40 Acts - Share, Pray, Like

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (NLT)

I am a Social Media Scroll.

Don’t get me wrong; I didn’t say troll, the type who takes to twitter to harass and abuse (nor the small pink-haired plastic toy). An SMS is someone who spends time scrolling through timelines with no purpose, eyes glazed over, with about as much interest as a vegan at McDonald’s. Facebook is merely an extended photo album and Twitter an opportunity to catch the latest headlines and top hashtags. I only read the first few lines of a blog post and even 140 characters often pushes my reading limit (don’t even get me started on the ‘continue reading’ button).

To be honest, most of the time I simply haven’t got anything witty, intelligent or groundbreaking to say. And, when the world seems to be heading to hell in a hashtag, I don’t even know how to respond. However, I often forget that I have a much greater weapon than any tweet or blog post. I have the most powerful weapon in any arsenal, the weapon of prayer.

Which leads me to today’s challenge, to pray for your news feed.

Here’s the idea: as you scroll, don’t simply like, favourite, moan or troll. Stop and engage with the situation in a powerful way; pray.

There have been many debates as to whether engagement on social media makes any difference, whether endless memes and charity hashtags actually change the world. But one thing we know for certain; prayer works. And this isn’t just voicing stuff for our own benefit, a therapeutic announcement to get stuff of our chest. Jesus tells us that when we pray, God answers (Matthew 7:7); Paul says that Jesus himself sits on the right hand of the Father, nudging him on our behalf (Romans 8:34).

So why not give it a go? Pray as news breaks, as people moan; pray for the lovers and pray for the haters, the scrollers and the trollers; pray for your friends and pray for your enemies; pray when stuff makes you happy, sad, grumpy and mad. Don’t tweet without thinking, but (in the words of the prayerful apostle) pray without ceasing.

Sam Gibb

To see today's web page - Click HERE

Lost with translations?

Sunday's Old Testament reading caused some interesting discussions regarding Leah (Laban's daughter) and her eyes (Genesis 29.17) because the NRSV - which is used by many churches as the standard volume of the Bible told those gathered that her eyes were 'lovely' BUT those who use other versions were left with the impression that she was in possession of dodgy eyesight!

As requested - I have compiled a list of thirty-eight Bible versions - six of which go with 'lovely, nice or attractive' whilst the rest all point to something else and point to the challenge of different translations and their take on things.

Many of the translations look back to the King James Version as their starting point - seeking to move forward from this start point and put the Bible into contemporary language and, using 'modern' linguistic tools,  change words translated incorrectly.

There are (as I recall) three main types of translation available to us: At one end of the spectrum we have the free translations (like the most excellent Message) whilst at the other we have the literal translations (English Standard Version, New American Standard Version to name but two) with the dynamic version (one of which is the New International Version) acting as the fulcrum.

1. Literal translation. Seeks to maintain exact words and phrases of original using modern style and grammar (including the King James - which fits the bill for time it was written!).
   Not always the easiest but most accurate of the translations.
2. Dynamic equivalent translation. Seeks to keep timelines and facts with modern writing style and grammar. Trade off between accuracy and readability.
3. Free translation or Paraphrase). Keeps the stories but modifies way they're told to give gist rather than 'word for word' or 'close enough' realities of the other two.
   Eminently readable, but rather loose - but you get the idea of what story/history/stuff is about.

Each translation has its strengths and weaknesses - Reading level is a good consideration, so here's some of the translations grouped by type and reading levels to help you compare (and perhaps select for yourself):

FREE TRANSLATIONS

The Message (MSG): Leah had nice eyes
The Living Bible (TLB): Leah had lovely eyes

DYNAMIC EQUIVALENT TRANSLATIONS

Contemporary English Bible (CEB): Leah had delicate eyes
Good News Bible (GNB): And Leah was tender eyed
New Living Translation (NLT): There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes
New Jerusalem Bible (NJB): Leah had lovely eyes
Revised English Bible (REB):Leah's eyes were weak
New International Version (NIV): Leah had weak eyes
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB): Leah had ordinary eyes
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV): Leah’s eyes were lovely

