The Elder Webmaster

It is Finished!

2011-12-31T17:18:00.000-08:00

OK, I stole that line (can’t put my finger on where…) but it’s true. The Year of Our Lord 2011 is done. Not only that, but I read through the Bible in one year. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not looking for an attaboy since I should have done this years ago. Still, I made the commitment and followed it through. I will now need to study it, not just read it.

So, did I learn anything? You bet! Here are just a few highlights:

Our Lutheran liturgy comes directly from the Bible
Yes, I already knew this. However, it was fascinating to see the words we use every Sunday in their original context. I found myself putting the words to familiar tunes as I read. If you use the red Lutheran Service Book (LSB), you can see the Bible reference for each section of the service. I’ll cover this Liturgy/Bible connection in more detail another time.

God really, really wants us to repent and return to Him
In the Bible, as in life, if a message is important, it gets repeated, a lot. The Old Testament Prophets spent much of their time warning the Israelites to abandon their evil ways and obey the laws of God. For a sampling, check this listing (http://www.esvbible.org/search/turn+evil/). Time after time after time, the Israelites disobeyed God and tried to go their own way. Some things never change.

It’s all about Jesus
The entire Bible points us to either God’s Law or God’s Gospel. God has always demanded perfect obedience to his law. Failure means punishment and death. Every one of us deserves that death penalty because we fail to live up to God’s expectations. However, there is Hope. There is the Gospel (Good News) message. There is Jesus. Not only did he save the day, he saved you and me.

If you haven’t read the through the Bible yet, start now: http://www.stlukesreno.com/through-the-bible-in-a-year.aspx

Happy New Year!

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

"Lutheran Worship is Boring"

2011-09-05T22:16:00.000-07:00

Some people say that. Some go on to say that we Lutherans need to change our style of worship to attract and retain more young people. But before we even consider discussing the merits of such a position, do you know why Lutherans worship the way we do? Rev. William Cwirla has produced a compact summary over at Higher Things called, "Top Ten Reasons Why We Use the Liturgy."

If you are in favor of switching worship styles, can you provide a similar list so we can compare and contrast? Let me know.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Man Builds Noah's Ark

2011-08-20T22:34:00.000-07:00

Johan Huibers in the Netherlands is building a 1/5 scale ark. With all that global warming melting the polar ice caps, maybe he is on to something.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

What you can learn from an Internet hoax

2011-08-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Just days ago a story broke about a research project that found Internet Explorer users had a lower IQ than users of other web browsers. Turns out the story was a hoax. There was no research project and the company who supposedly ran it doesn't even exist. Can we learn anything from this? You Betcha! Here are a couple thing:

1. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet (or e-mail, or texts, or Tweets, or Facebook posts, or blogs or...). Just because it is written down does not make it true. I'm pretty sure your Mom told you that when you were little. What makes you think the world has gotten more truthful? I am not saying you should doubt everything, but I am saying you need to be discerning. To borrow Ronald Reagen's phrase, "Trust, but verify." Oh, I should also point out that he was talking about how we should work with the Soviet Union. It was possible to verify what they said because we had (have) the means to check out their story (you know, spies & stuff like that). If you don't have the means to verify a source, maybe you should think twice before trusting it.

2. If you use Internet Explorer, make sure you are using the latest version (currently it's, IE 9). According to the analytics for our church Web site (www.stlukesreno.com), 48.5% of our visitors in the last month are using IE. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 have IE 9. Upgrade now by going to Microsoft.com. While you are upgrading your browser and even if you use a different browser or operating system, make sure you install the latest patches, keep your security tools up to date, back up your files, you know the drill!

If you want to read a reliable source of information, try the Bible. Now, you can take my word for it, but you would be better served by reading it and learning what God has to say to you.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Follow up on Today's Sermon - Highlighting "Early Edition"

2011-07-24T22:48:00.000-07:00

In today's sermon, Pastor Mike referred to an episode of a TV program called "Early Edition." The episode in question is "The Choice." I found a copy of the episode here: http://www.megavideo.com/?v=19BGWAMW but in the interest of full disclosure, I am somewhat doubtful the video is authorized (you can clearly see the Hallmark channel logo in the upper left corner). Remember, just because you found it on the Internet does not mean you have the right to use that material.

"Early Edition" was a quality program and if you can find a legitimate source, such as Amazon, I definitely recommend it.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Sunday School's "The Rest of the Story" -- Lutheran style

2011-07-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

The late, and legendary radio broadcaster Paul Harvey had a favorite segment called "The Rest of the Story" in which he took a familiar event and told listeners some little-known, always entertaining facts related to that event.

In Sunday School, you might have felt there was more to the story than you were exposed to that day--and you'd be right! Realizing he was not alone, Bruce Wurdeman, Executive Director of Lutheran Hour Ministries has created a series of video Bible Studies called Stuff They Didn't Teach Me in Sunday School.

