Mobile Ministry Magazine

Seperating the Performance from the Person
There was something said in the SUnday evening church service that has really stayed with me throughout the week, and as I sat today thinking what to write towards MMM as an editorial thuough, it was a statement that came back at me.

God wants you to worship his person, not his performaces

And while many of you can read this and say in agreement that this is something we should do. Applying this to our use of mobile technology for His service, we find that there can be some conflict of interests.

For example, I used to believe that carrying a whole lot of reference materials with me made me look knowledgeable, and because it was God who granted me the PDA and materials, I could get by with saying that "I can look that up for you." What this points to however, is a lack of studying (2 Tim. 2:15-16), lack of discipline (James 1:5-8), and just a lack of care towards my neighbor (Prov. 10:8). I had in fact used the performance of God as the basis by which I would demonstrate his person to others. Whoops.

This is easy to do with the copious amounts of data that is available today at our fingertips. And it is not hard to fall into this type of pride. I want to encourage all of you with this:

- If you are spending more time administering to your gift, rather than using it to bless others, then you have taken something God has given you to get closer to His person, and you made it a performance-lord in your life.
- If you spend more time towards being in your gift, than being in front of the face of God, then you have made that gift a performance-lord over your life.

I urge you, get away from the computer or whatever it is for a day or so, and then get infront of the face of God for some good face time.

A few days removed from Egypt, the Israelites got a close encounter with God of the thundering kind. God's reasoning to Moses was that them seeing God so close will help them to be endeared to Him as time wore on in the wilderness. However, when the people forgot that present presence of God, they drerw themselves to idos and other items. Be diligent and hearken to the voice of the Lord, and by doing so you will draw more men to Him because of Him, rather than because of your gift.
- sent from Treo

For many people, the subject of ebooks and their usefulness is a moot point. Unfortunately, with all of the diverse formats that range for ebooks, not too many people or companies have expressed any confidence in ebooks becoming any more than a niche kinda of thing.

That is until now. According to a recent report at Mobile Read, its coming to fruition that there will soon be an industry-wide adapted ebook standard. Now, while this will still mean that content publishers and distributors will have control of the market, for once, we now see that there is an opportunity for ebooks to get a solid ground and then be able to move from there. Having just one format (no matter how advanced or not advanced than other formats), allows for a more level playing field for small and large publishers. And then forces those who make devices and reader software to enhance their software rather than tieing the user into their particular format (that is if you name is not Apple - see iPod/iTunes/AAC - or Microsoft - see DOC/XLS/and Internet Explorer before the coming version 7).

So what does this mean for Christian publishers? For one, a common file format means that Biblical literature (bibles, commentaries, lexicons, etc.) will be able to more easily be sold in ebook stores next to other literature, making their visability and vitality to the consumer all that more evident. As more and more Christian software developers observe this format, it will also open the door to more competition in areas such as mobile application development and online services.

As a whole, a new light will shine in the area of electronic reading media and the Christian world, and this will make for an enlightening experience for those who are into ebooks now, and those who will be into ebooks in the near future.

Using Technology To Reach Those Looking
Was just reading my RSS feeds for the afternoon, and saw an interesting post talking about how churches are beginning to pick up on using skillful marketing and modern technologies in order to make it easier for those looking for a church home to find one.

In the posting, an article from Black News spoke more expressing the use of a service "called 877-BLESSED to promote their churches and attract new members. The multi-media outreach service puts churches and their ministries in touch with thousands of prospective members and donors - all at the touch of a keypad."

Read the rest of the article via the HCMR post (had trouble finding the article when I went to the site via my Treo, something else many chruch and Christian websites are getting better in). Tis a good thing that churches are not so much relying on always word of mouth, even though most would agree that personal testimony of a church is a telling sign of whether you want to visit or not.

- sent from Treo

An Intrduction to Mobile Ministry
Many times, when I am out and about speaking to people about what I see in the usefulness of mobile technology, I get a lot of "ooohs" and "I didn't know that was possible." And not that I can really blame them for not knowing, manufacturers and even fan sites have done very little to gradually bring the "not a fanatic" user into an understanding of what mobile technology is and what it can do.

For that reason, I thought to take a little bit of time and talk with you about mobile ministry and how it means that mobile technology is not for the nerds and highly connected business people, but for you and I who in our daily travels, have more than enough interactions with people that can be called an act of servicable love (or, ministry).

