Mobile Ministry Magazine

Just read a really good article where CBS Mobile chief Cyriac Roeding said something really important that not only speaks to the area he was speaking, mobile advertisiting and how to maximize it, but to the Body and how our endavors need to be shaped around the fact that the medium is different. This is a snippet of that piece:

The CBS executive had led off the discussion by saying that advertisers have to understand why they need to be on mobile phones. "If you can't answer that question in 10 seconds, you're out of the game," he said. The answer should be, he went on, that mobile is the only medium that people carry with them 18 hours a day.

Mobile is also starting to provide reach to advertisers as sites gain larger audiences. Roeding noted that during the last quarter, CBS Mobile's sports section drew 75 million mobile page views and 5 million unique visitors during the fourth quarter.

But he warned against trying to promote mobile as a smaller version of the computer or TV screen. "If you are trying to make this the next online page, you will fail...because this is a new medium in its own right. "

I've touched on this in a previous article in saying that mobile is something more than just the sum of previous media endavors; to use it well requires that we not just be innovative, but relevant.

As part of a growing number of believers who understand what roles being mobile plays, its key that we understand what mobile is not. It's not a computer, though accessiblity and usability are there. Its not radio and TV, though video and audio are parts of the experience that should not be overlooked. Its not print either, though the effects are just as long lasting, inside and outside of the box o'bits and bytes. Being mobile is a case of a totally different paradigm, and something that the church is well past the potin were we need to embrace it.

I'd be one to make the argument that being effective in the Body with mobile tech is a matter of getting to the roots of what it means to be effective in the Body - "be distinct and bring fame to God not [ourselves]". I am pretty sure that we are able to do that if we pool our knowledge and gifts together and then step out and do something a bit different. The key is just not trying to be what we used to be in tech, and take things at that intersection of faith and tech, and make a noticable sign to the heart of God for all people.

Labels: church, community, gifts, gospel, mission, mobile, tech

So I finally have been able to get a Bible onto my N800 Internet Tablet. And this is a good thing, except that I should have done this Monday when I made the decision that I wanted to blog a bible study. In thinking about how to expand the ability to spread the wealth (so to speak) when it comes to a Bible study; I wanted to blog the study and then go back and link the verses and highlight the notes in order to have something that is not just good for me, but for any who decide that they are studying on a particular piece of the Bible and wanted to have some modern commentary along with their study.

So instead of a study that was done with Rapier and posted via Wordply; I just rolled along with a simple study using BibleGateway and the browser, along with the built in Notes application. Simple on both accounts and mostly effective. The following are the lightly edited notes of the study as I intended to post them:

Title: Blogging A Bible Study Via A Tablet

Tool: Maemo WordPly beta

Purpose: To investigate the ability to blog a Bible study, and the hypertext social constructs of meeting in a place where mobility is now an assumed cultural norm.

Some goals: To outline, write personal and community notes (annotated properly), and to later insert links to relevant verses that pertain to the discussion; to then share the entire study as a blog posting on Mobile Ministry Magazine

Ironically, I am starting this offline because I am having issues getting connected via the network here in the coffeehouse (It's A Grind). Not that I am complaining, because I have a really good drink. But this doesn't bode well as a start.

Study of Leviticus
Chapter 8 to (hopefully) the end

Where did it take place: Sinai
How Long; About 14 months
Types of offerings (he used candy analogies to describe these): chocolate and bitter
- what was also required on a guilt offering: pay the person back 120%
- Some sins have different consequences, but all are sin in the same weight

Chapter 8-10: The Priesthood
Chpt. 8: do this, o
Chapter 9:1-7, 22-24
- one of the signs to be completed consumes means that it was accepted
- There was a specific order, and now instead of there just being Moses as the priest, now Aaron and the sons take over those responsibilities
- the theme of Leviticus being holiness
Chapter 10: incorrect offering by the sons of Aaron
- how we do things is more important than what weee do

Clean and Unclean (Chapters 11-19)
- usually those things temp clean or unclean had to do with humans
- this was done for distinction from other cultures
- an aspect of hygiene that was not observed (personal note)
- What did God have in mind about this that it was not so much the rules, but the consequences behind what we do that effect other people
- year of jubilee
- these principles are in place for a specific order; are we distinctly set apart as Christians because of these

Chapter 19
v9-19: the justice of God; this hierarchy is for order

Chapter 20
penalties for social and family disobedience

Feasts
- there were seven feasts
- God was a hands on God who engaged the senses of the faithful
- passover; feast of unleavened bread; feast of first-fruits; Pentecost (50 days after the 7th sabbath); feast of the trumpets; day of atonement; feast of booths/tabernacles

Chapter 24, Year of jubilee

Chapter 26:
v3-5: if you do these things then you will prosper; the reason to bless them was to display God's holiness, for them to be distinct and bring fame to God not themselves
- cannot have the mindset that the blessings is for you, but meant to make you distinct for God
[end]

I should mention here that the study we are doing is a light OT survey. For such a study, its good to have the ability to annotate/tag items for reference, but also relate them to other resources so that one is adept in discussions later. My setup with the IT did not maximize on these points, but the building blocks are there for such integration.

