mu''a'vo' mu' - A Klingon Word from the Word

On Board!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:44 PDT

vaD Daj pong chIch
for his name's sake

podcast version

Thanks to NASA, last year I went to Mars! Not just me - I took the whole family, even my dog Kokomo! We also went along on a mission to bring back samples from a comet, and at this moment, we're en route to blast a piece off of another comet in July.

Now, full disclosure requires I tell you that in fact, we didn't pack bags and climb on board these ships. Our travels were in name only, that is each of these spacecraft carried our names, not our selves, into the heavens. Why did NASA collect our names (and the names of thousands of other space enthusiasts) for these voyages? Because, when our names were added to these ships, in some small way, we became a part of the mission, and our interest in it increased tremendously.

David tells us that God "leads us in paths of righteousness," vaD Daj pong chIch / for his name's sake. The Klingon word for name, pong is as simple a word as you can find, just as it is in the Hebrew word (shem). Name, pong, or shem it means simply - the title by which any person or thing is known or designated.

What does it mean to say that God leads us, for his name's sake? I think about the interest that I have, when my name is riding off to Mars, and I get a glimmer of what this means: my attention, my concentration is directed to what is happening out there. I'm rooting for that craft, cheering it on. I may have no power to assist it, but I care about what happens to it.

Can you imagine that God, having put his name on you would care any less? Nor is he powerless to come alongside and help you, watch over you, as you navigate your own voyage through life.

Feeling like a nobody? Feeling like you aren't good enough to be noticed? Think again. He's put his name on you - and he's going to see you through. Look at the promises of Psalm 23, the promises of the Bible, and you can see he's on your side - he's on board, so to speak, and he'll do much more than just cheer you on.

Originally podcast 4/1/2005

Mid-Course Correction!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 07:12:33 PDT

ghaH Dev jIH Daq the Hemey vo' QaQtaHghach
He guides me in the paths of righteousness

podcast version

"Mid-course correction." Anyone interested in space exploration has heard those words. Routine events, mid-course corrections are necessary because the slightest error of trajectory can result at journey's end in missing the destination completely.

In Psalm 23 we find God provides just this kind of direction for life. Hemey vo' QaQtaHghach, paths of righteousness, are just where we will be guided, if we follow the good Shepherd. He doesn't simply watch over us in some lovely pasture for all time. We need to get on the move, and if we do, he'll keep us on course.

Hemey (kay-may), the word used here for paths, comes from He (kay) the Klingon word for what we call in English a "course," The compass direction in which a ship or an aircraft moves. This fits in with the original Hebrew word, ma`gal, which means 'track'. Picture paths cut along a mountainside. Not every one is the correct one to take. At each turn you need to check that you're taking the right one, or risk getting lost, or worse, falling headlong off a cliff.

Mid course corrections - they're needed, but only if you're on the move, if you're travelling. Staying put, you don't need directions - but you won't get anywhere.

The people asked prophet Jeremiah to have "God ... show the way in which we should walk, the thing we should do." (Jer. 42:3)

It's what we need to ask each day - which way should we go, what do we need to do to stay on course. If we do, we'll find he will lead us in Hemey vo' QaQtaHghach, paths of righteousness and, as Isaiah wrote:

...he will teach us of his ways,
And we will walk in his paths. (2:3)

originally podcast March 30, 2005

Rebuilt - Like New!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 24 May 2009 07:56:58 PDT

ghaH chenqa' wIj qa'

He restores my soul

podcast version

Let's meditate on the mortality of cars. Expensive things - necessities for many of us - which, once purchased, immediately depreciate. As soon as you own them and use them, they are worth less and less. Each day reduces the resale value. It is a fact of life that things like these can almost never be sold at anything like their original price.

However, there are exceptions. Near my home is a fairgrounds which, every spring, is filled with proud collectors, men and women, who have taken beat up old jalopies and poured money, love and no small amount of work to transform these junkers into masterpieces - the most fabulous classic cars you could hope to see.

ghaH chenqa' wIj qa' / He restores my soul

The Klingon word used here in Psalm 23 for "restore," chenqa' (chehn-khah-uh) means "build again," that is RE-build. This is what God wants to do with us. Classic car enthusiasts are not the only ones who love to restore things - it's the work that the Lord wants to do with you and me. As St. Paul wrote "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Feeling like a wreck? Think there's no hope that you could be worth more than your "scrap value?" Think again - God's ready to chenqa' lIj qa' - restore your soul and make you like new today!

Originally podcast March 23rd, 2005

Still Here?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:48:12 PDT

ghaH Dev jIH retlh vIHHa' bIQmey

He leads me beside still waters.

podcast version

(originally podcast 3/20/2005)

Food and drink.

Those three words are a very brief abbreviation of Psalm 23:2. When we know God our shepherd leads us to good pasture (food) and alongside still waters (drink), we know he intends to care for us completely.

This illustrates a common Biblical device, parallelism. Two or more clauses that repeat or reinforce one idea - sort of like rhyming ideas. It is a kind of poetry that can survive translation into any language, even perhaps non-human ones.

There is a problem here - there isn't a Klingon word for "still." But the language is rich enough that we can take the word vIH (vick), "to move," and add the suffix "-Ha'" to reverse the meaning, giving us "vIHHa'" [vick-Kha-uh]. I like this because it isn't just "not moving" (that would be vIHbe' [vick-beh-uh],) but un-moving (if there were such a word). It suggests to me something that has the power to move but holds it in. This is something that hasn't just stopped, it stands firm.

vIHHa' bIQmey, still waters, present an appealing image. Whether a placid stream, an ocean vista, or lakeside retreat, we're drawn to these restful scenes. Just as this verse's promise of lying "down in green pasture" was a promise of rest, these words about waters that offer to quench our thirst do so with a vision of stillness, of rest.

Life-giving water is what we're looking for, and is just what God wants us to have. "Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters," [Isaiah 55:1] the Lord says in Isaiah. Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman promising something better than ordinary H2O: "Everyone who drinks of this [well's] water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." [John 4:13,14]

Sound like what you're looking for? Then turn to that one, that good shepherd, who will lead you retlh vIHHa' bIQmey, beside the still waters.

Sleeping dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:02:41 PDT

ghaH chen jIH Qot bIng Daq SuD tI yotlh

He makes me lie down in green pastures

podcast version

The words "sleeping dogs" immediately call to mind the expression "let sleeping dogs lie." No doubt Klingons know the wisdom expressed in this proverb: don't stir up trouble when you don't have to.

Klingons do, after all, know about pets (the Klingon word for pet is Saj), though their 'dog' is the targh, a fairly fearsome creature; definitely not something to rile unnecessarily.

Let's consider "sleeping dogs" (the undisturbed kind) as an illustration of today's Klingon word: Qot, 'to lie.'

