Beech Tree News Network

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.  

My granddaughter is starting to be a picky eater.  The fact doesn’t shock me, because I know that kids go through phases.  A few days ago, my daughter was getting stressed out over not having anything in the house that Sabria would eat.  In my grandmotherly wisdom, I told my daughter to just go on with what she was doing and I would find something she would like.  I was feeling pretty smug about having a stash of Vienna Sausages in the pantry.  I knew Sabria would love them like I had as a child.  I told her they were little hotdogs as I placed one in her hand.  She took a bite, opened her

It always amazes me how my 6-month old son's arms, that can't be over twelve inches long, can reach things within five feet away!  He is able to sit up now. The world around him is just one big distraction, especially when I'm trying to feed him with a spoon and I'm chasing his little head around.

I remember always having to push everything to the other end of the table when my other son was a baby. None of this is new to me. It just seems funny how their arms and legs can be so small, yet can reach so far and run so fast.

There was a cartoon several years ago in the Saturday Review of Literature in which little George Washington had cut down the famous cherry tree. He made his admission that he did it -- after all, he “cannot tell a lie.” Also pictured was his exasperated father, who said, “All right, so you admit it! You always admit it! The question is, when are you going to stop doing it?”

I've been busy trying to keep my kitchen stocked which lately has become an ever daunting task. With four kids and lots of extras around, preparation is key. I never know if I'll have two, four or ten for  meals. Thinking about that has led me to create a list of must have pantry items that keep my kitchen going. This list may help get you started on a preservative free life.

 Note: I buy organic in many things, but it's not always necessary.

Many today think that God’s silence within the Scripture is in fact, permission to act. In contrast, there are others today who say that if God is silent on a subject, this means we cannot do it! Which viewpoint is the Scriptural viewpoint? Are they both wrong? What does the Scripture say? Let us see what the truth is concerning the silence of the Scripture.

A film set is considered by many to be a place of magic and mystery. Most people aren't aware of why certain decisions are made and why certain things happen. One of my purposes this week is to clear up misconceptions and explain the workflow on a set in the best ways I can based on my experience.

Remember the old days when, if there was something you were going to order, you had to do it over the phone? I recall years ago spending an entire Saturday morning (9-12) on the phone to order concert tickets.  There were two particular times where my dialing fingers were working overtime: purchasing Garth Brooks and George Strait tickets.  Keep in mind, this was the ‘90’s-the height of Garth and George’s popularity. Although, Garth’s Nashville Flood benefit show was crazy as well, but I digress.

Living in our economy, I try to be cautious with my spending. Most people seem to be doing the same. As Benjamin Franklin said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”