A big thanks too DWatts and all the rest who have been very encouraging in helping me to get Rapier installed on the IT; now let's see what can be done to change things up a bit.

Labels: Bible, community, internet tablet, mobile accessories, mobiles, N800, software, Sword Project

Want to keep up with MMM and several other sites via one page (or RSS feed)? Check out the MMM Jaiku channel. Several sites and discussions going on there currently. Here are a few notables.

- Would anyone be interested in a MMM meetup in Charlotte in February?

- I'm sure this is a well known bible study site but I thought I'd share it just in case

- Palmsolo's coverage of BibleTech 2008.

- Pirating of Logos, Wordpress, and other resources.

Some of the websites that have RSS feeds on the MMM channel include:
- Church Tech Matters
- Christian Computing Magazine
- The Digital Sanctuary
- Bible Software Review Weblog
- ESV Bible Blog
- and more

Jump on over or subscribe to the RSS/Atom feed for the MMM Jaiku channel and engage folks with a bit of social networking.

Labels: Bible, BibleTech, community, Jaiku, meetup, mission, mobile, tech

This is one of those cases where I was sent an article and wondered why I didn't post about it before. Ah well, one cannot think and do everything.

Think Christian has an excellent post talking about those churches that have free hotspots taking that "empty" wireless space and using it to create an environment where web-workers, small groups, and others can come into a relaxed and laid back area and get "life" done. And then how such an environment makes for a simple place for discipliship and evangelism.

My previous church in MD has a setup like this and I know of others that do as well. As a point of rest and refreshing, there's not many better places than a church. And I can imagine that such an idea - hotspot ministry zones - can be a means for churches and organizations to reach out to those that would not usually enter those facilities.

There is an issue that will come up in terms of financing infrastructure. But what if the church basically made the wifi free, and then provided tech recovery/support services for a cost. Sounds like a nice meeting station in the mist of a tracked life.

- This conversation was spawned from one at Church Marketing Sucks on the same subject

Labels: accessiblity, community, email, mobile, tech

Probably more than most else, I think about how to engage studying and sharing the Word via the use of conversations and mobile devices. I've got this thought that because we are at a point where the Word and several resources can be carried with us, that we can effectivly take this aspect of the discipleship out from the church walls and literally be a church that goes to people.

Most would hear that and think that its near radical, and a borderline good idea. I want to submit that its not only a good idea, but in light of the commission that we have as believers, that it is something that we should do (once we've been equipped with the knowledge, wisdom, and maturity to speak with grace in any occasion).

What does this mobile-enabled study look like then?

- Is it like the OLPC program where tools are given as a blank canvas for people to dig in and be directed through the Word, finding concepts and functions of our faith through discovery then application?

- Or is this like a blogger-relations program where we take subject areas and then endow enabled people to speak the truths of God in fashions that demonstrate a skillful handling of the technology at the intersection of faith and need?

- Or is it something that has not yet been explored? Something where technology can truthfully fade to the background once it opens up the real issue that the Body has a responsibility to be more than just a picture of God, but His hands and heart to the world around us.

I would argue that it is a little of both. And because mobile tech as a broad field is general in and of itself, that one can look towards past uses of new technologies towards ways in which mobile tech can and should be used towards keeping the Body joined in faithfulness.

I envision situations such as when people that have nothing but mobile phones being able to hold a conversation on a particular topic, but accessing a SMS repository of verses, quotes, and subject areas.

I see classrooms over pen and paper, PDA/smartphones/laptops, and software services where people discourse on how to continue to lead their communities; then make class projects out of being effective.

I see people understanding the positive and negative scope of technology; knowing that there's a time to pick it up, and a time to put it down. Where services aren't a demonstration of the wizz-bang that tech does, but that it sits in the background while the faithfulness of those who've walked in that esteemed hall of faith are spoken about. Where the Body has an understanding of this technology, and is skillful enough to be a servant-leader to the rest of the world in this arena.

When I started MMM, this is the point that I saw in this endeavor - a place where you can learn various ways to skillfully use this tech to point people to the goodness/mercy/respect/justice of God by Christ Jesus. No, I'm not espousing that tech is the answer to do this, only that its here and we might as well use it. Especially since, when it comes to tech and where we are in faith, there's an intersection that needs to be addressed. And this World won't stand for Christ to just sit down and click a mouse, when the point is sharing Him.