David in Psalm 23 considers God's care for him saying that God:

makes me lie down in green pastures

Qot bIng Daq SuD tI yotlh

.

The English word 'lie' occurs over 100 times in the World English Bible translation of the Hebrew scriptures, mostly referring to an action like or involving reclining (as opposed to telling a falsehood). The Hebrew text of this psalm uses a specific verb, rabats, that is only used around 30 times. The notion in this word is that of a recumbent animal. This image would be familiar to a shepherd like David. Hovever, I'm not a shepherd, so I find the image of a recumbent animal that comes to my mind is that of a sleeping dog.

The utter peace of my own dog is something I find delightful. Once comfortable, he relaxes so completely that it compels me to settle down beside him as well. That is the sort of peace, of rest, that David is telling us he finds because he knows that the Good Shepherd is leading him.

And it's a peace offered to us as well. Just as God promised the Hebrews in the book of Exodus:

God said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
(Exodus 33:14)

Are you looking to Qot Bing Daq roj, to lie down in peace? Then listen to the Good Shepherd:

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:30)

(repodcast - original date 3/18/05)

What Do You Want?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:05:11 PDT

jIH DIchDaq Hutlh pagh

I shall lack nothing

podcast version

If you have any exposure to tlhIngan Hol (the Klingon language) you've probably heard the one all purpose greeting, "nuqneH" (nook-neck). If you're well informed, you'll know it's a compound word nuq (what?) plus neH (to-want). In other words the standard Klingon way to say 'hello' means "What do you want?"

To humans this may sound blunt, even rude, but it demonstrates the very practical nature of Klingon culture. And today's Klingon word provides an answer to that question:

pagh (pahgr) - nothing

In Psalm 23 King David presents us with the assertion that his shepherd, his leader is God. As soon as he tells us this, he spells out in the next clause what this means: I will lack nothing.

This is forthright confidence. David doesn't say he possesses all wealth and riches, but trusts that all his needs will be met. It certainly isn't the kind of reliance that many of us have. Despite being comfortable in my day to day existence, there's always one more thing I just "can't do without."

And those who are in real poverty may see the claim "I will lack nothing" as the smug complacence of the wealthy, or a condition they will never reach.

I like to think that David is giving us a challenge. To those who have, to maybe do with less, trusting that we will lack nothing. By sharing what we have, recognizing that, if we trust our Leader we will have what we need. And we'd only be following the best example of giving there is:

He who didn't spare his own Son,
but delivered him up for us all,
how would he not also with him
freely give us all things?
Romans 8:32

Follow an example like that, and maybe, just maybe, when someone asks "nuqneH," we'll honestly answer, "pagh."

(repodcast - original date 3/15/05)

Who are you calling a "Sheep?"

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:04:30 PDT

joH'a' ghaH wIj DevwI'

Yahweh is my shepherd

Podcast Version

David's words in the 23rd Psalm made the "God as our shepherd" metaphor a familiar and comforting image. Despite our world becoming increasingly urban and industrial, people with little or no connection to anything rural are moved to hear Jesus assure them "I am the good shepherd."

The Hebrew word used in Psalm 23 for shepherd (my-shepherd really) is roi (roe-ee), coming from a term meaning "to tend a flock."

In English we have a compound word combining "sheep" and the verb "herd," as in, to care for sheep IN a herd. This word occurs in some form almost 100 times in the World English Bible. How best could it be translated into Klingon?

It doesn't seem likely that Klingons would appreciate this figure of speech. It is hard to imagine anyone in this warlike culture appreciating being called a sheep. So, for the Klingon Language Version, I considered what might be a more culturally acceptable term and took the verb "Dev," to lead, and used "DevwI'," one who leads.

The notion for "the good leader," whether of troops or livestock, still embodies the idea that God does indeed watch over, provide for and support those who look to Him.

For who we follow matters. The wrong choice can be a disaster. No matter how confident the leader is, if he or she is going the wrong way - that's where you'll end up going.

So choose wisely. And, with David, if you do choose the "QaQ DevwI'," the good shepherd, you can be confident he will guide you

Daq the Hemey vo' QaQtaHghach

in the paths of righteousness

(repodcast - original date 3/12/05)

What's in a name? God's name, that is.

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:03:28 PDT

joH'a' ghaH wIj DevwI': jIH DIchDaq Hutlh pagh.
Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.

podcast version

Everyone knows his or her own name, but who knows the name of God? Well, the Hebrew Scriptures present the proper, personal name of God, revealed to Moses, as the four letters YHVH (yod he vav he). Referred to as "the tetragrammaton," this is a name, used over 5000 times in the Bible, which means the self-existent, or eternal one. Pronounced "Yahweh," it was so revered that the Jewish practice was never to say it aloud, but substitute "Adonai," (Hebrew for 'Lord') instead. This practice was carried into English with many translations that use LORD (all caps) to indicate the use of God's name.

When it came time to translate the Bible into Klingon, the question was, how do we present this name? Early in the study of Klingon there was no known word for deities or gods at all (we now know it is Qun). The term most Klingonists decided to use was "joH'a'" (joe-a-ka), from "joH," the Klingon word for "Lord" or "Lady." Adding the 'a' suffix is a way of indicating this is a bigger or greater kind of Lord.

Does this remind you of "Jehovah," another pronunciation used for the name YHVH? Maybe you're more comfortable with saying "Lord," or Father. Certainly He knows our heart, and will be near to all who call on him. However you call out His name, remember,

'Iv DichDaq ja' Daq the pong vo' joH'a' DIchDaq taH toDpu'
whoever will call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved

(repodcast - original date 3/12/05)

ja''eghqa'ghach - Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:18:42 PDT

chaw' the mu'mey vo' wIj nuj je the ja''eghqa'ghach vo' wIj tIq taH acceptable Daq lIj leghpu', joH'a', wIj nagh, je wIj redeemer.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

(click for podcast version)

Inside and OUT. That's the focus of this verse, the final verse of Psalm 19. It is a good one to commit to memory, and, I think, makes a good start to a day - this devotion to ensuring that what we say, and what we say within our hearts meets with God's approval.

The Klingon word I use here for meditate is one I've mentioned before, in Psalm 1: ja''eghqa'ghach. The Hebrew is, higgayown a murmuring sound, and appears fewer than half a dozen times in the Bible; it's a form of the somewhat more common word used in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1, "hagah," to murmur - the sense there is to review, rehearse, recite, and remember God's words by saying them over and over to oneself.

Originally 'meditate', not being a common word in the World English Bible (hardly more than a dozen times) was not included in the Klingon Language Version. Since working on these studies, I've added it, using the word "ja''eghqa'" to carry the meaning. "ja'," to report, "'egh," -to-oneself, and "-qa'," again: ja''eghqa': report-again-to-oneself, meditate.

