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7B RELIGIOrme CIracIotte ^oet Thursday, April 27, 2006 A look at the misunderstood book of Ecclesiastes Continued from page 5B life. When Solomon is described as the Preacher, it is not exactly a preacher as we think of it today. The idea is more of “assemblyman” or “one who addresses an assembly.” Tbacher is also a good translation in this regard. Solomon is one who had great opportunity to try aU the various roads to happi ness. He was known also as a man of great wisdom. We yet can learn much from both his successes and his failures. 2. What did the author mean when he used the term “vanity” (v. 2)? We are hit by the writer’s dark mood right at the outset. His opening musings project a sense of hopelessness or at least resignation. By using the expression vanity of vani ties, he imderlines just how hopeless he thinks it all is. It is as if he has said “utter emptiness.” He has tried everything. Instead of bring ing happiness, his attempts have brought the opposite. Remember; the Preacher (Solomon) has had more money, lovers, wisdom, and fame than we can imagine (1 Kings 3:1-15; 4:20-34; 11:1-3, etc.). But he declares aU is vanity. 3. What did the author mean when he used the phrase “imder the sun” (vs. 3,4)? Solomon now explained what he meant about the van ity of life by applying the truth to man’s work. A person has to work hard all his life; but what, in earthly terms, does he really have to show for it at the end of the day? The phrase “under the sun” is used twenty-nine times in the book of Ecclesiastes. These words have an impor tant defining purpose to Solomon. They describe the world taken by itself, without any other reality being consid ered. It is important to note, however, that Solomon him self was not writing from an under-the-sun perspective; rather, he was examining how we should live our lives, and this included an honest assessment of life’s frustra tions and lack of fulfillment apart from God. The reason man’s labors are empty apart from God is that everyone dies. Seen as a closed system, the world goes on endlessly in ever repeating cycles of futility. Because the bodies of believers are still unredeemed and because we still live in the world, Chris tians are stiU subject to the frustrations and seeming pointlessness of much that we have to do. Solomon would later urge people to give thanks for earthly blessings (cf 5:18) because they are God’s gifts and they point to Him, but the things of earth will never prove ultimately satisfying. One generation dies, and then another comes along to take its place. But nothing reaUy changes, even as our lives pass as “a vapour” (James. 4:14). 4. How often do you think about your own mortality? Do you think about it too much or too little? What value is there in thinking about this sub ject? Ecclesiastes is a favorite book of many poets and philosophers. Accepting its unflinching analysis of how brief and fleeting life “under the sun” really is, many are determined not to put off important decisions about personal direction in life. An astute observer once noted that America, for its part, had changed from a death defying to a death denying culture. This means that many sim ply avoid thinking about the unpleasant issue of their own mortality. But it is our mor tality that should give us a sense of urgency. When we’re in the midst of a stressful situation, the fact of our mortality can also help us ask “Years from now, how much of this will matter?” Perhaps this question can give you new perspective and urgency regarding your work in the kingdom of God. 5. What about the sun’s behavior illustrates Solomon’s point (vs. 5,6)? Solomon proceeded to dte phenomena from nature that demonstrate the cyclical nature of life. 'These patterns of nature have influenced many of man’s religions and philosophies. We hear many references to the “circle of Mfe” and like phrases, with the suggestion that submitting to this-cycle is the sum total of existence. If we do not take God into account, there is much truth to this. Only God provides ADVERTISEMENT Graham statue to be unveiled THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NASHVILLE-At age 87, the Rev. BiHy Graham can no longer stride to the pulpit and uses a walker to get around. But a bronze statue to be unveiled by the Southern Baptist Convention will recall the evangelist in his prime. Created by a pastor and sculptor in Wyoming, the figure of Graham will stand larger than life with a Bible in one hand and arms out stretched before a giant cross. It’s a tribute to the man who ministered privately to American presidents and preached the Gospel to mil lions in packed stadiums. 