Prejudice or Stereotype?

My devotional this morning really got me questioning what is the difference between prejudice and stereotype. What do they really mean and are they the same? Merriam-Webster defines prejudice as injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights; a preconceived judgment or opinion; an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge; an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics. So, the American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy says stereotype is a generalization, usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group. So really, they mean the same thing. So, every time we stereotype a person or group of people we are in a way prejudice. This really bothers me because I thought the Lord had taken my prejudices away. So my prayer today is that He take away my stereotypes also because I don't want to be separated from Christ. If He can lay down His prejudices and stereotypes to minister and dine with the Pharisees who condemned Him, than I can too. After all the word says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength", so Father, help me in this area and thank you for revealing it to me.

Luke 7:23

Luke 7:23 says "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Doubt, what an easy tool for satin to use against believers. I have something for you to ponder today. It is from my devotional and it is something I am meditating on today. "The Hand of God is at work directing divine purpose, or blessing, in all the affairs of the one who doesn't let the perceived activity or inactivity of Christ trap him or make him stumble." May Christ bless you today as you ponder this in your life!

I want to share some of my devotional with you from this morning. It really blessed me and I hope it blesses you too. I am doing Beth Moore's 90 days with Jesus and today's study was in Luke 7:11-17. Specifically verse 13 says "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, "Don't cry". So when you think about compassion, what do you think of? What does it mean to you to have compassion on someone? I guess I have never thought about it before but I definitely have never thought about it like this. Have you ever thought about the "areas of restraint Jesus had as He walked on this pavement"? "For example, imagine the thought this funeral procession must have provoked in the mind of the author of life." Okay, I never thought about that. Something so simple as what He thought or felt about things that He saw just walking down the street. Now think about what He meant when He said "don't cry". I know when I say that I am feeling compassion toward the person and typically crying with them because that is how I am, but there really is nothing I can do for them except love on them and let them know I am here. As Beth puts it "please stop crying. I can't bear to see you in so much pain!" "Christ, on the other hand, is never helpless. When He said, "don't cry" He meant, "Not only do I hurt for you, but I'm going to do something about the cause of your hurt." WOW! He is going to do something about the cause of out hurt. He loves us that much that we don't even have to ask because He hurts when we hurt. That is just amazing to me. He has moved in my life so much this weekend and He took away a pain that I have had for most of my life and didn't realize it. The amazing part is He did this just because He loves me and wanted to take away some of my pain because I was seeking Him and wanting to bet closer to Him. God you are so amazing and I am so thankful You love me that much. I wanted to share this with you because it really ministered to me and gave me another way to look at this verse. I hope it gives you another way to look at our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I will never be the same

God, You are amazing. Here I am asking for more of you and looking for You in ways that I couldn't see You. I was getting discouraged and frustrated, but You are faithful and patient and for that I thank You. Last night I had an amazing encounter with You. You reveled Yourself to me in a way that I never thought and all because I asked. Wow! Even today I am still shaking because of You filling me with You and showing me how much You love and have always loved me. I am so honored to be serving You and I never want to loose this feeling. Last night You sent me a piece of You, my spiritual daddy, and for him I thank You. Lord, thank You for him and bless him today. Father, I just have no words, but I want to thank You and praise Your name in all that I do! In Jesus name, Amen.

My big boy!

This morning my oldest son, 4 years old, got dressed in his favorite Cincinnati reds shorts, put on his new shiny tennis shoes and ran down the stairs. His daddy was in the kitchen waiting for him with a ball glove and a reds hat to wear today. Yes, they are headed down to a reds game today. It is my sons first major league baseball game and he is pumped. He has been talking about it all week long. He is such a sports kid and my husband loves baseball so he is excited about taking his son to a game. Tim's dad and brother are going today to make it a guys day. All I know is my son was floating on the clouds this morning when he was walking out the door to go to the game. I can't wait to talk to him tonight when he gets home and listen to all his stories about his reds baseball game. What a blessing! Thank you Lord for the opportunity for them to bond today and please protect them in all their travels.

In whom do I trust?