Labels: Bible, community, mobile, networking, tech

In giving tech, I've always tried to maintain a standard where I would only give to a person that has need, and to a situation where the person can take advantage of the item with as little negative disruption as possible. For that reason, I find it fun to give away devices that I no longer use. For one, it keeps my gadget closet pretty empty, but also provides a means for someone else to gain accessiblity that I've enjoyed. For example, my recent move to the N75 left my Treo 680 without a user. I ended up giving it to an entreprenur in Charlotte who had been struggling with having a working calendar and phone solution for her endavors.

Two people in the blogsphere also seem to carry this mantra of gifting are Sammy McLoughlin and Tim Samoff. Sammy McLoughlin runs the website Palm Addict is is quite frequent in giving away devices that he no longer uses in frequent give-aways. From smartphones to laptops to memory cards to mobile accessories. He's got a ton of things that come across his desk, and does an excellent job in making sure that others are empowered towards not just using their devices, but talking about how they use it so that a community of users can benefit. The current giveaway is of a 15in Apple Powerbook. Considering all the folks I know who like Apple, I'm sure that he will get a lot of solid feedback towards mobililty for this one.

Tim Samoff is another who's recently jumped into the giving game. Tim recently received a Nokia N810 Internet Tablet from the good folks at Maemo (the Internet Tablet developement folks). The thing is, he already has an N810 and so has decided to donate it to a deserving software developer. Tim's asking for comments at his blog and the Internet Tablet Talk website towards whom might be the deserving receipient.

Its really neat to be associated with people who understand that technology means more when you can give it to someone who'll do something really cool with it. That's one of the reasons for doing MMM on my end, and its good to know that those gifts become gifts all around.

Labels: Apple, community, gifts, internet tablet, N800

Aside from my own disappointments in not getting there, the 2008 BibleTech Conference is underway. Updates are coming from the Logos blog as well as PalmSolo.

Do make sure that if you have any questions towards what's happening at the conference that you speak up in one of those discussions.

Labels: BibleTech, community, Logos

One of my frequent reading destinations, MobHappy, is this week's host for the Carnival of the Mobilists. As usual, articles from the mobile-oriented end of the blogsphere are featured, and the discussions and reading make for a good overview of what's happening in mobile. Check it out.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

My bro had pointed me to the Logos blog and a post where they are speaking on an upcoming version of Logos for the Mac. From a usability and user experience aspect, it looks just great and really looks that it will make studying on the desktop a bit easier for those that prefer to do studies electronically.

This got me thinking (again) about using electronic devices for study, and what really is effective about it. For example, one can have a lot of resources at their disposal, but unless used correctly, you will not get much good out of it.

In looking at the Internet Tablet and how I want to use it for reading and study, I've settled on only wanting two Bible versions: one for casual reading (the ESV) and another for more indepth studies and discussions (the NET Bible). Because of the connected nature of the IT, anything else that I'd need would be accessible though websites such as CARM, eBible, YouVersion, etc.

I'd like to be in the position of studying effectively more often than not. Using a few materials as a gateway that have solid user interfaces and resources makes that possible. After that its just a matter of using it. I'd like to get to the point of linking within my notes to verses, bookmarking/tagging sections of the Bible for easy retrieval, and then effective search capabilities that go beyond just looking for a verse - but all the tags, bookmarks, and verses that correspond to the search term. Its my hope that such will enhance and make reading more like there being a slew of offline documents right in front of me.

Lately also, I've been looking into the resources at the Sword Project website. Besides being open and mostly free; the development there is just on the content, not on an application in particular. This means that instead of worrying about whether I will be able to use the content again, I can just concentrate on reading (on most devices) and go from there. Notes, tags, and bookmarks are another story, but that'll come.

If I can get Rapier installed on my tablet, I'm pretty sure that I can get there. But with products like OliveTree, Laridian, Logos, Wordsearch, and others, its pretty cool to know that there's some means to use electronic resources effectively. Its just a matter of studying on the tools and methods that would work best.

Labels: Apple, Bible, Bible+, internet tablet, Laridian, Logos, Olivetree, software, Sword Project, WordSearch

As many of you know, there has been a very serious outbreak of violence in Kenya over the past many weeks. The brother whom we blessed with a Treo 650 a few summers ago is one of many who is effected by the violence that is happening there. Here is the text of one of the emails that he has been able to send:

It good to get another opportunity to write you. It is long since I communicated to you. We are here trying to survive by God's grace. The situation in Kenya is on and off so is still unpredictable about when we will have stability in this nation. My city was brought down and it is going to take several years and great financial investment to bring Kisumu city where it is supposed to be.

A week or two ago I got $130 from brother Paul $70 for me and my family and 60 for the children's Home. I was able to just give in some down payment for the last months rent since the landlord wanted money and bought some food for my family and the part for the children I gave it out to brother Peter that buy some school stationary for the children in preparation for school and to feed them. School situation though is still a problem because of chaos everywhere in Kenya.

Now brother we remained with nothing again. since I our business was brought down by looters, we have been actually starving. Since Thursday till Sunday lunch time we have been feeding on unripened mangoes and water. It is was fortunate that we have a mango tree in our property so we our able to have something to eat. In all these God agave us peace regardless of a much that is going on here and there.

