Thoughts for Life: Stubborn Peace

Max Lucado shares with us this question: "Who do you know with a stubborn peace?

Their problems aren’t any different, but there’s a serenity that softens the corners of their lips.

A priest visited just such a man in the hospital. The man was nearing death.

The priest noticed an empty chair beside the bed and wondered if someone else had been there.

The old man smiled, 'I place Jesus on that chair, and I talk to him.'

The priest was puzzled so the man explained. 'Years ago a friend told me prayer is as simple as talking to a good friend. So every day I pull up a chair and Jesus and I have a good talk.'

When his daughter informed the priest her father had died, she explained,

'When I got to his room, I found him dead. Strangely, his head was resting, not on the pillow, but on an empty chair beside his bed.'

The picture of stubborn peace!"

From The Applause of Heaven

Stubborn Peace by Max Lucado

Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com

(Used by permission)

As you can see, Mom and Dad have a great sense of humor.

Jill Savage shares from her blog of 1/27/14:

"Happy 53rd Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Because I think we should always be learning from those who are farther along on the journey, I asked my parents if I could interview them today. They were happy to oblige.

You've been married 53 years. If you have to pass along 3 strategies that you believe have made a difference in the longevity of your marriage, what would they be?

MOM: Prayer, respect and enjoying one another’s company.

DAD: Willingness to forgive, constant sharing of care of family, home and church responsibilities, sexual compatibility. (Jill’s note: That’s four Dad…you just had to get sex in there, didn’t you?

When we were little, what did you do to stay connected in your marriage?"

Be sure to check Jill's post to find out what Jill's other questions, and what her parents' answers were...

The post What makes a marriage last 53 years? appeared first on Jill Savage.

(Used by permission)

Let’s pray:

Father, we come to You for help, that we may become aware of our own needs.

When we face someone's dying, there are deep feelings we become aware of.

I want to be prepared for these times, as well as for my own time of dying.

Your peace is what I see we're in need of. Enable me to center on You at such times, keeping my focus on the provision Jesus has made for us.

I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 94:14 "For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance."

Today’s quotes: Stormie Omartian - “Everyone goes through hard times…It’s the attitude we have when we go through them that matters most.”

Randy Kilgore – “Remember, the greatest comfort of this life: Jesus promised that one day we will go home to be with Him.” John 14:1-6

Some thoughts today: When folks get together to talk and share about their faith in the Lord, their speaking of experiences, good or bad, will bring freedom to the others.

- It's the Holy Spirit Who does the healing, and will help us get through our though times. God will not leave you, as others do.

- Find a good friend, and be one. We need to put aside our differences and bond in Jesus Christ.

This evening’s post: Things That Make Me Happy Jean Oathout

25th- Tuesday's post: #69 Aarons and Hurs C. Peter Wagner

27th- Thursday's post: #70 Recruiting Prayer Partners C. Peter Wagner

29th- Saturday's post: Releasing Secrets, Restoring Hope Gwen Smith

A popular post: We Need a Shepherd Mary Southerland "Good shepherds do not push, no matter how great the temptation. A good shepherd stands in front of his sheep, gently calling their names, leading them to a place where he has already been, positioning himself between danger and his sheep."