Justin Taylor shared a number of resources this morning to aid us as we through Scripture in the year ahead. The following is his post from Between Two Worlds.

There are lots of ways to read the Bible in a year, and I won’t try to capture all of them. But here are numerous options, in no particular order. You may want to look through it and see what you think would work best for you.

First off, if you’re not persuaded that having a plan is necessary and biblical in some sense, then here’s a helpful piece from John Piper, written in 1984.

Stephen Witmer has a helpful introduction—on the weaknesses of typical plans and some advice on reading the Bible together with others—as well as offering his own new two-year plan.

The Gospel Coalition’s For the Love of God Blog takes you through the M’Cheyne reading plan, with a meditation each day by D. A. Carson related to one of the readings.

George Guthrie has a very helpful Read the Bible for Life Chronological Bible Reading Plan. Guthrie has also made a a booklet version of the Read the Bible for Life 4+1 Reading Plan. The plan is similar to the Discipleship Journal plan, but in addition to reading in four different places in the Scriptures, you also read a psalm a day, cycling through the psalms twice in the year. This plan is semi-chronological, placing the prophets and the NT letters in rough chronological order.

The Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers (Pastor Andy Perry explains the plan and why he recommends it.)

Before I mention some of the ESV plans, here are a few other options that aren’t one-year-plans per se:

Don Whitney has a simple but surprisingly effective tool: A Bible Reading Record. It’s a list of every chapter in the Bible, and you can check them off as you read them at whatever pace you want.

For the highly motivated and disciplined, Grant Horner’s plan has you reading each day a chapter from ten different places in the Bible. (Bob Kauflin read the whole Bible this way in five and a half months and explainswhy he likes this system a lot.)

Joe Carter and Fred Sanders explain James Gray’s method of “How to Master the English Bible.” My pastor, David Sunday, told me that “the plan they recommend is, from my vantage point, the most productive way to read and to master the Bible’s contents (or more importantly, to let the Bible master you!).”

There are 10 Reading Plans for ESV Editions, and the nice things is the way in which Crossway has made them accessible in multiple formats:

• web (a new reading each day appears online at the same link)
• RSS (subscribe to receive by RSS)
• podcast (subscribe to get your daily reading in audio)
• iCal (download an iCalendar file)
• mobile (view a new reading each day on your mobile device)
• print (download a PDF of the whole plan)

You can also access each of these Reading Plans as podcasts:

• Right-click (Ctrl-click on a Mac) the “RSS” link of the feed you want from the above list.
• Choose “Copy Link Location” or “Copy Shortcut.”
• Start iTunes.
• Choose Advanced > Subscribe to Podcast.
• Paste the URL from step three into the box.
• Click OK.

The entire Bible on audio is usually about 75 hours (or 4500 minutes). If you commute to work 5 days a week, that’s about 260 days a year. And if it takes you, say, 17 minutes to commute each way to work—and if you listen to the Bible on audio during your drive each way—you’ll get through the entire Bible twice in a year. This probably isn’t the only way to do Bible intake—but it’s one most of us should take advantage of more.

One God. We worship one, personal, knowable, holy God. There are not two gods or ten gods or ten million gods, only one. He has always been and will always be. He is not a product of our mind or imagination. He really exists and we can know him because he has spoken to us in his word.

Two kinds of being. We are not gods. God is not found in the trees or the wind or in us. He created the universe and cares for all that he has made, but he is distinct from his creation. The story of the world is not about being released from the illusion of our existence or discovering the god within. The story is about God, the people he made, and how the creatures can learn to delight in, trust in, and obey their Creator.

Three persons. The one God exists eternally in three persons. The Father is God. The Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, is God. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Father and the Son, is also God. And yet these three—equal in glory, rank, and power—are three persons. The doctrine of the Trinity helps explain how there can be true unity and diversity in our world. It also shows that our God is a relational God.

For us. Something happened in history that changed the world. The Son of God came into the world as a man, perfectly obeyed his Father, fulfilled Israel’s purpose, succeeded where Adam failed, and began the process of reversing the curse. Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world. He rose again from the dead on the third day. By faith in him our sins can be forgiven and we can be assured of living forever with God and one day being raised from the dead like Christ.

Obviously, this doesn’t say everything that needs to be said about the Bible or Christianity. But I find it to be a helpful way to get a handle on some of the most important distinctives of a Christian worldview. Feel free to steal it and use it for yourself. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/10/21/how-to-articulate-a-christian-worldview-in-four-easy-steps/

The offer is valid through September 2nd.

