The “C” Word

Mike Leake 3 Comments

Recently I attended a parachurch gathering where a handful of teenagers told about what God was doing in their life through this organization.  It was a pretty fun evening and it honestly helped me to see how much of a heart I still have for teenagers.  Listening to them talk really stirred up in me a desire for solid discipleship among teenagers.  One verse that kept stirring through my head was this one:

…having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

I am still not certain if I want to assign the full weight of that verse to my experience.  In the context this is speaking about the watered-down faith of the “last days”.  It also ends with the injunction to “Avoid such people”.  That is a strong word, so I am a quite reluctant to assign the full force of this verse to what I witnessed at this event. 

What made me think of that verse was the fact that it took a good hour for me to hear the name of Jesus, and it was only at the closing prayer did I hear “Christ” being used.  Numerous times I heard “God” thrown around as their helper for getting through difficult stuff.  I heard about how amazing this camp experience was where they got to learn about their friends, learn about themselves, and learn about God. 

Call me a doctrine nazi if you want, but when I’m at a Christian event for an hour without hearing the name of Christ my spidey-senses start to tingle.  And I’m not sure that is necessarily bad.  It reminds me of James 2 where we see that even the demons believe that “God is one”.  Demons are perfectly content throwing around the term “God”.  But it’s when we attach it to YHWH or Jesus the Christ that they begin to shudder. 

I find most people are somewhat comfortable with the god of moralistic therapeutic deism.  And so it’s nothing for them to throw around the term “god”.  Also in recent days there has been an influx of “Jesus is my homeboy” type of shirts.  So, it means very little nowadays for people to throw around the name of Jesus.  What most people are uncomfortable with are referring to God as “The Lord” and Jesus as “the Christ”. 

That is why I listen for the “C” Word.  Certainly, people can refer to Jesus as the Christ and not really know what they are saying.  Some might use it as a term of derision other might think it’s the last name of that hip-bearded guy named Jesus.  But if somebody is very reticent to use the term “Christ” it makes me a little uneasy. 

What about you?  Does it cause you a little concern if you never hear the name of Christ?  Am I weird here? 

Husband’s and “Honey-Do’s”

Mike Leake

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.    (John 13:1-4 ESV)

There is a massive amount of theology and application in this text.  As I am reading it this morning, though, Jesus is teaching me how to be a better husband.  Jesus models for me how a husband ought to serve his wife.  Not only by what is there but also by what is NOT in this scene. 

If I Painted This Scene

This story would be different if it was reflective of my level of service to my wife.  Jesus would still wash the disciples feet.  He would even do it for those that sinned against him.  But there would have been a sentence added to the story that goes something like this:

“During supper, and after waiting for a lengthy period of time, Jesus noticed that Frank the Footwasher was not on duty that day.  The disciples feet were getting pretty rank, so somebody was going to have to wash them.  Jesus, being the humble servant that He is, decided that He would be the one to wash them.” 

You see I do a somewhat decent job of reactionary serving.  Maybe not immediate reactionary serving, but I do respond when things get a little out of hand.  I’ll sit for as long as I can but at some point I realize that it is time for service.  When dishes pile up in the sink and buzzards start hovering over the stank of our van I decide that it is probably time to kick in and start being a servant. 

That is not, however, following the footsteps of Jesus the Servant. 

The Scene As It Is

There is no mention of Frank the Footwasher in this text.  Even if there were it would be of Jesus giving him the night off.  Jesus was not a reactionary servant.  Jesus was an intentional servant.  He did not see an out of control need and then hop to the occasion and call himself a servant.  He served before there even was a massive need. 

He came to the feast that night with the intention of serving.  This is modeling for me not only how to be a good disciple, or a good leader, this is modeling for me how to be a good husband.  Husbands that follow the footprint of the Master do not sit around and wait for a “honey-do” list, they create their own.  Lord, help me to be a better servant to my wife.

On an unrelated note, I’ve got to go clean out my van.  If I don’t come back for a couple days send somebody to get me out…

Today in Blogworld 10.26.12

Mike Leake

12 Things To Do When You’re Criticized

“We will all be criticized at one time or another. Sometimes justly, sometimes unjustly. Sometimes others’ criticism of us is harsh and undeserved. Sometimes we may need it. How do we respond to criticism?”  Mark Altrogge gives 12 helpful responses to criticism. 

The Mourdock Moment

I appreciate this piece by Dr. Mohler.  As he so often does Dr. Mohler cuts through the spin and provides helpful biblical truth and counsel. 

What We Can Learn About Preaching from ‘Parks and Recreation’

Dr. Moore discusses a recent Parks and Rec. episode that he found boring.  I too found it boring and borderline offensive (because it mocked a valid position).  I normally love the show but was really disappointed by this one.  Dr. Moore uses it to teach us a lesson about preaching. 

Propaganda: Giving the Puritans a Bad Rap

Dr. Joel Beeke is an authority on the Puritans.  I was waiting to hear if he would respond to Propaganda’s song on the Puritans.  He has.  Check out his reflections. 

Haven’t had a chance to watch this yet but I intend to.  My favorite professor, Dr. Schreiner, preaching on Acts 20:17-38 in chapel:

An Idiots Guide to Week 8 #NFL Predictions

Mike Leake

9-4 last week.  I almost got my 10 wins but the Lions didn’t show up to play on Monday Night.  I picked the close Cowboys and Panthers game.  Blew it on T.Y. Hilton.  I was correct about the 7 Viking sacks but wrong about the Cardinals win in spite of it.   No Tebow.  No Eli injury.  Nate Washington did have a 4th quarter TD for the win.  McFadden almost had 100 yards.  Arian Foster was a stud but not as studly as Chris Johnson.  This week I’m feeling some upsets:

Bucs over Vikings
Bears over Panthers
Browns over Chargers
Lions over Seahawks
Packers over Jaguars (somehow it’s close though)
Colts over Titans
Patriots over Rams (in OT)
Jets over Dolphins
Eagles over Falcons
Steelers over Redskins
Chiefs over Raiders
Cowboys over Giants
Saints over Broncos
49ers over Cardinals (blowout)

Fantasy stud of the week: Michael Vick
Fantasy sleeper of the week: Titus Young

Other crazy picks:

It’s going to happen eventually, Titus Young finally shows up
Chris Johnson surprisingly shutdown by the Colts D
Weeden leads a 4th quarter game winning drive after a Rivers pick
Vick rushes for 100 yards, throws for 300, and has 4 total TD’s
James Harrison knocks RG3 out of the game
Peyton can’t hang with Drew
Jamaal Charles scampers for 200 yards
Romo leads a 4th quarter comeback
After this week everyone on ESPN will be asking, “What is wrong with the Patriots?”