Beech Tree News Network

Solomon wrote, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov. 27:1). I remember a time in my life when I saw three people pass from this world in one month alone. Have you ever had a month like that? I have spoken to people who seemed healthy, only to learn a few hours later that they had left this world. These deaths affected me, and each death caused me to “lay to heart” (Ecc. 7:2) what happened. Each time someone dies, it testifies that we have no lease on life.

I’ll start this week with a “did you know” that blew my mind.  I recently learned on SiriusXM’s 60’s Gold that, besides having a successful solo career in the ‘70’s, Boz Scaggs was an early bandmate of Steve Miller!

Recently, I saw a phrase, “summer to the max,” on the cover of a Better Homes & Gardens magazine. I like the idea of maximizing summer. For me, maximizing the summer days would involve foods, outdoor activities, and family-and-friend gatherings.

Common sense and the birth of the United States

This time of year our thoughts turn to the pomp and circumstance of the Fourth of July, along with the joy of American freedom. While my primary focus as a state legislator is our Commonwealth, I enjoy celebrating the freedom gained at the birth of our country.

“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.” – Thomas Paine, “Common Sense”

Perhaps the most common attitude among religious people is that one church is as good as another. Many who believe it “taboo” to talk about religious matters will say words to the effect, “You do what you want to do, and I’ll do what I want to do in religion.” Once the conversation turns to religious matters, some will interrupt, saying words to the effect, “Just stop right there. I’m satisfied with what I have!” Friends, what does this say about people’s attitudes?

The legislative interim continued last week with multiple interim joint committees (IJC) and task forces meeting to prepare for the 2024 Regular Session. While the budget will be high on our legislative agenda, it is only one of the many issues we will consider as we work to address the state’s challenges and identify opportunities. We have all heard that if you want to know what someone’s priorities are, you look at their checkbook.

Wednesday night, Garey and I went with our daughter, Natalie, and granddaughter, Sabria, and Sabria’s friend, Laela, to the Summer Solstice concert at the Capital Arts Theater in Bowling Green.  The concert featured Irish music performed by two local musicians, Skip Cleavanger and his wife, Rebecca Bombach, as well as two guest musicians, one from Lexington, the other from Chicago.  Rebecca Bombach is Sabria’s and Laela’s violin teacher through the Warren County school system.  Her husband plays bagpipes and Uillean pipes.

I am sure our readers are familiar with the recent news of the loss of the OceanGate Titan and its tourists who were taking an underwater excursion to see the wreckage of the Titanic. We hurt for the lives lost and the families who now must bear the sorrow and loss of their family members. We need to keep their families in prayer in the days and weeks ahead. What a tragedy!

Yet, when thinking about this tragedy, I also see some pertinent and poignant lessons to learn from this tragic loss of life. What can we learn?

The word “bittersweet” causes me to think of a mixture of pleasure and pain. Bittersweet connections –for me – generally include more pleasure than pain. Life experiences usually bring about our bittersweet connections.

Next-generation Internet access holds great promise to improve the well-being of Kentuckians across our state, furthering digital access to educational and online tools will transform the lives and communities of rural Kentucky.