Things I Like :: YouVersion Biblereader For iPhone

Thanks to my pal JD for the heads-up on YouVersion's Biblereader for the iPhone... in response to the previous post for Olivetree's Biblereader. I have to be honest and say this Biblereader is working for me... I used it this morning in Bellshill... it has translations of the bible (ESV, NIV & The Message) that Olivetree's reader doesn't bundle... and the search facility works nicely. It doesn't allow me to change the text or anything... but thats a small complaint considering it bundles The Message.

Well worth checking it out. Free from the App Store.


Picture posted with LifeCast > text updated later.

Olly Singing At Port Glasgow

Posted with LifeCast

Port Glasgow...

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Strawberry Chocolate Tart = Yum!!!

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Things I like :: Olivetree's Biblereader for iPhone

Thanks to my pal RobGT for the heads-up on Olivetree's Biblereader for the iPhone... It's a sweet little app that gives you access to a number of translations of the Bible including the New King James... & the New English Translation... They don't include The Message, which is a shame... but the app makes up for it by allowing searching & the ability to change the fonts/sizes etc.

Well worth checking it out. Free from the App Store.

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...the evil division of laity and clergy

The Salvation Army system and structure was born in almost complete rebellion against clericalism and the evil division of laity and clergy. In dreaming up the Army, the Founders (I include William, Catherine, Bramwell, Railton etc etc), created a system where every soldier was a missionary../

...I know that you will realise that the word laos, from which we get laity, simply refers to the people of God...all of us. When we go down the road of creating laity and clergy, we create a breed of super-Christians, professional Christians. Clergy is a bad word, a swear word...and actually, so is 'laity' when used by someone purporting to be 'clergy.'

Army Renewal

Inspiring words from Andrew Clark at Army Renewal - I love it when someone speaks the words that I have struggled to articulate.

I get offended when people talk of Officers being "in full time ministry"... because... last time I checked... we are ALL in full time ministry! Its just that some of us "make tents" while reaching to our communities... while others get paid to reach their communities. The concept of "professional" Christians comes from a need to be separate... and that's not something I subscribe to.

I, as an officer, am not called to be the priest; I just am a priest by dint of being part of the Body of Christ. Officership is about something different - it's about fulfilling a certain role God has called me to that's quite separate from my status as a priest.

Chris Hinton

My pal Chris follows this with his observation that "as an officer" he is fulfilling a role of leadership within the Corps. We need leaders... just as we need teachers and hospitable people. We need everyone... the laos... to play their part. As an officer... he is contributing to the whole... to the expression with his gifts/talents/passions/skill set. The key is contributing... he is doing his part... opening doors... supporting... making things happen.

Thank you, Andrew and Chris!

The Older Boys Cell

I was deighted to have the opportunity to join a group of the older boys from this year's Summer School... It was put to me that because I wasn't that close to the guys... I was a good person to help facilitate the cell. We had a great discussion... open & honest... talking about action... putting our belief into action. I look forward to this group becoming a tight circle of friends... and can't wait to see where the Lord takes them (us)!

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Out and About this evening...

Been a busy evening... feeling shattered but wanted to capture some thoughts on this evening.

After work, my colleagues in my Engineering Room went out for some drinks and a barbecue. We split into a number of teams and had clues to answer to find the pubs we were to have a drink in. 4 pubs then off to Club 29 for the barbie.

We made it to Bier Republic... the Lab...

The institution that is the Auctioneers and then the uber trendy watering hole called the Social.

It was a great night... enjoyed some lovely non-alcoholic beverages... saw some nice places and spent time with some fab colleagues.

Unfortunately, however, I had to leave just after 7pm so I could head to Rutherglen...

... for Kenny & Sarah Allan's "farewell" from the West of Scotland Division (they are off to train to become SA Officers aka Ministers) and the "welcome" of our new Divisional Commanders.

I'm not a big fan of these kind of gatherings... reminds me too much about AMOS 5 and they tend to be too long for my liking... but Kenny & Sarah are dear friends... and Dayna was singing with her kiddies' choir... so I had to be there. All I can say is... I am glad for my iPhone as a means to keep me occupied while the service went on (see tweets for an idea of how occupied I was).

That said... I was inspired by Major Vic Kennedy's thought... the new DC spoke about our responsibility as ambassadors and agents of God's reconciliation in this world. He spoke directly on incarnational mission and about being relevant in our own communities, where God has placed us. I am encouraged by his words... and look forward to getting to know both him and his wife, Miriam, in the coming months/years.

It was good to see Janey and Roscoe there... and meet up with friends like Matt Bennett, Ian Imery, and Scott & Susan.

Today was a good day!

Grabbing Time With Robert

I had the fantastic opportunity to catch up with an old friend today... I've know Robert for 22 years... he lived across from my parents in Livingston and we grew up together. Ours is the kind of friendship where we just kind of pick up where we left off... regardless of the time in between conversations.

It was fab to talk about phones (his is a Nokia 6220) and GPS... and the possibilities GPS on phones will bring.

We also talked music - Robert is a fab synthy electronica muso... I have a couple of demo tracks that are wonderful!!! We talked independent direct distribution... and I can't wait for him to release some stuff.

It was a wonderful, very geeky hour and I am glad that he came through from Edinburgh to spend some time with me. Here's to the next time, bro!

Picture posted with LifeCast... commentary added later.

Taking a break :: Freedom software and the need for a Sabbath

No we're not going away again... its just that I saw this app in Lifehacker called Freedom :: It is...

an application that disables wireless and ethernet networking on an Apple computer for up to three hours at a time. Freedom will free you from the distractions of the internet, allowing you time to code, write, or create. At the end of your selected offline period, Freedom re-enables your network, restoring everything as normal.

I really could do with this software... as a means of taking me offline for a while. Thing is... with my iPhone now... I tend to be more connected, especially at times where I wasn't before... on the train or in Starbucks on my lunch break, for example.

This software got me thinking about the Sabbath too... a day of rest... no work... a time for family and for God.

We all need to unplug. I need to unplug. I benefited from not being online while in Italy... I connected with my wife and we'ans... I read... I was able to listen without the noise of normal life and seek inspiration through eyes that we opened.

I could do with a Sabbath. Time away from real life. Time to discover what is real in this "real life". I think we all could. That's why I think Freedom is a great idea. Forced downtime... Time to recharge the batteries and clear the head.

I think this world would greatly benefit from a move towards a 24 / 6 / 313 lifestyle... workers need time off... tired bodies need to recuperate and creative juices need inspiration! I think we would all benefit from a "buy nothing day" once a week rather than just once a year too.

Just wish they did a version for the iPhone too...