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.

Rick Warren Confirms Visit to North Korea

According to Rick Warren's blog and a story written by Lillian Kwon and published July 9, 2006 by the Christian Post:

Dr. Rick Warren confirmed plans to visit North Korea on July 17, according to a news release Saturday, amid threats of new missile tests from the communist country

The evangelical pastor plans to meet with church and business leaders in what is officially called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to prepare for his return to preach to some 15,000 people in March 2007. Warren's speaking engagement next year is in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Pyongyang Revival, what many say established the base of Korean Christianity.

Despite the current standoff over recent missile firings by North Korea, Warren stated, "Regardless of politics, I will go anywhere I am invited to preach the Gospel."

A delegation of South Korean businessmen working with representatives from North Korea was reported to have visited Warren at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., to invite him as the preacher for the anniversary event next spring. They had quietly received permission to hold the first public outdoor Christian service in North Korea in 50 years, according to the release.

Many have expressed concern that the North Korean government could take the opportunity to identify the expected 15,000 Christians attending the service with Rick Warren and persecute them.

Warren has responded:

"I know they're going to use me," Warren said,
"So I'm going to use them."

Many volatile situations exist--Iraq, Iran, Israel, Palestine, North Korea, China... However, the world needs the gospel. I admire Warren's commitment to "go anywhere I am invited to preach the Gospel."

100 Years From Today

Empty your basket

A basket can only hold so many things. If a basket is full we must remove something to place another item into the basket. Our daily schedules are just like a basket. Most times our days are filled with so many activities that we can’t fit a prayer time into our day. We must remove those things that distract us. We may need to remove certain T.V. programs, hobbies, or even some sleep, to fit Bible Study and prayer time into our day. Unfortunately, when new opportunities come our way, we are tempted to remove the things that have eternal value. Don’t sacrifice the best for the good.

What Will Really Matter?

In 100 years from now, what will really matter? The cars we drove and the houses we decorated will be inconsequential. Jesus said, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Have we allowed God to “create a clean heart within us?” Are we sharing the Good News Jesus taught? Give God the best.

Stay On The Wall

Nehemiah was given a huge task. He was called by God to rebuild the walls and restore the gates of Jerusalem. He faced threats from enemies, discouragement of the workers, disloyalty among his people, and selfishness of the officials. Also, he had to deal with distractions.

Distractions

At one time, Nehemiah’s enemies asked him to meet with them 17 miles away from Jerusalem. Due to the distance, he would have been away from the wall for least 3 days. How did Nehemiah respond? He said, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

Great vs. Good

Just like Nehemiah, we have to deal with distractions. Most of our choices are between activities that are great or just satisfactory. Are we allowing “good” things to keep us from doing the “best” things?hat will really matter?

Nehemiah was given a huge task. He was called by God to rebuild the walls and restore the gates of Jerusalem. He faced threats from enemies, discouragement of the workers, disloyalty among his people, and selfishness of the officials. Also, he had to deal with distractions.

Distractions

At one time, Nehemiah’s enemies asked him to meet with them 17 miles away from Jerusalem. Due to the distance, he would have been away from the wall for least 3 days. How did Nehemiah respond? He said, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

Great vs. Good

Just like Nehemiah, we have to deal with distractions. Most of our choices are between activities that are great or just satisfactory. Are we allowing “good” things to keep us from doing the “best” things?

Pass the Salt, Darling

A man was invited for dinner at the home of his new boss. Every time he needed something, he made his request to his wife by calling her "My Love", "Darling", or “Sweetheart." His boss was impressed and said, "It's really nice to hear someone married for several years still saying those sweet pet names." The man said, "Well, honestly, I've forgotten her name.”

You Are the Salt of the Earth

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.” Why did he not say, “You are the gold of the earth” or “You are the uranium of the world?” Well, in the ancient world, salt was a precious commodity due to two primary uses.

Salt Preserves and Flavors

First, the preserving attributes of salt was of great value during the time of Christ. The Mediterranean region was mostly tropical, and, in this hot climate, meat would spoil if not preserved. Since ice was not readily available, and no refrigerators or freezers existed, salt was used to cure meat to prevent it from decaying. Second, salt was used to flavor meals. Just open a jar of baby food and taste a pureed mixture of green beans and carrots. Immediately, you will notice how bland food is without flavoring.

He’s Not Worth His Salt?

Since it was such a valuable commodity, Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Eventually, an expression developed for soldiers who were not performing their required duties. Officers would say, “He’s not worth his salt.”