Ministry is the act of giving a service to someone without expecting anything in return. And a step further, it is a continual service (in some cases), or an extended service designed to accomidate, comfort, encourage, correct, or instruct (1 Tim 3:16-17). In the context of mobile technology, ministry therefore is extending the application of mobile technology and mobile technology services to serve in those same capacities.

Mobile ministry is something as simple as an emailed devotional, or as complex as a a network of PDAs used to teach students on a missionfield. It can be a text message to one's pastor, or a gospel ringtone shared from one person to another. It is essentially sharing the goodness of the Lord electronically, but not tied to a desk.

It sounds like mobile ministry is just a procedure-type of thing. However, it is also a mindset. Mobile ministry extends to not being covetious when it comes to the latest phone, computer, or software. It means taking advantage of a given situation in order to see God work in the lives of others (for example, a group of video game players who organize a LAN party but also use the game and time to teach about Christ). It is a mentality that there are no bounds to the gospel's abiltiy to be preached, and at the same time there is a responsiblity to preach in and out of season as the Lord wills.

This is essentially how and what mobile ministry is. And if you are new to this site, or have come for some time and want to know how you fit into all of this (because we all do), it is our hope that this helps you better understand mobile ministry, and why Mobile Ministry Magazine exists. We want to encourage you to carry God everywhere, even on your mobile device to the ends of the earth.
- sent from Treo

A Confession of Sorts
Hello again all;
This is kinda not the norm, but I guess that confession is good for the soul for me too.

Yesterday I walked out on my day job. There have been many issues happening over the past many months and yesterday I took advantage of a door and walked thru it. This leaves me currently with no income and no job, but I do have peace. You see, yesterday also, before I even got out the shower, I prayed to the Lord for a day of peace; peace in my walk, peace in the decsiions that I would make. And this morning, I woke up and asked the Lord what happened yesterdady. It was not at all what I had planned, but it is what happened. He said simply that He gave me peace. To that I smiled and agreed.

So now, the hope is that while I am able to pay bills with what is in savings (not much) that I would be able to continue with MMM and all else. I really do not know what will happen from this point.

This I do know. God is soverign. There are good and bad things that happen because they fall within the will of God. And no man has the ability question God why, we only have the priviledge to being astounded and humbled. He is Lord over the good and bad decsions that we make, and even then, we still don't deserve the good (Romans 8:28) outcome.

So if you have a minute of breath today, please send a prayer in for me. I have hit the ground praying and looking for work. But in the meantime, taking this time to rest in His peace and allow Him to speak to me not because I am a working man running to and fro, but because I am still enough now to get the complete lesson.
- sent from Treo

Possiblities?
Somewhere in the possiblities of what happens with mobile technology, there is something that draws us a bit closer wondering what it is that God wants to do with us in which we know that there is something a lot more than ourselves in attention.

If it is possible that a person can do nearly all of their computing on a mobile phone, does the walls for minstry consist of a desk and a chair? Does the possiblity of text message to several receipients mean that a hug is a lot closer than we think? Or is the gift of a mobile computer the possible link and solution to a medic in a place where books and other information are hard to come by?

For me, I do not know. MMM kinda exists for those and other questions. What really is possible with mobile technology, and what have we not yet tapped into that brings Christ in front of people, not just leading them to the steeple. Yes, it's allreally possible, and who knows, maybe even profitable for the Body to grow into a more Christ-like image.
- sent from Treo

Sometimes, I look at the many tech trends and and analyists (me included) who want so much more a mobile tech future and wonder if we are really missing the boat as to what really counts. Yes, people want to be connected, and have access to their music, information, etc. when they want to, adn cheaply. But people also do not want to be monitored or regulated like livestock, consuming content to produce profit and gain for someone else.

I look at mobile tech in that respect and say that there has to be more than just want we do with what is in our hands. We have to be users of this technology, yes. But, then there is that very important aspect of putting the technology to its best use.

For example, I was speaking with a young woman last night after service and she said that she wanted to be a medical missionary. And I admit, I wonder immediately how mobile tech could be used there. I realized as she spoke that I began to miss the very important point of any and every gift, to serve and minister to those who need. And so as I listened to her speak about her father going into seminary, and a brother wanting to be a missions pilot, I began to check my heart for tech and ask, where this would be put to best use, and am I (not necessarly MMM) laying my life down to do it.

