A little Glitch with the Hero 10/26/2009
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This weekend my Hero alarm went off an hour later than it should have, like it went off daylight savings time one week early. But it was only the time on the lock screen, not the big clock display. Even more strangely, this morning the large clock display changed to be one hour early.
I had tried resetting the time, based on location. No success. The Sprint rep tried several things. Solution? At the Sprint store they finally did a soft reset (remove battery and restart). It worked. So, now I am happy again.
HTC Hero – Sprint 10/23/2009
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I had been using the Palm Centro for over two years. But alas, trying to upgrade the device software was a no-go, unless I paid for it. My decision was made for me. Having enjoyed the Palm, I had considered both the Palm Pre and the soon-to-be released Palm Pixie as the most likely replacement phone.
When I went to the Sprint store, the sales rep showed me the Palm Pre, but mentioned they had just gotten the HTC Hero in (released just a few days earlier). I picked it up and was instantly drawn to it. It was lighter than the Centro and the Pre. Within 15 minutes I was sold.
Positive Items:
Several things stood out: the time display is readable; that was a complaint I had about the Centro! I like the current weather conditions just below the time. And it really did feel comfortable in my hand. The more I held it, the better it was to hold.
As for using it, it took me a few days (including travel, learning on the go) to become familiar with what did what and how. Once I had the basics learned, it has become almost second nature, in only one week.
The touch screen is more responsive than the Centro was. That had taken me a while to get used to the smaller keyboard of the Centro. So I was a little concerned with a virtual keyboard. The virtual keys in normal position allow more room than the Centro physical pad. But when turning it sideways, the keys seemed to have more than enough space! Very nice.
The size is just right for me. The screen (3.2 in) is bigger, better quality than I was used to on the Centro, and while slightly smaller than the iPhone, I don’t notice because i have never even held an iPhone.
I have not begun to explore the applications. Setup for email was instantaneous (I already had a gmail account), which made it even easier.
Slightly negative comments:
Using the Voicemail application is fine, but does not seem to work with bluetooth devices. I checked at the Sprint store yesterday and confirmed that was true. I use Bluetooth 98% of the time. Nuts
Voice dialer application is a good asset, but there are a few sound combinations (in names) that the application just cannot get right. Even with the shortcut on the main screen, for those combinations it is faster to use the People application and search. One name I had to change the first name to make it more distinct, which now works. Sigh
I was told that it will synch with Macs as well as Windows computers. After getting it home and exploring, such is not the case. I am looking forward to the Missing Synch app to be released next week to allow me to synch with my MacBook Pro.
Overall Impression:
Since I picked up the phone only seven days ago, I offer only a preliminary evaluation. This phone is just right for my needs; I am glad I got the Hero. It is a step up from the Centro, and it has me wanting to learn more of its capabilities. The feel of the phone is winner. The screen is bright and easy to navigate; the touch/feel for navigation is sensitive. That took a little getting used to, but it is now almost second nature.
I’m not sure about the battery life; I am on the phone 5-7 hours every day. So it is often plugged in at my desk or in the car to ensure that I won’t be left without phone capability. I know that when I check email, etc. The battery power drains much faster. I understand that HTC/Sprint will issue a firmware update soon to correct that.
Good job, HTC and Sprint. You made my work environment much, much better with this phone!
The people of God… today 10/05/2009
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Between prep for travel and now on the road for 15 days, it makes it hard to blog.
Visiting congregations is very rewarding. People in smaller congregations can feel overlooked, forgotten, ignored. By visiting them on-site, preaching, and teaching, and allowing questions, we can bring a small amount of assurance to them. They are not forgotten. There are no unimportant congregations. They have a critical role in presenting Jesus Christ to the world around them. God has placed them in that spot for this exact time.
Yesterday, I preached on Psalm 122:1 “I rejoiced with those who said: ‘Let us go up to the house of the LORD.’” What joy the believers in the OT had when journeying together to offer sacrifices, but more importantly to receive the forgiveness of sins. Even the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8 highlights the forgiveness of sins as crucial to God’s dwelling presence with his people.
