Besides being extra busy with ministry and children, our hearts are full. It is amazing the change I feel in myself through the simple act of obedience to God in the calling He has placed on my life along side my husband.

Too often my flesh draws me away from God. Too often I am seduced into the temptations of the world and the devil. As I walk through the wilderness with our Alaska Native brothers and sisters, I see they, too, are hungry and lost in the wilderness of their lives. Our appetites deceive us, and we try to find satisfaction, fulfillment, and salvation in things that can never save. Just like the nation of Israel, we cannot overcome or find the victory over our flesh, over the world, nor over Satan on our own.

Greetings!

It gives me great pleasure to share the Lutheran Indian Ministries 2018 Lent Devotion booklet with you.

Lent is a magnificent time to reflect on transformational change. Springtime is abundant with new beginnings and new growth. Change is everywhere we look! 

Know this:

God made you, precisely as you are, for His purpose. He is alive and He is working in your life.

Now is the time to look into your life and your heart, confess your sins, and rededicate yourself to God.

Will you believe him? Will you trust him? Will you allow yourself to step out of your comfort zone and to see what’s on the other side of your obedience?

A religion of the lips is worth nothing. It is easy enough to assume the character and manner of a Christian, but to live the Christian life is not so easy.

A man can make a sham diamond in a very short time, but the real gem must lie for ages in the earth before it can sparkle with perfect purity. We have far too many of these quickly-made Christians amongst us, who have never brought forth fruits meet for repentance, nor gone through the fire of trial, and sorrow, and self-sacrifice.

Do not trust to feelings or words in yourselves or others, but look at your life; a real and a false diamond are very much alike, and yet there is all the difference in the world in their value.

This Week in Native American News (2/9/18): Caring for Children, Doing Mental Math, and Fighting Abuse

Following Jesus and proclaiming His Word is not easy. 

Though most of us reading this do not have to fear death based on our beliefs, we do still come face to face with scary situations that test our faith and our courage.

You are called to be part of God's courageous army, carrying on His Word without fear. We ask God today for the courage and wisdom to follow His path as we bring His grace and love to the world.

The tree is known by its fruits; may the word of Christ be so grafted in our hearts, that we may be fruitful in every good word and work.

This Week in Native American News (2/2/18): Removing Mascots, Reducing Suicide, and Welcoming New Tribes