Duties of a Deacon

Last Sunday night, we ordained a deacon. This is what I shared as the ordination sermon.

Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3:8-13

Deacon means “one who serves.”

First, there are four things that immediately come to my mind as I think of the duties of a deacon.

A deacon...

Alerts the pastor of individual needs.
Aids the pastor in meeting needs.
Assists the pastor in administering the Church Ordinances.
Alleviates problems that the pastor does not need to address.

I. The Office of the Deacon (Acts 6:1-7)

Servant Leader (1-2)

Spiritual Leader (3-4)

Separated Leader (5-6)

II. The Obligations of a Deacon (I Tim. 3:8-13)

1. Serious (8)

Likewise deacons must be reverent,

2. Sincere (8)

not double-tongued,

3. Sober (8)

not given to much wine,

4. Satisfied (8)

not greedy for money,

5. Stable (9)

holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.

6. Scrutinized (10)

But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

7. Supported (11)

11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things.

8. Settled (12)

Let deacons be the husbands of one wife,

9. Skilled (12-13)

ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

The Childlike and the Childish

Jesus said to the Rich Young Ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

In Matthew 19:13-30, I find six questions we must answer to F.O.L.L.O.W. Jesus

Faith (vv.13-15) - Do you have childlike faith? Are you dependent upon Jesus?

Observances (vv.16-20) Are you trusting in religious observances or a relationship with Jesus?

Love (vv.21-22) Do you love people more than things?

Limitations (23-26) Do you recognize your spiritual limitations? You can not save yourself. You are spiritually bankrupt.

Obedience (vv.27-29) Are you obedient? There is no obedience without sacrifice. Do you give God time and service only when it is convenient?

Worth (vv.30) Do you find your worth in things or the opinions of others? It doesn't matter who you are, but whose you are.

Athletes and Coaches Complete Mission to Baltimore

While this is kind of sterile, this is article summarizes our recent Mission Trip to Baltimore. This should appear in the Green County Herald next week.

A Mission Team consisting of 15 athletes and coaches traveled from Greene County to Baltimore, MD to conduct Baseball Clinics and, more importantly, share their faith. As a result, the men worked with over 120 children. The Mission Team, which was sponsored by George/Greene Baptist Association, The Mississippi Baptist Convention, and First Baptist Leakesville, left on Monday, July 23 and returned Thursday evening, July 26.

The baseball clinics were offered in response to an invitation by Rev. Lyn O’Berry, Interim Pastor of The Church on Warren Avenue at Federal Hill which is located near the inner harbor in Baltimore. The church has a 150 year history and has been pastored by some of the greatest leaders in Southern Baptist history. O’Berry describes the current state of the congregation as “a small church in transition, rediscovering and redefining itself and its mission to reach the new
emerging community around it.”

In an effort to reach the community, team members offered baseball instruction to children at the South Baltimore Recreation Center and at a park in the Sharp-Leadenhall Community, which is in the “shadow” of the Baltimore Raven’s NFL Stadium. Also, the team worked with the Gethsemane Baptist Bible Church and Catonsville Baptist Church in providing two separate camps. At each camp, Mike Chatham shared an inspirational message, stressing the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The trip was planned and led by Philip Price, Pastor of FBC Leakesville, with the assistance of Jimmy Holcomb, Association Director of Mission for the George/Greene Baptist Association. The Baseball Clinics were directed by Scott Bray, former Baseball Coach at Greene County High School. Other team members were: Chase Brewer, Tommy Brewer (Head Baseball Coach Greene County H.S.), David Chatham, Mike Chatham, Nick Chatham, Brett Davis, Tim Davis, Richard Dickson, Ricky Dickson, Jamie Ham, Wayne Larker (Head Coach Faulkner State Community College), J. R. Snyder, and John “Boo” White.

In reflecting on the trip, Pastor Price shared, “The team assembled worked as one unit. On a trip such as this, many “unknowns” are encountered. The guys were flexible and remained focused on demonstrating compassion to the children.” Continuing he stated, “Greene and George Counties can be assured they were represented well.”

