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

At the recent Ligonier Ministries National Conference I was asked to speak on “The Next Story.” Instead of speaking about my book or offering up a summary of it, I took a look at 3 vignettes, 3 little stories that help us understand what’s going on here in the digital world. It’s just a short presentation but one I thought you might enjoy. Here it is:

A week 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 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.

Here is the second episode of the series. It is titled “Spiritual Heartburn.”

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’m one day late posting this, but I trust the wait is worth it. Here is this month’s selection of desktop wallpaper calendars, all free for the download. There are wallpapers here for your computer, your iPhone, your iPad or just about any other device you might like to dress us. 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.

In Glorious Day

Created by Eric Novak from Chicago, IL.

• without calendar: 1280x800, 1280x900, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440

Risen Indeed

Created by Jeff Nine, Denver, CO. Alleluia! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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

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

Bursting Forth

Created by Harold Sikkema, Hamilton, Canada. In April, I’m grateful for new life, for modern hymnwriters, and for my mother’s decade-spanning button collection.

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

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

This afternoon, and for quite a few Wednesday afternoons to follow, I’ve got something I think you’ll enjoy. It’s a series of short films created by David Murray that focus on Christ’s appearances in the Old Testament as the Angel of the Lord. This week’s episode is titled “Bonus Gospel.”

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 in the next few days for the download and also to pre-order the DVD and Study Guide.

Every Wednesday for the next ten weeks, check in here at the blog for a time-limited streaming version of each episode. And now, to get you started, here is the first episode:

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 couple of months ago Crossway released Don’t Call it a Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day. I contributed a chapter to that book titled “Jesus Christ: The Only Way and Our Only Hope.” This chapter deals with religious pluralism, inclusivism and exlusivism, all words and terms that have become hot topics because of Rob Bell’s book Love Wins (my review). Crossway has excerpted that chapter and made it available to you as a free PDF.

You can download it here: Jesus Christ: The Only Way and Our Only Hope.

Alternatively, if you would like to read it in your browser using Issuu, click here.

Here is how the chapter begins…

We live within a pluralistic culture of many faiths. Most often, the faiths coexist peacefully. This is good. Living in multicultural Toronto, a city in which over 50 percent of the population was born in another country, I have seen this religious diversity firsthand. As people immigrate to Toronto, they bring with them their religion. My son's best friend at school is Muslim, the neighbor across the road from us is Buddhist, and just down the way is a Hindu from South Africa. Atheists, Roman Catholics, universalists, Mormons--all of them are within a stone's throw of my front door. Look closely and you can even find the occasional evangelical. Within just our small neighborhood is a virtual pantheon.

While we regret the necessity of this pluralism, wishing that all men would be saved and come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ, we are grateful for laws that allow us freedom to worship our Savior. We may not agree with the tenets of other faiths, but if every religion has freedom, we will too. This religious pluralism allows us to worship Jesus Christ in freedom and peace, without fear of interference or persecution. It is a profound blessing.

Last month, on February 1, I offered up a list of desktop wallpapers that were free for you to download and use on your computer, iPhone, iPad or other device. That turned out to be a hit, so here we are on March 1 with another list of wallpapers. Each of these has been designed by a Christian graphic designer or artist and each of them is free for you to download—just click the appropriate link and save the image.

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.

I’d like to get a bit of buzz going about this post, so I’ll keep an eye on anyone who tweets it or links to it on a blog; I’ll give away a few Westminster Books gift certificates to those kind enough to do so.

March

Created by Shannon Brown, Rockford, IL.

• with calendar: 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440, 2560x1600

New Every Morning

Created by Zack Kirby, Raleigh, NC.

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