Resources for Use with the Heidelberg Catechism
John G. Bales shares a list of books and resources that will benefit our use and study of the historic reformed catechism.

Dutch Women Got to be the Happiest in the World
Interesting article on how Dutch women got to be the happiest in the world.

(HT: Tim Challies)

Gospel-Centered Family on Sale at WTS Books
Tim Chester’s Gospel-Centered Family is currently on sale for $3.99 from Westminster’s bookstore.

“Many books aim to raise up competent, balanced parents and well-trained, well-rounded children. But Tim Chester and Ed Moll focus on families growing God-knowing, Christ-confessing, grace-receiving, servant-hearted, mission-minded believers-adults and children together.”

(HT: Tim Challies)

Discouragement and Faithfulness
John Piper shares his 30-year-old dream of faithfulness in ministry and conquering every attack of discouragement with God’s word.

Piper commends this powerful quote from Charles Bridges that offers us a reminder that success is not in our power.

“Our recompense is measured not according to ‘our success’ but ‘our labor’ and, as with our blessed Master, vouchsafed even in the failure of our ministration.” – Charles Bridges (d. 1869)

Contemporary Hymns
Tim Challies offers some resources for contemporary hymns. If I were to weigh in on this I would say that I prefer the work of Indelible Grace, Red Mountain Music, and Page CXVI. If fact, as I am typing this post I am listening to Page CXVI’s recent offering, Hymns II. Another favorite of mine is The Builder and the Architect by Sandra McCraken.

Along the same line, Owl City has just released their rendition of the popular contemporary hymn, In Christ Alone.

The Making of The Hobbit
It was recently announced that Peter Jackson was given the green light to begin shooting the two installments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Hobbit. Following the initial press release, many members of the cast were also announced. If I had a “like” button here, I would click away happily.

Finally, Steve McCoy shared this video from Hey Marseilles at part of his music Monday post. This was the first I had heard of this band and enjoyed the video.

The Doe Bay Sessions – Hey Marseilles from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.

Al Mohler Suggests Ten Titles for Summer Reading
“Heavily weighted in history”, Al Mohler offers his recommendation for ten books that, in his opinion, “make for great summer reading.” “This year’s list also proves that boys never grow up.” Among the ten recommended books this year “are books dealing with cowboys, Indians, gangsters, lawmen, trains, spies, and battles.”

Ten Books Every Preacher Should Read in 2010
In the March/April issue of Preaching Magazine, Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. offers his annual suggestions of the top 10 books every preacher should read in 2010. The list doesn’t contain links, so I’ve added them below. (The books are in alphabetical order of the authors’ names.)

• Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape Our Practice, by Bryan Chapell (Baker Academic)
• The Case for Books: Past, Present, and Future, by Robert Darnton (Public Affairs)
• Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion, by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck (Moody Publishers) [on sale for 60% off—i.e., $6—at Amazon]
• Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church, by Michael Horton (Baker Books)
• The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne (Matthias Media)
• Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches, by Russell D. Moore (Crossway)
• Ancient Word, Changing Worlds: The Doctrine of Scripture in a Modern Age, by Stephen J. Nichols and Eric T. Brandt (Crossway)
• Perspectives on Christian Worship: 5 Views, edited by J. Matthew Pinson (B&H Academic)
• Souls in Transition: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Emerging Adults, by Christian Smith with Patricia Snell (Oxford Univ. Press)
• The Young and the Digital: What Migration to Social-Network Sites, Games, and Anytime, Anywhere Media Means for Our Future, by S. Craig Watkins (Beacon Press)

A Few Notable Posts from the Blogsphere:

• Discerning God’s Call by Darrin Patrick
• The Future of American Cities by Tim Keller

• Joshua Harris, What Are You Built On?
• Mark Dever, The Doctrine of Christ’s Work Accomplished and Applied
• Kevin DeYoung, Scripture
• C.J. Mahaney, Sanctification
• D.A. Carson, God
• Kevin DeYoung, The Church
• Jeff Purswell, The End Times

Free Audio Download or Francis Chan’s, Forgotten God
Each month Christianaudio.com gives away a premium audiobook download for free. During the month of June they are offering Forgotten God by Francis Chan. Here is a brief description of Chan’s book from Christian Audio:

A follow up to the profound message of Crazy Love, Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invitation to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two?

Getting Started with Evernote
I love Evernote! It’s one of the few products / services that I use everyday. I use it as one of the essential capture and reference tools within my GTD ecosystem. Today, guest blogger Alicia Rockmore shares six baby steps to help you get started with Evernote. I encourage you to read the post and take some time to familiarize yourself with software and their service. If you are ready to begin, you can visit Evernote’s download (Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Andriod, Blackberry, Palm) page here.