F.O.R.G.I.V.E.

Last Sunday Night, I preach on Matthew 18:21-22, which is the passage in which Jesus charged Peter to forgive "seventy times seven." In other words, Jesus expects us to forgive as many times as we must. This is hard--no doubt. I shared this acrostic with our congregation last Sunday and will share it again this Sunday morning.

Focus on Your Sin (Matt. 7:3-5)

Own Your Shortcomings (I John 1:8-10)

Release Transgressor from Punishment (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13)

Grant Closure (I Cor. 13:5)

Intercede on Their Behalf (Matt. 5:43-45)

Value Peace above Pride (Romans 12:18)

Express Love (John 15:12)

The bottom line is, if we comprehend the incredible sin-debt Jesus has forgiven for us, we must be forgiving in response to what God has done.

The Unknowns

On the last day of our Baltimore Mission Trip, I went to Washington, DC with some members of our team to return the equipment we had borrowed. John McCarthy, former teammate of Scott Bray at the Univ. of South Alabama, operates a Summer Baseball Camp in DC that has been featured on the Today Show and National Public Radio. He allowed us to borrow equipment for our Baseball Clinics.

While we were in DC, “Johnny Mac” gave us a rapid, adrenaline rushed 2-hour tour of a few sites in the area. We visited the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and Arlington Cemetery.

While in Arlington Cemetery, we visited the Tomb of the Unknowns. The tomb holds the remains of soldiers “known but to God” from past Wars. The tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).

As a teenager, I had visited the Tomb of the Unknowns, but last week the experience was much more profound. The fanfare and solemnity of the Changing of the Guard led me to acknowledge the debt I owe to all the soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom. Furthermore, I was led to remember the “unknown” persons who have enriched my life and ministry.

Numerous individuals minister in our church without any acknowledgement. They do not desire recognition. They serve God obediently and sacrificially. Praise God for the “unknowns” who pray for our church and me on a regular basis. So, today I prayed that God would continue to guard and protect the unsung heroes of our church as we seek to impact the world through Jesus.

Living as a Peacemaker

Following are excerpts of my sermon on handling church conflict yesterday, based on the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20.
__________________________________________

As a teen, I heard one of the speakers at our Mississippi Baptist Evangelism Conference tell the story about a church who was preparing to build a sanctuary. They were almost finished, but hit a snag when they discussed the portraits of Adam and Eve that were to be painted on a mural in the foyer. One half of the church opposed the painting of Adam and Eve if they were rendered with belly buttons. The other half insisted they should be painted with belly buttons. Reportedly, the church split over this “important” theological question.

Yes, Churches experience conflict. However, we must use God’s word to address our problems.

As outlined by Peacemakers International, when conflict occurs there are two types of responses:

1. ESCAPE RESPONSES

• Denial (1 Samuel 2:22-25)
  
• Flight (1 Samuel 19:9-10)
  
• Suicide (1 Samuel 31:4)

2. ATTACK RESPONSES

• Assault- Many people respond by trying to intimidate, verbally attack, or impose professional or financial damage upon a person. This never helps.
  
• Litigation- Lawsuits damage relationships. (Matt. 5:25-26)
  
• Murder- Some people harbor so much hate that they lose control and kill the person with whom they are conflicted. Even if they don’t kill a person physically, Jesus taught they are still guilty of murder. (Matt. 5:21-22)

Matthew 18: 15-20 teaches us to practice P.E.A.C.E. I've developed the following acrostic.

Profess Your Concern

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

This should be done privately and lovingly. Problems in the church should be solved involving the fewest people possible.

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Establish the Truth
16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

Deut. 19:15 states the importance of two or three witnesses. By verifying the facts, many problems can be solved. Christians should not deal in assumptions or preconceived impressions. Look at the facts.

Alert the Congregation

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

The Bible forbids a Christian suing another believer.

