Focus on Eternity

  With much gratitude, my friend Kerry Plantz has prepared this article on prayer.  I love the transparency she extends by sharing her story.  Your comments as always are welcome.        Conversation is a vital part of the human experience. To share life together we must communicate with one another, and the more often we do this, the closer we become. Through communication we can be known by the listener, and we are able to know others more deeply and intimately. Your usual blogger, Rhonda, has shared conversations with me and through that relationship we have learned we both have a deep love for Jesus, and both enjoy writing. She has asked me if I would be willing to write and share some of my thoughts with you. What an honor this is for me to enter into your space and become a little known, and hopefully offer a bit of hope and encouragement in the sharing.      My name is Kerry, and I grew up in Seattle, Washington ...

        This weekend, I went on a delightful bus trip to Traverse City to attend a church service with our Senior Ministry group.   During the trip, I made the acquaintance of several wonderful ladies. As a result, I added several new names to my contact list, hoping to keep engaged.   This morning, as I reviewed my sermon notes, updated my calendar, and completed my daily Bible reading, I received a phone call from a friend asking for a favor.    I was more than happy to oblige. So, rather than forget our commitment, I quickly texted my daughter with these instructions.   " Beginning next week, you will be driving ____home from school until ___ (date). "     I added, " We can provide you with a little extra money for gas ."   Quite by accident, I sent the message to one of my new acquaintances.   Re-reading the tone of my text, I realized that I had just laid the groundwork for a terrible misunderstanding. ...

  Luke 18:1–8 (ESV) - The Parable of the Persistent Widow And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart .   He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.   And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’   For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,   yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ”   And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.    And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?   I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”      Before you read this article, take a moment ...