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C!)arlotte $osit RELIGION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2006 Life 1B Deborah the judge, minister, warrior 1. What two ministries did Deborah perform (Judges 4:4)? Deborah was the wife of Lapidoth, a Hebrew name meaning “torches” or “light ning flashes.” Her name means “bee.” She may have been so named due to the cus tom in some cultures of nam ing children after some phe nomenon occurring at the time of birth. We are not told whether there was a direct connection between Deborah’s role as a prophetess and her role as a judge in Israel. We assume that people came to her to set tle disputes because they knew she had special help from the Lord to do that kind of work. We usually think of a prophet as one who has divine insight into future events, but this is only part of a prophet’s function. Old Testament prophets are God’s mouth pieces. As such, they are inspired by God to keep Israel on track in religious and moral matters. Deborah, then, is presented as more than a wise judge. She is an inspired judge, used by God to guide the development of the young nation. 2. Why did people from all over Israel come to Deborah in the territory of Ephraim (v. 5)? Deborah and Lapidoth live in a rural area less than a dozen miles north of Jerusalem. This is in the trib al territory of Ephraim. It is a semi-movmtainous region. Deborah uses an outdoor courtroom imder a famous palm tree also called Debo rah. In stating that the children of Israel ceime up to her -for judgment, it is implied that her fair settlement of disputes through divinely- imparted wisdom had spread her repu tation far and wide. People were willing to make journeys from all over the nation of Israel to come before her. Deborah the Organizer (Judges 4:6-10) 3. What message did Debo rah send to Barak in Kedesh- naphtali (vs. 6, 7)? We do not know how Debo rah learned of God’s com mand for Barak to take ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and go to Mount Tabor. Since she was a prophetess, it is likely that God spoke to her directly. Barak, whose Hebrew name, much like that of Lapi doth, means “lightning,” was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh- naphtali. This community was about eighteen miles north of the Sea of Galilee. Mount Tabor was the place where territories of the tribes of Issachar, Zebulun, and see DEBORAH/8B Politics and religion intersect frequently during campaign ' FILE PHOTO Politics and religion intersect as the elections draw nearer. Some people say liberalism has gone too far. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBUS, Ohio—A pastor’s polit ically tinged call one year ago to “lock and load” for “a Holy Ghost invasion” was only the beginning of a fight over candidates between the religious right and the religious left in battleground Ohio. The stakes are high in Ohio, which gave President Bush the White House in 2004 thanks in part to support for a gay marriage ban by conservative Christians. And the winner of this year’s governor’s race will give his party an edge going into the 2008 pres idential campaign. Pastor Rod Parsley of World Harvest Church underscored the role of religion • in the governor’s campaign last Oct. 14, when he held a rally attended by hun dreds on the steps of the Statehouse. “Soimd an alarm. A Holy Ghost inva- ’ sion is taking place. Man your battle stations, ready your weapons, lock and load,” Pkrsley said to enthusiastic applause. The four-5^ear goal of what he called Reformation Ohio was to convert 1 mil lion people to Christianity, help the poor and register 400,000 new voters. “I am neither Republican nor Democ rat, I’m a Christocrat,” Parsley said at the time. “I love a Democratic republic and I want to be right in the middle of that process.” Soon after Parsley set his goals, a spiritual spat broke out that quickly spilled into state politics. In January, pastors on the left filed a complaint with the IRS accusing Pars ley and a second conservative pastor, RxisseU Johnson, of violating federal election law. The complaint alleged that the pastors improperly used their pulpits for partisan politics by supporti ing Ken Blackwell, the Itepublican nominee for governor. The complaint said the two have linked themselves and their churches so closely to Blackwell and his opposi- Please see POLITICS/6B Ministering to young adults and singles is her calling Nicole Massie joins The Park. SPECIAL TO THE POST ' Nicole Massie has joined The Park Min istries as minister of yotmg adults and sin gles. In her new role at University Park Bap tist and The Park South, Massie will lead efforts to cultivate the personal and spiri tual growth of parishioners in their 20s and 30s as well as aU singles. “We reedize that ministry to yoimg adults is a vital piece of the work of oiu church,” said the Rev. Joan Parrot, The Park Min istries’ executive minister. “That’s why we are so excited to have Nicole bring a fresh perspective and abiding passion to build a faith community that values the yoimg Lonely nights mark change in neighborhood THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS - The noises—the rumble of an engine, the skittering of a rat, a nagging dog bark—are startling, perhaps because there is so little to break the nighttime silence. No air conditioners whir in the Lower 9th Ward, no chil dren squeal at play. The most famous neighborhood you never heard of before Katrina is quiet, save for water gur^ gling from broken pipes, and other odd noises that echo off abandoned houses skewed on their foundations. By day, the Lower 9 is part demolition zone, part grave yard for lost dreams. But at night, as street lights glow yellow, it’s an eerie reminder of just how much changed in the early homs of Aug. 29, 2005, and just how tough those who want to rebuild wUl have to be. “I’m a Christian person and I trust and lean on God, but it’s getting depressing,” says Eric Craft, one of'the. few liv ing in the Lower 9 now. “I pray, but it’s getting harder and harder.” Once, this was home to 19,500 of the city’s 455,000 residents. Almost all were black and working class. Church News adult experience, with all its challenges and opportunities.” With a large number of young adults in its congregation. The Park Ministries will target two main groups with Massie’s hire: Kingdom College, to develop strong leadership skills in college students and keep them' connected to their faith, and young professionals, to build effective decision makers during a critical time in life. “This is the Joshua generation,” sa}^ Massie, 28. ‘Toung adults are experienc ing transition and are making major life ' decisions including graduate school. Please see MASSIE/7B Hurd reaches his ‘Destiny’ Stephen Hurd My Destiny: I Know What I’m Here For Steven Ford, producer Integrity/Columbia Records I’ve often thought Praise & Worship music is so popular because the art of singing is being lost. If you can carry a time, you can chant along with the simple and some times monotonous tunes. But the musical genre is spreading among all denomi nations and gains popularity daily. Stephen Hurd is becoming one of the biggest stars of the genre. 'Why? Lis ten to his fourth release ‘Des tiny: I Know What I’m Here For” and youll know. Yes, the title isn’t grammat ically correct, but the soi^ are without fault. Hurd has gone beyond the simple and monotonous and gives a recording full of songs that stick. It also helps that Hurd has a more than average voice. His tenor is soothing and expressive - full of quiet emi tion. Hurd showcases his voice on “Morning Medley.” n includes the h3rmn “Draw Me Nearer,” which he handles with breathtaking clarity. Simple can be so expressive. The original songs are good as well. “Tbdah,” “Great Praise” and “Healed By 'The Power Of His Word” are as good as this genre gets. On the reprise of “My Love Song,” Hurd twists a lyric fix)m Gladys Knight’s “Land lord” into something a bit more spiritual. My only quibble is “Why I Came.” It’s a bit more Day of Discovery Singers-sounding than I like, but not bad. These songs could be used during any church service or during someone’s daily medi tation. If this is the future of praise & worship, I may be a new convert. Now, Craft is alone on the street where he grew up and raised his own children. GCR & Associates, a local demo graphic consulting firm, esti mates he is one of just 374 people living in the Lower 9, and one of only 88 living out side the historic Holy Cross section, which sits on higher ground closer to the Missis- Please see LONELY/7B 'The deadline for announcements is noon on Fridays. Fax to (704) 342-2160 or e-mail- cheris.hodges@thecharlottepbst.com. Please put “church news” in the subject line. Ongoing We Empower Women For Life At Women of 'The Harvest Bible Study Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at 6636 Suite L Hickory Grove Business Park. * Steele Greek AME Zion Church, 1500 Shopton Road, will have noon day Bible study , from 12p.m. to 1 p.m. October 20 Myers Park Baptist Church wfll host author Harvey Cox through Oct. 22. Cox is the author of “When Jesus Came to Harvard.” • Women of New Horizons Morning Star Baptist Church, 5623 Phillips St., will host its women’s conference titled “Running Your Race.” The opening service begins at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Pastor Regina Fairey. On Saturday,, the general session begins at 8:30 a.m., with registration at 8 a.m. Workshop ses sions begin at 9:15 a.m. October 22 The Mighty Children’s Choir of Steele Creek AME Zion Church, 1500 Shopton Road, will have their 31st anniversary. The theme is “Let ■ the Children Sing!” The program will begin at 3p.m. • Parkwood Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 802 'Ibm Hunter Road, will host its fall revival. This year’s theme is “Celebrating New Life” - St. John 1:1- 5. Guest evangelist will be Rev. Robert Diggs, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va. Services begin at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services; nightly October 23-26: Fellowship dirmer (fi*ee) 6 p.m., 6:45 p.m., Bible Study 6:45-7:30 p.m. Transportation available, call (704) 921- 4915. ooo Please see CHURCH/6B
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