Mobile Ministry Magazine

I was just writing on my personal website on how the Bible+ website tonite gave me a chance to sit and reflect on how God not just uses the big public actions to show His mercy and redeeming love to people, but also the little things. Its really something that the culture of the web can hide if we are not careful, or worse can make seem bigger than it really is.

The more I live, the more I am noticing that its not just what I've done here (online) that really counts in God's eyes. Yes, I've been gifted in this area to do this or that. But its when I address those things that He sees as being relevant that makes for those God-affirming actions (whether online or offline). For me, it was my fustration at the really crappy design of a website that led me into redesigning it for free and it becoming a visialbe point of God working in mobile tech. For you it might be something different. But the point is that when ever tech is on the plate, we do need to see where our faith intersects and act in relvance to God's plan for us (Matthew 28:18-20).

I know, using a smartphone as a Bible might seem as a really insignifiant thing many times. And we might even be drawn to doing so because of some fustration that we have with other things in life. But when those fustrations lead you into doing something that confirms God's Word, mobile really becomes something at the intersection of faith and technology that can change things.

Labels: Bible+, mission, mobile

The Carnival of the Mobilists is a weekly roundup of thoughts and opinions from around the mobile tech/web world. This week marks the 97th Carnival and I've been included into this week's roundup. I'd tell you which post of mine was included, but its better to read the entire Carnival and then go from there.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

I am still sitting at the coffeehouse. This is probably the first time that I have been able to sit in one and just rest and look around. One of the things that has happened today is that there has been a good deal of attention given to my setup of a Treo and external keyboard. If you will, this is something that has not been seen before. As I've pondered that this day, I have realized that a few pastors have shown up here working on messages and other studies (one of which was my own pastor). While some have been amazed at my setup, my personal wonderment has been on how it is they are preparing messages.

The common setup seems to be a Dell laptop plugged into the nearest outlet. Software such as MS Word sits in the main screen as the main outlining component. Some have had software Bibles onscreen, others have used a combination betweeen software and paper Bibles to draw from. In all of the cases though, there is an organization here that I have not seen before (usually now I am at work).

So here's my question, seeing the integration of some aspects of mobile/web technology, do any of you who are pastors do anything more in preparing your sermons and lessons? Or, if you are doing something more, are any of you tying in the process of creating your messages/lessons into opportunities to share more about what goes into your vocation?

This is one of the first days since moving down to NC that I can really sit and go mobile and not have too many distractions. In a cafe, I am listening to some solid jazz while getting a good amount of rest time in to ponder the world around me.

Of course, I am here with my Treo and keyboard, hoping to make good on a ton of the time that I have not had to blog and read. It's in these situations where I would like to throw somethings out there. Things that I think that in this time of mobile tech that we sometimes take for granted.

The first is the idea of socialization. A few people have asked me about my "Blackberry" (Treo and BBs look alike) because I have an external keyboard. Ironically, this is something that many people woudl go for given their respective uses for a smartphone. From this point, a door is open to conversation. Now, granted I am not looking to do anything major like baptizing anyone, but the idea of making relationships should never be ignored. I recall the story of Jesus and the tax collector in Matt. 18 (hope I got that right) and how he developed a relationship with him moreso than pointing out wherer he was in wrong standing with God. Sure, that would have come up, but it was not the primary thrust. Being in different businesses (carpentry/teaching) and finances, the two had a good deal to learn from one another. From there, changing a life could happen.

Another thing that has been on my mind is the BibleTech 2008 Conference. It is something that I really want to get to and I am hoping that the steps I am taking in budgeting and sponsorship can make for me going. I really encourage you to look into going, or sponsoring someone who is going. The wealth of information that will be shared there will definitely be something worth sharing a few times.

One of the last things on my mind to write about has been mobile epistles. If you will, a blog that acts like a newsletter in the sense that it would send out (daily/weekly) a letter to various churches and orgs. I think that in some respects that MMM is good for that, but maybe that is something to consider when other areas of my life and this team are settled.

Until all of that happens, enjoy the break. Mobile tech is not just about productivity, but about creating personal space in such a way that draws you towards God and away from the stress of life. Be encouraged all.

Labels: BibleTech

Carnival of the Mobilists #96 has been published at M-Trends. Tons of good stuff in this edition of the carnival.

One item of note comes from one of the articles. A person basically talks about how they were able to turn their business card into something that one could receive easily via a text message shortcode. In thinking about this, this would be an ideal way to not only pass a business card, but also other announcements in a mobile-friendly way to nearly anyone on any device.

