Today these United States of America celebrate 250 years of sovereign union. The founders wondered immediately how long the union might hold, and the union has certainly been severely tested. With 50 states and millions of people and various climes and challenges, it is a wobbly thing. But here we stand, 250 years old. “God bless America land that I love” When I think … [Read more...] about 250
250
Forgotten Prayers
An old prayer I came across. Briefly jotted in a journal. I had forgotten about the prayer, a simple prayer for my child, from 12 years ago. Seeing the prayer staring back at me, still there, reminded me that the Lord had no more forgotten this prayer than my journal had. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? … [Read more...] about Forgotten Prayers
What Christmas Says
I threw myself my own little, personal Christmas party the other day. The family was around the house, but each person was settled into some activity of their own. So I retreated to the quiet of the dining room. We had on the dining room table a Christmas puzzle underway. Christmastime puzzle working has become a bit of a tradition for us these last few years. We get these … [Read more...] about What Christmas Says
A Case for Dynamic Equivalence?
When translating a text, is it better to translate word-for-word or thought-for-thought? The question is not so easily answered. When John Calvin translated his own book, Institutes of Christian Religion, from Latin to French, he did not translate it word-for-word. If anyone could have, it was he. But he found a literal approach did not convey the meaning of … [Read more...] about A Case for Dynamic Equivalence?
Prompt of Boredom
Cal Newport makes an interesting case for the usefulness of boredom. Newport suggests the discomfort of boredom is a good and necessary prompt, much the same way hunger is a good and necessary prompt to eat. To what is boredom prompting us? Productive work, he says. Newport frames this observation within the context of social media. He says engaging with social media … [Read more...] about Prompt of Boredom