Today in Blogworld 01.08.13

Mike Leake

How to Preach the Gospel from Every Part of the Bible

Fred Zaspel gives advice on preaching the gospel from the different genre’s of Scripture. Preachers/Teachers ought to be sure to read this one.

Life’s Interruptions are Divine Opportunities

Trevin Wax believes that “interruptions are not obstacles to our plan; they are opportunities for us to embrace God’s plan.” Here he explains.

Famous Bible Translation Mistakes Throughout History

This one is funny. Goes to show that translations and footnotes aren’t inerrant.

The Monty Python Secret to Creative Sermon Illustrations and Applications

What does it take to come up with more creative sermon illustrations and applications? Eric McKiddie believes that John Cleese might have the answer.

Here is Lecrae at Passion 2013:

Why I Decided to Publish with @CruciformPress

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Before I answer that question I have to confess that the title might be a little misleading. It is not as if I had ten to twelve different publishers knocking on my door begging me to publish with them. But Cruciform was the only place that I submitted my work to. I did not pursue publication with anyone else. The simplest answer to why I am being published by Cruciform is that they were crazy enough to take a chance on me. There is however, a much bigger answer to that question and I want to share it with you today.

Here are six reasons why I decided to pursue being published by CruciformPress over other publishers.

  1. I love their vision. They started by asking what a gospel-centered book-publishing company would look like in the 21st century. What they came up with was one that was focused on content, simplicity, reliability, trust, convenience, voice, and community.
  2. I love their team. Not that I know any of these guys personally but I know of all of them. Kevin Meath is a very experienced editor with eleven years as the chief editor for Sovereign Grace Ministries. I have benefited from many books co-authored by Bob Bevington. And Tim Challies is every bloggers hero. These men are trusted. If given the opportunity to partner with them why would I not?
  3. I love their books. Some of the best books that I have read since 2010 have been published by Cruciform Press. They are what they promise to be. Easy reads that are very helpful and drenched in the gospel. They’ have certainly influenced by my own writing style.
  4. The new kind of publishing is compelling. Because Cruciform is more geared towards EBooks it offers a little better incentive to authors. It’s not your traditional publishing company. I love their idea behind subscriptions and keeping every book the same price.
  5. Most books should be this length. I don’t know how many times I have read a book that was 250 pages that should have been about 120. Perhaps it is because I grew up with microwaves and MTV but I think most books ought to be about the length of a Cruciform Press book. It is actually more challenging to write 20,000 words and make your point than trying to do it with 100,000 words.
  6. A great way to get my foot in the door. The truth is I need to get my foot in the door. An upstart company like Cruciform is a great place for new authors like myself to get a start. And the truth is I think it’s a great publishing company to continue working with. Most books I write (except the one I am hoping to write on John Newton) will probably be about this length.

If you are an author or prospective author I would suggest considering CruciformPress. I would also suggest subscribing to their new books. For a low price you get a new book every other month. And be sure to look for my book, Torn to Heal, releasing on May 1st.

Today in Blogworld 01.05.13

Mike Leake

Premarital Sex?

Russell Moore compellingly argues that the term fornicator is a better term than premarital sex.

10 Steps to Read 50 books in 2013

50 books seems like a daunting task. It’s really not, though. Josh Stringer gives ten steps to accomplishing that goal.

How to Mortify Sin

Sinclair Ferguson responds to the question, “what are the steps that are involved in helping someone mortify sin.”

6 Tips for Successful Bible Reading

Andrew Hess doesn’t “know if its laziness, poor discipline or some secret strategy of the satanic empire, but maintaining the habit of Bible reading is hard work.” But here are 6 tips that he has employed to get better at Bible reading.

I’ve been listening to Trip Lee a bunch lately. I particularly dig this song (notice how I have to say “dig” since I’m referring to rap music…I’m so white).

Even Our Suffering Can’t Provide The Redemption We Need

Mike Leake

     O LORD, in distress they sought you;
        they poured out a whispered prayer
        when your discipline was upon them.
    Like a pregnant woman
        who writhes and cries out in her pangs
        when she is near to giving birth,
    so were we because of you, O LORD;
        we were pregnant, we writhed,
        but we have given birth to wind.
    We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth,
        and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen.
(Isaiah 26:16-18 ESV)

One of the most special days of my life was the day that my wife gave birth to our son*. One of the most trying days of my life was that same day. I forget how many hours of labor she endured but I remember it was difficult. Not the worst pregnancy in the history of mankind but far from the easiest. As a man that deeply loves his wife, I hate to see her suffer. And for about 5 out of the 9 months of that pregnancy it was very difficult for my wife.

Yet, as any parent knows once that baby is born every bit of suffering is worth it. Forgive me for being crass here. But I can’t imagine what it would have been like to have waited nine months, to have endured the agonizing labor, and then to only deliver what amounts to a passing of gas.

Yet, this is what Isaiah the prophet says of Israel. They were to be God’s means of restoration and deliverance in the world. They were to spread the glory of God throughout the world and replace the prideful boasting of men with the humble worship of Yahweh.

They failed.

Miserably.

There were times when they seemed as if they would produce that which they were created to produce. They writhed and moaned as a woman about to give birth. They went through great suffering for the purpose of accomplishing redemption and all they produced was a mighty wind. This is because our suffering, by itself, can not accomplish or provide the redemption that we need.

Simply put only a righteous sufferer is in a position to suffer on behalf of another. The suffering of the fallen is a mere consequence of their position. Only the Suffering Servant is fit to have “the iniquity of us all” laid upon his shoulders. Therefore, all of our writhing and whispered prayers of suffering cannot accomplish the deliverance that we so need. Israel failed in her mission because she failed to be righteous.

Only in Christ

Thankfully, where Israel failed Christ succeeded. Christ was without sin and therefore in a position to suffer on behalf of another. His suffering produced far more than a mighty wind. His suffering does accomplish deliverance in the earth. His suffering does overturn the works of the evil and makes the inhabitants of the world to fall and the redeemed of the Lord to rise anew (see Isaiah 26:19-21).

Christ not only redeemed our souls he also redeemed our suffering. We no longer suffer and give birth to the wind. Because the Suffering Servant has chosen to unite Himself with us our suffering is now linked to His redemptive sufferings. What once produced wind now floods the world with the glory of a risen King.

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*Of course the birth of my daughter was just as special. But it doesn’t fit the second sentence referring to the fear and difficulty of Isaiah being born. Therefore, I mention only my son.