not one sparrow update, September 08
If you’ve been checking not one sparrow’s site or blog the past few weeks, I’m sorry for the scarcity of posts and new content. It’s been a difficult couple of months to be honest, on a personal level and with respect to not one sparrow, and I’m doing my best to regroup. I’m hoping to have some new material up soon, but I did post a thought-provoking entry by Tracy Simmons on understanding love through her care for two severely behaviorally-challenged dogs, as well as highlight an excellent article on a biblical concern for animals by Leonard Vander Zee of The Banner.
I’m working with a friend and talented artist on some of the visual aspects of the site, including the logo and header. I’m thinking of taking the opportunity to come up with a different tag line for not one sparrow. Currently it’s “a Christian voice for animals,” and I don’t mind the “voice for animals” idea, but I’d like to communicate the grounding of faith without sounding quite so formal or institutional if at all possible (I’m trying to be sensitive to my generation’s, and my own, aesthetic in this respect).
But I will say the phrase “remembering animals” is growing on me as a tag line, especially because it communicates the thought behind not one sparrow’s name, and our responsibility to catch up to God’s example in this respect:
Aren’t five sparrows sold for a couple of pennies? But not one of them is forgotten by God. (Luke 12:6)
But I’m still not completely sure how to complete the line. “Remembering animals” might sound a bit brief and unclear by itself (it may come across as a pet memorial), and the Christian grounding isn’t obvious. I’m thinking about maybe “remembering animals (luke 12:6)”, followed by the verse written out. But I’d be grateful to know what you think, or if you have a better idea, maybe even a different suggestion altogether. Please let me know, I’d really value your input.
I don’t want to make this into something gimmicky, but I’d be happy to offer a copy of Matthew Scully’s excellent Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy, or similar book, if you can come up with a tag which best represents not one sparrow. Just know the fate of the entire project and animal kingdom rests on your ingenuity … (j.k., as they say in text). I’ll probably need to collect any ideas over the next few days or so, if you come up with anything.
Many thanks, and as always feel free to let me know if anything else is on your mind.
Ben DeVries
p.s. I thought I'd gratuitously post the following display of brotherly-sisterly love which I took a few weeks ago ...
September 11, 2008
Reader Comments (2)
I agree, Ben, about the need for a good tag line. I think the remembering animals does sound a bit like a pet memorial thing, but putting the scripture verse after it will clear that up pretty quickly. However, I really like the use of voice... hmmm, what about "Giving Voice to God's Love (or concern or compassion or ???) for animals." Or "Remembering God's Love (or compassion?) for All Animals (or all Creatures?)". Just brainstorming here ... I'll fiddle around with the words some more in my head and return later if I come up with anything better. Glad you're regrouping and not disappearing! :)
Thanks, Tracy, for the response and the great ideas ... I got a few more in by email, and I'll keep mulling this over. And thanks for the vote of confidence.