May God continue to bless his people, in congregations, large or small. May they rejoice when they are invited to go to the house of the LORD.
Ephesians 6:8 in ESV 09/08/2009
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This is not a huge translation problem but illustrates an awkward expression.
Eph. 6:8 “… knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
So what is the problem? The last phrase, “whether he is a slave or free.” Notice that the first major word after the verb is a noun “slave,” reinforced with the indefinite article (“a”), but combined with the next word it comes across as an adjective. The parallel word, after “or,” is “free,” normally used as an adjective. But it doesn’t seem to fit that role here. In other words, in English the two words should be parallel, which can be done in two ways:
whether he is a slave or free person (NJB)
whether (he is) slave or free (NAS95, HCSB, NAB, REB, NET)
Some translations follow the second option, but change from 3rd person singular to 2nd person plural:
whether (you are) slave or free (NIV, TNIV)
Further, some translations keep the noun/adjective combination but switches to 1st person plural:
whether (we are) slaves or free (NRSV, NLT-se)
GW brings out the parallel structure (of nouns) but also changes the referent to 1st person plural
whether we’re slaves or free people.
I found this awkward translation while reading in family devotions. So, in the final analysis, not a major issue, but it does illustrate the critical function of orally reading the translation.
I miss Grandpa 09/04/2009
Posted by exegete77 in Personal Reflection.2 comments
I miss Grandpa. Well, technically he was my step-grandfather, being my grandmother’s second husband. But they had already been married for many years long before I was born. He was the only Grandpa I really knew. Last month would have been his 105th birthday; he died in 1985. Every year I reflect on this simple, yet strong, good-hearted man. And I miss him.
He always had time to take my brothers and me fishing, summer or winter. He worked swing shift at the iron mines, yet he seemed ready to fish at the drop of a hat. I have several photos of our fishing adventures. He made sure we had a chance to pull them in, even if a struggle for us.
One time on opening weekend of fishing season, he took us fishing. He left my brother and me on the small inlet while he parked the car. Being an eager young fisherman, I cast out into the shallow water. Before the car was parked, I had a five pound bass. In my great pride I ran down the gravel road to Grandpa wanting to show my trophy. One look and Grandpa whispered as loud as he could “Throw it in the trunk!!” “Why, Grandpa?” He only said louder, “Throw it in the trunk!” It wasn’t until we got back home that I realized that bass season didn’t start until two weeks later; Grandpa didn’t want to let go of the trophy!
Ice fishing was another adventure. He didn’t believe in fish houses. No, he carried a hand auger to get a small hole in the ice, then we had to strain ice out of it every 5-10 minutes. One time we caught a fish that was bigger than the hole. That really bothered Grandpa. “Hell’s bells!” was the extent of his foul language and reserved for the most dire circumstances. This was one of those times. I miss Grandpa.
For a short while in the mid 1950’s they lived in a small trailer house about a half block from the railroad tracks. I still have vivid memories of that time: his distinctive cough in the middle of the night, the sound of the railroad activity, and the smell of tobacco. Not long after that he gave up cigarettes. They had bought property and were getting ready to build a house. As he had done for so many others through the years, he was right there building the house from the basement up. At least this time he didn’t need the team of horses to dig out the basement.
In 1955 he took my older brother and me to a professional wrestling event in a little town west of us. What an eye opener for a young kid! What a most exciting place to be! And we even saw women wrestlers. Grandpa loved pro wrestling, even in his old age. As he watched on TV, he would sit in a straight-back chair with his hands clamped on the seat by his sides. Soon he would be twisting and grunting and groaning with the wrestlers, but his hands never left the seat! I miss Grandpa.
When I was younger, Grandpa seemed a little grumpy or gruff, not in a negative way though. As the years rolled by, I understood that he really wasn’t grumpy and certainly not with us. He didn’t always know how to show love, but he was a very loving man. After he retired and arthritis began to take its toll on what he could and could not do, I occasionally saw the tears of pain. And when our own children came along, he wasn’t afraid to show emotion with them and us. I have learned to be more open with my own grandkids.
