It is finally here: Libronix Bible Software for the Macintosh. I have been waiting several years Logos/Libronix to come out for Mac. I have heard that the founder of Libronix used to be a Microsoft whiz-kid. Must have been like virtual treason to give love to the dark side. Then again, “supply and demand” has a loud voice.

The only reason that I have Windows XP on my Mac is so I can boot up the PC version of Libronix. We will check out the bugs, but I hope that I do not have to click on Parallels anymore.

It is powerful program for scholars and laymen. You can download the program at www.macbiblesoftware.com.

A Mars Hill (Seattle) church member, Zach Hubert, created a powerful online Greek study tool. Go to www.zhubert.com to check it out.

Go through the user friendly tutorial. Note the section about parallel books. That will enable you to bring up the Greek and English translations simultaneously. The hover function is useful.

It is also free. Thanks, Zach!

–
David Thew
Sojourn Founding Pastor

Okay, so the above title is a bit tongue-in-cheek (actually laughable for me, who could never get into any position CLOSE to what my yoga instructor was demonstrating), but how do we view the concept of meditation as Christians?

I heard Ken Boa teaching this morning, and he mentioned the concept of meditation: “understand that you can all meditate. We’re doing it all the time. Usually we’re meditating about stuff we shouldn’t be thinking about like worries and fretting and anxiety. To meditate means to ruminate, to chew it over, and to mull over it. We’re always mulling something over. The best thing you can to do is not to stop thinking about something but rather replace that thought with truth. In other words you can choose what you think about. You can make a choice, a volitional choice, to set your mind on the things above and not on earthly things. So when you find yourself tempted and so forth instead of mulling that one over, because that will only make it worse, the better thing to do is to replace it with truth. I can’t stress this enough. It’d be very wise of you to carry a handful of 3x5 cards that have verses that have spoken to you in the past. Put them in your car and have one of them to be the theme of your day.”

So I was on the web this morning, looking through some stuff for our Madison Journey Group and for a study on 1 Peter that I’ll be starting with some friends tomorrow night, and found this really awesome site… www.bible.org. It’s got stuff on there that I paid a mint for in a Bible program several years ago, and there it is all available on the internet - for free!! Check it out - I donated to the cause immediately, knowing I’ll be using the site a lot in the future.

At a Journey Group recently, we spoke of using the bible as it’s own commentary. Extrabiblical commentary (teaching other than the biblical text) is valuable. Every time a pastor or teacher says words other than Scripture, it is commentary. But Christ-followers must grow in the disciplines of biblical immersion.

You see, there was a global-impacting event that occurred in the 15th Century. The Gutenberg Press began a movement that brought books to the masses instead of the elite only. Before that time Christians memorized scripture, and used creeds to assist them in their knowledge of God. Unfortunately, Christians also leaned too heavily upon priests to “feed” them God’s word.

The English Standard Version translation, introduced in 2001, is a literal translation akin to the NASB and is quickly gaining support and popularity. First, RC Sproul switched the Reformation Study Bible to it and then Piper announced that it had become the translation of choice at his church. Now Driscoll has announced that Mar Hill is switching to the ESV as of Jan 2007. That church has released an 18 page explanation of their rational for switching.

Welcome to the 21st Century. One of the great tools we have is Biblical research programs for the computer. Libronix (Logos) is the Bible program I use. It is powerful. The following deal gets you $4,500 worth of books for $380. Check it out:

http://www.logos.com/products/details/3013

I challenge you to invest in good program. If several of you invest in Libronix I will do a training session for you.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” NASB

–
David Thew
Sojo