I want to tell you about LeechBlock. It's a little tool I found about a couple of years ago and I can say without a trace of exaggeration that it changed my life. I wrote about it once before—back after I discovered it—but want to come back to it since it’s proven its value again and again since then.

There was a time that I was unable to keep myself from wasting vast amounts of time on the internet. Often it was subconscious; I would suddenly become aware that I had stopped working and started surfing. I had inadvertently left behind what I had been doing and was checking in at Facebook or Twitter or any one of these other time-sucking distractions. Thanks to LeechBlock, those days are over.

LeechBlock is an add-on for Firefox. It is the brainchild of James Anderson, an assistant professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte.

The premise is simple. It is meant to be an external form of self-control for those of us who do not have sufficient self-control in and of ourselves. Here is what James says about it: "LeechBlock is a simple productivity tool: an extension for the Firefox web browser designed to block those time-wasting sites that can suck the life out of your working day. (You know: the ones that rhyme with 'Blue Cube', 'Pie Face', 'Space Hook', 'Hash Pot', 'Sticky Media', and the like.) All you need to do is specify which sites to block and when to block them."

It is not meant to replace tools that offer parental controls and will not keep you from stumbling across nasty sites on the Net. That is not its purpose. What it will do, though, is allow you to compile a list of the sites that suck away the minutes and hours of your day and choose the times during which you will be blocked from those sites. So in my case I listed Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, Drudge Report and others like them and set the program to block these from 9 to noon and 1 to 5. That gives me a window to check in while I eat my lunch but otherwise I have no access to these sites during the working day. And that has proven a huge blessing.

I learned two things. First, I learned that I spent far more time on these sites than I would have thought. Or, perhaps more properly, I learned that I visited them many more times every day than I would have imagined. The amount of times LeechBlock had to intervene and scold me was both shocking and humiliating. Second, I learned that these sites really were sucking my time away from me. As soon as I installed LeechBlock it was like I added a couple of hours to my day. Not only did my productivity increase but my spiritual condition also improved. I had known that I was wasting vast amounts of time but had not had the self-control to stop myself; I found it very depressing and carried it like a great burden. It was a great relief to me to find that self-control, even if it took a Firefox add-on to do so.

One of the great features of LeechBlock is it allows you to create a custom message that appears when you attempt to visit one of the sites you've blocked. In my case I made one that reminded me of the value of time. You can see it here (click on it to download it for your own purposes):

Now I know that not everyone needs a tool like this one. But I can testify that there are others who do and I am among them. I've recommended LeechBlock to friends and they've told me how much they've benefited from it as well. So I'm not alone! If you are in need of an external source of self-control, consider it. It may just change your life too. You can learn more about it and download it here.

Several weeks ago I introduced you to a series of short films that focus on Christ's appearances in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord. Every Wednesday for 10 weeks I will be posting a new episode right here at the blog. This will allow you to view the series in its entirety. Do note, though, that each episode will be available for only one week.

After the week is up you will need to purchase the series. Here's how you can do that. The DVD and Study Guide (sample here) are available now. You can also buy the digital download of the whole series here for $5. Or visit Ligonier's online store for the download or physical copies of the DVD and Study Guide.

This episode, episode 7, is titled "Pity and Power."

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a pastor in Scotland for 12 years before coming to Grand Rapids in 2007 with his wife Shona and their four children. He blogs regularly at Head Heart Hand.

When I was a boy, something that seems like a long, long time ago now, I spent most of my time within a Dutch community of believers (though I am not Dutch myself). I played with them, went to church with them and went to school with them. Along the way I was introduced to some distinctly-Dutch books for kids that I came to love. In the years since then I have sometimes gone looking for those books, hoping to read them again and buy copies for my own children. It was a thrill recently to finally come across a company that has reprinted the books and that is now selling them online.

That company is Inheritance Publications. Now I’ll warn you in advance that their web site does not inspire a ton of confidence. But I’ve ordered from them a couple of times now and their service and shipping has been top-notch. You just need to work a little bit to find the products you want since there is no search function and there are no individual book pages.

