Beech Tree News Network

David, the sweet psalmist of Israel (II Sam. 23:1), penned a song concerning the home in Psalm 127. He wrote, “As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them…” (Ps. 127:4-5). Let us focus upon the phrase from Psalm 127:4 and make applications to ourselves.
 

MISPLACED:  Not too long ago we were having a discussion with the youngest member of our clan about the importance of keeping his grades up (once again) and getting just a little frustrated that our well-intentioned and experienced wisdom seems to be so easily dismissed at times. During this time my wife thought she would also check on our eldest child's academic progress and went looking for her name among the students in our particular county whom had made the Dean's list at her particular school.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance of those who have died in service of the United States of America.  Over two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day.  While Waterloo, New York was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it’s difficult to prove conclusively the origins of that day.

Next Monday, Memorial Day, is a day to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while serving in the military. At this time of year, some people also visit cemeteries, placing flowers on monuments of loved ones. It’s an emotional time for many, remembering loved ones who are gone.

Where are all the old cowboys gone? – Those that I remember.  The ones I used to see on the silver screen at the Palace Theater-back in my hometown on Saturday afternoons: Ray and Gene; Rocky Lane and Johnny Mack Brown, to name a few. 
Of course I know where; most have gone on up the trail, along with their side-kicks, the hikes of Bobby Hayer, Frog Millhouse.  (Smiley Brunette); Lee (Lasser) White and Al St. John (Fuzzy Q. Jones), and Festur (ken Curtis) of “Gunsmoke” fame.

When my youngest daughter, Nikki, was a little girl, she rarely took your word for anything.  If I told her all of the ice cream was gone, she would say, “Show me.”  I had to dig the empty carton out of the trash so she could see.  We started calling her Miss Missouri.  She came by it honestly.  I held the title long before she did.  I’ve always been a fan of tangible proof.

Acts 4:36-37 records a very interesting event in the history of the Lord’s church. When certain ones gave money and possessions to supply the needs of the poor brethren in Jerusalem, one man, Joses, stood out. The Bible tells us, “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
 

ENOUGH TO BE DANGEROUS

The other day I had a gentleman tell me that his knowledge about what went on at a place where he is more or less “in charge” was only sufficient to the level of “knowing just enough to be dangerous.” Now the remark was made in jest and I suspect that he knows a little bit more than that observation would imply but it does infer that he does not have a “tight grip” or total control over all the details associated with managing the place we were discussing.

This weekend we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for this great country. Originally referred to as “Decoration Day,” the holiday originated after the Civil War as Americans would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers each year. Following WWI it took on new significance and all of America's wars were from then on included and observed in the holiday we now know as “Memorial Day”.

May 18, 1952, country music legend George Strait was born.  When I heard Joe Morris announce birthdays on WLBQ Wednesday morning, I knew exactly what I was going to write about this week.  How and when do you know when an artist will be great? I don’t know if there is anyone about whom you can flat out say, “they’re going to be a legend”.  When George Strait broke with “Unwound” in April 1981, I wonder how many people had that thought about the man country fans now call King George?