Reading Scripture via Technology | Viewing Scripture, Part 2

My last post discussed how we can accurately view and teach Scripture.  If you didn’t read it, you can read it here.  There is a second part to my thoughts tonight. I’d also like your thoughts on this one.

One classmate responded to the question with a decent answer on how it is dangerous to add our own thoughts to Scripture, which is good.  However she then stated, “As bible teachers we are under a divine mandate to teach the Word of God in spirit and in truth and the best way to do that is to teach from the tool itself.  Many today use the iPad, cell phones and other technological ways to read God’s Word which is ok, but I still believe that as believers we should never replace the hard copy of the bible for anything else.”

Ummm What?!

So this is how I responded.. Too harsh??

I feel that I must disagree with the full statement that “as believers we should never replace the hard copy of the bible for anything else.”

I do agree that there is something sentimental and nostalgic about holding a Bible in our hands. It is good for us to hold books and to underline and flip pages; to touch the Words of God. I personally prefer this over technology. However, at the end of the day, the Gospel is the Gospel and whether it’s being read on a computer, iPad, ancient scroll, or hard bound book, God’s Word is still alive and active in people’s lives. The same is said of reading Scripture in different languages. One cannot make the jump to say that if scripture isn’t read in the original Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, then it has been replaced. Sure sometimes the weight of each word might change, but God is still speaking through and to His people. We cannot confine God to English, when there are thousands of other languages in the world. God is a God above language and above paper and pen, screen and typed letters. This makes our relationship with God so personal and unique – He longs to know us where we are at.

I feel like the “technology war” for Scripture is the same way. I think that God is still pleased that His children are reading His letters if it’s on a tablet or if it is from pieces of paper bound together. He is not bound by little boxes in our minds or to pages or scrolling websites. Each person is different, and some find it more personal to read from their phones. This could be a benefit when people are on the go. There are also useful tools coming out all the time that help in studying, teaching, and learning the Scriptures.

I still prefer my paper Bible, but I’m not comfortable confining God to a statement saying that God cannot speak to people in different forms, when the Words are the same, and God is still moving in our lives.

_______________________

Thoughts??

For The Girl…Whose Life is Changing

Can I just say that I love new things!  New places, new cultures, new foods, new ideas, new people – I love it!

But man, oh man, change is SO hard!  It is a weird contradiction, is it not?

Do you ever feel like I do right now? Like you’re so content and happy to be where you are, but also long to be somewhere else? That’s what I’m feeling right now.  I love my new job in Frisco, and I love you girls that I get to hang out with and minister to.  But at the same time, some nights my heart longs to be in Arkadelphia.  I long for the clear, star-filled skies, the girls of my first youth ministry, and the comfort.

But then God reminds me that there lies the problem.  Comfort.  He told me a long time ago that my life is never to be comfortable.  Content, yes, but not comfortable.  And so I told Him that whenever I get too comfortable that He should move me. So He did. And I am so content, and life is full of joy.

God designed us to grow in change.  Have you ever been through a season of change, and came out a better person for it? It happens all the time.  We change from being elementary school kids to middle schoolers.  And when we leave 6th, 7th, 8th grades, we are better people. Hopefully.

Let me encourage you that as life changes, embrace the growth that can happen. Let God guide you through these changes so that each choice you make is one that pleases Him, and is guided by Him.  Change is hard, but without God at our side, it will be so much harder.  And we cannot stay stagnant, living without changing.  We must always change because time moves forward. We grow older, times change. And if we don’t change with it, our lives become lost.  Allow God to change you into the person He wants you to be.  Allow Him to change you into a holy, righteous person, living for Him.

So do new things, ponder new ideas, go to so many new places, make a new friend, and eat a new food. You might find that you like it.  And you will find that God has a plan.

Shall we change together?

The Everyday Me.

I wrote a bio a few months ago for the church website.  Bios are supposed to make you sound good and are usually formatted in a formal way.  That’s great and all, but let’s be honest…I’m just a normal person. So can I tell you a bit about me informally?  You might be able to catch on through my posts, but let me just lay it out for you.

