Friday the third week of Advent

While there are many components of Episcopalianism , I do very much appreciate "The Book of Common Prayer". If you follow it, then every year you read the same passages on the same day, and helps remind you of God's words in a liturgical manner. It is by no means a replacement for the Bible, but it is a great supplement.

Take this morning, which had both Psalm 40 and Psalm 54 as the daily psalms. On is a cry for God's Assistance, and the other is thanksgiving for the blessings for trusting in the Lord. 

As the Christmas season moves more and more back towards it's Pagan origins it is ever so wonderful to read these psalms.

The Zagg Slim Book for iPad Pro

After having my iPad pro for some time, well since it first came out, I finally bought a keyboard. I had other keyboard that worked fine with it mind you, since as a Mac owner I accumulate bluetooth keyboards like they are going out of styler, but I had not gotten a dedicated keyboard for my iPad Pro. The last time I had gotten a keyboard was for an iPad 3 many many mooons ago, and it held up fairly well, but my key complaint with that one, also a Zagg, was that uncoupling the keyboard from the iPad was a chore. So while the family and I have gone through a few more iPads since then, no more keyboards.    This Zagg finally had me interested again, for two main reasons :

1. Backlight Keys
2. Simple iPad detachment from keyboard.

Now those reason may sound great in theory, but how do the keyboard work?

Well after about four days of testing, all I can say is the keyboard itself is great. Far better than my original Zagg, which was also great.

Unboxing the Keyboard

The packaging of a product can often be a setup, but bad packaging rarely is indicative of a quality product. The Zagg Slimbook however has very nice packaging. A simple cardboard box with magnetic method of opening and closing the box. It's nice to boxes that require little to no effort to actually open and get to the materials. This is also very much in line with the packaging style that apple customers have grown to expect considering how refined the iPad and iPad pro packaging is itself. After opening the box you will see you keyboard, and upon pulling it out will also see the paperwork, as well as the charging cable down a sleeve on the side of the box. A quick note, the charging cable is very very short, so expect to find a place very close by to put the keyboard where ever you plan to charge it, don't expect to use a mid tower desktop with no space close by as the charging cable is approximately 12 inches long.

Keyboard Resonse

 I would say the keys are a little stiffer but basically have the same motion and usuage of my MacBook pro built in Keyboard. There is no noticeable lag between what I type and what is shown on the screen. All the keys are very nice and there have been no sticky keys. The row of functions keys is nice, and work great, it's nice to have the same function as  The Backlighting is quite nice as well, though there is some light bleed beneath the keys. You can also customize it as there are 6 different backlight colors to choose from, honestly I like the ease at which you can change those colors, because at least for me (with rental sight issues) different colors sometimes are more helpful than others. 

Battery Life

It also has a very large battery so you can type for quite some time before the keyboard needs recharging, Zagg states that if you only type for about 1 hou a day, and don't use the backlighting, you can go upwards of two years between each charge. I'm not certain about that, but In the four days I've been actively using it I have only just now remembered to turn off the backlighting, and yet I am still typing on the very first charge.

Overall

So overall I am very happy with the keyboard, and would highly recommend it. The fact that it detaches from the keyboard and gives you you iPad back is also great. Logitech' keyboard wasn't for me because of that problem.

What is a good Mobile Bible Study tool?

So since I have some free time and having spent money on a bunch of Bible study tools, it made sense to take a quick gander at what might be a good mobile Bible study tool. I will slowly look at the following list and give the pro's and cons of each. I am looking at the following to start:  

• Accordance
• Olive Tree
• Logos
• Faithlife (which I know is related to Logos)
• iBible-Study-HD

    I will add more if anyone asks.

The point is not necessary to list which one is "the best" as that is subjective. The truth in Bible study tools, unlike certain Bible translations, is that the best tool si ultimately the one that helps you to have a consistent daily Bible study. A tool could have all the best tools based on your denomination, and Biblical outlook, but if it doesn't actually help you to do your Bible study, well its not the best for you at all.

 Please keep in mind that I have had paid editions of Accordances (lapsed) , Olive Tree (Active) and Logos (Active). This doesn't mean I think any one is better than the other.

