Mobile Ministry Magazine

From Palmsolo/Matt Miller:

A new Bible reader for iPhone users called Mantis Bible has been released. Unlike other iPhone Bible applications that have been released, this one allows for the offline reading of Bible texts.

Mantis Bible is designed to not just be a Bible reader, but to also facilitate studying the Bible on such a mobile device. Here are some additional features noted on their website:

• Additional translations and study tools can be added (with more than 15 titles already available.)
• Quick-click History makes jumping from verse to verse and back simple and quick.
• Quick-reference chapter and section headers make finding the right text easy.
• Easily create bookmarks and notes for any verse in the Bible.
• Unique "Compare Versions" feature shows a single verse in multiple translations on one page.
• Fast and flexible, yet simple search system.
• Personal notes and translation notes appear inline with the text and can be toggled on and off, making it easier to view the notes within the context of its related scripture.
• Quick help text appears for new users.
• Two-touch translation chooser instantly shows the current text in any installed Bible translation.
• Streamlined work-flow designed for quickly looking up passages without losing your place.
• Use-tested on pastors and kindergarten students alike. They BOTH did very well!

All in all, this sounds like a very solid release for iPhone and iPod Touch users looking for a Bible application. Most of the Bibles are $5-$15 in price and it seems that they are working to get additional translations available.

For more information and to purchase/download, visit the Mantis Bible website.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, iPod Touch, mobile, software

I figured that I would get started on tomorrow's post by opening up the tablet and reflecting a bit on a conversation that I had MOnday afternoon with one of my pastors.

I should probably give a bit of context though. Wellspring Community Church is in a lot of respects more virtual than many other churches that I have been a part of. A good deal of the work at this point is done by small teams and administered over a series of emails and phone conversations. So much so that there is no real physical office, but the pastors work in Google Office for a good bit of the time when not doing a specific program.

My pastor and I talked about how this type of working throws other pastors in the area off a bit. Part of it is because the idea of working in the virtual office of the Internet is still quite new to most people. And especially in the circles of religion and community life, having an office and being "seen" in the office is how people perceive work to be done. My pastors are a lot like myself though in that we are a bit ahead of the curve in terms of using tech and faith, and this presents some challenges and opportunities to doing ministry in a recognizable fashion.

Recognizable fashion? Yes. You see, here in the Bible belt (Charlotte), the common form of pastors is having an office, probably at a church or attached building, during the week and then be out in the community for special events. To actually make the community, local businesses and the interactions with people in them, part of the church office, one can effectively take down some of those barriers to seeing how church works. In addition, this view puts a more realistic view on pastoring as an occupation where boundaries and time management are viable issues, not just ones spoken from the pulpit and listen with "assumed ears."

Now, my pastor and I did agree in our conversation that this type of working is probably more indicative of how many more pastors will work in the future (domestically). Releasing resources needed for maintaining office space, and understanding the place for technology to serve ministry efforts will be something that is going to be more of an instinctive activity within the next generation of pastors. And that will bring with it its own pitfalls and successes. The key in seeing this change is figuring out what works best and then moving in the direction that best serves the Body.

Towards the end of the conversation, my pastor mentioned that he really wants to pull the trigger on getting the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet. He does exactly one thing that requires MS Word, and everything else is done with Google's applications. He sees the freedom and versatility of the mobile technology to further enable him to walk out towards connecting and empowering the Charlotte community.

To that end, I see what I do with MMM as very important. We have identified that aspects of faith will indeed be better served with mobile technology. And as ministers, laypersons, missionaries, and organizations move further into the connected way of life (media, internet, mobility, etc.), understanding the tools and the effects they will have on just simple behaviors will be vital.

We are ambassadors of mobile pastoring it seems. Amazing what these little devices expose our faith and lives towards growing into.

One of the things that I've tried to do, even before starting Mobile Ministry Magazine, has been to reduce my computing needs to the bare essentials as much as possible. A big reason for doing so is because I've been one to travel a good bit and besides taking long trips, I tend to have taken many trips. Ironically, this weekend, I hit 100,000 miles in my 3yr old Civic.