I Cor. 6:1-8 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Crave God’s Will
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Expect God’s Presence

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

In context, God can help even the smallest congregation handle conflict. God is big is enough to solve any problem, as long as the individuals involved desire to be in a right relationship with God.

T.H.R.I.V.E. as a Father

On Father's Day I shared the following acrostic with the men of our church.

Trust Jesus.

Humble Yourself.

Romance Mom.

Initiate Communication.

Value Integrity.

Encourage, Encourage, Encourage!!

Do You Sound Like the Devil?

In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus revealed to His disciples what laid in store for Him. While Peter had just made the confession, "You are the Christ, Son of the Living God," he still didn't get it. Jesus had just called him "Little Rock," but now he was a stumbling block. When we question the plan of God, we sound like the devil. This is an outline I developed for this passage.

I. The Revelation

A. The Appointed Route

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem,..

B. The Awful Ridicule

and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes,…

C. The Apparent Ruin

and be killed,…

D. The Astounding Resurrection

and be raised the third day.

II. The Resistance

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

III. The Rebuke

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

"Smushed" Bugs

This morning I read the following breaking news report:

The Florida Highway Patrol is warning motorists on the state's highways to beware of vision impairment caused by lovebugs...Bugs smushed on a driver's windshield "can cause the same impairment to visibility as smog or smoke from wildfires," said Sgt. Jorge Delahoz of the Highway Patrol.

“Around these parts,” we have all familiar with the challenge of keeping a car clean during “lovebug season.” However, I am sure visitors from “up North” are shocked by this insect invasion, but I am amazed that a news outlet felt the need to tell travelers “bugs smushed” on windshield can hinder vision.

Then again, as you and I travel through life, no matter how old we are, we must be reminded that wrong actions can harm our spiritual vision. We may have trouble seeing God’s will for us, because our spiritual windshield is smeared with sin. So, for this problem, glass cleaner is not effective. We must turn to the scripture.

In Psalm 19:8-9, we read “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; The Fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.”

Only seeking the forgiveness of God in our hearts will enable us to travel the highways of life seeing clearly. So, when you clean your windshield this week, maybe you’ll be reminded to pray, as David did, Create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10).

Pray in the Name of Jesus

We held the National Day of Prayer Service at the Greene Co. Courthouse today. Some said the attendance was less than last year. However, I thought the service went as well as it could. All of the prayers were said in the Name of Jesus, which is important to me.

I can never forget hearing my former Pastor Bill Barton (founder of the Homes of Grace) share how he would always listen attentively to the manner in which people closed their prayers at civic events. He said he always had the question in his mind, "Are they afraid to say the name of Jesus?" He mentioned being disappointed when committed Christians and active members of Baptist Churches would simply say "AMEN" and not pray in the name of Jesus.

Jim Futral, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, shared at the Mississippi Baptist Evangelism Conference this past January that has aked to pray at a "dedication" along with several other persons representing various religions. He agreed. Later, a person planning the event called and, reluctantly, asked him if he would mind not praying "in the name of Jesus." He graciously said, "It's probably best I not come." He told the crowd at the conference, "If I go, Jesus goes."

Don't be afraid to speak and pray in the name of Jesus.

National Day of Prayer

May 3, 2007 is the National Day of Prayer. At Noon on May 3, a service honoring the day will be held on steps of the Greene County Courthouse in Leakesville, MS. If you can’t attend, I encourage you to make prayer a priority on this day.

For whom shall we pray? I believe Psalm 122:6-9 reveals to us a focus for our prayers. This scripture challenges us to pray for peace. Remember, true peace comes from being in a right relationship with God.

Specifically, the psalmist challenged his countrymen to pray for various people that served and lived in their country. Consequently, when we pray for the peace of our country, we must pray that the hearts of Americans are submitted to the rule of God.

I believe we can use his words as a guideline to pray for our nation.

1. Country- Military Leaders (v.6a) “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:” May God protect and guide the men and women who voluntarily serve our nation.