This is a very vital question to one who chooses to use technology as a tool in which to serve. You see, its very easy to get into the thoughts that say "if it can be used here we must use it." Rather than the thoughts "if it can be of service here how do you wish to be served." Using what we have is very important. This is a demonstration of what God has done (to us). But more importantly, can what you use be of service to someone else who is also ministering God's graces to this world? And if it can, are you putting down your own desires and wants in order to see them succeed also in God's plan?

Feel me for a second; I am on Yahoo Mobile a few minutes ago and said that I would check out the ringtones and see if there was something in the Gospel category worth downloading. Here's the thing, THERE WAS NOTHING.

How can a guy use his phone to draw people to what I can do with tech (without first going up to them) without a cool ringtone proclaiming the greatness of God? I mean really, have we missed the boat on this. I know that for many of us that we have some really great worship teams. How hard would it be to take those songs from service and make those into ringtones that people will want to have an hear.

Or maybe it's a case where I am sick with the mobile tech bug (ok, I am physically sick, but I speak of mobile tech). I think there is nothing that we cannot do with mobile tech to have some semblance of looking at God in how we ring, text, touch, and talk. These devices were created by divine inspriation of God, and yet sometimes it seems like they are pushed away by the very groups that need them most.

Just imagine your phone going off in the library and the song is "God of Wonders?" Besides the embarassment and stares, imagine the shock that people would have in you staking your mobile/ringtone claim in the being of God. Wouldn't that make the sin the the room sick of being there? I think so. And I am bold enough to challenge you to think and do the same.

Earthcomber Gets an Indie Book Directory
From Kevin and Earthcomber we have some neat news:

The American Booksellers Association is putting its nationwide directory of US independent bookstores on the "mobile map" via Earthcomber's mobile GPS-enabled software for Palm OS and Windows Mobile PDAs and smartphones. No matter where you travel in the US, you can tell Earthcomber to find you a bookstore and it will show you where you are in relation to nearby Book Sense affiliated stores. The bookseller directory is burned into the Earthcomber data layer and is not an additional download. You get it free when you download Earthcomber's free maps and content.

So what does that mean for you? Simple, you can use a travel guide to get a book to relax with while on vacation. Tis a really neat new feature.

For more information and to download these new updates for your device, visit the Earthcomber website.

(thanks for the logo link Kevin)
- sent from Treo

Online Bible Study Tools Discussion at HCMR
Was just reading my RSS feeds and in one of them for Holy Culture Radio was a discussion about online bible study tools. And while there was some discussion on tools and ohers hit on methods, its a really neat thread to get a small sliveer of what is available online with which to study the Word and apply to our lives.
- sent from Treo

The Sovergnity of God and Mobile Tech
I know I started a series looking at mobile tech and the Word some time ago, and want to revisit it somewhat with this line of thinking: how does your use of mobile technology speak towards your thoughts on the sovergnity of God?

Now, I know. At first thoughts this would seem like a theological question moreso than one that is tech based, but seeing that this is a theo website based on mobile tech, it kinda fits ;-) So let's discus a bit...

In its simplest terms, the sovergnity of God is God's ability and choice to do whatever He pleases towards His own end without answering for anyone. Big right? This means that God is in control of the lighting that showed man electricity, and the decsion-makers that made it possible for you to cheaply use electricity. This means that God ordained to happen a tragedy such as Hurrican Katrinia, and put into place those people afterwards that would use mobile tech and mesh networking in order to show forth order and peace (the Hand of God to comfort). In Job 38 terms, God was there for everything, and ordered it all.

So what does this have to do with you? Simply, does your use of the Internet and mobile technology leave you at odds with God. Do you understand that the computer that you were given, and the opportunities that you were given with it were ordained by God from before time, so that something glorifying Him would come about? No, we do not know the plans of God, and searching why He has ordered such things to happen are questions best left at the throne. However, walking in understanding of the sovergnity of God is knowing that with what is in your hand, you have a purpose to find out how it will give Him glory, and then honorably serve Him in that.