Knowing what I can do with as few physical materials as possible is something that is a bit of an aim of being mobile. To skillfully and effective utilize the environment and services offered so that one can get a job done and connect. Andy Abramson, CEO of Comunicano, Inc. (an advertising, marketing and public relations agency based in Del Mar, CA), tends to do writes a blog called Working Anywhere and in a recent post talks about some of the tools that he uses as a global nomad.

...Basically, I've built the company (and am now rebuilding my house) by being the executive who works anywhere but the traditional office, allowing for a business lifestyle that is highly productive, and mostly more effortless than many people would ever imagine. For example right now I'm in Europe, floating between Lisbon, Portugal, Barcelona, Paris and London over a two-week period. After that I’ll be on the East Coast, the West Coast, back to the East Coast, into the Midwest, all before August 9, when I finally move back into my house. Along the way I’m staying in very business executive work-friendly and amazingly artistic, modern and well run hotels, all of which offer very high-quality Internet and many of the comforts and services a business traveler needs...

That's a good deal of traveling and the really good thing about this post is that while many of us might not have his resources, we can utilize some of the behaviors and services in our own capacities to make traveling less of an issue, or in the case of missions work, less a chore of logistics and more of just going and serving.

Check out the rest of the post The Tools of The Global Nomad at Working Everywhere and let's chat about some of the tools or behaviors that you have found sufficient in those times when you've been more nomad than settler.

Disclosure: Comunicano has worked with MMM in the past through the Nokia Blogger Relations program to provide devices and notification of services that may or may not be relevant to our community.

Labels: communication, community, computer, data, devices, environment, flexibility, mobile, mobile accessories, mobility, Nokia, resources, stewardship, sustainability, tools, usability

This is a post made right from my thumbs and also from my Internet Tablet, using the application WordPy. I decided to just post like this in part because this is a nice day, and besides a normal post, I wanted to just reflect on the moment. You see, this weekend I was in the Washington DC metro area and took time for people and slightly away from tech. Besides the break, it gave me a though about where faith and mobile tech meet: a moment. There's nothing really complicated avout it, we use what we use because it fits the moment. But our faith is less like that. Its a consistant source were we live and find opportunities to be like Him. This year, I am committed to walking out more than I did in times past. Sometimes that might intersect with tech; but usually, it will be something parallel with this faith that has to look like Christ. We only get a moment to decide what to do at that intersection, then its only a memory of what was and what could have been.

Basing this question of an article of a similar title (Is Web Work Really Going to My Mobile Device?); what about fellowship and study makes them really conductive to using mobile devices, and what about those two makes mobile devices a non-issue?

Speaking on one side as a person who has forced a good bit of mobility into his studies, there is certainly an advantage of being able to study anytime and anywhere. Also, its made me less reliant on notes as more things have had to sit in my head for retrevial since software isn't as great as I would like it to be.

But for those whom I know don't like the idea of mobile devices being a part of a study, they cite cost of the deivce, device fraility, service availability, software, and a slew of other reasons (excuses). I understand them all, and encounter a good deal of them. I guess I am just the kind of person who would walk thru those issues rather than let them be a determent.

So what about you and your friends and family? For every one of you who can go mobile, there are those near to you who do not. What are some of those perspectives and what does that say about the ability to use mobile tech as agents within fellowship and study?

Labels: Bible, community, computer, Hardware, Laptop, mobile, mobility, smartphone, software, study

Its been a while since we have touched on Bible applications in detail, and mainly that has been (on my end) because it is quite hard to focus in on some kind of solution that appeals best to publishers, developers, and users. Everyone seems to have such a different perspective that it has felt a bit futile in terms of asking all to come together and actually build something of mutual benefit.

But in one of my readings this week, I came across an idea for doing such that fits better with the placement of MMM, as well as the abilities and resources of all those who would otherwise be involved. I'd be remiss if I didn't thank Sender 11 for that excellent post - thanks a bunch. And I will also contribute some recent learning about project management methodologies as being the fuel to this line of thinking.

A Common Problem

The common problem is reading the Bible effectively. Pastors will tell you that simply getting people to read is hard; teachers will say getting people to comprehend is a major challenge; publishers will say that there are only a finite amount of ways a person will pay for a product; and readers just want to read without going though hoops.