You'll have to read the Carnival to find this article, but I'm sure you'll agree that it would be pretty neat on several levels.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

This is one of the news items that came across my eyes today, and while it doesn't speak towards mobile ministry in the sense of how many think of ministry, I learned from the SilentImages.org website that many times, giving a voice to those who do not have one is indeed a ministry effort that deserves to be taken up.

...Nokia
(NYSE:NOK) Research Center (NRC) and Reuters are working together on a mobile journalism project that could transform the way journalists file news reports when on the move. The new mobile application is the first project to be showcased from a long term research collaboration that has been established between NRC and Reuters. It centres around a lightweight toolkit that provides everything journalists need to file and publish stories from even the most remote regions of the world.

Through an ongoing trial that started this summer, select Reuters journalists around the world made use of the mobile journalism application in their everyday work to edit, combine and file text, images, sound and live and recorded video streams, producing and publishing multi-media stories of broadcast quality without needing to return to the studio or office...

Read the rest of this press release, then check out the Reuters Mobile Journalism website and mobile journalism toolkit.

Considering the ability of devices and people, now is as good a time as any for both citizens and journalists to take up a role towards making others aware of the states of our human condition. One does not even need this much of a solution to get started. A mobile device, a means to type content, and the ability to upload to a website or send a MMS/email should be all that is needed.

One of the questions that I have to answer in posting something like this "why is this relevant?" Considering the differing opinions on the role of tech in our lives, I cannot make the case that this is relevant to everyone. But I can make the case that if you are in the business of identifying those who might be in need of the Light of Christ in their lives, then this is not only relevant from the point of what tech can do, but also how we can respond with tech in a way to bring light to darker issues.

Labels: mission, mobile, mobile accessories, Nokia, tech, usablity

I was reading some more about the new Nokia N810 Internet Tablet today and this editoral at Internettablettalk got me thinking about how kiosks, in concert with the various bits of mobile tech we carry might have a place in various arenas.

For example, instead of printing the weekly announcement, have a laptop setup with the announcement on it, and then a person at the laptop who would facilitate the transfer (SMS, Bluetooth, QR Code) to the digital device. Besides making a conversation piece (people will end up gathering to watch and then it can be a meeting point), its a way to extend the use of digital tech to something that people would otherwise read once and forget.

Then again, if I were in seminary, and needed a book or two, something like this would come in handy if I ever wanted to get something like this on my Treo :)

I currently am in a small (less than 100 members) church and this is something that I could see us easily doing given some testing of the system and then a brief trial run. Would something like this promote a better understanding of mobile tech in the various groups you are in as well?

Labels: accessiblity, internet tablet, mobile

Straight from InternetTabletTalk (who broke the news earlier today), Nokia has announced a new N-series Internet Tablet, the N810. Being that the model number is incremental, one would expect it to only have a few updates. That looks to be the case until you start looking at the spec list of what is in this device.

Here are some highlighed specs of the N810:
- Smooth slide with integrated QWERTY keyboard
- WLAN standard: IEEE 802.11b/g
- Bluetooth specification v. 2.0. +EDR
- Built-in GPS receiver
- Integrated VGA web camera
- 256MB Flash Memory
- More specs at the Nokia N-series website

As you can already tell, the N810 is a good step up from the N800. It is also a good deal smaller than the N800, more or less getting rid of a lot of the non-screen area that the N800 had. Battery life is slated to be much better, as is processor speed, Flash support (supports Flash 9), and VoIP support. In my opinon, the only thing missing is TV-out, because that would essentially make the N810 a real computer replacement.

Impressions of the N810 are coming in from all over the net. Here are a few links:
- InternetTabletTalk
- TabletBlog.com by ThoughtFix (really good pictures compared to the N800 too)
- Brighthand
- and all over Jaiku (such as at the NseriesWOMWorld channel)

Pictures linked from Mameo Flikr photostream and Thoughtfix's Flickr photostream

Update: InternetTabletTalk has posted some excellent high-resolution pics of the N810, and one in particular shows it compared the 770 and N800 models. This device is really rubbing off on me as something to be at leat tried out.

Labels: internet tablet, mobile, N800, usablity

I was reading today about a program that would help the an section of mobile Linux (Mameo) developers understand a bit more the range of their devices and realized (again) that in terms of covering all things mobile, that MMM many times falls short. It is not for lack of attention to everything that is mobile. In fact, it is because 'mobile' is such a far reaching term, the context of what is relevant can sometimes be very hard to cover. MMM is by no means like Palm Addict or Engadget in that there is a huge team of people able to cover several areas (though that would be nice). That being said, there is something that should be done about getting a handle on those things mobile, and making it a bit easier for you (the reader) to get a bit more of what you desire from MMM.