Does this mean that everything you do will be good? No. God even ordered the missteps that we take with this technology. The point is not to wallow in what we do not understand about it, but to marvel in His standing in it and that He chose us to come alongside and watch this gloryfying of Him unfold. If you will, it may only be one website to a small number of people on any given time, but the sovergnity of God ordered that small number to be encouraged or equipped so that a greater number may know about and find out that He loves and wants to commune with Him.

Kinda neat ain't it. What are your thoughts on this topic? Please share in the forums.
- sent from Treo

Passing These Notes Are A Good Thing
Before email became the primary type of mail for many of us, it was the simple letter in the mail from a friend (usually handwritten) that was a joy to have. Someone really took the time out and compose a message just for YOU. There was very little, and still is very little, that makes one feel like they do when they receive mail.

So you can imagine how happy I am when one of my old friends from college sends me a text message out of the blue just praising God and blessing the day that is His. And I know, he probably mass sent the message out to every mobile on his list, but the fact that he sat and heard from God to compose a message that would bless, and then chose me to receive it; that was something thta I can really be blessed by.

It was just a simple note, but it really did make my quiet time at lunch all that more enjoyable because someone thought enough to send me a note and interrupt my day.

I am sure that you might have someone(s) that could benefit from a text message, or even a handwritten snail mail message, out of nowhere. Fire up those fingers and pass a note that the Teacher would be proud of :-)
- sent from Treo

So How Does MMM Work
Ok, so I am sitting here and after a few conversations over the past many days about MMM, I figured that I should explain some how the MMM vision works, and even more so, how do YOU play a part in all of this.

MMM is first and foremost a magazine. Its designed to be informative, as well as instructional. There are a great deal of folks within the Body who have little to no knowledge of how mobile technology, let alone computers, can enhance their ministry. Of course, most of us can know the top glazing of email and websites, but there is deeper, and many times more fun and productive things that can be done. So there is a first a quarterly magazine that you can use to get in the know with what is and can happen.

Then there is the website. Between reviews, teachings, news, and other bits of information, the website is designed to be a mobile-accessible place to go to. To that end this webpage has been and continues to be streamlined for mobile use, there is an RSS feed, and then also the downloadable issues. The goal is to keep you connected throughout the day with the mentality that mobile tech is here as a tool to help you serve members and soon to be members of the Kingdom.

What you will notice is that we also are getting more into workshops and reader-meetups (I know, we missed April, but more are coming.). The point there is also to emphasize that doing things like MMM online does not take away from the fact that we need face to face time of fellowship, interaction, and sometimes training. We all need that time, and MMM wants to make sure that you computing life has that balance (its a better witness too that way).

Lastly, we are working on the formal documents, and yet pushing anyways, to equip missionaries and other organizations with mobile tech or the training with their existing technology, in order to get them to see that computing is another part of that Great Commission. Not just in taking the Bible to remote parts of the world, but helping communities to solve issues that relate to them. Think about it like this, World Cup goes on and over a million, probably close to 10 million people, will view it or get updates via their mobile device. The Body of Christ already has had our World Cup (the Resurrection), and so how much more beneficial to folks would it be if they could receive the cup of the Spirit no matter if they used a pen and paper, word of mouth, or mobile device.

So this is what we do. We are a team of few, but here to encourage you all. This is more than just Christianizing something, this is taking what we know that we have been designed to do, and helping others in the Body to do the same thing. Remember, Paul said that the body was designed so that every member supports one another (and a good doctor will tell you the same thing). This is the part of the body that we do, and we want to support you get the Word out, and get a few billion hearts changed.

This is how we work, and what we do. Please keep us in prayer, and if you have any words of encouragement or other comments, check out the MMM Forum or send us an email. God bless on the rest of this weekend :-)
- sent from Treo

EBible Tagging Explained at Leslie Franke
As many of you have read, there has been a growing buzz about the new online bible reader eBible. I personally reeally like it, even though most of the really kool features are not supported by Blazer on the Treo.

However, Leslie Franke has also been tooling around with eBible and has done an excellent writeup on the tagging feature of eBible. Its well written and if you do not already have an invite, then stay tuned, invites are sure to come from somewhere ;)
- sent from Treo

Tablet Bible coming soon for One Note 2007
BobR from MobileRead wrote in to let us know that if you have a TabetPC and Microsoft's excellent One Note application, that an updated Tablet Bible will be coming soon.