 I would also like to point out that I'm really only talking about Apple mobile software, since I currently only have apple mobile equipment, as such if you own a Microsoft or Android based phone or tablet, well your mileage may vary.  

 Substantive posts on this mobile segment to follow.

So I got the upgrade bug, again Logos 7.

Still learning Logs 7, Will have some details at  a later date. The main thing that has changed since about this time in 2014 is that they now have "traditions" that you can pick from. This is nice because it allows them to give different rations, different books in their bundle. Since I selected the Reformed tradition I picked up some more books on John Calvin, and some books from Cornelius Van Til that otherwise cost extra.

Today's Psalm

So whether you are an episcopalian or not "The Book of Common Prayer" is a good reference point, and a great thing to have around. The main thing is it provide a nice devotional, and since it is based on a year round schedule, you can always flip to the actual date it is.

Today's Morning PSalms were Psalm 93 and 96. I had a good time explaining crashing waves to my Kids. My 11 year old has been to the ocean once, when he was 2. So Explaining the following verse took some time:

4 More than the sounds of many waters,

Than the mighty breakers of the sea,

The Lord on high is mighty.

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ps 93:4). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

It reminded me of just how Landlocked Northwest Arkansas really is. But the Psalm itself really does speak to the Majesty of God.

Psalm 90:1-12

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

 1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

 2 Before the mountains were born

Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

 3 You turn man back into dust

And say, “Return, O children of men.”

 4 For a thousand years in Your sight

Are like yesterday when it passes by,

Or as a watch in the night.

 5 You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;

In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.

 6 In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;

Toward evening it fades and withers away.

 7 For we have been consumed by Your anger

And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.

 8 You have placed our iniquities before You,

Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

 9 For all our days have declined in Your fury;

We have finished our years like a sigh.

 10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,

Or if due to strength, eighty years,

Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;

For soon it is gone and we fly away.

 11 Who understands the power of Your anger

And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?

 12 So teach us to number our days,

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom

Memorial for Richard Chewning

It was my great privilege to meet and Dick Chewning, who was an Elder at my church and passed away last week. This morning the Church and extended family came together to remember our friend.

Below is the Order of worship, for as is right we worshipped the Lord.

=====================================

Prelude

The Obituary            - Rev Tom Merchant

Call to Worship.       - Rev Dr Paul Sagan

Prayer of Invocation - Rev Dr Paul Sagan

Hymn     "Great is thy Faithfulness"

Scripture Readings

Psalm 90:1-12                - Rev Stephen Atkinson

1 Corinthians 15:20-58   - Rev Ken Hargis

John 11:21-26.               - Rev Dr Paul Sagan

Hymn    "It is Well with My Soul"

Message       - Rev Dr Paul Sagan

              "I Am the Ressurection and the Life"

Prayer

Hymn.    "My Jesus I Love Thee"

Benediction

How to treat our friends and our enemies

This morning at church the passage is 1 Peter 3:8-14

======================

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For 

  “Whoever desires to love life 

and see good days, 

  let him keep his tongue from evil 

and his lips from speaking deceit; 

 11  let him turn away from evil and do good; 

let him seek peace and pursue it. 

 12  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 

and his ears are open to their prayer. 

  But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 

========================

The passage is ultimately broken into two parts. The first part is how to treat our friends and fellow believers. The second part is how we, as Christians, should treat our enemies. The main mark of a true believer and a true church is love.

The first point the apostle Peter makes is that we should treat othe friends and believers with love and respect . Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love , a tender heart and humble mind. Brotherly love is in the middle of list, and one could say it is their on purpose, because it is the centerpiece of a proper love. Still this is one of the hardest to do. When you have someone at work who doesn't do their job, especially one who says they are a Christian, making your life harder, that is one of he times it is so hard to practice this, at least for me.

The second part is how we treat our enemies, and the enemies of Christ. Notice how Peter focuses way more on this, because it is so much harder to do. So what are we as Christians called to do?

1. Do not return evil for evil

        -Private revenge is forbidden to Christians, and this is what we are talking about.

        -Staying with my work analogy, this doesn't mean we don't report improper work, or mistreatment to our bosses, it means we don't do things to deliberately sabotage someone who has undercut us.

