The LORD is my strength and shield.  I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

There are two attitudes toward life that are possible, and you can have only one or the other.

One attitude is to save your life now: hoard it, clutch it, cling to it, grasp it, try to get hold of it for yourself, take care of yourself, trust yourself, see that in every situation your first and major concern is, What's in it for me? That is one way to live, and millions are living that way today.

The other attitude is lose it: fling it away, disregard what advantage there may be for you in a situation, and move out in dependence upon God, careless of what may happen to you. 

This week in Native American News - June 3, 2016: a wayfinding boat, the Gathering of Nations, and some cannabis.

When we are called by God, it is often out of our grasp of understanding, comfort, and everything this world has taught us is normal. 

When Jesus called His disciples to come and follow Him, it was out of complete faith that they stopped everything they were doing and listened. They were willing to take a giant leap of faith to be with Him. Imagine how much different their lives would have been if they hadn’t listened, the blessings they would have missed and the road to salvation they would have squandered for themselves and others.

God strongly desires to make all people part of His family - and we strongly desire to include Native Americans in this family — a family that will one day be perfect and last forever.

There is no better time than now.

This Week in Native American News: dental therapists, a protested auction, and salvaged murals.

Have you ever heard someone ask, “What is God’s will for my life?”  Often what they want to know is a very specific answer to a question: Should I marry this person? Should I take this new job?

The traditional Navajo religion seeks answers to these spiritual dilemmas by enlisting the help of people called hand tremblers who heal and diagnose illness, witchcraft, and other imbalances that may be plaguing the seeker. 

This Week in Native American News - May 20, 2016: grandmothers, photographers, and a whole bunch of laws

Every spring, we have the Blessing of the Fleet in Neah Bay which marks the beginning of the fishing season and asks God to bless the year’s harvest. Last year, there were at least 100 people at the marina, and it was a very meaningful time for all who attended.

Later that morning, a young fisherman, who had been at the Blessing, came to my office at Makah Lutheran Church. He had his Bible in one hand and questions on his heart.