Mar 27 2010

Christian iPhone Apps

iPhone with Christian AppsAs of now, there are over 140,000 apps available for the iPhone.

Within all of these apps, it is often hard to find ones that are actually good. This is also true for Christian apps.

Within this post will be a list of quality Christian iPhone apps, that will be updated over time.  So if you want to find some Christian iPhone apps and don’t know where to look, then come here to start.

Bible (free)

This simple Bible Application from lifechurch.tv is a great way to read the Bible on your iPhone. It has many translations available for download and many more that require a data connection to access (NIV, ESV and CEV require data connection). Also has options to favourite verses and tweet verses. The best free Bible app available.

Mars Hill Church (free)

Mars Hill is at the front of technology once again with an App that allows you to keep up to date with sermons and blog posts. A lot of the functionality can be achieved through inbuilt iPhone apps (such as podcasting within the iTunes store), but it is helpful to have all the content together in one easy, beautiful app. (Read more about this app here)

Bible Memory Verses (free)

This is a great application for memorising scripture. It uses the NIV translation. It has many strategies that will allow you easily memorise scripture, including blanking out words in verses, as well as having a page of verses that you have already memorised, so that you can remind yourself of them.

ESV Bible (free)

This is one of the few applications where the Bible is actually stored on your device, which means you can read it without an internet connection! The interface is very clean (reminds me of a Zune) and disappears completely when reading. Has easy options to share via Twitter or email. Easy to search by keywords or just by flicking through the books.

Please comment below if you think another app should be on this list.


Mar 8 2010

“What’s In The Bible?” Answers Tricky Questions

What's In The Bible Blog TourWhat’s In The Bible?” is a new DVD series for kids. It’s from the creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer.

VeggieTales had some critics who said that it was just a collection of Old Testament stories and morals, without actually joining any stories together or mentioning salvation through Jesus.

“What’s In The Bible?” aims to equip the next generation with knowledge of the Bible as a whole, not just as a group of stories. It attempts to give kids a full Biblical theology, and not just knowledge of some nice stories.

Here is a trailer for “What’s In The Bible?”

Recently I applied to review this DVD series as part of a Blog Tour with the Tyndale House Publishers, and below are a few of my thoughts after watching the first two DVDs from the 13 part series. Continue reading below for your chance to win a copy of DVD 1 or 2 (“In The Beginning” or “Let My People Go”).

Continue reading


Feb 21 2010

I’m a Saint Just Like Mary

You may have heard that Mary MacKillop has been officially approved for canonisation as a Roman Catholic Saint.

In order to become recognised as a Roman Catholic Saint, one must have been proved to have fulfilled a number of requirements (See wikipedia page on Canonization). These include being known to be in heaven, and having a miracle (or two) attributed to your name amongst other things.

Panoramic View of Rome

This process makes no sense to me.

In the Bible, throughout the new testament, the term “saint” is used to refer to any person who believes in Jesus. In Ephesians 1:1, Paul introduces himself and greets those who are believers of Jesus by using the term “saints”.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus”

Ephesians 1:1

I have never understood why certain people are elevated above other Christians because of acts that they have done. The only way that salvation can be attained is through faith in Jesus Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

All those who believe in Jesus and have a faith in him are guaranteed salvation from Judgement and have the right to be called saints.

Are you a saint?


Feb 6 2010

Ignorance is NOT an Excuse Before God

A globe with a question mark over AfricaI recently heard this saying

Excuses are like armpits, everyone has them and they all stink.

Ignorance is one excuse that people try to use, or at least try to use for others. How many times have you heard somebody say, how is it fair that God will judge people in deepest darkest Africa? They’re never heard about him.

These people are saying that for people in deepest darkest Africa, ignorance is an excuse not to be judged. The Bible says something different here.

“they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness”

Romans 2:15

God works through people’s consciences so that even those who have not heard God’s law, have it written on their hearts. This is why people have an instinctive right and wrong.

So what does this mean?

“This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.”

Romans 2:16

God will one day judge everyone through Jesus, and it doesn’t matter whether you have heard it or not, God will judge you, and all will fall short of the perfect mark that he sets.

Thankfully, we can be perfect before God through what Jesus has done on the cross. So we need to follow Jesus and live for him.

“The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1:15

What about people in deepest darkest Africa? Let’s try to tell them about Jesus, and pray that they will be shaped by God’s law on their hearts.

What about you? You’ve heard about Jesus, it’s your move.


Dec 21 2009

AMAZING Video Resource for Sunday School

During the Jesus: All About Life campaign earlier this year, I was given a DVD to use as a resource for Sunday School. This DVD included 5 videos about Jesus from a flies point of view (will share soon), and a video called “Bigger than the World Itself”.

It’s about a boy who loves computer games, he gets hit on the head with a Bible and his world begins to grow.

As far as awesome resources for primary school ministry go. This is by far the best I have ever seen!

You can download it now here.

Continue reading


Dec 19 2009

From the Bible this week: Philippians 1

Church as of late has been really encouraging. This week was the last week from one of our ministers (who is moving on to a new church). He spoke on Philippians 1, and specifically on being spurred on by other Christians faith, as well as being partners in the gospel.

I found it great to think about the fact that all Christians need to work for God, and that everyone is a full time minister. Being a minister means serving God, and every Christian should do this. He told a story of one minister that received an order for all ministers in his area to wear full robes. So that minister sent an order for 400 robes, as he said everyone at his church was a minister.

Through serving God together, we can all benefit each other through encouraging each other in our service. In Philippians, Paul speaks of how the church was encouraged due to the fact that he was in gaol.

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Philippians 1:14

I hope that Christians everywhere can work together in ministry serving God, so that he may be glorified in everything!

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Dec 15 2009

From the Bible this week: Colossians 2

This week I have been reading from Colossians in my quiet times (after listening to “I have hidden your Word in my heart“).

I have been really encouraged by chapter two as I have read through it.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15

It is awesome to know that Jesus has dealt with our sins, and the punishment that we deserve will no longer fall upon us! We are ALIVE in Christ. And through Christ’s death, we no longer need to conform to regulations and rituals. This doesn’t mean that we don’t obey God any more. But it means that we can worship God with freedom! How exciting is that!?

We don’t need to be focussed on how good we are at obeying rules, we need to focus on Jesus, and what he has done for the world. Let’s keep living for him, and working to glorify God.

Continue reading


Dec 10 2009

6 Talks on CRAZY Bible Stories

For an upcoming beach mission, I am currently preparing 6 kids talks. They’re going to be on CRAZY Bible stories, I think it’s going to be pretty fun. I’ll be writing some reflections on this blog as I write the talks, so here is a brief outline of the talks.

CRAZY!

Talk 1 – Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5)

Introducing the series and speaking about how God speaks to us today through the Bible, after first telling the story.

Talk 2 – Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)

Saying that even though God has told us how to live through his word, we rebel against him and we deserve punishment for this.

Talk 3 – Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)

Jesus is God, and he has power over creation. He is incredibly powerful. We shouldn’t doubt him.

Talk 4 – Daniel and the Lions Den (Daniel 6)

God saves Daniel in this story from the lions. God saves us from the punishment we deserve through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Talk 5 – Jesus’ Resurrection (Matthew 28:1-8)

Jesus is alive today and he is the boss of the world!

Talk 6 – Saul to Paul (Acts 9:1-22)

Saul becomes and Christian and follows Jesus. Learning about how to live a new life for Christ.

The Bible has some crazy stuff in it. But there is nothing crazier then what God has done for us. This talk series will use the crazy stuff as a base to introducing the even crazier stuff!