Now I've spoken before - and probably will again - how I've found Bible Memory, memorizing verses of scripture, a powerful spirtual resource. As I write this, we're in the season of Lent and for my devotions this year I've been using the Gospel of Mark, picking one verse out of each chapter to commit to memory. One nice thing about that is that it's giving me a framework to remember the whole Gospel, but the other thing is that this series of verses give me a "meditation" that I can focus on, to review, rehearse, recite, and remember God's words. What better way to strive that "the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable....?" I'd never claim it's the perfect way to do that - but it IS a start.

The Psalmist here recognizes our life is not just a matter of the outside - our thought life, our cares, our dreams - the things we dwell on, the things we may mutter about - those matter to God as well. As Spurgeon notes:

Words of the mouth are mockery if the heart does not meditate; the shell is nothing without the kernel; but both together are useless unless accepted; and even if accepted by man, it is all vanity if not acceptable in the sight of God.

I need to remember this, that my INNER life, just like my life in the world, is carried out before His gaze - and recognizing that, how can I help but turn in prayer to ask:

'IV laH / Who can?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:19:01 PST

'Iv laH discern Daj errors? Forgive jIH vo' hidden errors. pol DoH lIj toy'wI' je vo' presumptuous yemmey. chaw' chaH ghobe' ghaj dominion Dung jIH. vaj jIH DIchDaq taH upright. jIH DIchDaq taH blameless je innocent vo' Dun transgression.

Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright, I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. Psalms 19:12-13

(click for podcast version)

tlhIngan maH! We are Klingons! That proud declaration among Klingons is a declaration of pride in Klingon identity. I'd like to turn it around, and say that it's also a declaration for Humanpu', humans, when we realize not how DIFFERENT we are, but how SIMILAR we are to the brave weakness-denying Klingons.

Among Klingons there are number of expressions that declare their invulnerablity, their strength. Not necessarily because they ARE always strong, but because they need to present a bold face. For example

QongDaqDaq Qotbe' tlhInganpu'. Klingons do not lie in bed.

vulchoHbe' tlhInganpu'. Klingons do not faint.

ropchoHbe' tlhInganpu'. Klingons do not get sick.

tlhIngan maH! We are Klingons! That is, if that's what Klingons are like... well, so are we humans. Such bravado, such denial of personal weakness is not an alien trait to humans. And in the face of that problem - of denying our failings - we read these words from Psalm 19 - words that make us face the fact that we are NOT perfect:

'Iv laH discern Daj errors? Forgive jIH vo' hidden errors.

Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.

Klingon or Human, we need to set aside our (false) bravado that claims to be better than we are. Spurgeon comments:

Many books have a few lines of errata at the end, but our errata might well be as large as the volume if we could but have sense enough to see them. Augustine wrote in his older days a series of Retractations; ours might make a library if we had enough grace to be convinced of our mistakes and to confess them.

As I write these words, on the planet Earth, we are approaching the season of Lent - a time when Christians reflect on their sins, and the need for God's mercy. As the Life Application Bible refelects on this psalm, we're reminded of how powerfully God reaches out to restore us, to forgive us:

Many Christians are plagued by guilt. They worry that they may have committed a sin unknowingly, done something good with selfish intentions, failed to put their whole heart into a task, or neglected what they should have done. Guilt can play an important role in bringing us to Christ and in keeping us behaving properly, but it should not cripple us or make us fearful. God fully and completely forgives us—even for those sins we do unknowingly.

"even for those sins we do unknowingly" - Scripture recognizes that God's forgiveness covers our whole life, even those things we struggle to acknowledge, even those things we cannot see.

The synonym for sin used here, "error," is unusual. This form of it - haygv shegiy'ah - only appears in the Bible here in this Psalm, and comes from a root meaning "to stray." Even in English translations - err, error, errors only appear a couple dozen times - it's why it hasn't yet been translated in the KLV. When I do, I'll use the corresponding Klingon word: Qagh, to err. (There is a specific Klingon word for "sin" - yem).

But, whatever word we use for our sins, God IS aware of them, as Psalm 90 notes:

You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.
Ps 90.8 NLT

Again, the Life Application Bible comments on those words

God knows all our sins as if they were spread out before him, even the secret ones. We don’t need to cover up our sins before him because we can talk openly and honestly with him. But while he knows all that terrible information about us, God still loves us and wants to forgive us. This should encourage us to come to him rather than frighten us into covering up our sin.

Maybe it isn't surprising that we want to hide, or ignore, or block out our failings. But God doesn't want us - Human, Klingon or whatever - to shrink from his presence. He longs for us to come to him, for forgiveness, for healing, to be set right and made clean. As he tells us through Isaiah the prophet:

“Come now, let us argue this out,” says the LORD. “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. Isaiah 1:18 NLT

ghuHmoHta' - Warning!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:14:46 PST

Moreover Sum chaH ghaH lIj toy'wI' ghuHmoHta'. Daq keeping chaH pa' ghaH Dun pop.

Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:11

(click for podcast version)

nuqneH? That all purpose Klingon greeting is a good place to start as we enter the Bible - nuqneH, literally, "what do you want?" IS a fine place to begin, for our expectations CAN direct us as we read God's word.

This verse from Psalm 19 gives us a good answer, showing us two dimensions:

1) to be warned, and

2) to find great reward.

Now, no Klingon would refuse "ghuHmoHta'" - warning. The Klingon word used here is derived from the word ghuH, prepare for, be alerted to. That's exactly what a good warning makes us do - PREPARE. This is indeed the value of being well versed in God's words - for we will be ready for the challenge of life as we absorb the warnings that direct us toward living a righteous life, the life God intends.

Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it.

Proverbs 4:27 Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

Zechariah 7:10 Don't oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the foreigner, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.'

But the Lord wants more for us than simply being warned; his promise is for "great reward". For this, the Klingon word is "pop" - reward. The Hebrew word used here is interesting - `eqeb, a heel, i.e. (figuratively) the last of anything. In other words our reward, the gift that God intends - is what comes to us AT THE END. We follow his word, not to experience the lifestyle of the rich and famous, but to receive, in the end to hear, as Jesus puts in a parable:

Matthew 25:23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

"nuqneH? What DO you want?" is self-serving if it is our ONLY approach to the Bible. We need to know that the Bible is not just a tool kit, or a warehouse that we come to for meeting our needs. The words that we need to zero in on are "your servant", `ebed in Hebrew. this is the same root for servant in the prophet Obadiah's name - God's servant.

Our participation in the warnings and rewards of scripture begin as we enter as SERVANTS of God, not customers demanding service. I pray that I remember that each day as I open the word.

Moreover Sum chaH ghaH lIj toy'wI' ghuHmoHta'. Daq keeping chaH pa' ghaH Dun pop.

Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:11

reH 'eb tu'lu' (repodcast)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:01:30 PST

vaD everything jatlhpu' Sum joH'a' ghaH DuH.
For everything spoken by God is possible. Luke 1.37

(click for podcast)

This is a Biblical verse, appointed for the fourth Sunday of Advent, that would delight a Vulcan - pondering the logic of it is a tricky business, particularly if you look into the Greek text and realize that it says literally "nothing spoken by God is impossible. (I wonder if the translators who put it in the positive were trying to avoid the dreaded "double negative?")

However you put it, it has potential to fuel long debates along the lines of "can God make a rock so heavy he can't lift it?" And to do so would, I think, miss the point. The context for this passage is the angel Gabriel announcing the miraculous birth of Jesus to Mary. This is the angel's answer to Mary's objections:

vaD everything jatlhpu' Sum joH'a' ghaH DuH.
For everything spoken by God is possible. Luke 1.37

The key Greek word is adunateo ad-oo-nat-eh'-o - is only used twice in this form. It means "to be unable" (that is, impossible) and comes from the negative "a" plus "dunateo" to be able. The root of "dunateo" indicates power (to be able) and is heard in English words like "dynamic" or "dynamite." For the Klingon, I've used "DuH" (be possible). To say "impossible" it would be DuH plus the -Ha' suffix: DuHHa' - not-be-possible. So nothing - even a baby where none would or should be expected - nothing, God says is impossible.

It's worth noting, the other appearence of this word - when Jesus is explaining to the disciples
their failure in healing :

"He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Mt 17:20

Not just for Mary - for all believers "impossible" is out of the vocabulary. What a challenge! And what a promise. It recalls a Klingon proverb: reH 'eb tu'lu' - there is always a chance. In other words, never give up.

I wish I could keep this foremost in my heart every day - and say "I believe, help my unbelief!" I need to write this in places that I'll see it every morning and every night: nothing God says is impossible! Oh, may we live by those words!

Keep on Praying! (re-podcast)

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:53:00 PST

tlhob Hutlh mevtaH.
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

(click for podcast)

This verse - part of the third Sunday in Advent readings - is another great entrant in the "short-easy-to-memorize-Bible-verses" list. In no more than NINE words, you can memorize this verse in THREE languages: Latin: sine intermissione orate English: Pray without ceasing and Klingon: tlhob Hutlh mevtaH. [You can even do it in fewer words. A more grammatical Klingon might be "reH yItlhobtaH" - always you-be-praying.]

The important word here is pray. In Greek it is proseuchomai (pros-yoo'-khom-ahee), from pros- (unto, toward), and euchomai (yoo'-khom-ahee, to ask) and it appears over 80 times in the Bible. For Klingon, I've used the word "tlhob," to ask.

This season, the season celebrated in churches as Advent, represents a time of anticipation for Christians who understand our moment in history as one of waiting. They prepare for the coming of Jesus - his advent - by recalling and reenacting in story and song, his arrival as a baby. Caught in this tension between remembering and longing for his return, we really do need Paul's advice:

tlhob Hutlh mevtaH.
Pray without ceasing.

The message of Advent and its completion in Christmas is Immanuel - God is with us.

This may sound simply like acknowledging the presence of God. The Vulcans have a word for that - a'tha. This is the Vulcan word for the experience, the knowledge of God's presence - something apparently present in ALL Vulcans from birth. This does not seem to be our human experience, nor the Klingon one judging by the Klingon claim to have "killed" their gods

But just knowing, even experiencing God's existence isn't enough though. As James notes: The demons also believe, and shudder. James 2:19

Here is where

tlhob Hutlh mevtaH.
Pray without ceasing.

is essential. A life of prayer - continuous prayer - is a life of relationship, not mere "fact." Praying links us closely to God - just as regular conversation with friends builds your relationship with them. After all, how much do you think about a friend you haven't talked to for years?

This time of year so often focuses on PRESENTS -and too often our prayers are like Janis Joplin's "Oh Lord, won't you give me a Mercedes Benz?" - mere Santa Claus lists. But if we live - continually in prayer it will be God's PRESENCE with that we seek. The gift I need to open and use are in these simple words:

tlhob Hutlh mevtaH.
Pray without ceasing.

Beautiful!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:24:30 PST

In the spirit of the season, I share this beautiful video from Riding with Robots:

Riding with Robots 2008 Holiday Card from Bill Dunford on Vimeo.

These Little Ones... St Nicholas Day re-podcast

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 17:39:40 PST

'ach vaj 'oH ghaH ghobe' the DichDaq vo' lIj vav 'Iv ghaH Daq chal vetlh wa' vo' Dochvammey mach ones should chIlqu'.
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

(click for podcast)

If you're a pastor, and looking for a way to quickly be driven out of your parish - I can't think of a better controversy to raise than.... a discussion about Santa Claus. I fear at times that the deepest beliefs of the Bible could be question without the kind of difficulties a preacher would meet if they weighed in on the reality of Kris Kringle.

Nor am I brave enough to tread on this legend - though I wonder what a Klingon would make of some of the stories? The Klingon disposition toward things military lend to a tendency to be (shall we say?) paranoid. Imagine how they'd feel about a silent intruder who routinely slips in past all defenses to surprise the inhabitants! Motivated by generosity or not - I expect a Klingon hearing of such stealth would be more alarmed than happy.

But - maybe if they were introduced to the real Santa Claus - St Nicholas:

St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live. As priest and bishop, Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the center of his life and ministry. His concern for children and others in need or danger expressed a love for God which points toward Jesus, the source of true caring and compassion. Embracing St. Nicholas customs can help recover the true center of Christmas—the birth of Jesus.

Understanding St. Nicholas as the original and true holiday gift-giver also helps shift focus to giving rather than getting, compassion rather than consumption, need rather than greed. This can help restore balance to increasingly materialistic and stress-filled Advent and Christmas seasons.

St. Nicholas is beloved throughout the world and continues to be revered in Christian tradition, especially as protector and patron of children in the West and as Wonderworker in the East. The St. Nicholas Center aims to bring Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, and Protestant Christians together in common purpose—to help people understand and appreciate the original St. Nicholas, the only real Santa Claus.
[http://www.stnicholascenter.orgI encourage you to visit the site to learn more]

As a people - Klingons are depicted as fierce warriors - potent enemies in battle. But anyone who reads at all far in the lore of Star Trek will know how fiercely they honor and guard their family - they know the value of protecting children. They'd likely be impressed by the stories - some quite fantastic - of St. Nick's rescue of children. Or how he protected the honor of dowry-less girls by secretly presenting them with gifts of gold coins.

In the Bible Jesus says these words, used in the readings for the commemoration of St. Nicholas:

The mach - little - ones matter. Not just to a saint like Nicholas, but to God. In this season we have many opportunities to be generous. What can we do to protect the neediest among us?