That all being said, I am asking of you (this lovely audience) for a few things:

(1) If you have content or read content that you feel would be relevant for MMM to cover: please send us a note about it via the contact form. We don't promise to post everything, but we will make an attempt to read and dissemenate it in a manner that speaks both towards God's heart on/in tech, as well as the need to instruct and inform.

And if you are looking to stay caught up yourself, add the MMM at Jaiku channel to your RSS reader. There are several sites that are aggregated into that channel and a slew of news and notes that comes through daily. Adding new sites is not a problem there either, but you do have to let us know what's out there ;)

(2) If you would like to be a regular contributor to MMM: send us the reasons why via that same contact form (versatile isn't it) and what level of service that you see yourself as being able to do (daily, weekly, monthly; reviews, editorials, etc.). I will only hold you to what you say, but I will hold you to it so be wise in your dealings/vows (cause back in the day those consequences in breaking vows were terrible).

I also will be bluntly honest in saying that I have no means to compensate you. There is no sponsorship here (another issue that probably needs to be addressed) and therefore everything that this site has done has come from the incredible generosity of others and the funds of my own pocket. For the forseeable future, this will probably be the case, and in that wise, I'd compensate you from my own resources to the best of my ability.

I know that is not the most pretty of things to say, but its honest.

and (3), I am looking for people who'd be willing to help me gain more acumen in understanding theological, technological, and social arenas so that not only does the content here stay usable, but also that MMM is able to be a place of teaching others how to live in this digital age. None of us has it right. And by no means did I start this site thinking that I had all the answers. For that reason, I'd love the knowledge, wisdom, and accountablity to walk out on living this out with all of you. Whether that means just emailing back and forth personal notes of encouragement/rebuke, or kicking me to get to a conference or two to learn something more and network, ministry is not effective unless its fruits can be planted in the lives of others.

I've begun to think of MMM as my gift to the Body. Not just the place I serve, but the place where I launch out into the deep with those things I've been taught. This is totally new, and most days I have no clue where to go. I do know that tech is my area. And I am fittin' to do well in this till its time to hand it back to God for Him to do with it what He wills.

Thanks for visiting (I so didn't want this to be this long), and do keep contributing and coming back. Hopefully, something here will "spark a movement of the Cross in your own town."

Labels: mission, mobile

I wanted to keep this kinda short so we are hitting two items in a post today.

The first is a well written article at JKontheRun talking about the use and benefits of MS Exchange Servers to manage various devices. The thing I like best about an Exchange server is that it works with laptops, desktops, and mobile devices alike. Depending on whether you are in a home with several devices, or an enterprise with dozens, an Exchange server can prove to be a solid investment. Read the article at JKontheRun for the well rounded opinion of this aspect of tech.

The second item is about a new development coming for PocketBible from Laridian. For both Windows and Windows Mobile versions of PocketBible, there will be atlas maps available. The screens shown on the blog posting look towards this being a really good addition towards Laridian's Bible offerings. And in terms of understanding context and times, maps are great. Read more at the Laridian blog, and download for yourself to see the benefits.

Labels: Bible, Laridian, mobile, mobile accessories, software, tech

A friend of mine sent me this in an email recently, and since I'm more concerned with the direction this goes towards rather then the non-moible aspect of the content, its being shared here in hope to spark you to some type of social engagement of various cultures with the Gospel.

It's time to spread the word about Bells for Wells! We're selling jingle bell earrings thru Christmas, to raise money for new fresh water wells in Africa.

Each pair of earrings costs just $10. For every pair sold, $8 is set aside to sponsor a well through Blood:Water Mission’s "1000 Wells" project. Blood:Water Mission is the organization formed by the Grammy Award winning band, Jars of Clay, to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. The average cost of one well is $3,000, and with your help, we plan to sponsor at least one well in its entirety this Christmas.

The earrings are handmade, high quality, unique, and adorable, and come displayed on a Bells for Wells earring card, complete with rubber backs. An explanation card is included with each pair, and red organza gift bags are also available.

Please visit http://www.bellsforwells.com to learn more, and start your Christmas shopping now!

This Christmas, give the gift of jewelry…and the gift of life.

