From "Introduction to Spanish Translation" by Jack Child

'The translator has another problem...whether to make his/ her translation so pleasing and beautiful in the target language...that it begins to lose faithfulness to the deeper meaning in the source language. The French express this "translator's dilemma" [as such:] "Translations are like lovers: the faithful are not beautiful and the beautiful are not faithful."'

The power of music

God speaks to us all sorts of ways. Sometimes it's awesomely and epically earth-shattering revelations. Others it's through prayer, or Scripture, or in a conversation.

And other times, He just works miracles through your playlist, to show you exactly what He wanted you to see. What was there all along; you just forgot it was there.

"I can tell the world"

I can tell the world about this.
I can tell the nations I'm blessed.
Tell them what my Lord has done,
Tell them that the conqueror has come.

Sometimes I think we get too wrapped up in our story that we miss seeing God in it. To take a step back from our lives and see what God has done in them....it's truly humbling.

Cardboard Testimonies

My roommate showed me this amazing video. After an already fantastic weekend, it was amazing to see how God is at work in the lives of so many people.

A quote from "City of Angels"

Seth: Why do people cry?
Maggie: What do you mean?
Seth: I mean... what happens physically?
Maggie: Well... umm... tear ducts operate on a normal basis to lubricate and protect the eye and when you have an emotion they overreact and create tears.
Seth: Why? Why do they overreact?
Maggie: [pause] I don't know.
Seth: Maybe... maybe emotion becomes so intense your body just can't contain it. Your mind and your feelings become too powerful... and your body weeps.

So appropriate for this weekend...

Route 15

If you've ever driven on it, you know the abundance of pornography stores ("adult bookstore" makes it sound far too sophisticated) that you encounter.

Every time I drive past one, I pray for the people there. That they may see their sin and folly and that they would Jesus would save them. Every time. There are between 5-10 stores between Harrisburg and Williamsport.

One time, a car was turning into the parking lot, and I prayed that they'd flee from that sin. And they didn't go in. I watched the car turn back onto Rt. 15 in my rearview mirror. They went back the way they had come. Perhaps it was someone who just missed their exit and was circling back. Perhaps the person forgot their wallet. Perhaps God touched their heart. Perhaps that was a turning point for them. Perhaps they've never gone back.

Today, I had 2 very different experiences in my driving:

The first wasn't too far from home. Driving past a store I prayed for the people inside, and for the owner. But there were no cars there! I was thrilled! How wonderful it was to see no vehicles parked outside a pornography store!

And then I passed one on my way into Williamsport. And the parking lot was sickeningly full. And it made me really sad.

And so I keep praying.