On Top of the World

It was a beautiful day and a trecherous road up the mesa known as "Turning Rock". The absolute center of Dine'Tah, the high place where traditional Navajos believe first man and first woman emerged after a great flood. We were a mixed bunch of worshipers, the youngest being 6 months old, the elder over 60. Men and women, Navajo and Biliganna, hot coffee and the sound of drums. Pearlene read from Isaiah 51 "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the LORD, Look to the Rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug..."
This was not "our" event and we were honored to be included. The sky was an incredible blue...Isaiah 51:6a "Lift up your eyes to the sky, then look to the Earth below." The view was incredible. Awesome. I wonder how many people, who have not been blessed to experience such a view, can actually comprehend the meaning of the word "Awesome". The Lord has put such a burden in our hearts for this land and its people, such a love in our hearts for our Navajo brothers and sisters. It was a beautiful day, a day of prayer and a day of blessings...Glory to God!
and so...I continue to ask for your prayers...check out the Mission Site and Pastor Art's current site, which you can link on from this site. Have a blessed week - pray protection and peace especially on Friday - Halloween - posted by Maryellen

TGIF

Yep, thank God it's Friday!
I've been experimenting - setting up two new blogs on this account. One focusing on the Ministry, one focusing on Pastor Art, some of his lyrics and sermon notes and articles. And this one. This pink page of mine started out years ago, as a sort of journal, a Bible study, responses to other blogs, other "theologies" - some personal ragings at a time when I was struggling with faith and truth and life in general.
The poem I just posted I wrote quite a while ago. At a time when I wasn't sure we'd have a chance to minister again. Last Saturday we had our first coffee house and besides the 15 regular church attenders and their guests, two of those "invisible" people stopped by and one of our regular wanderer's - Michael. We feed him and pray for him a few times a month. LORD, give us wisdom in ministry - protect those who are lost in the dark, be their Light and Hope and Salvation.

For Michael

I see you
You are not invisible to me.
I see you all
Walking with your head down,
Dragging you feet, wearing out your souls.
I see you
Vacant men walking past Vacant houses
Men of the Land, who don’t seem to care anymore
about the Land around them
Dry, like the Land you are born to
I see you
Making your way into town
For a drink, for a job, for a change
And making your way home again
To the old mother who still cares
To the old grandmother who still prays for you
To be greeted by a long sad sigh and an open door
I want to say, “hold your head up high”
I want to say, “be the brave you were born to be”
I want to say, “I am sorry.”
I want to cook for you, and sing you songs, and tell you stories
Great Stories, Living Stories
I want to give you a hot cup of coffee on a cold night,
With lots of sugar and a dash of hope.
I want to drive you home
To the son that needs you
To the woman that loves you
And I want to say…
Look past the stars, Look past the moon
Look past the tent meetings and revivals
Seek God!
He is there waiting
He sees you.
Learn to sing His songs
He is calling you.
Believe His stories
He has a plan for you!
All of you. Each of You.
Walking this Land for a Divine purpose.
He is not the White Man’s God
He is every man’s God
He is not the missionary’s God
He is the People’s God
He formed you, He knows you, He sees you.
You are not invisible to Him.

One little, Two Little, Three Little...

Three of our Children's Church Children...

Worship in Santa Fe

Pastor Art was part of a drum circle at a interdenominational, multi-cultural prayer and praise service in the Square in Sante Fe.

Raining a Rainbow

The color splotch in the sky over this home in Shiprock, was formed as early morning rain fell in the mountians to the north.

Home on the Rez

Some of my eighth graders live in homes that do not have electricity or indoor plumbing.