Focus on Eternity

     This morning I was very encouraged to share a Bible study on the birth of Jesus.  I began by asking the question while holding my Bible up for all to see.  What is this?  The Bible?  They responded as though answering a question with a question.  It wasn't that they were puzzled by the book's content, but more by my question.  After all, this was a Bible study.  It wasn't so evident to others shopping in the store why we were sitting in a circle of chairs offering a whole table of Christmas delights like coffee, tea, punch, muffins, cookies, and candy.  We had hoped to encourage others to participate as they entered the store.  Would our open Bible study draw anyone who needed to know just a little bit more about Jesus this holiday season?      I just read the obituary of a man who often greeted me for routine oil changes on my car.  He was such a good-hearted man; you never got a glimpse of any...

              Before reading this article, please take time to read 2 Thessalonians 3:6-16.       The morning after a long Thanksgiving weekend, I am ashamed to admit, I found myself provoked by a passage of Scripture I encountered in 2 Thessalonians 3.  After reading it, I penned the following phrase, "Don't Grow Weary—Idleness Is Not a Virtue in God's Kingdom."  I felt a little guilty after sitting too long in a comfortable chair, enjoying good food, and watching hours of football.  Possibly you joined me in this holiday tradition.  When I wasn't consuming food or sport, I filled my time with binge-watching past episodes of a popular British crime series.  Yes, it was highly entertaining, but it held no lasting value.  If we're not careful, we might find ourselves caught in idle pursuits without thinking about glorifying God.       As I recall my lazy weekend, I prom...

     My youngest daughter turned fifteen this week, and I was extremely blessed to learn what her amazing friends did to celebrate her birthday.   She received a jar filled with brightly colored notes.   On the exterior was a key:   pink notes – reasons we love you.   Orange notes – quotes that remind us of you, and green notes –shared memories.   I do not know which friends created this beautiful gift, nor will I inquire of the contents.   Yet, I saw the joyful smile spread across my daughter's face as she told me about the incredible gift she received.   Our youngest daughter has chosen her friends well.   We are highly blessed.     The week before her birthday was very hectic.   Our daughter, trying to minimize symptoms of throat irritation, but finally, her cough could not be controlled.   We followed all the Covid protocols, checking temperatures but not recognizing her symptoms as anything more than...

               These past several weeks, I have felt strongly that the Holy Spirit urges me to pay close attention to a particular area of my life.   Unbeknownst to me, a pattern became evident as I reviewed my most recent lessons.   I began to realize that my experiences were about to change.      On the 20 th of October, I recorded, "Earnest Prayer brings amazing faith-building results." With a passage from Acts 12, I wrote two keywords in my Christian Planner, "Sincerity and Conviction." I was pondering my prayer life and recognized that as of late, I realized that this area resembled far less effort than it deserved.    The ache in my heart toward things that genuinely matter was minimal. I've settled for life in the comfort zone, which is a dangerous place to hang out.   How do I know?   My prayers have been focused primarily on gratitude.           M...

  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 ...