Good resource for Scripture memorization

Are you someone desiring to memorize more Scripture but for whatever reasons do not accomplish it? This can leave you feeling guilty, unfulfilled, and more importantly, underarmed and weak in the fight of faith.  While this app will hardly instantly make you a whiz and magically fill your mind and heart with Scripture, I do highly recommend it for it's convenience. 

In short, it takes away my excuses of "lack of convenience".  No longer do I need to worry about writing down verses on cards, keeping cards organized, carrying them with me throughout the day, what exactly do I memorize and how do I keep accountable, etc. etc.  With this app that works on your mobile device hundreds of passages are at your fingertips.  They are already scheduled (weekly) for you. There are multiple sets (5 years worth, one verse per week), and even an extended, "legacy" edition (for those seeking to memorize longer passages or entire books).  It even has a tool to work on memorizing and to mark which verses are completed to track progress!

With this app, through your day, as long as you have your device on you, there is no excuse for not pulling out this app to work on the weekly passage during those random empty moments.  It even has cool bonuses like "links" to commentary on the particular verse (separate app), resources on the Desiring God website, reading the passage in context, and copying to social media networks.

This app has well served me in my walk and I encourage anyone seeking growth in this area of both memorizing and redeeming the time to download and frequently use this app. 

Here is a minor recommendation for improvement: build in a kind of calendar or alarm system where one can choose to be reminded by an alert to review.  This should be as expansive as the user desires - i.e. he could choose to be reminded monthly of all the past verses that are marked "memorized", weekly those that have come before but aren't yet checked off, reminded daily at a set time to spend some time reviewing the current verse, and so one.  Such features could be turned on and off as desired by each user.  Perhaps even integrate an accountability system where a friend or two is e-mailed when a verse is marked "memorized" and e-mailed when not marked memorized after the weekly deadline is passed, etc.  There are many possibilities here. 

To be sure, a Christian walk that is simply a "checklist" or human accountability is vain.  For those seeking more, this app is not a solution yet can be a great aid.  Again I recommend: download and use frequently. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fighter-verses-memorize-bible/id411711646?mt=8

A worthwhile podcast - Poverty Unlocked

Of all the podcasts I download (about 7) this one tops my priority list to listen to when there's a new episode.  This podcast has profoundly impacted my worldview in terms of how I view poverty - it's essence, causes, and solutions.  I'm a trained economist and often see the number one cause and and solution for poverty in terms of economics and institutions. And no doubt, institutions are significant…Perhaps more significant than Christian advocates and those working in "social justice" realize or confess. That said,  a more full-orbed view of poverty includes a multi-faceted understanding of what poverty is, and how it can be solved.  If you're newly subscribing to this podcast, I recommending downloading all the episodes and working through all of them as you have the time. 

Wendy McMahan of Food for the Hungry is the host and she does brilliantly. While I recommend listening to all of the shows in order, she is a teacher who does not assume one has listened to previous segments. i.e. if you listen to #51 first, you will not be lost.  She has a great radio voice and personality, and sounds as if she is talking in live conversation (as opposed to reading a script).  The podcast has an accompanying blog for further resources.

Even for those not working in the nonprofit sector or ministry I recommend this podcast.  The episodes are short and composed for laypersons.  It will likely give a much better understanding of the world.

My one recommendation: interview folks from outside Food for the Hungry for their insight.  There are many great organizations out there doing good work and it could be a significant value-add in terms of reducing poverty by informing listeners of their insights and work. I would also recommend interviewing experts and scholars who come from a secular standpoint.  Though not Christian, we have much to learn from them. 


http://povertyunlocked.com/

How many of you want more self control?

And how many are too shy to raise their hand?

I was talking to a friend recently about how doing good and legitimate things on my computer can often be derailed due to the many distractions instantly and easily available to me there. He recommended "self control".  "Well, duh", I thought. Of course, that is something I need more of.  Actually, he was referring to a program called "self control".  Looks pretty good - you can restrict access to servers and sites for a certain period of time (such as 90 minutes), or during regularly scheduled times (6am to 8am daily).

Probably the best feature is that it does not have any loopholes. Restarting the computer, exiting program, deleting program will not annul a request you've made to restrict access for a period of time.

Here is the link: http://visitsteve.com/made/selfcontrol/

It'd be nice if there was something similar for other mobile devices but then again, I guess we just can't escape that need for the good old fashioned true self-control :-)