#TheSongofDeborah part 12 by #mrfb

   If you've been reading since the beginning (think part 2 or 4), you will recognize the first repeat of a tagline. In film, each time the tagline is used, the meaning changes slightly and the theme is refined. By the end of the movie, the last tagline should bring humor, truth or a new understanding.

  This has one of my favorite scenes, where young Bennoam and Deborah talk about the birds and the bees.

EXT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - THE NEXT DAY

ISRAELITE SOLDIERS come and go, sneaking weapons and horses into a hidden cave.

Deborah stands at the mouth of the cave. A SOLDIER smiles and tips his head in recognition. She nods back. When he has gone in, she draws her cloak about herself, shudders.

Barak sneaks up, taps Deborah on the shoulder opposite of where he stands. She looks the wrong way.

Barak grins, taps her other shoulder.

   DEBORAH: Oh, Barak. Hello. I am just watching everything, marveling at it.

   BARAK: Let me show you around inside.

   DEBORAH: Must I go in?

   BARAK: I’d like you to get familiar with the layout. If trouble should come, I want you to be safe in there. I mapped out the main areas where the horses are. There’s a path to an underground spring, too. Definitely good to know.

Barak offers his arm. She takes a last look at the sun as if to say good bye, then takes his arm.

   DEBORAH: All right. I’m ready.

INT. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - EVENING

Torchlight sputters, turning stalactites into teeth and claws. The eerie WHINNY of a horse ECHOES against the stone. Shadows of men jump and bend over stony walls.

Barak unrolls a map, spreads it over a boulder. OFFICERS grimly gather about him.

Deborah, her back to the Officers, shivers in the cave entrance. She whispers to herself.

   DEBORAH: Easy, Deborah. Breathe.

She breathes through her nose to fill her lungs.

   DEBORAH: You can do this. Breathe.

   SHAMGAR (O.S.) Wake up, little girl. God has more

plans for you than this. You must live. Please, little girl. Live!

Startled by the memory of her childhood, Deborah shrinks against the cave wall. She presses her hand against her mouth.

She glances about. Barak and the men are still there. The shadows dance like before.

Barak rolls up his map, hands it to JAHZEEL. They bid each other good night and the Officers go deeper into the cave.

Barak approaches Deborah. He extends his hand. She accepts it and rises from her crouching position.

   BARAK: What is it, Deborah? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought you here.

   DEBORAH: No, no, I will be fine. (beat) I don’t know what I was expecting. One lives so long in the shadow of oppression, one might almost fear the light of freedom.

   BARAK: Do you fear the light of freedom?

   DEBORAH: Perhaps it is better said that I fear what people may do with their freedom.

   BARAK: Not to be morbid, but you can’t mother Israel forever. Some day you will have to let go and let Israel grow up. It wouldn’t be freedom if you didn’t.

   DEBORAH: You are right, of course.

They stand quietly, listening to the night sounds.

   BARAK: So what was freedom like? Back before Jabin?

   DEBORAH: When Judge SHAMGAR was alive, Israel served the LORD. There seemed to be peace and relative plenty.

   BARAK: You knew Shamgar? What was he like?

   DEBORAH: He was a man of force, intense and

a little scary. But I remember him as very kind. (beat) If it weren’t for Shamgar, I would not even be alive today. He saved my life when I was small.

   BARAK: I’m glad he did.

Barak gently touches Deborah’s shoulder. Deborah smiles briefly. He lets his hand fall back to his side.

   DEBORAH: When Shamgar died, Israel mourned, but not for long. It seems to have been Shamgar’s power, not the LORD’s, that compelled a nation to have one God.

   BARAK: That wouldn’t have been the first time in our history, would it? 

Deborah blows on her hands to warm them.
Barak lays his cloak across Deborah’s shoulders. She looks up appreciatively.

   BARAK: After Shamgar, when did you arise as a judge? 

Deborah shrugs.

   DEBORAH: Arise? You could say Shamgar got me started. People noticed I had a different way about me. Lapidoth-

   BARAK: Lapidoth?

   DEBORAH: He encouraged me. He gave me confidence even before we were wed.

   BARAK: You knew him beforehand?

   DEBORAH: I was fortunate. He and my parents arranged the union, but I met him when I was little. To my young eyes, he was already a grown up. Old.

   BARAK: How much older is he?

   DEBORAH: Fifteen years. He was married to my cousin, but she died. They were childless.