On Sunday afternoon, I thought about to borrow 2kilograms of corn floor to make some food and we realized that we did not have vegetable to eat our Ugali with. Then around 3.30pm my son Brian remember his tortoise and he and his cousin Samuel butchered and we eat tortoise meat with Ugali (staff made out maize or corn floor). Friend, right as I write you this email, it is miracle 20 Kenya shillings from a friend that has enabled me to write. I have not had anything since morning and it is now 1.55pm and my family is in the house getting a mango again with water.

Please pray dear friends that God provides for us and that we get money to start this business again. Please pray we are starving and suffering. We do not have anything. I have walked to town and I am walking back again it is hard friend.

Thank you so much for hearing from me and for your prayers. You may not send us [money] bacause you are not able but send your prayers and words of encouragement will help us. Please pray.

As you can see from this, the situation is pretty dire there. For the Body in Kenya, there's just not a lot that people can do except rely on God and the generosity of others to get by.

So all I ask is that you pray for Kenya. And if you have the ability to, find a means to support ministries in Kenya. Of all the places where the Body is needed, its in that ability to be a place of peace, a well if you will, for those who are parched because of the sitation there. Thanks.

Labels: community, Kenya, mission, Treo 650

In light of the recent the CES and MacWorld events, its safe to say that for many, Christmas has pretty much come again, along with the lusting and envying attached. An article posted at Get Rich Slowly takes a look at gadget envy from a financial point of view and what kinds of bondages that it can put you in if you don't slow down and check your lusts at the door (James 4:1-10). Here's a snippet of the posting:

...First, do one last check to be certain you're not rationalizing your "need" for the item. I used to tell myself, "If I buy this new camera lens, I'll be able to take better pictures. It'll pay for itself in no time." Unfortunately, that was never the case. That sort of thinking is just a rationalization to buy new toys...

Read the rest of the posting, and buyer beware of your motives.

Note: Lifehacker is having similar discussions; this is something very much seen in the gadget world, and not often talked about.

Labels: Devotions

I've recently received a Nokia N81 8GB from Nokia Blogger Relations and have begun putting it through its paces. I've detailed a first impressions review over at Brighthand and have more to come soon. Here's a snippet of that review:

...Build quality is generally impressive. The N81 8GB is the same thickness as my N75 when the slider is closed, and not much longer when opened. It's a heavy handset, but not ungainly so. It feels like it was crafted from a brick of metal, even though it's entirely plastic. The only noticeable creaks after a few days use are with the slider when the N81 8GB is pressed against my head while talking on the phone. There was some wobble there that can be a cause for concern for some...

Read the rest of the Nokia N81 8GB First Impressions Review at Brighthand.

Labels: N81, Nokia, review

The 106th version of the Carnival of the Mobilists is now up at Xellular Identity. Outside of the usual gamut of solid mobile views from around the mobile industry, there's also a splash of pink to liven the reading. Enjoy.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

Was at Mobile Read a bit ago and they have an interesting (lively) discussion going on speaking on a quote from Steve Jobs (via the NYT) where he says:

It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore," he said. "Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don't read anymore.

Jobs was speaking on the Amazon Kindle eBook reader and its goal of being the "iPod of books." But the comment does bring to light something that many of us in tech have to assess often?

Does using electronic reading devices (eBook, laptop, PDA, smartphone, etc.) help or hinder your Bible reading?

Labels: Apple, Bible, community, reading

So I last left things with me getting to the Rapier website and reading over the instructions. I felt confident after a few days that things would be fine (battling a cold too).

So I connected to the N800 via Bluetooth to my phone and proceeded to download Rapier via the Application Manager (neat feature by the way). No dice. The download didn't finish.

Because I was on a call while downloading, I just attributed it to me doing a lot on the phone and just needed to try it again. So I did...

5 times.

And each time the download failed at the very end of the download. I know that I am not doing anything wrong, so I pretty much planned to go another route. I would download Rapier directly to the device and then install.

So this I did. But what I downloaded wasn't the entire program, just a link to enable the Application Manager to install it. So the download started again, and failed again.

By this point it was nearly 1am and I needed to sleep (recovering from a cold and needing to go to work). So right now I am at an impass. How do I at least get Rapier installed? Thoughts anyone?

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, Sword Project

Being that I am on the tablet more often than not these days, I am looking for ways to use it to enhance what I already do with tech. One of those areas in particular is in that of reading, studying, and journaling the Bible. While its pretty easy usually to find Bible readers on other mobile computing platforms, it proved to be a bit more difficult for me with the IT. Add to that, some aspects of installing and getting rolling with using a Bible on the IT have been a lesson in patience and understanding Linux a bit more.

This is a (small) journal of my experiences in downloading, installing, and using a Bible on my IT.