A paper Bible seems almost idea. Choose the Bible from the shelf, open to the index, table of contents, or last bookmarked section and boom you are there.

Remembering the Book

Lets keep with that last piece about a simple book. An application should have as few entry points as possible: an index of all the terms, a table of contents for the major sections, and finally personal bookmarks. The first two should be built into the program, they should sit in a database that is optimized for speed then results, rather than results then speed.

Personal bookmarks, or notes, or annotations, or highlights, whatever you want to call them. This should be information that the program accesses, but it does not sit in the domain of the application only to use. It needs to be a common to the device format, yet contain the information needed to keep it linked to the application. This means that the program either needs to provide an API to a default notes application, or provide a notes application that is at least as sufficient as the default application, but does not remain proprietary so that one can only get to it by first going to the Bible app. It should store information in open formats, and be exportable to any format needed.

Then We Read

Now getting past that initial entry point, a person as found the book, has opened the book, and is now reading. Nothing else matters. Seriously. Nothing matters. They are in the Word to connect with God. The interface should allow that. There should be as few disruptions by the operating system, application chrome, and additional resources as possible.

Speaking of additional resources; I know that lots who visit here dig commentaries a lot. I get value out of them too. But they should sit as additions, not necessarily as separate entities. One should be able to click on a verse or verse number to gain access to additional resources that are contextual to what was just clicked. For example, clicking on a verse should show 'Get Map', 'Get Parallel Verses', and/or 'Read Commentary' in addition to a 'tag' and 'add note' function. Note, we are still just reading. The other stuff just comes out when we are in the mist of reading and want more.

Handling Multiple Books

This might come as a bit of dismay to some, but I see additional books as being something that should also be complimentary to the singular reading. Most people just read one Bible and then have maybe one additional source.

And that's speaking of those who'd read often. Keeping the program simple means that if there are additional books, that the option for getting to them should be noted on that inital screen with the Index, Bookmarks, and Table of Contents. Just something like, 'More Books' that opens a library would be sufficient. Give the user the option of seeing this either on that screen, or as an addition option on that tap verse item explained earlier. A simple 'View in Similar Book' note would work.

So What Am I Saying

Ignoring the formatting differences, pricing schemes, online or offline abilities, building the experience of reading the Bible simply transends any particular platform and just goes into a need. If one wants to build a Bible app that successfully takes that analogy of reading a book and then presents it simply, we have to think about how we read, and then from there make sure that the additional features don't get in the way.

If I could code something, I'd build according to what you just saw for the Internet Tablet. That's how confident that I am in this methodology of development being something of value beyond just our circles.

Labels: Bible, developer, software, web application, wireless application

30 days ago I set out to challenge myself to use Logos exclusively. I had been a longtime WORDsearch user, but I wanted to see just how well Logos would serve as a possible replacement as my primary Bible study software application. So, I set out on my challenge and documented it on my blog with things that I liked & disliked along the way. Well, yesterday marked the end of my challenge and I have come to a conclusion concerning Logos and have made a decision as to which one will become my primary application. So, read through my account of trying to put aside the software I'd known for years and my attempt to use something new, or just jump to the conclusion and see what my final thoughts are.

1. Logos Bible Software: The 30 Day Challenge
2. The First Few Days
3. More Thoughts
4. Praises & Complaints
5. A Few More Wants and Some Cool Features
6. The Conclusion

The challenge was an interesting one, and I'm very pleased with the outcome. I just hope it's one that I have to make again anytime soon.

Labels: Logos, software

I am setting this to post on the back end of my rest day, but it was good enough that the link needs to be shared with all.

...Listen up: God knows what you need far better than you do. Take a day of rest and relax. Let God speak to you in your time of relaxation and joy. You'll not only have more physical energy, your mind will be more alert and creative and your walk with the Lord will be greater. I don't guarantee it - He does...

Read the rest of Rest at Anthony Coppedge.

Please, as you do work, even with mobile tech, remeber to take a rest.

