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?
Song: "Cherry Pie" Artist: Warrant Album: Cherry Pie
Today's guilty pleasure selection also qualifies as a one-hit wonder. "Cherry Pie" by Warrant was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and listed as VH1's 56th best hard rock song of all time. The song was reportedly written in fifteen minutes on the back of a pizza box, and put on the album at the urging of the label rather than the band.
Many of the band members feel that the song is not one of their better songs, but are now faced with the reality that, regardless of their personal feelings, the song ended up being their biggest and pretty much only hit. After this album, Warrant hasn't had a song place higher than a brief stint at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, and hasn't had an album even reach the Billboard charts since 1992's gold-certified Dog Eat Dog. The band is still together today, albeit having gone through some lineup changes (most notably resulting from former lead-singer Jani Lane's death in 2011 from alcohol poisoning). The band toured with Firehouse and Trixter in 2012 to celebrate the twenty-first anniversary of this song's release.
I haven't listened in years, but the Kevin and Bean morning show on LA's KROQ radio station used to make frequent reference to this song as the perfect song selection for a stripper. I have to admit, I don't think they're wrong... it's totally a great stripper song. Late 80s/early 90s glam rock was a fun period of music history, and Warrant certainly made their mark with this catchy and energetic song. I listen to this song frequently; at least a couple of times a year I'll add it to an iTunes playlist and sing along on the drive to work for a couple weeks.
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