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RELIGION
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2006
UfelB
God’s
majesty
PSALMS 104:1-4
Anyone who ever has spent
an hour or two on a clear
night, gazing at the slty, away
from the bri^t li^ts of the
dty, knows how unbelievably
awesome the display is. There
is nothing like spending time
contemplating God’s m^esty
in the dark sky For those who
never had this opportunity,
this is an experience they
should seek to have so they
can marvel at the wonder of
God’s creation. Who, among
finite humans, ever could
have dreamed of such a spec
tacle?
It is a humbling experience
to see the vastness of the
heavens and to consider our
place in such enormity For
anyone who believes in God, it
is an ecperience of praise and
worship to which nothing dse
can compare.
While many scholars
believe David wrote Psalm
104, this cannot be proven. In
Psalm 104, David expresses
his awe of God’s power, His
(X)ntrol and His blessing as he
thinks of God’s creation.
I. God’s Glory in Creation
(Psalm 104:1-4)
In verses 1-4, the psalmist
describes the glory of God
brought upon Himself
through His creation. The
psalmist realizes that God is
not part of creation but is
greater than the inexpress
ible vastness of the universe.
This is why He is worthy of
diir praise. In order to express
this superiority and ^ory, the
psalmist speaks of (^od using
creation for His pleasure in
the same way that we create.
If we came to church in a
suit that would make every
one stop and take notice, we
would be seeking undue
attention, but God clothes
Himsdf in li^t this is m^es-
tic and filled with splendor.
Imagine wrapping yourself
up in a suit wovot out of suns
and wearing rings made of
stars on your fingers. We are
not to live flashy, gaud>' lives,
but God created all that
exists, so it’s His to do with as
He pleases. He is worthy of all
our praise and attention.
Peiiiaps you’ve been fortu
nate in life and own your own
home, but imagine stretching
out the heavens like a person
might stretch out a tent
before setting up camp. Imag
ine using the expanse of heav
en as a foundation upon
which to build your home.
The most ^orious and spec
tacular things in the universe
are simply possessions to be
used by God for his everyday
pleasure and glorification.
God glorifies Himself
through His creation by
dressing in stars and using
clouds as His vehicle.
dTouds are moved by wind
patterns. The Holy Spirit is
likened to the wind throu^-
out Scripture. While we can
see neither wind nor spirits,
we can feel the effects both
have on \is.
PHOTO/THE STOCK MARKET
Lights. Camera. Sing.
Inspiration Network looking for Christian talent to spotlight
By Chens F. Hcxiges
chensJiodges & thecharlotteposturom
Inspiration Network is looking for
a few good singers.
Its nationally televised Christian
Arts Talent Search series, known as
CATS, is looking for undiscovered
Christian artists.
“We’re going into our fifth season,”
said Kristina Hill, cable pubHc
affairs coordinator of the network.
“We’re kind of‘American Idol’-ish.”
But don’t expect to find a Simon
Cowell cutting hopefuls down with
mean spirited critiques. “Tlie per
formers are judged by (ITuistian
music professionals,” Hill said.
“They get critiqued on how to
advance their careers.”
In order to be a part of CATS, per
formers must be at least 15 years
old. The show is seeking all genres of
CTuistian miasic, including hip-hop,
rock and contemporary gospel.
What many people don’t know
about the Inspiration Network and
CATS is that it’s produced here. But
there is no home cooking involved in
picking the participants or the win
ners.
“Though the show is filmed in
Charlotte, we get entries fix)m all
over the country,” said Hill.
Unlike the popular “American
Idol,” Hill said CATS doesn’t hold
auditions, entries are accepted
through the mail. Contestants are
asked to send two musical selections
on a CD or cassette tape, two copies
of their biography and two copies of
a recent photo.
The entry fee is $100.
The show airs for 30 episodes and
at the end of the program the winner
receives a contract with Point Of
Grace Entertainment.
All entries must be received by 5
p.m. on April 21 and should be sub
mitted to CATS - Christian Artist
Talent Search, PO Box 7565, (Zliar-
lotte, NC 28241. Minors must have a
parental signature.
For more information, call the
CATS hotline at (704) 561-7955.
Churches boost AIDS/HIV campaign
By Hazel Trice Edney
NATIONAL NEWSR\PEJi
PUBUSHERS ASSOCIATION
WASHINGTON - Seven
teen years ago, some pas
tors were actually afraid to
get into the same baptism
pool with people who had
AIDS. The deadly disease
and its causal virus, HIV,
were taboo conversations -
even in the pulpit.
Now, thousands of black
ministers are not only
addressing AIDs in their
sermons, but - for the 17th
year - an increasing num
ber will actually participate
in a seven-day annual con
ference March 5-11 to pray
for the healing of AIDS
around the world and to
educate themselves on
dealing with it in their
communities.
