Logocentric (adj).Regarding words and language as a fundamental expression of an external reality (especially applied as a negative term to traditional Western thought by postmodernist critics).
Sometimes I just write whatever I feel like. Other times I respond to prompts, many taken from the following places:
I have always enjoyed the longer distance running and skiing. The Marathon in Summer Olympics and the 50km Mass Start in the Winter. My wife can't understand how I can watch the same race for several hours. But they are fascinating to me. I like the Downhill Slalom, Bobsled and Luge sports. Attending a Winter Olympics remains on my bucket list.
My favorite sporting events in the Winter Olympics are the Luge, Bobsled, Figure Skating and curling. Initially, I thought I would be bored with curling but I'm not. It's fascinating how they determine each glide's angle and potential score.
When my children were younger we built them a luge course, they loved it. We were lucky that winter to have lots of snow to build up the walls and with some help with pallets that we covered with snow, it kept them and the neighborhood kids busy until it warmed up and melted. I was a lot more at ease with the luge course than I was when they decided to try arial jumps off our house roof. Never a dull moment when you live in Maine.
I am reading ESV through the Bible this time. Like you, I've explored a bunch of translations. My church uses NIV but my women's Bible study group (part of the same church) varies based on what Bible study we're doing.
Hope you enjoy the Olympics! I agree that the every four year thing makes them feel more special.
I read the New American Bible, which is a Catholic Bible. (NABRE) They include Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, which generally aren't included in other versions of the Bible. I would be curious to read an orthodox bible or the Ethiopian Bible as I hear they have differences as well.
As for the Olympics, I love the Winter Olympics. I'm just crossing my fingers I have time to watch!
In terms of the original texts the NASB has the best reputation among conservative scholars. It looks at more translations, has a sensible hierarchy of text selection and the best principles for approaching the translation task. It favors original texts when possible. The ESV and NKJV are on a similar level. The Net Bible gives the best overview of the discussions in its commentary. The NIV renders the original text to make it more readable. It is a more functional text which is why many churches use it but it is also less precise. Greek or Russian orthodox are more Septuagint orientated and there is a considerable amount of ethical or emotional rendering to the text.The disadvantage of the NASB is that it loses much of the Hebrew poetical style in its effort to be precise as this does not translate into the English
I'm very fortunate to have met some practicing and humble Christians. Truly humble people seek to serve, not attain power and influence. The actions of many Christians make me run the opposite way... as fast as I can.
In his book, Sit, Walk, Stand, Watchman Nee states: "Nothing has done greater damage to our Christian testimony than our trying to be right and demanding right of others. We become preoccupied with what is and what is not right. We ask ourselves,' Have we been justly or unjustly treated?' and we think thus to vindicate our actions. But that is not our standard. The whole question for us is one of crossbearing".
Jeff, this is an excellent book. Perhaps one for your reading list?
I think this is probably the anthem of the past year for a lot of us. It samples "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye to great effect, and it's certainly topical. Doechii originally worked on the song in 2019, but after a resurgence in 2025 on TikTok, she re-released it as an official single and I think that was a really wise choice. Anxiety is something that's pervasive in today's society, and I think this song really speaks to a lot of us.
Anxiety, keep on tryin' me
I feel it quietly
Tryin' to silence me, yeah
Anxiety, shake it off of me
Somebody's watchin' me
It's my anxiety, yeah
2025 ended up being the perfect year to release an updated version of this song; as with the first Trump Administration, there's been so much chaos and uncertainty in the world. Which is not to say that the Trump Administration is responsible for everything that's going on in the world, but they definitely embrace a theory of wielding political power that's inextricably tied to upending things and keeping people in a state of disregulation. Whether you're concerned about the political climate, social justice and civil rights, climate change, wealth inequality, international affairs, etc., there's probably something for you to feel anxious about right now, and this song definitely taps into those vibes.
My wife doesn't like listening to this song because the beat and the lyrics actually make her anxious. That's actually why I dig this so much; it's one of those songs that becomes a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy and - honestly - if that's not a true encapsulation of what anxiety feels like, then I don't know what is.
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