The books I loved were written in Dutch and later translated to English. There are a few times that they show a bit of evidence of translation, but largely they are very well-written. Most of the books are set in the Second World War and written by men who lived through the War. They are all about adventure—about the kind of adventures boys dream of. And i think that was their appeal to me. I could always place myself in the shoes of the boys in the stories and often wished that I could live that kind of adventure. The books are also about faith, about having confidence in God and his promises through times of trial and difficulty. Sometimes it is laid on a bit thick, but more often than not it rings true. These authors lived through Holland’s greatest trial and their faith was sustained throughout. One of them (Piet Prins) even spent time in a German concentration camp.

Here are a few old favorites:

• Journey Through the Night by Anne Devries (note: Anne is a man’s name). This was undoubtedly my favorite and competed with Lord of the Rings as the book I read the most times. It follows a family through their ordeals in the Second World War.
• The Shadow Series by Piet Prins. My son recently sat down with this series and read the whole thing in just a couple of days. (click here and scroll down). These books focus on the adventures of young boys during the Second World War in Holland.
• The Scout series by Piet Prins (click here and scroll down). I am currently reading the first of these books to my children and they are really enjoying it. The books focus on a boy and his dog and their adventures. These books aren’t the most realistic ever, but then again, neither are Hardy Boys or most other books for boys. It hardly seems to matter. Note: with any order you place you’ll receive a free copy of the first in this series.

Again, the books can be difficult to find on the site so your best bet may be to use the Author Index and just scroll a lot. If you buy some of these books and find that your boys enjoy them, do let me know.

Several weeks ago I introduced you to a series of short films that focus on Christ's appearances in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord. Every Wednesday for 10 weeks I will be posting a new episode right here at the blog. This will allow you to view the series in its entirety. Do note, though, that each episode will be available for only one week.

After the week is up you will need to purchase the series. Here's how you can do that. The DVD and Study Guide (sample here) are available now. You can also buy the digital download of the whole series here for $5. Or visit Ligonier's online store for the download or physical copies of the DVD and Study Guide.

This episode, episode 6, is titled "Winning Through Weakness."

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a pastor in Scotland for 12 years before coming to Grand Rapids in 2007 with his wife Shona and their four children. He blogs regularly at Head Heart Hand.

With a new month comes a whole new batch of desktop wallpapers, lovingy crafted by some of the readers of this blog. They are all free for you to download, enjoy and install on your computer, iPad, iPhone or other device. Enjoy!

A few notes: 320 x 480 is for your iPhone; 1024 x 1024 is for your iPad; your desktop or laptop may take any of the other sizes depending on your monitor size and a host of other considerations. If you’re not sure of the size, just find one that looks like it would be pretty much the same size as your screen. Generally you set one of these are your wallpaper by clicking on the link to the image, then right-clicking on the image (once it’s open) and selecting “Set as Background,” “Set as Desktop Background,” or something similar.

He Is Wonderful

Created by Ariseli Modica from Lynnwood, WA.

• with calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

• without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

Grounded in Love

Created by Brooke Shorey from Riverdale, NJ.

• with calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

• without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

Full of His Glory

Created by Jessica Hardesty from Morgantown, WV.

• with calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

• without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

Several weeks ago I introduced you to a series of short films that focus on Christ's appearances in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord. Every Wednesday for 10 weeks I will be posting a new episode right here at the blog. This will allow you to view the series in its entirety. Do note, though, that each episode will be available for only one week.

After the week is up you will need to purchase the series. Here's how you can do that. The DVD and Study Guide (sample here) are available now. You can also buy the digital download of the whole series here for $5. Or visit Ligonier's online store for the download or physical copies of the DVD and Study Guide.

This episode is titled "Give Me Your Son."

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a pastor in Scotland for 12 years before coming to Grand Rapids in 2007 with his wife Shona and their four children. He blogs regularly at Head Heart Hand.

A few weeks ago I introduced you to a series of short films that focus on Christ's appearances in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord. Every Wednesday for 10 weeks I will be posting a new episode right here at the blog. This will allow you to view the series in its entirety. Do note, though, that each episode will be available for only one week.

After the week is up you will need to purchase the series. Here's how you can do that. The DVD and Study Guide (sample here) are available now. You can also buy the digital download of the whole series here for $5. Or visit Ligonier's online store for the download or physical copies of the DVD and Study Guide.