Labels: commands, rest

I had an editorial/article posted at Brighthand that also has some merit here in terms of getting a bit of an understanding as to where computing is going. The subject is called "cloud computing" and is usually characterized by applications, data, or some combination of both being stored on a network and accessible through the Internet (wired or wireless connection). While many in corporate settings might be familiar with this, other than email, most people are not aware of some of the positives and negatives, nor of the types of cloud computing options.

This article is more of an overview than something very technical. But especially for parents, teachers, and those in IT settings, you will want to understand this so that you can use and point those under your influence in a direction that speaks towards their needs, moreso than towards the market's desires.

Here is a snippet:

A term being bantered about a good deal since Apple's iPhone 3G release has been that of "cloud computing." Essentially cloud computing is when the data that you work with -- contacts, bookmarks, email, calendaring, etc. -- is accessible though an Internet connection and with several devices.

There are three ways of taking advantage of this idea of cloud computing: data completely in the cloud, local applications that utilize some data in the clouds with some local, and being your own cloud where you provide the local data from your device to a service.

Read the rest of The Three States of Cloud Computing at Brighthand.

Labels: communication, community, information technology, Internet, software, tech

New design folks. Please place feedback in a comment to this post (I need to test a few pages that I cannot see until they are generated). Thanks.

IF you do not see anything, or are viewing this from an RSS, please click Reset CSS so that you see the new style.

Great thinking piece forwared by LJ talking about the amount of data that we have in front of us compared to in times past and what our response should be as Christians to this. Here is a snippet:

...Some days I thank God for the vast amount of information at my disposal. Other days I just wish it would all go away. In my more rational moments I know that this is impossible - the information is going to increase, not decrease. Therefore I am responsible before God to live a spiritually disciplined life in spite of this information overload. I am responsible before Him to carve time out of this information influx so I can just be alone with Him; alone with no telephone, no email, no internet. It is critical to my spiritual well-being that I find ways of removing and properly managing these distractions that keep me from spending the time He and I need to build a thriving, growing relationship.

Read the rest of Data Smog and the Christian Life at Challes.com

Labels: data, information technology

This is totally one of those cases where I am posting something a week before it hits the site. Hope the folks at Mippin don't get too mad about that...

The 132nd Carnival of the Mobilits has been published at the Mippin blog. For those not familiar with Mippin, its a mobile-tuned content aggregation service. Its very slick for those with mobiles that do not have great browsers, and even better for those of you who prefer to be informed on the go and at a glance.

So after you read the Carnival, make sure to sign up for Mippin, and check out MMM there as well :)

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists, Mippin, mobile

I am nearing 30, but I do not have kids of my own. I do tend to play with them a lot, and mobile technology is very much a part of our time. Especially with teens, mobile tech (phones usually) are seen as independence and personal items. They go as far to color them, add screens/ringtones, and do other things that make the mobile theirs, even when they are not even paying the bill for it.

However, parents have an issue with this. And I totally understand. For many of them, the technology has moved as fast as their kids in terms of growth and its harder to know what they are doing versus just shutting it down completly. Some parents have a handle of being able to use mobile tech in a rewards system, being able to emphasize that mobile tech is a priveledge, not a need.

So I want to open up some discussion, and maybe this can give me (personally) some insight into parenting, and you (parents, pastors, and teachers) some insight as to how to better understand what it is your teens are doing with mobile tech. Becuase we don't want statistics like these becoming more common; we'd rather Godliness speak louder than debauchery ya know.

Labels: communication, community, mobile, parenting, teens, usability

Not that we need to keep saying it, but mobile devices are making a considerable impact towards how people are finding out information about various services, events, and even churches. Considering the technolology, it makes sense to mobilize websites with either an alternate version, or just some simple user interface tweaks that makes it easier to find needed information.

Heal Your Church Website has put up an excellent guide towards doing this. While most of this is not a simple weekend project, if you are already working towards redesigning your church/org website these are some things to make sure that you pay attention to.

Simpler ways to make websites mobile include: asking your website visitors/church members/organization stakeholders what parts of the church website should be accessible via a mobile website. For example, you might only need a simple mobile page with service and contact information, and then be able to utilize an SMS subscription service for other items.

