Author Archives: Anthony Baker

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About Anthony Baker

Husband, dad, pastor, artist, and musician. Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006 (no joke!). Loves coffee (big time), good movies, and sarcastic humor. Holds a Doctorate in Ministry. Most importantly, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Him! Matthew 5:16
by | January 10, 2015 · 12:50 am

Prayerless and Powerless

The Second Book

Andrew Murray

Andrew Murray

I am now well into the second week of 2015 with one book read and another started. The first book I finished was Donkey Tells a Promise Kept. The book I am reading at this moment is Living a Prayerful Life by Andrew Murray (1828-1917).

If you have never heard of Andrew Murray, he was a South African preacher and pastor (of Scottish decent), but more than anything a prayer warrior. Some of his theology may not sit well with all of us, but one thing is certain: this man had a heart for God like few others.

Quote of the Day

I am not even a quarter of the way through this little book, but there is something I’ve got to share with you. Something Murray wrote is convicting me, stinging me with a pain sharper than any wasp, more like the burn of a red-hot poker to the heart.

The Enemy uses all his power to lead the Christian – and above all, the minister – to neglect prayer. Satan knows that however admirable the sermon may be, however attractive the service, however faithful the pastoral visitation, none of these things can damage him or his kingdom if prayer is neglected. – Andrew Murray (p. 28)

I’m not going to lie – I don’t pray like I should. What a waste! What a sin!

I have preached some pretty good sermons and tried to do all the pastoral stuff, but how much more effective could I have been had I spent more time on my knees and less time at a desk? What if I spent more time talking with Jesus than talking about Him?After all, the whole reason the disciples called for the selecting of deacons was so that they might first give themselves “continually to prayer…” (Acts 6:4).

Preachers, before you worry anymore about your outline for Sunday, your clever illustrations, or your Power Point, spend some more time prostrate before the throne. If we neglect earnest prayer, we’ll have no power, so what’s the point?

One finger pointing, three back at me.

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by | January 9, 2015 · 6:30 pm

Who Am I?

Wow! Just…WOW! This post is from a blog I just started following, and it will surely be part of a future sermon. Who am I? Read and find out 😉

morelikecantcer's avatarKim's Blog

I am an Israelite in the desert, You have delivered me and still I doubt. You have performed miracles before my very eyes, and still I question You.
I choose the world and then curse You when everything goes wrong. I keep turning away, and yet You still protect me and give me chances that I don’t deserve.

I am Jonah, running in fear from the purpose You have given me.

I am Gideon, I try to tell You that You’ve got the wrong one, that I am not good enough to do what You need done. I doubt that You can use someone like me.

I am David, I allow my momentary impulsive desires to compromise everything You’ve built and everything You’ve done for me.

I am a pharisee, I consistently choose legalism and rules over truth and compassion.

I am the rich young ruler, unable to part with…

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by | January 8, 2015 · 1:54 pm

Donkey Tells: A Review

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! Yes, I know it is January 8, but I haven’t been able to write anything substantial until now. This, with the exception of a re-blog of something my daughter did, is the first post of 2015 – I’m so excited!

In December I wrote a couple of posts having to do with resolutions. One of the things I decided to do this year is read more – a lot more. As a matter of fact, I am going to attempt to read a book every couple weeks. Will I make it? At least I am going to try. What I will promise – and will achieve – is that I will be reading much more than that past, and that’s an improvement.

“What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear to this day, is want of reading. … And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. … You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian.” – John Wesley to John Premboth on August 17, 1760*

The First Book!

Believe it or not, I am just now into the second week of the year and have already finished my first book: Donkey Tells a Promise Kept.

Shortly before Christmas, the author of Donkey Tells (J. Thomas – aka, James Neff) paid me a welcome visit. When he came, he brought an autographed copy of his book in exchange for one of mine – a fair trade, indeed. So, after a home-cooked Southern meal which included fried okra, banana pudding, and coffee, I agreed to read Donkey Tells and write a review.

The Review

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This is a unique little book, for sure. Even though it is meant to be read by younger children, the message is profound enough for the adult. I would, however, recommend buying this book to read to little kids. Unfortunately, there are not a lot of illustrations, so it might be more effective if read aloud as a nightly devotion for your elementary-aged child.

Donkey Tells a Promise Kept is a sweet story of a mother donkey (Sydney) explaining to her colt (Micah) the reason behind why the little colt would be carrying Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem (see Matt. 21:1-7). It also tells of what happens after all the “hallelujah’s” and “hosanna’s” fade away.

