According to popular legend, these tunnels were once used to kidnap, or "shanghai," unsuspecting victims to be sold into slavery. Today, the tunnels are open for tours and offer a unique glimpse into Portland's past.

"Although I've never been in those tunnels, people who have say there's something quite unnatural going on there," Burns says.

Getting around: Thanks to a light rail system, an extensive system of bike lanes and a boundary plan that has kept urban sprawl in check, it's easy to get around Portland, which is considered to be one of the greenest cities in the country. On the weekends, Burns says hundreds of cyclists take advantage of the city's bike trails. But locals do frequently rely on their cars as well to avoid Portland's rainy weather.

Owning a home: Burns says $400,000 can purchase a fabulous home in Portland. While she doesn't know of any particular Portland neighborhoods that are thought to be haunted, the city has clusters of old homes that are filled with history. For instance, she and her sister recently sold a house that was built in 1896. While living in the home for five years, her sister would occasionally notice a chandelier swaying inexplicably.

"It didn't frighten her, but it did make her raise her eyebrows and say, 'Hmm,'" she says.

Finding fun: For a relatively small city, Burns says Portland offers a wide range of world-class cultural attractions and dining, including the Portland Opera, the Oregon Symphony and the Laurelhurst Market Restaurant and Butcher Shop, which was voted one of the Top 10 Best New Restaurants of 2010 by Bon Appetite Magazine. From May through October, one of Portland's most popular destinations is the Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Many of the city's major events are held here, including the Blues Festival, the Oregon Brewers Festival and the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

Pittock Mansion, an ornate, 22-room estate known as one of Portland's most haunted locations, is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike -- Burns takes all of her visitors to see the home. While she has never had a spooky experience herself at the mansion, she's heard stories from those who have.

"I've talked to people who have done volunteer work there, and they've closed windows and found them open again an hour later," she says. "But Pittock Mansion is a beautiful home, so you would think that any ghost residing there would just have the lap of luxury," she says.

Tallying the cost of living: Although Portland's property taxes are fairly high, the lack of a sales tax is a nice perk of living in the city, Burns says. Overall, Burns considers Portland to be a more affordable option than other cities in the western United States.

"It's not San Francisco, it's not L.A., but it's a beautiful town," she says. "When I first came here, I was amazed to see how clean they keep the city streets and how lush the forests are