In Lamentations 3:22-23 we read, “The steadfast love of the Lord never more

Eagle Heights Independent Baptist Church, located at 1078 CR 8570, West Plains, MO 65775, is proud to introduce Mountain Moving Ministries, a transformative faith-based recovery discipleship program designed for both men and women. This innovative initiative aims to guide individuals on a path of recovery, helping them reintegrate as productive members of society through a holistic approach that emphasizes spiritual, personal, and professional growth. more

The story of the first sin, often referred to as the "Original Sin," is a foundational narrative within the Judeo-Christian tradition, found in the Book of Genesis. This narrative has been interpreted in various ways over centuries, with differing views on who bears the ultimate responsibility for the first sin. To explore this question, it's important to examine the roles of the main entities involved: Eve, Adam, Satan, and God. Each has been attributed with a degree of responsibility for the event by various theologians, scholars, and believers. more

A few years ago, I read an Our Daily Bread devotional by Mike Wittmer, about a mountain climber who reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2019. He was treated to the unique perspective of sunrise from the 29,032-foot mountain peak. He must have felt elated at having reached this famous location. Unfortunately, the climber did not survive the descent after his remarkable achievement. The high altitude had overtaxed his heart, and he died while descending the mountain. Wittmer explained medical experts often caution climbers to not view the top of Everest as their ultimate destination, but to realize “they’re in the death zone” until they reach lower altitudes. more

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. more

“Be still, and know that I am God.” We find these words in Psalm 46:10. Take some time to read and reflect upon these words. What do they mean to you? Be still. Stop talking; listen; stop arguing; stop complaining; switch off your phone; step away from the computer; be quiet; rest; rest in the Lord; let God’s peace flood your mind, heart, and spirit. And know. Stop doubting; be sure; be certain; lean upon God and experience his strength; remember the times the Lord has been close to you. That I am God. The Lord God is Gracious, Almighty, Loving, Merciful; God is Creator of all that is; God is love; God is my refuge, my hope, my rock, my redeemer; the Lord is my Shepherd; God is ever-present, a help in times of trouble; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Take time today to be still and experience God’s presence anew. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

The debate on the Nature of Christ, known as Christology, remains one of the most profound and enduring theological discussions within Christian thought. Spanning over centuries, this debate seeks to understand the complex nature of Jesus Christ, who is acknowledged as both fully divine and fully human. This article delves into the historical context, key arguments, significant councils, and lasting impacts of this theological discourse, offering a comprehensive exploration of Christological development through the ages. more

Each Christmas someone in my family gives me a book they know I will use for future columns. This year my wife, Kelly, gave me Great American Trivia. Today’s column is based on it. more

Today, I read a scientific article about our philosophy of "self" compared to various Eastern ideologies. Although largely unnoticed, modern Western Culture places a massive emphasis on "self" even in our churches to the detriment of God. Consequently, my attention turned to Scripture regarding the existence and identity of "self" and how the concept relates to the meaning/purpose of life as God ordained. more

In the New Testament, the Greek word for God’s love is agape’. In Romans 12:9, Paul says, “Let love be genuine.” Genuine means authentic, real, and sincere. Paul is saying let the love you have for others be the real thing, and I believe that in the words that follow, he is telling us how to express this genuine, authentic love in our lives. Verse 9 continues, “…hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good,” and it is strong language. Hate what is evil…hate what God calls evil…lying, greed, sin, selfishness, violence, sowing discord, wickedness. Cling to what is good, and verses 10-21 give us practical instruction. Verse 21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Persevere in prayer, live peaceably with others, do not return evil for evil, serve the Lord. One after another, these statements reveal God’s love in action, and that is the love we as Christians are to express in our lives. May God’s genuine and authentic love be present in our words and actions. God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

It’s great to be able to refresh my computer screen, because it updates the information displayed. Honestly, we all need to be updated and refreshed sometimes. Whether it is by physical exercise, a soft drink, or just by laughter, to be refreshed is a wonderful thing. It means we are invigorated, renewed, and given new strength. In the Bible we read of the ways God refreshes us, physically and spiritually. In Jeremiah 31:25, we read, “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” In Acts 3:19, the Apostle Peter said, “Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” We are refreshed by God’s presence…in the waters of baptism, the nourishment of the Lord’s Supper, the blessings of fellowship, and the inspiration we find in the singing of hymns and reading the Bible. When you are weary, let God refresh you. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

“What in the world were you thinking, Kenneth Ray… The very idea! What are people going to think when they hear you singing about your mother leaving her family to run off to some bar… And how dare you write about me having four hungry kids?” These are the opening words of Kenny Rogers’ 2012 autobiography, Luck or Something Like It. more

1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no division in the body, but the members should have the same concern for one another. more

In the vast and diverse landscape of Christian faith, a crucial question emerges: how much of what we observe in church culture is a product of tradition and church-specific doctrine, and how much is directly grounded in biblical text? This question is not confined to any single denomination; rather, it resonates across the entire spectrum of Christian practice, from the solemn halls of the Catholic Church to the vibrant gatherings of Pentecostal congregations, and indeed, within Presbyterianism, as exemplified by the reverence for the Book of Order. more

I recently finished, Before We Were Yours, a fascinating novel by Lisa Wingate. Her book tells the story of families severely traumatized by social worker, Georgia Tann. She was widely respected in Memphis until it eventually became obvious she was mistreating children. Tann was at the center of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society scandal of 1950. Though the specific families’ stories Wingate told are fictional they are representative of Tann’s victims. more

Many of us pray each day for healing….for ourselves, our loved ones, and for people around the world. We pray for the healing of bodies, hearts, minds, and relationships. The gospels record many instances of Jesus healing people. “And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matthew 4:23) The Old Testament describes God’s healing presence. Psalm 147:3 reads, “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Our God heals, and we are invited to pray trusting that healing will come. It may not occur the way we expected, and it may not happen as quickly as we would like, yet healing will come. I have never forgotten what a wise pastor told me years ago. He said that death is the final healing. Ultimately our Lord will heal us, and we will be made whole. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. more

The Epiphany, in the context of the Christian church, is an event of profound theological and historical significance, encapsulating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. Its origins, rituals, and implications are deeply embedded in the fabric of Christian tradition, reflecting a complex interplay of theology, history, and cultural practice. more

In the realm of religion, the concept of objective truth often becomes as complex and layered as the beliefs and traditions that define various faiths. Objective truth, in its purest form, refers to something that is true regardless of personal beliefs, biases, or perspectives – a universal constant, if you will. But here's the kicker: when you bring this idea into the religious sphere, things get a lot more complicated. more

Those who read my last column may remember I wrote about Michael and Matthew Clark; two brothers with leukodystrophy, a fatal disease which reverses one’s mental and physical abilities. Today I share the story of Jill Price, a woman whose mental abil-ity is the complete opposite. She was born with an amazing condition called hyper-thymia which allows her to remember everything with extraordinary clarity. more