Land Claim
Unless you live in Ontario you probably haven't heard about the land claim dispute in Caledonia. It started last October when a company called Henco Industries started developing the Douglas Creek Estates subdivision on native land. In February a group of Six Nations members took over the housing project, erecting tents, a teepee and a wooden building claiming that the land belonged to them and Henco had no right to build.The history of the land in question goes back to 1784. The protesters say the land was granted to Six Nations more than 200 years ago and was never officially transferred to non-natives.
Recently the native group put up barricades blocking two main roads in Caledonia in an attempt to get the government's attention regarding this injustice. And it worked. Well, sort of. Although the land dispute is far from over, native protestors dismantled the barricades yesterday, calling it a gesture of goodwill after the government of Ontario banned construction on the site.
Every place where you set your foot will be yours...The Bible talks a lot about land claims - people claiming their allotted territories and taking possession of the land - good land, bad land. Even stolen land. And what we do (or don't do) with this land seems pretty important to God.
Do you remember that quirky worship tune called Enemy's Camp? (Okay, maybe it was just the ACTIONS that were quirky.) The lyrics say, I went to the enemy's camp and I took back what he stole from me... he's under my feet... satan is under my feet.
I think we need to set up some barricades; raise some flags; dance on injustice. It is time to reclaim land that the enemy has stolen. No, I'm not talking about physical land like my native neighbors are fighting for, I'm talking about personal, spiritual land. Territories of the heart, mind and soul. Land that satan has stolen from our lives. Land that he is trying to build his kindgom upon.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.Education, art, music, family, sexuality, integrity, justice, purity, freedom, health, media... (etc., etc.)
It is time to claim our land.
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on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 5:31 PM.
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7:57 AMYes, it is time to claim our land. One of the areas that you mention is art. Mark Buchanan, in his book "The Holy Wild", begins one chapter bemoaning the fact that there is no good art in Protestant churches. Then ask the question, "If the same Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, also lives in you and me, why aren't we more creative? Lovers of God should, by osmosis, know an irrepressible urge to be poets, artists, artisans. We should make things and make them well."
8:39 AM
How true is that, Paul:) The passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 comes to mind;
(v.11-12) "Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies & tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh & blood, but against the evil rulers & authorities of the unseen world..."
9:55 AM
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face .... "
A prerequisite .... and how are you going to generate this among North Americans?
What's the battle plan?
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