As the school year begins, I am reminded of my own years in school. My classmates would sometimes convince me to ask the teacher to give us longer to turn in our homework. I was asked to intercede, that is, act as a go-between, to plead for the needs of another. Jesus intercedes for us before God. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 8:26, the Spirit intercedes for us, prays for us. “In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.” CEV When we struggle to pray, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit of Christ himself comes to our aid. God hears our prayers. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor of the Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

The Bible, an extraordinary collection of sacred texts, is the bedrock of Christian faith. It took approximately 1,500 years to compile these texts, from the earliest writings of the Old Testament to the final chapters of the New Testament. But for nearly 2,000 years now, no new writings have been added. Why has this happened? Why hasn't the Bible been updated with new revelations or rearranged to fit a chronological order? And if the Bible is divinely inspired, why can’t modern writers also produce divinely inspired works? Let's dive into these intriguing questions. more

Genesis 2:17 But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. more

Moving from childhood into puberty and then to adulthood is never easy. The “tween” stage is often a period filled with intense questions and major self-doubt. De-spite that, most people survive those challenging years without long-term complica-tions. more

The Bible encourages us again and again to pray. The Apostle Paul instructs us to “pray without ceasing,” (I Thessalonians 5:17) In Philippians 4:6 he says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Jesus tells us to “pray always and not to lose heart.” (Luke 18:1) We pray persistently not to nag or pester the Almighty, but to grow in our relationship with God. Persistent prayer is about trust and our willingness to trust Christ to guide us. In a car, prayer should be like a steering wheel. Unfortunately, many of us treat prayer like a spare tire, used only in emergencies. Pray always, pray throughout the day, and you will find yourself growing closer to God. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Living a life that reflects Christ isn't just about following rules or attending church every Sunday. It's a profound, transformative journey that touches every aspect of our existence. For Christians, it means embodying the values, attitudes, and behaviors that Jesus demonstrated during His time on Earth. This editorial will delve into what it truly means to live a life reflective of Christ, clearing up some misconceptions along the way, and offering heartfelt, practical insights on how to walk this path daily. more

The Bible contains many fascinating stories from Jesus’ life. One of the most interesting is found in John 5:1-15 about a man waiting to be healed at the Pool of Bethesda. Tradition had it that periodically, an angel would stir the water, and the first person into the pool afterward would be healed. more

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people... if MY PEOPLE, who are called by MY NAME, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. more

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 Hesed is the Hebrew word that has been translated “steadfast love.” This Hebrew word is found 246 times in the Old Testament, and it describes God’s faithful love. It is unwavering, constant, and lasting. Lamentations 3:22-23 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Let us give thanks for God’s steadfast love which reaches out to us again and again through his Son Jesus Christ. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches of Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

The evolution of the Christian church from its inception in the first century to its present-day form reveals significant transformations in practices, structure, and cultural integration. Despite these changes, the core beliefs have remained remarkably consistent. This essay explores the similarities and differences between the first-century Christian church and the modern-day Christian church. more

Local families are preparing for the school year with back-to-school sales and adding more items to their lists for children in need around the world. more

"You shall surely set a king over you whom the Lord your God chooses; one from among your brethren you shall set as king over you; you may not set a foreigner over you, who is not your brother." Deuteronomy 17:15 more

In the Bible we read that God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people (Exodus 3-4), Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4-10) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-9) to be prophets. Jesus called the disciples to follow him (Mark 1:16-20). In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul tells us that each of us is called by God. “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We have different gifts, yet we all have a calling. In I Corinthians 12:7 Paul says, “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” No one else can do what you can do. In your job, in your family, in your neighborhood, you are called to live a life worthy of your calling as Christ’s own. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more

Mark your calendars and get ready for an extraordinary experience! The Curry Street Church of Christ invites everyone to join us for our Vacation Bible School, happening from July 29 to July 31 at 7 p.m. each evening. This year, we're diving into the thrilling theme of "The Adventures of Paul." more

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime at Breaker Rock Beach! Every day is an unforgettable journey, from the morning waves crashing against the shore to evenings filled with bonfires and s'mores. Imagine catching a glimpse of an orca leaping through the surf or watching happy sea lions play among the rocks beneath magnificent pines. Race along the sand with your brightly colored kite, join friends to make the most amazing sandcastle, or gaze in wonder at the mysteries found in a glimmering tide pool. As the crowds come and go and the tides ebb and flow, Breaker Rock rises majestically as a symbol of strength, standing firm against the force of wind and waves. more

Local families are preparing for the school year with back-to-school sales and adding more items to their lists for children in need around the world. more