Beech Tree News Network

             John the Baptist plays a very important role in the first century. It was he who prepared the people for the coming of the Lord (Isa. 40:3-6; Lk. 3:2-6). He stands out in the Bible for the work he did for the Lord. In fact, he was prophesied as coming “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Mal. 4:5-6; Lk. 1:16-17; Matt. 17:11-12).

BECAUSE I ASKED SO!Of coarse the title to this particular column is a play on the phrase “because I said so!” Is there a parent anywhere, who has children that have reached the age where they can ask the question, “why” who has not said this phrase at one point or another? If we lean a little bit toward having a patient personality we will at times actually give reasoning as to “why” we need our child to perform a certain task or to act a specific way.

Most of us have heard the expression — “He couldn’t see the wood for the trees.”

Someone said, insights have to be discovered on at a time; perhaps over a period of years.  “Gosh I’ve looked at that all my life; now I’m seeing it for the first time.”

Established in 1959, Daytona is to NASCAR as Madison Square Garden is to WWE.  Construction of Daytona International Speedway took 15 months.  It broke ground in November 1957 and opened in February 1959.  Buddy Baker won the first race in Daytona of what is now known as the Clash.  

Are you prepared for Valentine’s Day? I used to buy gifts for my husband and children, and now I buy small gifts for my children and grandchildren. For me, Valentine’s Day has become a family deal.

Selecting a gift for those we love is not always easy. I struggle to think of something a little different from the previous year. Wondering what people would choose for themselves as a Valentine’s Day gift, I asked friends and family for their opinions. My question was: If you could select your own Valentine’s Day gift (valued at $100 or less), what would it be? Their responses were:

Rain, rain, go away has probably been the sentiment that most folks have had lately.  Oh well, it is Kentucky.  And now for this week's installment:

After reconvening for the February portion of the 2019 General Assembly on Tuesday, legislators spent the majority of this week filing legislation and meeting with our committees to consider bills and resolutions. On Thursday night, legislators from the House and Senate convened a joint session to hear the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address.

The General Assembly hit the ground running this week as it began the continuation of the 2019 Regular Session. The Senate Majority is excited to move forward with its legislative priorities and pass laws that benefit the Commonwealth.

One Sunday, our pastor said, “When you say yes to one thing, you’ve said no to a million other things.  It’s important to know what is yours to do.”

I’ve thought about that a lot since that Sunday, and I’ve reached the conclusion that for the most part, I know what is mine to do.  I don’t always do it, because sometimes other things seem more interesting or come with more immediate results or the child in me says, “Don’t tell me what to do!”   But I know what is mine to do.

When Jesus preached His “Sermon on the Mount,” He said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).