Beech Tree News Network

Christmas is near! I’ve been preparing for it – a little at a time – for weeks. Of course, Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Like many of you during this season, I enjoy church services and family and/or friend gatherings. Yet sometimes, it’s the little things that put us in the holiday spirit.

The Bible tells us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalms 139:14)
We breathe normally 16 times a minute. If we stop breathing for five minutes or so, we die.
We breathe in air conditioning around 21 percent oxygen-absorbed into the body and used. The air we exhale is only 16 percent oxygen.

When Tyler Perry was a child, he was routinely beaten by a father, who would then drop to his knees in prayer and crawl into bed to sleep.  His mother was present but she was too afraid to stand up for her son.  After one extreme beating with an electrical cord, Tyler ran from his house and down the block to his aunt and uncle.  Tyler’s skin had literally been ripped to pieces. 

    When discussing certain Bible topics with others, and trying to ascertain what God wants us to do, have we ever heard someone say, “Doctrine does not matter, anyway”? Do we agree with this statement? Does doctrine matter when it comes to Bible subjects?

    To begin, it is necessary to understand that the word “doctrine” as is used in Scripture simply means “teaching.” Thus, would it make sense to say, “Teaching does not matter”? Of course, not. Yet, there are many today who treat the doctrine or teaching of the Bible as unimportant. This is dangerous!

I’m sure everyone has noticed the gorgeous moons the last few days. It’s amazing how close it looks a lot of times. The beauty is breathtaking.  There is a saying I heard years ago that I just love:

“ There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls” (George Carlin). I think that saying could be true this last week with the beauty of the moon and the stillness.

Have a great “week before Christmas” everyone and please remember to check on the elderly in this freezing weather!

UNCHARTED TERRITORY:  This particular article was very nearly titled -Kruger's Nightmare- with the obvious reference of Freddy Krueger, the infamous, horribly burned and deranged character from the horror film genre whom serial kills young people, while they are in the midst of having a nightmare, with real life consequences. Personally I do not really care for the slasher type of film, for entertainment.

Kenton County, Kentucky was founded in 1840 and named for Simon Kenton, a frontiersman notable in the history of the state.  The county seats are Covington and Independence.  The largest city is Covington.  Estimated 2015 census was 165,012.  It’s the third most populous city in Kentucky behind Jefferson and Fayette County. 

My pastor mentioned the Christmas spirit in his message Sunday. The idea that we are kinder and more generous during the Christmas season is probably true. The Christmas spirit brings to mind Little Big Town’s song “Better Man” (written by Taylor Swift) where it says, “I just wish you were a better man.” Wouldn’t we all like to be better people?

Some say a FAD becomes a TREND after ten years. This may all be well and good, but it begs the question: How long is a TREND?

“Cheryl, where’s the ketchup?” Garey yells from the kitchen.
“In the refrigerator door where it always is,” I yell back.
“I don’t see it,” he yells.
    I walk into the kitchen, where Garey is standing in front of the refrigerator door.  I reach over him and pull the bottle of ketchup from where it is hiding behind the other condiments.
    “I was expecting a taller bottle,” he says.