****Prayer Circle Week-end of June 30 & July 1, 2012****

OK...Let's get to our next devotion written by James MacDonald in Our Journey A Daily Walk in the Word.

SHATTERED STEREOTYPES

On the way to Jerusalem, he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “God and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.--Luke 17:11-14

It's a familiar story, maybe not the details so much. Only Luke tells about this little episode between Jesus and the lepers. Notice verse 11, “On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.” Now, there's a lot in that statement. Jesus was traveling a border between two countries; two countries that hated each other. The Samaritans complained that the Jews were elitists, arrogant, and superior. During the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, when the exiles came back to build the temple, the half-Jews—the Samaritans—were excluded. And they were still bitter about it. They cared about the Temple but they were not allowed to participate in any way.

The Jews complained, of course, that the Samaritans were half-breeds—they had intermarried with other nations—they were compromisors who even tolerated idol worship, which God had forbidden. As is the case in most conflicts, both sides had legitimate grievances.

There was great animosity in Jesus' day. A Jewish person would walk many miles to avoid setting his feet on Samaritan soil. Jesus said if effect, “I don't think so.” And He rebuked the disciples for a bad attitude toward the Samaritans in Luke 9. Then in Luke 10, He told a parable about the good Samaritan—the what? Jesus endorsed that oxymoron.

Then we know from John 4 that He asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jesus broke down societal stereotypes and prejudices. Don't you love that about Him? He shatters unjust attitudes—all the things your dad told you; and all the things your grandma thought; and all the nonsense biases that we have toward people that aren't like us—Jesus obliterates all of that. He blew everybody out of the water on all their over-generalized thinking.

Jesus loved people. He wasn't easy on them or blind to their flaws. He got up close with them and gave them His perfect perspective on the kind of people they should be. The results weren't always pretty. But He put the truth in front of people. He is still doing that for you and me today.

Journal:

What learned and inherited attitudes have I had to set aside because of what Jesus means to me?

Where might He be challenging me to think again when it comes to my view of certain people?

Prayer:

Jesus, I realize that You love me because You persist in challenging things in me that don't fit Your plan for my life. Than You for making me uncomfortable even as You accept me. Thank You for helping me to grow toward seeing other people as You see them—as You see me. Keep up Your good work! In Your name, Jesus, Amen.

Waiting to get back to my book I'm reading...except I have to recharge the battery on my Kindle. Old-fashioned books don't require batteries...but the dust and ink give me sinus problems...what to do?

Praying for those of you dealing with aging parents. I know these decisions weigh heavily on you.

Oh, and...

Remember to pray for pastors and others teaching in our churches this week-end, that they will boldly proclaim the authority of God's Word without apology; that we will come with hearts prepared and ears to hear; that there will be life-changing and everlasting fruit; and above all, that God will be glorified.

http://community.tasteofhome.com/community_forums/f/29/t/864972.aspx     Here is the link for Friday's PC.

Deb, thanks for the lesson, I'm so glad that the Lord accepts us the good, the bad & the ugly, wish I wouldn't be critical of others.   

Lynnette, thank you for your prayers, Kenneth got a lot of positive feed back from his students today, that really encouraged him.  I didn't notice any gray when we saw you in Ohio, you look too young.

Randy, it sounds like a wonderful place that your mom will live, I hope she loves it.  I might have missed it but will he new apt. be the one closet to you?

Prayers for y'all,

Patty

Please pray for DD, GS and their friend.  They were in a wreck tonight.  A vehicle pulled out in front of DD's van.  Her van is probably totalled (sp?) but that's the least of our concerns.  They were examined, xrayed, etc. and released. They are bruised up and will be really sore but hopefully OK.  A boy from the other vehicle needs prayer.  He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and we don't know how he is.  So would appreciate prayer for all of them.  Thanks!

Randy, I'm glad that your Mom's new place is nice.  Hope she settles in quickly and makes it "Home". 

Patty, praying for you!  And praying for Kenneth as he finishes one semester and starts another.

