Beech Tree News Network

DON'T JUDGE ME: If you have lived very long upon this earth at all you have heard someone use the phrase, “Don't judge me” at some point, haven't you? Most of us have heard the phrase multiple times, probably the majority of us have even said it or at least thought it, in relationship to our own particular indiscretions, leanings, perceptions, habits or inclinations.

Recently, I saw where the claim was made that Jesus drank alcohol. Is this true? Where can we find this mentioned in the New Testament? Some might suggest that John 2 has something to say about Jesus drinking alcohol when He turned water into wine at the wedding feast (Jn. 2:1-11). However, for this to be so means we have had to make two assumptions. One assumption is that we have to assume that the word “wine” used in John 2 means alcohol. The second assumption is that Jesus drank it. Please read John 2:1-11 and see if these assumptions can be substantiated.

Bourbon County, Kentucky was founded in 1785.  As of 2014, the county population was 19,972.  Its county seat is Paris.  That is Paris, KY, not Paris, France.  Bourbon County is nestled in the heart of Kentucky's famous Bluegrass region. Its very name evokes visions of Thoroughbred horses grazing in lush green pastures bordered by age-old stone fences; lovely historic homes and buildings and beautiful rolling countryside. The area also offers an unusual group of sites and attractions for visitors to enjoy.

Sidney Poitier said, “So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness” 

 (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/randomness.html). Randomness is the lack of a pattern. So, I’m sharing some random thoughts today. 

HOLOGRAPHIC LIFE:  Last weekend a pretty sizable chunk of time was spent, by part of our family, studying and trying to get a grasp on a subject which every member of our family has very limited experience with. The youngest member of our clan is currently involved in a program that is supposed to encourage and better prepare him for college.

My nose is getting bigger.  I noticed it a couple of weeks ago when one of my friends took a selfie of the two of us together.  I’ve always expected my nose to get bigger, but it snuck up on me sooner than I expected.  I’ve never been obsessed with my appearance, and I don’t plan on having plastic surgery, unless I’m in a disfiguring accident or something like that.  My Grandma Mattingly was small like I am, and her nose seemed to grow too big for her face before she passed; also, near the end of his life, my dad had certain glasses he refused to drink out of because they bumped his nose ev

As humans, perhaps we are content to lull ourselves into a false sense of security when it comes to the time we have to live on earth. When people are young, they tend to think they will live forever, or at least not die until they are very old. Soon, reality enters and makes them realize these thoughts are not true. Solomon wrote, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

What hath God wrought? Made strong; able to bend without breaking can be hammered and formed, as a blacksmith re-forms steel into useful tools; established.  God created it; man did the work on it.  An old true saying: GOD created everything, but He manufactures nothing.  He gives man talents to take what He creates and establishes.  Man then takes His creation and fashions “Things and stuff”. 

Bell County, Kentucky is located in the southeastern corner of Kentucky where the state meets Tennessee and Virginia at the famed Cumberland Gap.  Its 361 acres are dominated by two mountain ridges, Pine Mountain and Cumberland Mountain.  Much of its rugged terrain is thickly forested with picturesque streams cutting through deep valleys.  Kentucky’s first state park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, and the country’s largest national historic park, Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, showcase the county’s natural beauty.  Tourism is becoming an ever-growing part of the economy, and the

I went to bed the previous night with the best of intentions. I was going to wake up at the crack of dawn and be super journalist Hack. I didn't care what time it was when I went to bed, tomorrow was the big day and I just didn't care. The 4th of July for the past 4 years has been my yearly capstone project.