- Tipped to a recent update of Rapier at Jaiku, I made my way over to the Rapier homepage to bone up on Rapier and see if it would be suitable enough to meet my needs.

- Things looked fine, so I downloaded Rapier per the instructions on the site (which took a bit to understand); I then looked for how to download and install a Bible

- Found the Bibles at the Sword Library's website. Though no instructions there on how to install the Bibles to the tablet. Went back to Rapier's homepage to look for instructions there.

It was at this moment that I got a good bit perturbed, and at the same time understand why only the brave ones take a hand in Linux.

I'll continue this one a bit later. But I can say that from this point, things get a little complicated and I don't exactly make it through the install pain free. Stay tuned.

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, Sword Project

One of my biggest (and really only) gripes with WORDsearch is that there is no way for me to natively type in Greek or Hebrew when I am using their word processor or taking notes. Within the past year or so I have gotten heavy into using the original languages in my studies, and I have wanted to use them in my notes as well. In WORDsearch the only way in which I was able to put Greek or Hebrew into my notes or studies was to copy and paste from another window within the program (i.e. from the Strong's Dictionary). This was very frustrating for me, and I couldn't seemingly figure out a solution to the problem. Throw in the fact Logos has a built-in utility to do this kind of thing, and you could see where this was going.

Well, tonight I had my first Greek class at church, and it went rather well. It's very exciting and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead of me. But, in class tonight, the teacher, my friend, Cliff Beveridge, was asking how we felt about using the church's e-learning website to submit our homework. I had no problem with that, until I thought about how in the world would I type in Greek without copying & pasting? Then on the drive home from church, it dawned on me that Logos had made available unicode keyboard mappings for the ancient languages that were easy to install.

So, I get home from church and search their website to find them (Windows Keyboards for Ancient Languages). I downloaded the ones for Greek and Hebrew and installed them. I then created hotkeys that would allow me to switch easily from one language to the other (i.e. I can type Left ALT+Shift+2 and my keyboard mapping will switch to Greek, with Left ALT+Shift+1 switching back to US English). I opened up Microsoft Word to give it a try and it worked beautifully. From there, I thought for a minute wondering if this would work in WORDsearch 8 as well. I opened up WS8, clicked to open a new word processor window, changed my keyboard mapping to Greek and started typing away with the Greek characters showing up. I even tried Hebrew (Left ALT+Shift+3 for me) and it automatically switched the formatting from left to right over to right to left. Awesome!

Who would have thought that my company's number one competitor would provide a simple download that would allow me to make my use of WS8 all the more proficient and easier?! I'm glad they did, I'm glad it worked, and as a result my studies will be much more fruitful and efficient. The only thing that I need to do now is work on learning all of the Hebrew keys, as I'm already pretty familiar with the Greek. It's awesome how stuff like that works out. A great way to end a productive weekend and a really long day.

Originally posted @ Trailblazin Ministries Blog

Labels: ancient languages, Logos, Windows Keyboards, WordSearch

Recently a great new study has gone up at Trailblazin Minisries entitled Bible Study Tutorial.

Knowing how to study the Bible is one of the most important things that you can learn to do as a Christian. As believers, the Bible is our foundation for truth and it is how we come to know the mind of the Lord and how to worship Him. For many Christians, this is something that is never taught to them. After teaching a study on having a heart for God's Word, I felt that it was necessary to take the next step and show you how to study the Bible.

Now that we live in the 21st Century where computers are all around us, it would be wise for us to take advantage of these tools and allow them to help us study the Word of God better and more efficiently. Over the years, a number of Bible software companies have arisen that are aimed at helping you to study the Word of God more accurately and faster than you ever could before. No longer do you need bookshelves full of commentaries and dictionaries; you can now have it all at your fingertips and with a few clicks of the mouse.

It is with this in mind that we are going to show you how to study the Bible using a Bible study software application. Not only will these principles show you the basics of studying the Bible, but also give you a glimpse at the power Bible study software can offer you. In this tutorial, we use WORDsearch 8 Bible study software, but these principles can be used with any application, such as Logos, PC Study Bible, or e-Sword.

View the entire study here.

Labels: community, devotion, software

I'd like to keep these things to a minimum, but in speaking with a brother about the possiblities of a hybrid Bible application (for smartphones, Internet Tablets, and laptops alike), it hit me that there was something that was already present that just kinda made me feel incensed about the whole thing.

Bible software/websites are made for those that have access to them, not necessarly those that need them.

For example, one would think that YouVersion would be a really nice piece of web-based software to use on a smartphone or Internet Tablet. But its not; the site doesn't reformat itself for use on those types of mobile devices. Despite the higher proliferation of mobile phones, much of what is out there is geared towards those in the Body who are more affluent and have more powerful equipment.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that everything needs to be broken down to the user of a 10 year old Nokia 3555. But when developing software that is supposed to enable and encourage reading, studying, and discipliship, is anyone taking into account those that don't even have access to the latest and greatest hardware to do so.

