LaRosa Johnson {dot} com

Tonight I decided to try something new with my studies. For the longest time, I’ve been using the note files to take notes for my studies, which is basically the stripped down equivalent of a word processor. Since upgrading to Logos 4, I’ve found it to be a little bit limiting in the way I take notes. So, looking for a better solution, tonight I thought I’d give Microsoft OneNote a try now that I’m trying out the Office 2010 beta.

Given that I’m using two monitors for my study (at least at home) this is pretty feasible. I just move the OneNote window to the second monitor (in the same position that I previously had my Logos 4 notes file), and take notes like I normally would. The primary advantage to taking notes this way is that it’s super easy for me to organize & rearrange my notes, plus my outlines are formatting properly. The only real drawbacks are that my Scriptures aren’t hyperlinked automatically & they’re not searchable from within Logos.

I’ll continue to give this a try and see how it goes. The real challenge will be when I start studying without the aide of the second monitor and I’m back to having a more confined workspace.

Anyway, I’m going to continue working with this and see if I can refine the process a bit for better note taking. The one advantage I’m already seeing is the ease in moving between OneNote, Word & PowerPoint. Who knows, OneNote may be the way for me to go permanently.

Just a quick note on a Sunday night before I head to bed.

I’m really enjoying the latest version of Logos Bible Software. The latest version is version 4 and it’s a great application. It’s made my studying enjoyable and given me that extra boost to want to study the Bible. One of the cool things about it is the accompanying iPhone/iPod Touch app that they released in conjunction with the desktop software. It allows you to access your library (and I have a pretty large library) on the mobile device without having to repurchase books.

The iPhone app is really nice and it made me drink the Kool-Aid. I said I would never buy an iPod or Apple product, but seeing what the Logos app was capable of and basically doing what I had always hoped a Bible software company would do (i.e. not making me repurchase books I already own in digital format), I couldn’t resist. So basically, I bought an iPod Touch (8GB) just so that I could use this app. I’m still not abandoning my Zune just yet though as a music player.

What’s more, I even bought an 18.5” LCD monitor ($99 @ BestBuy) for my desk to expand my workspace now that Logos 4 has the ability to “float” a window & move it to a second monitor. This has really helped to increase my productivity and efficiency in studying. Having the real estate from two monitors really improves my workspace and makes it that much easier to study.

It’s getting late, so that’s all for now. Look for a video review soon (hopefully, if I can swing it) on the Trailblazin Ministries website.

Over the past couple years I’ve purchased a lot of Bibles. I’ve purchased everything from the Thomas Nelson Study Bible (NKJV) to a MacArthur Study Bible (NASB) most recently. In between I’ve purchased quite a few other Bibles, such as an ESV thinline, a NASB thinline, and the list goes on. Needless to say, I have an affinity towards Bibles.
Well, over the past few weeks I’ve been looking at the newly released ESV Study Bible, thinking that I wanted to purchase a copy. I was impressed with the full color maps that I had seen online, as well as the vast array of study notes that were being put in. The more I thought about it though, I didn’t really want to bring myself to start using another Bible. I had just gotten used to my latest MacArthur SB, marking it up, knowing where passages are, and so forth; so, I didn’t really want to break down and buy yet another study Bible, let alone in something that wasn’t my preferred translation for everyday use. After weighing the pros and cons, I pretty much made up my mind that I wasn’t going to purchase another Bible until my current one wears out, unless it’s given to me or I’m buying it for someone else. That being said, the MacArthur SB is currently my “bread & butter” Bible that I use for everything.
The more I thought about it, it really started to make sense. When I’m using my study Bibles most is when I’m actually studying the Bible. Take into account the fact that most of these Bible notes are put into electronic form in Bible software (i.e. WORDsearch or Logos), there’s really no need to go out and buy a new physical Bible when all I really want are the notes; I can just get them for the software and call it a day. Given that I’m not buying another Bible, that’s the approach that I’m taking; I’ll wait until the notes are released electronically and then I’ll get it for my Bible software, which is where it becomes most useful to me anyway. That solves quite a few problems I have. First, I won’t end up with study Bibles stacking up all over the house. Secondly, I won’t have to fear giving them away thinking that I may need/want the notes contained therein one day. Thirdly, it’ll probably save me money.
So, that brings up another thought. As a student of the Bible, I, for whatever reason, don’t think it’s all that wise to have a study Bible as my primary Bible. When I read the Bible for devotion or whatever, I shouldn’t have the inclination to look down and see what another theologian has to say on a passage, instead of trying to “tough through it” on my own first. Plus, when I’m reading, the notes can become distracting or get in the way. For example, in many of the epistles of my MacArthur SB, there are sections where the Bible text is less than ten lines of text because the notes are so long for a particular set of verses. That is a hindrance when I’m only wanting to read the Bible, and not the notes. Also, when I’m in the pulpit, I really don’t want to be using a study Bible, as I’d much rather have a regular Bible sans study notes.
The solution? Obviously, against what I said I’d do in keeping to my MacArthur SB, it’ll require buying a new Bible. In doing so, I’ve done my homework and realize that this time around I don’t want to just buy a cheap Bible knowing that it will only last me for a handful of years; I’d much rather have something that I can possibly have for years upon years. Something with a quality cover and binding, so that I don’t have to worry about pages coming out or the cover falling off. I also realize that I’ll want to jot down notes & thoughts in it, so it’d have to have wider margins for writing. All of that led me to look at the NASB Wide-Margin Reference Bible with goatskin leather by Cambridge Bibles (distributed by Baker). The sad part in all of this is that it costs $229.99, and I never thought I’d ever spend that much for a Bible. But, the more I think about it, it’ll be a solid purchase and be something that can last me for years (maybe until I leave this earth?) and be a solid resource. Given the price, I’ll likely be waiting until tax time ’09 to purchase it, but it’s definitely on my wish list as the next (and hopefully last) Bible that I’m going to purchase.

I’ve noticed that quite a number of people have visited my blog in recent days looking for the 30 Day Challenge I did concerning Logos. As a matter of fact, it turns out that there were quite a few more people reading it than I would have ever expected, but that probably had more to do with Logos talking about it on their blog as opposed to anything I had done. Anyway, as you can probably tell, the blog entries can no longer be found on this blog, which has sparked further discussion on other websites. Well, I just wanted to take a brief moment to tell why I took down the entries.

As anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time knows, I have a serious passion for Bible software and its ability to aid believers in comprehending the truths of Scripture. I’ve written reviews, spoken about my desire for the "ultimate" Bible application, and most recently this 30 Day Challenge to forgo my use of WORDsearch and exclusively use Logos (since I had owned it for a few months but hadn’t made much use of it). Well, in writing all that I had written concerning the challenge, I failed to take into consideration the possibility of consequences for my employer, WORDsearch Corporation.

With that in view, I discussed these possibilities with my superiors after they became aware of my challenge. They completely understood my zeal for Bible software in general, how I actively use it on a daily basis, and promote it via this website. After they addressed their concerns to me, the decision was left in my hands as far as what to do with the blog entries. Out of respect for my employer, I opted to remove the blog posts. By no means was I threatened to be fired or anything of the sort, but it was a decision that I felt was best for the company given the circumstances.

Therefore, I’ll try to keep speaking about Bible software on to the content and how its used where appropriate. As for directly reviewing and speaking about software enhancements to any software, I’ll be a good deal quieter to that. TM will continue to keep its focus on teaching the Scriptures, allowing the Word to speak and the tool to decrease. Likewise, the blog will continue to share my life and thoughts, just not towards Bible software, my employer, or their competitors.