Bruce has been working his way through the Old Testament and has released almost 100 studies as of this writing. You can watch each 3-8 minute video online or download it to watch later. A discussion page is also available. Best of all, the series is a FREE service of Lutheran Hour Ministries!

Take a look at the promo below.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

pi to 20 decimal places

2011-07-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

3.14159265358979323846

My Junior High math teacher, Mr. Immel, had us memorize pi to 100 decimal places. Sadly, I can only remember the first 20 digits. We spent time on it everyday using mnemonics to help us fit a few digits at a time into the right sequence.

Is it important that I know this number to 100 or even 20 decimal places? No--although it has helped me win a few bets! The real lesson is in the process:

Mr. Immel said it was important
We heard it
We saw it
We wrote it down ourselves
We learned to recall it through practice

Let's apply this process to the Bible:

Certainly the Bible is important
We hear it and see it when we follow along with the Sunday readings

But what about the rest of the process? Writing notes during the sermon or during Bible study? Memorizing verses? Why bother, right?

Now you may get the impression you need to memorize the Bible in order to be a good (perfect) Christian. Nothing could be further from the truth. You and I have no hope of being a perfect Christian in this lifetime. We are all sinners and nothing we do will ever be enough to save us from the punishment we deserve for disobeying even one of God's laws. Jesus paid the price and we are saved by believing it.

So why all this emphasis on following this process with the Bible? Because of step 1: The Bible is important. The more time you spend with it, the more it (well, really Jesus) becomes a part of you. Just like pi to 20 decimal places is a part of me.

Thanks Mr. Immel.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Mid Year Resolution

2011-07-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

We're six months into 2011 and I have managed (with God's help, obviously) to keep working on my New Year's Resolution to read through the Bible. I'll admit that some days I have fallen behind but I am current at the moment. It has been a rewarding experience and I can't wait to see how the story ends on December 31st!

Having dipped my feet into the pool of making commitments, the time has come for me to make another: I commit to posting on this blog at least once per week. It may not sound like much--especially when we are numbed by the youngsters tweeting about what they had for lunch everyday. The point of this blog is to share something useful and hopefully interesting, something that might just get to you stop and think for a couple minutes and maybe chuckle (at me or with me, I'm easy). I owe you that much.

Until next time...

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Medieval Tech Support

2011-01-10T22:52:00.000-08:00

I first ran across this video a couple years ago while preparing to train at a call center. If you kind of squint your eyes a bit, you can almost see someone from Martin Luther's Tech Support team explaining how this new German Bible works (except the guys in the video are speaking Norwegian and the book isn't a Bible--hey, I said, almost!).

Tip of the Day: Before you get frustrated with that person at the call center, remember that you might be the only Christian they talk to all day. Let me know how it goes.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

My 2011 Resolution: Read Through the Bible

2011-01-01T02:37:00.001-08:00

I don’t make new years resolutions. They always sound good in theory but never seem to pan out. Maybe it’s just me (but I doubt it).

This year needs to be different. Let’s face it, it’s embarrassing to admit that although I have been a Christian my whole life, I have never read through the entire Bible. Sure, all 66 books have seen the light of day at one point or another, but I have never even tried to read everything God felt I needed to know about Him.

I know I am not alone in this admittedly sad Christian condition. The cure is simple: Read the Bible! To help facilitate the cure, I added some resources to the St. Luke’s web site. A link on the home page takes you to the online ESV translation of today’s readings. The church calendar now includes the same information for each day. A separate page provides more details about the reading plan & some other tools to help this years resolution be different (and better) than all the rest): http://www.stlukesreno.com/through-the-bible-in-a-year.aspx. The best part is, you can start today. Actually, the best part is, you get to learn more about God!

Check it out and let me know what you think. And have a Happy New Year!

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 4–A Hymnal: Lutheran Service Book (LSB)

2010-12-24T00:19:00.001-08:00

A hymnal! How can a hymnal be an essential part of my library? Lets’ face it, not all of us were blessed with musical talent!

While the talent part may be true—I’m not judging, just going along for the sake of argument—a hymnal is definitely essential. And not just any hymnal but the Lutheran Service Book (LSB for short, not to be confused with TLSB, The Lutheran Study Bible). Why is it essential, you ask? That two part question deserves a two part answer.

First, why is a hymnal essential? Even if you aren’t the most musical person, the poetry alone is worth the price of admission.

Hymns encapsulate the essentials of the Christian faith. Here are a couple examples:

Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous, Bright with thine own holiness
Glory be to Jesus, who in bitter pains, Poured for me the lifeblood From his sacred veins

Hymns help us express what we are often unable to articulate. Hymnals also include the liturgies, the orders of worship, which we use in our services. The liturgies remind us of our sin and assure us of our salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Of course, the hymnal is full of music. Luther once said, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” Music, together with God’s unchangeable Word creates a powerful and timeless combination.

