WHAT MATTERS this year (2013)–Follow Up

Two days ago I wrote a blog post entitled, “What Matters this year (2013)”. I discussed several things from New Years’ Resolutions to the suicide of Amanda Todd to the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never harm me”.

After my usual round about way, I actually got to a point: As easy (and prevalent) as it is to verbally rip someone down, it is even easier (and more powerful) to build someone up. That we need to control the words that come out of our mouths and brains and take just the effort to look for the positive and speak out about it.

And to wrap it up with a bow and “prove” that God and I think the same way, I ended my original post with a specific verse from the Bible.

“ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” EPHESIANS 4:29

Yesterday, my mother and I also ended up in a discussion about the same thing: what potential our words have to do either good or bad.

Today,  I realized that the birthday of my friend, Sue, is coming up on January 23rd and I better get her ”birthday greetings'”  in the mail and out to her major quick.

Also today, as I was looking at my daily devotional called “Our Daily Bread”, I thought since Sue is going through some difficult times it might be a good idea to mail her the page in the devotional for the specific date of her birthday, January 23rd.
(The “Our Daily Bread” devotional includes a Bible verse for each day and a small story and poem to go with it. The goal is to encourage people in their daily lives and faith.)

So I flipped ahead to see what the topic for Sue’s birthday would be. The verse for January 23rd is Ephesians 4:29 and it talks about the same topic of controlling what we say in order to build others up. The same as my blog two days ago AND my conversation with my mother yesterday. (*NOTE: See original “Our Daily Bread” entry for January 23, 2013, below)

That is what we Christians call, “confirmation from the Lord”. I personally call it , “Jesus chiming in”. Some may call it merely a “coincidence”. But as I love to ask the question: “How many coincidences does it take before something ceases to be a coincidence?" Because things like this happen to me every day, all day: God making sure that I know he’s there. Whether it’s a “major” miracle, help at the split second I need it or simply him commenting on something that’s going on with me. Daily through my 34 year relationship with Jesus he has been showing up in some manner. So I ask again: “How many coincidences does it take before something ceases to be a coincidence?!”

God is a part of my life because I WANT him to be a part of it. He speaks to me because I take the time to ASK him what he thinks and Brother, if you want God’s opinion about something, He’s ‘gonna’ give it to you! Until then, He will stand at the door of your heart and knock.

“ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”
              REVELATION 3:20 

He gave you the right to choose, even if it means you choosing to reject and ignore him. What will it take for you to open the door and invite him in? Because until you do, you are missing so much. And I hate to see you miss out on the best thing that will ever happen to you. (It can be so cold ‘out there’ in the world alone.)


“If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.”
(A “Life Principle” by Dr. Charles Stanley”) In Touch Ministries by Dr. Charles Stanley

page from "OUR DAILY BREAD" January 23

ODB Devotional Page for JANUARY 23, 2013
(can read it better at this link than in picture above)

REMEMBER: "Our Daily Bread" Devotional is sent to you Free of Charge. (no strings attached - I can vouch for that)
 

Spence Hunger Strike is Terrorism (Part 2–Terrorism Begins at Home)

(NOTE: Please read original blog post “Spence Hunger Strike is Terrorism”. LLR)

As the hunger strike of Teresa Spence (Native Canadian Chief) continues, the plot thickens and also brings to light other aspects of Native Rights.

When it appeared like the Prime Minister Stephen Harper would meet with Spence and other members of the First Nations Council, she became unsatisfied with that result. She originally said her goal was a face to face talk with Stephen Harper, but now it seems she has her eye on the attention of an international audience.

Teresa Spence - Native Chief on Hunger Strike

In my original blog on the topic, I likened Chief Spence to a child who holds their breath to get what they want. And like a petulant child who is given in to, they are constantly wanting, “MORE, MORE, MORE! NOW, NOW, NOW!”

 

It seems that the little bit of notoriety she has gleaned from her hunger strike may have gone to her head. She has begun to alienate the press AND the other Chiefs of the First Nations of Canada. However, this brings to light another very important factor in Native Rights that is hardly ever addressed.

 

A very serious issue was brought to my attention a while back, when natives on Reservations wanted their own, private, Native only, police force. This was pushed for by several Chiefs and in some locations this right was granted. (But once crime got out of control the RCMP had to go in again to restore and maintain order.) However, there were many, people who lived on these reservations that were against these private police forces from the beginning. I asked, “Why?”

 

What people on the “outside” (of reservation living) may be unaware of is that the Natives in control of these reservations act very much like the mafia. THEY get the money, THEY have the power, THEY have the voice. The only time the poor are focused on is when spotlighting a few of them is of use to gain more funds from the Government. But  the majority of natives on reservations are poor because they are NOT part of  the “inner circle” of natives who control the Reservations.

 

About 90% of those living on a reservation are everyday people just like you: Decent, ready for hard work, hoping to make a live able wage, send their kids to college and make a better life for their future generations. While the other 10% (the Chiefs, their families and “henchmen”) get all the money, the power, control every aspect of reservation life and have the ear of the Members of Parliament and the Prime Minister.

 

While Government funds allocated to native programs go to the Chief and his band, the price the average Reservation Native pays for attempting to change things and speaking out will be: the loss of their job, their home taken, an education denied to their children, threats to their family, free drugs given to their children (addicts are easier to control) and ultimately beatings.

 

And once a person is in that position, … leaving and getting free is next to impossible. How would they get the money to leave? How do they leave unnoticed? Who is there to help them once they escape? Who will even believe them? They’re poor, unemployed, uneducated, with family members addicted to drugs and terrified to open their mouths? Would you believe someone like that? Or would you rather take the word of a native leader who is highly educated, well spoken, has a beautiful house, a “sweet ride” and is wearing a $8,000 suit?

 

Do you want an indicator of whether I’m wrong or right?

 

Next time you see a native person speaking in the media about life on the reservation (someone who isn’t part of the 10% governing elite), note that their names will be withheld and their identity disguised.

 

 Question: “Why hide who they are”? Because they’re poor, or unemployed or saying reservations need better conditions? Why would talking about that require anonymity?

 

 Answer:  They’re afraid because they haven’t been given permission to speak. And once you’ve spoken, where in Canada could you go to be safe after you’ve opened your mouth against those in charge AND they know your identity? (PLUS, you might still have family or friends living on the Reservation that they can “get to”)

 

It’s THEIR rights we should be concerned about. They may be going hungry, like Teresa Spence, but it won’t be by their own choice. If OUR Prime Minister feels compelled to meet with members of the native community, why doesn’t he bypass the “higher ups” (and their pressure tactics) and take a surprise, unscheduled stroll onto a Reservation to look around. Maybe have a private chat with all those people who live each day in a PRISON of poverty, intimidation and fear. With no hope for pardon or parole.