Out of the boat

Ward Gasque, a founding member of the faculty of Regent College, is English Ministries Pastor of Richmond Chinese Alliance Church in British Columbia, Canada.

He also runs Koinos Seminars (‘Good Theology Doesn’t Just Happen’), part of the KOINOS Certificate in Christian Foundations. The goal of the certificate is to make the essential tools of serious biblical and theological study available to busy adults. more info here

He wrote an article on September 19, 2008 entitled: The Multiplication of Bibles and the Decrease of Bible Knowledge.

I have thought this same thing quite frequently… though, probably not as in-depth as Ward has written. Myself, I have 3 Bibles: a NIV Study Bible, a NCV Daily Bible and a NLT Read though the Bible in a Year Bible!

Ward mentions a Gallup poll in 2000 where people were asked to name the Gospels and less than half  couldn’t name one! Asked for the 10 commandments and only 42% could name 5! I started to sweat a bit when I tried to list the 10 Commandments myself, and didn’t get very far… Ward is right, becuase we own so many Bibles, many of us think we are better informed than our ancestors, when the opposite is true.

Ward has his reasons for this decline in Bible knowledge:

1. The influence of TV (I would also add the Internet to this)
2. The decline of expository preaching in favor of relational preaching.
3. The decline of both the Sunday evening service and adult Bible classes.
4. Small groups ‘Bible study’ has very little ‘study’
5. The deluge of contemporary translations and editions.

Read the full article here

PANTONE® 14-0848 Mimosa

“The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation.”Best illustrated by the abundant flowers of the Mimosa tree and the sparkle of the brilliantly hued cocktail, the 2009 color of the year represents the hopeful and radiant characteristics associated with the color yellow. Mimosa is a versatile shade that coordinates with any other color, has appeal for men and women, and translates to both fashion and interiors. Look for women’s accessories, home furnishings, active sportswear and men’s ties and shirts in this vibrant hue.”

Pantone Selects Color of the Year for 2009

Vision: Winter 2008

I’ve been getting the quarterly journal Vision for the last year or so–I really like the design and layout, and I enjoy the content. It examines today’s issues using the Bible as its source for truth. Here’s a paragraph from the About Vision page on their website (you’ll also find this statement in every printed journal):

But, like every other information or news source, we do have a certain bent. Vision.org brings insight into the complex social, moral and philosophical questions that confront society by examining them through the wisdom of an ancient source, the Bible. We believe that the principles contained in that book are still valid and can be applied to help solve the global, national and personal conflicts we face. But we do not proselytize, nor do we seek to convert anyone to any denomination or religious belief. Our only goal is to reestablish the Bible as a credible voice in the discussion of ideas.

Finally found a template I liked, did a few tweaks and decided to rename the blog at the same time. Why well… I’ve realized in the last few months of doing this that:

1. blogging is time consuming
2. it causes you to think a lot
3. I want it to be more than just about work and fundraising and philanthropy
4. I want this to be personal and all encompassing

That said, I was really struggling to find a name or title that reflected what I was wanting to do with this whole blogging thing. I wanted a name that reflected my walk with Christ and motivated me to live my life surrendered to Him – so I don’t sink back into familiar safe places and try to do ‘it’ on my own, or with my own knowledge, skill and strength.

Out of the boat – stretching, being challenged, growing, out of my comfort zone, trying to follow Jesus wherever he leads, relying on Him

Awesome little passive-agressive way to show people how to google for themselves Let me google that for you