'The statue will be present ed in June at the Southern Baptist Convention’s armual meeting in Greensboro and then will be moved to Nashville for a permanent installation later this year. TbrreU O’Brien, the sculptor and a Baptist pastor in Pavil- lion, Wyo., said his research for the artwork tiuned up a number of portraits and busts of Graham, but nothing like his statue. O’Brien, 58, wanted to rec- Graham ognize Graham’s evangelism all over the world, so he cre ated the outstretched ges ture, which he calls an invita tion for people I to accept Christ. “I have to try I to tell a story I and pay tribute well,” I O’Brien said. “This was not easy, in partic ular because I’m dealing with a world- known figure. It caused me to tremble. But it’s been a tremendous blessing.” Graham didn’t sit for the statue, so O’Brien used pho tographs to sculpt and mold the piece. David Bruce, executive assistant to Graham, said the evangelist, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, appreciates the tribute. “Mr. Graham is humbled by those kinds of things and it’s nothing he seeks out,” Bruce said. “He’s tried to deflect those kinds of earthly honors. He’s not searching for any.” O’Brien said he was approached in 2004 to create Greater Providence Baptist Church 2000 Milton Road, Charlotte, NC 28215 704-532-6228 704-532-7568fax “Experiencing God Day by Day” Sf. John 17:3 Come Join I's in Worship & Praise! Sunday Worship 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM Sunday School 9:45 AM Hour of Power 12 Noon - Wednesdays Spiritual Renewal 7:00 PM - Wednesdays WWW, sreaterorovidence. org Weeping Willow AME Zion Church Fro^ Saltation To ’ im Mfiiru Si ^ Chartoife NiTib CmMa MiS Worship: iIKKIAM SuiwJav School; ■I Wed. Pfiusc & Pravvn TM R gumMiB H 'Trrr^'T'T'Trrrrir’Tfrr'' (irecnOille iHemonal 'Si.MM- Zion CliurtI) “A Teaching Ministry Making Spiritual Disciples” Sunday Worship Service 10A.M. Sunday School 9A.M. Bible Study: Tuesday 7 P.M. & Wednesday 12 Noon Child Development Center 6116 Montieth Dr. Charlotte, NC 28213 (Ph) 704-5964742 (Fax) 704-597-8314 “A Word of Hope” Television Ministry Wednesdays @ 8 p.m. Channell 21 (Public Access TV) Rev. Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman, Senior Pastor Macedonia Baptist Church of CHARLOTTE, INC. "A Ministry of LovI and Excellence" Dr. John H. Walker, Pastor dr Minister, Rosie Walker New Sunday lOam Worship Experience “Family First Worship” “As For Me and My House We Shall Worship The Lord'' SUNDAY ■ Physical food - (serving breakfast.).... ■ Spiritual Food - Christian Education School. * Main Course - ‘'Family First Worship WEDNESDAY "Hour of Power" .Midday Worship 12 Noon W-O-W - Word On Wednesday Bible Study. 6;30 p.m. TVand RADIO BROADCAST MINISTRY; CMPAC 21 - 'Ilit-ipiT • Rejoice Radio 1370am • Wed. 10:45a 704-392-8496 Hatteras Ave.,* www.macedoniaofcharloue.org the piece by Southern Baptist Convention president Bobby Welch, who had seen some of the artist’s work. A professional sculptor for 24 years, O’Brien has done work for Cabelas, a chain of hunting outfitters stores, as well as universities, hospitals and cemeteries. Graham, who recently accepted the 2006 George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service, has preached to 210 million people world wide over more than six decades. Four years ago, he had a series of brain surgeries—the remnants of which stOl cause him pain—and he’s refrained from making many public appearances. He has Parkin son’s disease and has been treated for prostate cancer. Last month, Graham preached to an arena crowd of Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans for his first evangelistic sermon since June, when he led his final revival meeting in New York Please see GRAHAM/8B The Prophet’s Column, Inc. 6183 NC 109 South Wadesboro, NC 28170-9533 ^ril, 2006 Newsletter - Part V After we stayed back down on the property about an hour, we decided to leave. We had to walk about 1500 feet to go down on the property. And that was a long walk for my friend but a short walk for me. On our way back out, and some distance from Charlie Rodwell’s house, my friend thought he saw a police car in the driveway. As we grew nearer, I recognized two law enforcement cars. One was from the sheriffs department. I told my friend, as 1 told him prior to our going in: °We’lt have no conversation with any of them if we see them. We’ll have no conversation with the law enforcement officer. I’ll say just as little as possible." As we drew near the deputy's car, he got out of his vehicle and greeted me politely and said: “That woman made a comi^aint but you cannot be landlocked.” I responded politely to the deputy; “I own property back there and the sheriff already knows about this". He proceeded to say: “She said Banzet said....” Before waiting to hear what Banzet (their lawyer) said, I told my friend; “Let’s go!" We had to walk about 400 feel from the officer there in the driveway back to the car. As