 

2. Guard your tongue

This one is the hardest for me, cause I love to talk. It is so easy to complain , to gossip, to brag, to be defensive. Again this is the goal, don't confuse failure with hypocrisy. Christians are only hypocrites with this I'd they expect perfecti obedience to this, well and everything, even while we knowingly disobey.

3. Seek peace and pursue it

We are to seek peace and not conflict. That doesn't mean we sacrifice God's laws or commandments in order to have " peace " though, it means that we don't go looking for a fight.

4. Fear God and suffer hor his righteousness.

All to often we need to treat the Lord like he doesn't matter. If our boss looks over our shoulder , we often act a whole lot different than when we are working by ourselves. Is not doing what is right for God more important than our working boss, and if so should we not act like it? 

The pastor concluded talking our a close friend and elder in the church who recently passed, and noting how that he was fearless in the face of death because he knew where he was going. We should never be in fear.

Keep in mind that failure is not weaknes or a sign of not being a Christian, merely a sign that we have not yet been perfected in Christ. 

-Amen

Today's Sermon

So my local church does not normally do topical sermons,  we tend towards straight exegetical sermons and do that from the pastor picking a book to start with and cover the entire book. Having just now completed the book of Leviticus, we are now in the book of  1st Peter. Today is chapter 1 verses 3-9. 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the proof of your faith, being more-precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls

The great irony here is that even though we are covering this merely as we go through a book of a bible, this is still very much a message of Thanksgiving. This is also an encouragement of the trials we, as Christans, will face. The trials we face are often an indication of our own salvation. I find that point of great encouragement right now as I struggle with both medical issues as well as emotional trials due to an unsaved and unrepentant stepson.

Book of Common Prayer

I'm not a Member of the Church of England, nor am I an Episcopal. That being said, the Book of Common Prayer is something I believe all Christians could benefit from.

Some of this Morning's Psalms from that book included Psalm 69 verse 6

6 May those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord God of hosts;

May those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel,

Boy this is one verse I think everyone who is a believer should have on their heart. None of us are perfect, and until the Lord calls us home, all of us will have sins that could negatively impact others. 

More about Bible software.

So while I have mentioned Logos 6, since that version has just been released, I think ti might be a good time to just discuss Bible software in general. I am a Mac guy, self admitted, so one might think I have less options, but honestly Bible software is one of those products where Windows and Mac are pretty much equal.

I have learned that Bible Software is very much like Cameras, it isn't which one is truly better it is which one that you will use. That being said I will tok a little about my Journey to Logos.  My using Bible Software goes back to late 80's and early 90's and started with Quickverse and Wordsearch, my Father had one, and I had the other. That was back when everything was nearly one window and everything was always full screen. I liked them both but the thing about so many of these products is unless you held onto the disks, if you got a new computer you were looking for a new product. For the longest time (till the early 2000's) I had my product , it was a a piece called Theophilos, I loved it, but by my early 30's I was looking for a means to get both commentaries and the Bible together at the same time. That led to my first introduction to Logos. Which I really enjoyed, it's biggest draw is the layout functionality for any user, and the huge library of add ons you can get for additional libraries.

IN 2007 though I left Logos, through the choice to move from Windows OS to MacOS. After a little bit of searching, I found the closest equivalent (though not exactly the same) which was Accordance. I bought Accordance, and transferred my Logos license to my father. I like Accordance well enough, but then I heard that Logos was porting their application to the Mac. So I got on the beta program and moved back.

I've also used the sword project and several others, but I've always come back to Logos. The main thing for me has been the superior User Interface (UI) that Logos provides me. The fact that the Logos mobile version is outstanding is a huge bonus too.

I haven't tweaked Logos 6 much yet, but I love the continued improvements to the Home Page. By default it had my readings for the Day, as well as Devotionals I had set up in earlier versions of Logos. It also now has a Verse of the Day, and tips. Moral of the story though is I have tried a whole lot of Bible software products and have finally found the version that I will be sticking with until Bible software Becomes unnecessary or the company goes out of business.

Testing the Logitech K811 Keyboard.

So while I am talking about the Word of God on this blog, I must confess I'm more than a little bit of a nerd. Ok A lot of a Nerd. My B.S. is in Computer Science, and I'm a sucker for new technology. I'm a mostly Mac person as well.