I wanted to jump into using YouVersion on the N800 a few days ago and used the tablet to sign up. But no matter what zoom levels I used, the site was just unusable on such a device. I know I'm not the least of these, but shouldn't revolutionary Bible software/services be a bit more than AJAX and Web 2.0-isms? Shouldn't it be accessible? Shouldn't it allow us to interact with the Word in ways that we hadn't before?

Labels: Bible, internet tablet, N800, software, tech

Having gotten back into using the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, I have wanted to move into one of the main reasons that I have for getting it - to invogorate how I read, study, and journal the Bible. That being said, there has not been a lot done in this area on the Internet Tablet, and part of it is probably because no-one really knows what to do.

Let's start with a few simple situations, and then go from there:

- You are at a cafe on a nice day, and would like to read the Bible. There is wifi and so using it would be preferred. Services such as iPocketBible, eBible, and YouVersion are available, and so you read and do. While they are different in what they offer, the key thing here is that you have the ability to read while online, and do a few things on top of that.

- You are in the car as a passenger, and would like to continue your reading that you started at the cafe. Being that you are not near a hotspot, the only options for connecting online would be through your mobile phone. However, that could get expensive quickly. So you decide to fire up a bible reader and go from there. And yes, that works too, but the notes are a seperate application, and you just lost your place that you had in the online version you were reading.

- You are at home, away from the fuss of a day and want to dig in a bit deeper to the passages you were reading before. So you fireup the browser, the bible reader, and the notes application. And then have at your side a few additional references that you use when studying. This only lasts for a few minutes though before you decide to move completely to paper and pen because of the constant switching that has to happen.

In looking at the situations described above, one can see the benefits and the disadvantages of reading a Bible on an electronic device. When the Bible is so seperated from the tasks of reading, studying, and sharing, what should be a convience becomes a chore.

So my proposal/question is to make a better Bible reader for mobile devices that takes these situations into account. One part of this is the Bibles, another part of this notes, and yet another part is the user interface of it all.

I see a good platform on my Internet Tablet in terms of the Notes application. But I am not yet sure if it is something that can be extended by the way of plugins to other programs. Because being able to plug in the Notes app to the browser would make for an easy way to bookmark and annotate passages.

Then I also see the good stuff in terms of web applications for reading the Bible, but there has to be a way to save content on the device (even if for a short time) so that one could read when there is no Internet connection.

When I think about reading effectively on mobile devices, motivation to read is one part. But having a tool that works effecitvely is another that is usually the stumbling block.

Labels: Bible, community, internet tablet, N800, Nokia, reading, tech, usablity

A brother and I were chatting at Holy Culture Radio about Google's Grand Central and asked me if I'd be interested in an invite. In declining, I realized that what I was saying to him was something that many probably do not think about when thinking of web services. What follows is what I wrote to him.

Sounds like a good reason. What in general do you not like in Google's privacy policy and is it something I should be concerned about?

My side job is that of a mobile device analyist; my main one is that of a web developer. I tend to take a more critical eye towards services because of those frames of reference. Add to that my very relevant work background towards several areas of information dissemation, I just have become one to follow his instincts when its come to internet and what information that I am willing to give out.

GigaOm recently did an article speaking about some of the issues of privacy that users need to be concerned with in doing things online. I'd recommend reading it (here), and then balancing what is said there (editorial opinion with some facts) to your personal convictions, to the privacy agreements of Google and others.

I tend not to try and skew the opinion of others with my own; but I will say that Googles activites do cause concern. Mainly because we have moved firmly into an information economy. The time is pretty much upon us where it is again like the pre-reformation era where those who control the information will subdue those who are not "in" towards keeping it exclusive. Entities such as Google, Facebook, etc. are in the business of making sure that you become identified by the information you search and attach yourself to. This information tracking and serving can/will lead to issues where persons can be denied access because they have a "mark" against them.

When I look at personal information such as phone numbers and addresses, I have made the call that such information I will not give out to online services unless absoutely necessary. Grand Central while great for what it does, puts me in a position that an aspect of my personal freedoms I am putting in the hands of a private company to whom I am not sure of in terms of their standing towards Our Father's ideals.

Taking all of this into consideration, I watch Grand Central and just about everything else that has gone mainstream, and I make moves carefully.

Labels: community, tech

The Carnival of the Mobilists has returned this year with #105 at Mobile Point of View. Lots of goood articles in this one. Seems like already the bar is raised on what and how things are being spoken about.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

It's been a while, and I'd like to wish the entire community a blessed new year.

As it stands, most people know I am an unabashed Palm fan. I like the interface, ease of use , and I love the third-party applications, specifically those that enhance productivity and spirituality.

I also never made the switch to a smartphone; After playing around with a relative's Treo, I became concerned that I might lose some functionality for phone service that the jury was still out on. So, I became a two-device person (three, if you count my sweetie's iPod. It was a present for her, but is almost always in my pocket).

