The Pastor’s commentary series (being published by Quartz Hill Publishing) is plugging along at its projected pace and the most recent addition is the two volume commentary on the Psalms.

Psalms: For the Person in the Pew (Vol. 1 & Vol. 2), Quartz Hill Publishing 2007

The complete listing of various volumes in the commentary series follows:

James and 1-2 Peter: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2007

Ruth and Lamentations: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2007

1-3 John and Jude: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2007

The Wisdom of Ben Sira: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2007

Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon: For The Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2007

2 Corinthians: For the Person in the Pew , Quartz Hill Publishing, 2007

Jeremiah: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2006

Micah, Ezekiel, Esther and Proverbs: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2006

The Pastoral Epistles: For the Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2006

Matthew: For The Person in the Pew, Quartz Hill Publishing, 2006

The series will consist, upon completion, of a commentary on every book of the Bible and the Apocrypha.

A new survey conducted over a 5 year period reports that around 6 in 10 Christians say that it is “often” or “always” true that “the busyness of life gets in the way of developing my relationship with God”. Christians most likely to agree were from North America, Africa and Europe. Christians in South Africa, Nigeria, Canada, Singapore, Ireland, Philippines, the United States and the United Kingdom are more distracted from God than those in other countries.

It’s a sad commentary on Christian devotion.  But anyone even remotely familiar with Church life has seen the proof.

If you weren’t able to make it to the celebration today, here are a few photos:

Click to enlarge. Congratulations, Benny & Loretta!

Ethics Daily reports

The leader of Baptists in the central Asian republic of Azerbaijan has requested international support for a pastor arrested during a worship service May 20. Zaur Balayev, 44, is being held on charges of “violent resistance” of arrest. Authorities say Balayev, described by acquaintances as a “thin” man, beat up five policemen and damaged a police car during his arrest. … Tony Peck, general secretary of the European Baptist Federation, called on the 800,000 Baptists of Europe to protest the arrest. He suggested that each EBF member body address Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev, requesting that he enforce justice and religious liberty in his country.

Peck is right to urge Europeans to take action and get involved in this case. But Europeans aren’t the only ones who should. Christians everywhere need to write the address above and urge the government to free the Pastor who has been so wrongly accused. And Baptists in particular should take a moment and do so. Come on, folks, it won’t take but a moment to write and say “As persons concerned with the fate of a fellow Christian, we urge you, sir, to order the release of Pastor Balayev.”

Robert D. gave me this from the Readers Digest and I think you’ll find it enjoyable.

An old dollar bill and an even older $20 arrive at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired. “I’ve had a pretty good life,” the $20 says. “I’ve been to Vegas, the finest restaurants in New York and even on a cruise toe the Caribbean.” “You did have an exciting life!” the $1 says. “Where have you been?” the $20 asks. “Oh I’ve been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, spent some time with the Lutherans — “ “Wait,” the $20 interrupts. “What’s a church?”

Sometimes in such ‘jokes’ there’s more truth than most would like to admit.

Events in August in the Big Emory Baptist Association

August 1 - Minister’s Conference, 10:30 a.m. at F.B.C. Sunbright. Speaker: Bro. Frank Kirby
August 2 - Prayer Team Meeting, 1 p.m. at the BEBA Office
August 2 - Rebuild Ministry Team Meeting, 7 p.m. at the BEBA Office
August 3 - Senior Adult Dinner Theater, 6 p.m. at Riverside Baptist Church. RSVP by July 27
August 7 - Budget & Finance Team Meeting, 9 a.m. at the BEBA Office
August 8 - Prayer Walk at Walnut Hill School, 6:30 p.m.
August 9 - Storehouse Ministry Center Team Meeting, 6:30 at the Center
August 9-10 - Associational Secretaries Conference, Brentwood
August 9-10 - DOM Retreat at Carson Newman
August 12 - Day of Prayer for our Students
August 13 - Executive Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at South Harriman Baptist Church
August 19 - Baptist & Reflector Day
August 23-24 - DOM Network Training, Brentwood
August 27-28 - Sunday School Training, Wallace Memorial, Knoxville

I heard this today and it resonated as oh so very, very true….

What’s the difference between an organist and a terrorist? You can reason with a terrorist.

Though it was inadvertently left out of the Bulletin, please remember that this Sunday we will conduct our food drive.  Bring your non-perishable items to either service.

Last Thursday the college kids taking part in the Summer Mission Project had a dinner and below are some photos of a few people you might recognize.

Be sure to continue to pray for their missionary endeavors and for their families.  The project concludes the first of August.

It’s interesting, from time to time, to read what our forebears thought of various and sundry things. Following are some quotations by famed Christians concerning the use of the organ in worship:

Martin Luther: “The organ in the worship service is a sign of Baal.”

Thomas Aquinas: “Our church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psalteries, to praise God withal, that she may not seem to Judaize.”

John Calvin: “Musical Instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law.“

John Wesley: “I have no objection to instruments of music in our chapels, provided they are neither heard nor seen.”

Charles Spurgeon: “We might as well pray by machinery as sing by it” and “Israel was at school, and used childish things to help her learn; but in these days when Jesus gives us spiritual food, one can make melody without strings and pipes… we do not need them. That would hinder rather than help our praise. Sing unto Him. This is the sweetest and best music. No instrument like the human voice.”