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?
If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are living now? If so, what would you change and why?
If I only had a year left to live, I would probably spend a lot more time focusing on making sure my family is taken care of after I'm gone. I'd probably sign up for a bunch of life insurance, make sure I'm spending as much time with them as possible rather than working so I can make as many memories as possible with them, etc. I would also probably make a more formal bucket list and try to spend time doing those things that I've always wanted to do. For me a lot of it is travel-related, but I'd also want to pick up a few skills (playing an instrument, try a bunch of different foods, etc.).
Part of me would want to work hard to get to an idealized version of myself (finally lose the extra weight I've been carrying around for years, improve my understanding of spiritual concepts, etc.), but that would be a "ten years left to live" thing. With only a year left to live, I'm not sure I'd want to put a bunch of miles on the treadmill at the gym, or stuck with my nose in a dense philosophy text when I could be spending that time with my loved ones and enjoying new experiences for as long as I possibly could.
Among things on my bucket list would be to have a book published (for which I'd most likely go the self-publishing route for the sake of expediency). I'd probably also try to make a movie of my own, even if it was a low-budget one, since I've been meaning to do that again. There are a ton of books I want to read and movies and shows I want to watch. Most importantly, though, I think I'd just want to spend as much quality time with my friends and family as possible. It would probably be lots of meals, coffees, and outings with everyone that's important to me.
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