A Mighty Fortress is our God
Silent Night
Joy to the World
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted
Jesus Christ is risen today
I know that my Redeemer lives
Now thank we all our God

I’ll bet that you can hum these, even if you haven’t sung them in years. Such is the power of a hymn.

So if a hymnal is essential, why Lutheran Service Book? LSB (2006) is the latest hymnal produced by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Many congregations, including St. Luke's in Reno have made the switch. Having a copy at home—and using it—reinforces what you see and hear on Sunday. Even if your congregation is still using Lutheran Worship (LW, 1982), The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH, 1941), or the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW, 1978), you should take a look at LSB.

LSB includes Luther’s Small Catechism, prayers, the Psalms, and much more. You can learn more about LSB on the Concordia Publishing House web site where they have a variety of resources available: http://lsb.cph.org/. CPH is also promoting a Hymnal in Every Home: http://www.cph.org/t-topic-hymnal-inhome-Extras-Hints.aspx.

Let your computer play Lutheran hymns for free: http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/.

Here’s hoping you have a Merry Christmas.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 3 - The Book of Concord

2010-09-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

The Book of Concord (BOC) is an oft-neglected part of the Christian's library. Why is that so? Two reasons I think:

Not everyone is familiar with it
Those that are familiar with it think it’s not meant for them

What is the Book of Concord?

The Book of Concord is a collection of statements (confessions) of faith written between the second and the sixteenth centuries. The various documents in the BOC are responses to incorrect teachings and attacks from outside forces such as the Roman Catholic Church (esp. the Pope), the Reformed (Calvinist) churches, and even “the Turk” (Islam).
The documents are:

The Apostles' Creed (second century AD)
The Nicene Creed (325 AD)
The Athanasian Creed (sixth-eighth centuries AD)
Luther's Large Catechism (1529)
Luther's Small Catechism (1529)
The Unaltered Augsburg Confession (1530)
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531)
The Smalcald Articles (1536)
The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope (1537)
The Formula of Concord (1577)

Shortly after the Formula of Concord was published, work began to assemble the Lutheran Confessions into a single volume. This work was completed in 1580 in Dresden with the German edition of the Book of Concord. A Latin edition was published in 1584.
In case you are wondering (and without going into all the history), let me define some of those terms used above.

Apology – A public defense or clarification of stated belief.
Catechism – A manual of religious instruction, often written in a question-answer format.
Concord or Concordia – Harmony of belief in a common or shared doctrine.
Confess – To publicly state one’s faith
Creed – A concise statement of the central beliefs of a church
Doctrine – the teachings and principles held and professed by a church

So what makes the Book of Concord so special? Well, it clearly articulates what we Lutherans “believe, teach, and confess” and what we “reject and condemn.” The BOC is built on the foundational belief in the absolute, unchangeable truth of the Bible. Yes, we believe in truth, in absolutes. We believe that you can know the truth. It’s not mysterious or hidden. It is clearly stated in the Bible. The Book of Concord summarizes and explains what the Bible is saying.
Believing in truth means that you must reject that which is contrary to truth. The Book of Concord covers this as well. If someone says, “Jesus wasn’t really 100% God while also 100% man,” you can with confidence reject this statement by referring to: Article III of the Augsburg Confession, Article VIII of the Formula of Concord, etc. Within these articles are references to the the Bible verses which support the belief that Jesus was both God and man.

Is it really for me?

Many people think the BOC was written just for pastors and theologians, you know, “religious people.” Here is what C.F.W. Walther, first President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod had to say on the subject:

"The Book of Concord should be in every Lutheran home. If a person isn't familiar with this book, he'll think, 'That old book is just for pastors. I don't have to preach. After working all day, I can't sit down and study in the evening. If I read my morning and evening devotions, that's enough.' No, that is not enough! The Lord doesn't want us to remain children, blown to and fro by every wind of doctrine; instead of that, He wants us to grow in knowledge so that we can teach others." - Essays for the Church, Vol. II, pg. 51.

The Constitutions of most Lutheran congregations includes a statement on the BOC. At St. Luke’s Lutheran here in Reno, our constitution has the following:

This congregation accepts and acknowledges all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament as the inspired and revealed Word of God and acknowledges and accepts all the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580, as true and correct presentation or exposition of the doctrines of the Bible. These confessional writings are:
The three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian)
The Unaltered Augsburg Confession
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
The Smalcald Articles
Luther's Large Catechism
Luther's Small Catechism
The Formula of Concord
By the confessional norm shall all doctrines and practices in this congregation be judged.

If you are a member of St. Luke’s (or another Lutheran congregation), you have agreed to these (or similar) statements regarding the Bible, the Book of Concord, and the relationship between the two. If you haven’t read the BOC, now would be a perfect time to start.

Where can I find the Book of Concord?

You can find the BOC in a number of formats.

The Print editions are produced by Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and were released in 2006. The electronic versions are from the Concordia Triglotta edition first published in 1921.
Have you read the Book of Concord yet? If yes, what do you think? If no, why not?

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 2b - The Bible - Features

2010-07-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

I know. It would have been great to have posted this back in May, just in time for Confirmation and Graduation. Then again, who's to say you can't give a Bible for no reason at all!

In my previous post, I discussed one of the most important decisions about selecting a Bible and that is to choose a translation. But, once you have done that, there are still many, many Bible to choose from. In this post, I will focus narrowing down your selection to the Bible that best meets your needs. Here are some of the top features for a study Bible.

Concordance
This special index helps you find where certain names and key terms appear in the Bible. Can't remember where to find "I am the vine; you are the branches?" Look for "branches" in the Concordance and you see an entry like this:

BRANCHES
I am the vine; you are the b           John 15:5

Cross references
Study or reference Bibles typically contains cross references to passages with common themes or verses that further amplify a concept. For example, Romans 3:3 contains references to Romans 9:6, Romans 11:29, Hebrews 4:2, and 2 Timothy 2:13.

Footnotes
I'm generalizing here but footnotes usually fall into two categories: translation notes and study notes. Translation notes present an alternative translation of some portion of a verse or an explanation of the original text. For example:

     And as he sat at table v in the house, many tax collectors and sinners.... Matt 9:10 (RSV)

     v Greek reclined

The study notes help explain passages that may be unclear. They can also provide historical and cultural context to help with your study. Such notes have been included in Lutheran Bibles since 1522. One thing to keep in mind about the study notes is that they are always written from a certain perspective. That is to say, the study notes for Revelation in a Scofield Study Bible will be quite different from the study notes in The Lutheran Study Bible.

Additional Study Features
Dictionary - Some Bibles include a standalone dictionary while other define words in the study notes.
Topical Index - If you are searching for a particular subject (such as money, trust, or revenge) but are not sure if the exact word appears, a topical index is what you need. As described above, a concordance shows you where and when an exact word was used.
Maps - It's always good to know where you are in the world. A set of biblical maps help you see how the world looked back then. Sorry, no maps of Pangea here.
Introductions and Outlines - Just like a map is a geographical locator, Introductions and Outlines help establish the big picture for your Biblical journey.

Practical matters
The round out this list, I thought I should include a few "practical" items to look consider.

1. Sure, a leather cover is classy and ideal for presentation but if you are going to be tucking your new study Bible in a zippered cover, why spend the extra cash for leather?
2. Go for the thumb indexes (also known as tabs). The thumb indexes are carved out of the page edges to make it easier to find those lesser-read prophets more quickly. I find them especially helpful in a classroom situation. You can buy aftermarket tabs to stick on if your current Bible doesn't have this feature.
3. Make sure the typeface is legible. If you need a "larger print edition," get it. I wish I had thought about this more when I made my last purchase.
4. Go electronic. I'll get back to this another time.

There you have it. Some things to consider when selecting a study Bible. Did I miss your favorite feature? If so, let me know.

Lastly: Read your Bible. No, don't just read it. Study it. Everyday!
Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 2a - The Bible - Translations

2010-03-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

In part one of this series, we are all agreed that a Bible is the foundation of the Essential Christian Library. But which Bible?

I'm glad you asked.

Owning a Bible is powerful thing. God's Word is a gift not just for show, destined to be ignored and dusted periodically. It is not meant to be read once and discarded. Instead, think of the Bible as a love letter, written by God and sent to you. For that's exactly what it is: God pouring His heart and soul into something so precious that many (including Jesus Christ) lost their very lives to deliver those words of love to you.

When it comes to choosing a Bible, there are two basic questions:

Which translation?
Which features?

I'll deal with the first question now and talk about features next time.

Does It Really Matter Which Translation I Choose?

Yes. To be useful, your Bible translation should be both accurate and clear, concepts that are sometimes diametrically opposed. A translation that is inaccurate, unclear, or both, is certainly not very useful at all. If you have ever used Google Translation, you know what I mean. You sometimes get a very literal translation but the words strung together don't make any sense.

Someone needs to understand the thoughts behind the words in the original language (Hebrew and Greek in this case) and structure a message that conveys that same meaning in English. Fortunately, God has blest us with talented folks throughout the ages to bring us God's Word in a language we can understand. Not all translations are created equal.

