Comments on: Paperless Spirituality? http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/ with Mart De Haan and Friends Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:27:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: bravjim http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9476 bravjim Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:28:52 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9476 There are problems that I have with the electronic media, even though they can provide quick references and quotes. For one, I spent the past week dealing with a virus in my computer. It finally got fixed this morning. Secondly, if power goes out, I would not have access to the bible online. But even more important, for some reason, when I am reading the bible online or through electronic means, it just does not have as strong an impact on my heart. I prefer to be able to stop and really think about a subject and how it relates to me or impacts me. There is also the matter of taking the time to read the bible in a comfortable position. I like to lie in bed or on the floor as I read. It comes down to what a person is more comfortable with. Will future generations turn more towards electronic means, probably. But I don't think reading a paper bible will come to an end either. There are problems that I have with the electronic media, even though they can provide quick references and quotes. For one, I spent the past week dealing with a virus in my computer. It finally got fixed this morning. Secondly, if power goes out, I would not have access to the bible online.

But even more important, for some reason, when I am reading the bible online or through electronic means, it just does not have as strong an impact on my heart. I prefer to be able to stop and really think about a subject and how it relates to me or impacts me. There is also the matter of taking the time to read the bible in a comfortable position. I like to lie in bed or on the floor as I read.

It comes down to what a person is more comfortable with. Will future generations turn more towards electronic means, probably. But I don’t think reading a paper bible will come to an end either.

]]> By: sonchild http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9218 sonchild Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:07:40 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9218 Any way you read God's word, the bottom line is to intentionally read and meditate so it becomes written on your heart. There is nothing like a well ducttaped bible for comfort and reference. There is nothing like the opportunity to see several versions of the same verse all at once. Thank you heavenly father for your word! Any way you read God’s word, the bottom line is to intentionally read and meditate so it becomes written on your heart. There is nothing like a well ducttaped bible for comfort and reference. There is nothing like the opportunity to see several versions of the same verse all at once. Thank you heavenly father for your word!

]]> By: lifeimfor http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9213 lifeimfor Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:38:30 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9213 I count on my King James Version Bible to keep a check on what I read. I love reading the word online, and in articles. Just so if I question if it is right I can go to my Bible where the words don't change. When we were in the Restaurant Business I would take scripture early in the morning, write it down and put it in my pocket so I could sing it to the tune of some song to myself as I worked learning it. Scriptures came alive to me that way as I moved along through the day. I believe if the scriptures was taken away, God would in His mercy remind us word for word as was put down in His Bible. Hallelujah if we are faithful at renewing our minds in His Word each day; He is faithful in getting His Word in our minds when we can't read it. I count on my King James Version Bible to keep a check on what I read. I love reading the word online, and in articles. Just so if I question if it is right I can go to my Bible where the words don’t change. When we were in the Restaurant Business I would take scripture early in the morning, write it down and put it in my pocket so I could sing it to the tune of some song to myself as I worked learning it. Scriptures came alive to me that way as I moved along through the day. I believe if the scriptures was taken away, God would in His mercy remind us word for word as was put down in His Bible. Hallelujah if we are faithful at renewing our minds in His Word each day; He is faithful in getting His Word in our minds when we can’t read it.

]]> By: princess10 http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9204 princess10 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:27:47 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9204 I'm just happy people are reading the Word. I’m just happy people are reading the Word.

