MySword for Android

Since my purchase of an Evo4g I had been looking for compatible Bibles to run on my device. For awhile i used OliveTree and even "Bible". Problem I had with both is that neither offered many resources beyond the Bible itself. I wanted a Strong's concordance and in either app a Strong's will cost many many dollars.

This to say the least was daunting. I had a friend refer me to MySword for Android. When I saw how feature rich it was and offered a free Strong's concordance I was hooked. It was similar in experience to my desktop E-Sword application. When I saw that there were even more options offered for a generous donation of any amount I did give and the offering was accepted. In turn I received many many more options.This was a great bargain or so I had thought.

I also ,as an aside, have rooted my Evo and run custom ROMs on my device. I use Titanium Root to make my backups and the in app backup and restore when necessary.

I recently made a thorough back up and included MySword for Android. Problem is when I restored MySword I lost my premium features. I tried to do everything but I just wasn't getting the premium features back. I knew I had to contact customer support. I knew this wasn't going to be fun.

So I contacted customer support and was told that my offering given was not sufficient and that I needed to give more in order insure that I was going to receive the premium features. They offered to give me my money back. But, alas I have no paypal account either.

So now they have my money and my premium features. Yes, I know as in any venture Caveat Emptor.

This is my point MySword for Android is a great great app. It is free on the Market. BUT (and this is the important part) to receive the premium features you MUST fork over at the least $10.00 USD. The support insisted that many know the minimum suggested donation. But, if you look in the market you see no suggested donation and also it isn't anywhere on their website you must search for it to find it.

Point number 2 as well if you have jumped on board the app early on and before the minimum suggested donation go post haste (I suggest) and ask for a refund. Again this is merely a suggestion. It also is not a ministry of a local church and they as far as I know support many charasmatics and ecumenical organizations. Consider that at least before you hand over your money.

Finally, MySword is a great app for android devices. The app is feature rich, customer support is pretty good and is in my estimation leading the way in Bible software tools for the android market. However one must consider the above. If the 10.00 they demand today to get the features isn't enough for them tomorrow then how much will be enough? Also if you have put money into the development of this app and they raise the prices will you too be left out in the cold?


I think I will go back to Olive tree.....

Good Quote

"What fools are they who, for a drop of pleasure, drink a sea of wrath."

THOMAS WATSON

Very Productive Weekend

For those who follow or those who are new, I have been burdened to pack up the family and take them north to Indiana (please see post below). In an effort to do this much I have a lot of ends that must be secured prior to our leaving. First on that list was getting under the house and correcting the sagging main beam and then mudding and taping the walls.

So this Saturday past I had Bro M out who volunteered his time to help with my "undertaking". We had a great time of fellowship and in the process we got much done. We have built box frames that will hold the concrete and did some leveling of the dirt under the house. Next weekend I am not off but the following I will be and he said he'd come back out and help get the rest of it worked out. We still need to get the frames under the beam, concrete poured in the frame, the beam leveled and 6x6s placed on the beam. After that its just a matter of adding curb appeal and getting the inside straightened out. Then we put it on the market.

Br M is a realtor and he happens to believe that what we are doing will suffice for any potential buyer. Bro M is without a doubt a blessing. I needed a lot of help in getting this project taken care of. He volunteered his assistance not once but three times (prior to our work day). He knew that we'd be working in less than a 18" of space in the mud and yet he volunteered three times. What would we do without the brethren. He taught me the lesson Pastor Smith preached on Sun. night. Pastor Smith exposited from many texts the Lord laid on his heart. But, this stood out to me.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
(1Jn 3:14-19 KJV)

Simply stated, he proposed that the evidence for life is love. He used I Jn. 3:14 as his supporting verse. Its pretty obvious that death would represent our lives prior to redemption (Rom. 6.23 a) and that conversely our lives post redemption, life (Rom. 6.23 b). So in other word once we are saved it becomes evident in our love for the brethren. So we pass from death to Life and this Life is characterized by our love for the brethren or those that are saved.