   BARAK: And you are still childless.

   DEBORAH: We had two sons, Japeth and Asa.

   BARAK: Had? I’m so sorry.

   DEBORAH: We loved them so dearly. So dearly. They died at Sisera’s command. Lapidoth feels he is at fault. He has never really forgiven himself.

   BARAK: (aside) And yet he taught me to forgive myself.

   DEBORAH: My husband is a good man, very wise

in his own way. And yet he grants me more freedom than any man in Israel would. What other man would allow his wife to be a judge?

Barak starts to say something, shuts his mouth. He swallows. Swallows again.

   BARAK: Lapidoth’s generosity has been Israel’s gain. First, he shares you with Israel. And now he shares you with me.

The setting sun casts its last rays of pink onto their faces. A tear trickles from Deborah’s eye.

Barak gently wipes it with his thumb, doesn’t remove his hand.

   BARAK: Deborah, if tonight were the last

of all we knew- 

Deborah yanks his hand away.

   DEBORAH: No, don’t! Please don’t say that.

   BARAK: What’s wrong?

   DEBORAH: It’s just- never mind.

She turns away.

Barak edges around to face her. He takes her hands in his, stands very close.

   BARAK: Deborah, tomorrow we go to war. I don’t know what awaits us. I may never see you again. I may die.
   DEBORAH: Barak, please don’t say such things.

   BARAK: I may go to my grave never knowing the love of a woman.

   DEBORAH: Barak, please don’t.

Barak shakes his head. He releases her.

   BARAK: You needn’t worry of my intentions. I dare not go to war ceremonially unclean. All I would have asked was a token, a word that I meant something to you. Something besides a civic duty. That maybe in another time or place, I could know the sweetness of your gaze for me alone.

   DEBORAH Barak, please –

Barak leans with his face and fists against the cave wall. He strikes the stone with his fist, then lets it fall.

   BARAK: If history hung on the choices made

by one man, history is flimsy indeed. But I must not risk all of history for a few moments of solace. Our people mean too much to me. My sisters mean too much to me. You mean too much to me.

Barak rubs his wrist across his eyes. He faces Deborah.

   BARAK: This may be the last night of my life, and now I go to spend it alone. Good night, Judge Deborah.

Barak turns sharply, walks out into the woods. 

   DEBORAH: Barak-

Once he is out of sight, Deborah crumples to the ground. She pulls his cloak close about herself. She WEEPS, alone in the mouth of the cave.

   DEBORAH: Don’t leave me here, Barak. I can’t stay in here. 

A FOOTSTEP startles her. It is Bennoam.

   BENNOAM: Deborah, Ma’am?

   DEBORAH: Bennoam ben Abinoam! What are you doing here?

   BENNOAM: I’m practicing being a spy.

   DEBORAH: Oh, Ben. It is too dangerous up here. Your sisters will be worried.

   BENNOAM: By now, Noah has gotten Evie to spill it. They won’t worry.

   DEBORAH: Of course they will. (beat) Well, now that you are were, we will have to put you to work tomorrow.

   BENNOAM: Yay!

   DEBORAH: (sternly) It will most decidedly not be fun.

   BENNOAM: Oh, I get it. Kitchen duty, huh?

Deborah laughs.

   DEBORAH: Or worse. Barak will decide.

   BENNOAM: Please don’t tell Barak. I don’t want him to worry. Please. 

Deborah sighs.

   DEBORAH I won’t tell him tonight at least. C’mere.

Bennoam sits next to her. She wraps Barak’s cloak about both of them.

Beat.

   BENNOAM: Why didn’t you kiss Barak just now?

   DEBORAH: A married woman doesn’t kiss other men.

   BENNOAM: I know you can’t mate, but what’s wrong with a kiss?

   DEBORAH: When you’re married, a kiss is the same as mating.

   BENNOAM: Oh. I don’t want to get married then.

   DEBORAH: You’ll know when it’s the right thing for you.

   BENNOAM: Do you and Mr. Lapidoth mate?

Beat.

   DEBORAH: It’s in the rule book.

   BENNOAM: There’s a rule book, too? Now I really don’t want to get married. Does it hurt?

   DEBORAH: Mating? No.

   BENNOAM Judge Deborah, ma’am?

   DEBORAH: Yes, Ben?

   BENNOAM: I’ve watched scorpions and grasshoppers do it. It looks gross. 

