A lot of us can sympathize with Matthew Winters. It’s time to refocus on what’s most important, weed out the unnecessary, and put Jesus Christ first. I would add that sweeping our own driveways and parking lots of all the things that may puncture our spiritual tires is also vitally important.
Author Archives: Anthony Baker
I Agree With “Clint Eastwood”
Sure, I don’t mind tackling controversial topics every now and then.
And when it comes to worship music, I’m a little more willing than normal to dive into the controversial pond.
Why?
Because Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus:
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them … For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…” (2 Timothy 4:3a; 1 Timothy 4:16a)
“[Hold] fast the faithful word as [you] hath been taught, that [you] may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus 1:9)
“[Speak] thou the things which become sound doctrine:” (Titus 2:1)
And Jude wrote:
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
Therefore, I couldn’t help but laugh and say “AMEN!” when I watched the video below.
Folks, I love music of all kinds, but when it comes to worship music – the kind we sing in the “congregation” – the words should be weighty with meaning and do more than make us feel good; they should contain sound doctrine and be able to exhort and convince.
So, I think I can say that I agree with “Clint Eastwood” on this, but I especially like the way he says it.
Yet, I’ll try to avoid telling our Music Director, “Go ahead, punk, play Oceans.”
Things to Do In 2019: Lose an “X”
Honesty Is the Best Policy
OK, I am going to be completely honest with you, dear reader, and the rest of the world – even Dr. Phil…
I’m overweight!
If the truth be known, I could stand to lose 40 pounds and at least one “X” from my clothing. My current collection is 2 X’s, including an extra “X” for more casual occasions. Believe it or not, my first new suit in years had a coat size of 50R! I should be in a 44, or less.
Needless to say, I am not as photo-worthy as the sleek version of myself in my header pic, that’s for sure. That’s why I haven’t changed it in the last 8 years!
Not My Temple
But the thing that is so hard to remember when I get a hankering for fresh-baked bread is that this body does not belong to me – it belongs to the Lord.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
God not only owns my soul, but He owns this old (literally) body, too. My body is His temple, and I have never been given permission to build any extensions.
Therefore, it is my intention to restore the condition of this fleshly temple, making it more usable and more profitable for the One who owns it in 2019 and beyond.
To do otherwise would be a sin.
Literally.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin. – James 4:17
Oh, and I’ve got to average 83 views a day to break that 30,000 mark.
Filed under clothing, Food, the future
Planning for 30,000!
I published my first posts on WordPress back in September of 2009 – all 4 of them. It was not until July of 2010 that I began to post more often.
But what bothers me is that I have yet to reach the 30,000-view mark. As a matter of fact, this year’s stats saw a dramatic drop, even though the number of posts I published were essentially the same (42 less than last year, and 9 more than in 2017).
So, being that this September will be my 10th anniversary with WordPress, it’s about time I break the 30K glass ceiling.
The following are my plans to accomplish the 30,000 mark:
- Pray before each post.
- Publish posts that are beneficial, not superficial nonsense meant only to score a few views.
- Focus on more in-depth series, like the 10-part one I’m about to do based on a sermon outline.
- Re-blog (share) posts from other bloggers on a regular basis.
- Read and comment more on other sites.
- Explore the “tags” and find new people to meet.
- Publish more than one post a day, even if the posts are shared posts or quick, encouraging thoughts, memes, or verses.
- Make myself available for doing guest posts.
- Keep a sense of humor and sanctified sarcasm 😉
If you have any other suggestions, I’d love for you to share them.
Blessings to you all!
Resolutions to Avoid in 2019
Just for the fun of it…and maybe as a reminder to myself…I created a list resolutions…
A list of resolutions to AVOID… at all cost.
In other words, if you resolve to do the following, you may not live through 2019 (not in good shape, at least).
10 Resolutions to Avoid in 2019
1. I resolve to leave the seat up every time I go to the toilet as a sign of my manly rights.
2. I resolve never to say I’m sorry – unless I mean it, of course.
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 never to waste any more food, especially that last donut or piece of pecan pie.
5. I resolve to limit my prayer time to blessings over food, when called upon at church, and the next time the cell phone bill is due.
6. I resolve to be more trusting of the government.
7. I resolve to spend more time at work and less time with my family.
8. I resolve to change my spouse’s mind, or else.
9. I resolve to keep more to myself and avoid other people.
10. I resolve to keep everything exactly the way it is right now.
So, what do you think? Are there any you would like to add?
Filed under Christian Living, current events, Future, General Observations, Humor
Control Your Anger
This morning I mentioned that, among other things, I want to control my anger more this year. Not that I have a problem with anger issues, but that I simply want to avoid getting angry over things that offend me. I need to do a better job at turning those things over to God.