Another thing you can do is just making a small section of your website mobile. If you are using a Wordpress blog, you can just make that section mobile using a plugin, and then point people there via a subdomain name.

Going mobile isn't just about making things great for those with an iPhone, its about making information relevant to those who are looking for it. The more attention paid to this area, the more people feel less like they have to bend over backwards to find a community that will minister to their needs.

Labels: community, mobile, software, website

...accoring to LifeChurch.tv, that is the number of minutes that people spent reading the Bible on their iPhone on the iPhone 3G launch day last week (either via the iPhone version of the YouVersion website or the new iPhone Bible app).

YouVersion has a new Bible application for iPhone users that works both online and offline. Pretty nifty user interface if you ask me, and there's a ton that can be done with it.

Labels: Bible, iPhone, software, YouVersion

I always like the variety of users that submit posts to Palm Addict. So many people from all over the world using PDAs, smartphones, and tablet PC devices in order to connect with one another, empower one another, or just improve a specific circumstance.

There have been a few postings at Palm Addict recently about people using the Bible on their mobiles. Here is a small list of those:

• Mobile devices provide audio recordings and Bible Study tools for elderly
• Palm Bible+
• Bible With You (The Message) 7.00
• Bible Old Testament (ASV) 3.00
• When God Wanted Me to Go Outside

Labels: Bible, community, mobile, Palm Addict, software

A question that has been sitting in my head for sometime has been concerning the Ceilo Redfly. Reviewed by Matt Miller (Palmsolo) over at ZDNet some time ago, the Ceilo Redfly is a bit of an alternative look at what mobile computing can look like: instead of the laptop being the center and the smartphone walking alongside it, the Redfly plays as the the accessory to the smartphone, and basically is just a screen, keyboard, and battery so that the smartphone becomes much more of a productive device.

Now, this is what many people have problems with understanding and it begs to be said here again. If you are doing anything with a computer more than normal browsing, photo cropping, and personal information management tasks, then the Redfly and a smartphone might not be the ideal solution for you. However, if you are finding that you spend more time on your smartphone, and that your laptop largely stays put at home doing those light tasks, this might be a really good solution for you (if you own a Windows Mobile smartphone - other smartphones are not supported at this time).

Some weeks ago, I shot an email to a contact at Ceilo and he was able to get me a few answers concerning the Ceilo Redfly and a more vocational focus. If you will, I've always seen this device as being a near perfect setup for those in mission fields, those in urban ministry settings where you don't get a lot of space to setup shop; and those users who are using mainly web applications, and the use of a smartphone can save money and lead towards more efficient energy use.

Here are some of the questions (expanded a bit) along with answers from Brad Warnock, Ceilo's VP of Marketing (in the blockquote):

The Ceilo Redfly has a price point of $500. This is pretty expensive for many consumers, though I am guessing that enterprise IT departments are a bit more receptive. What has the response been towards this aspect of the Redfly?

Some enterprise buyers are pushing back a bit, but others have made direct comments as the the price being OK, even under priced at times considering the TCO benefits compared to a sub-compact laptop, netbook or UMPC. Also, we're sure that over time, scale and efficiency factors in the manufacturing process will bring some kind of price drop.

The Redfly would seem like a perfect device for mission workers due to the easy-to-attain nature of mobile phones in various places around the word, and the options towards data connectivity. Plus, the fact that the Redfly has no hard drive means that losing it would not compromise computing initiatives in places where information censorship is an issue. Can you speak on any churches/organizations that utilize the Redfly and any of their success stories?

Two very large U.S.-based churches are currently running REDFLY pilot programs, but we can't disclose the names at this time.

Could you describe the interest that has been had, instead of naming those churches/organizations?

There is a strong interest both internationally and in the U.S. from many vocations, particularly as you would expect from salespeople, field service managers, field technicians, construction, law enforcement and government. Just about anyone who is on the road or at a remote location much of the time shows an interested once exposed to REDFLY. The 8-hour battery works all day. 3G data connections let people quickly connect from just about anywhere.