During this last decade as my mother wrote her autobiography I learned a lot more about my Grandpa. My respect for him has grown considerably. He had endured a lot, yet remained steady, faithful, and dependable. And he never complained.
Now, as we have five grandchildren, I realize how much he taught me about life, and especially about being a grandpa. With one major difference: growing up, we lived six miles from my Grandpa and saw him many times during the week. But now, our grandchildren live more than a 1,000 miles away. What a blessing it was to have Grandpa that close to us; at the time we took it for granted. I’m sorry we did. I miss Grandpa.
My middle name carries on his legacy. I miss Grandpa!
ESV 2 Cor. 9:5 09/01/2009
Posted by exegete77 in Biblical technical terms, New Testament, Translations.add a comment
One of my concerns over the years has been accurate Bible translations, which are also functional within a liturgical environment with all that such requirements entail. Thus, contrary to many who post about Bible translations, I am not necessarily opposed to “biblish” in an English translation. These are English words or phrases that are derived from other languages, Hebrew, Greek and Latin, and which retain a similar structure or syntax of the original language. But even more important, with biblish words there is a continuity with the faith expression within the church, and learning the faith includes learning some of these key terms in the context of liturgy and faith development.
On the other hand, if a translation uses a word that is not natural English nor does it reflect the church’s liturgical language (not biblish), then the translation has missed the goal on both counts. The ESV translators struggled to maintain the language continuity with the KJV tradition, an admirable goal. But it also includes terms and phrases that fail miserably in both areas. This passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians illustrates the use of a word that fails in several ways.
2 Corinthians 9:5
So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction.
How often is the word “exaction” used in natural English? Seldom, if ever. Is this a biblish example? It is not, because it carries no church or liturgical weight.
The problem is compounded because if a person does not know the word but tries to get the meaning from the root, “exact” the person will likely consider it related to how accurate something is (For instance, “Is it exactly 12 inches long?”).
Finally, from an oral perspective, the ESV rendering fails; the word does not sound right when spoken. In fact, it was when I read this text during our nightly devotions last night that I noticed how awkward this word is.
So, what’s the solution? Each of these has acceptable wording:
TNIV/NLT: not as one grudgingly given.
NRSV/HCSB/REB:/NAB and not as an extortion.
GW: and it won’t be something you’re forced to do.
NET: and not as something you feel forced to do
NJB: and not an imposition.
NAS95: and not affected by covetousness.
The NAS95 is probably the least likely of these alternatives, but still better than ESV. This is one example of where the ESV should have updated the RSV translation.
NLT Study Bible – Update 08/20/2009
Posted by exegete77 in Translations.2 comments
A few weeks ago I was asked to fill in at a Bible study on Philippians. At the time I didn’t have access to my normal library at home. But the NLT Study Bible was still handy. So I thought this might be an appropriate “test” of the Study Bible, to see whether I could get enough information on the one section to feed my thinking process about how to teach it.
Sadly, the NLT Study Bible just didn’t make the cut for this purpose. I was looking at 2:19-30. At least the general footnote for 2:19-24 included the references to Paul’s first missionary journey. But the three of the next four footnotes were not all that helpful:
2:23 What is going to happen to me here possibly refers to the outcome of Paul’s trial.
2:24 Paul had confidence that he would soon be freed from prison and be able to visit the Philippians (see 1:19, 25-26).
2:27 Epaphroditus’s recovery from a nearly fatal illness is attributed to God’s mercy, both on Epaphroditus and on Paul, who was already suffering in prison.
None of these footnotes add anything to what a cursory reading of the text itself would provide.
So, this is disappointing to find almost no additional insights through the study helps in the NLT Study Bible.
An invitation and faulty memory 08/17/2009
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John 6:24-35
This text begins the great slide from the pinnacle of Jesus’ popularity to the pits, from the acclamation of the crowds who were fed (6:24) and wanted to make him king (6:14) to the disciples who refused to be fed with true bread (6:66). A little bread filled their stomachs, but the true bread from heaven was not welcomed.
