Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, or using Christian Life Journal ("the App"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the App.

2. Description of Service

Christian Life Journal is a personal journaling application designed to help Christians document their spiritual journey, including:

• Personal devotional time entries
• Sermon notes
• Prayer requests and prayer journal entries
• Scripture memorization tracking
• Group Bible study notes
• Other general journal entries

3. Free Trial and Purchase

3.1 Free Trial

Christian Life Journal includes a 90-day free trial with full access to every feature. The trial is measured from the date you first downloaded the App from the App Store with your Apple Account, so deleting and reinstalling the App does not restart it.

3.2 One-Time Purchase

To keep creating and editing content after the trial, you can make a one-time, non-subscription in-app purchase. The App offers Lifetime, and Lifetime Family, which can be shared with your family through Apple Family Sharing. Prices are shown in the App Store before you buy. There are no subscriptions and no recurring charges.

3.3 After the Trial, or If a Purchase Is Refunded or Revoked

If your trial ends without a purchase, or if a purchase is refunded or revoked, the App becomes read-only. In read-only mode you can still view, search, and export your content and use the backup and recovery features, but you cannot create or edit entries until you purchase.

3.4 Payments, Refunds, and Restoring Purchases

Purchases are processed by Apple using your Apple Account and are subject to Apple's terms. We do not receive your payment information. Refund requests are handled by Apple under its policies. If you reinstall the App or use a new device, you can restore a previous purchase from the purchase screen using Restore Purchases.

4. User Accounts and Data

4.1 Local Storage

By default, the App stores your journal data locally on your device using Apple's SwiftData framework. You retain full ownership and control of your data.

4.2 Folder-Based Sync (Optional)

If you enable folder-based sync in the App settings:

• You select a folder location where your data will be synced (iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, local folder, etc.)
• The App creates a "ChristianLifeJournal" subfolder at that location
• Your journal entries, Scripture entries, prayer requests, and settings are stored as JSON files in that folder
• You can sync data across your devices by using the same folder location on each device
• We do not have access to your sync folder or its contents
• You can disable folder-based sync at any time in the App settings

4.3 Settings Sync via iCloud (Optional)

If you enable iCloud settings sync in the App settings:

• App preferences and settings are synced across your Apple devices via iCloud key-value storage
• Journal content is NOT synced via this method (only app settings)
• This feature is separate from folder-based sync and is disabled by default
• We do not have access to your settings data

4.4 Real-Time Sync (Optional)

If you turn on Real-Time Sync in the App settings (Settings → Data & Sync → Real-Time Sync):

• A copy of your journal content (entries, prayer requests, memory verses, binders, tags, speakers, and categories, but not photos) is stored on a server hosted by our provider, Convex, so it can reach your other devices
• Your data is identified by a random household ID kept in your iCloud Keychain, not by an account, name, or email address
• To link a device that uses a different Apple Account, you generate a one-time pairing code that expires after 15 minutes. Keep it private: anyone who enters it in that time can link a device to your household
• Because the server stores your content in order to deliver it to your devices, it is technically accessible to us as its operator. We do not read, sell, or share it. See our Privacy Policy for details
• Turning Real-Time Sync off does not delete the server copy. To permanently remove it, use Delete All Server Data in the same settings screen
• Real-Time Sync is provided "as is". It may be delayed, unavailable, changed, or discontinued, and it is not a backup (see Data Backup below)

4.5 Siri, Shortcuts, and Spotlight

By default, the App makes your journal entries, prayer requests, and memory verses available to Spotlight, Siri, and Shortcuts on your device so you can find and open them quickly. You can limit this to titles and references, or turn it off, in Settings → Data & Sync → Siri & Spotlight. This information stays on your device and is handled by iOS. You are responsible for choosing the setting that suits your privacy, including whether Spotlight results may appear on your Lock Screen, which you control in the iOS Settings app.

5. User Conduct

You agree to use the App:

• For personal, non-commercial purposes
• In compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
• In a manner that respects the spiritual and religious nature of the content

6. Bible Content

The App includes Bible text in multiple translations (KJV, ESV, CSB) for Scripture lookup and auto-fill features. These translations are provided for personal study and reflection purposes only.

7. Analytics

7.1 Optional Analytics

The App uses PostHog for optional analytics to help us improve the user experience. Analytics tracking can be enabled or disabled in the App settings.

7.2 Analytics Data Collected

When enabled, we may collect:

• Feature usage statistics (which journal sections are used, which view style is most popular)
• App interactions, such as which settings you change
• Your device type and iOS version
• A random anonymous ID created by the App, which is not linked to your Apple Account, name, or any other identity
• Non-personally identifiable usage patterns

We do NOT collect:

• The content of your journal entries
• Personal information
• Prayer requests or spiritual content
• Scripture passages you've selected or memorized
• Which sync folder location you choose

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 App Ownership

The App, including its design, code, and original content, is owned by the developer and protected by copyright laws.

8.2 Your Content

You retain all ownership rights to the content you create in the App, including your journal entries, notes, and reflections.

8.3 Bible Translations

Bible translations included in the App are used in accordance with their respective copyright permissions for personal study use.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

We do not warrant that:

• The App will be uninterrupted or error-free
• Defects will be corrected
• The App is free of viruses or other harmful components

10. Limitation of Liability

11. Data Backup

• Enabling folder-based sync to back up data to a folder location you control
• Regularly backing up your device using iTunes/Finder or iCloud backup
• Using the App's built-in backup/export features to create manual backups
• Remembering that sync, whether folder-based or Real-Time, keeps your devices matching, including deletions: deleting an entry on one device removes it from the others. Sync is not a backup
• The App also takes automatic safety backups before it loads changes from another device. You can restore them in Settings → Data & Sync → Export & Restore, but they are a convenience and are not guaranteed

12. Folder-Based Sync Responsibilities

If you enable folder-based sync:

• You are responsible for managing access to the sync folder location you choose
• If you choose a cloud storage service (iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), that service's terms of service apply to the storage and sync of your data
• You are responsible for ensuring adequate storage space in your chosen sync location
• The App syncs data as individual JSON files; you can access and manage these files directly if needed

13. Termination

You may stop using the App at any time by deleting it from your device. Upon deletion, all locally stored data will be removed from your device (sync folder data will remain in your chosen sync location unless manually deleted, and data stored by Real-Time Sync will remain on the server until you remove it with Delete All Server Data).

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms of Service at any time. Continued use of the App after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

15. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

16. Spiritual Content Disclaimer

• Professional pastoral counseling
• Mental health services
• Medical advice
• Formal theological education

Please seek appropriate professional help when needed.

17. Third-Party Services

If you choose to enable folder-based sync with a third-party cloud storage service (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.), your use of that service is subject to their respective terms of service and privacy policies. If you enable Real-Time Sync, your synced content is stored by our hosting provider, Convex. Purchases, iCloud features, Siri, and Spotlight are provided by Apple and are subject to Apple's terms. We are not responsible for the practices or policies of third-party services.

18. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us through the feedback board or support email linked in the App settings.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding the use of the App.

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