Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer (p. 36). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Oh, if we would only learn this and live this! Max says, “The punch line is clear: take your problem to Jesus. Don’t take your problems to the bar. Jim Beam cannot solve them. Don’t take your problems out on others. Temper tantrums never advance the cause. The moment you sense a problem, however large or small, take it to Christ. “’Max, if I take my problems to Jesus every time I have one, I am going to be talking to Jesus all day long.’ (Now you are getting the point.)” Philippians 4:6–7 (TLB), “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quie

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer (p. 21). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I have a very good friend whose father was also a good friend of my dad.   Last week when my friend Darrel’s dad, Boyd was getting ready to take his trip to the other side Boyd said he saw Ivan, my dad who is already in heaven.   My dad was reaching out to his good friend, Boyd.       Max tells his story, “As I boarded a plane last week, the pilot called my name. He was standing in the cockpit entrance, greeting passengers. ‘Well, hello, Max.’ I looked up. It was my friend Joe. My old friend. He is the Methuselah of the airways. He’s been flying forever. He flew transports in Vietnam and has logged a bookful of hours as a commercial pilot. He’s faced every flight crisis from electrical storms to empty fuel tanks. He is a good pilot. “And he is a friend, a good friend. He’s not my neighbor,

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer    (p. 12). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Back when I was in 3 rd grade at Light and Life Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona we had to bring our own lunches to school.   And I was always excited on the days that we didn’t bring our lunch because Dad was going to go to the new McDonalds on Central Ave and bring us a hamburger and french fries.   It was so exciting to see him coming. My sister and I would run to Dad.   It was so great. Now when he came I didn’t say: “Father, it is most gracious of thee to drive thy car to my place of education and provide me this middle of the day nourishment. Please know of my deep gratitude for your benevolence. For thou art splendid in thy attentive care and diligent in thy dedication.”   No, I didn’t say that.   I said, “Thanks, Dad.   This is so great” or something like that. Now Max s