Smudging..."To smudge, or not to smudge - that is the question."

The ceremony of smudging is often done before a traditional activity such as a Pow Wow, when dancers smudge before entering the dance circle. The basic purpose of smudging is to cleanse the place or person, but is also performed for sickness, enlightenment (knowledge), and well being (harmony/peace). "Smudging" is done with sage or sweet grass, but cedar and tobacco are also used.

The Christian Native needs to ask himself/herself why am I smudging? Is it for "tradition sake"? Or do I believe to have a spiritual value?

The Bible is the source of truth for the Christian. The only way to really cleanse us is through the sacrifice of the Father Creator's son, Jesus. It is his sacrificial blood (not smoke) that we accept for our internal purification. Our harmony and inner peace comes from our reuniting us through the Father Creator after our sins are forgiven and forgotten through Christ's gift of grace for us. (see Part 6 - Lesson 1 of "Walking the New Path")

It may be easier to build homes
Regulations have changed so that in the future it will be easier to build homes on tribal lands. The process has been simplified, cutting down paperwork making it simpler for Native Americans to borrow money for homes on reservations.

Record label has total of 9 Grammy nominations
Canyon Records who has a reputation for being one of the best labels for Traditional and Contemporary Native American music received 9 Grammy nominations. They represent such artists as flutist R. Carlos Nakai, Verdell Primeaux , Jimmy Mike and The Black Lodge Singers to name a few.

Blackfeet plan resort near Glacier National Park
The Blackfeet Tribe plans to build a multi-million dollar resort on St. Mary Lake. They are hoping to tap into the 1.7 million tourists that visit the park each year. The reservation currently has an unemployment rate of near 80 percent. The tribe is hoping that it will be a way of increasing the number of jobs for tribal members.

INDIAN TRIBES GAIN SPECIAL DOMAIN NAME SUFFIX
An agreement announced by the Interior Department and the General Services Administration (GSA) provides federally recognized American Indian tribes with a special domain name suffix identifying them as government entities. Atribe's domain name will include a hyphen, the letters "nsn" (for native sovereign nation) and the .gov designation. For example, the Hopi tribes' domain name is currently 'www.hopi.nsn.us.' Their new domain name will be'www.hopi-nsn.gov.' The Interior Department said the special tribal designation is a step toward providing information about American Indian programs and agencies over the Internet. [SOURCE: Governmenet Computer News; AUTHOR: Wilson P. Dizard III] http://www.gcn.com/vol1_no1/daily-updates/18521-1.html)

For more Native News articles click HERE.

Native Conferences
16th annual Convocation Vision for the 21st Century.  Native American Fellowship of the Assemblies of God.  To register, click HERE.  Or contact them at Mia Boyd, NAF, P.O. Box 1619, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.  (406) 892-1228. www.firsnationsmonday.com/NAFinfo.htm.

God loves First Nations People.  June 27-30 at Agape Church.  For more information, call (636) 327-5632 or point your browser to www.agapechurch.addr.com.

Walking a New Path
(Part 6 from Lesson 1: Basic Discipleship Course)

Know if you are a Christian

When we become a Christian sometimes our friends or relatives question "How can you be sure" or "You're not really a Christian". But our Heavenly Father shows His love to us by showing us that we can know that we are a Christian.

The first thing we need to do is thank our Father-Creator for our salvation. Don't depend on feelings - feelings go up or down (even what we eat can effect our feelings); but depend on His promises in His Word! He doesn't change His Word.

When you become a Christian

• You enter into a New Life - Romans 3:20
• Your sins are forgiven - 1 John 1:9
• You become a child of the Father-Creator - John 1:12
• You have eternal life - will live with God forever - John 3:16
• You have been given a new calling - 11 Corinthians. 5: 17
• You have a new power for life - Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13

John 10:27-29 - "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."

John 20:31 - "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Remember it is a gift to you - you did not deserve it or work for it - God chose to give you your salvation. He can make our calling sure! Remember that God does not give up on His kids.

Philippians 1:6 - "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

God promised that if He knocks on our door He will not reject us despite ANY sin we have done in the past and we open the door then He will come in and be with us - we will be like friends. We come to the Father on the basis of how GOOD JESUS IS (perfect) not how good we are!

Revelations 3:20 - "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."

Changes (evidences) in your life after you become a Christian

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

• You feel a burden has lifted away and are clean (sins forgiven)
• You have a new peace within 
• Old sin and sinful ways don't seem right any more.
• You have a new understanding of the Bible
• You have a new understanding of what is right and wrong
• You have a new power to overcome old habits - drugs, alcohol etc.
• You have a new love for fellow "believers" - your new "brothers and sisters"
• You want to share your new faith - the Gospel

If you have not yet prayed to accept Christ' love, or if you are not yet sure that you are a Christian - now is the best time. Join together in prayer with your discipler, asking for your Creator's forgiveness.

Dear Father Creator,
I confess (agree) that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, was buried, but on the third day rose again! Jesus is in heaven with Father Creator. I want Jesus to save me and ask him to guide my life - to be in charge. Thank you Father Creator for making me a new person in and through Jesus Christ. Amen.

• "I am a Kichwa Indian from Ecuador, South America, I belong to a Protestant church, I will be participating as a translator in a tour of traditional medicine men, from South America to some Indian reserves in Saskatchewan, during May and June. I need your prayers, so the Spirit of God will strengthen my soul in order to fight again evil that is into some people that will be asking for the services of the medicine men. I want to give testimony of my Christian faith." G. Gauman
• "I want to thank you all for prayers for my dad. Please also pray 4 my daughter who has always had stomach problems since birth. Again thanks 4 all prayers". Alfred J.
• "I feel the call of God on my life and I am a street evangelist here in Toronto Ontario. To God be the glory". Shawan J.
• "My mother might have a tumor that is cancerous. May God bless you and keep you for your prayer". Jon P.
• Go to http://www.warriorsforchristonline.org/prayer.htm and join us in praying for those who leave requests on the prayer board.

• A Native illustrator who can do drawings for WFC's "Walking the New Path" discipleship course.
• Pray that God would provide funds to attend the Convocation of Indian Leaders in June in Montana.
• Please also pray for the good health and financial support of the Warriors for Christ staff. 
• You can leave your thoughts and insights for us through the web site at http://www.warriorsforchristonline.org/contact.htm or through mail or phone call. We would really appreciate your input!

"THE PRAYER CIRCLE" - Those that have committed at least once a week, to pray for spreading the Gospel,  to effectively reach American Indians, for discipled native leaders, and the Warriors for Christ staff, Board and regional Directors. We will send you emails of prayer requests as we receive them and will ask you to join WFC staff to pray for these needs, and the ones posted on the WFC prayer board.  To join send us an email at warriors@warriorsforchristonline.org

"WARRIOR COUNCIL" - Those that have made a monthly pledge of financial support to WFC.  Just go to http://www.warriorsforchristonline.org/donations.htm to reach our "help page" on the web site and let us know that you want to join with us to help reach our Host people with Christ's love.

Father-Creator's Word

After this I 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 in front of the Lamb.  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.  And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."  [NIV]

Revelation 7:9,10