Posts Tagged ‘technology’

Is God Mac Or PC?

// January 12th, 2010 // No Comments » // blogging, humor, technology

One of my favorite blogs on the web continues to be Stuff Christian’s Like.  Jon just continues to entertain me in a unique way as he comments on Christian culture and how silly we are at times.  One battle I continue to fight in the office is the whole Mac vs PC thing and Jon recently posted this list to help us sort it out.  I couldn’t help but laugh my way through as I read…

Is God Mac or PC?

That is, up in heaven, is he cranking away on a Mac or a PC? Does he love the iPhone or is he currently listening to Michael W. Smith’s greatest hits on a Zune? Does he have a little apple sticker stuck anywhere?

I feel like lists work well on blogs, so let’s break it down list style and weigh all the facts.

1. Macs are beautiful and glimmery white in their design. Christ and God are always represented as the “light of the world.” PCs are often dark. God is definitely a Mac.

2. As soon as you own an iPhone you start to feel a potpourri of pity and shame for anyone who does not own one. Someone whips out a Blackberry and you immediately, smugly think inside, “That poor person. Pushing on physical keys. The horror.” God doesn’t like that arrogance. God is a PC.

3. Apple makes real efforts to improve the planet and recycle their products. God loves that. God is a Mac.

4. Apple is notorious for rejecting apps that people try to put on the iPhone. God doesn’t reject anyone. God is definitely a PC.

5. PCs are often plagued by viruses and crashes. Much like sin, God hates that. God is definitely a Mac.

6. Mac commercials are constantly mocking people who use PCs. God hates mockery. God is definitely a PC.

7. You don’t have to learn a complicated operating system to use a Mac. You turn it on and go. Same with God. Repentance and salvation are not complex systems designed to confuse people. God’s a Mac.

8. PCs are constantly needing to be upgraded and updated with the latest software and operating systems. Just like sanctification. You are constantly changing and being renewed. God’s a PC.

9. Macs take a very holistic approach to computing. There’s iLife and iTunes and iPhone. They all work together seamlessly. Just the way God wants to be integrated into every part of our life. God’s a Mac.

10. Some people treat Apple’s Steve Jobs like he’s God in a mock turtle neck. Turns out God is not cool with that. God’s a PC.

11. Macs are very intuitive. When you want to do something, you don’t look up how to do it, you just do it. With a PC, things are often backwards. When you want to shut down for instance, you have to click “Start.” The Bible is very intuitive too. Proverbs lays out pages of simple wisdom that just makes sense. God is a Mac.

12. Macs are all about outside appearances. They look fantastic. But God cares more about what’s inside. Macs are too vain. God’s a PC.

13. Macs make music easy to enjoy. They’re more artistic and often the choice of graphic designers and photographers. God is a great fan of the arts, as evidence by the colorful sunsets and sunrises he paints each day. God’s a Mac.

14. Macs are really expensive. God’s not. He paid the cost. He paid the debt we owed to him. God’s a PC.

15. The Mac logo, an apple with a bite out of it, is reminiscent of our fall from grace in the garden of Eden and God’s forgiveness of us. God’s a Mac.

16. The Gates Foundation has given millions and millions of dollars to help people around the world. God’s all about generosity. God’s a PC.

17. Apple stores are not designed like traditional retail outlets, but are more like aesthetic sanctuaries. They’re practically consumer churches. God’s a Mac.

18. Mac is constantly teasing us with information. There is a tablet. There’s not a tablet. God, on the other hand, is much more direct with his love and purpose in our lives. God’s a PC.

There’s the list and I’ve got to tell you, I’m stuck. I have a PC desktop and an Apple laptop. I don’t know who to score this one as anything other than a tie. How about you?

You can read more of Jon’s funny stuff or even buy his book by clicking here.

Is God a Mac or a PC?

What evidence would you offer to support or deny either decision?

Do You Have A Bible Reading Plan?