I had my mind set on the Centro, but recently, when I went into a local T-Mobile store to see about sim card compatibility, I saw a BlackBerry Curve up close for the first time.

Everyone knows that when it comes to tech, I am big on form factor. I was drawn in by how the 8320 looked. It was light, and I was impressed with how Research In Motion was able to keep it trendy without losing the "businessy" aspect RIM is known for. After asking a few cursory questions of the salesperson, I went home, sans phone, to do some research.

I had never, ever really considered a BlackBerry. Come on... everyone knows that BBs are only owned by stodgy suits that live on Wall Street, right? What would a youth pastor tech geek do with a BB?

Well, I warmed up to the Curve after doing some extensive research. The obvious negative would be the loss of my beloved third-party applications. Also, using a Palm was second nature to me; I just knew what to do, how to fix issues, and find support on the web. In other words, I was quite comfortable.

But on the other hand, the Curve just looked so cool. You just can't sleep on the QWERTY keyboard, push email, multimedia capabilities, speakerphone, microSD compatibility, wi-fi, bluetooth, camera, and the support of the informal, large Crackberry community.

So, to summarize, I later ordered an 8320 from T-Mobile (the T-Mobile version has Bluetooth and wi-fi, but no GPS; my preference would be to take wi-fi over GPS. AT&T and Verizon carry versions with different options). Looks like I'll be keeping it.

In the next couple of posts, I'll be posting some reviews pertaining to utilities and accessories available for the BlackBerry platform. Hopefully, there will be tie-ins to how such products can make us better ministers. It is my honest belief that the BB could be a viable propagation tool.

Great to be back!

Sitting at a coffeehouse while typing this on an N800 Internet Tablet is pretty neat. But in doing so, I have this idea that this should be only a part of what I do to engage the tech.

I was asked last night about some of my goals, and one of them is to make a full transistion from one who acquires tech knowledge and is known for doing so, to a person who is empowering others through technology, whether they are mobile, technological, or something else entirely. I look at what Bill Gates is doing in his stepping down from Microsoft to work for his foundation that will be seeking to educate and find cures for those diseases that sap the life from developing communities. This is the kind of transistion that I want to make, and I am finally feeling like this is possible.

As a ministry, MMM is a resource that aims to educate Christians on ways of using mobile technology as parts of their own ministry endavors. We've transistioned the content though from being so instructional though to purpose and effectiveness driven. Where we speak on those issues that relate to life and faith at the intersection of technology, and then what are our responses - whether that is is educating, empowering, or warning. As a user and analyist of this stuff, I feel like taking it to that step further. That step where the mobile tech is an agent of the change that brings all that Christ is to those around me.

As a user, this excites me. As a Christian though, this sparks me.

Labels: community, internet tablet, mission, mobile, N800, tech

As more and more people are using, and wanting to know about smarpthones. I am realizing that many of the things that I tend to take for granted, people just do not know. The following is a post from my personal website that speaks on how I am using the N75 as a music device (in addition to it being a phone and a few other tools). As much as it looks like the regular phone, its not. And its my hope that such a post can get you thinking of simple ways where you can maximize things like a phone, laptop, MP3 player when you learn more about what it can do for you.
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As I've gone on (and on) a few times, I am in the mist of a bit of a mobile computing shift. I've been using the N75 and really haven't had too bad of a time with it. For the most part its good, and like I said before, I can totally understand the dissappointment people have with mobiles - even those that don't know that they are. But today I did come across some goodness that I knew about, but had not thought to put into play until now.

That goodness is in the use of bluetooth headphones with the N75. Most of you are familiar with using a bluetooth headset with your phone. And that's great when speaking on the phone (I even have a really good headset that I use). But have you ever considered what it would be like to have a music player where you could listen to music without that wire? Now, if you are anything like me, those wires go dead within 3-6 months and you need to get a new pair. But if the headset is wireless, all you have to do is charge it and go.

Well, that is the case with my headphones. I have a pair of Moto BT headphones and they are ok (for a few hours anyways). With the Treo, I had to download software to use the BT ability, or purchase an adapter if I wanted to use it wired. With the N75, no adapter needed. Just pair it like one would a headset and just go. That's a good thing.

Sure, I have to charge them once a week. But they can also be used wired, which is great. At the moment I don't have but a 2GB microSD memory card, so the amount of music I have is quite small. But its enough to enjoy some solid sounds while at work or biking.

This lil phone is really capable. I might have to trumpet it a bit more (can I be like Rita and request one from Santa or the next holiday wish-granter, lol). Its a lot more accesssible to people than an N95 is in the US (cost more than anything), and not so far out there with what I am able to do that it puts people off. Uhmmm...

