COLORADO SPRINGS, USA, January 23, 2003 — There is no disputing the fact this is the computer age. In many homes today, the personal computer with Internet access has become one more essential 'appliance'; one we can't imagine living without.
We use our PCs, laptops and Palm Pilots for banking and bill paying, research, scheduling appointments and keeping in touch with friends. Now, thanks to a free, downloadable software program, we can also use our computers as easy, effective aids to Bible memorization.
Freelance computer programmer, Lynn David Allan of Colorado Springs, developed the Bible InVerse Scripture Memorization program three years ago, when he was himself, struggling to commit verses to memory.
'If it's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess'
Candace and Lynn David Allan.
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Allan, 51, says jokingly, that his personal motto helps to explain his motivation for creating the program. "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing to excess," he laughs.
His tone changes, and he seems almost embarrassed as he confesses that creating the program arose out of a simple desire to share his blessings.
"I guess some of it is pretty cliché ... you know ... giving something back. But I've been really blessed. I'm a relatively new Christian. I embarked on this shortly after I became a Christian. (At that time) I got involved with Evangelism Explosion, and they have Bible memorization as one of the aspects to (their evangelism training program)."
More than 14,000 Scripture verses in 10 Bible translations
From more than 2,200 of the best-known Scripture passages, InVerse offers over 14,000 preloaded Bible verses. Verses are available in ten different translations, and are presented alone or in their wider context. Users can track their progress from Just Started to Good, and right on to Mastered, categorizing them for Frequent, Less Frequent, or Least Frequent recitation.
The program is easy to download and very user friendly. Allan says whenever he designs software, he imagines an audience. In this case, he was thinking about his mother, who, he admits is "not particularly technical".
Minimal hardware required
The fact that only minimal hardware is required to run the program, is evidence of the other type of user Allan imagined as he worked; "I had this notion of some missionary with an eight year old computer, and (still wanted to) have it usable on very antiquated equipment."
Speak with Lynn Allan for a time, and it quickly becomes evident, that the incredible power of the Gospel to change lives is a mighty force, actively at work in this man's life.
He reflects, "I grew up in a church that was quite liberal. I dropped out of it as a teenager and was very much a sceptic. A very aggressive sceptic. I'd always thought that the gospel was one of these 'King Arthur and the Round Table' type of myths, and that it was for superstitious, ignorant people.
"And God just moved. I re-opened and looked at it again, and (I had) this awakening realization that the resurrection really happened!" he continues.
Allan says he used to be a non-believing, dollar-chasing, gypsy programmer
| From more than 2,200 of the best-known Scripture passages, InVerse offers over 14,000 preloaded Bible verses. Verses are available in ten different translations, and are presented alone or in their wider context. |
Prior to God "moving" in Allan's life, he remembers himself "as a non-believing, dollar-chasing gypsy programmer - going around the country; New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Houston with start-ups and contracts, chasing challenging assignments and chasing the green stuff!"
Today, Allan is an active member of Village Seven Presbyterian Church, in Colorado Springs. In spite of the fact he continues to see himself as "a conservative capitalist", and he admits the software does some very innovative things, he chooses to offer InVerse for totally free and non-restricted usage. That means anyone, anywhere can download the program from the InVerse Web site; no time or feature limits, no registration requirement, no ads.
Allan explains, "It's basically; here, help yourself. In fact, I've published the source code. You learn that as a non-business person, half or more of the effort comes with trying to track, protecting it, copyright charges, selling and support. And when you just decide to give it away, then seven out of ten problems just go away."
He is also committed to follow-up, moderating a Yahoo group, where users can go to post their comments and questions.
Tens of thousands today use InVerse
Today, Allan estimates "tens of thousands" of people are using his program. Many have kind things to say.
"I love this program," reads one of the Yahoo posts. "I am so delighted to have found InVerse," says another. "I just thought I would let you know how much I appreciate your program. I've been working on scripture memory with flashcards, but this is much more convenient for me," enthuses a third. "God bless you for sharing this with us all."
Allan would likely agree that indeed, God is blessing. The humble programmer is now working with Dr. D. James Kennedy's Evangelism Explosion International, to integrate InVerse with EE's own evangelism training program.
Rev. John Sorensen is the Vice-President for Ministry Advancement with Evangelism Explosion International. When asked for his thoughts on Allan's work, he had this to say:
"I am very excited about what Lynn is doing to assist those learning to share their faith ... For those who are computer oriented, an increasing number everyday, (this program) will be a big plus in the memorization process.
"Praise the Lord for Lynn's work!"
For more information and free downloads of The Bible InVerse Memorization Program, go to: www.bibleinverse.org.
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