]]> By: bird3678 http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9200 bird3678 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:49:13 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9200 I just discovered your website, and I love it! I would like to submit my "two-cents" about this issue, since it is pretty important to me. I've been a "reader" for as long as I can remember, and I grew up reading God's word. My wife suggested about five years ago that we get Palm Pilots, and mine revolutionized my life, especially in the area of reading. I quickly discovered at least two websites from which to buy Bible software, and I currently have eight translations, the NIV Study Bible, and the daily devotional we're currently using. I do pick up a physical Bible occasionally, but it's pretty rare. When my wife and I are going out to eat, it's wonderful to just whip out my phone and read the Word together. We try to read it every day. When I'm standing in line at the store, or have to wait a few minutes in the movie theater, it's really convenient. I realize there are "what-ifs?": "What if some virus wipes out your electronics?" "What if someone takes away your crutch?" But you can say the same about printed Bibles as well. It's not that I'm against printed Bibles per se, and I can certainly understand if someone claims that computer screens are too hard to to read. But I would caution against anyone valuing traditions and preferences too much. None of us like change, including me. But if it takes a physical object like holding a printed Bible to bring me into his presence, that might indicate other problems. Am I attaching too much importance to a physical object? I would NEVER accuse anyone here of idolatry, just raising the question for each of us to answer. I love you guys, and am posing these challenges to myself as much as any of you. Keith I just discovered your website, and I love it! I would like to submit my “two-cents” about this issue, since it is pretty important to me. I’ve been a “reader” for as long as I can remember, and I grew up reading God’s word. My wife suggested about five years ago that we get Palm Pilots, and mine revolutionized my life, especially in the area of reading. I quickly discovered at least two websites from which to buy Bible software, and I currently have eight translations, the NIV Study Bible, and the daily devotional we’re currently using. I do pick up a physical Bible occasionally, but it’s pretty rare. When my wife and I are going out to eat, it’s wonderful to just whip out my phone and read the Word together. We try to read it every day. When I’m standing in line at the store, or have to wait a few minutes in the movie theater, it’s really convenient. I realize there are “what-ifs?”: “What if some virus wipes out your electronics?” “What if someone takes away your crutch?” But you can say the same about printed Bibles as well. It’s not that I’m against printed Bibles per se, and I can certainly understand if someone claims that computer screens are too hard to to read. But I would caution against anyone valuing traditions and preferences too much. None of us like change, including me. But if it takes a physical object like holding a printed Bible to bring me into his presence, that might indicate other problems. Am I attaching too much importance to a physical object? I would NEVER accuse anyone here of idolatry, just raising the question for each of us to answer. I love you guys, and am posing these challenges to myself as much as any of you.
Keith

]]> By: tandgmartin http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9192 tandgmartin Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:54:49 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9192 Mart: I've wondered this myself. I have to admit that Biblegateway.com allows me to easily click between various translations of the Bible, and I even have RBC as my homepage making it so easy to begin my day with ODB and Oswald Chambers, then see what you've Been Thinking About. I'm comfortable with doing most of my devotional and Bible reading online, thankfully knowing if the power goes out that the "hard copy" is in my bookcase. Oh, how we get so spoiled! Mart:

I’ve wondered this myself. I have to admit that Biblegateway.com allows me to easily click between various translations of the Bible, and I even have RBC as my homepage making it so easy to begin my day with ODB and Oswald Chambers, then see what you’ve Been Thinking About. I’m comfortable with doing most of my devotional and Bible reading online, thankfully knowing if the power goes out that the “hard copy” is in my bookcase. Oh, how we get so spoiled!

]]> By: BobbiLee http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9190 BobbiLee Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:41:21 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9190 PS 2 I love all of your posts and insights. They and you all make my day. I can even "blow you up" to see better. Thank you all. :-) PS 2 I love all of your posts and insights. They and you all make my day. I can even “blow you up” to see better. Thank you all. :-)

]]> By: BobbiLee http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9189 BobbiLee Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:39:34 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9189 Make that the Internet. . . Make that the Internet. . .

]]> By: BobbiLee http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9188 BobbiLee Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:39:11 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9188 Too bad we can't be Facebook/like. We could have a way to send a message to check on him or her, but they would have to okay the communication. Uh oh. Here we go again! Depending on electronics and the Internet. Sigh Too bad we can’t be Facebook/like. We could have a way to send a message to check on him or her, but they would have to okay the communication. Uh oh. Here we go again! Depending on electronics and the Internet. Sigh

]]> By: foreverblessed http://www.beenthinking.org/2009/08/05/paperless-spirituality/#comment-9187 foreverblessed Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:07:18 +0000 http://www.beenthinking.org/?p=6337#comment-9187 Especially Mtman, he must be around 90 years old,or maybe even older, and still chopping wood for the winter warmth. Would he be OK? Especially Mtman, he must be around 90 years old,or maybe even older, and still chopping wood for the winter warmth. Would he be OK?

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