The price point and data loss protection features really work to our advantage in the field. People find that work crews lose or damage laptops all the time (even the expensive ruggedized ones). REDFLY is inexpensive enough that if you break or lose it, people can quickly justify the replacement cost. Since no data or settings are stored on REDFLY, when one is lost, there's no security breach or IT hassles - just forget about it, connect another REDFLY and everything is back to normal.

As you can see, there is some advantage towards the Redfly as a data accessory option. With smartphones picking up the ability to be utilized as solo computers, and with the very present fact that connectivity and energy are expensive, making concessions such as changing one's paradigm of computing are becoming realities moreso than exceptions to the rule.

The Ceilo Redfly can be purcased for $500 from the Ceilo website. For bulk orders, please make sure to contact their representatives directly.

Do you have any other questions concerning the Redfly? Place them in the comments and we will compile them for a future posting if the volume warrants.

Thanks to Matt Miller, Clayton Blackham, and Brad Warnock of Ceilo for contributing to this posting.

Labels: ceilo redfly, mini-notebook, mission, mobile accessories, smartphone, upmc

Well, some days ago I wrote that I needed to take a break. I was on one end a bit burned out from writing - despite a writing schedule that made things considerably easier - and another part fustrated as MMM has not seemed to be as effective as I had hoped that it would be in terms of being a place to teach and equip.

In terms of that last point, I have me to blame more than anything. Having not done something like this before, and not seen much anything like this since, a lot of it has been a guessing game. Guessing what the audience wants; guessing what it is that I'd be able to provide; guessing what it is that we really should be looking towards in respect to using tech in ways the encourage, equip, and enhance our relationships and the world around us. I've failed in that part IMO, and for not meeting those expectations, I have been fustrated.

I will also admit that much of what has happened in faith-based tech has not been too much encouraging either. From trying to understand why publishers are so controlling over content, to why it is so hard for developers to sell their wares, to why hasn't the Body done anything innovative and new; I've been more on the side of a visionary than an enabler. For that, I apologize for not being better in giving direction, but I cannot apologize for what industries and the companies within them refuse to see and do.

So I come back to MMM. I am posting via Maemo Wordply on my Internet Tablet, teatherd to my mobile phone - a Nokia N75. I still think that MMM has considerable value. I still think that exploring what happens and what should happen at the intersection of faith and technology should be talked about. What I don't know is what that will look like. Some of you might come here and be discouraged that its not what you expected, and others encouraged because it is not what you expected. That'd fine. This is only a sign post to say that if you made it to MMM, there is a response that you need to take.

This is my response, to continue to build a sign and encourage who I can. Thanks for not leaving too long, and thanks for understanding my need for a break. Normal is relative, but things will get back to relative soon enough. Blessings.

I'm not really feeling like writing; while I've detailed my reasons in another venue; its safe to say that the Body's approach to those things web, mobile, tech, etc. haven't made me feel any better. I'll come back to writing when I'm less looking for my own expectations to be fulfilled and am ready to serve you all out of a full and glad heart.

Yet another Bible application, but this one for those with BlackBerries that cannot technically unattach from their device or the office. Bible Unleashed for BlackBerry smartphones is a pretty effective way to utilize a BB for more than just email.

From the press release:

...Bible Unleashed offers wireless versions of 16 different Bible translations from classic through to the most modern translations. Use Bible Unleashed to make your BlackBerry part of your daily worship by browsing Bible books, chapters and verses easily using the BlackBerry trackball and search for specific verses using keywords and phrases.

Bible Unleashed is compatible with BlackBerry Curve, Pearl, and 8800 series smartphones. Its a subscription service, and costs $4.99 per month to use. For more information and to take advantage of a specia 2-day trial offer, visit the Bible Unleashed website.

Labels: Bible, BlackBerry, RIM, software, wireless application

I'm by no means a parent yet, but I do have a ton of experience with kids through various volunteer and church functions. Frankly speaking, I love kids. And one of the more enjoyable things that I get to do is that I am able to use mobile devices in ways with them to engage them, and effectivly learn from them how they interact with their world.

