Zondervan Scriptureless Bible?

Sunday after church, in smoggy, smelly, Abbotsford.

My apologies...

I was just on the phone with Ms. CIA and I opined that it smelled strongly of poo up here in my loft. I informed the careworker downstairs that was dealing with Mother that lives downstairs.

Taking a stroll near my open sunroom windows, I now fully realize the poo smell is the Maple Ridge smog.

Zondervan Scriptureless Bible?

The Babylon Bee: August 4 2016

Cited

'New Journaling Bible To Eliminate Scriptural Text Entirely'

'GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Zondervan announced Thursday an exciting new wide-margin journaling edition of its popular NIV Bible translation which eliminates the biblical text altogether to provide readers with more space to write their own thoughts, ideas, and feelings as they study God’s Word.' 

Cited

'“According to early feedback, people are thrilled with this new product. And since there are no printed words in this Bible, we were able to shorten it considerably, making it one of our most portable and convenient renderings of Scripture.”'

Cited

'When asked why consumers would pay $34.99 for what is essentially the same product as a journal they could pick up at Walmart for less than five dollars, the representative laughed. “There are many diaries, sketch pads, and journals in the world, but none of them come close to the majesty of God’s Holy Word.”'
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With this 'move' within the last year for the intellectually and spiritually lazy, the requirement for historical, revealed Scripture in church is negated. At the same time of course, within embracing churches is negated bible studies, online sermons and the use of biblical tools, such as commentaries and dictionaries.

Smoked out

Vancouver: This morning. Amber Belzer/Global News

Maple Ridge News: Maple Ridge, Wednesday evening 

Maple Ridge News: Chilliwack, Wednesday

The Weather Network

From

Environment Canada

Maple Ridge, BC Alerts in Effect

Forecast ALERTS IN EFFECT

Special Air Quality Statement 

Issued at 04:57 Thursday 03 August 2017

Summary

Smoke is causing poor air quality and reducing visibility. Smoke is expected or occurring.

August 3, 2017 CONTINUED AIR QUALITY ADVISORY - UPDATE

Metro Vancouver is continuing an Air Quality Advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley because of high...

Special Weather Statement Issued at 04:59 Thursday 03 August 2017 Summary A heat wave will continue for the south coast of British Columbia...

A massive ridge of high pressure will continue to remain over southern BC. Daytime maximum temperatures will soar into the mid-thirties through Friday for communities in the Fraser Valley, Howe ...

I wrote yesterday on:

Russell Norman Murray Facebook Page

Very warm bur not very sunny, 32 to 36 c.. Polluted sky. The Weather Network posts a warning: Elevated pollution levels are expected or occurring.
---

This level of smoke is not at all typical for this area. Wildfires are effecting the air quality.

Global News

'In the Lower Mainland, where smoke from the wildfires has blanketed most areas in smoke and haze, air quality remains poor on Thursday.'

Please note:

The smokey skies are not due to the local marijuana smokers...

Most Maple Ridge residents do believe in some form of landscaping...

Saint Francis of Assisi/Saint Chuckles of A Boop Boop (Forbes rankings)

Toronto Blue Jays

Forbes franchise rankings Canada 2016/2017

With some philosophy of sports added.

Forbes 2017

Toronto Blue Jays

1.3 Billion US Value

Number 1 in Canada, and number 16 on the Forbes, Major League Baseball list for 2017. The 1992 and 1993 World Series Champions had two very good seasons prior to this one as they reached the American League Championship Series.

Things are so bad sportswise/sports wise in this country, that even with having a sub .500 record this year this year so far and with no recent World Series Championship, the Blue Jays have become #1 in Canada.

This according to various Forbes lists that I have reviewed.

For the most part the Blue Jays are in default competitive mediocrity. But this seems to excite many people in Southern Ontario desperate for a winner; it excites some other Canadians as well. It especially excites the Toronto sports media.

Frankly, I do not care...

I think an outdoor Major League Baseball game in a sunny traditional American baseball park, would be wonderful.

But, in a open or closed dome in Toronto, not so much. Domes belong, for example, in some ancient architecture and on some men; such as with Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Chuckles of A Boop Boop, a local Mennonite, and living martyr, if such a thing were possible.

Forbes 2017

Toronto Raptors

$1,125 Billion US Value

Frankly, I care even less.

I do respect the growth of team value. Congratulations for dumping the 'roided' up Barney the Dinosaur logo.

Pinterest

Forbes 2016

Montreal Canadiens

1,120 Billion US Value

If this club was more successful the value could be as high as #1 or #2 in Canada.

The National Hockey League club in the second largest Canadian city in metropolitan population.

The club needs more actual on ice star players and more scoring. There is so little scoring there is too much focus on off ice club celebrity by the media. If one likes soap operas, order archived series of 'Dynasty' or for some of you more conservative types, 'The Waltons'.

Toronto Maple Leafs

$1,100 Billion US Value

After fifty years of relative mediocrity, this franchise is finally developing and bringing in some top level skill. If this club becomes very successful and wins a Stanley Cup (s), it should be the default #1 valued sports club in Canada. The Leafs have significant apparent skill, and now good management. It will be difficult for even the Leafs to mess this up.

