Beech Tree News Network

God has always required obedience from His people. To prove this, let us read three passages in the Old Testament that teach us about obedience. “Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished, and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they did” (Ex. 39:32). In the book of Numbers, we read, “Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses” (Num. 1:54). After dividing into 4 segments and camping around the tabernacle, Numbers 2:34 says, “Thus did the people of Israel.

Ugly Christmas sweaters have been all the rage the past several years.  Can’t say I’ve ever been to one personally, but I know a lot attend these parties.  Who started these parties? How did they start? These are the burning questions that I’ve been itching (because the sweaters itch) to discover an answer to. 

Like others, occasionally I’ve wondered, “What is my purpose in life?” Pastor and author Rick Warren teaches that our meaning in this life comes from understanding and fulfilling God's purposes for putting us on earth. Some thoughts about life are listed below:
 
•    There is a purpose to our lives that each day tugs at our sleeve as an annoying distraction. – Robert Brault
•    Begin each day as if it were on purpose. – Author Unknown
•    The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better. – Robert F. Kennedy

Dear Editor:

A fellow said, “I have a tendency to allow my inner discontent to color my attitude toward the people around me.” No doubt we’ve all heard said, “He/she is so contrary they can’t get along with themselves.”
    I read about a man who recognized he was grouchy at times. He built himself what he called his “ground house” on his back lawn. When he felt a grouch coming on, he went out, got into it and stayed until his ground passed.

When I was a kid, I knew what I could and could not ask for on Christmas.  Even when I still believed in Santa, I knew there were limitations to how much I could reasonably expect to find under the tree on Christmas morning.  There were seven kids in the family, which meant we could ask for one major gift and expect some small things to go along with it. 

In Matthew 12, our Lord stood before the people and taught great things to them. As He was teaching, one said, “Behold, your mother and your brethren stand outside, desiring to speak with you. But he replied to the man that told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven, is my brother, and sister, and mother’” (Matt. 12:47-50).

With Thanksgiving being this Thursday, I’m thinking more about thankfulness.  Last week I ruminated on the “30 Days of Thankfulness” posts on Facebook.  This week I will shine the spotlight on our American Soldiers.  There is never enough you can say or write to express our gratitude to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces.  These brave individuals who give up their time because of love of country deserve so much of our thanks, and not just this Thanksgiving, but every day.

As our community celebrates another Thanksgiving Day, I believe we have much to be thankful for in Butler County.  As a special day that is steeped in American tradition and history, Thanksgiving has always been a time for all of us to reflect on the many gifts we have been given by our Creator.  It is also an opportunity for our community to reach out to those in need.  Two recent events show how  Butler County people can come together to support a worthy cause.