Think of this post as a rash of thoughts, mobile friendly but mashed.
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This being Mobile Ministry Magazine, the content and focus of this magazine tends to be those things that can help you get from one place to another, connect with one another, or even get away and have personal time with God. The hardest aspect of covering this though is giving a concise enough recipie of mobile this and that so that you (the reader) can not just be informed, but encouraged to step out and try something different, whether or not it sticks or not. Whether we all like to admit it or not, mobile technology is probably the most pervasive mass media that is here now, and unlike others, has both a communal and a personal form to it that right now folks just don't understand. In some ways, this is a new frontier, we are doing and trying, finding limits and pushing them, all in the hopes of enhancing some aspect of our lives that previously we didn't have, or had in a much less organized space. Though there are a lot of new services and opportunities all the time online, those that can help us keep things personal and communal, like a mobile device or working with one, seem that they would have a better chance of succeeding for more people.

I am looking at the new mobile search announced today called Taptu (via R/WW). It brings to the table a new aspect of searching called social assisted search. In simple terms, humans and machines work together to make what you are looking for better. And to kick it off, its mobile friendly. The thing that gets me about this is that its a nice platform that can be used for making a suitable "church and those things spiritual" directory that would actually work. I haven't had time to play given my weekend, but this is another something that's getting bookmarked on my Treo's homepage.

The Mobile 2.0 Conference is underway and there is plenty of news to go around. What I expect to hear out of this one is a concerted effort to take mobile past us who are early adopters, and to those who (for lack of better words) haven't a better window into making it in this world.

I've got one more announcement coming, but I need to get settled from my weekend before I do. It will involve you readers, and will hopefully extend some of our relationships to being more than just a read/search/browsing one. Stay tuned.

Labels: mission, mobile

I've been sitting on this for sometime now. The issue being that I didn't want to rehash some of what we already know as suitable software/hardware or services/applications, but really point out the why in using these items we set ourselves up to be presentable with the Gospel.

That being said, here are my selections for part 4 of this series Software, Services, and the Gospel.

- Photography
- Logos

Photography
When we think of the evolution of photography, we think of services such as photo sharing websites (Shozu, Flickr, etc.) and multimedia messaging (MMS). But instead of just speaking about the services, which we are for all intents and purposes familiar with, I want to just highlight how photography is an effective tool for sharing and living the Gospel:

Read this verse then view this website.

To me, this is probably the most impressive display of mobile ministry I've seen to date.

Logos Bible Software
Despite being one of the most expeisive software packages available, Logos Bible Software has been widely regarded as the best for several reasons. The latest version, Logos 3, has several additions that makes it an even better buy:
- Bible Speed Search
- Bible Word Study Report
- Vocabulary Lists & Flash Cards
- and tons more features.

I've used this software exactly one time in the past, and have been wanting for my PDA's software ability and collection to be this good. Granted, that might not be possible on a Treo just yet, but considering all that Logos has done so far, who knows what might be possible in the near future.

Note: Logos Bible Software is hosting BibleTech:2008 Conference in Seattle, in January. Read more at the Logos website.

Labels: BibleTech, photography, software, tech

In a move that pretty much surprised me personally, but might make for some interesting waves, Jaiku announced at about 12noon EST that they had been purchased by Google.

Now, why post something like that here? The reason it has some significance is that MMM's blog is built using the Blogger platform, which is also Google owned. But the more far reaching reason is that if you already are using various other Google products, then chances are that you might find a solid use for a web service like Jaiku.

Jaiku is one part online community, another part RSS feed aggreator, and another part online presense service. If you will, adding any one of these elements to your church/org/small group's online presense might help to enhance your ability to gather, search, and maintain content.

Of course, there's also the chance for doing a virtual meetup via Jaiku, so that too tickles my fancy.

Labels: Jaiku, mobile

The 94th Carnival of the Mobilists is now up at Taptology (I really like that title). Some good reads this week from several of the usual and a few new CotM writers. Take in a read with a mint latte and your mobile.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

This weekend I visited a Hispanic-American church in Kannapolis, MD. Besides the fun of sitting in a service, feeling like a complete stranger and ailen because I didn't wear a tie and speak very little Spanish. I found myself wanting more than anything to use my Treo as an aide in my second visit to this fellowship.

This time, unlike the last, I pulled out my Treo in order to (try to) keep up with the verses that the pastor was mentioning. Besides amazing my translator (a nine year-old boy and his sister), it was interesting to note that while most that saw my Treo were familiar with electronic Bibles, most had no clue that it was something that could be applied to a mobile phone.