LITERAL TRANSLATIONS

New American Bible (NAB): Leah had lovely eyes

English Standard Version (ESV): Leah's eyes were weak
Revised Standard Version (RSV):  Leah’s eyes were weak
New King James Version (NKJV): Leah’s eyes were delicate
Amplified Bible (AMP): Leah’s eyes were weak and dull looking
New American Standard Bible (NASB): And Leah’s eyes were weak
King James Version (KJV): Leah was tender eyed


So it's simple: Don't rely on just one translation of the Bible!

I try to take one of the free and one or two from the other types of translation when I consider the passage before me to ensure that I have a good grasp of what's on offer and the accuracy and tenor of the words before me.

I hope this is of some help

Pax


And if you're having fun - here's some more to consider:
ASV:And Leah's eyes were tender.
CJB: Le’ah’s eyes were weak
CEV: Leah was older than Rachel, but her eyes didn’t sparkle
DARBY: And the eyes of Leah were tender
DRA: But Lia was blear eyed
ERV: Leah’s eyes were gentle
ESVUK: Leah's eyes were weak
EXB: Leah had ·weak eyes [frail/tender eyes;  likely means unattractive]
GW: Leah had attractive eyes
GNT: Leah had lovely eyes
HCSB: Leah had ordinary eyes
JUB: Leah was tender eyed
KJ21:Leah was tender eyed
AKJV: Leah was tender eyed
LEB: Now the eyes of Leah were dull
NOG: Leah had attractive eyes
NABRE: Leah had dull eyes
NCV: Leah had weak eyes,
NET: Leah’s eyes were tender
NIRV: Leah had weak eyes
NLV: Leah’s eyes were weak
OJB: Leah had weak eyes
VOICE: There was no brightness to Leah’s eyes
WEB: Leah’s eyes were weak
WYC: but Leah was bleary-eyed,

Blue Sky Thought - Reading

Many years ago, sitting on an interview panel with someone who was obviously running through a well prepared scripted set of responses I notices that their interests on the CV went something like: walking, music, Reading . . .

So I asked them what they found interesting about the County Town of Berkshire. Lost for words for a few seconds (the first time) and unable to correct me they then wittered on for a couple of minutes about the place. Cruel, I know, but we saw the real person. Then asked about books and they admitted they'd been told to put it there by the agency who had done the initial trawl (along with the coaching on the 'best' responses).

So with that in mind here's a bit of thinking about reading:

Answering the 'What do we do about Education?' Question

Following on from, and regarding, the OECD education survey I have already found myself being asked what we should do about the literacy and numeracy results issue and so, because I'm a helpful sort, here's my thinking:

First thing to do: Get churches to encourage their members to become parent or community governors in their local schools and get them to start making a difference to their local education community in a positive and supportive way.

Next Step:  Encourage our church members to get involved in supporting the teaching staff and engaging with the pupils. There are many primary schools out there who are crying out for volunteers to come in and help then every day with reading with children and many other support roles. We are crying our for them and the money is just not there, especially in UPA, Estate Churches and other 'needy' areas - but this is generally true for most schools regardless of where they are.

And Then:  We get involved with the politics of the piece and this is where we make our faith something real because at the end of the day being Christian means nothing if it isn't out there and getting down and dirty with the world and it's needs. Faith without works (there's that James again) is hollow and empty and unless we're active and engaged and 'being the difference' (and that means reconciling creation to God through the Son) then we might as well go shopping on a Sunday.

Join a political party (there's not enough Christians in them) and go to public meetings (Tamworth residents - 16th October - get your tickets for 'Question Time' event now!) and take every opportunity to be engaged with the things that make your town tick.

The Kingdom of God, especially as envisaged by Paul is very much like the Roman Empire. If you were a citizen of Rome then it was your first duty to ensure that Rome prospered and when the Empire was under threat, there you were supporting it, defending it, revising and refining it. This is what we are called to do - to be citizens of the Christian Empire and from this comes a people who will seek to serve those around it, even when they are not full citizens (ask me about the Cives Romani and 'being fully Christian' some time).