What Should I Look for in a Translation?
This is easy: Do you want Form Equivalent or Dynamic Equivalent? Don't let those terms throw you. They refer to loose classifications of translation "styles" or "methods." For your purchase decision, it really comes down to how you plan to use your Bible. Are you going to read it just for personal enjoyment? Or, are you going to try to make it (and God) a part of you through in-depth study of His Word? Maybe you want to have the same translation used in your church or Bible study class. The following table can help you understand the classifications:

	Form equivalent	Balance: Form & Dynamic	Dynamic equivalent	Paraphrase
Definition	A "word-for-word" translation that closely matches the literal words and grammar of the original text	A "thought-by-thought" translation that bridges the form and the dynamic equivalent approaches	A "phrase-for-phrase" translation that interprets the meaning of the original text and converts it to modern English	A very loose and simplified translation, dynamic equivalent taken to an extreme

Examples	King James Version (KJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), English Standard Version (ESV)	New International Version (NIV)	New Living Translation (NLT), Good News Bible (GNB)	The Living Bible, The Message

Highlights	Formal and poetic style, ideal for in-depth study and public reading	Slightly less formal, less poetic, ideal for study	Informal, easy to read	Casual, everyday style, much less accurate

Psalm 23:1-2	The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. (ESV)	The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures (NIV)	The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows (NLT)	God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows (The Message)

John 3:16	For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)	For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)	For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. (Good News)	This is how much God loved the world: he gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. (The Message)

Obviously, I've given just a few examples of what is available under each classification, but I think you get the idea. Choose a translation that meets your needs or ask your Pastor for recommendations. You can even ask me, if you'd like. NOTE: If you are so inclined, you can even grab a Bible in Hebrew or Greek and translate it yourself!

Do You Want to Know Which Translation I Use?
Although I have a number of translations, I use two most frequently.

For daily family devotions, the Revised Standard Version (RSV). The specific Bible my family uses today is the same one my parents used for their daily devotions for as long as I can remember. It helps keep me connected to my history.
For my in-depth Bible study, usually in preparing for the Sunday morning adult class at church, I use my newest Bible: The Lutheran Study Bible. This is an English Standard Version (ESV), the same translation used in our Worship services. More on this particular Bible next time.

Do you have a favorite translation? I'd like to hear about it.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 1 - Introduction

2010-03-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

When I was in school, I needed to study my textbooks. Why? Because they amplified and reinforced the words I heard in the classroom. Most of us were told by our parents to "study hard, get your college degree and you will go far in this life." But what about the next life? Is it enough to just show up for class (worship) every Sunday or do you need to study for the final? Does God grade on a curve? What textbooks do you need?

This series will focus on that last question by helping you build the Essential Christian Library. I hope you are thinking, "Now wait just a second, Stephen. It sounds like you are promoting works-righteousness when you toss out, 'test' and 'need' and 'essential' as if my actions provide eternal life. What gives?"

To that I respond, "Well done, Grasshopper!" I am certainly not advocating that you are saved by your own actions. The Bible teaches clearly that you are saved through faith in the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus died for you, doesn't it follow that you would want to learn as much as you can about Him? To me, the answer is, yes. I want to understand the man who gave up His life for this "poor, miserable servant."

The Essential Christian Library series can provide the tools to help you further your personal relationship with God. The tools won't build your mansion in heaven, but they will help you to know the Architect.

Any guesses on the first book for the library? Yep, the Holy Bible. I'm going to get into more detail next time but wanted to get started with a quick introduction.

In the beginning, ....

OK, let's just jump forward to around 1300-1400 A.D. The Bible was considered a "dark, mysterious book" that was too difficult for the commoners to comprehend. Bibles were not widely available because they were hand-copied and almost exclusively in Latin. No one but the clergy spoke or read Latin. Faithful Christians tried translating the Bible into their common language but that practice was met with stiff resistance from the Roman Catholic Church. Today, the Wycliffe Bible Translators report the full Bible is available in more than 400 languages (the New Testament in more than 1,000 languages). In English alone, dozens of translations are available to you.

So, which Bible should be in your library? Stay tuned.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Keep your files safe - back up

2010-01-25T22:27:00.000-08:00

I was tempted to call this post, "Back up, Back up for Jesus" but thought better of it. When it comes to Jesus, we should never retreat but always press on toward the prize set before us.

IMPORTANT: If Internet Explorer version 5, 6, 7, or 8 is installed on your PC--even if you normally use a different browser-- a critical security patch was released January 21, 2010. Go to the Microsoft Update Website (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=148275) to make sure your PC has been patched.

Let's say you or someone else in your family received a new computer this Christmas. Maybe you are still using a 4 year old computer (like I am right now). Either way, there is probably a bunch of stuff on it you would rather not lose: photos, letters, e-mail, homework, etc.

You may not realize this but the hard drive in your computer will fail at some point. I don't mean that it will just disappoint you or forget your birthday or anything like that. Some day, the hard drive will crash and take some or all your important personal files with it. Are you scared yet? Scared enough to do something about it? Good. That's what I'm here for.

It's time to back up your files. Let's face it. Many people have written reviews and step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process. Rather than borrowing from others, I'm just going to point you to the best backup resource for all versions of Windows (XP, Vista, and 7): http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/backup/about.aspx

Here you will find tips on what, how, and where you should back up your important files. Let me add some other tips as well:

If your computer came with a set of Recovery CDs or DVDs, find them and store them with your file back ups.
If your computer did NOT come with Recovery discs, you will likely have a utilty on your computer to create (burn) them using your own blank discs. Look in the documentation or Help system on your computer. Make the discs now. I'll wait....
If your computer suddenly is unable to start (boot) into Windows, don't panic. Also, don't immediately initiate a recovery that will return your computer to factory condition (thus losing all your files). The problem may be easy to fix (Windows can even help walk you through the steps) or the drive may have failed. Either way, the files on the drive may be recoverable by someone who knows what they are doing.

If you have questions or need help, just ask me. I will do what I can.

Stephen

Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Merry Christmas from Psalm 46

2009-12-22T23:45:00.000-08:00

The Christmas season brings all sorts of traditions to the surface. First and foremost, we celebrate the birth of Emmanuel--God with us. As part of that birthday celebration, the living room becomes a greenhouse, lights are put up, baking gets done, gifts are exchanged, and greetings are offered. These are all good things, in moderation, of course. There is another tradition that is becoming more popular lately. This one isn't so great. This tradition comes courtesy of mental health officials and is spread by the media. What is it? It's the tradition of telling you how to cope with all the stress, anxiety, and depression that comes with the Christmas festivities and consumerism.

According to this group, there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with Christmas. In other words, there are rules to follow: 5 ways to complete your shopping today, Take it easy, Don't overspend, Make peace with your family, etc. This advise may be good and it may be well-intentioned. But, keep in mind it is coming from many of the same people who consider a Christian as mentally unstable and who want you to wish others "Happy Holidays" so as not to offend. It is incredibly ironic that their solution to the fulfillment of the Gospel is to give you more Law to follow.

Don't get me wrong; I firmly believe that real live people (maybe even you) are having real live problems during this time of year. Maybe your difficulties have been going on for a long time and December only makes it worse.

Let me give you an alternative approach to coping with Christmas, from Psalm 46. It begins,

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 ESV)

Or as Martin Luther put it:

A mighty Fortress is our God,
A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o'ertaken.

Notice how God provides both protection and the ability to fight. Sometimes just curling up in His loving arms is the right thing to do. In other situations, it's time to take a stand and do the right thing. To me, one of the most comforting verses in the Psalm is verse 10:

"Be still and know that I am God."

In this verse, God is rebuking the world for not being faithful. Jesus used the same words in Mark when he rebuked the storm, "Be still!" (Mark 4:29). To get the full impact from the Psalm, think of a booming, disembodied voice, peals of thunder, earthquake, etc.:

"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!"

When you put it that way, the verse doesn't sound very comforting. What it does sound like is yet another rule for me to follow. I'm feeling better already!

Seriously though, when you are facing the uncertainties and stress of this time of year, finances, raising a family, etc. do you need a lecture or a refuge? Isn't it possible that God actually whispers in your ear?

"Be still and know that I am God!"

Let's break down what He's saying.

Be still - Freeze, stop fidgeting, stop wiggling, dry your tears, take a deep breath, and another
and know - Let there be no doubt. Have I ever lied to you?
that I am God - Not you, not your money, not power, not any addiction. I will provide.

He probably whispers it to you all the time:

Watch the sunrise over Lake Tahoe: "Be still and know that I am God!"
Visit the crowded mall near Christmas: "Be still and know that I am God!"
Compare your checkbook to the stack of bills: "Be still and know that I am God!"
See the baby in the manger: "Be still and know that I am God!"

Have you heard Him? Not sure? Are you listening? Really listening?

OK, try this. Whisper to yourself, right now, "Be still and know that I am God!" Say it again, louder this time. Now you know what the words sound like to your ears. And the next time you feel overwhelmed with joy or sadness, excitement or dread, you will be ready to recognize God as He whispers in your ear:

"Be still and know that I am God."

Merry Christmas from Psalm 46 and your Elder Webmaster

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

7 Things I Like About Windows 7

2009-12-07T22:36:00.000-08:00

With Christmas only a couple weeks away, it’s time I cover some of the reasons you should consider using Windows 7. If you are buying a new PC for Christmas or are wondering if you should retire Windows XP and take the upgrade plunge on your existing PC, here is a quick summary of why I like Windows 7.

