Today we're looking at Deborah, the encourager of manhood. But before we look at the life of Deborah, you've probably seen church bulletin announcements that didn't receive a proper proofread. As a result, they said something that they surely didn't mean. Let me read a few examples of these church announcement bloopers:

"The peace-making meeting scheduled for today had been cancelled due to a conflict."

"The sermon for this morning is Jesus walks on water. The sermon tonight: searching for Jesus."

"This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn sing across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin." (They dropped the "g," as in "come prepared to sing.")

"Women's Bible study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All women are invited to lunch after the B.S. is done."

"Women, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands."

Of course husbands are actually worth a lot, not just around the house but in the world. God created men as the head and authority to cover women. He called women to come alongside to encourage and help as they also bring the purposes of God on the earth. Together men and women reflect the image of God. They are both important as they live interdependently, inextricably linked in carrying out God's plan. Just as a human body needs both head and heart, we need both men and women. As Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in his own image … male and female he created them."

Now having said this, how does a woman encourage a man to be all that he should be? Deborah was prophetess, a wife, a leader, and one-person Supreme Court Justice. But at the same time she encouraged manhood, even from her high position. ...

David Anderson is senior and founding pastor of Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, Maryland.