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Pocket
PC Bible
by Dr. John Luton |
If you’re looking for a perfect gift for someone who has
both an interest in technology and an appreciation for the Scriptures,
a Pocket PC Bible will provide hours and hours of intellectual
and spiritual enrichment! Read on and you’ll soon see what
I mean.
I remember the first time I ever saw a Pocket PC Bible. I was
serving as a pastor of a church in northeastern North Carolina
and one of the members brought one to our Wednesday night Bible
study. While I was speaking, I saw the man keep punching keys
on a little hand held device. I thought he was playing some kind
of a video game, but I tried not to stare. As a minister, you
soon learn that a lot goes on in a church that sometimes has very
little to do with worship. What was he up to?
After the service the man came to speak to me. He held the little
device in his hand as he walked forward, smiling broadly. I stood
there expecting to hear some kind of a confession from my humble
parishioner. I would try to make it as easy for him as possible.
“What you got there, Donnie?” I asked, trying not
to appear as if I had already seen him in action during the Bible
study.
“It’s my new Pocket PC Bible,” he replied proudly.
I was amazed at how easily the words rolled off his lips. While
this man was usually somewhat quiet in demeanor, I was a little
surprised to see him get so excited – about anything!
“My family gave it to me for Christmas,” he continued.
“I’ve always had trouble finding certain passages
in the Bible, so they gave me this little gadget. All I have to
do is punch in the book, chapter and verse – and there you
go!”
Donnie was absolutely thrilled with his new gizmo. I was relieved
to know that he hadn’t really been goofing off during Bible
study. Whenever I had referred to passages of Scripture during
the Bible study, he had been typing the references into his Pocket
PC Bible and the text just magically appeared on the screen. Not
just a little eager to show me how it all worked, he held it closer
so I could see.
“Look here, John,” he said. “I can type in John
3:16, and in just a second or two – yep, there it is!”
Donnie then handed me the Pocket PC Bible so I could read the
verse. Before I could say anything, Donnie moved into the second
phase of his demonstration.
“You can even get the Bible verse in two or three different
versions – King James, Revised Standard Version, or New
International Version – they’re all right here inside
this little computer.
By now, I was sure that my enthusiastic parishioner had also taken
a part-time job selling the Pocket PC Bibles. The expectation
of a nice commission had to be the source of his zeal. But this
was not the case. Donnie was truly enraptured by his new Bible
study tool, as evidenced by what he told me just before he walked
out of the church to get into his car.
“I’m reading the Bible twice as much as I did before
I got my Pocket PC Bible. Now I don’t have to spend so much
time looking up the verses, I can spend more time reading them!”
He then shook my hand and prepared to go home. I think I might
have seen a couple of tears of joy come to Donnie’s eyes
as he walked toward his car.
I’ve thought about that conversation many times since that
night of Bible study. I had always known my friend was intrigued
by gadgets that displayed the latest applications of technology.
With his Pocket PC Bible, Donnie had combined his love of technology
with his love of studying the Bible. As his pastor, I was thrilled
to see he had apparently gained a deeper appreciation for both.
Do you know someone who might like to have a Pocket PC Bible?
If so, you’ll want to check out the many great models that
are available. Oh my goodness! – now who’s sounding
like a Pocket PC Bible salesman?
About the Author: Dr. John W. Luton
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