I think the older people in this church should be commended for their flexibility. Many churches have split over music and worship changes. It's such a divisive, emotional issue that articles have appeared in religious periodicals speaking of "The Worship Wars."

We've tried to have a blend of old and new here. But to be honest, we have more new than old — even the old hymns we sing with a new tempo. But for the most part our seniors have made the adjustment and rejoice when they see thousands of young people attending and witness hundreds of baptisms every year. They realize God is doing great things and our personal preferences aren't the most important thing.

By the way, young people, if you want to help us be more flexible then you be flexible yourself! Sometimes young people can be rigid and demand just their style of music so their preferences are catered to. Several weeks ago the Master's Men sang an old traditional song. I loved it but I leaned over to Kyle Idleman who is 27 and said, "This isn't your style of music is it?" He said, "It's not my favorite, but I love seeing all those old people out there!" You be flexible and accommodate your style for the older generation and we'll be much more likely to accommodate yours.

The third most difficult temptation according to the seniors surprised me. They listed feelings of regret as a serious temptation. People look back over their lives and wish they had done things differently.

After the recent sermon to teens several said to me, "Maybe if someone had preached that when I was a teenager my life would have been different." Or people will say, "If I had been a better parent, my kids wouldn't have had so much trouble." Or, "I wish I had never gone through that divorce." "I wish I'd chosen a different career."

I've been with older people who knew they were dying from a terminal disease. They'll say, "Preacher, I want to talk to you about my salvation. I accepted Christ and was baptized years ago. But back in my 20's I fathered a child out of wedlock. Do you think Christ can forgive me of that? Will I still go to heaven?" I am glad to inform them that the blood of Christ cleanses of all sin. But I walk away sad to think that for 50 or 60 years, they've not been able to forgive themselves. The joy of life has been diminished by regret.

After his sin with Bathsheba, David lamented, "My sin is always before me" (Psalm 51:3). Joseph's ten older brothers regretted selling him into slavery. When their father died they pleaded again with Joseph to forgive them of what they had done years before.

Regret causes people to wallow in self-pity, to feel unworthy, to miss the joy of forgiveness. They fail to appreciate today because of mistakes of yesterday. Sometimes they refuse to accept leadership roles because of feelings of inadequacy.