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?
[Chorus]
Oh, I know that there'll be better days
Oh, that sunshine 'bout to come my way
May we never ever shed another tear for today
'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days
[Verse 1]
Waking up in California
But these clouds, they won't go away
Every day is like another storm, yeah
I'm just trying not to go insane
Yeah, and the city's shining so bright
So many dark nights, so many dark days
But any time I feel the paranoia
I close my eyes and I pray
[Chorus]
Oh, I know that there'll be better days
Oh, that sunshine 'bout to come my way
May we never ever shed another tear for today
'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days
[Verse 2]
Been waking up to a new year
Got the past million miles away
I been waking up with a new fear (New fear)
But I know it'll wash away
Whatever you do, don't worry 'bout me
I'm thinking 'bout you, don't worry 'bout us
'Cause in the morning everything can change, yeah
And time will tell you it does
[Chorus]
Oh, I know that there'll be better days
Oh, that sunshine 'bout to come my way
May we never ever shed another tear for today
'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days
[Bridge]
Better days (Better days)
Better days (Better days)
May we never ever shed another tear for today
'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days
[Outro]
May we never ever shed another tear for today
'Cause oh, I know that there'll be better days
I've been a fan of Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic for a number of years. I like quite a few of their songs, and Tedder is an accomplished songwriter who has written chart-topping songs for both his own projects and some of the biggest musicians in the world. I know this particular track is off their upcoming album to be released later this year and they've released a couple of singles over the past year, but this is the first opportunity I've had to really listening to some of their new stuff. Overall, I think it has the same good qualities as so many of their other songs, with a catchy melody and clever lyrics.
The theme of "better days" is one that I think we can all identify with right now, especially with so many of us practicing social distancing, self-quarantining, either home from work or out of work, etc. All of this coronavirus stuff seems to really be taking a toll on the whole country, maybe even the entire world. Like so many emails from our employers, local businesses, random vendors that we bought something from using the Square App that one time, "we've never seen anything like this." It's hard to tell where things are going to end up or even how long it's going to go on, but if one thing's for sure, it's that we've definitely seen better days before. Hopefully we will again one day soon!
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