Labels: mobile accessories, N75, tech

I have a bit of a confession (hence the breaking of that one-post-a-day thing I've been doing); becuase I have not been so mindful with my finances, I am not able to attend the BibleTech Conference that's going on later this month. Its not because I was crazy and spent funds on tons of things even. I helped out a (new) friend in need, plus met financial goals in other areas, and that left me without the ability to go to BibleTech.

I really feel bad about this because I've want to not just go to this, but other conferences this and last year, but the finances and travel/time management side of things has seen me coming up short (should I pray for an assistant in that area?).

So I do want to apologize in advance to all of you readers who were expecting me to be there. I cannot. I've prayed about going, and even as far as wanting to do things out of order financially to go, but I cannot.

This is probably the one area where in doing MMM that I am most discouraged. Financially, I'm not yet able to do what I'd want to do in terms of traveling, speaking, and teaching, because finances are an issue. Thankfully, I have been getting a better hand of things (been doing Dave Ramsey's Financal Peace University with my church for the past two months, and I am in remarkably better shape than in the recent past); I just haven't turned the corner where I can say that finances are not a hindrance here.

Apologies for the extremely personal post, regular programming will resume hereafter. I read this and it just hit me (again) that I'm not able to partake in what should be a great event for MMM, its readers, and the entire Body. Nevertheless, please keep myself and MMM in your prayers, hopefully as the year goes on, other opportunities will come where engaging companies such as Laridian and Logos can happen.

Labels: BibleTech

From Brighthand:

One of the things that I've always liked best about smartphones has been their ability to pretty much do everything that one needs to do, and do it just about anywhere. Of course, its not perfect. Sometimes when browsing, one would like something a good bit larger so that the screen is better; or in the case of those who write a lot, a larger screen makes it a bit easier to work with formatting and multiple windows.

I've spoken at length before on how I think the Foleo is a solid prospect for many of those in ministry. I feel this way because I see that a smartphone really gets down to the kernal of what many want to do with computing, and because of its ease of use (in most cases) keeps us from absuing the computers that we've come to rely on for work and entertainment.

So you can imagine the gleem in my eye when I saw the news posting about the Redfly Mobile Companion. Much like the Palm Foleo, it works along with the smartphone (in this case Windows Mobile smartphones). But all it adds is the ability to work big when needed, and then just fold and get out of the way when not needed.

Considering the amount of people who use mobile devices on this site, is this a solution that you could see a a productivty enhancement in terms of how you can do work, and a life enhancement in terms of cutting down the amount of devices that you'd have to admin/service/use on a daily basis - making time for other people and issues that need your time?

The other thought that I have about something like this is if software, Bible software in particular, is good enough to be used in such a dual role. Accoridng to one part of my brain, I would hope so, but one never knows considering the way devices are.

Labels: mobile accessories, tech

I was just reading a website that called itself a social networking website for cellular devices and all it did was allow you to SMS a person that you prayed for them and download ringtones. Really, that was all. I wish that I could build one, because I have an idea of something just a bit more effective.

I think of an application where a community of people can gather around the Word (online and offline), and then place time-stamps and bookmarks towards where they are studying. Not just individuals, but groups of people can enmasse study parts of the Word and engage in community-building efforts. Something like what is happening here with the Amazon Kindle.

If you will, taking that idea of sitting in a Bible study, and not just leveraging the fact that some/all can have a laptop/tablet/smartphone to read from, but they would have an ability to share their notes, highlighted items, and anything else as a layer above the "community Bible."

I kind of think of it like the OLPC's mesh networking feature, but built around meeting around the Word. Considering how much we like to get people to meet at various events and places, it would be even better if we could do it in such a way that brings them around the Word, but gives them an incentive to read it, and grow from reading our own experences while we live it.

Labels: community, Kindle, mobile, networking

Last month, we asked a question of whether a common format for digital Bibles would be of an assistance to your ability to read, study, and share the Word. I'd like to revisit that question, but dive a bit deeper this time around.

How would having a common format for Bible electronic Bible study material enhance your time spent in the Word?

UPDATE: Apologies for missing on this one if you read it in your feed and it was all of a sudden gone. I changed the date and typed 07 instead of 08 and so this was shifted back a year. Whoops.

Labels: Bible, software, tech

I am one of a few folks that probably slept thru all of the New Year's celebrations. Being that I have been traveling a lot this year, it would seem that it was a fitting way to end and begin the new year (that is, not so mobile LOL).

Nevertheless, I'd like to wish all of you a Happy New Year. A good number of people have been calling 2008 a year of "new beginnings." I cannot say that is not entirely innacurate as we all will be doing things this year that we probably had no idea we'd be doing. And all the same, we are designed to grow and change - so "new" just tends to happen.

I wish that all of you reading have a great beginning to your new year; that you have a renewed sense of direction and purpose for those things mobile and faith-driven (especially the latter). And for anything that you do, do it unto the Lord. It's for Him that we live and move and have our being, so let's continue to live this life like it. Blessings.