From: Jose and Mary Alvarez [jealvarez@worldnet.att.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 5:35 PM
To: Native-Believers
Subject: Use of Native Music and Dance Regalia in the worship of the Lord Jesus.
 
I got this prayer request in the mail a few days ago from a Native American pastor.  I left out his E Mail address, his name, and a few excerpts from his E Mail, because out of my respect for him, I have no idea how publicly he desired for his prayer request to be. I felt that the issue which he raised and God's answer were of great importance to be shared.  Blessings, Jose Alvarez
 
 
My many Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, I am coming to you this morning to ask that you be in deep prayer with me in regards to the use of Native Music and Dance Regalia in the Worship of the Lord.
My family and I have been dancing for the Lord for 21 years now and only just recently has a controversy come up about it.  Today I would ask that Prayers would go before God, to bring about Wisdom and Knowledge to the Leaders on both sides of this issue.
Jesus, Himself twice said, "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the propher Jonas."
Matt 12:39 and Matt 16:4'". but I do believe that he was talking to the Pharisees at that time and what I am about to ask is not the same thing.
Father, you are the Creator of all things and we do not worship the Created but you Father and your Son, Jesus, who lived and died for us so that we may be adopted into your Family.  Father, I am coming to you today in the Name of your Son, Jesus, the Christ to have the Comforter, the Holy Spirit come and show us whether the use of Native Cultural things is right or wrong. 
  Father, we have a need to know, Lord.  This is becoming yet another issue that is dividing your people.   For the love of Jesus and for the need to express our love with our music and dance, Lord please send forth your WORD on this matter and let it be settled.
All Praise, Honor and Glory is yours.  Thank you.
 
Dear Pastor:
I got a word from the Lord for your utilizing Native music and Dance regalia in your worship of the Lord.
It was a very simple black and white word.  When I saw you proceeding forward in your ministry without the regalia you hardly had any power and you could hardly move forward.  With the regalia on, it was spiritual warfare against the enemy. You were getting the victory, and the enemy could not withstand you.  I was reminded about putting the full armor of God as found in Ephesians 6:13.  As we all know, physical dress of any type is at best only a partial solution to spiritual warfare.  Yet your complete obedience to the Lord and your use of Native music and Dance regalia is indeed  a type of putting on the spiritual armor of God found in Ephesians 6.  Remember our praise is to be of God and not of men.  Have courage pastor and go forward fearlessly.  Many blessings, Jose Alvarez