lunar eclipse

this is the second night in a row that the LORD has woken me up around 2:00am to take the short walk across the courtyard into the Sanctuary to pray. I've awoken with a song in my heart. Last night it was "come, now is the time to worship", tonight it was "Jesus, all for Jesus". There is a clear sky over the Four Corners, after a day of unusually heavy rain. And the full moon is being eclipsed. I would have missed it if He hadn't woken me up. The heavens declare His glory. just thought I'd mention it. I'm going outside again to watch.

Prayer at Dawn

Native Flute and Buffalo Drum

Ezekiel 36, prayed in the Sanctuary from the English and Navajo Bible.

Mountains of Israel, hear the Word of the LORD…
Sacred Mountains of Dine’Tah, hear the Word of the LORD...

Then we walked to a place from where we could see the ministry buildings, the mesas to our south, the Bisti highway, and the trees that grow along the SanJuan River - our eastern border. It was Julia Redhouse, our Navajo worship leader, and myself at first because Pastor Art had to change his shoes. You do NOT walk our land in Sandals. God hasn’t replaced the brier and thorns with fir-trees and myrtle yet (Isa 55:13)
Julia spoke out what I was thinking, this particular spot would be perfect for a Hogan shaped church. When Pastor Art joined us, he looked around for a moment and said, “wouldn’t this be a perfect place for a Hogan Church?”.
As Julia prayed, both in Navajo and English, she asked that the LORD would make the vision for our ministry to come into being, or that if were not from Him, that He would take it from her. Over the past nine years I have often prayed the same prayer. Crying out to the LORD, when He again and again brought this complex to my mind, showed me what could and should be accomplished here. “Why are you showing me this, if it is an impossibility?”
“Lord, if this vision is not from you, than take it away.” He never did.
Now, as we pray for wisdom, provision, people (both to serve and be served) and Shalom, I am awed and humbled that He has put us here, to restore what the enemy has stolen. Let His will, and only His will be done here.
One more thing about this mornings early morning prayer. Julia said this place was a graveyard of gossip. And we prayed that that curse would be removed.
And then Pastor Art prayed his morning song on the native flute while Julia beat on the buffalo drum. Yes LORD and Amen.

Sunday Morning

I am so happy to be living this life again. Getting ready for Church on Sundays is such a pleasure. Preparing the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, and even the restroom. Singing and praying as I go about the business. Kingdom business. I’ve been working on the court yard. It still needs a lot of work. I was thinking that if I had a few extra thousand dollars, I’d pay the local Mennonites to do the landscaping, but then there are more pressing needs. I can do the yard work, with the help of my sons, for now at least. This morning as I was unlocking the doors and opening the gates, an Indian rode by on a horse. For my northeastern friends I should add that he was not wearing feathers or carrying a bow and arrow. Actually he was dressed like a cowboy. We greeted each other and I smiled. Dear God in heaven, bless him. Bless all the people, from all the tribes tongues and nations that ride by this ministry complex day after day (most of them are in cars and pickups). Bring us the lost sheep, and the shepherds who will help us care for them. And a thousand thanks Abba Father, for entrusting us with this ministry. May your will be done!