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j http V/vmw.thecharlottepost.oom 4B Wfie Charlotte Post THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2007 RELIGION Life 1B The mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1-5) 1- Why did Paul pose rhetorical questions to the Philippians ('Philippians 2:1)? Paul begins this section with fo\ir rhetorical if-state- ments. These are rhetorical in the sense that Paul does not question whether these things are true but wants his readers to ponder them for a moment. Can we find conso lation (or encouragement) in knowing Christ? Yes. Can we find comfort in livir^ a life of love? Yes. Can we find sweet fellowship through the Holy Spirit with God and other believers? Yes. His presence is a common bond among aU believers, which certainly ou^t to have a unifying effect in any church. It is difficult to com prehend church fi^ts when each member claims to be a child of God. The Holy Spirit promotes unity and fellow ship instead. They also had a sensitivity to the needs and hurts of otliei-s and compas sion for them in times of sor row. This is the meaning of ‘howels and mercies.” 2. What were the things Paul wished to be true of the Philippians so that he would have joy in them (v. 2)? Paul is himdreds of miles away fix>m his beloved Philip- plan brothers and sisters. But there is still something they can do to bring him great joy Paul’s claim was that if the Philippian believ ers acted a certain, way, he would be filled with joy Because of the unity among believers that should be inherent in theii' position in Christ, foui- things should be true. Tliey should be like- minded (thinking in a similar vein), consistently loving (showing the mind of C^irist, which Paul was about to explain), in one accoi-d (unit ed in spirit and attitude), and of one mind (sharing the same puipose of living for • Christ). 3. Wliat kinds of attitudes are lefeiTed to by “stiife” and ‘Vaingloiy” (v. 3)? Why do we do the things we do? Almost any action has an imderlying motivation. Why do we mow our lawns? One man does it because he loves things to be neat and tidy Another man does it becaixse he is afi’aid his nei^ibors will speak negatively of him if his home looks mikempt. A tliird man does it because tliat’s tlie way liis dad taught him, aixd he stiU wants to do things to please his father. Paul uses the woi-ds stiife and vaingloiy to describe impipper motives. Selfish I'ecogiiition should nevei’ be tlie motivation for anything a believei* does. A self-centei'ed attitude must have aiisen among some of the Plulippian behevei's; so Paul pointed out veiy succinctly what is wrong aboxit that and what sliould Faith is NFL star’s goal Shaun Alexander’s autobiography is a lesson in humility By Chens F. Hodges chefts.hodges@fhechafforieposf.com Please see THE/5B In a world wh^^ professional athletes make headlines for all the wrong reasons, Seattle Sea- hawks’ running back Shaim Alexander is often over looked. Last year, he authored a book chipnicling his Christianity and success in sports. Maybe because he wasn’t calling out teammates, like the Dallas Cowboys’ Tbrrell Owens touted autobiography, or recounting wild sexcapades that people weren’t interested in it. That’s a shame. “Tbuchdown Alexander” is a story that should be shared with sons and dau^ters. Alexander isn’t cocky and does n’t define himself by what he does. As a child bom into a single parent family, Alexander’s foim- dation helps navigate the tough times. Unlike Keyshawn Johnson’s autobiography and Ibirell Owens’ two autobiographies, Alexander’s book has substance. He decided to remain a virgin rmtil marriage, puts (3od above touchdowns and follows the Bible. Alexander takes care of his family and signs his autographs with a Bible verse: Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He give you the desires of your heart.” It’s a shame this book went rel atively uimoticed. I didn’t see NFL Network do a segment on Alexander’s book. 'They did poke fun at Owens’ book for weeks and weeks. When people talk about what’s wrong with athletes, peo ple like Alexander are ignored. His book is spiritual and moving. It should be required reading for TOUCHDOiltfll Please see SHAUN/5B Church worker accused of lying under oath may get probation THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A church office worker has pleaded guilty to nine coimts of lying vmder oath to a fed eral gi-and jury investigating tax fraud allegations at Macedonia Baptist Church. Fedei'al prosecutors have agreed to recommend that Veronica Briscoe, 43, get pro bation instead of prison time. “Ms. Briscoe’s peijury did n’t adv^ely affect our abili ty to conduct the investiga tion,” Assistant U.S. Attorney David Brown said. “It is the government’s position that Ms. Briscoe is as much a vic tim as many other folks defrauded by John Walker.” The Rev John Henry Walk er is accused of failing to report thousands of dollars of taxable income. He pleaded guilty last month to tax eva sion, bank fraud and lying to federal authorities. A judge told the 48-year-old minister he would probably get prison time. Federal prosecutors said Walker used his Charlotte church’s credit card to pay for erectile dysfunction medica tion and hotel visits with female parishioners. He failed to report more than $750,000 of income between 1998 and 2004 and lied on loan applications to buy a $46,000 Lexus, a $62,000 Mercedes and a 5,300-square-foot home, prosecutors said. Walker earlier this month asked his coi^regation to foi^ve him, which they did and voted to keep the embat tled reverend at the head of the dixirch. Museum touts Muslim culture in Bible Belt Mississippi THE ASSOCIATED PRESS JACKSON, Miss.