Triple C News - Nov. 25
Hey, everyone!
What a beautiful day we’ve got today!! And right after a beautiful day yesterday!!
Sooooo awesome to have a day once a year to stop…breathe deeply…and thank God for all He has given to us and done for us!
And btw, Happy Native American Heritage Day! Today!
It’s a day to recognize and honor the first Americans, the indigenous native peoples of North America.
And folks have lobbied for that one since 1915! It wasn’t until 1990, that the 1st President Bush declared the Friday after Thanksgiving as a day of appreciation for those of the 1st Nation!
Did you know there’s a Smithsonian website that can tell you which native peoples first lived where we do now? Anywhere in America! Before there was an Oliver Springs, the Tsalaguwetiyi of the eastern Cherokee, the Savannah River band of the Uchee people, and the Shawnee people called this home.
Lately, I’ve loved listening to the stories of the journeys, struggles and joys of Native American followers of Jesus today!
One of the most difficult chapters they share in common is the pressure they often have felt after coming to Jesus to deny their culture in order to “fit in” with others who shared their faith but not their heritage. They couldn’t speak their languages or wear their native clothes if they were going to be “accepted”. At times, they have even been told it’s wrong to. One woman shared that it was hard to believe God loved her when she was told she shouldn’t be the one He made her to be.
Another came to know Jesus at 20 years old and was told right away in a weekly Bible study group that since she had become a Christian, she couldn’t attend “those tribal dances” any more.
“But dancing has been how I’ve made it through all my heartbreaks up to now! And it’s become one of the ways I worship Him!” She explained what happened at their dances and that there wasn't anything that anyone would object to.
“Ok, let me think about this for a while,”her pastor said.
A week later, he said, “Well, I’ve been reading and praying about this and I read that when the lost son came home in Luke’s story, they had a dance to celebrate…and David danced before the Lord, even tho' some didn’t like it. But God was ok with that, so I can be ok with this!”
I remember someone saying that they were asked the question, “Can you dance and still be a Christian?” She answered, “I don’t think you can be a Christian and NOT dance!!”
In Heaven, John looked “and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands…” (Revelation 7:9)
Forever beautifully different…and yet forever one!
Happy Native American Heritage Day!