Your New Favorite Second-Bible!

Anyone who's discussed the Bible with me eventually discovers that I'm a little OCD over which English Bible translation is best.  I freaked out when I learned the NIV was being updated a couple of years ago, only to reconcile with my favorite preaching Bible in its latest embodiment, the 2011 NIV.

The LEB:  One of the Most "Literal" English Bible Translations

The difficulty with English translations is that they are translations of Scripture which was originally God-breathed, and written down in Hebrew for the Old Testament (with a bit in Aramaic), and Koine Greek for the New Testament.  Learning the original languages is the best approach to comprehending the Word of God.  When I say learning I mean total language immersion.  Learning only primary Hebrew and Greek will confuse the student, as the biblical languages are full of idiomatic expressions.  For example, When Amos 4:6 says, "I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities," this is an expression for  lack of food rather than abundance of toothpaste!

I Often Go Overboard When Comparing Translations!

If you're not able or willing to exert the effort of saturating yourself with the text and culture of biblical language, the next best thing would be using Greek/Hebrew lexicons, and multiple Bible versions. Software, such as Accordance, and websites, such as Bible Gateway are great for doing side-by-side comparisons.  You should choose at least one "word-for-word," one "thought-for thought," and a good ESL or paraphrased Bible.

A simpler version of this method involves using a parallel Bible comprised of only two translations you rely on for getting as close as you can to what the text actually says and actually means.  This is where the LEB comes in.  I recently discovered the Lexham English Bible and have already started falling in love with its literal and readable style, which makes it a great compliment to the NIV.

The goal of the LEB is stated on its translators' website:  

The LEB complements your primary translation. Its transparent design and literal rendering helps you see the text of God’s Word from another angle. Whether you use the ESV, NIV, KJV, or another popular English translation, the entire translation process of the LEB helps you identify difficult texts, idiomatic phrases, grammatical issues, and more. The result? A better understanding of the Bible in English—whatever translation you use. 

So, the LEB strives to be a more literal, or "word-for-word" translation.  Now literal doesn't always mean most accurate.  A translation that conveys the meaning of a word or phrase can be just as helpful as simply copying the exact words over into English.  Such literal copying can actually loose original idioms from Hebrew and Greek.  Having said that, having a translation such as the LEB puts the reader closer to those original languages without having to learn them.

My only drawback so far is that there is not a module of the LEB available for my favorite Bible study software: Accordance.  This is maybe because their competitor, Logos, produced the LEB.

On a good note, the LEB is very flexible and free.  I found ePub, PDF, and other formats available for download at no charge!  I also love the way the translators bracket words and phrases that were translated from Hebrew or Greek idioms.  They translate them into intelligible English, but share the original idiom in the footnotes.  For example, in Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, "Follow me..."  The LEB footnote reveals the literal words used were, "Come behind me..." which comprises an idiom for "follow me."

I recommend you give this new translation a try as a side-by-side Bible to your current favorite!  You might supprise yourself and keep using it!

Note on idioms:  An idiom in a language is a group of words which are taken to mean something that's not obvious from the individual words.  In English you might say, "let the cat out of the bag," which means to reveal a secret, although it sounds as though it has nothing to do with that meaning.

In The Beginning

Sombrero Galaxy.  Image from the Wikimedia Commons.

Preparing to go into the New Year, I went to the beginning of the book:  Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

The ancient Mid East myths told people's ideas of how the world came to be. Usually one of the gods fought and defeated some monster or animal that represented chaos. After winning the battle, he put things in order and finally earned the right to be "king" of the other gods. 

In this statement from Genesis we see the ancient myths gone.  There are no gods battling in the making of the unformed earth.  Polytheism and nature religions have been replaced with the revelation of the Lord of History.  He doesn't fight His way out of chaos. He simply utters Royal decrees which make existence and order from nothing and continue to maintain such order.  In the beginning we see only God:  Creating, yet He Himself uncreated.  Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

He is the first cause.  We can rejoice that there was someone before everyone and everything else.  We can rejoice that this infinite consciousness, God, designed and created everything, including us.  Since we're designed, our lives have purpose.  

We are not the product of mythological creatures or random anomalies, but the offspring of the Creator Himself. Before there was time He planned blessing for us in this life and eternal joy in His presence.  Even now He searches for those who will worship Him in Spirit and truth, reaching into His perfect love, peace and joy! 

What are you putting first and foremost as you go into 2013?  Sunday starts each week as a reminder to give God preeminence.  Making God first in your life makes what's left so much better. I've even noticed that giving Him the "first fruit" of my income has the effect of aligning the rest of it under His care. 

Enter 2013 knowing your life was designed with a purpose. You can find your own meaning by turning back to your Creator and glorifying Him!  That's Good News for a New Year!