Deborah cuddles Bennoam maternally.

   DEBORAH: I suppose it is. But it’s sort of nice, too.

   BENNOAM: Gee, the things grown-ups have to look forward to. I want to stay a kid.

   DEBORAH: Know what, Ben?

   BENNOAM: What?

   DEBORAH: I want to stay a kid, too.

Bennoam snuggles sleepily against her.

   BENNOAM: I still think you should have kissed him. 

Deborah strokes Bennoam’s hair. 

She dozes, dreams of when she was small.

   SHAMGAR: (O.S.) Wake up, little girl. God has more plans for you than this. You must live. Please, little girl. Live!

   THE VOICE: (O.S.) Please, little girl. Live!

Deborah stirs.

   THE VOICE: (O.S.) Please, little Deborah. Live!

Bennoam is still nestled against her. She nods obediently to the Voice.

   DEBORAH: Yes, LORD, I will.

She nudges Bennoam. He MURMURS, yawns.

   DEBORAH: Come on, Ben, let’s get you to a

real place to sleep.

#TheSongofDeborah part 11 by #mrfb

[For the real Deborah and Barak, go to Judges 4-5 in the Old Testament and Hebrews 11 in the New Testament. It's a quick and good read.]

Outnumbered and under-armed, the Israelite fighters must face their reality. Then Barak does something bizarre: he sends men home! It is actually one of God's rules for war as found in Deuteronomy 20.

EXT. MONTAGE - EARLY MORNING
1. EVIE helps Bennoam hide in the secret compartment of the wagon.
2. ENOCH embraces his daughter Abby, mounts a horse, rides away.
3. Barak and Deborah bid farewell to their families. They ride off in the wagon.


EXT. A ROAD - EVENING
The sun sets. Atop the wagon, Barak and Deborah sway to the rhythm of the two horses’ steady trot. Barak hands the reins to Deborah.

   BARAK: Here, I need to practice.
   DEBORAH: Practice?
   BARAK: Just keep them on the road!

Barak climbs between the team, stands with one foot on each horse. He drops and rides one horse, pivots around and straddles it backward. Facing Deborah, he rises to stand with one foot on each horse.

   DEBORAH: (laughing) So that’s what you have been doing with Lapidoth!

Barak extends his hands.

   BARAK: Your turn. Come on.
   DEBORAH: Me?
   BARAK: Absolutely!

Deborah secures the reins and reaches for his hand.
While the horses press forward, Barak guides Deborah onto the rigging. Facing her, he helps her stand on one horse’s back while he steadies her in his arms.
Barak clucks to the horses. They accelerate.
Deborah wobbles but can’t fall because of Barak’s hold. She laughs with delight.

   DEBORAH: Woo hoo!

Deborah’s veil slips down and her hair blows in the wind. Barak slides a strand out of her eyes. Their eyes meet.

Barak looks away first.

They approach a wooded area. Barak turns just in time to see two mounted Canaanite SENTRIES.
Without warning, he leaps with her into the wagon.

   BARAK: Quick! Get into the hiding spot. Don’t let them see you!

The edge of Deborah’s gown catches in the horse’s tack. She tries to tear it loose.
Too late. The Sentries look in their direction and point.
Barak takes the reins.

   BARAK: Okay, just be calm. I’ll think of something. Whoa, whoa girls.

The horses slow to a trot then a walk.
Deborah adjusts her veil. The Sentries approach. Barak stops the horses.

   BARAK: Evening, gentlemen.
   SENTRY 1: What business do you have here?
   BARAK: I’m going up to Naphtali with my new wife.
   SENTRY 1: Isn’t she a little old for you?

Barak shrugs, embarrassed.

   BARAK: She is my brother’s widow. No children, so I have to take her.
   SENTRY 1: You Jews have the strangest customs.
   BARAK: One of our customs is to give wedding presents along the way.

Barak goes through a sack. He produces a silver drinking set.

   BARAK: Please, share our joy, gentlemen. If you come to Naphtali, please call upon the son of Abinoam.

The Sentries greedily take the silver.

   SENTRY 2: Maybe these Jews’ customs aren’t so strange after all.

Barak waves as they drive off.

   DEBORAH: You have done this before?

Barak LAUGHS.

