The Apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) In Nehemiah 8:10 we read, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” With the troubles we face in today’s world, we may be tempted to think these words of scripture are out of date, meant for another time in the distant past. And yet, they are meant for us today. The dictionary says joy is a feeling of happiness, an emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune. The Bible tells us that it is more. This fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is a response to the ways God intervenes in our lives to help us, to save us, to love us. Life can be hard, even brutal, but we have a Savior, and no matter what happens we have confidence that “nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 15:35) This good news of great joy is why we rejoice. May God bless your week with joy! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View more

Today, let’s embark on a heart-to-heart journey through a topic that often stirs up quite a storm—politics. Specifically, why the Christian church should avoid entangling itself in the political arena. This isn't about pointing fingers or igniting debates but rather about seeking wisdom from the Good Book and understanding our true calling. more

John 8:10-11 Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn't there anyone left to accuse you?” 11“No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don't sin anymore.” more

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32) The mustard seed is such a marvelous and memorable image from the gospels. Jesus says this tiny little seed can grow and grow and become a tree. God’s kingdom is like that. It starts out very small, grows, and becomes large enough to give shelter, to have an impact much greater than expected. It grows by God’s power. Jesus tells us to trust that it is true. God is at work, and God’s kingdom will grow to shelter the whole world. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

I want to talk about something that is at the very heart of our faith, how we, as Christians, are called to interact with one another and the world around us. It's a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately, and I believe it's one that deserves our careful consideration and reflection. So, let's dive in together and ask ourselves some important questions. more

The Perrys will be in concert at 7pm on June 21 at Salem Praise and Worship Fellowship in Salem, Arkansas. Salem Praise and Worship Fellowship is locate at 682 West Hwy 62/412. more

Isaiah 30:21 If you wander to the right or to the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, "Here is the road. Follow it." more

If ever there was a time in history that the call to holiness for the Christian church was paramount it is the current era in which we live. more

One of my seminary professors, Dr. John Leith, remarked that the single greatest threat to the vitality of the church is amnesia…the failure of the average Christian to remember the most basic content of the Bible. If we want to know more of God and to know God better, we must take time to read God’s word in the Bible. There are many good resources and devotional materials available. A simple way to start is to read one of the Gospels. Matthew begins with Jesus’ birth, shares his ministry and teachings, and concludes with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Jesus said, “Learn from me,” (Matthew 11:29), and when we read his words and reflect upon their meaning in the context of his life, we learn what it means to be Christ’s followers. We have time to read a chapter or two from the Bible each day, if we will just do it. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

As we approach Father's Day, it's important to reflect on the profound role fathers play in our lives. This reflection is not just a matter of tradition or sentimentality but is deeply rooted in biblical teachings that outline the significant responsibilities and roles fathers have within their families and communities. The Bible, a timeless guide, offers rich insights into what it means to be a father, highlighting both the spiritual and practical aspects of fatherhood. more

On May 17, my wife and I welcomed our first granddaughter. Baby R weighed in at barely five pounds and had several health challenges since she was born at just 37 weeks. Despite these early issues, we are grateful she is growing stronger and begin-ning to thrive. As it was with the birth of our first grandchild, Baby J, it was love at first sight; well, that is not entirely true; we were in love with our tiny granddaughter even before she arrived but quickly fell even more in love with her when we held her for the first time and could whisper our welcome to her personally. more

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature... more

Being a part of the continuationist/charismatic church I have been approached with questions about intercession, intercessors and if there is a ministry gift as Intercessor or a spiritual gift of intercession. more

Among the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 is gentleness. As the Holy Spirit lives in us, these fruit are evident in our daily lives. Check the dictionary and you see that gentleness is defined as being kind, tender, or mild-mannered (as opposed to angry or vengeful). In the Bible gentleness may also be translated meekness (which is not weakness). Gentleness in our actions, attitudes, and words requires controlled strength. Let us follow Paul’s words in Philippians 4:4-5, “Rejoice in the Lord always…Let your gentleness be known to everyone.” The world will be a better place if Christ’s gentle Spirit is evident in each of us. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

One of the hot topics that frequently sparks lively debate within the Christian church is the use of musical instruments during worship. While some denominations hold firm in their belief that only voices should be used to praise God, others embrace a wide range of instruments, from traditional organs and pianos to modern electric guitars and drums. So, what's the deal? Let's dive into the biblical context behind these different perspectives. more

You are not alone if you have forgotten the news from September 20, 2016. Only minutes after we learned Angelina Jolie was filing for divorce from Brad Pitt, an earth-quake hit Los Angeles. CNN jokingly commented, “The two incidents are unrelated.” The family has again been in the news recently as two of the couple’s children decid-ed to drop their father’s last name. more

2 Thessalonians 2:1, 3, & 7  Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him... For that day WILL NOT COME until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction... For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the ONE who is holding it back steps out of the way.  more

Have you ever found yourself wondering about Paul, the apostle who wasn’t one of the original twelve disciples? From a strictly objective standpoint, it’s worth asking if Paul would be considered "qualified" to write about and teach the lessons of Christ. After all, the disciples learned from Jesus firsthand during his earthly ministry, while Paul only came into the picture after the crucifixion. more

On Monday, May 20, His Place Christian Academy hosted a joyful and inspiring publishing party to celebrate a significant milestone: 18 of its students have become published authors through a national student publishing program. This momentous occasion marked the culmination of weeks of hard work and creativity by second and third-grade students, who planned, wrote, and illustrated their own books through a free publishing program with Studentreasures Publishing. more

Who is qualified to write about the Bible? Who is qualified to write about the love of Christ? Who is qualified to discuss the debates of the Christian church? Who is qualified to point out that some church rituals are based on church culture and not biblical doctrine? These are the questions I want to explore in today's column. more