My devotional this morning really gave me some things to think about. Some of the things He has laid on my heart today are questions He wants me to answer. Am I seeking His purpose in everything? Am I convinced that He can do anything? Am I more desirous of His work and will being done through my life than I am of being heald of my hardship? I thought I knew the answers to these questions but today I believe the Lord wants to know what is truely in my heart and wants me to know what I truely believe. So today I am just praying and seeking my heart and my Lord so that I know what I truely believe and won't have any second guesses or questions. Lord please be with me and guide my day today. I love you Lord, Tammie

Praise the Lord!

I just want to say thank you Father for taking care of me. We believe the Lord has put another little girl in our path to adopt and we need a bed for her. She is 6 years old, the same as our daughter, and the only way we can have her spend the night is to set up bunk beds in our girls room. Well, we thought we had a set for free, twice, but they both fell through. Our time is running out and we really need to get a bed for her. Today my husband went out to Kmart to get bunk beds, but he felt they weren't what we were looking for so he didn't buy them. About 1 hour after he came back home our phone rang and it was one of the families that had some beds to give us and they still wanted to give them to us. We picked them up today! Praise God, we now have bunk beds to put up this week in our daughters room so we can have this little girl over and hopefully adopt her later this year. We are so excited to see the Lord moving in this. I know everything is in His timing, but I guess I didn't wait very well. Thank you Father for bringing this extra blessing to me!

Under my feet!

My house has been really crazy, in a good way. We have some extra friends staying with us and it has been lots of fun. The thing is, Satin has been attacking my husband and I. It took me until the middle of the morning to figure it out. Every time my husband and I had a conversation we would end up having some very intense fellowship. Another words, we would say some things to each other that definitely weren't uplifting or encouraging to each other. So I did get up and manage to have some quiet time with the Lord and during my prayer time I prayed for everyone and that there would be peace in this house. Then, satin attacked full force. Well, I was ready and I had him right where I wanted him, under my feet. I don't always remember that the Lord has put us over him and we have that authority to step on his head, so that is what I did. I brought it to my husbands attention and we started praying. God is good! He has taken care of it and my husband and I are doing great again. I know it is a change to have so many people here in our small home, but we love our friends and would do anything for them. We are praying they are having a wonderful time while they are away and we can't wait to talk to them tonight! Thank you Lord, for being there and for reminding me that I have the authority to take what the enemy has stolen from me and I can stomp him out of my life!

Crazyness!

This morning has been one of most exciting mornings I have had in a long time. I got up really early, had a little quiet time and then I took my friends to the airport. I am watching their kids for them while they are away for a week. I am so excited to see what God has to teach me and my husband through having all these kids in our home. There are seven in total; a 6 month old, a 12 month old, a 17 month old, a 4 year old, a 6 year old, a 7 year old and an 11 year old. It is 10:15am and everyone has had spats and disagreements except the oldest and the youngest. I am so excited to be helping my friends while they are away. I was praying this morning for everyone and that God would work in their lives while we have this time to spend together. I am looking forward to the blessings that we are going to experience this week and I pray my friends have a Great time away! I will miss you!

My new adventure!

Well, my husband and I have decided to home school our children. There is a small part that is a little nervous, but there is a huge part that is excited! It is overwhelming trying to decide what to use and what might work with my children's learning behaviors. I am thankful to have friends who are homeschooling and are willing to share what they have learned. That is making this process a little easier. I am also thankful that the Lord is changing me now, and showing me how important a clean home is and how even more important a daily routine is. He has been getting me up every morning for time alone with him for over two weeks now which is a miracle for me because I am a late night person. I have been loving my time with Him and how he is showing me more about my life and my family and where He wants to take us. So, here we go, on our home school adventure!

What a great visual!

This morning the Lord gave me such a great visual. I have always known this, but He showed me so personally this morning that it was like hearing it for the first time. He showed me that He stoops down to talk to me, to listen to me, to correct me, to heal me, or just to be with me. When I need Him, He is right there, stooping down to make sure I know He is there. He stoops low enough to put his cheek on mine, or to feel His breath on my face. That is just so amazing to me. That He loves me, and you, enough to do that for me each and every time I need Him. Even when I don't have enough strength to go on, He stoops down just to give me the strength to go on. Even more amazing is that He can and will do that for anyone who will call on His name. Anytime or anyplace He will be there for you and for me. He does this because He loves us, just because He loves us. Amazing! Father, I never want to not feel your breath on my face, or be in a place where You won't stoop down for me. I hope this encourages anyone today who reads this. He will stoop for you too, just whisper His name and He will be there for you, putting his cheek on your forehead to make sure you are okay.

