January 11

Dear Friends,

This week I started on my resolutions: On Monday, I tore the shrink wrap off of my exercise DVD. On Wednesday, I popped it in and listened while doing dishes. How are you doing on your resolutions?

The third and fourth grade Bible lesson this week is on Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  Roger and I have been discussing how the Israelites did not deny the existence of the One True God; they added “practical” gods (rain, fertility, etc.) to the mix just to make sure. The Native American Tradition is syncretistic in much the same way. We have families who are not offended by Jesus or God because they will accept Him into the pantheon and say, ‘He’s the creator-god.” Some participate in events called “prayer-walks,” which are not really opportunities to bring petitions to the Great Almighty God, but are meant to draw attention to a cause such as man’s harming of mother earth. Because the language is similar, it can be confusing for our children. We are concerned for them and their responses.  We want them to understand that the God of the Universe is the One and Only God, and the One Way to God is only through His Son, Jesus Christ. You can see why we pray for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and timing every day as we try to clearly present the truth in a loving and gentle way.

The Navajo people identify themselves by their clans when introducing themselves and even in the newspaper. For example, in an article about the Ultimate Arizona Cardinal Fan, she was identified as: Big Water Clan born for One Who Walks Around Clan. Her Maternal Grandfather is Towering House Clan and her Paternal Grandfather is Salt Clan. The clan system gives them a family support system and identity.

I just finished Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell. It is historical fiction about the Long Walk to Fort Sumner the Navajos endured in the 1800s. It’s juvenile fiction and an easy way to learn more about the culture of the Navajos who made their home in Canyon de Chelly.  Some of the clans mention in the book were Bitter water, Under His Cover, Red-House, Trail to the Garden, Standing House, Red Forehead, and Poles Strung Out. These are mentioned on p. 90, and I couldn’t help but notice that they can be related to Bible stories and characters. It seems that many peoples carry the seed of the truth in their religions and culture. Last year one of my students got greatly offended when I told the class that their religion had lost the whole truth and they needed to return to the God of the Bible.

We praise God that we had water this Sunday morning. The two previous Sundays we didn’t. There is something to be said for Saturday night bath-night. It’s been warming up here during the day but still freezing at night. We see that many of you are experiencing extreme weather too.

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts.