No more big, heavy, highlighted, Bible?

Technology has done a disservice to my Bibles.  I look behind my desk in my office at church to see 17 different Bibles on a bookshelf staring at me with lonely bindings.  I have Bibles of varying translations like the NLT, NIV, NRSV, NASB, The Message, TNIV, and ESV.  (Yes, I know some of those are paraphrases.)  And I have study Bibles with names like Life Application, NIV Study, Apologetics, Archaeological, Serendipity, Wide Margin, Quest, Sports Devotional, and Student.  And I rarely look at any of them.

As a technoholic, I find myself looking instead at my Youversion Bible App on my phone or tablets, or my NIV Study Bible app if I need some study notes.  Between the two, I can read almost every translation, search for keywords, highlight, write notes, and share to Facebook or Twitter; all without wrinkling a page.  Technology is a great tool for the growing Christian. You can even use reading plans to read through the Bible devotionally.

But the key is actually getting into the Word.  And I'll admit, I don't enough.  Sure, I'm reading the Bible for research, sermon prep, or to plan a Bible study; but I don't let it read me nearly as often as I need to.  And as a strictly undisciplined person, I'm not saying that out of some legalistic, "you have to read your Bible daily to be a Christian" ideal.

Here are my reasons for getting into the Word:

1. God wrote it.  Yes, so did a bunch of men.  But the creator of the universe left us His book and we treat it like it's a hot potato.  The fact that we have access everywhere should not lessen that fact.
2. Overhearing the Gospel.  The Bible does this amazing thing.  Soren Kierkegaard said, "The gospel is seldom heard.  It is overheard."  Tony Campolo says reading the Bible is like standing behind two men talking on a street corner, and realizing that what they're saying applies to you too.  There is no work of literature in history that is written both for the contemporaries of the day and to readers today like the Bible.  And when I read it, I always overhear something that seems written just for me.
3. It reads you back.  God's Word has a way of figuring me out as I read it.  I find myself reading a random Old Testament story that can bring to light issues or sins in my life that I need to deal with.  
4. It's real.  I mean that in a couple of ways.  First, it doesn't hide from the hard questions.  The bible shows main characters' sin, breaks cultural barriers - like the prominence of women in stories, and doesn't shy away from real violence when it happened.  Second, the Bible has stood up to scrutiny and criticism in every way.  It's held up to archaeological evidence, literary and textual criticism, outside historical references, and scientific evidence.  No other religious book - see: Koran, Book of Mormon, etc. - has been so thoroughly attacked and been able to remain credible.

So go read the Word.  I don't care how you do it.  Open the app, turn on your Kindle, or dust off the old family Bible.  Just read it.  And let the Word do the rest.

The Death of Steve Jobs

Anyone who loves technology knows about Steve Jobs.  He's the legendary former CEO and cofounder of Apple.  His vision has led Apple to do amazing products like the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac computers.  Today he died after battling pancreatic cancer for years. 

I've always thought of Jobs as the puppetmaster behind Apple.  That's a definite non-Apple user's perspective, but not a judgment of his character at all.  I don't know much about him as a person, but he was clearly a genius with great vision. 

But death is always an opportunity to think of life, purpose, and eternity.  My prayer is that Steve Jobs is a follower of Jesus and is with Him today in paradise.  And though there are people all over the world who will feel the loss of such a well known and influential man, I especially think of his family.  Pray for them.  Because in these difficult times, God is ready and willing to come alongside us.  

Jobs changed the world with his genius and the tech nerd in me is grateful.  But our true purpose goes beyond building a business, working hard, or being good.  Take this opportunity to change the world for THE Cause of Christ so that death can be just a gateway to eternity for all those we can influence.  

Theology of Technology

Let’s face it, I’m a nerd. I love technology and am always interested in the next new gadget that will make my life easier. (… or more complicated.) I have a smartphone that organizes my life; communicate through email, texting, Twitter, and Facebook; preach from my Kindle E-Reader; usually have multiple screens at work on my desk; and even listen to podcasts about the latest tech news. (Many of you have no idea what I just said in that sentence.) I’m a nerd, and I’m okay with it. But I’ve learned recently that sometimes our technology can be an illustration of our life as believers too.
I think as disciples of Christ we fall into two main categories and today’s technology can help explain them.
1. The iPad Christian:
All the rage in the last year of technology has been tablet computers. Last year Apple introduced the iPad; a large slate touchscreen that runs like an iPhone but bigger. And it’s sold in the millions. It’s simple, beautiful, and works great for playing games, running apps, and surfing the internet. There is no keyboard, CD-rom, or USB port; just a glass front and your finger. People love the iPad and other companies are rushing to bring a real competitor to market. The problem with a tablet is that it isn’t really for getting anything done, it’s for consuming content. You can read books, look online, and do all sorts of fun stuff, but creating content is difficult. Most people use it as an additional device to their regular computer.
Like the iPad, the iPad Christian is one who is in church on Sunday, loves God, and is growing in their relationship with Christ; but leaves it at that. He might listen and internalize the sermon on Sunday, read his Bible, and spend time in prayer; but the message never moves beyond his brain to his actions. The iPad Christian is a consumer of God’s love without being a worker for the kingdom.
2. The Laptop Christian:
Unlike the iPad, a laptop is a powerful, yet mobile device that can not only consume content, but is adept at creating it as well. You can use a laptop to write papers, create videos, organize finances, write newsletters, and edit photos; all while still being able to surf the web and play games.
And the laptop Christian is not only a consumer of the Spirit, but is willing to work, serve, and put into practice the teachings of Christ to influence the world for Him.
So which one are you? Are you simply a consumer of God’s Word or are you willing to create opportunities to bring that Word to others through service and personal witness. I find it easy to be a consumer; it’s hard to be a servant. It's easy being a believer; hard to be a disciple.  You may not love technology, like me, but my hope is that you love God and are seeking to serve Him each and every day.