Beech Tree News Network

Recently, President Obama criticized some reality TV shows, saying that they have helped create a generation of youngsters who are obsessed with wealth and celebrity. Obama commented that these celebrities who have showcased their wealth before fans have inadvertently changed the ambitions of young people. The President said, “The American dream involved some pretty basic stuff -- a good job where you felt some security, a good education ... People felt if they worked hard they could get there ...

I’ve heard it said people are “born mean”. I’m not sure of that, but a fellow like Bill would make you wonder sometimes. My guess is, though a person born and allowed to grow up without correct parental guidance can turn mean; they often do…”Train up a child…”
I’m not sure humans carry a mean gene. I know in cattle a Jersey bull is very much inclined to be mean- as compared to a gentle Hereford bull. Both sexes of Zebra cattle (Bas Indicus) – Brahma and Brahma- have a tendency toward aggression.

When my cousin, Steve, was eleven years old, he found himself in the wrong cow pasture, facing the wrong bull—if there is a right bull.  His mom watched in horror from the other side of the fence, yelling, “Run, Stevie, run!”  Steve quickly realized he couldn’t outrun the large Angus and stopped to pick up some small rocks in his path.  He aimed for the bull’s face and threw the rocks with all the force an eleven-year-old boy could muster.  The bull stopped in its tracks.  Steve, like David before him, defeated the giant with a handful of stones and sheer bravado.

Why ask the above question? First of all, because the home and family are Bible subjects! God established the home in Genesis two, and continued to speak of the necessity of the family all the way through the Bible. Secondly, we ask this question because society continues to try to “redefine” what a family is. Third, it is a necessary to ask this question because if we do not teach our children the truth about the home and family, no one else will do it!

There are particular saying that definitely make you go “hmmm”.  Two southern or redneck sayings that are common are “pole cat” and “back in the holler”.  Where did these come from?  Webster’s says a polecat is a variation of several carnivorous animals.  Its first known use was actually the 14th century!
One saying that will definitely make a non-southerner go “hmm” is holler.  Down in the valley a ways is the basic meaning.  This term was used a couple hundred years before anyone ever heard the term “gangsta”. 

Grief is the reaction to loss from such things as death, divorce or job loss, and it’s a process. How long does the process last? I don’t believe we can predict; the length of the process depends on the person.

The scaremongers are at it again- have you noticed?

Most of the time, I seem to have my nose to the grindstone.  I have notes and lists and lists of lists of things I need to get and stuff I need to do.  But every now and then, I’m surprised by a play day.  These particular days are seldom days I plan.  If I plan a play day, it somehow turns into work or stress or unrealized expectation.  True play days come out of left field.  Last weekend, I had such a day.

Daniel, the prophet of God, was an outstanding character of the Old Testament. Most of his life was spent in captivity: first under Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, then under Darius the Mede, and Cyrus, king of Persia (Dan. 1, 6, 10). In spite of his being away from family and loved ones, he knew about God and worshipped Him faithfully. His faithfulness so impressed God that God said Daniel was one of only three men who “should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness” while the rest of the land would be laid waste by God because of the people’s sin (Ezek. 14:12-20).

In the past couple of years, I’ve thought about applying for a passport. During those moments, I think about seeing some of Canada. When I was younger, I enjoyed travel. But, more recently, I’ve become a homebody and have not followed up on the inclination to apply for a passport.