One of the things that they teach in sports is to keep your eye on the ball. The teams that win stay focused on winning and working together. The teams that lose tend to get distracted and are more focused on the individual than the team.  more

The old hymn says it this way, “Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” Again and again the Bible encourages us to walk with God. more

The 47th annual Spring Gospel Concert is set for 7 p.m. March 29 in the Thayer High School gym, and will feature two musical acts, The Down East Boysand the Four Corners. more

His Place House of Worship, 1849 County Road 5460, West Plains, will host the 2025 Exhilarate Women’s Conference from April 10 through April 12. more

Hebrews 9:5: “And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the Mercy Seat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.” more

I cannot believe how fast the time has been flying by. Here we are just out of a winter “blizzard” and already it is the season of Lent. March 5 of 2025 is Ash Wednesday and the next 40 days (not counting Sundays) will be a journey to Easter. This has been a tradition in many churches since the 4th century.  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. more

In a June 22, 2006, USA Today article, experts reported Americans had 33% fewer close friends than they had 20 years earlier. In 1985, the average American had three friends in whom they were willing to confide, but according to the American Sociological Review, by 2004 that number dropped to just two. Perhaps the most tragic detail in the report was how 25% of Americans said they had no close friend. more

St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 808 N. Y Highway in Mtn. View, will serve its annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. March 17 at the church. more

The South Central Walk Worthy Women’s Conference interdenominational event will be held April 25 and 26 in a new location, Liberty High School, 1054 Old U.S. 60 in Mtn. View. Previously, the conference was held at First Baptist Church in Mtn. View. more

Revelation 19:19-21: “And I saw the beast (Antichrist), and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army” (Heaven's army that returns to Earth with Jesus, verses 11-16). more

I have a confession to make: When snow days happen, my discipline goes out the window. Habits that I have established, based upon getting up and going to the office, take a hiatus. The results are that, during at least the first day of snow, I become a great big couch potato. It seems that I remain that way until I start to go stir crazy and need to get out. I am currently looking out my home office window and the snow is just beginning. I will bet you can imagine what is next.  more

The word “behold” is not a common word in our vocabulary today. If it sounds Biblical, it is because it is found 1,298 times in the King James Version of the Bible. It is used less often in contemporary translations, replaced by “see” or “look.” more

The Bridge Community Church of West Plains announces that, beginning this weekend, it will now offer a Sunday evening service. more

Each NFL team adds fresh players to its roster during the annual draft. Every coach and their staff spend hours looking at every available player. They evaluate each one’s talent, physical fitness, work ethic and how he may help the team. They attempt to consider everything as they gauge each player’s potential. more

If you look at the closing words of the Apostle Paul’s letters, you will see, “Grace be with you.” (See I Timothy 6:21, II Timothy 4:22, I Thessalonians 5:28, Colossians 4:18, Philippians 4:23). The opening words of his letters often are, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (See I Corinthians 1:3, Romans 1:7, Galatians 1:3). more

I just received my new phone. It was a late Christmas gift from my wife. It’s interesting how changing phones has changed over the years. At one time all the information you had on your old phone was lost, and you had to manually put everything in. Now, you just take a picture of a funky looking box, and everything goes to the new phone.  more

Job 9:32-33: "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together." (New Living Translation) more