Month: January 2022

I like words but hate it when they are used wrong as in what the real meaning of the word is. I have to confess I did on my blog about Pearl Harbor. Yep, I used the wrong word and no excuse for it. I used bridal instead of bridle which has an entirely different meaning.

The adjective bridal talks about a wedding or a bride. A bridal bouquet is the arrangement of flowers the bride carries during a wedding ceremony.

Whereas- bridle refers: to a harness which is to put on the head of a horse, to restrain, check, or control with or as in bridle your tongue.

We have heard of these phrases that start with “as long as.” Then it depends on which lawyer interprets it like” it depends on what you mean by the phrase or words” “as long as.”

Today words are used and then have to be taken back or reinterpreted. Politicians use this as do news people.

After all what is a treaty? It is a document setting forth an agreement between two parties. It contains words outlining what they have agreed on or to. It is said to be binding unless broken by one or the other party involved. It remains in force as long as both abide by its’ contents.

Now where does the Indian reside in this well depends on who is in power. Who breaks what or is perceived as breaking along with enforcement is by the one in power.

Power is used for authority here. See how it changes?

We have to be very careful with taking up every new idea and word that comes along.

Natives, Indians, the indigenous people fought for the right to live and a way of life. As strange or barbaric as it seemed to the colonists.

Christianity was also a new concept, religion, way of life to them too. Today even Christianity is thrown around at every group who say God is love.

There is power in the spoken word but we can also have too much of it? As stated, before the wrong word changes meanings.

We are told what we are, who we are, and why we are but ourselves and others. Do we have to be as they see us?

Jesus once asked the lawyers and pharisees “is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?” Did you notice he didn’t say “unlawful and why not?

Are Christians lawful? Are ndn’s? Who is lawfully empowered to say? If we live lawfully, can they say otherwise? 

Just a thought about words.

Here and there in the landscape of this great land is dotted with Baptist churches. These consist of many ethnic groups-races of people.

Have you ever visited a Baptist church and it didn’t feel right? It wasn’t familiar, comfortable, and the music style and sermon style just didn’t feel Baptist to you? Maybe the name was wrong? A change from First to Crossways, New Life, New Beginnings, maybe Word of Life?

Does changing the name of the congregation change its’ beliefs?

 It shouldn’t!

A name change should never go cross ways with the Baptist faith and message.

The Baptist faith and message is that our faith resides in Jesus as savior.

The message they preach is that there is no other way except through belief in Jesus. That he is the author of Salvation and no other way to the father except through him. Which is what Jesus preached!

It is a different life, a new life—and a new beginning—that comes out of the Bible the word of life.

That there is only one way and one cross that embodies salvation – nothing apart from the redemptive work of Christ Jesus.

Baptist is not a faith rather the denomination or the name of a group of believers. Who are named for their belief in baptizing those that have professed their belief in Jesus as their savior.

You can see many ethnic Baptist church like the Korean Baptist, Vietnamese, Indian, and Black Baptist churches.

I’ve attended an Indian Baptist church i.e. Cherokee.

Sometimes there is a misunderstanding of what we do as believers and live.

One person asked me what is a native American food? And you know they say that Baptist love to eat!

Well, duh!

One has to eat in order to live! If you don’t eat you starve and die!

Anyway, I told him there are four basic Indian foods and those are bar-be-cued bologna, fried bologna, plain bologna, and smoked bologna.

The local congregation I attend does love to eat! They are generous with the portions too. There is usually enough for second helpings.

Wouldn’t you know it the name of our local congregation is you guessed it “The Second Helpings Baptist Church!”

Well not really, but it does sound like a, uhh, don’t you think the name of a Baptist church?

Now when was the last time you visited your tribe?

Did it seem right to you like the language spoken? Maybe the food wasn’t native enough an Indian taco really? Taco?

The clothes were too fancy for you because you don’t shop at the Ye olde Authentic Indian shop?

You drive a Jeep Cherokee and not an Indian car nor a rez clunker, junker? Your hair isn’t long enough for them? Nor do you wear a Buzzards’ feather in your cap or hat.

You don’t live in a teepee but a nice brick Indian home. You don’t go dancing at the stomp dance because you have two right feet as opposed to left ones.

You mention you eat Squirrel and they look at you like you’re a disgusting heathen. They in turn mention they’re going out to eat but they don’t invite you.

They agree to eat at McDonalds’ laughing they say “we don’t think McDonalds serves Squirrel.”

Mary Daniels, Jim Smith and Jack Jones walk away from you, you Joe (Indian name The Hunter) Birdtail.

Go figure!

Have you ever?