we left, the cussing woman, Charlie Rodwell’s wife, was still mouthing off at the officer.! told my friend; “She had no respect for you at all. She didn’t even know you. If a woman will not respect her husband, she will not respect other men." See how easy it is to tell if a woman is not saved? Here was a great church woman spitting out all that hatred against me. As we journeyed back, i wondered aloud why we never saw Charlie Rodwell. After returning home, I called a friend over there and told him what happened, but that we never saw Charlie Rodwell. He replied: “Charlie died about four months ago." Charlie Rodweil went to his grave hating me. I was asked the question by a law enforcement officer way back years ago: “Why is he fighting you?” At first, I hadn’t figured out the material reason. Then I was told that Charlie was mad because his dad sold me that property. Charlie’s dad and I were very close friends. Just before Charlie died, his brother called me to tell me that he had tried to convince Charlie that he was wrong for blocking the road. And others over the past nearly five or more years had tried to convince him he was wrong, but to no avail. Charlie was determined to have his way. So my Heavenly Father gave him up to his way, reprobating him. Right before my eyes, he was reprobated. And his wife is going the same way he went, down to a Devil's hell. My friend, don’t you go that way. We brought nothing into this world, and we are not going to carry anyOiing out. But play the fool as Uiis man did. and his wife is doing now, and you too will lift up your eyes in hell. There is a doctor and a woman over there in the doctor’s office that are being reprobated. God’s Reprobation is just as real as His Election is real. jFirSt iilt. Zion Papti^t Cljurtl) 1515 Remount Rd. (Tel.)332-8335 (Fax)372-7548 28208 Sunday Morning Worship Services... 8:30-9:30- 11:00am Sunday School 9:45 - 10:45ain Singles Ministries (Mon.) 6:30-7:30pm Senior Citizens (Mon.) 10:30 - 4:00pm Office Hours; Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 4:00pm You are cordially invited to worship with us! Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church "Die Church with the Commwtify at Heart” 531 Campus Street • Chaiiotte, NC 28216 (rm)375-3900 ■ Fax 3r2-06m Worship Service U:00AM Sunday School: 9:30AM Bible Study: Wed. 10:30AM a 7PM Daycare & Afterschool Available E-mail: gamez531@bellsouth.net The Reverend Calvin L. Miller ■ Pastor Reverend Karen Roberts Miller ■ Spouse SIMPSON-GILLESPIE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 11 “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors’ . Join Us For Service - W Sunday School. 9;30am • Sunday Worship. Ham 1^ Wednesday: Bible Study. 7pm Ti 1st & 3rd Saturday: •'Concemporaq' Worship,’’ 6pm...'jeans Allowed" Rev. Walter Pegues, Pastor 3545 Beatties Fd Rd, Char., NC 28216 •704-399-2717 • VanMinislty “We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us” Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church "A Church Putting Love Into Action” 700 SUGAR CREEK ROAD, WEST CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28213 Sunday Church School 9:30a.m- Worship Service 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. Baptist Training Union 5:00p.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesdays 7:30pm Office (704)596-7935 • Fax (704)596-1204 Residence (704)597-1249 LLJI^ Greater Myers Chapel PENTECOSTAL FELLOWSHIP MINTSTRTFS - You’re Invited to Worship With Us • Intercessory Prayer. 8:30ain Victory in The 'Word 9:15am Worship 10:30am Sunday Evening Total Praise 7:00pm Hour of Power/Tiitorial avaiLWed....7:00pm Visit our WebSite: www.greatermyerschapel.org 6tM) Jordan Place, Charlotte, NC 28205 For Van Ministry “WAR Fellowship Ministry Covenant Partner" 704-377-1799 I lis last conmiandment is our first www.StfukeHTte.org assignment Missionaky Baptist Chdhch BAPTIST CHURCH Day WaeaWp E-venlRg WofsWp Eev.ClitfordMailhew».Jr.,PmtoY * SZS-OSSO 1600 Ngrria Av«. * ghf Hotfcg, NC 28206 * FAX; 375-€387 PARKWOOD INSTITUTIONAL Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 802 Tom Hunter Road • Charlotte, NC 28213 704-921-4915 (Ph) • 704-9214917 (Fax) Wedsite; www.parkwoodcme.com Sunday Worship 8:00 & 11:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Bible Study Wednesday 12 Noon Thursday 6:30 PM TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. Pastor To advertise your church, call 704 376 0496 St. Paul Baptist Church Our Purpose: “To convince the unconvinced to be convinced and make disciples” Sunday Worship at 7:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. Sunday Morning Breakfast 8:45 A.M. Sunday School at 9:25 A.M. - 10:25 A.M. Radio Broadcast Sunday 11:00A.M- (1370 A.M. Dial) Bible Study Wed. 12 Noon - 6:45 PM. - 8:00 P.M. Youth Church 2nd & 3rd Sunday 10:30 A.M.