Blessed are those who mourn...

I know, what a topic, but this was my devotional this morning. The verse is in Matthew 5:4 and it says "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted". As I read this I was wondering what God was going to say to me through it because I didn't think I was in a mourning or grieving state. This was just it, He was showing me through this devotional that I have become hardened to sin in certain areas of my life and that really made me sad. I have changed many of my ways in the past few years such as not watching television or movies that have bad language, sexual content or violence in it, so this was such a surprise to me this morning. I don't want to lose my ability to grieve, to weep or to mourn. I don't want to become so calloused that I look at sin or pain and remain unmoved. I pray that I am able to be close enough to my Father that I hear His heartbeat for the world and that my heart stay tender. I want to continue to draw close to Him and seek comfort and peace in His name.

New Routines

Okay, so today starts a new me. I am going to start using a daily routine to get things done and keep my house clean. I am tired of living like I am embarrassed of my home and want to be able for anyone to stop by and not feel like I have to apologize for my cluttered home. I need to do tons of de-cluttering, but I am excited to do it. I am remembering what the Lord taught me last week to do everything unto Him and with a sweet spirit so I can soar with Him. So, today starts a new week and a new lifestyle. I can't wait to see what my house looks like by the end of the week. I also know that if I want to even consider homeschooling than I need to have an organized home so I can focus on my kids and just maintain the home. Thank You Lord for this desire and I want to be pleasing to You!

Blessed beyond words

My best friend talked me into starting this blog and although skeptical I started one. She was right I did become hooked and have posted something everyday since then. Well this morning I was running late and didn't get a chance to check hers out. I have been gone all day and just got back online to check something really quick when I had a note from her asking if I checked my blog. I normally wouldn't have checked it until tomorrow morning, but decided to hop on to check it out. Well, let me just say that I was brought to tears. Having someone post something on this blog other than her was just amazing to me. I can't say thank you enough to the two other people who wrote something. You truly blessed me! As to my best friend, thank you and I love you. I am so thankful that God brought you into my life and I am honestly sitting here typing this while tears are streaming down my checks. You mean so much to me and I know I will never be able to show you. I am so happy that our families can get along, because at this point in my life I think I would be lost with out you. Thank you!

Exciting!

It is so exciting to see the Lord working. We had to replace the sliding glass door last week and decided to replace the curtains too. We bought new curtains this weekend and hung them the other night to find they area all about 3 inches different. So we returned them and I decided to make them. Well, I was at JoAnn Fabrics yesterday with my kids and we were having trouble finding colors to match what we wanted. I said a soft prayer of Lord, please help and then my daughter who is 6 started just belting out this prayer for help. It was so amazing. It brought tears to my eyes as she just went on and on. Well, God is good because He answered her prayer. She was so excited and I was even more excited to see God working in her. I can't wait to see what He is going to do today!

Staying in Your hand!

Corrie Ten Boom prayed this everyday for the last 5 years of her life. I want to make it my prayer today too. "Lord, keep me close to Your heart so that I see things as it were more and more from Your point of view." I want this more than anything. I want to place myself in the palm of His hand and just stay there, where I am the safest.

Psalm 32: 23-24 says: "Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

I love the Lord, I want to be preserved by the Lord and my heart strengthen by Him!

What do I rely on?

My devotional this morning was on do I have the slightest reliance on anything other that God? Am I sufficiently right with god to expect Him to manifest His wonderful life in me? Do I really let God be to me all that He says He will be? This really got me thinking and a little discouraged to begin with. I started praying and seeking the Lord and He had me read anther devotional I normally keep for later in my day. This one reminded me that God chose me! He adopted me as His very own child. He redeemed me through the blood of His only begotten son so that I became His very own possession. He sealed me with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). So after all that I still got to wondering are there areas in my life that I haven't completely turned over to Him? The answer is yes. And it is in these areas that I am struggling to believe that He will be all that He says He will be or do for me in them. Thank you Lord for showing me these today. I am trusting in You to help me over come them. Your love is so amazing that I can hardly comprehend it. Let the assurance of Your presence and commitment wash over me moment by moment today. That is the closing prayer in my devotional and I want to make it my prayer today too.

Getting things done!