SuD baS - Gold!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:40:22 PST

latlh Daq taH neH 'oH chaH than SuD baS, HIja', than 'ar fine SuD baS; sweeter je than honey je the extract vo' the honeycomb.

More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. Psalms 19:10

(click for podcast version)

That's how the Psalmist describes God's word - as a wonderful golden treasure. But, here's the thing about gold: there's only so much. That's one of the reasons it is so valuable. Even if you had a gold mine, you'd eventually dig it all out. Use it up and then you'd have no more.

Scripture is not like that: across the centuries, it is a mine filled with wealth that never has - and never will - run out. Sometimes we might fail to dig in - but that doesn't mean the word has come up empty. It's a joy to discover how many believers over the years have gone deep into this treasury and given us sermons, commentaries, devotionals and more - works that empower us to reflect on the Word - and act on it. One of the delights of our day and age is how many of those resources - especially classics - are available online to anyone with a webbrowser. Take a look for example at the Crosswire Bible Society's pages ( http://www.crosswire.org) where you'll find online tools, as well as free downloads that give you a fantastic library for Bible study - bounty of Biblical translations, commentaries, cross references and more.

John Gill says about this verse:This refers to all the truths in the word of God; to all the doctrines of the Gospel; which, by good men, are more desirable, and by them more prized and valued, than all worldly riches and treasure;

What is gold to you? What do you treasure? The Hebrew word here is zahab: from an unused root meaning to shimmer, and appears more than 300 times in the Bible. Here I've rendered in in Klingon as SuD baS - for "yellow metal," though in Klingon the word SuD means green, blue AND yellow. It's also a verb: to gamble - so maybe a "gambling metal" isn't not a bad word to use.

We don't really know - in the future depicted by Star Trek - exactly WHAT is valuable. Gold appears to be useful for scientific and decorative purposes - but has no intrinsic value due to rarity. Gold-pressed latinum, on the other hand IS valuable, as it can't be replicated - it appears to be the token of value that replaces gold among the Federation and other future societies.

But the truth the Bible points to us again and again is that wealth is far more than material treasure. Jesus tells us:

'ach lay Dung vaD tlhIH'egh treasures Daq chal, nuqDaq ghobe' moth ghobe' rust consume, je nuqDaq HejwI'pu' yImev ghor vegh je

steal; vaD nuqDaq lIj treasure ghaH, pa' lIj tIq DichDaq taH je.

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don't break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:20-21

If you're looking for treasure - look no further than God's word. Make it part of your everyday routine. Something I've been using lately is the website http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/ where I can print out a daily reading that I can carry with me - it's a great way to keep on track with my "read through the Bible" plan. They've got links and plans there to set your pace to keep reading through the Scriptures - as well as links to many different translations. Give it a try, you might find it a terrific way to discover new treasures!

latlh Daq taH neH 'oH chaH than SuD baS, HIja', than 'ar fine SuD baS; sweeter je than honey je the extract vo' the honeycomb.

More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. Psalms 19:10

The Word is sweet. The Word is rich - dig into it today!

chutmey - ordinances

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:12:47 PDT

joH'a' chutmey 'oH teH, je QaQtaHghach altogether.

The LORD's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9b

(click for podcast)

Klingons love nothing like a good fight - can you imagine being expected to "lay down the law" to one? To explain what God's laws, his "chutmey" are?

What does it mean to declare God's "ordinances," his chutmey areTRUE as we hear in Psalm 19?

First, because the Klingon vocabulary we know is meager - I've used a word here chut (law) to stand in for the Hebrew mishpat. That's weak, and might make us miss the point - it's far more than just "law" that the Psalmist is talking about here. One writer notes that the word here rendered chutmey (laws) in Klingon,

...refers also to the revealed truth of God, with the idea that that has been judged or determined by him to be right and to be best. It is the result of the divine adjudication as to what is true, and what is best for man. The word is often used in this sense. Compare Ex 21:1; Le 18:5; 26:43; compare Ps 9:7, Ps 9:16; 10:5. [Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible]

We're told here that these ordinances, these judgements of God are TRUE. The Hebrew word here for "true" is the same word, emeth, used in Psalm 117 when we're told "the truth (or faithfulness) of the LORD endures forever." What God says, what he decides ENDURES, it lasts. We may see people or institutions fail us, we might even see mountains crumble - but God's word, his promises are enduring.

But this isn't a purely intellectual truth, like the facts of mathematics or propositions of geometry. God's mind for us is RIGHTEOUSNESS. The word is tsadaq and encompasses the idea to be right (in a moral or forensic sense). In the KJV it is translated as cleanse, clear self, to be or do justice and more. I've rendered it here with the word QaQtaHghach, QaQ (be good), taH (ongoing) plus the nominalizing suffix ghach: QaQtaHghach it sort of means "being-good-ness." That's a thin bit of word for what God intends us to be, to be righteous when we live our lives by his judgements. Psalm 119 reminds us that living by this word can make a difference

How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word and following its rules.

I have tried my best to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 NLT

Part of the challenge of experimenting with the Klingon Language Version, "how might I explain this to a Klingon?" is really a way for me to translate these words into my own life. It may seem fanciful - and not altogether practical - but it has real consequences. I don't expect Klingons or aliens to show up any time soon, but when I wrestle with HOW to render something in Klingon, I gain personal insight into the application of the Scriptures in my life.

Some time ago I tried to translate the wa'maH chutmey - the ten commandments. I tried, not so much to literally translate, but to present the meanings of the commandments (http://members.aol.com/jpklingon/10c.html). I didn't do it to teach catechetical instruction - but it was, for me a bit of catechism, because it made me break the commandments down into the simplest terms I could (remember the small lexicon we have to work with). While not many tlhInganpu' will read what I did I'VE read it - and that's made a difference to me to reflect on and pray over these chutmey, these laws of the LORD. And when we do that, God can touch us, lead us and instruct us by his word.

joH'a' chutmey 'oH teH, je QaQtaHghach altogether.

The LORD's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9b

Say' - Clean

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:37:12 PDT

The taHvIp vo' joH'a' ghaH Say', enduring reH.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. Ps 19:9a

(click for podcast)

nuqjatlh? This isn't the first time our wanderings through the Psalms has made us face what must be perplexing. At least this might be perplexing to humans, but Klingons - would understand this praise of fear. For fear is NOT a bad thing.

The taHvIp vo' joH'a' ghaH Say', enduring reH.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. Ps 19:9a

The Hebrew here is "yira" - the same word we hear in Psalm 23's "I will fear no evil."

I've used taHvIp (afraid-to-go-on) as fear because, well, there isn't a Klingon word FOR fear. The closest is "ghIj", to scare - you do see that word appear in translation as fear, for example:

not qoHpu''e' neH ghIjlu'. // Only fools have no fear.

