Today, I am writing to encourage a Biblical response to our country’s current political divisions. This column is not an attempt to move people toward either party, or even toward a middle group. more

Isaiah 30:1-3: “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord, who carry out plans that are not Mine, forming an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin; who proceed down to Egypt without consulting Me, to seek help from Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shadow. But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shadow your disgrace.” more

Cloud 9 Chapel will host a special bluegrass gospel music performance by Kirby Clark and Roy Bond at 10 a.m. Sunday. more

On Oct. 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered the British forces at Yorktown. For all practical purposes, this signaled the end of the American Revolution. The interesting thing is, for the ceremony Lord Cornwallis chose a 17th century ballad “The world turned upside down” as the music to which his men would surrender their weapons.  more

Officials with Ozarks Heritage Research Center at Missouri State University-West Plains will host a presentation, "The Cherokee Nation,” at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at Garnett Library on West Trish Knight Street in West Plains. Refreshments will be provided. more

Eagle Heights Independent Baptist Church, 1078 County Road 8570, will hold a Cowboy Sunday event at 11 a.m. Sunday. more

By Edwin Woolsey, more

The congregation of First United Methodist Church invites the community to its free indoor Fall Festival from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the church, 503 W. Main St. in West Plains. more

Volunteers with the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child, are getting ready for National Collection Week, scheduled for Nov. 18 through 25. Through the week, area residents can drop off gift-filled shoeboxes at more than a dozen locations in south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas. more

An upcoming event at Arkansas State University’s Sheid Auditorium in Mtn. Home will feature nationally-known internet speaker Robert Arnold, also known as Defiance 13. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 18. more

By Diane Cooke, Pastor, more

The Curry Street church of Christ will host its Fall Lectureship series from Sunday through Oct. 8 at the church, 111 S. Curry St. The theme of this year’s event is “Christian Duties,” and the community is invited to attend all services. more

About 250 women from a nine-congregation area recently gathered at the West Plains Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a women's conference themed "Focus on Christ." Attendees traveled from communities including Ava, Houston, Mansfield, Mtn. Grove, Mtn. View and West Plains, as well as Ash Flat and Mtn. Home in Arkansas. more

I have always been fascinated by Benjamin Franklin’s remarkable ingenuity and skills in multiple areas. This famous patriot was a very successful writer, publisher, philosopher, and inventor. more

1 Kings 4:29: “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” more

The word “Amen” is usually thought of as a concluding word at the end of a prayer. For example, we pray at the dinner table, and ask God to bless the food and then conclude, “in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.” We mean “let it be so”, “truly” or “so be it.” more

The gospel group Singing Disciples will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday at Smith Chapel Church. The community is invited to attend. more

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