In the vast landscape of human behavior, a peculiar pattern emerges, particularly among Christians, though it is by no means exclusive to them. This pattern involves the tendency to reshape, reinterpret, or even manipulate the teachings of the Bible to align with personal views, prejudices, or narratives. This is not just a religious practice; it's a human one, reflecting deeper issues of cognitive bias and interpretative challenges that are widespread across cultures and beliefs. more

Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. more

This Sunday, The Bridge Church is set to host a unique and heartwarming event that promises to bring the community together through the power of music. Located at the familiar landmark of 10105 S. 63 Hwy in West Plains—just a stone's throw from the local Dairy Queen—the church invites everyone to a special evening dedicated to the beloved hymns and gospel songs that have echoed through the ages. more

The 73rd annual National Day of Prayer will be observed from noon to 1 p.m. on May 2nd in the People's Park pavilion in West Plains. The specific areas of prayer include: praise and thanksgiving to God, prayers for our government (national commerce state and local), the workplace and the economy, military, education, church and family and the media. more

This week I have had a medical issue. I am grateful for all the help I have received from healthcare professionals and effective medicines. The loving concern of family members and friends, plus the support from church family, have helped in so many ways. God has been present in them all. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” It is a statement of faith and certainty followed by these words in v. 2, “Therefore we will not fear.” Sickness or troubles stir up fear in us, which is why we need to turn to God in prayer and ask his help. All our prayers may not be answered immediately, yet God’s help will come in many ways and through many people. Let us remember Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (NLT) May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches of Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

As a Christian and especially as a pastor, my favorite writer and central figure outside of Christ is without question, the Apostle Paul. more

In How Firm a Foundation, Jennifer Benson Schuldt described a visit to her great-grandmother’s house when she was a little girl. The elderly relative lived by a farm, and to keep cattle from trespassing, her yard was surrounded by an electric fence. When she asked to play outside, her parents agreed but cautioned her, explaining that touching the fence would be painful. more

Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore, hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me..." more

Growing up in Texas, I used to hear stories of treasure hidden in the hills by outlaws, pirates’ treasure chests, and lost mines filled with jewels and precious metals. Treasure! I have never found any of these, but I am glad to know of a more precious and lasting type of treasure…treasure in heaven. Jesus said, “lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal,” Matthew 6:20. What is treasure in heaven? It is our investment in God’s causes and God’s people. We invest in God’s causes when we feed the hungry, encourage the fainthearted, help those in need. Find an opportunity every day to lay up treasure in heaven by showing God’s love to others. Have a blessed week! Diane Cooke, Pastor of the Presbyterian churches in Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

The Book of Ephesians, one of the 27 books of the New Testament, is a profound piece of Pauline scripture that serves as a cornerstone for understanding the theological and practical aspects of Christian life. Traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, this epistle is written to the church in Ephesus, a major center of trade and power in the Roman province of Asia. However, its messages have a universal appeal, aimed at a broader audience beyond just Ephesus. This article delves deeply into the themes, structure, historical context, and enduring relevance of Ephesians. more

My friend Irene Hurt shared this story about Stephen Grellat which appeared in Meas-ure Your Life, by Wesley Duewel. Grellat sought to follow God, even when he did not understand the Lord’s plans. He once felt God wanted him to preach in a remote for-ested region of America. He traveled to the area but found only empty shanties after a logging crew left. Duewel wrote, “He was so sure that he was sent by God that he went into an empty shanty and preached to the bare walls the sermon that God had placed upon his heart. He then returned to his home. He could never understand why God would send him to preach to an empty shanty.” more

Matthew 11:16-17 The people are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other, 17“We played the flute, but you would not dance! We sang a funeral song, but you would not mourn!” more

This weekend, as our town becomes a bustling hub for thousands of eclipse enthusiasts, our streets, parks, and public spaces will undoubtedly be filled with an air of excitement and anticipation. It’s a unique moment, not just for sky-watchers but for our community as a whole. Among the many voices discussing logistics, safety, and the best viewing spots, there’s a deeper conversation that needs to be had, especially within our faith communities. This occasion presents an opportune moment to reflect on the role and responsibility of the church in welcoming guests—particularly, those who are visiting us for the first time. more

In the Synoptic Gospels of the Bible, we find that Jesu Christ instructs us that the greatest commandment is to love God. Yet, many Christians while claiming to love God and be in relationship with Him, have no idea what loving God and being in relationship with Him actually looks like or inherently contains from a biblically definition. more

Popular author, Jim Cymbala, became pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in 1971. He once wrote about a particularly busy Easter which left him both fulfilled and exhausted. At the end of multiple services, he sat down on the edge of the platform and loosened his tie before noticing a disheveled dirty homeless man on the third row who seemed eager to talk. more

Early on that Sunday morning the women who came to Jesus’ tomb intended to finish the burial preparations, but instead they found an empty tomb. An angel told them, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.” (Matt. 28:5-6) Even though Jesus told them he would die and rise again, they didn’t believe it. It was only when they saw their risen Lord and experienced his presence that they believed. For nearly 2,000 years believers have affirmed that Jesus Christ has broken the power of sin and death. He is alive, and he is present in our midst to transform, sustain, and heal. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25). May God bless your week. Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

John 14:19 A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. more

Easter or Resurrection Sunday, whichever you prefer, is upon us and is a time where many people reflect on the person of Jesus Christ; His suffering, crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection. more

In the sprawling digital landscape where sermons live beyond the stained glass and wooden pews, I've found a peculiar kind of sanctuary. My spiritual nourishment comes not from a singular source but a curated playlist of preachers whose voices fill the room as I weave through the week's tasks. This isn't about replacing traditional worship or sidestepping the communal aspect of churchgoing; it's about enriching my faith journey with diverse perspectives that I might not find within the four walls of a single church. more

For more than 1,000 years, astronomers believed stars and planets re-volved around the earth. They observed how stars moved smoothly in their or-bits while planets did not. Planets’ orbits wobbled, their speed varied, and sometimes even seemed to reverse directions. To explain facts that seemed to defy logic, scientists developed increasingly complex theories. more