Vancouver Canucks

$700 Million US Value

As per usual, the Vancouver hockey media and online/radio callers spend much time discussing how the Canucks can dig themselves out of the club's latest hole.

As my Father has stated over the years: 'The problem with the Canucks is management'.

I figured the Canucks would go down the tubes after they choked in the 2011, Stanley Cup Final and could not play a decent, competitive game in Boston. I reasoned the right things to improve would not be done.

Edmonton Oilers

$445 Million US Value

A small market club with a new state of the art, National Hockey League arena and some of the top younger players (McDavid, Draisaitl). The Oilers also have a very solid starting goaltender (Talbot). A Stanley Cup contender. I doubt they will mess this up long term, but they did against the Anaheim Ducks in the playoffs. It was not a choke, it was a quack.

Calgary Flames

$410 Million US Value

Once the dispute with the city of Calgary ends and a new arena is built, the franchise value should rise. But, threats, for example, that the team could move to 'Reno' might speed things up. Some hockey commentators think Calgary has as much, or close to the potential as Edmonton. I am not convinced so far, but I hope it is true.

Ottawa Senators

$355 Million US Value

Ottawa Senators version 2.0

I have read online that the 'Trojan condom' like logo might be replaced more often by an 'O' similar to the alternate uniform and the original Ottawa Senators.

They were close to winning the Stanley Cup but need more scoring. The neutral zone trap Senators did not have New Jersey Devils of 1995, neutral zone trap and scoring ability.

Winnipeg Jets

$340 Million US Value

Winnipeg Jets version 2.0

The Jets have scoring skill but need upgrades defensively and with goaltending, according to my limited viewing and more importantly, the opines of hockey media, critics. No, I do not think that the Jets relative success means Saskatoon should receive a franchise. For Canada to be more competitive as a nation, it requires more new billion dollar value, potential clubs.

Fire Alarm test: A smirk on her face and lack of common sense

Pinterest

Every year our strata complex has mandatory fire alarm and vent cleaning checks. I understand and support this fully. It is in our mutual best interests.

There has been a sheet posted in the building stating it was our responsibility, as apartment owners, to confirm our appointment for the vent cleaning. The fire alarm testing is usually at about the same time. It can be earlier depending on the work of the technicians. It could be at 8 am. If so, if I am at home, I will let the fire alarm technician in and could stay in bed, if needed. I can close my bedroom door. I do work late often. I have online dealings overseas.

I confirmed the mandatory 10 am, July 31, appointment, yesterday with a sign-up sheet for the vent cleaning.

I live upstairs in the condominium complex and my Mother, disabled and with dementia lives downstairs in a hospital bed. I realize the first careworker arrives at 9 am. If I am not out of the complex at work or other, the Fraser Health careworkers have eight other apartment numbers to buzz to be allowed entrance into the complex to walk to our apartment. I set up this list with the Strata President. If I am home, I answer.

The buzz for 9 am will sometimes awaken me. In my underwear I buzz the careworker in and then get dressed and go downstairs to talk with the careworker and to give Mother her first meal or inform the careworker what is available to make Mother for breakfast.

Today, I am awakened at 8: 45 am approximately, by the phone ringing, which is the careworker arriving early. At the same time, as I attempt to buzz her in, I hear this woman yelling from downstairs (paraphrased) 'Russ, fire alarm'. I verbally yelled back. She could hear me. She replied. I am just awake, in my underwear attempting to let the careworker in as I usually would do, if home, and then get dressed. At that moment, the fire alarm technician (which did not bother me) bursts into my loft and checks the alarm.

What bothered me, were the actions of the Strata representative with a smirk on her face standing at the stairs looking at me. This was unethical and showed a lack of common sense.

She should have stayed downstairs. There was no need for her to show the fire alarm technician where the upstairs fire alarm was located. These apartments are virtually universally the same in every apartment he checks.

If she insisted on having a look, she could have given me thirty seconds to put pants and a shirt on, and to compose myself.

I gave her a very stern response. The smirk disappeared. 

She stated I had two weeks notice. I was not going to point out her bogus reasoning while in my underwear. She missed the point...

I complained to my friend and the Strata President, that is approximately my Father's age. He stated that the Strata could not control the exact time of the fire alarm check. I understand. But, he agreed that this older woman and Strata representative should have stayed downstairs. If this was an actual fire, I could pardon her actions. She would need to clear the building.

As I homecare, for my Mother, I am probably the 'punk kid' of the complex, but I generally have common sense and expect it from the administration.

What, if instead of being, temporarily at least, a Christian celibate,  I was a fornicator and had a 'bird' with me as they say in 1970's British television comedies? What if I was in 'the can' to use a North American expression, and just darted out to buzz the careworker in.

The Strata representative got off lightly...

As I write this, the 10:16 am venting technician has now arrived. The Strata President just apologized again and stated he will speak with the Strata representative.

I am glad my options for leaving are improving and that Mother would be taken care of by Fraser Health homecare. But overall, it is a good place to live. I am blessed.