This episode is titled "Three Men."

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a pastor in Scotland for 12 years before coming to Grand Rapids in 2007 with his wife Shona and their four children. He blogs regularly at Head Heart Hand.

I woke up this morning with a song in my head—a song that seemed quite appropriate for a Sunday morning. “Speak, O Lord” is written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend and simply asks God to speak through his Word. Here are the lyrics to it:

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail--
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us--
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

If you would like to hear the song, you can do so in this video (in which you will also hear the songwriters speak a little bit about it).

A few weeks ago I introduced you to a series of short films that focus on Christ's appearances in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord. Every Wednesday for 10 weeks I will be posting a new episode right here at the blog. This will allow you to view the series in its entirety. Do note, though, that each episode will be available for only one week.

This week’s episode is a day late. I’ve been running around like a mad man here at the Gospel Coalition conference. I had hoped to shoot some video and do other fun things. It hasn’t happened. I’ve just been going from meeting to meeting and spending time hanging out with people I only see every year or two. So that made this video fall from yesterday until today. It’s also meant that A La Carte has disappeared. So I apologize for that. Things should return to normal tomorrow.

Back to the video…

After the week is up you will need to purchase the series. Here's how you can do that. The DVD and Study Guide (sample here) are available for pre-order, and will be launched at The Gospel Coalition Conference Preaching Christ from the Old Testament on April 12. However, you can buy the digital download of the whole series here for $5. Or visit Ligonier's online store for the download or to pre-order the DVD and Study Guide.

This episode is titled “The Well of the Living Sight.”

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was a pastor in Scotland for 12 years before coming to Grand Rapids in 2007 with his wife Shona and their four children. He blogs regularly at Head Heart Hand.

Easter is fast approaching. As Christians begin to turn their gaze towards the death and resurrection of the Savior, it seems appropriate that we should look for resources that will help us meditate on the cross and that will help prepare our hearts. To that end I'd like to suggest five books you may wish to read as Easter approaches. Each of these titles deals with the cross. Each will benefit you immensely as you prepare to remember the Lord. In each case I've provided my thoughts on the book and have listed a couple of representative endorsements.

The first three titles are short, meditative, inexpensive and easy-to-read for any Christian. All three are appropriate for devotional or study settings and are ideal for giving away to others. All three will guide your gaze to the cross and to the great work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. The next two are longer and a little bit more difficult to read, but are certainly no less valuable.

The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy

There are few books I've recommended more highly and more often than this one. An absolute gem, this book contains a series of beautiful, stirring meditations on the cross. Here is how I concluded my review of the book. "Perhaps part of the beauty and significance of this book, was that it came unannounced. There was no lofty position for it to attain to. And perhaps it is best that way. And so I will leave it with merely my wholehearted recommendation and the knowledge that I will return to it often. This short book is an invaluable treasure and I am certain that the reflections it contains will stay with me and come to heart and mind whenever I meditate upon the cross of Christ."

"I found myself more than once compelled by emotion to stop--and then to worship. I cannot help feeling that this is exactly how they were written and that the author's chief desire is that each of us who reads should be brought to gaze in fresh understanding and gratitude upon 'the Son of God,' who loved me and give himself for me."
 -Edward Donnelly

Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

From my review: "Mahaney delights in the cross. The reader will only be able to conclude that the cross is what motivates his life and his ministry. His enthusiasm, his desire, his love for the gospel message in infectious. Always focused on the truths of Scripture, Mahaney draws the reader back to the very center and focus of the Christian faith. The reader will be given much grounds for rejoicing and much grounds for deeper, prayerful reflection. The reader will be led near to the cross where he can experience the power of the Son of God. He will learn the need for the cross, the power of the cross and the wonderful benefits that have been extended to us because of the cross. He will learn why this cross stands at the center of our faith and why we must always hold it there."

"Every Timothy needs a Paul. C.J. Mahaney is mine...and this book contains his life-message. Read it yourself, and let God realign your life."
 --Joshua Harris

"With tenderness and power, C.J. illustrates the critical difference between snacking on the benefits of the cross and surveying the wonders of the cross. This is a must and magisterial read!"
 --Scotty Smith