   BARAK: The bribery? Yes. It may be a sin to take a bribe, but it’s not a sin to offer one.
                                                                                                                                              FADE TO:

EXT. WOODS ON TABOR - DAY
Hidden among the trees, dozens of ISRAELITES train for battle. They wrestle, run, fight with wooden swords.
JEZER and ROSH, two Naphtali soldiers, clunk wooden swords against each other. They laugh, lunge, drip sweat. Rosh trips, falls to the ground.
Jezer touches Rosh’s throat with the tip of his wooden sword.

   JEZER: Say “Uncle.”
   ROSH: Never!
   JEZER: You would if this were a real sword.

Rosh rolls onto his side.

   ROSH: Yeah, a real sword. (starts to weep) A real sword.

Jezer nudges him with his foot.

   JEZER: Come on. In the hands of a Naphtali soldier, even a toothpick is a deadly weapon.  (beat) Get up and let’s practice some more.

Nearby, Barak watches. He blinks away tears.
Barak finds a clump of MEN OF ZEBULUN. They rise to greet him.

   BARAK: Summon all the officers. Quickly.
   MAN OF ZEBULUN: Yes sir, Barak!


EXT. WOODS ON TABOR - LATER
Through the leaves, light dapples Barak and several OFFICERS including SHIMRAH, HERMES and JAHZEEL. 
A bird SINGS in short bursts. Barak listens for a moment, then speaks.

   BARAK: Before we go to battle, I hereby release certain men from this commitment.
The Officers look at each other.

   BARAK: If anyone has built a new house and has not dedicated it, send him home.

Shimrah tilts his head. Hermes, a decade older than the others, smiles.

   SHIMRAH: Sir?
   BARAK: If anyone has planted a vineyard and hasn’t yet eaten any of its fruit, send him home. (beat) If anyone has betrothed a wife and not taken her, send him home.

Hermes looks at Shimrah.

   HERMES: Shimrah, that includes you.
   SHIMRAH: But I can’t. What about the men?
   HERMES: Barak just said so. Go home to her. Make her your wife. Make her happy.

Shimrah glances at Barak.

   BARAK: Yes, Shimrah, go home to her.

Shimrah leaps forward and grabs Barak’s hand, pumping it up and down.

   SHIMRAH: Thank you, Barak!
   BARAK: It is the way of the LORD. It is my pleasure and duty to release you. Remember your brothers in your prayers. Shalom.
   SHIMRAH: I will! Thank you!

Barak dismisses the Officers. They TALK among themselves as they go.
Hermes lingers.

   BARAK: Yes, Hermes?
   HERMES: Does this mean you shall also leave?
   BARAK: Me? I'm not betrothed.
   HERMES: Perhaps not, but you are in love.

Barak shakes his head. Changes the subject.

   BARAK: Hermes. That's Greek, isn't it?
   HERMES: Yes. My grandmother was Greek.
   BARAK: Do you read it?
   HERMES: Read Greek? Yes. Why?

Barak unties Diana’s scarf, spreads it out on a log.

   BARAK: The person who gave this to me said I might need it later. What do these figures say?

Hermes translates as he reads.

   HERMES: It says, “Between Abinoam and Jimnah.” Then it gives directions.
   BARAK: Directions? To what?
   HERMES: “To a cave, to a shield, to a spear”? I don’t quite – wait. It appears that this Abinoam and Jimnah were smuggling weapons. It says they are here on Tabor!

Barak staggers as if punched.

FLASHBACK 
   NOAH: Sisera took Daddy! Oh Barak! I saw what he did to Daddy! He kept saying, “Where are they?” He beat him and beat him! Oh Barak!

FLASH FORWARD - WOODS ON TABOR   
   HERMES: Barak? Are you okay?
   BARAK: These weapons. My father died to keep them secret. We must find them!
   HERMES: Give me three men and I shall have them for you by morning.
   BARAK: Thank you, Hermes.
   HERMES: It is my pleasure to serve under you, Barak. I have long waited for such an opportunity.

He claps Barak’s arm as he leaves.
Barak unconsciously touches his arm.

#TheSongofDeborah part 10 by #mrfb

Last week, Barak revealed the tragedy that left him orphaned and scarred. Lapidoth has almost started to open up emotionally. Will Lapidoth finally be able to reconnect with his wife the night before they go to war?
Meanwhile, Bennoam plots his own adventure and Jael and Heber try to make sense of Sisera's new orders.

EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - EVENING

Lapidoth meets Deborah at the fire pit. She stirs a giant pot of soup. He removes his head covering and kisses Deborah’s cheek.

Deborah ladles soup for him and herself. Lapidoth says a short prayer and they drink quietly.

Lapidoth clears his throat.

   LAPIDOTH: Barak leaves in two days. It will ensure we have a day to be ceremonially clean before we battle.

Deborah spills soup over the edge of her cup, burns her hand. She sucks on the blister.

   DEBORAH: What battle?

   LAPIDOTH: I shall lead Ephraim into Hazor the day after tomorrow. 

Deborah spills soup again.

   DEBORAH: What?

   LAPIDOTH: While the whole of Sisera’s army gathers in Zaanaim, Hazor is unprotected. We’ll assault Hazor from the south.

   DEBORAH: You agreed to do this?

   LAPIDOTH: I volunteered.

   DEBORAH: If you were to fight at all, I thought you would go with me, up to Tabor with Barak.

   LAPIDOTH: Barak said this effort is

essential.

   DEBORAH: I hope you realize what you are doing.

Lapidoth looks at her until she looks away. He sets aside his cup.

   LAPIDOTH I am offering him my life, what is left of it.

   DEBORAH: What are you talking about?

Lapidoth SIGHS heavily.

   LAPIDOTH: Dearest Deborah, when our boys died, I died, too. I lost our business, I lost our home. I can’t even make love to you. All I do is sit out there and watch sheep. Yet, somehow, you managed to find the peace that eluded me. My life ended, but yours seemed to begin.

   DEBORAH: Lapi, I- 

Lapidoth waves his hand.

   LAPIDOTH: At first, I was angry. I knew you loved our boys, but doubt grew. I was happy to see you heal, but I faded under your success. Your beauty, your anointing, mocked everything I did, mocked everything I was. Your calling was so clear, so defined, while I stumbled in darkness.

   DEBORAH: I never meant to outshine you. I-

   LAPIDOTH: Please. I am trying to ask your forgiveness. I deeply regret that I have not given you the passion you deserve.

   DEBORAH: There is more to life than passion.

   LAPIDOTH: But you deserve more. You’ve wasted your beauty and your youth on me. I just want you to know that if there were another man, I’d understand if-

Deborah leaps to her feet.

   DEBORAH: How dare you! How could you think so little of me?

   LAPIDOTH: I would understand, that’s all.

A tear runs down Deborah’s cheek.

   DEBORAH: Of all the men in Israel, you have given me more freedom than any woman could desire. I dare not ask for more. I beg you: do not grant me permission to be unfaithful.

Deborah dries her eyes, stirs the soup.

   DEBORAH: You haven’t explained why you will fight Hazor. 

Lapidoth stares into the fire. Looks up.

   LAPIDOTH: Deborah, I want my life to be more than a sentence in history. I want to be more than just Deborah’s husband. I want my life to count for something. There has to be more than a mediocre shepherd in this weary frame. There has to be. I have to believe that somewhere inside me is a warrior who will fight for his friends.

Lapidoth slaps limply at his leg.

LAPIDOTH: That little punk might be the best thing that ever happened to me. After you, I mean. When I look at Barak, I see our boys. I see what might have been. I shouldn’t, but I do. I love him as if he were my own son. He makes me want to live again. And if living means dying, that is what I will do. Deborah, I can’t let Barak do this alone. I can’t let Sisera kill anyone else’s sons.

Deborah takes Lapidoth’s hand.

   DEBORAH: Japeth and Asa knew you loved them.

   LAPIDOTH: Did they?

   DEBORAH: It was Sisera who murdered them, not you. Not you! You sinned neither before me nor before God. That is how I have peace. Please, dear Lapidoth, find your peace.

Deborah kisses his cheek, the corner of his mouth, his mouth. Lapidoth slips his fingers between their faces, turns away.

                                                   FADE TO:


EXT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - MORNING

Inside the tent, Deborah, Lapidoth and Barak speak in muffled voices.

Behind the tent, Bennoam furtively stuffs bread into a sack. Evie sneaks up on him.

   EVIE: Gotcha! 

Bennoam startles. He grins.

   BENNOAM: Evie! Wow, you scared me. Good one!

   EVIE: Ben, if you are running away,

you’ll need water, too. 

Evie hands Bennoam a water skin.

   BENNOAM: I’m not running away.

