Bob Creson

Alfred is a Nooni speaker in Cameroon, West Africa, and a translation consultant in training for the six Misaje languages. Alfred is supervising the technical part of the six-language Misaje translation program.
“In October of 2012, for the first time ever, the number of Bible translation needs dropped below two thousand. I wanted to share this good news with all of you, so I wrote to all worldwide staff.
“The day I wrote, Dave Lux, a member of Wycliffe USA and an advisor to the Misaje cluster of languages, opened my e-mail on a remote mountaintop in Lassen, Cameroon. Continue reading →

Takashi Fukuda started Wycliffe Japan many years ago after reading an article about William Cameron Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators, in Reader’s Digest. He later worked in the Philippines, then returned to Japan and the Wycliffe Office, and most recently served as the WBTI Asia/Pacific Area Director. He has taken in a new role in the Wycliffe Global Alliance as Spiritual Ambassador.

Fukuda-san has been on a spiritual pilgrimage for years and writes regularly about his experiences and insights. My wife, Dallas, drew my attention to what he wrote today about Father Pedro Arrupe.

“Trust in the good Providence of the Lord with an optimistic heart.” Rev. Pedro Arrupe was said to be incorruptible optimist. When members of Society of Jesus (Jesuits) dropped to half and still many were leaving the Society, he was appointed as the top leader. Some of his associates said to him, ‘We need to do something to reverse the trend.’ Rev. Arrupe said, ‘When all members are out, I will switch off the light and leave the house.’ For him, what was important was not the preservation of a 500 years old Society but listening to God and discerning what He wanted the Society to be.”

I had never heard of Pedro Arrupe before. Interesting to read his profile on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Arrupe

There is a reference to his living through and then working in the blast zone at Hiroshima which is probably a story that caught Takashi’s attention. Eight other Jesuits survived the blast!

A quick search with Google gives no clear indication that the quote he uses can be attributed to Arrupe, but apparently he was an incurable optimist. Later in life he had a stroke, and for 10 years suffered from paralysis and an inability to speak. This is a quote from that period:

“More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God’s hands.”

It is wonderfully reassuring to know we are in God’s hands. A source of great joy, peace and optimism.

The real meaning of David Cameron’s recent speech on the 400th Anniversary of the KJV might be lost if we are not careful. If you haven’t read it take a few minutes.

Don’t misunderstand me…my life is dedicated to the impact of Scripture. These words go deeper.

My hat is off to the PM for his forthright and unequivocal, yet thoughtful and gentle, proclamations about the role to the Bible in shaping the society in the UK. I am deeply moved by his ability to state his position/perspective while at the same time creating ‘space’ and respecting those holding differing views: an imperative for a free and pluralistic society. His words remind me of what the Apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel…” Continue reading →

Along with our son, Scott, and his wife, Sarah, we are look long forward to the birth of baby boy Creson on July 12! Soon to be grandparents…

Fun seeing all our longtime friends in Ventura who happily still seem to love us…we certainly love them!  The work of Wycliffe and the Last Languages Campaign (http://www.wycliffe.org/) was spotlighted in all three morning services at our home church, Ventura Missionary, and we have had good interactions with the missions board chair, the missions pastor and head pastor.  If you would like to learn more about the Last Languages Campaign…

We’re inserting a quick trip to Lima, Peru for a few days next week for the launch of a delightful and encouraging new partnership, Every Tribe Every Nation.  While the Word of God does not change, the means by which it is communicated does. Today we are at the threshold of instantly delivering various formats of Scripture content through an unprecedented global system of digital communications. This transition from print to digital delivery has opened opportunities that challenge traditional methods of language development, translation, scripture production, distribution, evangelism and discipleship.  Learn more….

As that brief video demonstrates, technology is becoming a key component in the acceleration of Bible translation. Sooner rather than later, more communities will have the Scriptures in the language that best speaks to them, and evolving technology will have contributed greatly— not just to the speed but also to the quality of the translation. Read more…

I hope you have one (or many).  These are people we look up to and who inspire us.  Normally they are ordinary people who have, over time, made a huge difference in our lives; maybe in the world.

Bible Translator, Ken Taylor

One of mine is Ken Taylor, founder of Tyndale House Publishers.  Ken is an example of what can be accomplished through vision and sustained focus.