Like the Israelites of old (Exodus 16), they couldn’t see what God was doing in their midst. Those Israelites complained for centuries about the oppression in Egypt, yet wanted to go back there as soon as they had to depend on God for food. While they complained against Moses and Aaron, their real complaint was against God.
So, in John 6, the people idolized Moses but only in their patch work memory. Had they lived during Moses’ time, they would have joined the complainers. Instead, now with Jesus they wanted someone like Moses to appear who could give them bread once again, just like the good old days. God would once again succumb to their demands, or so they thought.
In the process these followers in John 6 could not accept the gift (“the Son of Man will give to you”) of food, but were piqued in their interest in “working the works of God.” Now that was something they could handle. “Just tell us how to work the works of God, Jesus!” So Jesus said: “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Notice how that invitation is ignored. Instead, they demand (another!) sign from Jesus, different than the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-13).
How often have we followed that path? Jesus invites us to believe him, yet we want something more, more for us to do, and more for Jesus to prove that he is worth it. Am I more willing to live in light of the past, and rest on my laurels as a Christian? Or is God speaking through his word today, to me? Is he inviting me once again “to labor for the food that endures to eternal life” (6:27)?
When Jesus responds to the demands for a sign, like the sign of bread in the wilderness, he opens for them the understanding that it wasn’t Moses, but God who provided. And if they open their eyes now, it is Jesus himself who is the true bread who gives of himself so that they might have eternal life. It seems they get the invitation, for in 6:34 they respond: “Lord, give us this bread always.” But as noted in 6:36, they do not believe in Jesus, therefore they cannot have the gift of eternal life. But Jesus continues to extend the invitation, “will you also go away (or will you believe in me)” 6:67.
Jesus had compassion on them 07/30/2009
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For the Gospel reading this coming Sunday (Lutheran Worship pericopes), we find Jesus demonstrating that he is indeed the shepherd who would accomplish the Father’s will. In this pericope (Mark 6:30-34), Mark uses this word (ἐσπλαγχνίσθη “he had compassion”), and it always catches my attention. Throughout the Gospels, it is used only of God or Jesus (or in the case of a parable, the one who represents Jesus). For Mark’s Gospel it appears four times, each with a slightly different context.
Mark 1:41 when Jesus heals the people
Mark 6:34 when Jesus teaches the people
Mark 8:2 when Jesus feeds the people
Mark 9:22 request for compassion, after which Jesus casts out the demons
These four incidents show the fuller nature of Jesus’ compassion, identifying the problem and need of the people, then addressing it as part of his ministry. The disruption of Genesis 3 affected all aspects of life as God intended. Jesus’ compassion marks his life and ministry as he fulfills all that the Father desired from eternity to correct the affects of sin.
Jesus had compassion on them… and us!
Who really deserves the Honest Scrap Award? 07/28/2009
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Who really deserves the Honest Scrap Award? I have been tagged by Kevin Sam . Since I was on the road this past week I just saw his post. I’m supposed to tell you 10 HONEST things about myself and then nominate 7 other blogs that I think deserve to receive the Honest Scrap Award.
Here goes my ten honest things about myself:
1. My wife and I have moved 27 times.
2. I have been in two house fires, the first in 1952 and the second in 1998.
3. I have been a math teacher in high school and college, Naval Intelligence Officer, analyst for a Fortune 100 company, pastor, and president of a seminary.
4. I have driven a Honda or Toyota since 1988, and a Volvo for 10 years prior to that.
5. I have a passion for teaching the Scriptures.
6. My current position has me on the road about 50% of the time.
7. I have played guitar for 48 years.
8. Been a dedicated Mac user since 1990, but my introduction to computers was in college, 1968, when I took a programming class in Fortran IV on an IBM 360 with the card-readers.
9. I love ethnic foods: Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Indian (not too hot!!), BBQ, German, Irish, etc.
10. Of all the places most interesting to visit was Hong Kong in 1975.
So, my tags: Kevin Sam, Amy, Nick Norelli, Sarah Bereza, well, for me that’s probably all I can find (except those who have been tagged prior to this).