Br M saw my need he knew he could help and he did.

Been Awhile

What I Have Observed

I have learned a lot in the past 2 almost 3 years (?) I have been in "fundamentalism". I started out with my family in a "Hyles" church (and I use the term church loosely) and am now no longer a member of said Hyles church. I have been to 3 different IFB college's and their respective churches. I have seen the many fractures that make up "fundamentalism" and the many fights that go on in these circles. I gotta tell ya I am amazed.

I have separated from the church we started out in because of the repentance issue. I believe in the Bible's definition of repentance and the church I pulled me and my family out of does not. For the record I believe that repentance is:

"a supernatural work of God whereby a responsive sinner, being convicted by the Holy Spirit, of his rebellion turns to God from his sinful ways and trusts Jesus Christ for salvation (II Tim. 2.25, Jn. 16.8, Acts 11.18;26.20). Repentance means more than sorrow or regret or despair or grief. It is also more than mere confession or acknowledgement of sin. Pharoah, Saul and Judas did all of that but did not excercise biblical repentance (Ex 9.27, I Sam 17.24 ;24.17; 26.21; Mat. 27.3-4). Biblical repentance means a turning to God and a change of mind toward God that results in a change of life Mat. 3.1-2, Lk. 5.32; 13.1-3; 18.13; Ac. 2.38; 5.31; 17.30; 20.21; 26.20; II Pe. 3.9). There are 2 types of repentance: 1. Repentance for un-believers of salvation (Lk. 13.3; Ac. 2.38). 2. Repentance for believers from daily sin (Rev. 2:5, 16, 21-22). David Cloud W.O.L. encyclopedia"

The church I have pulled me and my family out believes that repentance is :

"That the only sin we need to repent of is un belief since un-belief sends us to Hell. So repentance is going from un belief to belief. To quote them directly: It can't be clearer. Repent means to turn from unbelief to belief in Christ"

Separation is hard. But, separation is Biblical and necessary. I am out of the "Baptist City" circus and couldn't be better for it either.



Where We're Going/ The Calling

In the first weekend of June I took the family on vacation with a purpose if you will. The purpose was to find out if this bible college was where I believed the Lord was leading me to go. Having seen what I did over the weekend I believe that this is just the case. I talked to the preacher and he preaches biblical repentance and was patient and humble. He answered all of my questions without reservation. I toured the campus and met a lot of the people there. My family and I attended a Sunday service and was very impressed from Sunday School/Service to Sunday Evening. But, chief among this was that I believe God is honored and glorified at the college. I believe they are preaching the Bible here and I believe my family will be able to grow spiritually there as well.

What I Am Going To Have To Do

Now comes the hard part. I gotta buckle down and get the house re habbed and get it on the market. Soon as it sells I need to find a new job in the area we are moving to and a place to live. It appears I am not alone in having done this although. There were a lot of people who have done just such (like the blessed family that hosted us) and were more than willing to help shoulder our burdens. I know it may be difficult road ahead, but we'll never be alone. God is good.

If your still reading thanks for your patience. Wadsworth or Longfellow I am not.

But, it was nice to get this much out.

I Am Settled

I am settled on the fact that I am a preservationist. I believe that God perfectly preserved His Word for the english speaking people in the King James Bible.

I know that this will certainly alienate many people and that is totally fine with me. I have seen the overwhelming evidence for it and I am convinced. The fact that those who side with the critical text are liars is enough in and of itself.

The fact that I have run across the path of much more intelligent and spiritually mature individuals than I only serves to further re inforce the fact.

You may call me cultic or a nut (at least I am fastened to the right post!) but I am settled.

Amused?

Been awhile since I last made an entry.

For me its no small wonder I keep really busy and am easily distracted.

I myself have been forced to re examine how I as a Christian regard our present culture as a whole. I always was certain there that there was no re deeming value to be found in liberal newspapers/magazines, TV, some books, technology, art and music.