Believing that everyone should hear the Good News of The Gospel in a language they understood best, Ken spent hours translating for his children so that they could more easily understand the stories in the Bible.  Paraphrases and individual books (Living Letters) lead to a whole New Testament (The Living Bible) and this led to new a new Bible translation (The New Living Translation).

Ken had a passion for building God’s Kingdom by making it easier to engage with his Word…his eternal Word…in a language and form ordinary people could relate to best  Over many years, and not without criticism, Ken stayed focused on his goal.  Today many have an understanding of God’s eternal truths because of his efforts.

Ken’s vision extended beyond English.  Today, Mark Taylor, following in his fathers footsteps, continues to promote this vision.  Tyndale has just published the Nueva Traducción Viviente in Spanish.

Ken was passionate, too, about empowering mother-tongue Bible translators in minority language communities around the world.  He and his wife, Margaret, actively supported their developement and education.  There is no way to count the contribution of one man, led by God, to work toward the completion of the Bible translation task.  Like Cameroon Townsend, the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ken waved the flag of creating access to God’s Word for the minority and bypassed peoples of the earth.

Today, we are participating in the greatest acceleration of the pace of Bible translation ever witnessed. Something we thought was a distant future is actually happening right in front of us: the eradication of Bible poverty in our lifetime.  Who would have dreamed that?  Ken Taylor did.

Who are your heroes, and what are you passionate about to dedicate time, energy and sustained focus to?  Over time, it makes a difference.  Ken sure did.

Sitting at my kitchen table, my 20-something friend said, “Can you help me?  I’m trying to find a way to describe myself that doesn’t immediately offend people and drive them away.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Jesus with all my heart but labeling myself a Christian too early in a conversation or relationship isn’t helpful.   What should I do?”

The conversation at the kitchen table was a natural result of a shared experienced we’d had where we saw a very well meaning friend ‘witness’ imploring the listener to go beyond good works.  Unfortunately, the approach made both of us cringe.  As we analyzed it together, we articulated a few conclusions: to our knowledge there was no prior relationship with the object (person) of the presentation of the Gospel, in fact, no previous interaction at all; and there was an assumption that the person wasn’t a believer in Christ.  It was (albeit superficial) a theologically sound appeal to commit to Christ so why would we be embarrassed at this presentation when we know that a commitment to Christ is the most important decision a person can make? Continue reading →

While emailing with a friend last week about some needed change I was dealing with he reminded me of the Latin phrase that 16th Century Protestant reformers applied to their movement within the Church, “Reformata et semper reformandum” (Reformed and always reforming).  His variation, applied to the situation I was dealing with was, “Invented and ever reinventing.”  The key words are ALWAYS and EVER.

Things change…they have to change…they will change…I can’t prevent it (change) even if I try. Continue reading →

My wife, Dallas, had a chat this past week with a young lady who completed her high school education at home and went off to college this past fall. Home for Christmas, she talked about her experience.

She’s attending an extension campus of the main institution where she was accepted, and, when she graduates,  she probably will never have attended the main campus.  In addition, she’s pairing classes from another university that ‘customizes’ her experience to fit her needs. Wow, what a concept: individualized education! Much of what she’s doing is on-line, too.

I often wonder if/when our high schools, colleges, and universities are going to ‘reform’ and really understand the nature and future of education.  So much of what we’ve seen in the past is ‘formal’ in-the-classroom stuff and there’s so much available now on-line.   An article on Mashable says, “The education system of the 20th century is built around institutions: schools, colleges, academies and universities…Online-based institutions have started from several niches (education for children with disabilities, advanced placement programs, test preparation) and are approaching mainstream education.” Continue reading →

My prayer for the 2011 is that we find common ground: politics, religion, etc.  Aren’t you tired of all the finger pointing and bickering?

I don’t make my living as a political analyst but I was a poli sci major in college!  My studies and life experience have taught me, as it did Solomon (I am not equating any wisdom I might have with what God gave him), there is nothing new under the sun.  These debates are cyclical, and the pendulum will swing back and forth as it has since our democracy was founded in 1776.  The founders built a system that moves slowly on purpose filled with lots of debate and process.  Not good for quick-fixes, but an excellent way to ensure that people are heard and the issues ‘aired.’ Continue reading →