Mike Leake

This post is written by a friend that I’ve known for a long time. I’m thankful that she was willing to be vulnerable to share her story with all of us. You may notice that her name is not attributed. When asked, she said that she no longer wanted to be defined by her past, and felt that her story could be just as compelling whether named or not. Since these are sensitive topics, I suggested we leave it anonymous. I believe you will still find encouragement from it as I did. – If you want to read yet another diatribe that’s “pro-gay” or “anti-gay,” then this article isn’t for you. We’ve all … [Read more...] about Guest Post: How the Gospel Ended My Same-Sex Relationship

What is the most realistically positive book ever written? Is it something by Oprah? Perhaps Peale’s classic, The Power of Positive Thinking? Something else on the self-help list? If you agree with David Murray, your answer is that the most realistically positive book in the world is the Bible (xxiii). This is why he has written The Happy Christian. Murray’s contention is that Christians have swallowed too much of our cultural negativity and we’ve become out of balance. In this book he gives ten helps for Christians to live in Christian happiness even in our gloomy world. What is … [Read more...] about Review of The Happy Christian By David Murray

His eyes can barely stay open. A graven look overwhelms his thin face. You can tell that this young man hasn’t eaten for days. He is starving to death. You, being the good chap you are, offer this dying man a bit of bread and water. You know that he needs to eat and wonder why in a land flowing with milk and honey he hasn’t eaten in awhile. Much to your surprise this pitiable lad refuses your bread and water. He says, “No thanks, man. I tried those once and they didn’t work. I found myself hungry again after a few hours. I’m looking for something that lasts a bit longer. But it’s … [Read more...] about When You Are Called to Sing to the Deaf

Disclaimer: This works for me. It might not work for you. If you flunk out of seminary after taking my advice, I’m sorry. I came to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the fall of 2009. I was excited to be able to learn from some of the world’s greatest professors. I figured I would learn so much and that I would grow in my relationship with the Lord in ways I didn’t imagine. My first semesters didn’t disappoint. After awhile, though, my soul started to ache a bit. The greatest impact was on my Bible reading. I started reading less devotionally and more as a seminary student. To … [Read more...] about A Tip For Seminary Students

Andrew Bonar once wrote in his diary: “This day 20 years ago I preached for the first time as an ordained minister. It is amazing that the Lord has spared me and used me at all. I have no reason to wonder that He used others far more than He does me. Yet envy is my hurt, and today I have been seeking grace to rejoice exceedingly over the usefulness of others, even where it cast me into the shade. Lord, take away this envy from me!” After reading 1 Samuel 18, I wrote something similar. I wish I could see myself as more like David and less like Saul, but alas I see envy entangling my … [Read more...] about 7 Things We Sacrifice When We Succumb to Envy

For many years, here in America, we have lived in a predominately Christian culture. Most of our neighbors shared our Judeo-Christian worldview. When you told people that you were a minister they responded with respect. Times have changed. Now when I tell people that I am a pastor they ask why I’ve given my life to promoting fairy tales. The prominent worldview is now a secular naturalism. Our culture is increasingly eschewing our Christian values and instead doing what is right in their own eyes. As the moral fabric of our nation begins to unravel, many Christians are becoming quite … [Read more...] about How Will Faith Survive?

Are you annoyed by fellow-Christians being all up in your business? Would you like to just live life the way you want without having to deal with that nasty feeling you get when you are around those super-holy Christians? Tired of feeling judged? If so, I’ve got great news for you. By using the Bible…yes that Bible…you can defend yourself against the onslaught of Christian conviction. Nobody likes to feel bad about themselves—and now you don’t have to. There are three truths in the Bible that if applied appropriately will protect you from those nosy Christians always trying to make you … [Read more...] about How to Use the Bible to Avoid Those Annoying Christians

In his book, Dangerous Calling, Paul Tripp asks a few pointed questions about the nature of a seminary education: …Is it not possible for seminary students to become experts in a gospel that they are not being exposed and changed by? Is it not dangerous to teach students to be comfortable with the radical content of Scripture while holding it separate from their hearts and lives? Is it not dangerous for students to become comfortable with the message of the Bible while not being broken, grieved, and convicted by it…Shouldn’t every Christian institution of higher learning be a warm, nurturing, … [Read more...] about How to Be a Good Preacher

One day Charles Spurgeon was walking with a fella down the street when they came upon a drunken man staggering in the alley. Spurgeon’s companion turned to him and said, “Isn’t that one of your converts?” Spurgeon quipped, “It must have been. He sure wasn’t one of the Lord’s.” We laugh at this story because of Spurgeon’s quick wittedness but there must have been a ton of pain behind it. There are few things that dishearten and sadden a minister like knowing one “got away”. The Lord spoke of those who would fall on bad soil. When you experience that first hand it is painful. It’s painful … [Read more...] about 7 Helps For When One You’ve Been Discipling Turns Away

We are going through Romans at First Baptist Jasper. Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach on Romans 7:13-25. What a difficult text. Most today who read this text believe this struggle is speaking of a believers daily battle against sin. But if you really follow the structure of Paul’s thought here it is possible that he is speaking from the perspective of a person before coming to Christ. There are good cases for both sides. And I held both of them in the weeks preceding preaching on this text. You’ll see why when you consider the arguments. I’m summing up Tom Schreiner … [Read more...] about On Romans 7:13-25