“There is a lot of good
news to report in terms of
how far Black ministers
have come on the subject of
HTV and AIDS. We have
really some serious models
of HIV ministries in Black
churches today,” says Per-
nessa Seele, founder and
chief executive officer of the
Balm in Gilead, Inc., now
17 years old, “But, certain
ly there are far too many
Catholics who are still not
addressing the issues. But
we can certainly point to
some AIDS ministries with
denominational leaders
who are actively giving
their voice to HTV There’s
movement. There’s m^jor
movement among the
Please see AIDS/6B
* * ” riease see mil
Sign of the times for congregation’s growth
By Victoria Elmore —
By Victoria Elmore
THE CHARLOTTE POST
A new sign is an indication of
growth.
Trinity Baptist Church, located at
9115 Trinity Road, recently had its
old church sign tom down to continue
plans the congiegation made. Trini
ty’s old sign consisted of letters glued
to brick. TTie church’s new sign is
trimmed in royal blue which matches
the color sch^ne inside of the sanctu
ary TTie sign itself is unique. The
Spirit and atmosphere will bond
together,” Rev. Eric Miller said
The previous sign allowed no room
for diange. The ^ued-on previous
sign held the name of the church in
one place. The new sign will enable
letters to be removed and replaced
with other words. “Our new sign is
Please see TRINITY yfiB
PHOTOCALVIN FERGUSON
The Rev. Eric Miller said the church’s new sign is preparation for Trinity Park’s
growth.
Funk
meets
neo-soul
gospel
Lyru'smgs
Brand New Day
Various Producers
Canvas
It would be easy to write off*
Lyricsings as a MaryMary
clone, but tliat would do nei-
tlier gioup justice.
MaryMary can sing the life
out of anytliing tliey attempt,
whether it’s traditional gospel,
blues or funk. Lyricsings
seems to be able to do tlie
same, but decides to concen
trate moie on the hip side.
Lyricsings likes big beats -
mid-tempo or otherwise.
“Chionicles,” “Promise Land”
and “Brand New Day” will all
work in current gospel
plajiists, but could easily find
a home at m*ban radio.
These women can also do the
neo soul tiling. “Moves Me”
would make Jill Scott proud.
The jazzy feel of the music
allows them to soften their
delivery and nearly start flow
ing.
“Angels Watching Over Me”
sounds like a song Donald
Lawrence did with a group
called Company years ago.
This version’s a lot slower and
if it’s not the same song, it’s
close.
When these women get a bit
traditional, they are just as
successful. “Home In Glory”
displays the duo’s penchant for
tight hannony and meaningful
lyrics. It’s the kind of song that
can get a congregation excited.
It’s not true of school, but pass
es for it very nicely
The pair closes with “When I
Think” which is just plain of
funky. Whatever stjde they
use, Lyricsings never forgets
its purpose. The lyrical content
stays on the gospel. That in
itself is a feat which many
artists are struggling to com
plete.
Eatingi
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Church News
The deadline for announcements in the calendar is
noon on Fridays. Fax your announcements to (704)
342-2160 or e-mail chensJiodges^thecharlot-
teposteom.
Ongoing
Grace Bible College will host winter classes
at Grace Baptist Church on 1185 Little Rock
Road in Newton through March 13th. These
classes maybe taken for credit. For more infor
mation, contact (828) 464-7055.
The Millions Mcoe Movement-Chariotte, Inc.
will move to its new location at Little Rock
AME Zion Church, 401 N. McDowell St. The
group will meet the second and fourth Monday
ni^ts of the month for six months. For more
information, call (704) 333-1690.
Church of the Holy Spirit Fdlowship Inc. of
AATnston-Sedem and Carolinas Black Pride
Movement in Chariotte have teamedup to cre
ate the Pride Gospel Mass Choir, the Caroli
na’s first gay-affirming/all-affirming gospel
Tna.«M chc^.
PGMC was envisioned by Pastor Roger
Hayes of Church of the Holy Spirit Fellowship.
This visicai involved creating an outlet for gay,
lesbian, bis^cual, transgender and gay-fiiend-
ly individuals to worship, inspire & uplift
through song and praise arts.
PGMC is actively seeking sopranos, altos,
tenors, baritones, basses, musicians of all
instruments, songwriters, poets, praise
dancers and mime performers.
Call Hayes at (336)575-6205, e-mail
chsnc(«€arthlink.net or go to the internet at
www.churchDftheholyspiritfellow8hipnc.ccan
Inspiration Networks is heading a gospel tal
ent search for its nationally televised series
Christian Artist Talent Search. The winner
will receive a national recxjrding contract with
Point Of Grace Entertainment. All entrants
must be at least 15 years old by April 21.
Entries are due by April 21. For rules and
entry fcams, log on to www.insp.com or call the
CATS hotline at (704) 561-7955.
March 10
The Black Church Initiative of the Religious
Cbalition for Reproductive Choice North Car
olina celebrates the Black Church Week of
Prayer ^Gt: HIV/AIDS. The event will be held at
New St. John Baptist Church, 2000 St. John
Please see BHOTHERHCX)D/7B