Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Lost in Translation
by Tom Goodman
August 20, 2008

Mistranslations can be funny, but not always.

The Wall Street Journal reported on some signs at overseas businesses. The signs were translated into English for American tourists, but the signs lost their meanings in the translations.

Here's one from a Swiss restaurant:: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for."
Then there's the posted notice in front of a Budapest zoo:: "Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty."
One dental office boasted:: "Teeth are extracted by the latest Methodists."
In Copenhagen at least one airline was up front in how it handled luggage. Its sign read:: "We will take your bags and send them in all directions."
Or here's another from a Japanese hotel, which led to some misunderstandings, I imagine:: "You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid."
That's like the laundry in Rome that advertised:: "Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time."
Finally, there was the sign at a Paris hotel that advised:: "Please leave your values at the front desk."

Those signs are good for a chuckle. But it's tragic when things get lost in the translation between Christ's vision for his church and actually seeing the church in action.

That's why we've started a new sermon series called "The Church You've Always Longed For." We're looking at six challenges from the Gospel of Matthew; and if we rise to those challenges, we can be a better church. Last week we began the series by looking at how to place divine truth ahead of human tradition (listen here). This week we continue our series with a lesson on how to let love overcome prejudice. You can prepare for the message by reading Matthew 15:21-39.

This series is for your seeking friends as well as for believers. Some seekers give up their examination of Jesus because a certain Christian or a particular church has disappointed them. But isn't that like rejecting Beethoven's genius because your kid's middle school orchestra performed his work so poorly?

Christ's vision for his church is an ideal worth realizing. To love Jesus means loving what he loves -- and, according to Scripture, Jesus "loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). Let's get together and figure out how to love the church as he did. Join us this Sunday at 9:30am or 10:45am.

--Tom

Wasn't the Sunday night music program great! I join Gene in thanking all who made it a wonderful evening!

Teacher Appreciation Lunch. For 30 years Hillcrest has helped local school staffs launch their new year with a Teacher Appreciation Lunch. Read more information in Jim Siegel's column about this year's event.

Christmas In August. The Children in Action (formerly GA's and RA's) will be taking donations for the Christmas in August for missionary Bill Barker, who serves the Appalachian Mountain Region. Click here for a list of donations needed and how you can participate.

Weblog: Check out "Get Anchored." Every Sunday I post a new "Song of the Week" (This week, "Put Your Records On," by Corinne Bailey Rae). Also, every Tuesday I post some entertaining and informative "Links to Your World" (This week, watch a cute video on our all-too-typical approach to prayer!).

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.HillcrestAustin.org

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

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Lost in Translation by Tom Goodman August 20, 2008 Mistranslations can be funny, but not always. The Wall Street Journal reported on some signs at overseas businesses. The signs were translated into English for American tourists, but the signs lost their meanings in the translations. Here's one from a Swiss restaurant: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for." Then there's the posted notice in front of a Budapest zoo: "Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty." One dental office boasted: "Teeth are extracted by the latest Methodists." In Copenhagen at least one airline was up front in how it handled luggage. Its sign read: "We will take your bags and send them in all directions." Or here's another from a Japanese hotel, which led to some misunderstandings, I imagine: "You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid." That's like the laundry in Rome that advertised: "Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time." Finally, there was the sign at a Paris hotel that advised: "Please leave your values at the front desk." Those signs are good for a chuckle. But it's tragic when things get lost in the translation between Christ's vision for his church and actually seeing the church in action. That's why we've started a new sermon series called "The Church You've Always Longed For." We're looking at six challenges from the Gospel of Matthew; and if we rise to those challenges, we can be a better church. Last week we began the series by looking at how to place divine truth ahead of human tradition (listen here). This week we continue our series with a lesson on how to let love overcome prejudice. You can prepare for the message by reading Matthew 15:21-39. This series is for your seeking friends as well as for believers. Some seekers give up their examination of Jesus because a certain Christian or a particular church has disappointed them. But isn't that like rejecting Beethoven's genius because your kid's middle school orchestra performed his work so poorly? Christ's vision for his church is an ideal worth realizing. To love Jesus means loving what he loves -- and, according to Scripture, Jesus "loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). Let's get together and figure out how to love the church as he did. Join us this Sunday at 9:30am or 10:45am. --Tom Wasn't the Sunday night music program great! I join Gene in thanking all who made it a wonderful evening! Teacher Appreciation Lunch. For 30 years Hillcrest has helped local school staffs launch their new year with a Teacher Appreciation Lunch. Read more information in Jim Siegel's column about this year's event. Christmas In August. The Children in Action (formerly GA's and RA's) will be taking donations for the Christmas in August for missionary Bill Barker, who serves the Appalachian Mountain Region. Click here for a list of donations needed and how you can participate. Weblog: Check out "Get Anchored." Every Sunday I post a new "Song of the Week" (This week, "Put Your Records On," by Corinne Bailey Rae). Also, every Tuesday I post some entertaining and informative "Links to Your World" (This week, watch a cute video on our all-too-typical approach to prayer!). Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.HillcrestAustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.