// January 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // free tools, spiritual growth

Norman Vincent Peale said,

Plan your work – work your plan. Lack of system produces that “I’m swamped feeling.”

I think we can also get that feeling when we are not grounded in the one thing that gives us a glimpse into the way God sees the world.  Regular Bible reading can not only be a source of comfort during tough times but also a source of direction when making choices and wisdom in daily living. However, when some people look at the Bible the just don’t know where to start and that is where You Version can help. On their website You Version says,

We aren’t just building a tool to impact the world using innovative technology, more importantly, we are engaging people into relationships with God as they discover the relevance the Bible has for their lives.

Technology really has made reading the bible easy.  After creating your account (which is free) you choose your plan and begin the readings for that day.  There are over 20 reading plans to choose from, to view them click here. After you choose you plan you can get started today! They’ve also made it easy to read on the go.  You Version can be accessed easily through your web browser, cell phone, blackberry, and i-phone (or i-pod touch).  They have lots of different apps to make it easy.  So, hopefully you’ll join me in choosing a plan for reading the Bible this year! Here is a video that gives you an idea of how easy it can be…

10 Reasons Your Church Should Be On Facebook

// August 16th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // social media, technology

ccvfacebook

Your church should be on facebook. Plain and simple. Just in 2009 facebook has grown 276% in users aging from 35-54 (reported here) so you can’t ignore this communication tool.

1. Effective Communication – People are already using it. One challenge that we constantly face in ministry is the competition for people’s attention.  I think it is hard for those on the receiving end to weed through the daily information overload and actually figure out what is important.  Instead of sending people more snail mail and e-mail to sort through why not use a tool they are already using to aid in the communication process.  With more and more people connecting on facebook it is an easy way for churches to stay in touch with our congregation and the community.

2. Share Photos – People love to see pictures of something they were a part of, plus great pictures can be a tool for people to show their friends how much fun a church can be!

3. Share Video – Facebook makes video so easy.  Not only can you quickly record off your pc camera to share a video message on facebook but you can also embed links to great tools like Vimeo and YouTube.  We currently use Vimeo since our messages are now in HD and YouTube limits your video to 10 minutes in length.

4. Connection Point – Church websites are great, but lets face it, a church website is a one way conversation.    When people visit your fan page on facebook they can see regular people, just like them, posting thoughts, sharing photos, and interacting with one another. 

5. Easy Invitation - Since facebook makes it so easy for a conversation in an online environment, it can also be a great way for your people to invite others to church. When new people see your church on facebook and begin using your fanpage as a “connection point” it can really make the unfamiliar seem more familar, thus helping people muster up the courage to visit on a Sunday.

6. Staff Visibility – As churches grow larger, it can be challenging for the average person that attends church to know who does what on your staff.  Encouraging your church staff and key leaders to use facebook and interact with the church page can be a great way for people to learn about your team and other serving opportunities in your church.

7. Its Fun – If you make the choice to have fun with it, you can have a great time on facebook.  Even if you had an ugly past and don’t want to re-connect with people from your past you can still have fun using facebook to deepen relationships in the present!

8. Celebrate Success – Sometimes in ministry I feel like we spend so much time focusing on areas we need to improve, that we forget to celebrate what we’re doing right.  When interacting on facebook, you can see first hand the impact that a worship service or event has had on others.  You actually end up with a documented timeline of events after you’ve been at it a while, which makes it easy to remember and reference the good times!

9. Rally The Troops – After you’ve got a good following, facebook can be an easy way to communicate a need quickly.  Since many check the website at least once per day, or some even through their cell phones, you can get quite a quick response.  Sometimes even in just a few minutes!

10. ITS FREE – Oh… did I say its free?  Yep, you can do facebook for free, just like the people that already use it in your church… so what are you waiting for? 

All you need to do is first set up your own facebook account, if you don’t already have one… then click here to create your own fan page!

If you can think of some other good reasons share them below or I’d love to connect with you onfacebook or twitter!

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