One Way to Hide a Bible

Mike Leake

I read this today in Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography:

This obscure family of ours was early in the Reformation, and continued Protestants through the resign of Queen Mary, when they were sometimes in danger of trouble on account of their zeal against popery. They had got an English Bible, and to conceal and secure it, it was fastened open with tapes under and within the cover of a joint-stool. When my great-great-grandfather read it to his family, he turned up the joint-stool upon his knees, turning over the leaves then under the tapes. One of the children stood at the door to give notice if he saw the apparitor coming, who was an officer of the spiritual court. In that case the stool was turned down again upon its feet, when the Bible remained concealed under it as before.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if people in our little community were told that they couldn’t read their Bibles.  Would it increase our Bible reading? 

Going All-In

Mike Leake 1 Comment

“…set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:13b

What does that look like, to set your hope fully on future grace?  It looks like a desperate gambler that has placed every bit of livelihood that the Roulette wheel lands on black.  It looks like the poker player sitting with pocket Aces convinced that he will have the “nut hand”. 

If it doesn’t land on black you are homeless.  If some other guy gets lucky on the flop and you find yourself up the river with only a pair of Aces and the other guy is sitting there with a Full House you’ve not only lost the farm you’ve lost your shirt, shoes, and family dog. 

Keeping a few chips aside just in case you are wrong isn’t going all in. It’s not setting your hope fully on something. It’s not really having absolute confidence in your hand. To set your hope fully is to throw in all your chips and maybe your watch to boot. You aren’t leaving anything back.

So when Peter tells us here to “set your hope fully on” he is saying don’t leave an ounce of hope to anything else. Go all in. Don’t shore up your bets. Don’t keep a few chips into the stock market, or a few chips into another religion, or a few chips into your good works, or a few chips into having a nice house or a nice family, or a few chips into money, or a few chips into entertainment, or a few chips into relationships. Don’t shore up your bets. Go all in. Set every ounce of your hope onto Jesus Christ and what is awaiting you in Him. 

May we hope in nothing else. 

Today in Blogworld 6.8.12

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Free Chapter of Gospel-Centered Discipleship

Jonathan Dodson has written a really helpful book on discipleship.  I had the chance to review it here.  Be sure to check out my review and then get your free chapter on the Essential Role of the Holy Spirit. 

The Value of Pastoral Lunches with Members

Erik Raymond shares the benefit of pastors having lunch with their members throughout the week.  (I’ve gotten great value from this myself and our lead pastor Jason models this well).  Raymond then goes on to list 4 priorities during these lunches. 

Easy, Practical Ways to Encourage the Pastor’s Family

One church modeled encouraging a pastor’s family in a letter sent to Brian Croft’s family.  He shares some of the letter and uses it as a template for others to use in encouraging the ministers family. 

In Praise of Inefficiency

When Timothy Jones talks about Family Ministry, you listen.  This little article is no exception.  Here he uses the example of a little boy raking leaves with his mother.  He slows her down, she isn’t as efficient but she’s discipling and that is what matters.  (HT: David Murray)

I haven’t seen the movie yet but it looks interesting:

It’s currently $4.99 at iTunes.

TweetNotes for @Challies Sexual Detox: A Guide For Guys Who Are Sick of Porn

Mike Leake

A couple of months ago I had the opportunity to review Tim Challies helpful little booklet Sexual Detox.  It truly is one of the most helpful little resources to give to guys that are struggling with porn/lust and want to find help. 

Here are the TweetNotes for the book. 

1: We live in a porn-saturated world w/real God-denying & soul-crushing consequences.  #makewar

2: Marriage doesn’t solve your porn problem any more than clothing a monkey makes it a human.  #heartchangerequired

3: Contra @Dobson & @Perkins masturbation is sinful as it pollutes the mind and leads to isolation #guilt&shameasignofgrace

4: Sex is good b/c it motivates joyful obedience, strengthens the husband’s leadership, & enhances true freedom #sexisgoodnotGod

5: Knowing what sex is & is not provides a biblical basis for answering the “Can we _____?” questions

6: Seeing yourself & your porn problem w/God’s eyes motivates you to pursue freedom by turning from sin to Christ

You can purchase the book here.  Or the E-book here.