What I never realized until I started reading more was that there others like me as well. These people are railing against this modern culture and its culpability in destroying the Church. Preachers who don't preach on culture and its ills are aiding this slide.

It seems to me anyway that we have so many amusements that preachers are forced to preach in a manner that will entertain rather than feed the flock. We don't have any musements, where we have to actually sit and read and discern what God is saying to us in His Word. We would rather be a mused (or put the grey matter into cruise control). We cannot process linear thought. If we cannot or do not want to how can we know with any certainty what the will of God is for our lives. We fall prey to any wind of doctrine.

All this of course is my opinion of course.

But, I maintain that you reap what you sow. Bible says:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(Gal 6:7-8)

You get something from what you sow or put in.

When I was a kid and we went to the zoo we'd put a quarter into the slot at a machine and watch as the wheels would turn and gears would grind an injection molded plastic monkey. Put in a quarter get a monkey. Wow!!

What I am trying to say is if we'll sacrifice our gray matter in the name of entertainment then we will lose something in the process. If we absorb ourselves in every aspect of culture ,knowing culture shapes meaning, then perhaps we sacrifice who we are in Christ as well.

Its a thought.

More Clean Humor

(My thanks to Brother Coon)

Feel free to groan (with delight, of course).

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth?
A. Ruthless.

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury.
David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. (Groan...)

P.S. Did you know it's a sin for a woman to make coffee?
Yup, it's in the Bible. It says . . . "He-brews"


KEEP SMILING!!!! GOD LOVES YOU BUNCHES AND BUNCHES!!!!

This Blog's Address

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

I chose this blogs address as the above reference. Philippians 2:5-11 is indisputably an amazing passage. Me personally it hits me in so many ways.

A) The apostle Paul exhorts us to take on the same mindset Christ had. This mindset is that of a servant.
Before I go on let me say I never tire of saying this. Jesus was born as the poor people of the day in a place where animals eat and defecate, He was a carpenter (I was a roofer for awhile, carpentry is hard work) and more importantly he died a death reserved for societies worst reprobates. This is Jesus?! King Jesus!, fully man and fully God!! This is how He lived!! Whoa....
He, Jesus, never sought to exalt self. When was the last time you looked beyond yourself to another? I ask myself this alot. Is it hard? Certainly, but if it was good enough for Jesus shouldn't it be good enough for us?

B)He was obedient no matter what it cost Him. Even when it cost Him His life.
I am learning alot about what it means to yield to the Potter and remain clay in His hands. I have learned though personal experience the worst place to be is off the Potter's wheel. Staying on the wheel is costly and at times tough. But its alot better than being off the wheel and eating the crumbs from off the floor. Brother Tony made an excellent observation in this regard. He said that there are those on the wide road looking at us and laughing. He said they are remarking that we have so many "rules" and they have no fun and the women "have" to wear skirts and dresses and we're too "narrow". On the other hand we (the saved/redeemed crowd) are on the narrow road looking back at those on the wide road and saying to ourselves "What in the world was I thinking"??.
Who are we obedient to. If we are obedient to the Lord, then to what length? Don't resort to self-pity its satanic. U-turns are always possible. If we're not obedient to the Lord we need to lay it on the Altar and get our hearts right with God.
If you are on the broad road, I implore you to please click on the Link "What must I do to Be Saved"?.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14

C) Being obedient to God always pays richly.
If its one thing I know, I know that if it stinks being off the Potters wheel (Pro 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.) then its twice as good being on the wheel (Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ). I can't tell you of the numerous blessings God has bestowed upon me as I have yielded to His leading through the Holy Spirit.
Are you willing to be empty of self. The Holy Spirit can't fill a vessel thats already full! Are you ready to obey God no matter the cost? If not don't even consider the blessings till you are.

