Pocket PC Bible

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