Beech Tree News Network

BELTON, KY—Two of the issues we have heard about repeatedly over the years are substance use/abuse and addiction. A report was released on June 1 that revealed Kentucky’s fatal drug overdose rate has increased 15% over the last year and it has been steadily rising year after year except for an isolated reduction in 2018. You can find the data supplied in the report at https://kiprc,uky,edu

A few weeks ago, Garey and I ventured to Bardstown, Kentucky, to see what we could see.  We stopped in at My Old Kentucky Home.

I had a dear friend ask me how God could kill thousands upon thousands in the Old Testament. He said it was hard for him to believe God would want this. I appreciate this question and respect him for asking it. When we study the Scriptures, we see that God wants folks to examine, test, and ask questions like my friend did (Isa. 1:18; Matt. 11:29; Acts 17:11; Eph. 5:10; I Thess. 5:21; Rom. 12:2).

“Oh no!  I forgot to pay a bill. “. If you pay bills, even on a timely basis, you have probably, due to distraction, and just life, forgotten to pay a bill. What happens?  You probably get a past due statement. Don’t pay it, and you might lose services, as with an electric bill. 

It’s unacceptable if not downright disrespectful, even embarrassing.

Despite a long and proud history of patriotism, Kentucky’s public education system has implemented unbearably incomplete and vague social studies standards.

These standards are supposed to include what students should learn about our nation’s historical events, including important contributions made by individual Americans.

It’s been 40 years since Toto’s “Africa” became an unexpected worldwide sensation.  The band nearly left it off the album.  Co-founder Steve Lukather said if “Africa” was a hit, he’d run down Hollywood boulevard naked.  He, fellow co-founder David Paich and lead vocalist Joseph Williams don’t take themselves too seriously. Critics weren’t high on them, saying their lyrics “sounded like a tangerine leisure suit”.  What does a tangerine leisure suit sound like?

One night, Garey came to bed singing, “Johnny Yuma was a rebel…He roamed through the west…He wandered alone…He searched this land this rebel lad…And he had no star as he wandered far…And the only law was a hook and draw…The rebel, that’s right…Johnny Yuma was a rebel.”

The 15th psalm is a short psalm that tells us how to abide (live) with God. The point David makes in verse one is asking who shall be in God’s presence or enjoy fellowship with God. The rest of the psalm (v. 2-5) answers this question. It is someone who:

•Walks uprightly or blamelessly. This word would remind the Hebrews of the spotless animal sacrifices they were to offer. He lives a life of integrity, just as John taught (I Jn. 2:6).

•Works righteousness. This was what Peter told Cornelius to do as well (Acts 10:35).

YIELD. WATCH. BE CAREFUL. BE CAUTIOUS.  You know the drill if you are driving and see a Yield sign in your path.  If you are merging into traffic you yield to incoming vehicles. That means you Submit to them, give them the power over you, as you should, and Be Careful. If you don’t a crash may be inevitable. Same with God. We must Yield to Him. 

A growing mountain of data shows school-choice programs help spur improvement in public education.

There’s also a growing pile of Supreme Court decisions deeming states can’t discriminate against religious schools participating in such programs.

In Carson v. Makin – the court’s latest ruling on the issue – six of the nine justices agreed states can’t discriminate against private schools which include religious instruction in their curriculums if they subsidize others that don’t offer such teaching.