Fireworks or a Candle?

Do you ever have those moments where you wish you had different skills or talents?  Maybe you wish you could play basketball like Lebron James or sing like Alicia Keys or dance like...some dancer (I don't really know any dancers).

Lately, I have had thoughts like these.  I read books by amazing authors like Francis Chan and wish that I could take deep theological topics and make them easy to understand like he does.  Or, I hear someone like Matt Chandler give a sermon and wish that I could preach like that.  While it's not bad to have goals and to stretch ourselves in order to get better, it certainly can be bad to strive to be someone else.  Everyone is gifted differently and it is God's desire for us to use the gifts that He has given to each of us for His glory rather than wish we had someone else's gifting.

I was reminded of this today as I read an excerpt from a book called Mondays with My Old Pastor by Jose Luis Navajo while reading the newest edition of Leadership Journal.  In this book, Jose recounts a story from one of the conversations he had with his pastor where his pastor essentially asks the question above, Fireworks or a Candle?

If you have ever been to a good firework show or neighborhood 4th of July party, you have probably been awed by the wonder and beauty of fireworks.  But, have you ever gotten up on the 5th of July (or some other day after a firework show) and seen the mess left behind?  Scraps, charred cardboard, burn marks, etc.  "Fifteen minutes of glory and then burned cardboard."  This is a little like many of those people who awe and amaze us, many of the people that we want to emulate, but for one reason or another, they quickly fade into memory.  Some are just no longer able to "perform", some just become unpopular, worse yet, some "blacken with soot" due to some moral failure.

Too often our desire is to be like these spectacular people who awe and amaze, when really we should desire to be more like a candle.  A candle doesn't typically awe or amaze anyone but it does provide light in the darkness.  A candle burns steady for a long period not just for an amazing few minutes.  A candle may not be seen by thousands but it's long, steady burn can have a much longer lasting impact on the few that were touched by it's light.

"Don't focus on what astonishes, but rather what transforms.  Don't let yourself be impressed by fireworks that amaze people for 15 minutes and then leave them tarnished.  Look for something deeper.  Don't make your goal to amaze your audience.  Don't rest until you are sure that your ministry crosses the frontier of the soul and touches the spirit, the place where change is accomplished."

Connected

Is it possible to be truly connected when it is through a computer, smart phone or tablet that you are connecting?  Well, it depends on what you mean by connected.  If I am talking about truly connecting with people, then I would say no, it's not possible to truly connect through a computer, smart phone or tablet.  But, what if I am talking about connected to God?

We live in the most technologically advanced time in the history of the world and unless something happens along the lines of the new TV show "Revolution", our society is only going to get more and more advance technologically.

In the June issue of "Christianity Today" (yes, I am a little behind) there is a section talking about how technology can help us better engage the bible and therefore, connect with God.  As someone who frequently uses technology in that way, I thought it would make for a good post to hopefully help you do the same.

I am fortunate to have an iPad as well as an iPhone and I am happy to report that I use each of them for more than playing games, watching movies and browsing the Internet (though I have done all of those things on both devices).  In addition, to game apps, sports apps, and news/media apps, I also have several bible related apps.  While i'll admit that there are some that I really never use, the one I want to highlight to you is simply,  the Bible app.

The Bible app is published by YouVersion and is great way to always be just seconds away from the Bible.  If you have a tablet or smart phone, you simply must have this app.  YouVersion has 160 versions of the bible in 51 different languages making it virtually impossible not to find a version/translation that you don't like.  In addition, YouVersion allows you to set up all sorts of different reading plans.  Want to read the bible in a year, no problem.  In 90 days, piece of cake (at least when it comes to setting up the plan).  As well as many other plans.  One of the things I like the best about the app (other than simply having quick access to the bible) is the ability to share passage on Twitter or Facebook with just a couple of touches.  YouVersion makes it easy to get to a book, chapter and verse, as well as easily bookmark, highlight and make notes.  This is an outstanding app that everyone with a tablet or smart phone should have.

While there are many drawbacks to technology and our increasing dependence on it, technology can also be a great help in keeping us connected to God's word.  While you can certainly carry an actual bible around with you all the time, let's be honest, how many of us actually do that?  YouVersion and many other apps/technologies are a great way to stay connected to God by being connected to His word.

Please let me know if you have questions about this app or other apps and please let me know if you know of any great apps that help keep you connected to God.