I was so excited when the Hubster finally upgraded our phone plans, because it included new *smart* phones!!! I just knew it was going to be great having the internet, email, Facebook, games and apps at my fingertips. But in fact, those things are exactly what I also hate about my phone. Having moved 600+ miles from the only home I’ve ever known to a new state and town, the GPS feature has been used more times than I can count. It has saved me from taking wrong turns and the “scenic route” to our destination. It is nice to have the games on my phone when we’re traveling the nearly 12 hours home and back.
One of the apps I was so excited about was the Bible app. At the time I was taking all 4 kids to church by myself, including 3 diaper bags and my own purse. All of those bags were heavy and awkward to carry in alone. So not having to worry about the added weight of my Bible or where I would put it without it getting dropped was nice. I liked the ease of just having my cell phone and the Bible app on it. It was simple, light and easy to carry.
The problem was…it was simple, light and easy to carry!!
Now, here me out. I’m not telling you to get rid of your Bible app. In fact, I’m not getting rid of mine! But, I am choosing not to use it during Church services. WHY? Because I am a wife and mother who’s brain goes 90 miles an hour and is easily distracted. I always have post ideas running through my head. I seriously have about 50 different post ideas on my sheet at the moment. Now whether I will get to them all or when is another story, but the point is…I’m constantly jotting down ideas. It is quite possible that I have adult ADD, but I can’t sit still long enough to find out!!
Several weeks back I was selected to be part of a launch team for Courtney Joseph’s new book, Women Living Well (coming out Oct. 1st). The first chapter is about learning to slow down and take time out for our own relationship with God. So when I have those moments and time that I can learn from His Word – I don’t want to be distracted! I can’t afford to be distracted!! Using the Bible app was just that for me – a distraction. So here they are…my reasons for no longer using the Bible app on my phone.
5 Reasons I Quit Using the Bible App during Church
- Distractions. When I get my phone out to look at the Bible app, suddenly I see the notifications for my social media (Facebook, Twitter), games (Candy Crush) and anything else that happens to be going on at the moment. I am diluted into thinking, “I’ll just clear it off real quick” or “I’ll just scan it for a second” and then before I know it I have been sucked into that world and I’ve not heard the first 10 minutes of the sermon. Sometimes I do answer texts, especially when my Mom was in the hospital two weeks ago. I was being updated on her progress and to me, that was okay. But, I had to immediately put my phone away because I saw those looming notifications and I knew I would get drawn in all too easily.
- Highlighting. I can’t highlight or underline text in my app. Although the Hubster says there is a way, I think it wastes more time trying to figure it out! Plus…I am just old-fashioned and like to underline or highlight things myself. I really think it helps me remember better. Which leads me to my next point…
- Note-taking. There is no way to take notes in your Bible app. While you might be able to jot down a few ideas or key words, there is just something about seeing handwritten notes in the margin of my Bible. I love opening up to read and finding notes that remind me of a sermon or a promise God gave me long ago. It refreshes me and revives my soul. It can also lead me to more studying and time with God!!
- Page-turning. There’s just something about hearing the pages turn on Sunday morning. I love hearing it!!! It takes me back to the days of Bible races at church camp when we were so excited to prove we knew the Bible!! It takes me back to my childhood when I would hear those pages turning and know that people were paying attention to the minister and the reading of God’s Word.
- Perception. While I know I shouldn’t be reading my Bible so others will think better of me, I do want my kids to know that I spend time in God’s Word. My kids think my cell phone is for their gaming enjoyment. So, I don’t want them to think that I am playing games or browsing Facebook during church. That is sending the wrong message and can be very confusing for them.
Am I against having a Bible app on your phone? NO!! In fact, I do think there are times it is very useful. I also think it can be a good way to get your children to read the Bible. Our oldest son is not extremely fond of reading, even though he is a very good reader. He would rather be outside playing in his imaginary world or shooting hoops. However, there are times he will specifically ask for our phones to read the Bible!!! And he does! In fact, he’s been known to read several chapters at a time!! Now that is a reason I would give him my phone!! “You wanna read the Bible? On my phone? Why yes…yes you can!!”
So while I won’t be using the Bible app on my phone during church any longer, I will however, not remove it from my phone.
Do you like using the Bible app more or less than your physical Bible? What are your thoughts about using the app during church?
Blessings,
Linking up: Raising Arrows, The Better Mom, Time-Warp Wife, Growing Home, Far Above Rubies, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts for Home Blog Hop, Graced Simplicity
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