And that's worth noting, not just for considering the vocabulary, but to recognize that Klingons, like the Bible, recognize that FEAR CAN be positive; you'd be a fool to ignore it.

We're told here that it's CLEAN. Say' in Klingon, or tahowr in Hebrew, from a root meaning to "be bright."

What does that mean - how does "fear" "cleanse"?

Considering Psalm 19:9, Charles Spurgeon notes:

The doctrine of truth is here described by its spiritual effect,... inward piety, or the fear of the Lord; this is clean in itself, and cleanses out the love of sin, sanctifying the heart in which it reigns. Mr. Godly fear is never satisfied till every street, lane, and alley, yea, and every house and every corner ... is clean...

This is to our benefit - and it explains the Pslamist's word "enduring forever", because as Spurgeon continues:

"Filth brings decay, but cleanness is the great foe of corruption. The grace of God in the heart being a pure principle, is also an abiding and incorruptible principle, which may be crushed for a time, but cannot be utterly destroyed."

It's the difference between running shoes you take CARE of, or mildewy sneakers that have been "put away wet": THEY won't last. Ill treated things just don't last. The fear of the LORD cleanses - sets priorities, makes us give things up as we face our own shortcomings in light of God's Word.

Proverbs describes "the fear of the LORD" this way:

The taHvIp vo' joH'a' ghaH Daq muS mIghtaHghach. jIH muS pride, arrogance, the mIghtaHghach way, je the perverse nuj.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. (Proverbs 8:13)

What a terrific "todo list!" - I need to use it, to consider my life, my habits and ways and use it to, with God's help, root out all those things that weigh me down, that keep me from shining bright as God regards me!

The taHvIp vo' joH'a' ghaH Say', enduring reH.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. Ps 19:9a

Quch - Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:03:44 PDT

Πᾶσαν χαρὰν ἡγήσασθε , ἀδελφοί μου , ὅταν πειρασμοῖς περιπέσητε ποικίλοις

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials

Count 'oH Hoch Quch, wIj loDnI'pu', ghorgh SoH pum Daq various temptations James 1:2

(click for podcast)

This morning I had to alter my normal bike route. I needed to swing by the ATM as well as drop off an overdue book at the library. So I found myself biking down an unfamiliar street. As I moved through, I spotted a flash of movement - a bird? No, it was a paper airplane. When I looked again, I saw its "pilot," a 7 year old barefoot boy in his pajamas, happily launching his plane into the air again and again.

I can't say why, but that moment just gave me a lift. As I sailed on to work, I thought of him, enjoying a warm summer morning, standing, running and leaping in his front yard to fly on his wings of paper.

The apostle James, in his letter to believers scattered throughout the known world, reminds us

Consider it all joy Count 'oH Hoch Quch

As we've spread farther across Earth, as we spread out into the solar system and beyond, we need to hear those words.

This joy spoken of in the Bible - Xara in the Greek, is cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight - something I think I saw in that boy as he launched out into the morning skies with his airplane. It's what James advises us to find in the midst of lifes trials. Never forget - the Bible is NOT unrealistic. The call to joy isn't blind optimism, but a trusting faith that relies on a loving God to lead us through trouble.

Certainly no Klingon would think that Quch - happiness - was found denying the difficulties of life. But Klingons would NOT let those trials prevent them from finding the Quch, the Joy in life as we do find it.

Whether we speak of JOY, or XARA or QUCH - remember, that calm delight is indeed what God wants you to find. This is what Jesus is promising when he says:

tlhob, je SoH DichDaq Hev, vetlh lIj Quch may taH chenmoHta' teblu'ta'.

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full. John 16:24

This summer day, as you have opportunity, kick off your shoes! Run through the grass! Take delight in God's love and the reassurance that he does indeed desire that lIj Quch may taH chenmoHta' teblu'ta' - your joy may be made full.

tIq - Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:13:47 PDT

joH'a' precepts 'oH nIH, rejoicing the tIq. joH'a' ra'ta'ghach mu' ghaH pure, enlightening the mInDu'.

The LORD's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. PS 19:8

(click for podcast)

This summer is turning out to be a busy one for me. It's my own fault - I tried out for - and got in - a musical. That's only one of the reasons I haven't had much time for podcasts, but it's a big one. It's been a long time since I was in a show like this - I'd forgotten how much it was like taking a second job. Despite the work, it's a great group and really a lot of fun.

If you've ever been in a show, you'll know that, among other things the work includes the task of memorizing the music and words you're expected to sing and say. This is somthing you can't fudge - you've got to get it right. You need to know those words by heart. The words have to be ready at the moment you're expected to say (or sing) them. AND EVERYONE in the show has to do this - you need to be ready and quickly say your part in turn. When you do, the show comes to life.

The psalmist here reminds us of the power of bringing the Word to your heart When it goes IN to your heart - it can give a rejoicing heart, and it gives you an OUTLOOK, a way to look and see clearly.

As the NLT puts it:

The commandments of the LORD are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are clear,
giving insight to life.

Today, we think of "the heart" -(lebh in Hebrew, or tIq in Klingon) as "the emotions." It's often contrasted with our logical, mental side - but this isn't the Biblical picture, for the heart encompasses the whole range of our inner life. We go too far when we think we can divide our selves into pieces, like parts of a machine. As Easton's Bible Dictionary notes:

According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. "Heart" and "soul" are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case. The heart is the "home of the personal life," and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6; Ps. 11:2; 78:72), pious and good (Luke 8:15), etc. ...The heart is also the seat of the conscience (Rom. 2:15).

When we take this word into our heart, our leb, in the Hebrew, or tIq in Klingon - we can rejoice. Not because we've stored up something and are holding it inside, but because that word, once inside, drives us with a new outlook - it can give us the "script" as it were to guide us in our lives.

In less than two weeks I'll be on a stage with dozens of other cast members putting on a show. We've had the scripts for weeks and have all been working on this show. IF we only learned the words, and held them in our mental filing cabinets - well, the show would be a bust. But when we learn it all by heart, and then use those words to ACT, to interact, to laugh and sing - we will bring our story to life.

And it's a reminder that all of us need to store up God's word in our heart - not as more index cards in our mental file, but the script for our lives, to drive our actions!

chut - law!

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:21:04 PDT

joH'a' chut ghaH perfect, restoring the qa'. joH'a' testimony ghaH sure, making val the nap.

The LORD's law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD's testimony is sure, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7

(click for podcast)

What do you think of when you hear the word "law?" Do you picture a courtroom, a judge, a politician or a police officer? Maybe you think of a scientist or engineer, defining the limits of the Universe, and learning how to extend our knowledge and ablility to use creation.

