Beech Tree News Network

When Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear steps out of his office on the first floor of the Capitol and looks up to the second floor, he’s at least twice as likely to see a Republican as someone from his own party since the GOP holds an overwhelming legislative supermajority – 74 of the 100 House seats and 30 of 38 Senate positions – and all other statewide offices, too.

Look around. There is truly an opportunity wherever you look.  Things need to be done, and people need encouragement.  Jesus knew His purpose for coming to this Earth.   It was to serve God and man and  to die for God and man. In fact, He saw opportunities wherever He looked. 

Constructed in 1960, the short-track in Bristol, Tennessee held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961.  Bristol is among the most popular tracks on the NASCAR schedule because of its distinct features, which include extraordinarily steep banking, an all-concrete surface, two pit roads and stadium-like seating. 

Bristol Motor Speedway has been home to many memorable moments in NASCAR.

Last week, Garey and I were in Louisiana visiting our daughter, Nikki, and our son-in-law, Thomas.  While we were there, we walked a nature trail called the Boy Scout Road in nearby Lacombe.  The trail is part of the Big Branch Wildlife Refuge.  It starts out as a wooden boardwalk that stretches out over marshland—yes, we saw an alligator—then turns into a gravel road.  The gravel road is accessible to hikers and mountain bikes.  We walked the boardwalk then the gravel road until we reached the lookout from which you could see acres of marshland

Week 13

With the conclusion of week 13 of the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly, the session has now entered the veto recess period. Lawmakers worked late into the night to ensure critical legislation was sent to the governor ahead of the veto period. The House and Senate passed over 100 bills this week.

            Many today think that God’s silence grants permission to act. How many times have we heard people ask, “Where does God say not to do _______?” Others ask, “What’s wrong with __________?” Believe it or not, this argument has been going on for millennia. Tertullian (150 AD – 222 AD) wrote that some people in his time said, “the thing which is not forbidden is freely permitted.” (I.E., “It doesn’t say not to.”) Tertullian responded, “I should rather say that what has not been freely allowed is forbidden” (Tertullian. Ante-Nicene Fathers. 1995.

As I was writing this column, Gov. Andy Beshear issued his promised veto of House Bill 9, which funds public charter schools in Kentucky.

Beshear’s veto will delight the teachers’ unions, his ideological soulmates who played a crucial role in getting him elected.

And, such is expected from a group for which opposing meaningful reforms holding schools accountable or empowering parents with alternatives are litmus tests for whether lawmakers get a campaign contribution or primary opponent.

It might be one of the most unusual and untrue statements in all of American society. It is found on our paper money, on our coins, on buildings, and on vehicle license plates. In fact, today as I was pulling into a lane of traffic I watched a big truck come across from the other side and came close to me, not far from hitting my car. It’s a good thing I was watching because he wasn’t.  I noticed his license plate included “In God we trust”.  Wow!  I sure didn’t trust him, and he was from Florida so he didn’t know our roads and turns.

Welcome to part 2 of Life Hacks! We start with a good one.  Always struggling to find the right band-aid? Sort them into various sandwich bags by size, and use the bandages themselves as labels on the front.  Not enough room in your oven for two frozen pizzas? Cut them into quarters and voila, Geometry!

Doug Larson said, “Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” It’s a pretty time with nature showing off its flowers and trees. Spring also brings spring break, Easter, and spring chores to many of us.