Faster startup and shutdown – One of my computers takes several minutes to finish loading everything in Windows XP. Shutting down takes almost as long. That same system boots Windows 7 in well under a minute. Shutting down takes just a few seconds. Granted, it is important to be able to use the computer but I am a pretty impatient guy when it comes to my computer. When I decide to turn it on (or simply wake it up), I want to get busy, not wait for the computer to get it together. Same thing goes with shutting down: when I am done, I want it to go to sleep. Windows 7 is much improved on both ends.
Friendlier Taskbar – Hover the mouse over an application icon and you will see realtime previews. If you have several web sites open in Internet Explorer, hover the mouse, and see previews of each page. To open the one you want, just hover over it. Notice, not one mouse click.
Pin frequently used programs to the taskbar – When you hover over the pinned icon, you will see a “jump list” of common commands. In Microsoft Word you see the most recent documents opened, for Internet Explorer see web sites recently visited.
Go to the Library – In the olden days, Microsoft wanted you to save all your photos in the (My) Pictures folder. Same with music, documents, and videos. In Windows 7, Libraries allow you to save these items in a variety of folders (even shared on the network). The Libraries give you one central point to find everything. Think of this feature like the old card catalog at a real library. You don’t scan the shelves hoping to run across what you need, you start at the card catalog, get the details, and grab the item off the correct shelf. Same principle with the Windows 7 Libraries.
Touch and multitouch – If you’ve used an iPhone, you know what I’m talking about. Of course, you need a display that supports it, but touch is a lot of fun. Touch has been available for some time but it always felt like an add-on. With Windows 7, it is fully integrated in the operating system.
Improved and (finally useful) User Account Control – UAC is much less intrusive. No longer will it bug you to death with multiple, “Are you sure you want to do that?” prompts. You Windows XP users have probably heard horrer stories. UAC makes much more sense now.
The Device Stage – Makes it easier to seamlessly manage phones, printers, mp3 players, cameras, etc. that you connect to your computer.

So there’s my summary. Seven things I really like about Windows 7. Now for the big question: Should I upgrade my XP or Vista system?

Let’s start with Vista first:

If your reasonably-new Vista system came with a free upgrade to Windows 7, do it. Please back up your data and follow all the instructions included with the upgrade.
Assuming you do not get the free upgrade, if you are happy with the way your Vista computer works, save yourself some money and keep Vista.
If you are not real happy with Vista AND you see that Windows 7 solves some of your concerns, it may be worth your time & money to buy the upgrade. Back up your data.
Either way, don’t forget to back up your data.

Now, if you have Windows XP systems, the situation is a bit more involved:

Make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements. The more it exceeds those minimums, the happier you will be. Run Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to check compatibility
Make sure you locate the installation files for all your applications (Microsoft Office, etc.).
With Windows XP, you cannot do a simple “upgrade” to Windows 7. You actually need to perform what Microsoft calls a custom or clean installation. This means you will:

Back up your files and settings. Microsoft provides a free tool called Windows Easy Transfer that will perform the backup and restoring of your personal files but not the installed applications.
Install Windows 7
Restore all your personal files
Re-install all your applications

NOTE: During this process, all of the data on your hard drive will be erased so you must back up all your personal files.

If you are not sure whether upgrading makes sense, ask me. Rather than buying a single license, consider buying the Windows 7 Upgrade Family Pack – upgrade 3 PCs for about $150. And then back up your data.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Live from Tokyo, it's Thursday Morning!

2009-10-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

So Windows 7 is out and the air smells cleaner, the birds are chirping again, life is good. OK, life isn't good just because Microsoft has delivered another operating system. Although it does indicate that the computer industry is picking up and that is good for my employer and for me and my family. I know I said last time that I would go into more detail about Windows 7. I will. Just not right now.

As I write this, I am enjoying the Tokyo skline from my hotel room. It's a hazy day but at least the typhoon that threatened to land earlier this week fizzled out. This is the second year in a row that I have missed Reformation Sunday in Reno. At least last year I was able to attend a local Lutheran church. Interesting when you think about it: An American in Japan attending a worship service in a church started by a German Catholic priest. Is it just me or is this another example of God's great sense of humor!

I must say that I miss the fall colors here in Toyko. One of my favorite trees is the Japanese Maple with its brilliant red leaves. You'd think they would be all over the place. Well, they are. Here, that is, but still very green. Too late for the spring & summer blooms, too early for fall colors. Oh, well.

Riding the trains around town with the crowds of people rushing in all directions, I began looking at individuals wondering if they were saved. You know, you just can't tell by looking at someone. I've tried. A lot. Sure, some people wear a cross but is it a symbol of their faith or just some bling? The only way to find out is to ask. It's not complicated but it can be hard. But if a Galilean fisherman can do it, why can't you or I?