Now, don’t get your panties in a wad if you are the type who wants everything you read to be absolutely biblical; J. Thomas’ re-telling of certain well-known Bible stories, told through the recollection of a donkey, are not meant to be completely historical. However, Jesus may have talked to animals. Who knows? And, for that matter, animals may actually go to heaven, right?

Essentially, this is a sweet little book that can help communicate the gospel story to a child through an imaginative tale of talking donkeys with a little more spiritual insight than many adults.

The ending of the book leaves an opening for additional stories, to which I look forward.  However, I’d suggest firing the former illustrator and hiring me; just pay me in coffee, fried okra, pinto beans, and cornbread.

Donkey Tells is 132 pages long, but the print is larger, thereby making it a quick and fun read.

Buy the book or download it. You’ll enjoy it – and that’s a promise!

 

*Quoted in Ben Witherington’s Is There a Doctor in the House?: An Insider’s Story and Advice on Becoming a Bible Scholar, pg. 71.

 

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by | January 5, 2015 · 9:02 am

What are You Doing to the World?

Here are some beautiful pictures taken yesterday by my daughter, Katie. When I looked at them I told her, “You know, there is a verse in the Bible about turning the world upside down.” So that’s the question: why aren’t we still doing that?

Katie Marie's avatarShutter Elf

Acts 17:1-7 ESV – (1) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. (2) And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”DSC_1534

(4) And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. (5) But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.DSC_1507

(6) And when…

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by | December 31, 2014 · 3:43 pm

Resolutions to Avoid

Just for the fun of it…and maybe as a reminder to myself…I thought I would create a list resolutions to avoid at all cost.

In other words, if you resolve to do the following, you may not be around in 2016 (or at least in good shape).

10 Resolutions to Avoid

1. I resolve leave the seat up every time I go to the toilet as a sign of my manly rights.

2. I resolve to never say I’m sorry – unless I mean it.

3. I resolve to read the Bible only when it’s projected on the big screen, and only on Sunday mornings, provided there’s enough free coffee and muffins beforehand.

4. I resolve to lose 10 pounds a week (either weight or money, depending on where I am at the time).

5. I resolve to date more people this year than last in an attempt to better understand the fish in the sea.

6. I resolve to trust the government more.

7. I resolve to spend more time at work and less time with my family.

8. I resolve to make my husband change, or else.

9. I resolve to keep to myself and avoid other people.

10. I resolve to keep everything exactly the way it is right now.

So, what do you think? Will you try to avoid these resolutions? Are there any you would like to add?

Happy New Year!

 

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by | December 30, 2014 · 5:48 pm

The Brief Departure of a Friend

A pic of Ty and his oldest daughter (from her Facebook page)

A pic of Ty and his oldest daughter (from her Facebook page)

Today I received the sad news that a brother in Christ, Ty Sweeney, went home. He was only 38 and died of complications resulting from a heart attack. And, like with the loss of others I’ve known, news of his death was an oxygen-sucking blow to my gut.

I didn’t know Ty as well as some other friends of mine in Hopkinsville, KY. I saw him at church (it was a big church) and played music with him a few times. Once he even loaned me his cedar-topped guitar – that was a GREAT guitar. But what I did know about Ty was that he was a great musician, songwriter, and that he loved the Lord and his family.

I lost my dad when I was only 24. For a moment I felt like my whole life would come crashing down around me. However, with the grace of God and the peace that came with the assurance I would see him again, the loss was tempered with the knowledge that our separation was only temporary. My prayer is that his wife (Sarah) and two daughters (Conley and Claudia) will find comfort in the same Hope.

For the saints of God, death is only a brief departure; sweet reunions are still to come.

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

Click HERE to listen to Ty Sweeney’s music.

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by | December 29, 2014 · 3:51 pm

Seven Questions To Ask Before Making a Resolution

Bye-Bye 2014

Another year has come and gone. I wish I had more to show for it.

Honestly, 2014 was not so bad of a year, it’s just that I let so much slip by without ever making notes. In other words, if I had kept track of all the blessings afforded me in the past year….well, I’m ashamed that I didn’t. That’s one of the things I am going to try to do better with in the coming year – keeping a journal of good stuff, not just my venting.

So, goodbye 2014. Hello 2015!