What got me thinking on this wise was a thread over at Internet Tablet Talk where people were talking about how they use their Internet Tablets as part of their parenting strategy. From replacing the car DVD player, to sketching and games, there's a good bit that can be done given some imagination and a child in need of activity.

So to you parents out there, do you do anything with mobile devices to bolster some of your parenting? Or, is there something that you would like to see from mobile devices in terms of software that would make it easier for you to hand a device off and then be assured that they are not just keeping busy, but learning and engaging the world a bit differently than with other media?

Labels: internet tablet, mobile accessories, mobiles, Nokia, parenting, software

Wrapping up what has been mainly a light week here on the content side here at MMM is the Carnival of the Mobilists. This week its being hosted at the website London Calling.

There was at one point a person doing a blog carnival of christian tech websites, wonder if there are enough sites and interest to keep that going?

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

Not everyone has a smarpthone; many people don't even want them. But it's really cool when companies make resources available for folks without smartphones that are powerful in their own right. Check it out (from a recent post at JKontheRun).

This is a first public alpha of the Mobipocket Reader for Java Phones. This version is developed for all Sony Ericsson Java Phones... If your phone is not a Sony Ericsson, you can try to send a book with the reader Desktop but you can read only the free books.

Learn more and download the alpha version of the Mobipocket Reader 6.0 for Java phones. Be warned. This software might crash or otherwise harm your device. It is not an official release, just a testing one. Use at your own risk.

See, now your RAZR toting friends don't have any reason to go without the Word, some devotional, or all of the above. Its attainable.

Labels: eBook, JavaScript, mobiles, Mobipocket, software

These days, one doesn't have to find an old and crusty library in order to get the best in tools and resources to study the Bible. One can even argue that doing a full term at a seminary might not even be needed to gain some measure of usable understanding. That's the thing about technology these days, its really freed up the acquisiton of knowledge (not wisdom and understanding though - they need relationship, experience, and accountability to be usable with knowledge).

When it comes to Bible study resources, there are several ways to go about looking for something solid. Biblical Studies and Technological Tools has started a series of posts on the subject and the latest one gives some basic principles on how to go about searching for the right resources and tools. Here is a snippet:

...I am making the following assumptions about those who would be most interested in such tools:

- You are likely a lay person who does not know Greek or Hebrew (though you wouldn't mind at least understanding a bit of what is going on in the original Greek or Hebrew).

- You don't really have the time or the means to accumulate a large, scholarly library of resources. What you really want is accessible, reliable, and understandable information regarding basic questions that arise as you read the Bible.

- You may be willing to spend some money to get good resources, but FREE is good!
You are interested in physical (i.e., real books) AND / OR digital (i.e., software or online) resources...

Read the rest of this post at Biblical Studies and Technological Tools

Labels: Bible, reading, software, study, tools

~ via NakedPastor

Labels: comic, community

Ok, I am probably the last person to want to say that we want to elevate the Christian experience over the truth of the word - as this is a recent marketing thing that pretty much bugs me (and a few others) - but I do want to highlight that that if done in concert with discipliship and accountability, speaking and relating our Christian experience can have some value.

Getting back to that experience thing in a more content-neutral fashion (I hope), I like to see how others are making connections with the Body and enabling the testimonies of God to go further and further than ever before.

There is one post over at digital.leadnet that speaks about a holographic pastor as a means of relating the Word. As much as that's very much affluent and something in the future, it does speak to where tech can go in terms of making the sharing of the Gosple something where boundaries don't have to be an issue.

Then again, we can keep things in a more relevant light and look at the recent Mojo experiement that Nokia is doing in South Africa. Similar to the Reuter's experiment, this is exploring the use of mobile technology to create content and do so in a means that works with the environment instead of above it. I really like that Nokia is doing this and like them, I think that being careful crafters of content in this day and age is something that is also worth teaching.

What I like about the Mojo project is that it gets students involved and teaches them how to tell stories. A lot of time, we want to relate to others about what it means to be a Christian, or even talk about some important social speaking points, but have gain little in the way of training. I see a solution like this as being beneficial towards helping people to see their identity in Christ as something that can empower their communities. Pretty neat, and not so far into the future at all right?

Labels: communication, community, N95, Nokia, virtual