2. Commerce- Business Persons (v. 6b) “May they prosper who love you.” May our economy be characterized by Biblical Ethics and fair labor practice.

3. Crime- Law Enforcement Officers (v.7a) “Peace be within your walls,” Daily, local law enforcement officers take risks to protect property and persons in our towns and county. They need and deserve our intercessions.

4. Capital- Governmental Leaders (7b) “Prosperity within your palaces.” Pray for those National, State, County, and City governments.

5. Companions- Fellow Countrymen (v.8) For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” We must pray our neighbors will develop a personal relationship with the Jesus, the real peacemaker.

6. Churches- Communities of Faith (v.9) “Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.”

While many decry our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, the paramount hindrance to our peace is dependence upon ourselves. We need God to help us deal with our sin problem. He has provided the remedy for our sinfulness in the person of Jesus Christ. May our nation be a nation of praying people seeking and serving God.

Special Invitations

For me, salespersons that make "cold calls" are brave. God hasn't called me to be a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman and I'm glad. However, this weekend I witnessed a young man who deserves a medal of courage for a "sale" I saw him make.

I was in a seafood market in a local county waiting for a burly man to fill my order for 3 pounds of shrimp. As soon as he laid my order on the counter, a young "twenty-something" man walked in carrying a box of children's items.

The young man stood in silence until the man behind the counter was finished. Then, he approached the counter with confidence. When asked what he had, he said, "I've got something for the kids." The man responded in a deep voice, "I don't have any kids." This did not faze this salesman. He stood his ground and handed the man a box of children’s "pop-up" books and said, "Well, maybe your wife would like them." There was silence. Then he shared, "This item is normally $50, we've marked it down to $19.99, but today we're selling it for $10.00." What a deal!

To my amazement, the man behind the counter said, "O.K" and he handed him 10 bucks.

This incident taught me something. You can't make a sale, if you don't ask. Also, the same principle is true in regard to inviting someone to church or to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Jesus was always inviting people to come to follow Him. In John 1:43, Jesus invited Philip by saying, “Follow me.” Christ said "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

As Christians, we need to invite others to come to Jesus. Have you ever invited your neighbor to go to church with you? The Bible teaches the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of people to prepare the way for our invitation. So, if a young man can sell a pop-up book to a brawny shrimper, Christians should not shy away from inviting people to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Holy or Hollow?

You cannot please God without making sacrifices. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Matt. 16:24).”

Once, I attended a football game played in a major thunderstorm. In fact, the game was delayed due to a tornado warning. Once the game began, the fans sat on metal bleachers as thunder shook the stadium and lightning struck near the field. No one left. Driving rain fell sideways throughout most of the game. Still, no one left. The fans were committed to their teams.

Ironically, some of the folks who endured the storm for the sake of the team had told me they were unable to attend church on Sunday mornings because the early moist morning air “played havoc with their sinuses.” Also, some the fans that regularly sat on metal bleachers for hours at a time had told me they could not attend my church because the pews “hurt their backs.”

The importance of commitment is valued in all areas of life. However, many seem to apply a different standard to the practice of Christianity.

If your car starts two out of three times, is it a dependable and faithful vehicle? If you call in sick (whether your sick or not) once every two weeks, are you faithful employee? Do coaches care whether their most athletic players show up for all the games?

If you are a church member, and you attend church infrequently, are you a faithful church member? Do committed Christians attend church only when it is convenient and their favorite sporting event is not on TV?

Jerry Bridges has said: “Many Christians have what we might call a ‘cultural holiness.’ They adapt to the character and behavior pattern of Christians around them. As the Christian culture around them is more or less holy, so these Christians are more or less holy. But God has not called us to be like those around us. He has called us to be like himself. Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God.”

In conclusion, John Ortberg has said, “The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life.”

I am so glad Jesus did not choose comfort over the cross.

The Color of Easter

We celebrate Easter with bright colors and soft spring pastels. But, what is the most symbolic color to contemplate as we remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus?