Seven Questions

Believe it or not, now’s the time when so many of us prepare to make resolutions for the new year. Because of this, I felt led to preach a sermon in which I posed seven questions: questions we should ask ourselves before we make any new year’s resolutions. The primary text was a prophetic verse from the prophet Isaiah:

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. – Isaiah 50:7

“Seven Questions To Ask Before Making a Resolution”

  1. Do I need to make any resolutions?

“There is nothing so fatal to character as half-finished tasks.” – David Lloyd George

  1. What has God called me to do? (John 6:38)
  2. Where will I be at this time next year if nothing changes?
  3. What should I do that I know is right, but will cause others to mock me?
  4. Will I be willing to be held accountable?
  5. Will my determination be visible?
  6. Will I rely on my own strength?
  7. To Whom will the glory go when I succeed?

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” – Col. 3:23

 Click on the picture of the church to hear the sermon (edited).

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by | December 26, 2014 · 5:38 pm

Getting Ready for Resolutions

Resolutions

We have all made them; we’ve all broken them. However, making a resolution is not a bad thing.

I will be sharing some thoughts about making resolutions in an upcoming post, but for now I want to briefly address one resolution I will not make a priority – having a large crowd at church.

Numbers

Numbers are not a bad thing, either – at least not always. But when it comes to growing a church for numbers’ sake, then numbers are a very bad thing.

I pastor a small church which could benefit from a few more in attendance (there’s nothing wrong with wanting to see a church congregation grow). But on the other hand, numbers don’t paint the whole picture (or is that painting by numbers doesn’t give you the best picture?). Actually, many times small numbers may reflect better than thousands on the roll. How is that possible?

In a commentary on Ezekiel 2:5 I found the following:

“Preachers ought not to look to, to reckon upon hearers, but to listen to the Lord alone.—To preach God’s word compensates even in the case of empty churches.—A full church, therefore, is not always a testimony for the preacher, 2 Tim. 4:3.”*

*John Peter Lange et al., A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Ezekiel (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008), 65.

2 Timothy 4:3 says: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”

So, a large church could be the result of listener-approved sensationalism and flimsy doctrine. Ever been to one of those, or watched one on television?

Resolution #1

bibleMy number one ministerial resolution (aside from those having to do with my personal walk with Christ and roles as husband and father) will be to “Preach the Word.”

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. – 2 Timothy 4:2

The last thing I will resolve to do is grow an Oprah-sanctioned, ear-scratching, one-size-fits-all book club. I will preach from the Book, full church or not. That will be my “testimony.” That will be my resolution. Therefore I have “set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed (Isaiah 50:7).”

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by | December 25, 2014 · 11:44 pm

Tiny Blooms

I would just like to encourage my daughter, Katie. She just started posting more pictures to her blog after a long, long absence. Why don’t you stop by her site and encourage her to keep this up. God has not only given her a creative eye, but a heart for Himself.

Katie Marie's avatarShutter Elf

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by | December 25, 2014 · 8:38 am

Merry Christmas, Nevertheless

Good Morning!

I don’t know where you are right now, or at what time you are reading this, but thank you. The fact that you simply stopped by is a blessing.

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Matching pajamas for our girls on Christmas morning 🙂

At this moment my wife and oldest daughter is making breakfast right beside me (the computer is in the kitchen). They are making a traditional Baker-family Christmas breakfast – breakfast pizza. The rest of the family is still in bed; it was a long night.

For the first time in years the whole family is here in our home and waking up together. Well, when I say “whole family” I mean all of our girls: Alicia, Katie, Haley, and my wife and me. Josh, our son-in-law, is here too (along with their dogs: Henry and Lily).

Anyway, for those who might be reading this – and I don’t expect many this day – Merry Christmas!

Nevertheless

You may be one of those who ask, “But what about all the trouble in the world?” I understand, believe me; there is a lot of pain and suffering, more than enough of deprivation to go around. But Christmas isn’t about the Western idea of gift-giving indulgences; it’s about God’s gift to fallen man.

Yes, I know Jesus probably wasn’t born on December 25.

Yes, I know we Americans over do it much of the time with the gift giving and stuff.

Yes, I know that many in the world live in poverty, never able to give gifts much more valuable than a slice of bread or piece of fruit.

Yes, I know that many even question the existence of God or the historical Jesus.

Yes, I know that Santa Clause is not omnipresent.

Yes, I know that someone will probably give us fruitcake that someone gave them last Christmas…which was given as a gift by someone else the year before.

Yes, I know it’s possible you are not a believer, but…

Merry Christmas, nevertheless. 

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