So anyway, I picked up a Logitech K811 keyboard some time ago. I picked it up primarily because it is a Bluetooth keyboard meaning no wires, and the fact that it is backlit. I'm dealing with collateral damage to my eye sue to undiagnosed Diabetes, and while I have it managed now through diet and exercise, and the work of the Holy Spirit, it means a backlit keyboard is a veritable Godsend.

So I wanted to speak a little on the product. It is a standard chicklet type of keys. It has a very small footprint as well. For point of comparisons the Keyboard is only slightly larger, as in just a few mm, than the Apple wireless keyboard. The keys are black, and with white lettering and a white LED backlight. The backlighting is very nice indeed, if I turn out the lights , I can see the keys but they are not obnoxiously so.  It has multiple levels of backlighting, that can be controlled via the F8 and F9 keys. Even the brightest light is not too bright, but still bright enough to outdo any glare by a monitor.

There is however a huge extra bonus for this keyboard, namely the ability to manage multiple devices. Essentially you can have up to 3 different devices using this keyboard. I can easily switch between my Macbook Pro, iPad, and Apple TV, and switch back.

I should note that this keyboard layout is purely an Apple layout. In fact it mimics the layout of the Macbook Pro keyboard.

Key response is great, truth be told I haven't seen any ghosting, meaning you could even play games with it , I've tested even a First Person shooter, and it works good. This also comes with a rechargeable battery, and a micro USB to USB cable to recharge it. This works quite well, and holds a charge for quite a while.

So if you have an Apple computer and want a great backlit keyboard, this is a great choice.

On to Jonah

So I know it looks like I skipped Amos, but Yesterday was Joel + Amos, and today is Obadiah + The first 4 chapters of Jonah.

Obadiah is very to the point, though it would stand to reason any Book of the bible that consists of 21 verses almost has to be. God, through his prophet, Promises judgement upon the Edomites, and a restoration of Israel.

So on to Jonah. I have a confession to make, I feel a very close kinship to Jonah, because I do believe that were the Lord to put me in the same scenario I might behave quite similarly. I'm not necessarily talking about the specifics of being in the belly of a Giant fish, or for that matter being so angry that I ask God for death, but more about having such a hard time getting over my own sinful desire for Judgement on the wicked as opposed to seeing true repentance.

Jonah 4:2 sums up the problem with Jonah Nicely, and honestly I think all of us are like this by default.

2 He prayed to the Lord and said, “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.

This verse is kind of a whine. Nineveh was truly wicked before the prophecy and no doubt Jonah was hoping that God would have just wiped the map clean of the city. How often do we want the evil to be punished, not mercy in the face of true repentance.

That being said, this Book is not some clarion call for Christians to campaign against the Death Penalty or any other just penalty for a crime, because only God himself can grant the kind of mercy that forgives even the earthly penalty.

A picture of Logos 6

So this shows something I really like about Logos. The default Layout allows you to quickly fire off a search. In my case here I was thinking about Micah 6:8.

So I searched for "He has shown you", thus showing that most of my Bible memorization was some variant of the KJV (or NKJV) and off we went. Obviously based on the returns of the search we see that it didn't search for the exact phrase. You can get a lot more refined by putting the search string in quotes, but I will admit that sometimes shows some unexpected results as well.  In this case, since one of the Bibles that my package gets included the Apocrypha I got Tobit 13:4.  IN any case, I was looking for Micah 6:8 , which popped up in the list. The 1995 edition of the NASB is my default Bible so it picked it first in the grid. The other two windows  are the NASB95 version of Micah 6 (including verse 8) and the Text Comparison Tool, which nicely layout out the various version I have selected for use in that tool.

Logos 6

OK, so this post isn't really about the word, but about how I read/study the word. The newest version of Logos has been released. I will also discuss that event on here over time, as it has become my preferred study tool on my Mac. More to come.

Going through Joel

So I'm working through the "Bible in a year" concept, and I admit I'm woefully behind. So I'm in the book of Joel starting today, and it has me reading the entire book. The time of this minor prophet is a bit uncertain, there is some thought that he was there during the time of King Jorma, because there was a great famine in that timeframe, but ultimately there is not any indication in the book itself of the timeframe, so it;s best to leave it this way. As a companion to reading the Book, I'm also looking at John Calvin's commentaries on the minor prophets which includes Joel. I was really struck by the first two chapters.

