Mike Leake

I watched about five minutes of one of those prosperity gospel television preachers the other day. The cameras panned through the audience focusing on head-nodders, note-takers, and Amen-shouters. The preacher man was spitting nothing but straight heresy and these people were eating it up. This led me ton wonder, how in the world these people were swallowing this false teaching. Then he started talking a bit about Jesus and I got it. He was parroting gospel talk all the while allowing these congregants to keep their Americanized Asherah poles. In other words these preachers had a form of … [Read more...] about One Reason You Might Swallow False Teaching

I felt myself slipping a couple years ago. I wasn’t close to denying inerrancy or the sufficiency of Scripture—at least not with my lips. But there was a subtle shift that had been taking place in my heart. I started wondering if things like inerrancy and sufficiency and stuff was such a big deal. I think my John Newton like love for peace was drowning out the prophetic Spurgeon-like voice inside me. God graciously redirected and rejuvenated my heart on this in 2014. Here are five books that he has used to help strengthen my confidence in the Scriptures. 1. Truth Matters by … [Read more...] about 5 Books Which Have Helped Strengthen My Confidence in the Scriptures

“He who has been in the dark dungeon knows the way to the bread and the water.” –Charles Spurgeon I’ve been in the dark dungeon. I’ve battled depression and anxiety for years. A few years ago I finally acknowledged this and began the road to recovery. I haven’t arrived by any means but I think I’ve at least found the bread and the water Spurgeon is referring to. Here is the path that I’ve found to get the bread and water of mental health. In the Dungeon When I become aware of my anxiety/depression (or dearly loved ones point out my melancholy) my first step is to assess the … [Read more...] about Where To Find Bread and Water in the Dungeon of Depression

I started watching him as a joke. And then my spirit was grieved. I watched the angry preacher berating his congregation and laughed at some of the ridiculous things he was saying. Things that one can only truly appreciate if you spent any time in one of these angry little churches. I appreciated the humor of his angry tirade about men peeing while sitting down. And I rolled my eyes at his passionate defense of the King James Bible. And then I thought about his congregation. And then my own. At one point in his frothing at the mouth he said to his congregation, “You’re not … [Read more...] about Dear Angry Preacher Dude

“The best defense is a good offense”. That’s what you say when you have a terrible defense. If you’ve got a terrible offense you switch it and say that the best offense is a good defense. Either way, I think Christians have learned this secret when it comes to erecting barricades around those places in our lives that we don’t want to see touched. Think with me about the nature of Scripture. Many of us preachers have made a point from Ephesians 6 that the sword is the only offensive weapon in the list of armor. And I think that’s a valid point. God’s Word, after all, is what Jesus used … [Read more...] about Swording Our Friends

You might not catch that title….but I’m banking on the fact that since it has the word “gospel” in it, and that’s a buzzword, you’ve clicked here anyways. Allow me to explain the title before I show you something in Scripture that I’m confident will prod your heart to worship. A couple of years ago Jarrod Dyson, the speedy centerfielder for the KC Royals, scored the game winning run by tagging up on a pop up to the shortstop. If you don’t understand baseball just know that in order to do something like this you have to be crazy fast. Dyson is crazy fast. When being interviewed after … [Read more...] about That’s What Gospel Do

You sit down to eat your lunch and begin peeling your orange, when your lunch buddy makes a strange comment. “Why in the world do they call it an orange if it is green?” After gaining your composure, you realize your friend is likely color blind and unable to see the difference between orange and green. To him this orb in your hand is green and nothing you say is going to change that “fact”. He insists that the burden of proof is on you. In order for him to believe that this orange is actually orange you will have to prove it. Secondly, he insists that only six colors exist and every … [Read more...] about When An Orange is Green

I’ve been preaching to teenagers for about twelve years now. When I first started I was barely older than they were. In those good old days I could make a reference to something from my childhood and the kids would track with me. Now I just get blank stares when I try to use some of these: Michael Jordan and his tongue wagging. It’s sad. I know. But only one student in my current youth group has seen Michael play. Ever. Zack Morris and his oversized cell phone. That means that none of them know Kelly Kapowski or AC Slater. The glories of Saved by the Bell are lost on them. In West … [Read more...] about Cultural References I Can’t Use Anymore

“The Christian life isn’t about progress… “ “Church isn’t a place for people to get better… “ “Following Jesus is more about realizing my own weakness and insufficiency and finding them in Jesus than it is about growing… “ I keep hearing statements like these and I must confess they leave me baffled. I’m baffled because I know they are meant to be good news—but for the life of me I can’t find the good news in them. I understand the good news of realizing that my identity is totally and absolutely found in Christ. It is tremendous news that there is no condemnation for those who are … [Read more...] about Should Christians Be “Getting Better”?

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) I’ve always thought the hard part of this verse is what comes after the comma. In fact most of my focus on this passage has centered around obeying the second half of this verse. We’ve all had experiences of insensitive people who refused to weep with us when we were weeping. Nobody wants to be that guy who laughs at a funeral. Picture the scene. A group of guys are hanging out enjoying a ball game. They’re surrounded by hot wings, big screen televisions, and other faithful fans. They are having a great time…at least … [Read more...] about Is Suffering Always the Trump Card?