Christians are to be a preserving factor in our families and on the job. We should flavor our communities with compassionate service. Just as salty foods make us thirsty. Our lives as Christians should lead people to desire God’s will for their lives. Are you salty?

The Difficult Path

Choices

In America, we prefer a variety of choices. At grocery stores, we can buy hundreds of flavors of tea, coffee, soup, and soda. If you want to purchase a box of cereal, you must choose from a varied assortment of grains, fruits, shapes, and colors. All companies are trying to improve traditional products. Ketchup & mayonnaise come in “upside down” squeeze bottles. Bread comes in a convenient “no crust” loaf.

Convenience

Convenience is desired in all our transactions. So, we have drive-through restaurants and drive-up bank tellers. I have even heard of a drive-through window at a funeral home.

Crosses

Yet, Jesus was constantly challenging his followers to leave a comfortable existence and to live by faith in a realm where we are forced to trust God. Christ said, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Crosses are not comfortable. Just ask Jesus.

Expect Opposition

Following Jesus will lead to harassment. Around the world Christians are persecuted for their faith. When Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” he stressed the blessed person who stands for what is right will face opposition.

However, persecution is a compliment. If we are effective in our stand for truth, those who oppose righteousness will seek to eliminate our influence. Therefore, we must view difficult times as opportunities to grow. Paul wrote, “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed” (Romans 5:3-4). The easy path is comfortable, but it is not beneficial. Take the difficult path.

The Dimensions of God’s Love

When he wrote his letter to the Ephesians, Paul was in prison. He was more concerned about the way the Christians in Ephesus were handling the news of his persecution than his own personal challenges. Recorded in Ephesians 3, Paul prayed that the Ephesians would comprehend “the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height” of Jesus’ love. My prayer is that you can grasp how much Jesus loves you.

The Width

In 1977, a Boeing 747 left San Francisco on October 28th and returned on Oct. 31. During this flight around the world, the plane traveled 26,382 miles. How wide is the Love of Christ? It is wide enough to cover the entire world and its 6.5 billion inhabitants.

The Length

The longest river in the world is the Nile River, which is 4,145 miles long. The Mississippi River is 3710 miles long. How long is the love of Christ? Since Jesus is eternal, His love lasts forever. You may run from God for a lifetime, but, as Paul wrote to the Romans, “nothing can separate” you from His love.

The Depth

In August 2000, Rescuers raced to save the crew of a Russian nuclear submarine, which sank during military exercises in the Barents Sea off the northwest coast of Russia. The submarine was approximately 300 ft under water. Due to fierce weather and incredibly cold water, rescue efforts failed. All in the submarine perished. How deep is the love of Christ? No matter how deep you have been submerged into sin and rebellion against God, God’s compassionate arms are able to reach you. Jesus will never give up on you. You are never too low for Jesus.

The Height

Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain, is 29,022 ft tall. How high is the love of Jesus? The care of Christ is high enough to take you all the way to heaven, if you trust in Him.

So, whatever you face in the coming days, remember the width, depth, height, and length of the love of Christ.

A Super Man

Look, it’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! No, it’s…my 4 Year-Old.

My 4 year-old son has Superman Fever. Furthermore, he claims to have Superman power. Just feel his muscles and he will prove it to you. He has a Superman cape, lawn chair, flip flops, sandals, pajamas, and, hopefully, I can write this in mixed company…UNDERWEAR (boxers and briefs).

Frequently, he “flies” into my home office hoisting a burning airliner, a derailed locomotive, or an evil mechanical monster. He claims to gain his power from the famed Superman “S,” affixed to all the superhero’s trademarked merchandise. I love watching him fantasize about saving the world from disaster. I wish he could.

50 Marathons in 50 States in 50 Days

A real life "Superman" is attempting the unbelievable to help folks recover from disaster. Sam Thompson from Vicksburg, MS has sacrificed many hours helping the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. However, he feels many people have forgotten the victims of America’s worst natural disaster. So, he wants to jog the nation’s memory (pun intended).

The 25 year-old plans to run 50 marathons (26.2 miles)in 50 states in 50 days. If successful, he will log a total of 1310 miles. He began by completing a marathon course in Colorado on July 1 and he is scheduled to achieve his mind-boggling goal on August 19 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He is attempting this Herculean feat to remind the world that the Mississippi Gulf Coast continues to recover. You can check out his website at 50in50in50.com.

As of today, Sam Thompson did not have a sponsor. All of his travel expenses are coming out of his pocket. He is making physical and financial sacrifices to express his concern. He is running for his fellow Mississippians.

For Whom Do You Run?

