App Update!! NIV, CSB & Bug Fixes!

Hello TTW friends!
Pastor Kris here. I can't even tell you how excited I am to make this announcement. Big news. Really big. Like super big!!

Okay, maybe that's overstating. But it's big. I know, you're saying "Just get to the news already!" Alright, alright. Maybe I just wanted to give you a little build up because I've literally been looking forward to this announcement for six years. And at long last, here it is...
TTW just added the NIV and CSB translations! 
We finally have options! And even better, the new translations both come with high quality audio Bibles. Can you tell I'm excited?

Along with the new Bible translations, you should also see several performance improvements and bug fixes for issues that recently cropped up on some devices. So...

To get the updates:
1. Open the App Store on your device.
Apple App Store Link
Google Play Store Link
2. Tap update!

That's the big news. If you're wondering why it took so long, it's an even longer story - about copyrights, licensing, software APIs, and all the crazy stuff that goes into running a Bible app. But we made it! And there's more to come. We'll be adding more translations and more improvements on the app - but one step at a time. So go get the update, and let us know what you think. And if you like TTW, please post a review in the App Store - those mean a lot to us!

In Christ,
Pastor Kris



P.S. (a few notes):

• Issues on the new app? If you have issues, email info@throughtheword.org and we'll do all we can to fix it.
• What happened to the ESV? To add the new translations, we had to temporarily remove the ESV - but it's coming back. Long story short - when we added the NIV & CSB, we had to change our API (now provided by DBL), and our ESV license is still in process for updating. And lots of other TLA's (three-letter-acronyms) were involved. If that sounded like nonsense to you, just be glad you don't have to deal with it every day!
• Will TTW be adding KJV, NLT, or others? We plan to add a few more translations as we are able to get the licensing for them. It's a lot more work than you would think.
• What's the NIV? The New International Version of the Bible is an outstanding translation in clear and understandable English, published by Biblica. It is the translation that I read from most often in my audio guides (along with the ESV).  Link to Biblica's Summary of the NIV
• What's the CSB? The Christian Standard Bible is an accurate and balanced translation published by LifeWay, and is recently becoming a new favorite of mine to read. LifeWay link on the CSB
• I heard there was some controversy about the NIV. Yes, there was some controversy in 2011 when the NIV updated their translation so that references to "men" or "brothers" were more clearly made to "people" or "brothers and sisters." The CSB and others have made similar updates. While I understand both sides of this debate, I support the updates as accurate to the original intent and meaning of the Bible text. The update was about changes to English language today, not changes to the original Bible (in the past, the English word "man" often meant human or mankind, where today it is more commonly used to refer to a male human). Here are a couple links to helpful comments on the matter: Christianity Today Article on Gender Inclusivity, and here's a Snopes article on verses "not in" the NIV.

App Update & Fix On the Way

Hello TTW Friends!
Over the last week we've had a multiple reports of issues on the app. We're working quickly to determine the cause, which we believe may be related to recent updates to both iOS and Android operating system software. We hope to get fixes to all of you ASAP, so please watch the App Store for updates. In the mean time, there are a couple things you can try.

1. Try deleting the app from your device, and reloading from the App Store. This has worked for most of our users reporting issues. You'll have to log in again, but your journals and progress will be saved.

2. If you can't get the app to work, you open throughtheword.org on your mobile or laptop, and login to your account there.

Hopefully that will solve your problems for now, and we'll launch the fix as soon as it's ready. The update will also have new Bible translations, including the NIV and CSB, with improved Bible audio.  Please pray for us as we continue to make improvements and fixes on the app.  Thanks!

In Christ,
Pastor Kris

Last Day for T-Shirt Orders!

Hello TTW Friends -
September has passed and we are closing out our TTW T-shirt giveaway. To make sure that everyone has a chance to get their t-shirt order in, we're giving you up through Tuesday, October 2nd at Noon PST to get your order in. So get your orders in now! This will be our only T-shirt giveaway this year, so this is your chance. You can order as many as you like - for friends and family too! We just ask that you help us cover the costs in your donation (our cost is about $12 per shirt). If you donated but forgot to submit your t-shirt request, please get that in now.

How to get your TTW T-shirt:

Step 1: Make a donation of any amount at mogiv.com/ttw.

Step 2: Click here to order your shirt size and color.

That's it. Thanks so much for helping us reach the world - through the Word!

In Christ,
Pastor Kris  = )

FAQ:

Can I order more than one? Yes! Just use the same order form a second time, etc. You don't have to donate twice, but if possible please cover the costs in your donation. The shirts cost us about $12 to purchase and mail.

When will shirts be sent? Late October. We're saving costs by waiting until October 1 for requests to be in before we order and print, plus a few weeks to print and mail. Thanks for your patience!

What if I already give monthly? Of course you get a shirt! We depend on our monthly donors - you guys make this possible! Just use the link in Step 2 above to order.

Can I get a t-shirt outside the USA? Yes! We love our listeners all over the world. Shipping will cost us about ten US dollars, so if possible please cover that in your donation.

What sizes & styles? We have youth, men's (standard) and women's (v-neck) XS to 3XL.  Some colors and sizes may be limited.

Questions? Email info@throughtheword.org.

TTW T-shirts! Get yours!!

Hello TTW friends!
Pastor Kris here with one of my favorite announcements of the year. We're giving away T-shirts! Every donor in September gets a TTW T-shirt as our thanks!

TTW T's for the Whole Fam!