The problem is, of course, "law" is a small word that covers a tremendous amount of territory. From the details of life and personal relations, to the farthest limits of the cosmos, we use "law" to encompass rules of nature and commerce and politics and more. One dictionary I looked at had 26 different entries!

chut is the Klingon word for law. Like our English term, it's short - and doesn't give us much hint at how to apply it. I actually didn't come across any USES of the term in the online tools I have on hand - so we don't know too much about how flexibly Klingon's use "chut."

But what does the Bible mean when it speaks of Law? Barnes notes:

The word used here - torah - is that which is commonly employed in the Old Testament with reference to the law of God, and is usually rendered "law." The word properly means "instruction," "precept," from a verb signifying "to teach." It is then used with reference to instruction or teaching in regard to conduct, and is thus applied to all that God has communicated to guide mankind. It does not here, nor does it commonly, refer exclusively to the commands of God, but it includes all that God has revealed to teach and guide us.

We can tell a lot by context. Sometimes when you hear someone and you miss a word, you can infer the meaning or the missing word by the context - I think that works here. When the psalmist talks about the law what does he tell us about it? It "restores the soul" and it "makes wise the simple."

It's so easy to hear a word like "law" and conjure up oppressive images - judgment, conviction and punishment. But the aim, the intent of God's law is to bring us to life, to revive us, to guide us toward wisdom. The Life Application Bible observes:

When we think of the law, we often think of something that keeps us from having fun. But here we see the opposite: God’s laws revive us, make us wise, bring joy to the heart, give insight, warn us, and reward us. God’s laws are guidelines and lights for our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at danger to warn us, then point at success to guide us.

Certainly there is "law" in the sense of rules - the ten commandments is a key example of that - but that part of the law is only the beginning. Especially when we recognize that - however we define God's rules - we'll never measure up. The law in such a sense doesn't tell us "how to get on God's good side" - rather is shows us how much we fall short and need his mercy - as Paul says "For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard" (Romans 3:23). Here's the wisdom we find in the law - when we try to measure up, we discover how short we fall.

But there's more - the part of this "law" that encompasses God's teaching can revive us - for Paul reminds us

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Eph. 2:8,9)

As the LAB notes

We become Christians through God’s unmerited favor, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. While no action or work we do can help us obtain salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service.

Call it Torah, Law, or chut - the Scriptures give us a testimony that is far more than a rule book. It gives us LIFE, pointing out not only how we are in need, but how freely God meets that need. To which I can only say HIja'! YES!

juHHom - Tent

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:38:00 PDT

Daq chaH ghaH ghajtaH cher a juHHom vaD the pemHov... Daj ghoS vo' ghaH vo' the pItlh vo' the chal, Daj circuit Daq its ends

In them he has set a tent for the sun... His going forth is from the end of the heavens,
his circuit to its ends;
Psalm 19:4,6

(click for podcast)

Tents move.

That is, no one thinks a tent - no matter how big or sturdy - is permanent. Tents are made to be temporary. They are homes for people ON THE MOVE.

I don't know if Klingons go camping - at least not the sort of recreational camping we humans partake of on earth. There is a word in Klingon (raQ) for 'camp,' but as it is considered a military term, so I suspect it refers to a military encampment. Likewise, I don't know of a term for "tent" so I've used juHHom - juH, house, plus the diminutive suffix -Hom. juHHom, little house, or cottage. That isn't entirely inconsistent with the Hebrew 'ohel used here, which is translated as home, tabernacle, AND tent.

This verse from Psalm 19 conjures up a picture: the sun in the sky bursts from its temporary home, its tent, and it runs its course like an eager bridegroom on his way to his wedding. The sun sweeps across the sky - the tent, the tabernacle containing the sun does not nail it down in one place, as it were.

This verse follows the Psalmist's exalting over how creation - the stars and heavens - tell us of God. I'd suggest that the imagery here continues to tell us that just as the sun explodes from out of its tent, God's Word, his message needs to not be shut up in any tent or tabernacle.

The "tent" is a familar part of the middle eastern culture from which we get the Bible. The Hebrew word here ('ohel) is used hundreds of times across Scripture - so of course the word juHHom that I've used in the KLV is seen over and over again. Usually it is fairly literal, describing homes, encampments and other dwelling places.

I'm familiar with these too, since, when I go camping, I use a tent. BUT - I don't stay in the tent. I move, I explore, I experience the wonder and I rejoice that God has shared his creation with us. I think we're being reminded that God's word is intended to MOVE, to be shared, to get on with things - and to MOVE us believers to make a difference. It doesn't stay still - we shouldn't expect it to. Likewise, we can make sure it doesn't stay "in the tent" when we share it with our actions and our words.

The sun doesn't stay "in the tent" - it moves out and gives light to the world. We who have the gift of faith need to see that we do the same.

ghoghmey vIQoy

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:14:05 PDT

pa' ghaH ghobe' speech ghobe' language, nuqDaq chaj ghogh ghaH ghobe' Qoyta'. chaj ghogh ghajtaH ghoSta' pa' vegh Hoch the tera', chaj mu'mey Daq the pItlh vo' the qo'.

There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out through all the earth, Their words to the end of the world. Psalms 19:3-4a

(click for podcast)

ghorghmey vIQoy - I hear voices. I have an odd, and ever growing collection of gadgets. Radios, phonograph turntable, tape, CD and mp3 players - and all of them let me hear voices. So, thanks to them, ghoghmey vIQoy - I hear voices. The psalmist tells us that, throughout creation we hear voices too. Non-voice voices, actually. You'll find, if you examine different translations of these verses there is some variety of opinion on how to translate these words. Some say

There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard. Their voice has gone out through all the earth (WEB)

while others say,

They speak without a sound or a word;their voice is silent in the skies (NLT)

On far side of those variations we find a strong affirmation: Creation has a MESSAGE - a voice. Perhaps there are not words as such, nor sound, but bottom line, nature has SOMETHING important to tell us. And this is a "word" available to all - every nation, every continent and creed (every PLANET, even!). This might sound like a free pass - what do we need to do if God has already broadcast his message in the stars? Well, as the Life Application Bible points out:

The apostle Paul referred to this psalm when he explained that everyone knows about God because nature proclaims God’s existence and power (Romans 1:19, 20). This does not cancel the need for missions because the message of God’s salvation found in his Word, the Bible, must still be told to the ends of the earth. While nature points to the existence of God, the Bible tells us about God’s plan of salvation. God’s people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with God. Although most people believe in a Creator because of the evidence of nature around them, they need to know about his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take God’s message to the world?

pa' ghaH ghobe' speech ghobe' language, nuqDaq chaj ghogh ghaH ghobe' Qoyta'.
There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.

The Klingon word ghogh is how voice,the Hebrew word qowl, is translated here. Appearing over 400 times in the Bible it comes from a root meaning "to call aloud" and is translated in quite a few ways - cry, lowing, noise, proclamation, voice, and yell - to name a few. You might also be familiar with the word from the name of the Israeli radio station: "Kol Israel" - the Voice of Israel.

