Just come back from a week in Devon, sunning myself, reading and generally refreshing myself for the next few weeks - which are fully booked to say the least!
But, having read the last blog post, I am also working hard to remain in the 'place of rest' ... And even fall asleep with Jesus in the boat as it were. (Read it for these comments to make any sense at all!)
So, this week a few thoughts on good books I have read, and some software I have been playing around with for some weeks - and which have proved to be extremely helpful for me in this role ... I know they won't suit everyone and there are a few things that you need to be aware of;
My job involves a lot of travel ... Locally, nationally and Internationally.
I need constant access to files, docs and email ...
I am not a naturally organised person .... I could never get on with a Filofax, because you needed to be organised enough to remember to take it with you ... And I was never that organised.
So some very helpful software that I have been using across platforms ... BB Phone, laptop and iPad. You might say these are unnecessary but living in a digital age has produced it's own pressures of needing gadgets to function effectively and flexibly (I am not just saying that, a friend texted me today to say "Having a Blackberry has really made life for me a lot easier" ... Another convert to the BB life!)
Top 5 apps for me... None of these are revolutionary and lot's of people already use them ... But they're free!
1/ Dropbox ... What a great way to share files and view and edit things on the go. No more lost memory sticks, no more sitting on train about to start a piece of work only to find that a document I needed is at home on the computer!!! But also, no more clogging up small devices with lot's of documents! Priceless! Check out http://www.dropbox.com
2/ Evernote ... The best way I have found to take notes, share photos, audio notes etc. And have them mall collected together in one pace regardless of where you were when you made the note! Classic! No more forgetting moments of inspiration!! I have written three sermon outlines that way, and collected book quotes, clip websites as I go along. It can also be connected with Twitter to automatically collate any interesting tweets you might come across. http://www.evernote.com/
3/ Twitter apps for both BB and iPad ... I don't particularly like Facebook for a variety of reasons, but as these seems to be two distinct networking groups I chose one and set it up to automatically update the other ... So I only 'tweet' from my phone and Facebook keeps itself up to date. That way I write once and communicate twice! Http:/www.twitter.com to set up and http://twitter.com/about/resources/widgets to connect to Facebook.
4/ Toodledo ... Being very disorganised and needing to share tasks with others and between devices (or else I forget what I have been asked to do!) I have found this app very helpful ... Based on the system of GTD (Getting Things Done) style of personal management ... It both organises tasks into the most effective order and will even tell you what you can fit into the time you have, or the context you find yourself in! http://www.toodledo.com/
5/ Last, but it least, YouVersion bible software ... Great way to connect, take notes, have access to many versions of the Bible, set up devotional and reading plans etc - with built in accountability to keep you on track ...you could even download the NIV for free onto your phone ... Reading recently that over 50% of Gen Y folk read Bibles on phones explains why this has become a very popular app. http://www.youversion.com/
Now onto the books ...
John Stott ... Why I became a Christian ... I think this is an excellent book to give to those who are not Christians ... It is such a clear explanation of the gospel, the motivation behind salvation (ours and the Lord's!) and some apologetic against common rejections of the Christian faith ... I found it a good holiday read, taking me back to the basics!
Brother Lawrence ... The Practice of the Presence of God ... A reread of a classic, and an encouragement to press on into the reality of the presence of the Living God in every aspect of every day life ... As He wrote "That we should establish ourselves in a sense of GOD's Presence, by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation, to think of trifles and fooleries. That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of GOD; which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him."
So, in a busy life we can now 'rest' and a little bit of technology, that actually helps, can be a part of the solution.
- Press on!
Follow me on twitter @johnbagg
But, having read the last blog post, I am also working hard to remain in the 'place of rest' ... And even fall asleep with Jesus in the boat as it were. (Read it for these comments to make any sense at all!)
So, this week a few thoughts on good books I have read, and some software I have been playing around with for some weeks - and which have proved to be extremely helpful for me in this role ... I know they won't suit everyone and there are a few things that you need to be aware of;
My job involves a lot of travel ... Locally, nationally and Internationally.
I need constant access to files, docs and email ...
I am not a naturally organised person .... I could never get on with a Filofax, because you needed to be organised enough to remember to take it with you ... And I was never that organised.
So some very helpful software that I have been using across platforms ... BB Phone, laptop and iPad. You might say these are unnecessary but living in a digital age has produced it's own pressures of needing gadgets to function effectively and flexibly (I am not just saying that, a friend texted me today to say "Having a Blackberry has really made life for me a lot easier" ... Another convert to the BB life!)
Top 5 apps for me... None of these are revolutionary and lot's of people already use them ... But they're free!
1/ Dropbox ... What a great way to share files and view and edit things on the go. No more lost memory sticks, no more sitting on train about to start a piece of work only to find that a document I needed is at home on the computer!!! But also, no more clogging up small devices with lot's of documents! Priceless! Check out http://www.dropbox.com
2/ Evernote ... The best way I have found to take notes, share photos, audio notes etc. And have them mall collected together in one pace regardless of where you were when you made the note! Classic! No more forgetting moments of inspiration!! I have written three sermon outlines that way, and collected book quotes, clip websites as I go along. It can also be connected with Twitter to automatically collate any interesting tweets you might come across. http://www.evernote.com/
3/ Twitter apps for both BB and iPad ... I don't particularly like Facebook for a variety of reasons, but as these seems to be two distinct networking groups I chose one and set it up to automatically update the other ... So I only 'tweet' from my phone and Facebook keeps itself up to date. That way I write once and communicate twice! Http:/www.twitter.com to set up and http://twitter.com/about/resources/widgets to connect to Facebook.
4/ Toodledo ... Being very disorganised and needing to share tasks with others and between devices (or else I forget what I have been asked to do!) I have found this app very helpful ... Based on the system of GTD (Getting Things Done) style of personal management ... It both organises tasks into the most effective order and will even tell you what you can fit into the time you have, or the context you find yourself in! http://www.toodledo.com/
5/ Last, but it least, YouVersion bible software ... Great way to connect, take notes, have access to many versions of the Bible, set up devotional and reading plans etc - with built in accountability to keep you on track ...you could even download the NIV for free onto your phone ... Reading recently that over 50% of Gen Y folk read Bibles on phones explains why this has become a very popular app. http://www.youversion.com/
Now onto the books ...
John Stott ... Why I became a Christian ... I think this is an excellent book to give to those who are not Christians ... It is such a clear explanation of the gospel, the motivation behind salvation (ours and the Lord's!) and some apologetic against common rejections of the Christian faith ... I found it a good holiday read, taking me back to the basics!
Brother Lawrence ... The Practice of the Presence of God ... A reread of a classic, and an encouragement to press on into the reality of the presence of the Living God in every aspect of every day life ... As He wrote "That we should establish ourselves in a sense of GOD's Presence, by continually conversing with Him. That it was a shameful thing to quit His conversation, to think of trifles and fooleries. That we should feed and nourish our souls with high notions of GOD; which would yield us great joy in being devoted to Him."
So, in a busy life we can now 'rest' and a little bit of technology, that actually helps, can be a part of the solution.
- Press on!
Follow me on twitter @johnbagg
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