This line of thinking went along with my mind's thought last week that it seems that despite all that is happening in the realm of Bible software, it just doesn't get enough attention from the pulpit (so to speak) so that those who might come into a situation without a Bible handy, might be able to at least catch up.

With solutions like this one that was highlighted on the BBC last week, I would hope that something can change considering all the pastors and "influencing personalities" that are believers on the 'Net.
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That being said, I'm really impressed at the amount of development that Laridian has put into their iPocketBible product. I know that I personally called them (and other Bible software developers) to task for not making Bible software that's not just "search and retreive" but really extends the paradigm of a Bible on a mobile device. It's really good to see this development happening. I personally wish for more from other developers, and someone to really push that envelope further still to something not yet seen.

Labels: Bible, devotion, Devotions, iPhone, Laridian, mission, mobile, tech

Missions is a work of bringing Christ into the lives of others, sometimes through social engagement tasks. Though building wells, schools, and orphanages, we hope that engaging a group socially would present a chance for sharing Christ. And that by doing this, there is a chance for a younger generation to rise into better conditions spiritually, physically and socially. Given the pace of technology and the widening of social classes, this aim for missions seems more important than ever. I've seen technology education as being a solid part of the missions effort, just one not always taken advantage of (Geekcorps being an exception).

By no means can I compare the OLPC project to these and other mission efforts, but I can ask the question of whether the type of door is the same, and one that those that can in the Body should take up. In brief the Give 1 Get 1 challenge is such:

Starting November 12, One Laptop Per Child will be offering a Give 1 Get 1 Program for a brief window of time in North America. For $399, you will be purchasing two XO laptops—one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home.

Considering the ability of the OLPC XO laptop, it would seem that this could be a win-win for churches/organizations who are looking for ways to smartly integrate computer learning programs into their own ministries, and yet also provide a means for another to receive a tool that can be later used to educate and empower.

A recent review of the OLPC program and device by the New York Times talks about this challenge as more of one to our own egos, rather than the ability of the device, as it is pretty well designed for not just productivity, but learning.

From a missions perspective, a church/org could purchase a number of the OLPC XO laptops, and then train a missions team to go domestic/overseas where this is deployed for shared learning workshops. There, besides speaking on technology, designing backend infrastructure, and the like; the mission of living side by side with one another can be seen, and the correlation between Christ-living and tech-living can be seen. Considering the newness of tech as a ministry this might be a stretch, but this is something that if a church/org that is well endowed can do, it could make for a considerable short and long-term impact.

The only lingering question that I have for the OLPC is whether an organization can purchase a number of laptops, and then be notified as to where it will be going. I would assume that in the case of such a large purchase, that the partnership between the purchasing organization and the overseas recipient would make for another meeting of the challenge this mobile technology tool seeks to pursue.

Labels: mission, mobile, tech

Just a few things at this point in the day.

- Darla Mack has posted that the October Edition of Our Daily Bread is now available. Mobile friendly, and good to eat on.

- DB (The Foolish Galatian) sent in a note that another conference is going on called GodBlogCon. Occuring November 8-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, this is a conference designed to equip with a working knowledge of new media technologies and its impact on society and empower your ministries to employ new media technologies quickly and easily.

- Digital.Leadnet has a great post and discussion on cyberspace as a mission field; I've got thoughts on this that I'm wrapping into a later post here, but the discussion is great so far.

I hope that you all appreciate the effort at a more consistent aspect of posting. I've pretty much limited myself to doing no more than one post a day (4-5 per week) and keeping at least one or two posts a week towards the editorial/reflective style. In this way I hope that things stay fresh not only for you as a reader, but for myself as a writer. I am learning a bit of balance with this. And hopefully consistency and discipline here can help in other areas of my life as well.

Labels: devotion, mission, tech

We posted in August about the Church IT Roundtable. The date has slipped my mind and come to find out that it has just gotten underway at . Church Tech Matters has begun some early coverage, as well as other sites.

If you were not able to make it this year, or are looking to do similar in your neck of the woods, look towards the Church IT Roundtable as a template as they've been doing some solid things.

As a side note, would a shared event calendar in Google Calender work for any of you as a means of finding out what is going on at any particular time. I'd be willing to make an MMM one and share it with various other bloggers, orgs, and churches who have tech-oriented events so that its a bit less likely to miss these events.

Labels: Church IT Roundtable

Was reading at the Olive Tree blog this weekend (via RSS) and they made a mention about BibleTech 2008. Its a "two-day conference is designed for publishers, programmers, webmasters, educators, bloggers and anyone interested in using technology to improve Bible study."

