MobileA friend sent me this last week. It is thought-provoking …

Mobile Phone (or 'Cell Phone' as they say in the USA) VS the Bible

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our mobile phone?        

  • What if we carried it around in our pockets or purses?
  • What if we flipped through it several times a day?
  • What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
  • What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
  • What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
  • What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
  • What if we used it when we traveled?
  • What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go … Hmmmmm … where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing … unlike our mobile phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities'?

23 thoughts on “Mobile Phone vs Bible

  1. Hi Mark,
    Excellent observation. I have addressed that challenge by placing the Bible ON my mobile phone. In fact I now have multiple (6) versions to refer to including Message, NKJV and NIV. It is an excellent resource because you can do a full text search as well and so becomes a concordance. For anyone with a Windows Mobile 5 or 6 handset, it works brilliantly. It’s called Pocket e-Sword and the actual software and King James version is free. Other versions are available for a small fee. I don’t know if they have an iPhone version as yet.
    Keep up the great work. I really enjoy reading your blog.

  2. Hey Mark have you heard of youversion.com? I heard it’s incredible for people with the iphone.
    P.S. I’d love to hear you do book reviews…such as your take on Rob Bell’s manifesto that your blog says you are currently reading!

  3. Hey Rafferty,
    Thank you for the video version on this! Very good!
    Mark, great to know you’re leading by example. Way to go! 🙂

  4. “(Mark The Conner – October 21)…….When a church does give me a love offering it does not go to me personally or to my personal expenses. It goes into a ‘ministry fund’ where it usually ends up being given to various people and ministries (community outreach and mission work)…..”
    “(Mark The Conner – October 22)….. For your interest, when Riverview give me a love offering, it will go to me. What I then choose to do with it is up to me – so people were not duped. I will choose to not spend it on myself, but that’s a choice I am free to make……”
    Which is correct?
    ————
    “(Mark The Conner – October 21)….. Interesting, I have just visited Lance’s blog and seen his critical post there. How interesting to discover that he allows no comments to be made so I can’t even give him feedback! So there you go … What was that about the pot calling the kettle black? So much for openness and accountability …”
    “(Mark The Conner’s blog – October 22)……The comments to this entry are closed.”
    Which is correct?

  5. Hi Lance. My blog post was open all week, giving you and everyone plenty of time to comment. It’s now becoming a bit of a slinging match, which is not the purpose of my blog (feel free to do that on your own).
    Your blog post was not open to comments at all and only became open when you were asked to do so. Thanks for that.
    Also, I sent you 3 emails to try to talk a bit offline, but still haven’t heard back from you.
    So we’ll leave it at that.

  6. Hey Lance,
    I am here to read Mark’s Connor blog because his views are interesting, uplifting and I respect Mark’s integrity and honesty. If I want your views, I’ll visit your blog. Each to their own. Can you please stop writing on this one!!!!!

  7. Lance, you are getting boring. Mark has been so gracious answering your questions and still you need to nit pick.
    now, I think it may be time to go and pull out that massive two by four from your eye and while you’re at it … get a life.

  8. I am stunned by the level of emotion that is ‘out there’ regarding this issue…. Why is it that the topic of money always gets everyone so hot under the collar?? It’s not hard to see why Jesus needed to give the whole’ “love of money is the root of all evil” talk – nothing much has changed – we all like to have it (even if we piously say we don’t), and we all get defensive when we think someone is robbing from our little stack, or building a bigger stack than we have. We can cover all this up with verses and religious arguments, but at the end of the day I think a lot of this boils down to personal jealousy and resentment. “How come they get given so much when I get given so little?” “What makes them so special that people give them money – no one gives me love offerings – that’s unfair.” Wah wah wah! Get over it and move on! There’s nothing criminal happening here – I have worshipped at CityLife church for many years and I have NEVER heard a manipulative or controlling word come out of Mark Conner’s mouth! He and his family live in a modest suburban house, drive a regular Ford and shop at Coles just like the rest of us – if he’s raking in the money, I’d sure like to know where he’s stashing it! In the words of Horatio from CSI “Move along folks… nothing to see here!”

  9. WOW! This thread sure has gone way off track, thanks to Lance.
    Hey Lance, I thought that this blog here was about “Mobile Phones verses the Bible!” Any comments on that!? 🙂
    Another question Lance… Have you ever been to City Life Church long enough to even know what happens there? Mark & Nicole Conner faithfully serve God & the community at large, with honest transparency & personal integrity.
    Little knowledge is dangerous. Get your facts right before engaging your mouth.
    Read the book not just the cover!

