Do you know what this is?
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If you gave a presentation during the 1960’s through the early 1990’s, it is very likely you used Kodachrome slides projected onto a screen with a slide projector. It was a time before personal computers, laptops, and smart devices. Digital photos did not exist. Here is an example of a Kodachrome.
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When I was a resident, I gave many presentations, all with Kodachromes. I had two metal files filled with thousands of these, documenting rare diseases and the outlines of my presentations.
So what is this strange contraption?
It enabled one to take a digital photograph of the respective Kodachrome slide by sliding it into the slots on the white side of the device. Once inserted, the device is placed on a light box or strong light source. The camera lens was inserted into the hole on the black side. By taking a photo, one would be able to create a digital image of the Kodachrome. At the dawn of digital cameras, this was a quick and inexpensive way to perform this digital conversion. Of course, now there are automated devices to rapidly scan these analog photos and digitally convert them. Presentations can now easily be given using computers, smart devices, and even live streaming through the internet. It led to the demise of this technology and by 2009, Kodachromes were no longer produced.
Most of my staff are in their twenties and thirties and they were mystified when I used the term Kodachrome. My associate is ten years younger than I am and she still remembers using Kodachcomes for presentations but she did not know what this peculiar device was to create a digital image.
It is fascinating that in just under thirty years, a technology and device that was once ubiquitous is now nearly unknown. The Bible also describes one thing that was very commonly used and familiar to all Jews-the Umin and Thummim.
And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually.
Exodus 28:30 (NKJV)
What were the Urim and Thummim?
The priests of Israel used the Urim and Thummim whenever important spiritual decisions needed to be made. From this initial description in the Book of Exodus, they were likely small and placed behind or within the breastplate of the priest. The Old Testament contains several accounts of the Umim and Thummim being consulted. It was clearly very familiar and important, yet to this day, Bible scholars are still unsure what it looked like.
When digital images replaced analog images, the Kodachrome ceased to be relevant. When Jesus Christ came to our world, He showed a more excellent way to enter into a relationship with God. We no longer had to inquire of priests who used the Urim and Thummim. By confessing and repenting of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit indwells within every believer and guides us in our decisions to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
Praise God for His grace and mercy to all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ to be saved!
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 
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