But that'll do for now. Please go and read the OECD report here and start your journey of engaging with our children's education and the future of our nation.

Edukation - By Gove we're in trubble!

On a day when an OECD* study puts our sixteen to twenty-four year olds somewhere very near to the bottom when it comes to literacy and numeracy. Now before we deal with the claims that it isn't a legacy from Labour and some sloping shoulders from Gove, the man who has done little to help education since he took over from another equally woeful incumbent, lets celebrate the fact that we are placed :

22/24 for Litteracy and a much betterer 21/24 for maffematics!

For a nation that gave the world some of its greatest literature and brightest stars in mathematics and science this is nothing but a disgrace and a national shame.

What worries me more is the reality that once other factors are taken into account the reality is that the wrinklies are better than the you - an indicator that the old standards where Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (the three 'Rs') took the front row, might just be the telling issue here. Perhaps we need to buy books rather than show the video (and I kid you not - one of our children watched a film in class rather than read a classic because it meant they didn't need the books - 'God help us all.' cried Tiny Ted).

So tonight we find something like 9 million adult with the numeracy skills of a ten year old and that's apparently a year older than the majority's reading ability.

Skills Minister, Matthew Hancock had this to say:

'This shocking report shows England has some of the least literate and numerate young adults in the developed world!'

 Of course Hancock then went on to try and pass the blame onto Labour - no surprise there then :-) - just as their chap stood up and pointed to the better grades and pass marks under labour (what's that Sooty, they lowered them? Surely not ;-)  )

Let's have a look at where we are on the better of the two tables (Numeracy) and see if there are any surprises or things to celebrate:

Netherlands
Finland
Japan
Flanders (Belgium)
South Korea
Austria
Estonia
Sweden
Czech Republic
Slovak Republic
Germany
Denmark
Norway
Australia
Poland
Canada
Cyprus
Northern Ireland
France
Ireland
England
Spain
Italy
United States

Source: OECD* Survey of Adult Skills 2013

Well we're above the Americans but then again anything less would be the end of the world as I know it - but of course, only just!

The time has come for those of us with children to engage with their education and redress the woeful experiences that so many of our children are having. Labour might forget Lord Adonis' Academies and look to the ConDemn Coalition - but the reality is that none have clean hands here and whilst grades are tinkered with and teachers are taken from teaching to grade manipulation exercises (and modular education is not all bad by the way - the manipulation of grades by clever selection and re-sit is the problem that needs resolving) and a dumbing down of what they're teaching (Snell's law, Kirchhoff and the like - remember them anyone?). Perhaps we all need to watch that prophetic film 'Idiocracy'

Can I encourage people to take a look at the report (not just the spinning reports from whatever press source or bloke on the train is available) and then press for change - do it as parents, citizen's and as Church - for we need to stand to make education something that maximises the abilities and potential of our children - it's about that, not potential earnings, isn't it?

Come on people - make a noise and make a stand for our children's sakes.

*Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 

The report can be found here

Daily Office - Aug 22

Psalm 113
Alleluia.
Give praise, you servants of the Lord, O praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God, that has his throne so high,
yet humbles himself to behold the things of heaven and earth?
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ashes,
To set them with princes, with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a place in the house
and makes her a joyful mother of children.
Alleluia.

Psalm 115
Not to us, Lord, not to us,
but to your name give the glory,
for the sake of your loving mercy and truth.
Why should the nations say,
‘Where is now their God?’

As for our God, he is in heaven;
he does whatever he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak;
eyes have they, but cannot see;
They have ears, but cannot hear;
noses have they, but cannot smell;
They have hands, but cannot feel;
feet have they, but cannot walk;
not a whisper do they make from their throats.
Those who make them shall become like them
and so will all who put their trust in them.
But you, Israel, put your trust in the Lord;
he is their help and their shield.
House of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
he is their help and their shield.
You that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
he is their help and their shield.
The Lord has been mindful of us and he will bless us;
may he bless the house of Israel;
may he bless the house of Aaron;
May he bless those who fear the Lord, both small and great together.
May the Lord increase you more and more, you and your children after you.
May you be blest by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.