Four Books for Only $10.00
For a limited time, Reformation Heritage Books is offering the following four books for the low cost of $10!

• Family Worship by Joel Beeke
• Contagious Christian Living by Joel Beeke
• The Happiness of Heaven by Maurice Roberts
• Walking as He Walked by Joel Beeke

Planning for the Lord’s Day
Tim Challies has a great post which shares some very practical wisdom for families as they prepare to worship each Lord’s Day.

Did They Have to Die?
My wife, Rachel, recently passed along this link to me to read. She has been influenced by the life and writings of Elizebeth Elliot and I encourage you to take some time to read this incredible story.

Christless Christianity Conference: Free Audio and Video Now Available
On March 26-27, 2010, in Los Angeles, CA, Michael Horton, Peter Jones, John MacArthur, and R.C. Sproul joined together to examine many of the popular misunderstandings of the gospel in our day as countless churches are preaching a message that has little if anything to do with the biblical gospel.

Streaming audio and video of these messages are now available on our website. Messages include:

• The Church Cries “Uncle” (“Sam” That Is) by Michael Horton
• Becoming a Better You by John MacArthur
• Questions & Answers #1
• Good Advice or Good News? by R.C. Sproul
• A Gnostic Gospel by Peter Jones
• Questions & Answers #2
• Moralistic & Therapeutic Deism by Michael Horton
• Back to Basics by R.C. Sproul
• Once Lost, Now Found: How Reformed Theology Assures Us by Daniel Hyde (Break-out Session)

DVD and CD conference sets are also now available for pre-order.

Free audio downloads of both Dietrich Bonhoeffer and John Piper
Each month christianaudio.com gives away a premium audiobook download for free. This month they are offering both The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper! Just use the coupon codes MAR2010 and MAR2010B. For more information, please visit http://christianaudio.com/free_download.php.

Five Big Issues Facing the Western Church
Tim Keller addresses five big issues currently facing the Western Church.

(HT: Acts 29 Blog)

Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism by Michael Horton
Introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism audio recordings from Dr. Horton’s Adult Sunday School classes at Christ United Reformed Church.

Free Sermons from Tim Keller
Redeemer Presbyterian Church has just made a great resource available in offering 150 of Tim Keller’s sermons free for download. Each sermon is clearly classified and labeled making the site extremely easy to navigate. Please take advantage of this great resource.

This from Redeemer’s site:

Redeemer’s Sermon Ministry has been faithfully recording, cataloging and reproducing all of our sermons for the past 20 years. To celebrate all 20 years of our history, and to meet the growing demand for our church’s teaching in New York City and around the world, we have created this resource of 150 sermons and lectures covering a broad array of topics, completely free to download and share.

The recordings chosen for the Free Sermon Resource were culled from classic sermon series as well as lectures and seminar addresses delivered to various Redeemer ministry gatherings, and are intended to present to the listener the full scope of teachings they would receive over several years of active involvement at Redeemer.

You can visit Redeemer Presbyterian Church’s free sermon resource here.

New Worship Podcast from Mars Hill Church

Here are some brief excerpts from Mars Hill:

Mars Hill Church is an amazing movement to be a part of. When I came to Mars Hill 10 years ago it was an almost 3-year-old church plant of about 200 people. By God’s grace it is now a movement of 9 campuses across 2 states drawing well over 8000 people together on a Sunday to hear God’s word and respond to him together in song. Music has always been important at Mars Hill, and as the worship pastor I have seen God build a whole movement of worshiping musicians leading well over 25 different bands all across Mars Hill.

The Mars Hill Church: Worship podcast will highlight worship leaders and songwriters from across the church as well as brief insights into the theology of worship and why we respond to God the way we do at Mars Hill Church. There will also be new songs with every installment. Join me for the first episode, which includes an interview and new song from Cam Huxford of Mars Hill Downtown Seattle and another song from my band Ex Nihilo.

Download the Mars Hill: Worship podcast here and subscribe to the feed to get all future content.

John Frame Reviews Christless Christianity
John Frame offers a lengthy review and critique of Michael Horton’s book, Christless Christianity.

(HT: Vitamin Z)

Acts 29 Interview from Tim Challies
As part of his Meet the Ministries series, Tim Challies recently posted and interview he conducted with Scott Thomas, Chairman and Director of the Acts 29 Network.

(HT: Church Planting Novice)