Olive Tree posted that they will have two speakers at BibleTech. The titles of their presentations will be Electronic Publishing and Bible Software in a Fast-Moving Mobile Landscape" and "The Challenges and Future of Bible Software in a Mobile World."

Logos has set up a page with all of the pertenant inforation including whom to contact for setting up a hotel room at a reduced rate. All in all, this looks like a great event to get out to.

Labels: BibleTech, mission, mobile, Olivetree, tech

Its taken a while to get my thoughts and heart together enough to address this. Considering the fervor that various mobile devices have caused in the past year though, I think that some accountability is an order, or at least a good bit of checking our motives at the door when it comes to these devices and what we want to do with them.

If you will, think of this as a look at stewardship, ownership, and accountability.

Matthew 22:15-22 ESV

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his talk. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

This weekend I took some time to read through RSS feeds on my Treo. It had been some time since doing so, and there are several websites that I read there, that I do not anywhere else for various reasons. One of the common themes of the week happened to be the update for the iPhone (Version 1.1.1) that had come out. Several websites reported on this update beforehand of having the possiblity of bricking, or rendering useless, their iPhones. Those that would be effected would be those whose devices were being used on another carrier's network, or had other functionality exposed that was not in the original design of the iPhone.

The day of the release came, and then came the reports of what worked and what did not work. Suffice to say, there were plenty of disappointed people. Especially those who had unlocked the iPhone to be used on other carriers around the world, or those whose use of special applications enabled functionality that was nor present in the off-the-shelf-version.

A statement from Apple days before the release of the update (from Engadget):

...the company has released an official statement warning users that "unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs" could cause "irreparable damage to the iPhone's software." Furthermore, the firm stated that these apps could result in the handset becoming "permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed" -- you know, like the one coming "later this week" that includes the iTunes WiFi Music Store. As if that wasn't bad enough, the release also notes that "unauthorized modifications to the iPhone's software" violates the iPhone software license agreement and "voids the warranty."

So basically, if you installed software you were not supposed to, then you are not supposed to expect an official update to continue to allow your device to work.

A post that I read at The SmartPDA posted this (thanks):

Nowadays, when you buy gadgets and software, you enter into an agreement with the manufacturer and your service provider, usually outlined in the manual or in the software itself. Quite frankly, nobody (myself included) takes the time to read the agreement, since we're too busy enjoying our new toys.

Anyone who purchases an iPhone enter[s] into a provider agreement with AT&T, and into an End User License Agreement with Apple over the smartphone's software.

There are two aspects at play here, one of which is very much a part of how Christians define themselves as relating to the world around us:

Romans 13 ESV (selected quotes)

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer...

There are a few ways of looking at this, but we will will just cover a few of the topmost points, and let discussion merit the rest.

Because of end-user license agreements that a person agrees to when they purchase software or hardware, you agree not to do certain things to the item in return for a specific service. When you pay Apple (Steve Jobs and company) for the iPhone, one part of that agreement is that you make the concession NOT to modify the software of the device in any fashion, nor to manipulate the ability of the radio software to work in any fashion not prescribed by At&T or Apple.

In the US, phone makers and carriers are required by law to allow for a phone to be unlocked to be used on compatable carriers where possible. This law is usually circumvented by carriers by modifying aspects of the hardware or software so that it is harder for the device to work on another carrier. Or, by making exclusivity agreements with carriers that stipulate that a device is to be sold/used on one carrier for a specific amount of time. The latter is the case with the iPhone.

So, is it against the law to modify your iPhone to be used on another carrier? Yes.

Is it against the law to demand that Apple modify the agreement that you signed and agreed to stating that you would not use the device in any way that violates the terms of service or end-user agreement? No. It is not against the law to demand it, but not right to expect it per your timing.

As much as we believe that a device is ours and we should be able to do what we want, the truth is we cannot. As believers, and moreso as law-abiding citizens, we have to hold to standards that speak not towards lawlessness, but towards civility. If you are a believer who has purchased an iPhone and are using it in ways that break the end-user-license agreement or terms of service, you cannot expect your unsantioned use to be officially updated. If what you purchased does not fit how you want to use it, then find a device that does, or admit that your lusts cannot be fulfilled by this temporary thing and wait on the device that does work best for what you'd like to do.

Give Apple their just due for providing a device that has made you excited, but don't let your lusts for wanting to use it cost Christ's name.

Labels: accessiblity, Devotions, iPhone, mobile, tech