The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
but the earth he has entrusted to his children.
The dead do not praise the Lord,
nor those gone down into silence;
But we will bless the Lord,
from this time forth for evermore.
Alleluia.

Proverbs 20.1-22
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler,
   and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
The dread anger of a king is like the growling of a lion;
   anyone who provokes him to anger forfeits life itself.
It is honourable to refrain from strife,
   but every fool is quick to quarrel.
The lazy person does not plough in season;
   harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.
The purposes in the human mind are like deep water,
   but the intelligent will draw them out.
Many proclaim themselves loyal,
   but who can find one worthy of trust?
The righteous walk in integrity—
   happy are the children who follow them!
A king who sits on the throne of judgement
   winnows all evil with his eyes.
Who can say, ‘I have made my heart clean;
   I am pure from my sin’?
Diverse weights and diverse measures
   are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
Even children make themselves known by their acts,
   by whether what they do is pure and right.
The hearing ear and the seeing eye—
   the Lord has made them both.
Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty;
   open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.
‘Bad, bad’, says the buyer,
   then goes away and boasts.
There is gold, and abundance of costly stones;
   but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
Take the garment of one who has given surety for a stranger;
   seize the pledge given as surety for foreigners.
Bread gained by deceit is sweet,
   but afterwards the mouth will be full of gravel.
Plans are established by taking advice;
   wage war by following wise guidance.
A gossip reveals secrets;
   therefore do not associate with a babbler.
If you curse father or mother,
   your lamp will go out in utter darkness.
An estate quickly acquired in the beginning
   will not be blessed in the end.
Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’;
   wait for the Lord, and he will help you.

Mark 7.24-30
From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ But she answered him, ‘Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ Then he said to her, ‘For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.’ So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

The Collect
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things
      which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Shack - is it really theology?

Working on the premise that wee can do our theological thinking using any book I have to add the caveat that whilst ALL and ANY book can challenge and shape my theology this does not make them 'theological'!

A brief conversation with someone who is studying theologically left me rather confused as they regarded the aforementioned tome as an authoritative theological voice on the Trinity. This for me was on a par with the 'darkness' offerings of Frank Peretti being regarded in the same light regarding Angelology.

Please don't think I'm knocking the books or the writers, I'm not. I can honestly say that having read them and enjoyed them to varying degrees my concern is that those who would consider themselves as students of that Queen of all sciences (Aquinus' term - not mine - Schleiermacher's too!) 'Theology' are in possession of such thinking.

More concern-making perhaps is the fact that the person on the other side of the conversation also thought that the 'Left behind' series was 'great theology' and a wonderful way to teach about the end times, after all (and I quote): 'It's easier to understand than revelation, isn't it?' 

It certainly is, but it is not the authority some might confer upon it!

I am becoming increasing aware that I am moving towards a similar position as that occupied by that wonderfully visceral and curmudgeonly old goat, and namesake, Victor Meldrew when I say:
'I don't believe it - and I wish you wouldn't either!' Perhaps it's increasing old age taking effect - but hopefully it's an increasing desire to see people shape, share and apply stuff that sits well with the Bible.

Mind you, gut feelings apart, I am struggling to think that there are people who see angels sitting around the church building giving demons the bird and members of the Holy Trinity as characters like Mr McHenry, zipping around sans tricycle!

Stimulation and analogous writings are great because they give us different ways of looking at things. Fiction can, as I have said, shape, inform and bring about responses in us, but we need to keep a weather eye on how far we let them take us - after all, those who take the King's shilling and  seek to serve Him in the ministry have a personal and a pastoral concern to be concerned over.

The Shack? It's a book - let's not lose sight of that?

Pax