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

Hosea 2:14 But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. more

In the Upper Room, Jesus spoke with his closest friends for the last time. Soon Judas would betray him, he would be arrested, tried, and crucified. On that last night Jesus surely tried to share the most important things with them. What was first? He washed their feet. He did the job of the humblest servant, and then he said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you more

The topic of law versus grace is one that is debated in the Christian world. Most people ascribe to the theological view of Sola Fide, which means “Faith Alone”. This view is part of Soteriology, or the study of the process of salvation in the Christian faith. more

Columnist Bill Crowder wrote in a recent Our Daily Bread devotional that according to the Daily Mirror, a British newspaper, the average person makes an astonishing 773,618 decisions over a lifetime. The Mirror suggests people eventually “regret 143,262 of them.” Crowder commented, “I have no idea how the paper arrived at these numbers, but it’s clear that we face countless decisions throughout our lifetime.” more

Luke 2:34-35 This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. more

In rural America, the intertwining of Christian faith with patriotism often paints a picture of national identity being synonymous with spiritual salvation. This narrative, deeply ingrained in certain communities, champions the idea that being a "good American" or embodying the archetype of the "good 'ole boy" equates to Christian virtue and assurance of salvation. Embedded within this conflation is the belief that political allegiance, particularly to candidates seen as embodying Christian values, somehow brings one closer to divine favor. However, this blending of spiritual and national identities raises profound theological questions and concerns, diverging significantly from the core teachings of Christianity that underline the universal nature of Christ's message and the path to salvation. more

A ransom is the price paid for the release of a captive. In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He said that after he had told his disciples that he would suffer and die. What did he mean? He meant that his death would be voluntary. His life would not be taken from him, but instead he would give up his life as a ransom. Jesus would give his life to accomplish our release. Captive to sin, we cannot free ourselves, and on the cross, Jesus paid the price for us all. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We are forgiven, redeemed, saved… because Jesus gave his life as a ransom for us. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View. more