Doctor dies from crash injuries
From staff reports
A Hickory doctor has died and a Tar Heel Baptist layman is expected to be hospitalized for weeks from injuries they received in a plane crash May 12. ... (read the story)

Little-known biblical figure spawns bestseller
By Yvonne Betowt
Religion News Service
The Prayer of Jabez: "And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.' So God granted him what he requested." ... (read the story)

Stone to be nominated for SBC office
Baptist Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Ted Stone, a longtime crusader against alcohol and drug abuse, will be nominated for first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) during the June 12-13 annual meeting in New Orleans. ... (read the story)

Wiggins takes time off from Campbell
From staff reports
Campbell University President Norman Wiggins is taking a six-month sabbatical from the university. ... (read the story)

Opinion
Alabama's gain
By Tony W. Cartledge
BR Editor
Imagine that Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski announced that he was leaving to coach at Auburn - or that Dean Smith, at the height of his career, had left the University of North Carolina for Alabama. ... (read the story)

Beating the system
By Tony W. Cartledge
BR Editor
I first noticed her in Fort Lauderdale, when a bent little lady talked the Midway gate agent into letting her on the plane first because she was old and frail. She then straightened up and strode onto the plane while carrying two bags and pulling another. On the plane, I watched her climb onto the seat and hoist her luggage (one piece more than normally allowed) into the overhead compartment. ... (read the story)

Other Voices
A 'strong' church or just 'fat'?
By Jim Royston
BSC Executive Director-treasurer
We were treated during our regular May staff meeting at the Baptist Building to a presentation on church giving by nationally-known stewardship experts, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle. The Ronsvalles, who have for several decades studied trends in church giving and mission support, shared some exciting, challenging and even depressing information about where we (your church and denomination) may be headed stewardship-wise in the decade to come. ... (read the story)

No wonder they call it the 'Web'
By Tim Wilkins
Cross Ministries
Of the more than 40,000 species of spiders, most of them spin webs in which to trap their prey. The Internet can just as easily immobilize the user, entangling him or her in a web. ... (read the story)

Sunday School
Family Bible Study lesson for June 3: Devoted to the King
By Catherine Painter
Matthew 21:1-17
The first day on the job," Jeremy recounted, "the men invited me to lunch. They stopped at a topless bar. I declined and waited in the car. Afterward, I became 'goody-goody' and the butt of their jokes." ... (read the story)

Family Bible Study lesson for June 10: Signs of the End
By Catherine Painter
Mark 13:1-37
Inviting Jack's parents to accompany us on a monthlong tour of the United States accentuated the difference a generation makes. In San Francisco we loved the cable cars, steep hills, flowers, street musicians - a truly romantic city! Later walking to Fisherman's Wharf we saw gay couples, openly affectionate, a few wearing make-up, even high-heeled shoes. This was 1973, during the hippie movement. ... (read the story)

Formations lesson for June 3: Soul Freedom
By F. Calvin Parker
Matthew 10:16-23
"The truth will make you free." I was pleased to find this saying displayed on a wall in Japan's National Diet Library, which is modeled after our Library of Congress. The words appear in the original Greek (John 8:32) and in Japanese translation. But the source is not indicated, and library patrons who read this famous quotation may not know that it comes from Jesus. They may take it to mean that book learning frees us from ignorance and enables us to attain the best in life. This is not what Jesus meant. ... (read the story)

Formations lesson for June 10: Religious Freedom
By F. Calvin Parker
Matthew 22:15-22
The "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations is a comprehensive statement of our rights and freedoms as human beings. Article 18 is especially significant for today's lesson: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." ... (read the story)

Tar Heel Voices
Page the best person for BSC presidency
I am thrilled that Dr. Charles Page will be nominated as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. There is no finer, more qualified, dedicated person in North Carolina than Dr. Page. I hope moderates and conservatives will vote for him simply because he is the best person for the task. He is a pastor, teacher, scholar, friend and a sound Baptist. There is no reason for further nominations for this office or the other two offices. ... (read the story)

Struck by ministry needs of South Africa
Recent articles in the Biblical Recorder have highlighted the special financial needs of our South African brothers and sisters in Christ. ... (read the story)

Week of study and fellowship planned
The Week of Christian Study and Fellowship at Mars Hill College July 2-6 will celebrate 101 years of study for ministers and laypeople. This is a great opportunity for Christians to come together to study the Bible, fellowship with other church leaders and explore the cultural and recreational activities of our N.C. mountains in a loving atmosphere. ... (read the story)

Youth
Equipping high school seniors for the 'real world'
By Jodi Mathews
Baptist Center for Ethics
It is the day students dream about from the first day of high school - graduation. For many, the thought of what lies beyond high school and even youth group stirs questions and concerns about what it takes to survive "out there." ... (read the story)