As a little boy, I waited with great anticipation for Easter. A great family tradition was the dyeing of Easter Eggs. The bright orange, yellow, and green eggs were so vivid. The almost “glow in the dark” artificial grass stuffed in my basket was a sign the dead grass of winter was coming to life.

Each Easter, all the girls wore beautiful pink and yellow dresses to match the fresh flowers of spring. However, we must not forget a color that reminds us of the love God offers to paint on the black sin-stained canvas of our lives.

Gordon Jensen expressed it like this:

In letters of crimson God wrote His love
On a hillside so long, long ago.
For you and for me Jesus died
And love’s greatest story was told.
I love you, I love you;
That’s what Calvary said.
I love you, I love you,
I love you written in red.

The Bible says, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (I John 1:7).

So, dye the eggs, wear that pink tie, but don’t forget the love written in red upon the cross for you and me.

Keep Flapping

Yesterday, my son and I took a walk in the park. While Spring is still a few weeks away, the warmer temperatures and bright sunshine seemed to awaken some of the insects from their winter slumber. A bumblebee bumbled through the air and followed us as we walked along the trial.

Bumble bees fly even though they have small wings in comparison to their body size. Doug Craigen, PhD (physics), explains how the bumblebee's disproportionate design is functional.

The answer lies in the fact that static (still) objects are governed by different stability laws than dynamic (moving) objects. For example, take a bicycle. As a static object it is not stable (like a tricycle would be). Leave a bicycle standing without support and it will fall over. However, a moving (dynamic) bicycle is perfectly stable, and it is easy to explain why with basic physics. The bumblebee is the same, as a static object it is not aerodynamically stable, it cannot glide. But when it is flapping its wings, we're into a whole new ball game for how air moves around it.

Consequently, the bumble bee flies as long as it is flapping its wings. When the bee stops flapping, it becomes a tumble bee. This is a good reminder for us. Don’t stop flapping.

Paul wrote, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).” Don’t give up. Keep moving and place your trust in Jesus.

Prepared for Royalty?

I believe it was Chuck Swindoll who I heard tell this story.

In 1959, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Chicago for the first time. The visit was a highlight of events planned to celebrate the opening of their seaport. The Queen sailed in on her royal yacht.

Prior to Her Majesty's arrival, Chicago was busy preparing to offer a royal welcome. New Paint was applied throughout the city and debris was removed. During all of the preparations, someone asked a representative from the Five Star Drake Hotel what special preparations they were making. The representative replied to the effect, "We're always prepared for royalty."

John wrote, "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (I John 2:28)."

When Jesus return will you be prepared for his royal return?

Football (and Life) Requires Discipline

My favorite football story is told by James Dobson. In the 1930’s, Dr. Dobson’s mother attended a high school in Oklahoma that fielded a terrible Football Team. The small town witnessed their team lose almost every game, including the contests with their arch rivals. Understandably, school spirit was low.

A FREE CAR!

Following another demoralizing loss, a wealthy oil-man asked to speak to the team. In the locker room, he reminded the boys that their next game was against their hated rivals. Dramatically, the oil producer gave an incredible challenge. If they won, he promised each member of the team and their coaches a brand new car.

FOOTBALL FEVER

The team went crazy. Players reported to practice earlier and stayed later. The intensity was seen in the exercise drills. The days before the game, the entire school and town was electrified by the anticipation of a victory.

Finally, on game night the stands were packed and the football players gathered in the locker room. The coach barked a pep-talk that had the players almost jumping out of their skins. Next, the team left the locker room and gathered on the sideline. Before taking the field, the team put their hands together and shouted “Rah!” Then, they ran onto the field and were defeated, 38 to 0.

EMOTION VS. DISCIPLINE

Dobson wrote, “The team's exuberance did not translate into a single point on the scoreboard. Seven days of hoorah and whoop-de-do simply couldn't compensate for the players' lack of discipline and conditioning and practice and study and coaching and drill and experience and character.”

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

In II Peter 1:5-7, the Bible says, “…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” Emotional experiences cannot replace spiritual growth that results from a daily walk with God. Daily discipline is required to nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

What Do You See?