Joel 1 is pretty grim stuff for the people of Judah, and the first part of Chapter 2 is no better. A bitter famine. Where first Joel speaks of the luxuries of a good land being destroyed and then the necessities.   Joel 2 uses the imagery of an active occultation as well, and judgement, but as always the Lord , even in declaring judgement, offers a potential reprieve

12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,

“Return to Me with all your heart,

And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

13 And rend your heart and not your garments.”

Now return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and compassionate,

Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness

And relenting of evil.

14 Who knows whether He will not turn and relent

And leave a blessing behind Him,

Even a grain offering and a drink offering

For the Lord your God?

15 Blow a trumpet in Zion,

Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,

Assemble the elders,

Gather the children and the nursing infants.

Let the bridegroom come out of his room

And the bride out of her bridal chamber.

17 Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,

Weep between the porch and the altar,

And let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord,

And do not make Your inheritance a reproach,

A byword among the nations.

Why should they among the peoples say,

‘Where is their God?’ ”

A call for repentance!! What an awesome God we have that even in our rebellion and faithlessness that He still gives us a means for reconciliation. 

After a call for repentance in the early part of Chapter 2, God then Lays out the promise of Deliverance, and bleeding including sending his holy spirit to bless all , not just the people of Judah. It is this part in particular that has me thinking of what the Lord did on Pentecost. For the passage says:

28 “^aIt will come about after this

That I will pour out My Spirit on all ^cmankind;

And your sons and daughters will prophesy,

Your old men will dream dreams,

Your young men will see visions.

29 “Even on the male and female servants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Finally Chapter 2 ends with a declaration of Judgement and a promise of Deliverance for those who call on the name of the Lord. 

Chapter 3 moves on to Judgement of all the Nations, and then Blessing of Judah. The prophet Joel started off with dire warnings, but ultimately ends with a great and wonderful ending. 

So this morning at Church the sermon was on Leviticus 26. The joys of going to a "reformed" church, the Pastor often covers passages you wouldn't expect in a modern church. The title of the sermon was "Promises and Punishment", because Leviticus 26 is a nice summary of the entire book.  The sermon was good, but reminded me of another passage, which cut me to the quick.

2nd Chronicles 7:14

¹⁴ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

I know it may seem a bit far afield to get from that portion of Leviticus to 2nd Chronicles, but truth be told it really isn't. It cut me to the quick because I see how little I often Humble myself and pray, and sadly I'm thinking that that isn't just a struggle I have. And if there are more like me, who are Christian, but all too often are not humbling ourselves and praying for the healing of our land, then are we not at least in part cause for this time in which we live?

The Power of the Lord.

So in addition to trying to improve my own spiritual walk, I'm also working with my kids on making sure I have a nightly bible study with them. Now I'm not going to pretend that I'm batting a thousand with that, but we are getting more consistent with the Study. I had settled on 1 Samuel as the text, and we are doing up to a chapter an evening. The main purpose of course is to read the Word of God to them every night.

So Last evening we got to 1 Samuel Chapter 5. I admit it has been some time since I had read it myself, and it reminded me of what power the Lord displays in the Old Testament some times. I was also reminded of the 1st commandment.

Exodus 20:3 (NASB95)

3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

  

The Lord brought down Dagon. And when the philistines attempted to erect him again, the Lord

Destroyed this false God. Then he inflicts those who would seek to keep his Ark with tumors.

Oh that we would be mindful of the Lord and his power and forget not to worship him as we should.

So Why, Only the Word?

John 1: 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Simply speaking this is my personal reflection on the Word of God, but also sort of another way to restate one of the 5 Solas. Sola Christus, Only Christ. In the book of John we start with the explanation that Christ is the Word.

Of course, given the medium I will also be discussing the tools of Digital Bible Study. 

Welcome

This is my attempt at a daily Bible study and discussion of biblical topics. I am also seeking to read the Bible in a year and will include those passages that especially strike me.

If you read this blog I hope that this is edifying and uplifting to your own Christian walk.