   EVIE: Come on, Ben. You’ve been sneaking stuff for the last two days. What gives?

   BENNOAM: Nothing.

   EVIE: Bennoam ben Abinoam, you are

planning to stow away in the cargo going to Mount Tabor.

   BENNOAM: Am not! And don’t tell on me.

   EVIE: You’ll have to pay me to cover for you.

   BENNOAM: All right, name your price.

Evie taps her lips with her fingers as she thinks.

   EVIE: My chores. For a month.

INT. THE SMITHY - DAY

Heber, his arm in a sling, leans against the door jam. He watches Jael hammering.

   HEBER: You just get more and more beautiful.

He kisses her cheek.

   JAEL: I’m glad that you are feeling better. I was scared. I was so scared.

They kiss passionately. Jael lets her hammer fall to the floor.

                                                   FADE TO:


I/E. THE SMITHY - LATER

Heber ties his belt one-handed. Jael straightens her hair and dress. She busies herself at the fire.

Outside, sound of horses, JINGLING harnesses, CREAKING of wheels.

   HEBER: It’s Jabin’s men.

   JAEL: I wish they would just bring all those chariots here. Why do they have to relocate you?

   HEBER: Secrecy. News of aging chariots might boost Israel’s morale too much. Besides, I won’t be going all the way to Hazor. Just far enough to keep the problem chariots out of sight. There I can teach Jabin’s men how to repair them on their own.

   JAEL: I suppose it is cheaper to move one human rather than nine hundred chariots.

   HEBER: You’ll need to keep up appearances.

   JAEL: Business as usual.

Heber kisses her hand. Jael smiles.

   HEBER: You sure give one terrific send-off.

   JAEL: Just make sure you come back. I’ll keep the fire going for you.

Heber goes out to meet MASHKET and ZEKRUPH who have dismounted from an iron chariot.

   HEBER Ah, gentlemen. I shall gather my things. Please, allow us to water your magnificent horses.

As the men wait, Jael pours a bucket of fresh water into a trough. The horses drink noisily.

Heber uses his free hand to toss a satchel into the chariot. Something catches his attention at the base of Mount Tabor.

In the distance, an ISRAELITE SCOUT creeps into the woods. Heber silently gets into the chariot.

On Tanning Part 2

   I'm not a veteran tanner by any means. Even so, here are answers to questions you didn't know you had until you were locked in that mysterious tube.
   I didn't know you can open your eyes when you have the goggles on. During my first tanning session, I kept thinking of the Scorpions album cover, the one with the forks.
I recommend ear plugs. They blocks out other tanners' music and reduce the noise of the cooling fans to a less bothersome thrum.
   I prefer standing while tanning. It might not be as relaxing, but it does provide more coverage and you can move around a little more freely. Shucks, it's only for 8 minutes, less time than that between the the snooze button and the alarm.
   On my 4th visit, I sensed a "don't let this happen to you" warning. The attendant, otherwise quite pretty, was over tanned. I don't think one's lips and chin shouldn't be the same color - at least not in 2014.
   By my 4th visit, I knew the routine. Goggles on, earplugs in, I went into my tube. I dared to peek through the dark lenses. My bare legs looked pretty cool in tinted ultraviolet. I then shut my eyes again. I could hear my mom's famous words, the words she said when I went to a ninth grade birthday party (one of the parents was a local policeman), the words she said when I flew across the country with my new husband, the words she said when I told her I got myself a scooter:
"Just be careful, dear."
   In the warm artificial breeze, squinting my eyes shut under those goggles, I thought my mom would be pleased. She may never admit it, but I think she enjoys knowing her daughter is embarking on these mini-adventures. Sometimes I think she would be right there with me, in her own tube.

On Structure, Freedom and Excellence in Worship

          As a Christian in America, whether you GUBA (Grew up Born Again), swung from the chandeliers with the best of the Pentecostals or only recently discovered that they play ROCK in many churches, you have probably witnessed some form of corporate worship. In my faith walk, I GUBA in a Baptist church, attended a Nazarene church in college and later moved in Pentecostal circles. Because I have been privileged to play with some exceptional worship teams during most of my adult life, I often ponder corporate worship in its many forms.

            When I was a filled-with-the-Holy-Spirit-speaking-in-tongues-and-moving-in-the-gifts newbie, I was determined that everyone should be as wild and free as I had become. I was in nursing school and couldn't wait to empty the hospital, healing wherever I went. When I went to church, I brought the party with me.