In summary, lets daily take on the mindset of Christ. Lets be a servant. Lets choose to be obedient to God. Say for example, we go soulwinning and we hit a house thats like Leona Helmsley's house (H U G E and ornate). But, the Lord's leading us here, lets knock anyway. Inside of the house could be someone who desperately needs Christ and has been waiting for you. Finally, that when we choose to be a servant and when we choose to be obedient then prepare to reap the blessings abundantly (For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:8-9).

I appreciate all comments and even criticism. I am not a bible school grad. and am still learning. Thanks in advance.

Bro Steve

Camp Meeting

Went to an old fashioned camp meeting at Grace Baptist not to far away from home. Featured preachers were Bro Josh Bishop from Arkansas, Bro Tony Hutson MTBC, and Bro Randy Dignan BBC Jeff City MO..

Okay it wasn't held in a brush arbor. But, I gotta tell ya the pulpit was absolutely smoking.

Bible Study

Bible Study

Five traits that are found in those who do effective Bible study:

1. They know Jesus Christ personally - I Cor. 2:11-16, Rom. 8:5,7
2. They revere and show respect for the scriptures - Pslm. 119
3. They depend on the Holy Spirit's leading - Pslm. 119:12,18,27,35
4. They make sure their life is clean - I John 1:9
5. They develop a keen hunger to know the Bible - Pslm. 119:77,97

Satan is our enemy in every aspect of living the Christian life. This is bluntly true in the Bible study part of our life. He will keep us from the from the Word if he can. Matt. 13:19 says he will even steal the Word if he is allowed.

The life circumstances we are living through affect what we see from the Word. Our personal differences and quirks can hinder us as well as our educational background (this can either help or hinder).

Experience from discipling men and from my own life has revealed that unconquered sinful habits affect Bible study. If I am making excuses for a habit, I easily read past what the Word says about it. If I am under severe conviction about my habit then that is all I see in the passage, missing the other truths taught in it.

Divine illumination is our most critical need in our Bible study:
1. Christ knew we would need divine help - John 16:13
2. Christ provided divine help - I John 2:20-21
3. Christ does not want us dependent solely on others - I John 2:27
4. Christ will compare scripture with other scripture - I Cor. 2:13-14

Oh, for a greater number of noble believers who will study the scriptures for themselves to make sure their Bible teachers are saying what God really says in His Word! We must challenge believers to be good "Bereans."

(Excerpts taken from Bible Tract Bulletin Vol. 46 Number 2 - Rev. Mark Smith, Director)

Ac 17:10-11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2 Tim. 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Radical?!

Today a gentlemen I worked with quit to go back to school. He was a pretty nice fella. Sure he was Catholic. But, he was still a nice guy. I have been working on this guy to see him saved before he left the company. I failed.
But he left me with this. He said "---- many people here consider your views radical stay a nice guy though".

I have been called many things by many people but never radical. Perhaps my impact has been seen and felt finally by my co workers. On one hand I hope so. I hope that I have lifted up Jesus high enough to were Jesus as it is written will draw all men unto Him. On the other hand I hope that I haven't done a detriment to fundamentalism either.

Paramount to all the above though. I hope I have lifted Jesus high and exalted God above everything. J Frank Norris did a great job of this and despite what others may say I think Brother Jack Schaap still does a good job of this even today.

Are we as fundamentalists radical? Ask yourself "Am I Radical"?

Finally I'll leave with one of my favorite quotes by J Frank Norris:

"I believe in a Supernatural Bible; which tells of a Supernatural Christ who had a Supernatural Birth; Who speaks Supernatural Words; Who performs Supernatural miracles, Who lived a Supernatural life while on earth, Who died a Supernatural death; Who rose in Supernatural power; Who ascended in a Supernatural splendor; Who now intercedes as a Supernatural Priest and Who will one day return in Supernatural glory to establish a Supernatural Kingdom on earth."

ADDENDUM: Please consider the last post in this blog before this one. Jack Schaap/ FBC have done a great deal of harm to fundamentalism and I am sure many lives as well. I sincerely apologize for my statement in regard to Mr. Schaap, I love him in the Lord and wish him well. I just wish the man would repent.