Gray hair--yup, I do have.  Depends on how the light hits it, how much is gray.  ;) 

Now I'm blank.  It's been a very long night so need to unwind and get to bed.

Praying for All!   God Bless!  Nite!

Oh Fay! Praise God that they will be ok. Praying for the other boy.  And for God to provide a new vehicle for DD.

Praying for you all. I'm struggling a bit today and would appreciate your prayers.

praying for grannyfay DD,GS,their friend & boy in other vehicle & other pray request

Paasing thru,  catching up,  praying.

Hi, everyone.

We are home from IL and visiting with DD, Cathy and her family. Had a great time. Of course we had to go shopping. Went to the Outlet Mall in Aurora 'cause DGD, Robin works at J. Crew. Lots of nice shops there. DD is doing well after her surgery and now has the go ahead to drive, again.

Praying for ............

RANDY and getting her mom settled in a nice facility.

PATTY and KENNETH.

FAY and her DD and DGS. Glad they are OK.

Struggling DEB.

CONNIE, cooling off at the lake.

Gray hair? White hair? Mine started to go gray in my late 30's. Hereditary, my dad's nickname was Snowball. I did color it, but ladies were getting tipped and streaks of white and mine was natural, so I let it go. Now, I get a curly perm and my DGS says he likes my "Granny-fro".

Blessings, PC.

Nancy Z.

hugs and lots of prayers

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Had a good day, so far.  Took dad out for breakfast, then did our usual Saturday morning errands.    Then we just had to stop for ice cream before we came home.    I had Georgia Peach, so good!!  :) 

Praise God that we were spared of the severe storms that went through our area last night.  The majority of the storms went north of us.  We did get some rain, but we really need more.   The storms cooled the temps down some, but tomorrow the extreme hot and humid weather returns.  :(

I must confess, that I am vain.   I don't like my gray hair.  I went gray when I was in my late 20's.  And it is not a pretty white or gray.  It's an icky colored gray.  Chris jokes with me that at times he feels like he is married to a different woman when I change my hair color. 

Fay, goodness, I am so glad that your DD, GS, and friend are ok.  I'm praying that the boy in the other vehicle is ok.

OK, my mind went blank, but I AM praying for all of you.

Hugs & Prayers for All,

Lu

Thought we were having it rough here in the middle of the country since we're running triple digit temps and are in an Excessive Heat Warning as well as a drought.  BUT then I heard on the news about the storms that passed through the northeast and left millions w/o power in this heat wave and I know ours could be worse.  Praying for all affected by those storms and for all in the heat!

Update on those in the wreck:  DD and her friend are really sore and moving slowly.  GS still insists he's not hurt--but he's wearing the black/blue marks of the seatbelt.  Still no word on those in the other vehicle.  Thanks, Everyone, for your prayers!

Lu, I'm so glad the storms missed you!  You've had enough to deal with.

Nancy, glad your DD is recovering from her surgery OK! :)   LOL at your GS calling your hair a "Granny-fro". 

Butterflies, good to see you peeking in.  How is your DH?  Did you get called back to work?

Need to run eat supper/dinner.  I'll check back later, Lord willing.

Praying for All!

Hi everyone!

I was supposed to be in WV for a cookout today, but those storms took care of that.  Mom and Dad still don't have power, though the trees got cleared from the road.  When it hit here the power went out right away and I had he blinds open in my bedroom so I could see to fold laundry.  I knew it was a windy storm, but hadn't a clue just how bad it was!  I guess the paper today said those were 80mph winds!?!  We were without power for 5-6 hours, and oh how grumpy my crew was, including DH  Hey, it wasn't my fault the power went out right before time to start cooking dinner!

Praying for hearts filled with love towards others, joy that overflows, and peace that surpasses understanding.

BTW, Patty, a lot of those gray hairs hide underneath.  On the rare occasions when I pull some of my hair back out of my face, it looks like I have a lot more gray than brown!  Though when DS#1 was 4, the neighbor boy told him "You're mom is going to die soon."  Why?  Because he saw my gray hair!  And get this, his mom is the same age as I, LOL!

Hugs, Prayers, and Smiles for each of you

Lynnette