Cherylyn
(32 comments, 57 posts)
Posts by Cherylyn
The Bible Study App
50October 8, 2012
by Cherylyn
in What's New?
You may have noticed a couple of slight cosmetic changes around Olive Tree, like a fresh face on OliveTree.com. Good news! These changes are just the beginning. We have big plans for Olive Tree, and we’re excited to share them with you. I won’t tease you too much, but think Reading Plan Sync, Automatic Downloads, Rich Text Notes, and more. But as those are still to come, for now let’s focus on the cosmetic changes happening now.
We recently realized that calling our app ‘BibleReader’ didn’t make much sense anymore. Yes, you can read the Bible on our app, but you can do so much more than that, too. You can take notes, compare translations, use a study Bible, and read Greek and Hebrew. With our one-of-a-kind Resource Guide all of the relevant information in your library is brought to life along side your Bible reading. The features we offer (and the ones still to come) make Olive Tree app the best app for Bible study.
The Bible Study App
With a fresh perspective and a clear trajectory, we’ve come to the conclusion that no longer are we going to be ‘BibleReader’ but instead, we are ‘The Bible Study App.’ We believe that Olive Tree is about studying the Bible, digging deep into God’s Word and getting to know Him personally. We want you to keep that in mind every time you open the Olive Tree app, so with the next update, the app on your device will be called ‘Bible Study.’
We hope that you are as excited as we are about these changes. We truly hope to inspire you to get into the Bible using The Bible Study App. Let us know what kind of features you would like to see in the future. Leave us a comment here. If you love our app, I hope you would considering leaving us a review in the iTunes or Google play stores.
The Look of Fine Leather
8October 3, 2012
by Cherylyn
in People at Olive Tree
Remember last week when I mentioned that my design choice for our splash screen won the Facebook contest? Well Genny is here today to share why she was hoping that we wouldn’t change the splash screen at all. Here’s Genny:
The group crammed in the small office represented all facets of Olive Tree’s operations. The matter of discussion: the iconic opening splash screen of Olive Tree’s Bible study app. I had answered the call to attend this meeting, a voluntary gathering, as I was bewildered why we would change from the faux-leather cover that currently greeted users of all of our apps.
I consider myself to be a technically progressive fifty-something individual, and loved it when we adopted that splash screen. It reminded me of all the well-used Bibles sitting on my shelf, now collecting dust. It was nostalgic. It was comforting. It was more than pixels for me.
“I really like our current screen,” I volunteered, “it makes an emotional connection for me. Why do we feel the need to change?” (more…)
Competitive? Who Me?
6September 26, 2012
by Cherylyn
in People at Olive Tree
There must be something in the air around here, because it’s confession time. On the heels of Elizabeth’s announcement that she is a wee bit afraid of technology, I must admit that I also have a secret problem.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I’m competitive.
This may not sound like a big issue, competition is a way of life in the USA, but I’m not just kind of competitive. For example, if you and I were walking into a building at the same time, I would have to force myself to refrain from taking off running and proclaiming, “Last one to the door is a rotten egg!” Sometimes I play out the race in my head anyway and smugly open the door, knowing that I won and you are a rotten egg.
Usually I can filter my competitiveness so that it stays in my head. When I pull out my phone at church to open my Olive Tree app to the Bible verse, I secretly peek over to the person next to me who is doing the same, but (more…)
Bonhoeffer
3September 18, 2012
When I started working at Olive Tree over a year ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long!), I worked on the content craftsmen team. For my first project, I was given an eBook, more specifically, Eric Metaxas’ Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, and asked to format it for the Olive Tree apps.
I was lucky to get an eBook because the formatting is simple, but this eBook presented me with the special challenge to stay on task. I often found myself stalled on a particular section, not because it had complicated formatting, but because the writing had pulled me in and distracted me from my work. I have since moved to the marketing department (which might be for the best considering how long it took me to format this book) and decided I should read the whole of Metaxas’ Bonhoeffer. Here are my thoughts on the book:
It is Well Written
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is well known for his writings like The Cost of Discipleship and Life Together and many have even heard of his anti-Naziism. Metaxas goes beyond the Bonhoeffer that we’ve heard of, covering a lot of ground while still taking time on the little details that leave you feeling like you know Bonhoeffer personally. The passion and excitement Metaxas brings to this biography is evident. His writing is engaging and moves quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the biography and found myself getting lost in Metaxas’ captivating prose.
Around the Web
0September 14, 2012
by Cherylyn
in Inspiration
We hope you are having a wonderful Friday! Here are some things from around the web that we found and wanted to share with you.
A rainbow shines in the background of a sun-bathed wheat field east of Walla Walla, Wash. on July 16, 2012. High temperatures near 100 degrees have turned fields to gold as harvest draws near. (Jeff Horner/Walla Walla Union-Bulletin/Associated Press)
Beautiful images from around the world: harvest festivals among drought and bounty.
You may already know this, but reading is good for you: This is your brain on Jane Austen.
Lessons from the ‘World’s Ugliest Woman’: Stop Staring and Start Learning.
Get your fill before they’re gone : Supersized’ drinks on the way out in NYC.
Doctors perform Germany’s first double living lung transplant: Parents save son by each giving him a lung.
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Meet the Director of Publisher and Ministry Relations
0September 13, 2012
by Cherylyn
in People at Olive Tree
Over the last year Olive Tree has experienced tremendous growth and welcomed some great new people to our team. With these new additions, we’ve also recognized our experienced team members who have taken on leadership roles. Daniel Scott has been working for Olive Tree in numerous capacities over the last two years, including managing the customer satisfaction and marketing teams. He also represents Olive Tree at Christian conferences and events around the globe. We are excited to announce that Daniel (known as Danny around here) will be taking on the role of Director of Publisher and Ministry Relations.
Danny is fun-loving and appreciates a good pun, often posting groan-inducing cartoons on our kitchen bulletin board. Here are a few more things you should know about our new DPMR:
Tell us a little about your family.
Danny: My wife and I met through ACTION International Ministries where I served as the ministry assistant to the International Director. We have been married almost 3 years now and are excited to welcome our first child into our home this fall.
Any pets?
Danny: Yes, I have a 10lb miniature dachshund and a 90lb black lab. Mocha, our dachshund, is definitely the bossier of the two and puts our lab, Jeepers, in his place.
(50 comments so far)