According to jkOntheRun OneNote will be a particulary useful platform for TabletBible due to the ability to record audio notes for yourself and to also create hyperlinks from one place to another...
- sent from Treo

Remember the Law - Exodus 20:15
Friday, June 09, 2006
Written by: LaRosa Johnson

Today's devotion is very dear to my heart because of my love for music, especially holy hip-hop. Over the past few days I had been checking my website stats to see how well this site was doing (very good by the way), and I noticed that this one site that I had never heard of was linking to me a lot in the past few days. I checked them out but didn't pay much attention because it required you to register to view the content. Well, yesterday I decided to register and what I found was completely disheartening.

What did I find? At this website (who will remain nameless because I don't want to tempt anyone to go there) they were pirating Christian music from all genres and posting them on free file sending services as free downloads. When I found out what was going on, I immediately started to contact as many of the labels that I could to let them know that their music was being illegally distributed via this website. Today, it is my goal to email the owner of this site and see what's going on and why he would promote such a thing.

That got me to thinking about Exodus 20:15 which tells us to not steal. How can we, as Christians, in our right minds, allow for something like this to go on and continue? I was immediately appalled at this site and am now doing everything within my limited power to rectify the situation. Jesus even tells us that the two greatest commands are to love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Well, since I love myself, would I wrongly steal from myself? No, I wouldn't. If that's the case, why do we think that we can steal money from the pockets of our brothers and sisters in the music business? It's flat out wrong and it's against the law. We're even told in Scripture that we are to obey the law of the land, as long as it doesn't require us to sin.

Let's stand up for righteousness. Let us remember the law, the Law of God and the law of the land. Stealing is wrong, even moreso when you're stealing it from the pockets of your own brother or sister. If you're downloading music illegally without paying for it, then stop. It's against the law, and it's a sin. Go in peace!

devotion courtesy of Trailblazin' Ministries

The Things One Can Do Wirelessly
Sitting with my friend David H at the mall right now and something he showed me in his Pocket Tunes bookmarks was pretty neat. He showed me a list of radio stations that he has that stream music thru his phone. While many folks would say that streaming music over a phone is a bit of overkill, it is a really space efficient way to get music without having a large memory card.

And imagine if you will all of those good stations out there, and now the ability with a good data plan to hear the Word in song or via talk radio. You can do music, a message from church, and yes, even stream podcasts too. Kinda neat to have this ability right at your fingertips. How will you use your wireless connection via your PDA or mobile device to stay connected to, or connect someone else with the heart of Dad today?
- sent from Treo

To many who are in the market for a smartphone, the past few weeks have really been great. There has been the introduction of the Palm Treo 700p, the Motorola Q, and the Nokia E61. And while I probably talk enough about my Treo 650 that talking about the 700p would be overboard, I would like to at least ask you to consider the Q and the E61 as very capable alternatives, and in some instances much better.

Check out this preview of the E61 via The Mobile Gadgeteer (Palmsolo) and then a review of the Q at Mobile Burn. Each of these devices have a lot going for them and more than Blackberry contenders, they seem to be the first devices to really give the Treo a test from a usability standpoint, not just from a features one.

And just for those who want to know a bit more, here is a review of the Treo 700p, also published by Mobile Burn.

In terms of these devices for the local or world travalier, they will not only keep you entertained and connected, but also allow you to extend the effectiveness of your ministry.

Some of you who have used a PocketPC/Windows Mobile device know the beauty of using the Today screen. Its so much so a part of the PocketPC/Windows Mobile world that many folks cannot live without it. And while the PalmOS side of things was a bit late in getting to using a Today screen for quick lookup purposes, the apps out there that do so do well.

One such application is called Facer, by PocketCraft. Facer provides a easy to read today screen, as well as an enchanced application launcher. For me, I have used it for a long time and its simplicity and effectiveness have been just great. And the plugins have made it realyl easy to stay on top of things. Check out this review at Leslie Franke about Facer 3 and then download it for yourself.

Even better about Facer are themes. One such developer, Leslie Franke, has made available the first (that I have seen) new theme for Facer 3. I have downloaded it, as well as the background image (in a seperate download) and really like how cool it is (cool as in termperature). Though not a blue fan, it uses the color really well.

Leslie Franke talks about more than just Palm stuff. The site is designed very well and it touches on many aspects of computing, mobile computing and design. Its worth checking out and bookmarking/RSS-ing (and even a mention of MMM)