  10. Mark (and I intend staying on topic!) I have been thinking lately that I need to get a pocket sized bible to carry around with me and read little bits throughout the day -your post has convinced me and I’m going out today to get one.
    With regards to what’s been going on on the other thread (I know off topic…the good I want to do etc etc) I haven’t been checking the conversation for a few days and so haven’t waded in (and intend respecting your closing of the thread – enough information is on that thread now for people to intelligently way up and pray through the issues). I just wanted to say how gracious I think you have been in joining the conversation, staying with the conversation and in your withdrawing from the conversation; although I suspect you will continue at other levels to discuss and sort through the points made.
    Anyhoo you have not reacted as most wold have suspected you would and you have kept the posts up – which most would have suspected you would take down. To me these are the marks (no pun intended) of a person of integrity and so, despite the fact that I think we disagree on some but probably agree on the important issues, I will be checking out your blog from here on.
    Your words and actions have indicated the type of person you strive to be.
    Peace and fellowship
    Greg

  11. Thanks for everyone’s comments – and the encouragement. Appreciate it!
    Brian, I haven’t heard of that program for the iPhone. Sounds interesting. Someone gave me an iPhone, which I loved and used for about 10 months, but it doesn’t work with my new SIM card. I now have a Nokia E71. My 15 year old daughter grabbed my iPhone and I haven’t seen it since 🙂
    Rob Bell – just got his book and won’t be able to read if for a few weeks yet but will post on it once I do.
    Thanks

  12. Hi Mark
    This isn’t on topic but I was wondering if you’re a pastor at an ACCC church? I’ve never heard of you before but I have a question for a ACCC church pastor.

  13. Hi Melissa.
    The Australian Christian Churches was a network of Pentcostal churches formed back in 1999 with the aim of giving a united voice to media and politics for these churches. Unfortunately, it never really got off the ground because some key Pentecostal groups chose not to join in.
    I (and our church) was a part of this group initially but not any more, since it closed down a few years ago.
    The initial aim of the ACC is now being fulfilled better through groups such as the Australian Christian Lobby.
    More recently, the Assemblies of God in Australia has changed the name of their denomination to the Australian Christian Churches. We are not part of that group.
    Hope this helps.

  14. Hi, sorry yeah thats what I meant. Australian Christian Churches (used to be AOG.)
    You’re not part of it?
    That’s a shame. I wanted to ask a pastor from there about something.

  15. Hi Mark! I wrote on Lance’s blog that I thought you were courageous and well mannered in your answers to Lance’s questions. I am banned from his blog so these comments were removed. However I wanted you to know I appreciate your openness.
    My basic problem, as far as Lance is concerned, is that I am Pentecostal who loves Pentecost, and I am also Pastor supportive, which some people think is weird!
    Anyway, I would like you to know that you are a blessing to the Pentecostal movement, and a leader to follow.
    I admire Nicole also for doing her willingness to work with those on Lance’s blog who genuinely want to dialogue. Most of the people there seem to be people who have suffered what some call ‘spiritual’ abuse of some kind, and are looking for leaders they can question in regard to this. Others have an axe to grind. I’m sure she has wisdom to discern between the two.
    Thanks again for being open and available.
    On thread: I find having a variety of Bibles on my mobile very useful. Like pocket Bible always at hand!
    Steve

  16. Steve your post kind of covered what I was wanting to ask about. Spiritual abuse. Because I personally have been affected and I’d like to know from a pastor’s perspective how I can re-intergrate into church again and feel safe again, especially when the church has not made a statement to condemn the abuses.
    Sorry again, I know this is very off topic.

  17. Melissa. Nicole mentioned a desire to dialogue with Christians who have been hurt in their churches. Maybe you can contact her through her facebook.
    Regards, Steve

  18. Hi Steve. Thanks for the encouragement – appreciate it!
    Melissa, I’m so sad to hear about your story. Church leaders are called to be like shepherds who care for the people entrusted to their care. When they abuse that authority and use it in a harsh manner or for personal gain, it is a violation of their God-given trust.
    I would encourage you to try to lovingly confront those who have been abusive to you or speak to someone they are accountable to. If this is not successful or if it is not possible, then, depending on the seriousness of the matter, I would encourage you to prayfully consider moving to a different church that is a safer environment for you to grow in Christ.
    I hope this helps. I will pray for you today.

  19. It wasn’t IN a church but it was in a place where the church was supporting it and covering it up.
    I will try and find her on facebook. Thanks

  20. Sorry I don’t think I was very clear.
    I mean, the abuse wasn’t AT a church. But it was by people from a church, in a church supported place (not my church though, a different church.)
    And when the people who did abuse me were confronted, they lied about it and said it didn’t happen.
    And the church knew about it but they didn’t condemn the abuse either. But they did the opposite and tried to cover it up instead.
    It’s hard to explain it on here. I love God so much but I don’t feel safe around his people anymore.

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