• I love rainy days. (Much like the one today, while I’m writing this.) I think it’s cozy.
• Laughing is my favorite activity.
• I love to travel, and especially cherish the summers I’ve lived in South American countries. Chicago is another favorite traveled place.
• Also, I have a fetishes with the Spanish language, tea cups, pearls, and purple. (gift hints, yup…just kidding)
• I’m currently living at home with my family.  And it is fun.  We’re not perfect, and it’s not ideal for a post-grad, student working on a master’s degree to be living with her parents, but it’s where God has me right now, and I really love my family. I have two brothers, a loving set of normal parents, and an old golden retriever named Molly.
• I just moved back to Frisco from Arkansas and I’m dealing with a bit of culture shock.  I mean, really, who doesn’t shut down the town for lunch breaks? And the traffic!! I count my drives a success if I get out of the car and am not stressed or angry. I’m working on it. With that said, I left a wonderful adopted-family, church, friends, and university in Arkansas. I am who I am today because of what God did while I was there.
• Squirrels are my favorite animals. I know, most people think they’re gross, but I just think they’re really cute. Not that I want to own one, but I sure like to watch them. Bats are another fascinating one to me.
• I’m bad about cleaning up my room or car…I’m working on it.
• I love old-fashioned things: Antiques, old barns, real honey from beehives, tea cups from my grandmother’s China cabinet, etc.
• My favorite time of the day is that moment when the coffee cup and I become friends while listening to God’s daily whisperings.
• I have insecurities, I have doubts, I have attitude issues; I’m impatient and I distrust; I forget to be thankful. But more importantly, I know that I can give my flaws to God to fix, and I know that He uses my weaknesses for His Kingdom.
• The grace of God is more than I can wrap my mind around. And because of His great love, I have freedom to live rightly and completely.
• I was called to missions in the 9^th grade, but God decided that it was only for a time.  In college he placed a love for youth ministry on my heart, and here I am…doing girls ministry.
• I love teaching truth to younger girls.  I was fed so many lies as a teenager and struggled with so many things of the world; I think it’s important for me to share what I have learned with those around me.
• Middle school girls don’t annoy me.  Most of my friends think I’m crazy for spending weekends with 13-year-olds, but I think it’s a blast!  The drama that goes on is silly, but I never tire of hearing it.  Maybe God has me in the right ministry.
• My favorite weekend pastime is to watch movies!  In my mind, movie nights should happen every day.  And I’m pretty open to every type of movie except horror films. Chick flick, comedy, action, cartoon. You name it and I’ll probably enjoy it.

So there’s a little about me. It’s not a complete list, but you get a picture of what I’m about.  I read this quote by an author, and I think it sums up my daily life.

“I feel like a success in my everyday life if I get through the day having spent time with the Lord, exercised in some way… and made a friend smile.”

Until next time, Brittany

Weddings, Brides, and Refreshing Symbolism

I’ve spend the past weekend in what feels like my hometown.  Really it is my college town, but if you knew how much God changed my life while here, and the lovely relationships formed, you would see it as home too.

It was so nice to be back, to be surrounded by friends, and to have a beautiful reason to celebrate – a wedding!

It was the most beautiful wedding I’ve been privileged to be part of – and I’ve been part of some really great weddings.  This wedding was special not only because Becca and Adam are so in love, but mostly because Christ was the center and reason to celebrate.

It was so beautiful to be reminded that life is all about Christ.  this weekend, I was able to be part of conversations that I’ve missed in Frisco.  Conversations that are centered on Christ, not the next fashion or money or tv.  But Jesus.  That’s all that matters, and all that we need to center ourselves on.

As we prepared for a wedding, we were reminded that Christ, our bridegroom, is waiting for His Bride – the church.  As Becca came down the aisle, and Adam waited for her, Michael (the preacher) said, “Adam, your bride has arrived; Rebecca, your groom is waiting.”  What beautiful symbolism of Christ and the Church!  Such a good reminder that Christ is coming to heal this world and make all things new, therefore we shall run to Him.  So edify Christ, edify the Body, cherish the Church, nothing else matters.