I've always been sort of a low tech kinda girl. In the past, when choosing a mobile phone, I just really wanted something I could make phone calls on, send text messages and take a picture or record video on. (Okay, I know that's not low tech to some people). So when my husband and I were in the market for new phones this past December, he was really excited that there were great deals on Smartphones. I was really hesitant to get on board with that idea, and I hoped to stick with something more basic. So I researched all my (surprisingly limited) options online, but ultimately, I chose to get an Android, all the while telling myself that if I didn't like it, I could return it and get something with fewer "bells and whistles".
Flash forward a couple months, and it
turns out, I really kind of like it! (Okay, sometimes a little too
much!)
Anyway, I recently came across this
awesome app on my phone called You Version. It has the Bible in many
different versions, as well as several other useful tools.
I had been struggling to stay in the Word for a number of reasons, and looking to find a Bible reading
plan that I could realistically stick with. Well, one day I got
curious, and started exploring this app, and noticed that there were
Bible reading plans. Oh, my goodness! There are probably hundreds of
different plans to choose from. Ranging from your basic "read
through the Bible in a year" to chronological studies to week
long plans for study on a particular topic.
I ended up going with one called
Project 345 Plus. It includes readings from the New Testament,
Psalms, Proverbs as well as selected readings from the Old Testament.
What I really,
really
love about this app? The "Catch Me Up" button! Usually,
during the week, there are four selections to read, and when you
complete all of them, it congratulates you on completing a day (who
wouldn't love that?) But when you don't, there's the option to catch
up, and when you tap the button, it basically updates your plan so
that you don't skip the readings, but you also don't get "swamped"
with missed readings. As a mom of two
little ones, and one on the way, I really appreciate that!
So,
how does that keep me connected to God? Not only can I pretty much do
my study time any time, anywhere, but it also keeps me focused. I
know that I can open the app any day, and have something specific to
read. While I haven't gotten back in the habit of a daily study time,
I'm closer than I would be otherwise.
Does
reading the Word somewhat regularly or even everyday make me perfect?
Absolutely not! But at least I have a better chance to "hide His
Word in my heart" (Psalm 119:11) than I would
otherwise.
Do you use any
"gadgets" to keep you focused spiritually?