While Sam Thompson is running a race for the people on the Mississippi Coast, all of us are running in a spiritual race. In the race of life, Christians run for Jesus. The Bible says …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,…Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV).

The Apostle Paul wrote:

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.--I Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)

Lordship, Followship, and Disciplineship

To run for Jesus we must practice lordship. Jesus must be the Lord of my life if I am to claim to be one of his followers. Adrian Rogers said, “If I put things between me and Christ, it is idolatry. If I put Christ between me and things, it is victory!” Often, people ask, “Where is the Holy Spirit working?” The truth is the Holy Spirit is working where Jesus is Lord.

Followship is the act of going where Jesus leads. So, following Jesus means being obedient no matter what is required. Jesus is enough to when we surrender all to Him.

True discipleship is disciplineship. We are not led by emotions in our obedience to God. Sometimes we don’t “feel” like praying or studying God’s word. Our emotions are not to be our Lord. As Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” In the stewardship of the blessings of God, we must practice discipline.

Let the Dead Bury the Dead

Then another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” –Matthew 8:21-22 (NKJV)

Of course, Jesus advocated honoring parents, but the problem with the disciple in this passage is his “Me first” attitude. He said, "Lord,...me first." Some scholars have stated the man’s father may not have been dead and he was planning to wait until he died to follow Jesus. However, even if he had died, the spiritually dead can bury the physically dead. Following Jesus involves sharing the message of eternal life with the spiritually dead. Nothing is to take priority over answering the call of Christ.

You Ran Well, But...

May we escape the type of evaluation given by Paul to some of the folks in Galatia, You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7). Super men and women always run in the footsteps of Jesus, consistently casting aside "the sin which so easily ensnares us."

The Burning of Washington and the Grace of God

In August 1814, our nation’s capital was invaded and burned by British soldiers. America had been at war with the British Empire since 1812, but the action so far had consisted of a series of skirmishes along the Great Lakes region. With the defeat of Napoleon, the British Empire turned its full attention to the former colonies. Britain sent battle-tested troops to pound the up-start Americans. Washington had little strategic value - the prosperous port of Baltimore was much more important. However, as capital of the nation, the British hoped that its burning would have a psychological impact on the determination of the Americans to fight.

As the British army of approximately 4,000 approached, the majority of Washington residents fled the city. On August 24th, American defenders were quickly overwhelmed by the invaders in a battle at Bladensburg a few miles from the city. A messenger was dispatched to the White House to warn First Lady Dolly Madison of the impeding arrival of the British. She and her staff fled by carriage across the Potomac - taking with her the full-length portrait of George Washington that had been torn from a White House wall.

Since the British forces defeated the American militia, who withdrew in disarray, the road to Washington was clear. That evening, the vanguard of the British army reached Capitol Hill and began its systematic destruction of all public buildings in the city. The British burned the White House and the Capitol, but the rest of Washington was saved by an amazing chain of events.

While the city was burning and the British celebrated, a major storm moved into Washington. Hurricane force winds blew into the city. Soldiers were literally blown off their horses. Many horses were killed. Flying debris injured and killed many soldiers. Torrential rains extinguished all the fires. When the weather improved, the British, under orders not to hold any territory, limped out of the city and returned to their ships never to return.

Some may say this strange twist of events was just a coincidence. However, I believe this was just one of the many times God has blessed America. If you read the “uncensored” history of America, you will find many miraculous acts of God that have blessed our nation. You will find many numerous Godly and prayerful men who led our country. Many of our Godly leaders had a deep faith in God and regularly prayed for God’s guidance.

God has blessed America. May America now bless God.

A Patriotic Wish by Edgar Guest

I'd like to be the sort of man
the flag could boast about;
I'd like to be the sort of man
it cannot live without;
I'd like to be the type of man
That really is American:
The head-erect and shoulders-square,
Clean-minded fellow, just and fair,
That all men picture when they see
The glorious banner of the free.

I'd like to be the sort of man
the flag now typifies,
The kind of man we really want
the flag to symbolize;
The loyal brother to a trust,
The big, unselfish soul and just,
The friend of every man oppressed,
The strong support of all that's best,
The sturdy chap the banner's meant,
Where'er it flies, to represent.

I'd like to be the sort of man
the flag's supposed to mean,
The man that all in fancy see
wherever it is seen,
The chap that's ready for a fight
Whenever there's a wrong to right,
The friend in every time of need,
The doer of the daring deed,
The clean and generous handed man
That is a real American.

What is Patriotism?

Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.--Calvin Coolidge

Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.--George Bernard Shaw

I think patriotism is like charity--it begins at home.--Henry James

Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.--Adlai Stevenson