Published on 06/26/2008

I grew up with a spirituality which segmented religion from the "real world."...The good news is that our relationship with God is available on every screen of our lives.

If this were an ad, you'd probably delete it (at least I would). But what if it also appeared on your cell phone or computer (whichever you're not using to read these words)? And also on your television screen? All at the same time? I'd think I'd died and gone to advertising purgatory. Well, it turns out that I have.

Today's Wall Street Journal tells us that Verizon and AT&T are developing "three screen technology"--video programming and ads which appear across your mobile phone, computer, and television simultaneously. They're not only selling ads and displaying content, but also developing features which link all three units. For instance, you can now obtain Web-based transcripts of cell phone voice mails. Since I hate voice mail already, I don't think this is such good news.

Such "converged services" are apparently the future. "Saturday Night Live" clips are now being shown, as well as a recent Burger King campaign. All of this is just in time for the upcoming presidential campaigns. Ubiquitous campaign ads whenever you turn on something with a screen--there's a thought to make your day.

The mind boggles. I could be watching a replay of last night's Rangers game on my laptop when I should be typing these words. Or Letterman's Top Ten list on my cell phone when I should be driving. This Sunday when I'm preaching, how many people in the congregation will be surfing the Web while nodding politely? It's enough to worry a preacher. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

Such technology is also a parable. I grew up with a spirituality which segmented religion from the "real world." There was Sunday and there was Monday. There were church friends and there were school friends. You were supposed to have your "quiet time" in the morning, praying and reading the Bible, then go on with your day. In our culture, religion is a hobby, something you do with your discretionary time. I enjoy reading novels, but my employer would frown if I was reading one now.

The good news is that our relationship with God is available on every screen of our lives. We can talk with God at the same time we're talking with a client. We can recite biblical truth while we're delivering a shareholders report. We can pray while we're driving (so long as we don't shut our eyes). The Spirit who dwells within us (1 Corinthians 3:16) will help us "practice the presence of God" all through this day, if we wish. Ask him to help you walk through this day with God, and he will. No ads involved.