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Making Do
0 Comments | Submitted: 03/16/2009 12:07 PM
This is a tough economic time, and many folks here in the church and in our community are looking for ways to save money, lower bills, and get better deals for the things you buy.
In these tough times, you might hear an occasional suggestion just to pray. If you have faith, everything will fall in place. Prayer is good in times like these, to hear the voice of God in your life, to be centered in Christ's peace amidst the storms of the world. But faith is not just prayer - faith is action. Even as we rest in our belief and trust in our God, our faith should urge us to be making changes, helping others in need, and sowing seeds of hope.
Believe it or not, there are things we can do to help get by when the money is tight. The first and foremost is to recycle, not just our newspapers and aluminum cans, but those dusty things in our closets. Rather than go out and buy something new, can we use something we already have? Another option might be to borrow from a neighbor. Maybe we have something they can borrow that will help them save a little bit of money, gas, or time. Relying on each other is very simple stuff that goes all the way back to Acts 2, the early church. We've been doing this during our Lenten series at church, bringing back good ol' fashioned potlucks. It's a lot of fun to see all the various dishes that folks bring and share in each other's creations. And money cannot buy such a great meal too!
If you are planning a family outing, look for free events and activities in your area. There are free art galleries, museums, and parks. On certain days, some museums even offer free admission. Yunkyong and I will probably be visiting the Dallas Museum of Art on the first Tuesday evening next month, since it's free to get in on that day (normally $10 for adults).
The people at Lifehacker.com posted a recent article which lists 10 ways to haggle better prices and services in these times. Check out the article for tips to lower your rent, bills, and purchases - http://lifehacker.com/5167700/top-10-tips-for-talking-your-way-into-a-better-deal
Even as we pray, let's act with hope and courage in this difficult time. God is faithful, so let us too be faithful.
- Rev. Nathan
Which Bible translation is right for me?
0 Comments | Submitted: 03/10/2009 06:11 PM
Just this past week, I was asked by one of our churchgoers - which bible translation should I get? There are too many to choose from! What's the difference?
We Disciples aren't particularly picky about translations. You will find a variety of opinions and ideas on which translations are good and useful. Some folks will prefer the classic King James Version (KJV). Others will like the newer and academic New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). And still, there are other options out there.
I grew up using a variety of bibles. I received a New International Version (NIV) when I was baptized. I still like that bible a lot. I also had a kid's bible which was something like the Good News version. In seminary, I was required to get a NRSV bible for study and exegesis. I was also given a New King James Bible by my parents one Christmas. I tend to use all of them, and more recently, I've even branched out and begun using the Message and a lesser known called "the word on the street".
I am no expert on translations, but I do know that basically there are two kinds - actual translations and paraphrases. Actual translations try to base their text off of the oldest manuscripts they can find. So, they go back to the Greek, Hebrew, and Latin texts that archaeologists and scholars have preserved or discovered over the centuries. It's not an easy task, since some manuscripts contradict one another. Other manuscripts are only preserved in fragments.
Paraphrases on the other hand start with existing translations and attempt to modify the language in certain ways. Perhaps they make it modern sounding or easier to read. Perhaps they modify some words for a particular theological slant. Paraphrases can be helpful at times - or reveal the paraphraser's intentions.
Here at East Dallas Christian Church, we use the NRSV in our pews as it tends to be a very well-researched and middle of the road translation. But I do see and hear a variety of other translations or paraphrases in use. I like to use the Message in sermons from time to time, since it has a real interesting way of putting scripture.
The best bet is for you to try a couple of different ones and find one that you are comfortable with. Here are some resources to help you learn more about the different translations and their pros and cons:
http://www.kencollins.com/bible-t2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_bible#Bible_versions_and_translations
By the way, you can find lots of great resources online to read and search the Bible. Websites like bible.oremus.org (NRSV) or biblegateway.com let you see texts in a variety of translations. You can also download excellent free bible software for your computer that lets you store some versions of the bible on your desktop. Check out the SWORD project. My favorite right now is the YouVersion bible for the iPhone or iPod Touch, developed by the guys at LifeChurch.tv, available for free in the iTunes App Store. Check it out here.
Blessings on your study,
- Rev. Nathan
Note: Updated all the links - they were broken for some reason.
Christ in Our Midst
0 Comments | Submitted: 03/05/2009 11:03 AM
Our Lenten series started off well last night. I was so thankful to see around 50 folks gathered together with curious hearts and open spirits. The potluck dinner was fantastic. Ann's meatloaf was as good as I heard it was. Our worship time was meaningful and prayerful. And Rev. Deb got us started on our journey of discovering our spiritual gifts.
When you pull an event like this together, there are really many talents and abilities that are needed to make it happen. We need to have musicians with an eager heart, willing to stand up in front of folks and teach new songs. We need folks to make meatloaf and delicious dishes, sharing from their pantry and their favorite recipes. We need table decorators and organizers and custodians. We need folks who love to greet one another, say hi to visitors, and welcome new and old friends. We need pastors and teachers to do research and lead us in reflection.
But most of all, we need folks who are open to growing and open to discovering that God meets us where we are.
It was moving last night, during our prayer and sharing time, to see how many of us were just thirsty for a little moment in our day to connect with one another about what we are concerned about in our lives. As I watched the room, I could see plenty of smiles and laughter. I could hear concerns for good friends who face difficult obstacles. And I even saw a few tears flow. It was a special, simple moment. On the surface, there was nothing really special about it - we were just human beings, gathered around tables. But the good news is that Christ was present in our very midst, touching lives and drawing us together.
I can't wait for next Wednesday.
- Rev. Nathan
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