Ghostdancer Shadley

Don’t forget warriors, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with our Great Chief and Captain. And the Word was our Great Chief and Captain. He was with our Great Chief and Captain in the beginning. Through him (Creator Yahweh) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. This Word, this Creator Yahweh is the One our people have long known as Creator. But now we can know him, not only as Creator of all things that we see and do not see, but also as the One who creates new life within our own souls. Now we can know him, not only as The Great Spirit, who is out there somewhere, far beyond us, or someone we meet on the Sacred Mountain of vision quests, but also as The Spirit in whom we live and move and have our being.

Now we can know him, not only as The Spirit who indwells all things, but also as The Holy Spirit who dwells right inside of us. He is the great I Am. He rings out through time, through eternity, through past and future, forever. “I Am”—The Great Spirit, Creator, of whom our forefathers caught a glimpse. “I Am” Creator Yahweh. Messiah. Redeemer.

Eagle People … Today’s reading is John 1:9-14. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”

Photo by Sandy Cathcart at the Restoration Powwow, Chiloquin, Oregon, 2014)

Warriors, the choice is yours—walk in beauty—or walk in darkness. Creator Yahweh, the true Light that gives light to everyone, has come into our world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who do receive him, to those of us who believe in the name of Jesus Christ Yeshua, he gives the right to become children of Creator Yahweh—children born not of natural descent, nor of a human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

I am writing to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young warriors, because you are strong, and the Word of Creator Yahweh lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Take heart! And continue in the way of beauty.

Eagle People … Today’s reading is I John 2:1-6. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”

(Photo by Sandy Cathcart at the Restoration Powwow, Chiloquin, Oregon, 2014)

Walk the Spirit Way, warriors, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For these two are in opposition to one another. The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. Creator Yahweh does not intend that we do whatever we want. Instead, we are to listen for Creator Yahweh’s voice before we take each step.

Whoever walks the Flesh Way will walk into destruction. Whoever walks the Spirit Way will walk into eternal life. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work Creator Yahweh has given you, and then sink yourself into that. When we walk in the Spirit Way our hearts are filled with love for our Great Chief and Captain and love for others.

So then, while we have opportunity let us do good to all people and especially those who walk the Spirit Way with us. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for at just the right time we will soar with eagles!

Eagle People … Today’s reading is Galatians 5:22-26. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”

(Photo by Sandy Cathcart at the Restoration Powwow, Chiloquin, Oregon, 2014)

Yesterday we talked about the need for rest. In “Streams in the Desert,” John Ruskin talks about the music of heaven and how our lives are a part of Creator Yahweh’s song. He calls it the melody of our life and explains that the music is separated here and there by rests. “During those rests,” Ruskin says, “we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song.” Creator Yahweh often forces these times of rest through sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts.

Perhaps it’s because of being Native American, but I truly grieve when the drum beat of heaven falls silent, especially when it is a sudden and unexpected pause. Yet how my heart sings when the silence is broken at just the right time by a skillful flute player. It is then I am assured that the rest is part of the making of the music. The pause sets everything in place for the next note.

In times like these it is good to remember that Creator Yahweh does not write the music of our lives without a plan, and times of rest are part of that wondrous plan.”

Eagle People … Today’s reading is Psalm 91. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”

(Photo by Sandy Cathcart at the Restoration Powwow, Chiloquin, Oregon, 2014)

Warriors, are you staring into darkness so deep that you fear to take a step forward? “Be strong!” your Great Chief and Captain calls, “Be of good courage.” This is a time to grit your teeth and steady your heart, to slow it to the beat of a sleeping man. You can only do this by calling on Creator Yahweh to give you peace and to give you strength. As you stare into a wall of darkness where you must soon tread, there is no light to illuminate the path, nothing to mark the treacherous boundaries you know exist. One wrong step and all is lost. Discouragement slashes its sharp edge into your heart.

“Have I not commanded you?” Creator Yahweh’s voice calls out. “Be strong!”

It does not matter how weak you feel, or how foolish, your Captain and Chief has gone before; he knows the way. Listen for the echo of His voice as he leads you, not around this valley of darkness, but directly through it, like an arrow flying straight and true.

Eagle People … Today’s reading is Joshua 1:1-6.. Pleya gi. “Go with Blessings.”

(Photo by Sandy Cathcart of Cobby Shadley at Arrows of Faith Gathering, Chiloquin, Oregon, 2014)