TheBellSite

Update to 8/23 Post on NIV 2011

Sep 012011

Just wanted to give you another teaser that might start you investigating on your own . . .
This is from “An Evaluation of Gender Language in the in the 2011 Edition of the NIV Bible” at the website The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

“These problems fall in several main categories, including these: changing singular pronouns (“he/him/his”) to plurals (“they/ them/ their”); changing “man” to “human” or “person”; changing “brother” to “friend” or something else; changing “son” to “child” or “children”; and changing “father” to “parent” or “parents.” Detailed lists of these changes can be found at
http://www.dennyburk.com/JBMW/NIV2011-OT-Spreadsheet.xlsx and http://www.dennyburk.com/JBMW/NIV2011-NT-Spreadsheet.xlsx.”

It will not be long before all the 1984 NIVs are gone and replaced with the “improved” 2011 translation.

East Asia Update – August 2011

Ministry, Newsletter, Work

Aug 292011

East Asian Peoples Update

August 2011

Stand by me
He looked up at me with fear mixed with wonder as he kicked off his shoes and stepped up into my house. Our son Trevor, who was also 6, had met this boy at Sunday school the week before … So began a lifetime friendship of my son and Makoto. … When the doctor told Trevor he had leukemia, he said, “I’m not afraid to die, but I want to be in Japan.” Unfortunately, he went too fast … We returned to Japan, carrying Trevor’s ashes. At the funeral, the three best friends, Makoto, Katsuya and Jun shuffled to the front of the church … Then in their best English, they sang the anthem of their shared youth, “Stand by Me”. Makoto is (now) a grown man with a wife and child. Makoto went on to college, then seminary and today as you read this, he’s being ordained and installed as the pastor of the church he first stepped into when he was 6. Read the complete story at http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org.

Going back

We exited the train station amidst a flood of people pushing their way towards the gate and out the other side. The sunlight hit us followed by the noise of voices, honking and shouting. “Do you need a ride, a map?” We headed for the taxi line. I began to take it in … the store-front signs written in Asian characters instead of letters, the familiar golden arches of McDonalds, the smog, the traffic and the smell of the street. I’m back in a place I love. This is East Asia. Going back to East Asia helped me put the puzzle pieces of my life and call together. Read the story by a Canadian short-term worker at http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org.

Japan in crisis

Earthquake orphans

Approximately 200 children lost both parents in the Japan earthquake and tsunami of March 11, and 1,100 lost at least one parent. Almost one half of them are primary school students or younger. Many are living with extended families for now, but with high unemployment in a number of areas, orphanages may be the only option for some. The first wave of short-term teams specifically going to minister to the children in the disaster areas has been sent. Pray that each of these children will come to know Jesus who said, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18 NIV). Read more prayer reports

Telling their stories

Twenty-three boats out of 800 are left in one port along the east coast of Japan. With the death of loved ones, Japanese who have survived the tsunami and earthquake are sober, hopeless and grieving in the midst of intense cleanup and decisions for their future. Read the story.

Lost Mongolians

An estimated 4 million ethnic Mongolians live in the Inner Mongolia region of China, outnumbering the 3 million living in Mongolia! But only a small percentage of them profess Christ. Join us this month in praying for their salvation. Read the profile in English, Chinese or Korean at http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/

EA1Day

Choose from four exciting EA1Day gatherings in October and learn how to impact China’s western cities, Japan’s unreached millions, Tibetans, Hui and Mongolians for Christ. Registration deadline is October 10. Go to http://eastasianpeoples.imb.org/news/ea1day/ for more details.

What if? — Reflections

U.S. university students who spent last semester serving among the East Asian Peoples in the Hands On program stopped to reflect:

“What if we never went where we went, said what we said? So many wouldn’t have heard. So many lives wouldn’t have changed.”
“It broke my heart. They have been told from childhood that there is no God.”
“It was so crazy to meet people who have never heard of Jesus!”
“We traveled on motor bike or horseback and “GPSed” where we had been. The task is huge!”
“To see God saving people out of lostness is so amazing.”
“Seeing these Chinese believers baptized … Oh my goodness … They really get it!”

Rough days

When pigs can be sheep
It was a rough day in kindergarten for a little girl who sang a song about God’s love and then tried to convince her classmates that they were God’s little lambs. “We’re not sheep, we’re pigs,” they replied. It seems that all of the little sheep were born in 2007, the Year of the Pig according to the commonly used Lunar calendar.