Here's a thought: Creation has a voice that "speaks" of God. As general revelation believers say that Nature is one means God has of speaking to us, just as specific revelation, the Bible, is another. Now one aspect of revelation is to MODEL - to give us guidance to our actions. Considering that, we might take the example of nature, of God's revelation, as an example, to user OUR voice - ghoghmaj - to speak with words - and without - by our actions to add our testimony to God.

pa' ghaH ghob
e' speech ghobe' language, nuqDaq chaj ghogh ghaH ghobe' Qoyta'.
There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.

God has given you a voice - let it be heard!

They Display Knowledge....

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:41:40 PDT

jaj after jaj chaH pour vo' speech, je ram after ram chaH display Sov.

Day after day they pour forth speech, And night after night they display knowledge. Psalm 19:2

(click for podcast)

chu' tlhaq vIje'pu' - that's Klingon for: I bought a new watch.

For years - over ten years, I'm sure - I've used the same watch - the official Timex "tlhIngan tlhaq" (I even have a spare). I've used it so long I've gone through half a dozen bands to keep it on my wrist. It's a great watch not only with cool Klingon labelling, it has lots of useful features, and I've kept it as a backup - but it was time for a change.

My new watch is NOT digital. It's completly mechanical and self-winding. What I particularly like about it is HOW very mechanical it is - from the face and the back you can see inside to the works, and see its action as it ticks away the seconds, minutes and hours. My wife says it makes her tired to see how hard it works - but I like it.

jaj after jaj chaH pour vo' speech, je ram after ram chaH display Sov.

Day after day they pour forth speech, And night after night they display knowledge. Psalm 19:2

Like my watch, day after day, night after night, show us the action of God in creation. The order of each day, followed by night are like the works of my watch, ticking away.

Likewise, the stars and planets, as they wheel past in the sky, expose us to the intricate detail of God's handiwork, and they can make us pause to admire, and appreciate what God has done.

I'm alluding to what is called the "watchmaker" argument for the existence of God. Just as - if you discovered my watch lying in a field, you wouldn't think it "just happened to be there" - its presence is the evidence of the actions of some person or people (someone made it, someone lost it). Just so, the details and movement of nature testify to the actions of a creator.

Not everyone is convinced. Skeptical authors have pointed to natural causes and mechanisms that CAN evolve and develop complexity in nature. They have a point - but I don't find that dilutes the power of the watchmaker analogy - it only pushes the question of "who did this?" back further. Such natural causes in making the complexity I find in creation are like... finding a robotic factory that was making watches. True - there might be no person making the watches, but where did the factory come from? Who designed it? Who made the robots?

jaj after jaj chaH pour vo' speech, je ram after ram chaH display Sov.

Day after day they pour forth speech, And night after night they display knowledge. Psalm 19:2

The word used here for knowledge, da'at in Hebrew, appears about 90 times in the Bible - related to the common word "yada" to know - it's translated by the Klingon word Sov (knowledge, or "to know"). It reminds me that nature, the Universe - ALL of Creation - is not simply a show or an entertainment. It is part, along with the Scriptures, of God's revelation to us. We need to attend to it, and with eyes of faith, see how dependable, and steadfast God is.

We need more, surely. Without the witness of the Word, we'd not know of His love, we'd not know of his commandments, and the blessings promised to believers. But it IS a start.

Albert Barnes notes:

Day unto day - One day to another; or, each successive day. The day that is passing away proclaims the lesson which it had to convey from the movements of the heavens, about God; and thus the knowledge of God is accumulating as the time moves on. Each day has its own lesson in regard to the wisdom, the power, and the goodness of God, and that lesson is conveyed from one day to another. There is a perpetual testimony thus given to the wisdom and power of the Great Creator.

I love to watch the gears moving away, driving the hands of my new watch. I can't imagine the craftsmanship to design, let alone construct this device. And it doesn't present even a fraction of the complexity of even a corner of this Universe. Surely that should make me pause, and give thanks to the one who put it all together!

ghop vum - Handiwork

noreply@blogger.com (Joel) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:46:44 PDT

The expanse shows Daj ghop vum. Ps 19:1b

The expanse shows his handiwork.

(click for podcast version)

I've got an Altoids tin. To be honest, I've actually got lots of them. Like many people, I've found those sturdy little containers are just too handy to throw away. They're great for collecting odds and ends, and I've used them for that.

But I'm thinking of a very specific tin - it was one the smaller Altoids chewing gum tins. It doesn't really look much different from their gum tins.... except if you turned it over you'd discover there was a USB socket sticking out of one end. If you opened it, you'd discover it had a pair of AA batteries, a battery holder, and a circuit board. What you'd find is EVIDENCE, evidence of my ghop vum - my hand's work: handiwork.

Nobody looking at this would think it "just happened" - they'd assume (and they'd be right) that somebody planned to make this gum tin into something else. In this case it's a "minty boost" kit, a portable charger for iPods and mp3 players. It's a neat gadget I made from a kit to recharge the mp3 player on which I'm recording this podcast.

The expanse shows Daj ghop vum. Ps 19:1b

The expanse shows his handiwork.

The Bible reminds believers that when they look up into the sky, when they look deep into nature they see something - not something that HAPPENED by chance, but something that was planned and put together. It's craftsmanship, what the WEB and other translations call handiwork - a translation of two Hebrew words, maaseh (an action or work) and yad (hand). The sky shows us God's hand AT work. The word "handiwork" only appears once in the WEB or the KJV. The NLT uses the term "craftsmanship" for this Hebrew phrase - and likewise it only appears the one time in the whole Bible.

This is a very THIN slice of God. If you came across my gadget-in-the-altoids tin, you'd know it was handiwork, but learn very little about me. Maybe you'd form an opinion of my soldering skills, but you'd know little about my likes and dislikes. You wouldn't even know WHAT I used this gadget FOR - just that someone came along and MADE THIS change in an otherwise innocent and unassuming metal box.

But - it's a start. In the Bible, we hear Jesus say: "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock" - when nature throws us clues in the magnificence of creation, that's one of the ways the door is being knocked upon.

As I noted in my last podcast - when we see these notes and signposts that point us to God - we need to follow through, we need to seek out more than a mystical moment of inspiration. Across the centuries in the Scriptures and in the lives of fellow believers, we can find testimony that will draw us closer to Him,to the one who made this universe, who wants us to get to know him better. In the Bible we can learn not just that the Universe WAS made, but by whom. And we can learn about his love and plan for our lives.

God's handiwork is all around - His power and his steadfast creation is all around you, knocking on the door of your awareness. Open the door!

The expanse shows Daj ghop vum. Ps 19:1b

The expanse shows his handiwork.