I know Saturday is Halloween (and Nevada Day to us Nevadans) but try wishing someone a Happy Reformation Day. Then use that opportunity to share the Gospel of Christ.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

If you're not using Windows, I can't help you

2009-09-29T22:50:00.000-07:00

I know that statement has the potential to annoy 15% of you. (Roughly 15% of the visitors to the St. Luke's web site are using something other than Windows.) Believe me, I do not mean to offend you. I am trying to be honest here. You see, in my day job, I am fortunate enough to be able to work on the latest computer technology. I help define what our software products need to do to help identify and solve computer problems. Most all of my work is in Windows (with a bit of Linux and DOS thrown in) because this is where our customers are focused.

What this means is that I have a Windows-worldview. I don't even have an iPhone, it's just a simple Samsung phone (that makes and receives calls just fine, thank you very much). In the interest of full disclosure, our household does have at least one iPod. However, we universally dislike iTunes.

So anyway, in this blog I will be discussing important computing topics like:

The need to keep your computer up-to-date (for free!)
Backing up your files--because that hard drive will fail some day
Protecting yourself online
Detecting and removing viruses and malware
Wireless networking
Social networking (Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.)
Parental controls

The discussions will be from a Windows perspective. Non-Windows readers will need to translate as appropriate. Now you may have all these topics figured out. Or maybe you have used your favorite search engine to solve a problem only to discover millions of opinions on the subject. Maybe you are not sure where to go for answers. Either way, let me know.

Speaking of Windows, you may have heard that Microsoft Windows 7 is slated for release October 22. I have been using it for some time and I think it is great. If you like Vista, you will love Windows 7. If you've heard (or had) horror stories related to Vista, I predict you will be very pleased with Windows 7. Some have described it as, "What Windows Vsita should have been" and I have to agree. Sure, some things are different but they make sense. I will go into more detail next time. The Elder Webmaster is here for you.

What's in a Name? Part 2

2009-09-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Let's face it. "Elder Webmaster" is a bit of an oxymoron. Webmasters aren't elderly. They're young, hip (they still use hip, don't they?), eco-enabled, social commentators who would rather txt or tweet than talk to someone 3 feet away. Talking is so 20th century.

Maybe I should have come up with a different name. But I was under pressure and this sounded good at the time. Looking back on it, I still like the name. It has, I hope, stickiness. It gives me some freedom to talk about things religious and things technology. Sometime both at the same time.

This month, it may interest you to know that 75% of visitors to our church's web site (http://www.stlukesreno.com/) are running Microsoft Windows. I haven't seen any visitors running Windows 7 yet but then, it won't be released to the public until October 22. Nearly 15% are using MAC OS, and 4% are using an iPhone.

Did you catch, that? I managed to seamlessly weave both religion AND technology in the same sentences! Now I'm not planning on discussing the web server logs in detail since most people are just not that interested. I am planning on starting with the basics, helping you to feel more confident in your computing. I will also point out some great resources as I run across them. Is there something you want to know more about? If so, drop me a note and I will do my best to answer.

One last thing. In some church circles, the term "webmaster" sends the wrong message. Some feel the term "webservant" is a more accurate description of the role carried out by the person responsible for a church's web site. I'm not one of those. I have used the term "webmaster" for more than a dozen years. It's a hard habit to break. Besides, it sort of gives me the illusion of power. Kind of like when I finally get the satellite dish remote control yet there is nothing on any of the 147 channels.

The Elder Webmaster. Religion and Technology. See, Lutherans can be hip (they still use hip, don't they?).

What's in a Name?

2009-09-09T22:51:00.000-07:00

I'll admit. I still struggle with the idea that someone considers me old enough to be an Elder. Growing up, I always envisioned Elders as, well, old guys with grey beards, wearing robes, and issuing sage advice. Charlton Heston in the Ten Commandments was an Elder's Elder. Looking in the mirror, I'm not that kind of Elder. Not even close.

In Titus 1:6-9, the Apostle Paul lays out a pretty good definition of what an Elder is to be. That definition, when applied to me results in a bit of good news and bad news. Let's start with the bad news. To be honest, it's bad. Really bad. I look at Paul's list of qualifications and I don't measure up: I sometimes have a quick temper, I'm not always self-controlled, hospitable, or disciplined. That's just for starters. What was the leadership at St Luke thinking? Did anyone even read Titus before giving me the nod? For that matter, what was God thinking?

OK. Let's step back and look for some good news. First, Paul doesn't mention anything about personal grooming standards or a dress code. Check. I'm the husband of one wife and my children are believers. Check and check. I hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so I can give instruction in sound doctrine. Now we're talking! On a related note, Sunday morning Adult Bible Study starts September 20th, 2009.

But the really good news is the Good News. I can never be good enough on my own to be an Elder. No one can. The definition Paul presented in Titus is not his own. It is is God's. God demands perfection. But, since we are incapable of perfection due to our sinful natures, He sent Perfection to us in the form of His Son Jesus. Because Jesus died on the cross, I am saved.

I am a sinner still. But, I am also a saint. I can be an Elder, too. Even if I don't feel old enough.