Dr. Pepper and praise

One East Asian family prepares for difficult times by keeping a stash of Dr. Pepper’s on hand. As the drink is not available locally, they always pack a few cans in their suitcases when they return from overseas travel. Then when what they refer to as a “last straw day” comes, they pull out a can and share it as a family. Each one who takes a sip shares some words of thanksgiving and by the time the soft drink is gone, their hearts are joyous once again.

If you would like to subscribe to
East Asian Peoples Update, e-mail: eastasianpeoples@pobox.com

Community of Believers

General, Ministry

Aug 242011

A Fran Moment:

I love the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers! In a brief 15-minute conversation with one of my Chinese sister’s, she told how she had been praying for me the past 4 months while I was in the US. Out of her mouth came Paul’s prayer from Phil 1:9-11. Wow! She went on to share how her quiet time with the Lord each day consisted of praying the word of God. This morning, I opened my bible to read the prayer that so easily fell from my friend’s mouth, because it is genuinely in her heart. In my bible I recognized a couple of personal notes jotted beside this prayer: June ’09 – my own prayer for a named loved one’s spiritual condition; and July ’10 – when I last went to BSF – HQ for TL Institute, Phil 1:9 was my room assignment! Again, I love the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers! Organically, I was pointed back to His love message to me.

Also in this brief 15-minute conversation with this sister, she shared how she has been slowly reading through Psalms 119:1-7, taking it one section at a time, meditating upon it and praying it back to the Lord. Because our time was brief, she didn’t share specifics. So this morning, I turned to Psalms 119:1-7. The first 7 verses provided a full meal of spiritual food to see me through this day. I look forward to tomorrow’s feeding. Again, I love the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers! My heart is flamed afresh as I reconnect with the body of believers in Taiwan. My heart is spiritually fueled with words of encouragement and direction through God’s word. No wonder we are charged to know the word of God and commanded to not forsake the gathering of His people! Open the word and connect with a brother or sister in Christ today to experience the work of God’s Spirit among the community of believers!

A quick look at the 2011 Edition of the NIV Bible

Books, Ministry

Aug 232011

Up until now I haven’t spent any time looking into the new NIV. Only recently did I realize that with the 2011 version of the NIV being released, the 1984 translation will no longer be sold. BIG TROUBLE!

Follow the link to look at a few examples of what happened to the “old” NIV.

CBMW » An Evaluation of Gender Language in the 2011 Edition of the NIV Bible.

An exhaustive comparison of the 1984 & the 2011 can be found HERE.

Looking for a replacement / better translation?

May I suggest the English Standard Version?

Texas to Taiwan – August 2011

Holiday, Ministry, Newsletter, Photo

Aug 022011

Our latest newsletter appears below.
If you didn’t receive it in you email you can subscribe to our email list HERE.

Greetings From Texas!

It is hard to believe that our time stateside has come and gone so quickly! Had you asked us a month ago if we were ready to return to the field, we probably would have said “no”, however we now feel like we have rested well, played hard, and eaten enough, and now our hearts are turning back towards the people and work in East Asia.

Highlights:

Fran & Paige – a day at the Arboretum
Fran, Paige, sister, in laws & friends – Mom’s Day surprise
Fran & sister Boo – 3 days at Galveston
Jackie & Fran – Bike rides & 3 mile walks at North Park Mall
Fran – stretch class at PCBC & morning walk’s with a friend.
Jackie & Fran – 3 days at BSF Headquarters in San Antonio
Jackie & Fran, Paige & Chris – 2 days in LaGrange
Jackie & Fran – fun w/lifetime friends on Memorial Day
Week night dinners with Travis
Jackie & Fran, w/Paige & Chris – 8 days in Canada!
Jackie & Fran – 6 Days in VA for stateside renewing & reunited with Taiwan co-workers
Jackie – numerous trips for dental work & Fran- numerous cholesterol tests
Family gatherings at graduations and funerals
Millions of trips to half price books (Jackie pouts if we pass by w/out stopping)
Discovered some great Food: Fadi’s Mediterranean Grill, Pizza by Marco, Cindy’s Delicatessen, Charlie’s Philly cheese steak, & THE FOOD CHANEL! [Jackie has nick named Fran “Frachel” because she loves Rachel Ray’s 30-minute meals!]
Lunches/or coffee with a few faithful friends!
Meeting the next generation of Taiwanese UTD students!
Scanning many generations of photos for both the Bell & Hogue families

We are so very thankful for:

Lottie Moon supporters
Southern Baptist Church partners with International Mission Board
Park Cities Baptist Church – provision of a mission home!
Bible Study Fellowship, International (BSF) – its worldwide ministry
Brenda Rhodes – provision of a mission car!
Many “No alarm” days – we came home very tired, and finally begin to feel rested. As we return to Taiwan Aug 15, we are so thankful for this season of rest. We are amazed how the sermon series at PCBC took us through Philippians, emphasizing our new life in Christ. Our week in Richmond focused on “Renewal”, encouraging us to rest physically as we reconnect with loved ones. Our week in Canada renewed our spirits as the Rockies revealed the majesty of God. We truly are thankful for our REST IN HIM!

Ways to pray:

As we return to field service, we hope you will continue to be our prayer partners! Jackie will begin a new work assignment, serving as Admin Specialist to the Strategy Training Team for East Asian Peoples Affinity Group. Please pray he will be quick to learn his new job assignment, and that his gifts and skills will compliment our co-workers. He will also continue to serve as substitute teaching leader of the Evening men’s BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class. Fran will continue to serve as the teaching leader of the day women’s BSF class. Pray that the “Acts of the Apostles” study be used in these Taipei classes to bring new life to truth seekers, and a renewed passion for Christ among believers and a commitment to actively serve the local churches and the world. We will also resume our in home bible study with young Adults. Many of them are UTD Alumni and love our common love of Dallas. Pray the Lord will re-gather them to our home in September and that many will come to know and trust Christ.

For those of you that weren’t able to re-connect while we were in TX, know that you are always welcome to come see us in Taiwan. When you come, you will experience a land of beauty as you minister to a spiritually hungry people group.

Blessings,

Jackie & Fran

www.TheBellSite.com

Pray4Taiwan@TheBellSite.com

theFam

G.O.S.P.E.L.

Ministry

Jul 082011

This video was uploaded about 4 months ago but I just discovered it. WOW!
It’s worth the time to view it . . . .

G.O.S.P.E.L. from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

Religious Diversity in Taiwan

Ministry, Taiwan

Jun 242011

Ministry of Interior celebrates religious diversity in Taiwan

GLOBAL VILLAGE:The ministry said that the fact that 27 different officially registered religions could coexist peacefully was a sign of Taiwan’s tolerance

By Loa Iok-sin / Staff Reporter

There are more than 15,000 religious establishments in the country, including nearly 12,000 Buddhist or Taoist temples and about 3,000 Christian churches of various denominations, which shows that Taiwan is a religiously diverse country, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) said yesterday.

“On average, there are 41 religious establishments — including temples and churches — in each township or municipal district,” Minister of the Interior Jiang Yi-huah said in a statement.

“The density of religious establishments in Taiwan is very high compared to most countries. This shows that we are a religiously tolerant and diverse country,” Jiang said.

That all different religions in the country could coexist peacefully and respect each other is also proof that Taiwan is a tolerant society, the minister added.

According to the MOI, there are a total of 27 officially registered religions in the country, including the major religions of Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam, as well as smaller or locally developed religions such as Confucianism, I-kuan Tao, Maitreyaism, and the Unification Church.

As far as Taoism and Buddhism are concerned, Taoist temples account for 78.3 percent of all 11,875 officially registered temples in the country, while Buddhist temples account for 19.6 percent, MOI statistics show.

For Christianity, 76.5 percent of the country’s 3,336 churches are Protestant, while Catholic churches account for 22.2 percent, according to the MOI.

Regarding the geographic location of religious establishments, more than 30 percent of all temples are in Greater Tainan, Greater Kaohsiung City and Pingtung County, while more than 30 percent of Christian churches are located in Taipei City, Greater Kaohsiung and Hualien County, the MOI statement said.

“From the figures, we see that different religions enjoy popularity in different regions,” the press release said. “Taoism and Buddhism are popular in southern Taiwan, and Protestantism and Catholicism are popular in northern and eastern Taiwan.”

Published on 6-19-2011 in the Taipei Times
Because things often disappear from the online archives. I have copied the complete article here.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/06/19/2003506165

Four Killer Questions

Ministry

May 052011

A while back I added a new (to me) blog to my Google Reader. It’s named The Poached Egg. On April 13th he posted a link to an article at Probe Ministries.

I believe I should make a deliberate effort to begin to use these questions more when talking to those who have yet to come to God or those who misrepresent Him or His Word.

What do you think?
Four Killer Questions – Probe Ministries.