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 saw an article earlier today about the Tour de France winner, Geraint Thomas, and didn't really care enough to read and write up a blog about it. The Tour de France just isn't my thing. But then I saw this article and, well, rooting for the underdog is kind of my jam, so I decided to take a look. Wow is this guy impressive.
The Tour de France is a 2,082-mile bicycle race, which includes traversing 26 mountains and 13.5 miles of rickety cobblestones. You have to qualify for 21 separate stages, during which something like 15-20% of all race competitors are ultimately culled by withdrawing or being sent home by race officials for falling too far outside each day's stage-winning time. At first, it might not seem like a notable event to have a guy finish dead last in 145th position... until you know the story of what happened to him at the very beginning of the race.
On the very first day of the competition, a skittering water bottle sent his bike tumbling and Lawson crashed out, fracturing his shoulder blade. He was determined to keep going and, after being medically cleared insisted on continuing with the race even though doctors warned it would be extremely painful to continue. And he proceeded to spend the next 21 days on his bike, riding up and down mountains, and over those 13.5 miles of rickety cobblestone streets. With a fractured shoulder blade. While continuing to qualify his time every. single. day. despite three stops a day for medical aid and chiropractic sessions.
His goal was to donate $100 for every stage he completed to the velodrome in Houston where he first got into cycling. His story caught on with so many people that strangers took to donating and well and helped him raise over $225,000 for the track. Because of his tenacity, he also became the first American to win the "Lanterne Rouge," the recognition given for being the rider in last place. He's also believed to have set a record for being the rider with the longest time in that position during the race.
Interestingly, Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas has a unique sense of sympathy for Craddock... in 2014, Thomas also crashed on the first day and fractured his pelvis... and also manged to finish the race.
I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I could even finish a 2,000+ mile bike ride at all, let alone a timed one with a fractured bone aching the whole way. These guys are tough!
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