I find that the days I get more accomplished are the days I get up and spend the most time with my Father in Heaven. I had a great quiet time this morning. I have been praying for God to wake me up in the morning so I can spend time with Him before I start my day. He is so faithful because when my alarm clock goes off and I don't get out of bed He sends this bird to peck at my window and that annoys me so I get up. How cool is that. So this morning He showed me a new meaning to one of my favorite verses, Isaiah 40:31. I never saw this verse as having my wings be my duties and tasks that I have everyday. Now that puts a new outlook on my daily duties and tasks. I want to do them now in a different way, knowing that doing them with a happy heart and not complaining while doing them will help me to soar closer to God. That is such a new way at looking at being a stay at home mom. My best friend and I IM daily and encourage each other in our housework, and that helps me stay on task, but I didn't always do my work with a cheerful heart. Now when I do it I will have a new spirit so I can soar with the eagles!

Monday...

Mondays seem to be a hard day for me to get going. I am not sure why. I have the hardest time getting out of bed and then it just goes on from there. I did make time to spend with the Lord which is the most important thing for me, but everything else seems to drag on and on for me on Mondays. I have started reading a book called Prayer Starters for Busy Moms. I really like how it encourages me to pray all day long and reminds me why I need to pray all day long. Not that my three kids don't continually remind me of that all the time with all they do and get into. Today the Lord has just been reminding me that in my times of prayer is where His power is released and that is where His love flows into my heart and out into the world, or more importantly my family. I pray that I can keep in constant communication better in the days to come than I have been lately. Thank you Lord for this book!

Old Mans Cave

Today my family took a drive after church to old mans cave. We came home, changed clothes, packed a lunch and headed down to old mans cave. It was a little farther than I remembered it, but not too far. When we arrived we found a picnic table and ate our lunch. Our youngest is 16 months and he was loving sitting at the table like a big boy eating his sandwich. It was hard for him to eat because he was trying to smile while kicking his feet. It was so cute. Our oldest is 6 and she didn't like the bugs that were trying to get her while she was eating. Needless to say she ate faster than I think I have ever seen her eat in her life. Our middle child is 4 and he was having the time of his life, playing with the bugs with one hand and eating with the other. It was fun to see the differences in all of our children. When we were done with lunch we hiked down to the water by the caves. The kids loved getting wet. My husband and I realized how out of shape we really were and were tired when we got back to the top. We then headed down the road to the falls. It was even more fun there because the kids could really get in the water and play. They wanted to go under the falls, but we didn't think to take their swimsuits with us. Needless to say they were still soaked from head to toe, at least the oldest two were. The baby still isn't sure about all that water but was much better with it this time than the last time when we were at myrtle beach. It was a fun day and I will cherish it forever. I realized today how fast the time really does go and soon they will be older and not want to come here. My husband and I hope to do more things like this this summer!

God is in the little things.

Praise God for Today! He is so faithful and shows me things that it sometimes overwhelms me. This morning my devotional was on how to trust in Him and to go to Him first before I make any decisions or plans. This is something that I normally struggle with and I have been praying about for a long time. So this devotional was just what I needed. God is just so amazing! One of the things I have been praying about is how to maintain my devotional on the weekends and holidays when my husband is home. Well, this morning God just showed me how easy it was to adjust my routine a little and how to add my husband to it instead of changing it completely. That is just so neat how God does the little things for me. We went shopping today for things we have needed for our home and it was so much fun. Then my husband helped me organize my pantry. That was such a blessing to me that I can't even express how much he helped me. My husband is so precious to me. He surprises me everyday. I love him with all of my heart and I am so glad that God brought us together. I am so amazed how God would take time to show me how to change little things when I go to Him first instead of trying to plan things with out including God in on them. Thank you Lord for loving me and molding me into who You want me to be.
Tammie

Fun on the 4th

My family got up this morning and went to see Wall-E the movie. It was fun going with my kids. They get so excited just being at the theater and eating popcorn. The movie was really good and very kid friendly. We are looking forward to spending the evening with our friends and watching fireworks. Hopefully the rain will stop soon so we won't be in mud all evening!

Peer Pressure

My friend pressured me into this blog. However she has assured me that I will become a blog addict as she writes this post for me! She now will have someone she actually knows in person that she can check up on. Isn't that what friends are for?!