            Then something happened. I started to care, not about what people thought, but whether my demonstrative affection for God interfered with the experiences of others. Ecclesiastes 3 comes to mind.

             I can't say I took a hard look at my worship style, but I did look at it. It took a few years of searching, experience and bible study to come to my current conclusion of structure, freedom and excellence in worship.

           Pentecostals need not fear reasons for well structured worship. Congregational demographics present one practical reason for structure. Structure also provides a format for accountability. Third, by knowing what to expect, congregants will experience a level of comfort, allowing many to be released in worship.

            The argument for freedom is also compelling. To me, worship is at its yummiest when we’re jamming and preferring one another as we play. I love when we minister music that was never before written or sung. Fresh, new and wild: I love it!

            My conclusion, at first, was that excellence is where structure and freedom meet. That sounds good, but it isn't entirely true. Excellence is glorifying God, regardless of the situation. Whether I have only two bars of written score or a half hour solo, I need to be ready to pour out God's heart to His people. If the music leader nods to me, I play my violin for all its worth. If my violin just doesn't work on a piece, I submit to the leader's direction (and try to keep a good attitude about it).

            What shall I conclude? Excellence is submitting to the leader (and therefore to God) in structure while submitting to God's heart in freedom.

#TheSongofDeborah part 9 by #mrfb

Last week, we learned that Israel had an ally in Jabin's court. This week, we find out how Barak got those awful scars.

If you're curious, the reference to the men being ceremonially clean comes from Leviticus 15:16-18.

EXT. FIELD IN EPHRAIM - MORNING

   Lapidoth and Barak practice on chariots. They ride hard, turn tight circles, change speeds, race. Barak lines his chariot up with Lapidoth’s, secures the reins so the horses keep galloping, hurls himself into Lapidoth’s chariot. Lapidoth momentarily loses control of his horses. The chariot careens on one wheel until Barak musters control. 

   They hit a rock, tossing Barak out of the chariot.

   LAUGHING the whole while, Barak tumbles to a stop. Lapidoth brings the chariot around, slows his horses.

   Barak runs, leaps into Lapidoth’s chariot once more. They wrestle for the reins.

LAPIDOTH: Oh, no! Look!

   Barak looks. His team of horses runs out of control, overturning and dragging the chariot.

   When Barak sees it and falters, Lapidoth catches Barak in a half Nelson.

BARAK: Hey, ow! Okay, okay. You win. Lemme go.

   Lapidoth releases his hold on Barak. He urges his team up to the frightened horses. Barak hops off the chariot.

   Using his horses and chariot, Lapidoth herds Barak’s horses so that they must pass by Barak.

   Barak misses on the first try. On the second, he grabs the harness and swings onto a horse. He coaxes the mare into a stop. Dismounts.

   Together, Barak and Lapidoth right the chariot. They wipe sweaty brows and catch their breaths.

LAPIDOTH: You are quite the horseman, Barak.

BARAK: Thanks. It’s been a while.

LAPIDOTH: What happened to make you stop?

BARAK: Sisera. And my own irresponsibility.

I/E. FLASHBACK - ABINOAM’S STABLE - NIGHT

   Barak, a teenager, quietly hitches his father’s horses to a chariot and sneaks off. Half a mile away, his FRIENDS meet him.

   The boys joy ride and race chariots under the moonlight. Barak is the best among them, performing dangerous stunts while he drives.

   Suddenly, FRIEND 1 yells.

FRIEND 1: Fire! Over there!

   Rising smoke darkens the moon. Arrows shower them. The Friends flee.

   Barak drives madly through the darkness, arrows hissing past him. He sees his house engulfed in flames. He jumps off the chariot, runs into the fire.

BARAK: Mother! Father! Ben!

   He pulls six year old BENNOAM out from under a table, grabs his sister NAOMI.

BARAK: Naomi! Where’s Noah? Ben! Where are the girls?

   Bennoam is too frightened to speak. Barak bodily throws his brother out through a window. Naomi climbs out after him.

BARAK: Naomi! Take Ben! Run to the chariot! Stay there! 

   Barak finds Evie unconscious. Mesha holds her hand.

MESHA: Evie! Wake up!

Mesha can barely stand. Barak slings Evie over his shoulder.

BARAK: Mesha, hurry! Run out to the chariot! 

