Beech Tree News Network

When I started seventh grade, there was a new girl in class.  At the age of thirteen, she was already a classic beauty.  Tall, long dark hair, Angelina Jolie lips—you know the type.  She was poised and quiet and surprisingly kind.  I didn’t expect kind.  We became friends.

The last few times I’ve been to Best Buy, I’ve noticed that the number of CD’s for sale is drastically shrinking.  Earlier this week came the announcement that I knew was inevitable, still it’s crazy to think of: Best Buy will soon stop selling CD’s in all stores this July.  Target could be next. 

Last Tuesday evening (January 30) as many around the world listened, President Trump addressed Congress. His words touched on the economy, our infrastructure, and immigration. He stated his administration’s vision or mission: “to make America great again for all Americans,” and said, “So let usbegin tonight by recognizing that the state of our Union is strong because our people are strong.”

The devil you say:

One day at church, my friend, Suzanne, said, “You should never rob people of their experiences.  That’s how they learn.  That’s how we all learn.”

                Since she said that, I’ve thought about that a lot.  I’ve looked back over my own individual experiences and those in which I was a part, and I’ve realized that occasionally, I’ve been robbed, and sometimes I’ve even robbed others.  Let me explain.

            This was the courageous cry of Daniel’s three friends as they stood before an angry king (Dan. 3:18). In context, Nebuchadnezzar had an idol of gold built and commanded all to bow down to it (Dan. 3:1-5). The consequence for refusal was being burned up in a furnace (v. 6). When Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) refused to bow, the king gave them one more chance (v. 11-15).

This week was the busiest yet in Frankfort with a number of bills moving through committees and on to the Senate and House floors for votes. We were also visited by a number of statewide advocacy groups that championed their great causes and rallied in the Capitol Rotunda. Between visiting constituents, committee meetings, and voting on the Senate floor, we continued to discuss the upcoming budget.

COME AND FIND ME - I am sure that just about everyone reading this column has, at one point or another, played a game known as “hide and seek” hardly anyone gets through childhood without becoming familiar with it and if childhood is now past but children are still in your life, then you have probably been involved in teaching this game to them. Everyone enjoys a good game of hide and seek, once and a while, or even perhaps frequently, don't they?