Beech Tree News Network

Where do you start when trying to compose words about the resurrection of Jesus Christ? It can't and shouldn't be easy.  So, let's go back to another John - one much better with words than I've ever been.

The Gospel of John 20:1-9

I love marshmallow Peeps.  I’m certainly not the only one.  Peeps are the versatile confection candy.  You can eat, smash, microwave, deep fry or roast them on a stick.  You can also make historically accurate Peep diorama’s, Peep jousting, hide and go Peeps and Peepshi-sushi made out of Peeps.
The storied candy brand celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.  To celebrate, the company has their first television ad in a decade.  The ad captures an essential truth about the spongy confection made of sugar, corn syrup and gelatin. 

Easter is an important day for the Christian world, and on Sunday, it arrives once again. At my house, Easter is a time of thanksgiving, church service, and family gathering.

 What did the ancients have to tell us?  "Not much", some would say, "we've had too much progress since their time:  the computer, internet, silicon chip, fly swatter, electric toothbrush...and all that."
   Really?  The "Preacher" in Ecclesiastes(Solomon) tells us there is nothing new under the sun---had he been out in it too long?  Naw.  He went on to say,"It has all been done before, or said before. (Ecc.1:9).

It is easy to be overly critical of St. Peter the Apostle.  We read of St. Luke's account of events leading up to the crucification of Jesus and we encounter the Peter that denies three times even knowing Christ.  What makes this worse is how Peter expresses confidently that he is ready to follow the Lord even to death.  Let's look at selected portions of St. Luke's Gospel: 

Growing up, I never did much cooking.  My sister-in-law, Charlotte, tells stories of standing in a chair cooking things for dinner after she got home from school each day.  Garey’s mom, Agnes, worked a public job at the time.  Charlotte was age seven when the responsibility of preparing some of the evening meal was passed on to her.  Agnes wouldn’t let her fry anything; she fixed mostly peas, beans and potatoes.  By the time Charlotte reached middle school age, she was fixing fresh green beans in a pressure cooker, and did quite well at it too, until that afternoon she fell asleep on the co

I know I refer to my kids often. As I have stated before, they are my gifts from God. Many times they have taught me, rather than me always teaching them.

Morgantown’s Comprehensive Plan is being updated. This document, required by law, has been an ongoing project for almost a year. BRADD has worked in open sessions with the Planning and Zoning Commission and the City Council. The document is currently in draft form, awaiting edits then adoption.

Our need to be loved is strong.  Many times it overrides our good sense and responsibility.  In families we see the bad parenting aspect:  It's easier just to let kids grow up.  "go out and play.  Just stay out of my hair."  Then the selfish parent factor:  "If I don't let them do like they want to, they won't love me."

As sinful folks, we are all tempted to look outward at the faults of others in order for us to feel better about ourselves.  Our delight in the failings of others can actually be a soothing balm that we rub on to dull the pain of our own sins and shortcomings.  The relief is only temporary.  In addition to trying to box Jesus in a corner, I suspect the scribes and Pharisees that we find in the Gospel of John may have been accusing the "woman caught in adultery" as a way to avoid looking at the sin in their lives.  We all make this mistake.