   Mesha staggers outside.

   NOAH sits motionless under a table next to their MOTHER’s body.

BARAK: Noah!

NOAH: Is she dead?

BARAK: Of course not! Help me!

   Barak, still carrying Evie, tugs their Mother by the arm. Noah comes to, takes her mother’s other arm.

BARAK: Wait! Take Evie. Here.

   He helps Noah shoulder Evie. Noah stumbles out the door.

   The fire licks closer to his Mother. Barak turns the table onto its side to protect her. He pulls her toward the door.

   At the door, Noah takes her mother’s arms, gets her through.

NOAH: I’ve got her! Now get out of there!

BARAK: Where’s Sarah?

NOAH: Oh no! She’s still in there!

   Barak dives into the house. He searches madly. Flame shoots from a corner, catches Barak’s robe. He tears it off.

BARAK Sarah! Sarah!

   A COUGH. Barak stops, turns his head. COUGHING. In a corner of a closet, Sarah sucks her thumb and cries.

BARAK: Sarah, it’s me!

Sarah SHRIEKS.

BARAK: Sarah, it’s me, Barak. It’s me. It's me.

   He hugs her to himself and draws her to the door.

   A flaming timber crashes onto Barak, pins his legs to the floor.

BARAK: Sarah! Run! Grab her, Noah!

   Noah catches Sarah in her arms and thrusts her out the door. 

NOAH: Barak!

BARAK: Noah! Use the- pry it- ungh-

   Noah grabs an iron bar from the fireplace. She YELPS, drops the bar. Her hand immediately blisters. She bites her lip, takes the bar again, uses it to lift the flaming beam.

   Barak yanks his legs out. Noah helps him to his feet and they stagger through the doorway to their mother. She lies unable to move.

   Barak puts his arm around her, lifting her toward his face.

BARAK: Mother! Mother, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have gone. I’m so sorry.

   His Mother says something into his ear. He nods, kisses her. She dies.

   Barak removes his arm from behind her, gently lays her body down.

NOAH: (hysterically) Mother! Mother! 

   Barak shakes Noah’s shoulders. He yells above the fire's roar.

BARAK: Noah, where is Father?

NOAH: Sisera took Daddy! Oh Barak! I saw what he did to Daddy! He kept saying, “Where are they?” He beat him and beat him! Oh Barak!

  Barak wraps her in his arms.

BARAK: Shh, Noah. Get your sisters and Ben. We have to get out of here.

   Noah gives her Mother’s body one last embrace. She then follows Barak.

   Behind them, the house groans and collapses.

EXT. FIELD IN WILDERNESS - FLASH FORWARD 

   Barak buries his face in his hands. Lapidoth waits.

BARAK: We found my father, tortured and dead. After we buried our parents, I sold the horses, burned the chariot. No one ever blamed me. But it was my fault.

LAPIDOTH: Barak, look at me.

   Barak raises his eyes.

LAPIDOTH: Did it never occur to you? It was exactly because you were not there that you were able to save your sisters and brother.

BARAK: What?

LAPIDOTH: Make no mistake. Sisera’s men would have killed you. Had they found you, none of you would have survived. None.

   Lapidoth claps Barak’s shoulder.

LAPIDOTH: And I would have been denied the pleasure of today’s riding.

BARAK: (distantly) It was good to ride again. Thank you.

LAPIDOTH: You are welcome. I pray that soon many other men shall ride again. 

   Barak looks heavenward.

BARAK: Two hundred horses from the king’s master horsekeeper. For it to even be possible, God must be on our side.

LAPIDOTH: God is always on the side of freedom for the oppressed. When we ourselves have become free, we must remember this and never oppress.

BARAK: Indeed. (beat) Lapidoth, I plan to leave the day after tomorrow.

LAPIDOTH: So soon?

BARAK: So soon and so late. Should our horses be discovered, I want to be in Tabor before Sisera or Jabin figure out what’s going on. I also want to get Deborah there safely.

   Lapidoth winces.

LAPIDOTH: Yes.

BARAK: I want to give our men one more night with their families. Then by evening, they will be ceremonially clean for battle. (cautiously) I can keep my sisters busy so you can have time with your wife, too.

   Lapidoth suddenly laughs.

LAPIDOTH: I notice you do not promise to keep your brother busy.

BARAK: No one can promise that!

LAPIDOTH: First things first. It is time to cool down our horses.