-This mid-sized Southern dty with its thriving Baptist, Methodist and Catholic churches may seem an milikely home for one of the only museums in the United States devoted entu'ely to Muskm cultui*e. Still, the International Museum of Muslim (Culture opened in April 2001, an attempt by organizers to educate thefr churchgoing neighbor's about a faith that many-viewed as mysterious, possibly violent. The museum is right at home in Jackson’s down town aid district, which con tinues to host the intema- tional ballet competition' every four years and, for sev eral years, was home to trav eling exhibitions of culture and art treasures finm around the world. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, museum executive director Okolo Rashid said the project in Mississippi has taken on added signifi cance, particularly since many people have serious misccaiceptions about Mus lims and their culture. “And, of course, after 9/11 and even prior to that, the whole thing about terror ism—that Musfims are ter rorists and Muslims are vio lent—and really not under standing any of the contribu tions or the significant influ ence that Muslims have had on the Western world,” Rashid said. The museum was bom of an idea to create a compan ion to the “Majesty of Spain” ediibition-featuring works finm the Prado and other prominent museums—that was showir^ at the Missis- Please see MUSEUM/5B Atlanta rappers take crunk to pulpit THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ATLANTA—Heavy bass beats echo thror^h the church as youngsters rush down the sanctuary aisles. Colorful stage li^ts spin aroimd overhead as the eager fans start screaming, “JESUS, JESUS, JESUS!” When the sextet Dem Unknown WarriorZ appears up fix>nt, the music and the fang go quiet. Group leader Bennie “Preacha” Foster asks the crowd of about 2,000 to first “^ve God Ihe praise.” Then the beat returns even louder than before. This high-energy act that could stand as the headfiner at any nightclub is instead performir^ its own religion- infused version of “crunk” hip hop at various churches in the Atlanta area. ‘We’ie fishing,” Foster said after the performance at Divine Faith IVfinistries in suburban Jonesboro. “The bait yDungste:'s are eating is . hip hop. So we take that music, dice it up, we put some Jesus flavor to it and save soiils in Jesus’ name. That’s how we do it.” Tb its fans, crunk music, with its electronic drums and synthesized brass instruments, generates excitement akin to a reli gious experience. But the genre —most often associat ed with R-rated chants by hip-hop artists—is seldom heard in churches. Crunk became popular through Southern-based producer Lil Jon, who is known for his energetic trademark shouts and raunchy hit singles, “(5et Low” and “Snap Yo Fingers.” “I respect Lil Jon as a pro ducer,” Foste' said. “But we switch up the message with the thumping beat they rec ognize. We present ourselves in a hip-hop manner, so youths can have something they can relate to.” Dem Unknown WarriorZ first came together in 2001 through Foster’s NowFaith International Ministries. They came up with the group name when a fan called them (Christ’s war riors, who aren’t concerned about receiving recognition for their good deeds. Their imorthodox approach isn’t always a hit. TOth distinctive baggy clothing, long shiny chains and Foster’s mouth full of gold teeth, the group mem bers are often mistaken for thugs. After group member Greg ’I^jlor posted a performance of their song ‘Walls Down” on the Internet video shar ing site YouTibe in June, their single' received over 23,500 hits—and mostly negative reviews. Some viewers said they couldn’t bear to watch the entire video after a scene where one person hops off the pulpit, while the entire crowd dances frantically Church News The deadline for calendar aimouncements is noon on Fridays. Fax yom- annormcements to (704) 342-2160 or e-mail your annormcement to cheiis.lrodges('tliechai'lottepost.com. Please put ■‘chiu'cli news” in tlie subject fine. Ongoing We Empower' Women For Life At Women of Tire Harvest Bible Study Wednesdays at 6 p.m, at 6636. Suite L Hickory Grove Business Park. •Steele (Ci-eek AME Zion (Clrmxh, 1500 Shop- o ton Road, will have noon day Bible study finm 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. •Join Scouting at Steele Creek AME Zion Chiuxh, 1500 Shopton Road. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop meetings are held each Wednesday ni^t at 6:30 p. m. Call 704-523- 6552 to i-egister or to obtain additional infor mation. January 7 New Beginnings Fellowship Church will hold its initial woi'ship at 11 a.m. The church is located at 800 West Hill St. in the Cedar Hill Building on the fifth floor. Bible study begins Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. January 13 The University of 'Itennessee at Martin choral ensembles and the clarinet choir will perfomr a concert of diverse, engaging and exdtii^ music as they tom' throughout the Southeastern Coastal region of the United States. Selections finm the pr'ogr-am indude the music of Aaron Copland, WA. Mozart, Benjamin Britten, Eric Whitacre and Moses Hogan. The ensembles are led by Dr. Mark Simmons, UT Martin director of choral activi ties, and Amy Parks Simmons, UT Martin assistant professor of woodwind studies. The UT Martin Department of M'usic has 100 students majoring in music with 13 full time faculty m^nbers. The choral aisembles tour yearly and the January tour in 2007 will take them to Myers Park Presbyterian
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