1689 Media

09/25/2025

Happy day for our brother. A time of sorrow for all he leaves behind. A lion of the faith has been called to the Savior's side.

We are saddened to inform friends that our dear brother, Voddie Baucham, Jr., has left the land of the dying and entered the land of the living. Earlier today, after suffering an emergency medical incident, he entered into his rest and the immediate presence of the Savior whom he loved, trusted, and served since he was converted as a college student. Please pray for Bridget, their children, and grandchildren.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. – Psalm 116:15

09/16/2025

What a gift to the church to have a hymnal like this. Westminster Bookstore sent me a copy of the Sing Hymnal and I I can say without hesitation that this is a tremendous resource for homes and churches of all sizes. God’s people are a singing people. They have been from the beginning and will continue to be a singing people for all eternity. When the church gathers to worship and sings praises to the Lord it is a foretaste of eternal joys yet to be experienced.

Regarding the hymnal itself, there are several things that make this stand apart from other hymnals out there. The selection of hymns spans from ancient to modern, all carefully chosen to edify and enrich the church as it worships our triune God. Some of the hymns were new to me and I really enjoyed going over each one, taking in and pondering the theology contained in the lyrics. The music scores are wonderfully written for congregational use, the parts well-developed with beautiful cords and cord progressions. These hymns and the manner in which they are written, while beautiful when sung solo, raise to a whole new level when voices join together and boldly sing the praises of our God.

Two areas of the hymnal that I really have grown to appreciate as I have gone through it, are the children’s section where there are several simple songs and melodies for the younger ones in the congregation and perfect for Sunday schools and bible studies, but I can tell you, we will be singing many of these with the whole congregation. The other section is toward the back where they have included a brief story about the hymn giving context to the circumstances under which the hymn was written or the reason for the hymn. Combining this with the scripture reference index is sure to be of benefit in personal devotions and small group bible studies.

The hymnal comes in several different editions including a lay-flat edition which contains cords, and a whole host of online options and search capabilities for finding the perfect hymns for a worship service or for any other occasion. If your church is considering new hymnals, I would highly recommend the Sing Hymnal. If not pick one up for your home, I assure you it will be valuable to you in family worship and in personal devotions.

Thanks to Westminster Books for sending this, and to Crossway and the Keith and Kristyn Getty for their work in producing and making it available. Head over to WTS Books to get your copy. Link to purchase in profile or use code: 1689 for discount.

09/15/2025

There’s no such thing as too much Spurgeon! What is your favorite quote from or story about Charles Haddon Spurgeon? I’ll post mine in the comments.
Spurgeon bust and playing cards available from .

04/24/2025

Still love this quote from Spurgeon!

03/19/2025

Highly recommend these. Writing out the scriptures is a great way to hide the Word in your heart.

03/14/2025

One of my favorite publishers, Reformation Heritage Books, is streaming one of the greatest documentaries ever produced. If you haven’t seen Revival, please go watch it. Link will be in the comments below. I long to see such a work in our day.

02/17/2025

What does it mean to be a true disciple of Jesus? This is one of the most important questions a professing Christian must answer. I have been slowly making my way through this 8 part study from Media Gratiae and it has been a tremendous blessing. I have been both convicted and strengthened through the study as I have been mediating on the scripture, going through the workbook, and watching the video sermons by Dr. Ian Hamilton. I highly recommend this for personal study but even more so for small groups and bible studies. I think going through this with others would lead to strengthening one another and biblical accountability in living as true disciples of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let me just say, the title is fitting: “The Nature and Practice of True-Hearted Discipleship.” I’m not sure anything could better sum up what it’s all about. Too often we see those who profess to be Christians, yet bear no resemblance to their Lord and no fruit from regeneration. The nature of discipleship is the issue. The true hearted disciple is a new creation, born again of the Spirit with new desires and with fruit born of the Spirit of God. He is one who desires the Word of God, one who loves their Savior, follows Him through both trials and triumphs, one who battles the remainders of indwelling sin, and one who relishes the realities of what he is and what he possesses in Christ. The new nature of a true-hearted disciple of Christ leads to the practice of a true-hearted disciple.

The format of the study with the video sermons and workbook is perfect for group study. True to Media Gratiae’s style, it always grounds the study in God’s Word, bringing the student to the source of all wisdom and truth. The study is available to purchase as a DVD/Workbook as well as digital access/streaming.

Dr. Ian Hamilton’s pastoral discernment and care for souls shines through in the video lessons. Once again, grounding all he proclaims and teaches in the Word. This is extremely refreshing in light of the popular trends in the professing church, where the nature and practice of the false-hearted disciple, void of God’s Word, is all too often what’s on display to the world.

I hope you will consider taking part in this bible study series and that God blesses you through it as he has me, and that you grow through your union with Christ as His true-hearted disciple. Thank you to Media Gratiae, Ian Hamilton and all who supported the work to produce this resource for the Church. Soli Deo Gloria!

09/27/2024

In these two volumes, “The Kingdom of God” and “The Story of Redemption” Jeffrey Johnson puts forth a statement of Baptist Covenant Theology and how it differs from those who uphold other views of the covenants. These works tie in very nicely with his earlier work, “The Fatal Flaw of the Theology Behind Infant Baptism,” which was revised and reprinted earlier this year.

08/02/2024

“Speak with an eloquence born not of the best schools of oratory, not of reading a thousand books, not of long words, but with the true, effectual, genuine eloquence of an enlivened soul, convinced of the truths that it speaks because it knows those realities in itself.“ -Jeremy Walker in The Broken Hearted Evangelist

This book from Pastor Walker is penetrating and convicting as he walks through Psalm 51, that great psalm of David where he pours out his heart in repentance over his sin and calls out for God, in grace and mercy, to forgive, to renew his spirit, and cleanse him. It is then that David says in verse 13, “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.” This is the heart of the broken hearted evangelist. What else can one do who has been redeemed from the power of sin and saved by the righteousness of Christ according to the sovereign grace of God? Our heart should be broken and burdened for sinners around us, leading to share the gospel with those who are perishing.

Read this book with the Word of God open before you, ready to offer prayers of praise and to beg for strength and boldness. Be ready for tears of repentance and the heavy weight of conviction but be thankful for both, for they will lead us to action.

07/23/2024

Paul Washer’s 78 page booklet from Reformation Heritage Books, Ten Indictments Against The Modern Church, may be one of the most important books you can read and then recommend to other pastors. In true Paul Washer fashion, this work pulls no punches and calls for pastors and churches to be biblically faithful in the way they minister and proclaim God’s Word. I took a copy to a pastor friend this morning. He called about an hour ago telling me that he read the first five indictments and has already benefited from what he read in helping a member of his local church.

This little book is a convicting and sobering work and it’s clear this comes from a preacher of the gospel, his love for Christ, his zeal for the church, and the humble heart of a servant of God. Thank you Paul Washer and Reformation Heritage Books for making this available.

07/08/2024

"Learning may be usefully employed; but if learning ever forgets that it must sit at the feet of Jesus, it will be a curse instead of a blessing. It will raise clouds and darkness, instead of communicating light to the world." Robert Haldane- Preface to Romans, Banner of Truth

06/08/2024

Thankful to draw breath that might be used to glorify our sovereign God and point others to the Christ.

These have been a tough couple weeks and I thank you all for your prayers. There is a long road ahead for full recovery but God is in control and all of life, death, joy, sorrow, sickness, and health are in His good hands. In this fact I can rest.