Today in Blogworld 10.08.15

Mike Leake

What Pastors Wish Their Worship Leaders Knew

Yep. I think being a worship leader would be a tough calling. Judging from this list you are called to be pastoral, but in a certain sense not too much.

Stephen Colbert on Being a “Fool for Christ”

Trevin did a tremendous job looking into a statement from Stephen Colbert that might have shocked many people.

What Does “Know Your Audience” Even Mean?

I’ve found it difficult at times to really get a feel for the audience here at Borrowed Light, so I found Barnabas’ work here to be helpful.

Ditching the Rhythm

Oh man, I needed this. That is one thing that has been the biggest struggle for me in moving to Southwest MO to pastor a church. I’ve got to somehow learn to ditch the rhythm I suppose.

This is an American Ninja Warrior challenge I might be able to tackle…but this little guy knocks it out of the park:

Preaching the Whole Gospel To Ourselves

Mike Leake

I’m a firm believer in the importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves—rather than just listening to ourselves. But I find I have a tendency to only preach half of the gospel to myself. I’ll major on preaching the good news and minor on preaching the truth of my depravity. What I find is that when I’m a bit hesitant to own up to my sinfulness the gospel doesn’t taste as sweet—it feels more functional than life-giving.

I believe Zechariah 3:1-2 is in our Bible for a reason. The accuser plays an important role in gospel proclamation. When we feel the weight of his accusation we taste the sweetness of our gospel rescue. I’ve always appreciated what Spurgeon said in preaching on this text:

“Satan says, ‘the man’s garments are filthy’,’Well,’ says Jesus, “how do you expect them to be otherwise? When you pull a brand out of the fire, do you expect to find it milk-white or polished?” No, it had begun to crack and burn, and though you have plucked it out of the fire, it is in itself still black and charred. So it is with the child of God. What is he at the best? Till he is taken up to heaven, he is nothing but a brand plucked out of the fire. It is his daily moan that he is a sinner; but Christ accepts him as he is: and he shuts the devil’s mouth by telling him, “Thou sayest this man is black — of course he is: what did I think he was but that? He is a brand plucked out of the fire. I plucked him out of it. He was burning when he was in it: he is black now he is out of it. He was what I knew he would be; he is not what I mean to make him, but he is what I knew he would be. I have chosen him as a brand plucked out of the fire. What hast thou to say to that?”

And so when we talk about preaching the gospel to ourselves part of that is also embracing our accusation. I’d be remiss to conclude this without pointing you to this excellent song by Shane & Shane:

Today in Blogworld 10/07/15

Mike Leake

20 Cognitive Biases That Affect Your Exegesis

Interesting. And I think pretty spot on.

Tips on Reading Better While Retaining More

I do about the same…which is really why I’ve found electronic reading to be a bit difficult for retaining things.

Push Through the Awkward

This is written to women, but I benefited from it as well.

10 Ways to Resolve Conflict with Your Pastor

You don’t see a ton of articles like this, but you really should.

Sorcery…I can’t do neither of these things…he does them both at the same time:

The Keys of Comfort

Mike Leake

I posted this on Lore Ferguson’s tremendous blog awhile back. Since I’m going through a bit of a dark season right now I thought of this again as I was praying for the dawn to break. Then I realized I don’t remember ever linking to this article so Borrowed Light readers could give it a look. So here you go.

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“The Lord keeps the key of comfort in his own hand” –John Newton

I think I respond to this truth like a drunk-guy wanting his keys so he can drive home.

He has the key to my comfort. In my stupor I demand that he follow my whims. “Give me the keys, Jesus!”

The Lord, like any friend that is closer than a brother, refuses to give an idiot keys to a car that he is not fit to drive. And so I get angry. I try to pry them out of his powerful hands. I throw a fit. I rant. I rave. I call him evil and wrong and mean for not giving me the key to comfort.

He doesn’t budge.

And I’m glad.

I’m glad because I don’t have to be like the bleeding woman—trying to find comfort in a million different places. I simply need to grab hold of the hem of His garment and follow Him; even if he is walking to a cross.

He holds the key. He is very good. He is very wise. We are going somewhere and I trust Him. Even if we pitch our tent in rubble and ashes, I trust that this will be a means to prepare me for dancing in the palace of heaven.

Sure I’ll ask him for the keys whenever I hurt. I’ll beg him to take away pain. I’ll long for the days when the clouds and darkness lift. I’ll use every means necessary to fight the things that rob godly comfort and peace. But if the clouds don’t lift and the darkness continues to break in, I’ll just wait.

No more pursuing other remedies. No more pouting. No more screaming because I don’t get the comfort that I feel I am owed. I will simply assume that if the Lord does not give me the key of comfort it is for my good. He knows better than I do. He knows when pain will strengthen and comfort will shipwreck.

I pray that I will be so enamored with Jesus that I can say with Samuel Rutherford:

“Whether God come to his children with a rod or a crown, if he come himself with it, it is well. Welcome, Welcome Jesus, what way soever thou come, if we can get a sight of thee. And sure I am, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to the bed-side, and draw aside the curtains, and say ‘Courage, I am thy salvation,’ than to enjoy health, being lusty and strong, and never to be visited by God.”

I’m glad he holds the keys.

– See more at: http://sayable.net/2013/05/the-keys-of-comfort/