I love these shirts. We found high quality super-comfortable t-shirts made by Canvas, and got our awesome Bible and flame logo printed on the front so that you can sport TTW wherever you go. In the past, we only made these available at conferences, but for the first time we're getting T-shirts for everyone! For every donation to TTW in the month of September, we're sending you a T-shirt. You can even order the color and size you like. This is likely the only time this year we'll do this, so be sure to get yours this month.

How to get your TTW T-shirt:

Step 1: Make a donation of any amount at mogiv.com/ttw in September.

Step 2: Click here to order your shirt size and color. Order by 10/1 and use the same name you used on your donation - that's how we'll verify.

That's it! (Any more steps and I might break out some NKOTB moves). I'm so excited to share our awesome T's with our awesome friends!

In Christ,
Pastor Kris  = )

Gotta Love It! 

FAQ:

Can I order more than one? Yes! Just use the same order form a second time, etc. You don't have to donate twice, but if possible please cover the costs in your donation. The shirts cost us about $12 to purchase and mail.

When will shirts be sent? Late October. We're saving costs by waiting until October 1 for requests to be in before we order and print, plus a few weeks to print and mail. Thanks for your patience!

What if I already give monthly? Of course you get a shirt! We depend on our monthly donors - you guys make this possible! Just use the link in Step 2 above to order.

Can I get a t-shirt outside the USA? Yes! We love our listeners all over the world. Shipping will cost us about ten US dollars, so if possible please cover that in your donation.

What sizes & styles? We have youth, men's (standard) and women's (v-neck) XS to 3XL.  Some colors and sizes may be limited.

Questions? Email info@throughtheword.org.

Like TTW? Post a review!!

Hey there TTW family!
Pastor Kris here to ask for a small favor. I do hope that you are enjoying the TTW app, and I want you to know that we are so very blessed and honored to be part of your Bible journey. So here's the favor to ask: if you like TTW, would you please rate us and write a short review on the App Store.

Ratings and reviews make a huge difference in our visibility. So if you love TTW, just use the links below to find TTW on the App Store, then rate the app and write a short review.  Your review might just get someone started on a Bible habit. Or lots of people - all over the world!  It's very easy - just follow the links below on your mobile device, and write a review*.

Thanks so much for helping us reach the world - through the Word.
Pastor Kris

*PS If you have problems with the app, please email rather than review. Email allows us to correspond so that we can resolve your issue and improve the app, which is much better that just complaining to the world. Just email info@throughtheword.org. We do our best to respond to and resolve issues promptly.

Click here

Click here

Hurricane Prayers for Philippines & Carolinas

Hello TTW friends,
With a big hurricane and an even bigger typhoon making landfall today, we're praying for our neighbors on this planet and inviting you to join us. Hurricane Florence landed in the Carolinas today,  and Typhoon Mangkhut (four times stronger and much bigger) is nearing landfall in the Philippines. The the news coverage here in the US focuses on what's going on locally of course, but we've got lots of TTW family in both the US east coast and the Philippines, and we want to do what we can to help and to pray for both situations. Hurricane relief is close to my heart personally, as I got to see first hand the amazing work that God can do after a storm in South Mississippi after Katrina in 2005. So we're praying for the victims, for the relief workers, and for God's work through it all. We put our trust in Him along with you. Thanks for joining us in prayer!

In Christ,
Pastor Kris

PS If you're interested in donating to relief efforts in either location, there are a lot of outstanding charities. Our years in Mississippi after Katrina gave me great respect for a one organization in particular. Samaritan's Purse does outstanding relief work worldwide, and brings grace and the gospel along with real tangible help and rescue. Although I have had minor disagreements with a few political statements made by Franklin Graham in the past, the relief work is quite phenomenal. Here is a link to their site: https://www.samaritanspurse.org

TTW T-Shirts for September Donors!

Hello TTW friends!
Pastor Kris here with one of my favorite announcements of the year. We're giving away T-shirts! Every donor in September gets a TTW T-shirt as our thanks!

I love these shirts. We found high quality super-comfortable t-shirts made by Canvas, and got our awesome Bible and flame logo printed on the front so that you can sport TTW wherever you go. In the past, we only made these available at conferences, but for the first time we're getting T-shirts for everyone! For every donation to TTW in the month of September, we're sending you a T-shirt. You can even order the color and size you like. This is likely the only time this year we'll do this, so be sure to get yours this month.

How to get your TTW T-shirt:

Step 1: Make a donation of any amount at mogiv.com/ttw in September.

Step 2: Click here to order your shirt size and color. Order by 10/1 and use the same name you used on your donation - that's how we'll verify.

That's it! (Any more steps and I might break out some NKOTB moves). I'm so excited to share our awesome T's with our awesome friends!

In Christ,
Pastor Kris  = )

Can I order more than one? Yes! Just use the same order form a second time, etc. You don't have to donate twice, but if possible please cover the costs in your donation. The shirts cost us about $12 to purchase and mail.

When will shirts be sent? Late October. We're saving costs by waiting until October 1 for requests to be in before we order and print, plus a few weeks to print and mail. Thanks for your patience!

What if I already give monthly? Of course you get a shirt! We depend on our monthly donors - you guys make this possible! Just use the link in Step 2 above to order.

Can I get a t-shirt outside the USA? Yes! We love our listeners all over the world. Shipping will cost us about ten US dollars, so if possible please cover that in your donation.

What sizes & styles? We have youth, men's and women's (v-neck) XS to 3XL.  Some colors and sizes may be limited.

Questions? Email info@throughtheword.org.