When you drive through your community, what do you see?

During college, I traveled with the William Carey College Chorale to New York City. On the first Sunday Morning of 1987, our choir performed at a Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn. This was a unique experience, because every few minutes a subway would pass under the church and rattle the entire facility. While I don’t remember a lot about the architecture of the church sanctuary, I do remember what was painted on the walls.

OUTSIDE THE WALLS

A mural covered all of the church walls. The paintings consisted of people you would see in the community. So, as you sat in the pews, when you looked to the sides, it was as if you were looking through the walls and into the city. You would see many buildings, cars and trucks. What impressed me most were the people represented in the mural. Painted on the wall were children playing in the street, expectant mothers, policeman, and fireman. However, the artist also painted pictures of homeless persons, prostitutes, drug dealers, and gang members. As worshippers sat in the pews, the mural reminded them of the needs outside the walls of the church.

MOVED WITH COMPASSION

In Matthew 9:35-38, we read that Jesus went to towns and villages teaching in their meeting places and preaching the good news about God's kingdom. As Jesus healed many people, he saw the crowds, and the scripture says he was “moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” Jesus felt sorry for the hurting people, because they were confused and helpless. A.T. Roberson states this is a picture of sheep “torn and mangled by wild beasts.”

LIFE HURTS

Whenever we gather to worship, we must remember there are hurting people in each seat. There are hurting people within the shadow of our steeples and buildings. What do you see? May we all be moved with compassion as we travel through our communities, because there is hope in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

A Thirst for the Real Thing

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.—Matthew 5:6

New Coke was the unofficial name of the sweeter drink introduced in 1985 by The Coca-Cola Company to replace its flagship soda, Coca-Cola or Coke. Public reaction to the change was devastating, and the new cola quickly entered the pantheon of major marketing flops.

In the Summer of 1985, I traveled with my youth group to the Smokey Mountains. We made the trip on a bus with no air conditioner. On our trip home, we stopped at a Country Store for refreshments. At this store, I had the opportunity to purchase the Classic Coca-Cola that was reintroduced after the NEW COKE had been rejected. The taste of this familiar Coke formula was so satisfying. I will never forget how much I enjoyed that cold Classic Coca-Cola—The Real Thing. I rejected the taste of the new formula because I had tasted the original formula for so long and could recognize a difference.

"There is a twist to this story which will please every humanist and will probably keep Harvard professors puzzled for years," said Donald Keough, president and chief operating officer of Coca-Cola, at a press conference. "The simple fact is that all the time and money and skill poured into consumer research on the new Coca-Cola could not measure or reveal the deep and abiding emotional attachment to original Coca-Cola felt by so many people."

In our spiritual lives, the more we partake of the things of God the more we will desire. The more we pray, the more we will desire to pray. That’s why we don’t need to wait until we “feel like” praying. We will not have a desire to pray until we have faithfully pressed on in prayer. The more I pray, the hungrier I will be for time with God. If I’m not yearning to pray, I haven’t been praying enough.

TEN COMMANDMENTS for Music in Worship

Jim Shaddix gave the following "commandments" for the use of music in worship at a recent conference. A Baptist Press article gives his elaboration of each point.

1. Thou shalt worship God, not worship worship.

2. Thou shalt worship as a lifestyle and not as a music style.

3. Thou shalt make the Divine Seeker comfortable first and foremost.

4. Thou shalt use music as a sacrifice of praise, not as synonym for worship.

5. Thou shalt be theologically equipped.

6. Thou shalt reflect a holistic theology in worship content.

7. Thou shalt worship in a rhythm of revelation and response.

8. Thou shalt employ lyrics that reflect communal identity.

9. Thou shalt use technology with theological and pastoral sensitivity.

10. Thou shalt foster worship that reflects the diversity and unity of heaven.

Jim Shaddix, former professor at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, is currently pastor at Riverside Baptist Church in Denver Colorado.