Christian Pinterest

Just thought I'd jot some of my first impressions of Pinterest.  It's been around a while.  I recently checked it out.  What added dimension can Christians bring to Pinterest?  Here are a few off the top of my head:

1.  Expression

Visual art has been intertwined with our faith ever since early believers scratched the acronym ichthys (fish) and its image on the walls of catacombs.  Pinterest is a great way to share the fruit of 2,000 years of such expression.  It's not bad for original material either.

2.  Encouragement

What I've seen of "Christian Pinterest" so far have been Scripture or inspirational quotes.  Sometimes, due to the information overload of social media, I experience no reaction to such posts.  But occasionally something clicks and one simple statement will encourage and inspire me throughout the day!

3. Truth

More than expression, Pinterest can be an outlet for truth.  The truth of the Gospel doesn't substitute for the love of the Gospel.  But with wisdom and tact, believers can give their friends and contacts thought-provoking points in their posts.

4.  Community

You can set up group boards for youth, ladies, men and other church groups to stay in contact with each other.  In addition to the above suggestions, you can post announcements, invitations, or even scriptures related to a particular season (Advent, for example) to your group board.

5.  Joy

Or, you could just go with the flow, create a zany board with a silly name, post fun stuff to it and enjoy!  As Christians, I think we're supposed to have a certain amount of joy.  :-)

Power Verses

Today Lighthouse Christian Center is preparing to launch something new and exciting for us:  Power Verses!  During 2013, we'll be memorizing passages of Scripture each week.  My background with the Bible started in Christian education.  My parents sent me to a Baptist school that believed in the importance of hiding God's Word in your heart.  I learned the Christmas story from Luke and a few Psalms among other passages.

As a young man, the Holy Spirit stirred a desire in me to meditate on God's Word.  I would carry a note card with a few verses on it when I cleaned or did chores.  I memorized the Sermon on the Mount while vacuuming the foyer at church.  Older and a little wiser, I'd probably say don't do something like that if you're getting paid to do something else!

I went through another period of intense Scripture memory just a few months before I found out that Lighthouse Christian Center was without a pastor - God knew what he was doing in my life, even when I didn't!  Lately, I just want to fall back in love with God's Word and take as many people with me! If you're interested you can click this link to find out more.  Let me leave you with 7 reasons for memorizing Scripture...

Why Memorize Scripture?

1.  Memorizing Scripture Allows you to meditate on the Word of God, all the time.  

Psalm 1:2  ...but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Meditation on the Word of God leads to deeper insight and wisdom.  If you’re going to meditate on God’s Word day and night some of it needs to be in your mind.

2.  Memorizing Scripture increases faith.  

Romans 10:17 (NASB) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

This can happen when you’re going over and listening to the memorized Word in your mind.

3.  Memorizing Scripture Shapes your world view.  

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Would you like to be able to have the heart of God on any given matter?  Would you like to have the thoughts and attitudes of God on today's issues?  Memorizing and consequently meditating on God’s Word can manifest, and put to use the mind of Christ that’s in you!

4.  Memorizing Scripture makes God’s Word more readily accessible when overcoming temptation and fighting the enemy.  

Matthew 4:10a Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written...”
Jesus gave Satan the Word - an unstoppable force!  You don’t argue with the devil.  You give him the Word and forcefully invite him to leave!

5. Memorizing Scripture makes God’s Word available when comforting and encouraging others.

Romans 15:4  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

6.  Memorizing Scripture gives access to the truth when presenting the Gospel to others.

John 17:17b  Your word is truth.

7.  Memorizing Scripture teaches me the language that Jesus speaks.  

John 15:7  If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

If you want to learn a foreign language memorize the Word.  It’s foreign to anything this world has to offer!  He speaks to me from His Word.  I speak to him through prayer.  And if my prayer is Word-based, then how can I not pray in his perfect will?

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ (www.biblica.com)

Scripture marked NASB, take from the New American Standard Bible^®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Google Apps Update

Just an update from Google.  I've been using Google Apps for a while, and I'm glad I still get to use it free for a while!  This was in my inbox last night:

"Here's some important news about Google Apps—but don't worry, there's no need for you to take any action. We just want you to know that we're making a change to the packages we offer."

"Starting today, we're no longer accepting new sign-ups for the free version of Google Apps (the version you're currently using). Because you're already a customer, this change has no impact on your service, and you can continue to use Google Apps for free."

I hope the free package I use continues to be free!  One of my favorite Google Apps is Drive (formerly, Google Docs).  I can compose text, presentations, spreadsheets etc. and share them anywhere I can get internet.  I've also been the guy at the office who can open almost any document - by uploading it to Google Drive. Hope to keep Googling for a while!