Then, as I was working on putting together the directory for all our posts on Proverbial Thought, I came across this post. Coincidence?
Proverbs 14:29
“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” (KJV).
“Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.” (NLT).
The Emotion of Anger
The Book of Proverbs gives us a smorgasbord of wisdom that applies to every area of our life: It gives us wisdom in our relationships, family life, dealing with finances and walking in righteousness. But it also gives us a window into our heart, and helps us to consider our emotions as well. In the above Proverb, Solomon addresses the emotion of anger.
Anger is not necessarily a bad thing. It is an emotion, and when we are treated unfairly, we are going to get angry. However, what we do with that emotion is what makes it good or evil. If we can control our anger, it…
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Filed under Uncategorized
Memories from My Sister’s Visit (2018)
Some of you may know I have a sister, but other of you may not. Her name is Rebecca Lee Gomes, and she lives in Germany (married to a German, Carlos).
Two months ago she came to visit after being gone from the States for 7 years. Fortunately in one way, unfortunately in others, while she was here, my mother suffered a severely broken leg. That limited what we were able to do because a couple of weeks were spent in hospitals.
Also, while Becky was here, one of our aunts passed away.
Nevertheless, we did get to see some things and do some things, including visit the Ark Encounter, the Creation Museum, the Air Force Museum, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (because we used to have a band, you know), all while taking my wife and our mom to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Just after Becky left I pulled together some photos and video made while she was here and created a little video on iMovie. Then I posted the video on YouTube for here to have it.
You may not get all the hidden humor, and you may not know all the faces, but you can watch the video, too, and get a little glimpse into our lives.
I’m gonna miss her.
Filed under America, Christmas, Family, places, Relationships and Family, Thanksgiving
Imagining the “Copacavaca”
The Name
Deep in the black forests of Romania there may live a scary animal. The locals have a name for it: Vaca Care Locuieste in Copac.
I call it: Copacavaca (because the other name is too long).
The Creature
In the early 90’s, shortly after the fall of Nicolae Ceaușescu, I had the privilege to spend about a month in Romania. There I visited many cities, including Bucharest, Alexandria, Timișoara, Arad, Pitești, etc. The people were more than wonderful. The forests, however, were darker than any I had seen before. Literally, they soaked up light like a sponge.
One day, while walking through one of these dark forests, I was made keenly aware of the possibility of some creature in the trees above me. Being mindful of the legends associated with Transylvania, I could not help but imagine myself as one of those hapless tourists pounced upon by some non-mythical monster heretofore thought imaginary.
I thought to myself, “What could be above me, right now, which I might never expect? What kind of creature would be impossible to believe, therefore capable of living in obscurity, except for when it feeds?” It couldn’t be a vampire or werewolf. It had to be something totally off the wall. It had to be something as unthinkably dangerous as Clark Kent was powerful…then it hit me (not literally)… “Vaca.”
Vaca
Just the day before I had learned the word. “What do you call those big animals in the field that go mooooooo?” I asked.
“Vaca” was the reply.
My mind now imagined an animal so dangerous, so heavy, so tired of being milked and eaten between buns, and in the trees right above me – the Vaca din Copac…
the Romanian Tree-Dwelling Vaca…
the Copacavaca!
The Horror
Should you ever walk through the dark woods of Romania, be very careful. Just because you can’t see them, that doesn’t mean the Copacavaca aren’t there. They could be. If so, you could be in danger.
One thing you should know about the Copacavaca is that they cannot see very well – they hunt by hearing. It is when you walk through the woods and make noises like other animals (especially humans) that the Copacavaca realize you’re potential prey.
They wait for you to walk under the tree they are in, then fall from on high to crush you beneath their massive weight. Therefore, it is critical you sound like them when walking among the pines (or whatever leafy, woody, thingy that is nearby).
I asked a friend who was with me if she had heard of tree-dwelling vaca. When she told me “no,” I demanded, in order to be safe, that she make a sound to imitate the vaca. If not, the camouflaged, nearly invisible Copacavaca may have mistaken us for dinner.
Computer rendering of a Copacavaca attacking prey.
With a puzzled look she responded to my request with a nonplus “Mooo.”
“Do it again!” I said. “But louder!”
“Moooooooo!”
“LOUDER!”
“MOOOOOOO!”
Finally, with a tone of quizzical frustration, she asked, “Why am I making the sound of a cow?”
“Because that’s what the Copacavaca is – a man-eating, tree-dwelling cow.”
For some reason the Romanian girl didn’t believe me. Later that night, shortly after she invited me to a knock-off discotheque (a one-room joint with a few tables and a mirrored ball hanging from the ceiling), I was poisoned and nearly died (no joke – I got sick and nearly died).
Coincidence??
Here’s the Point
The imagination can be profitable, just as long as it magnifies truth.
Used properly, as God designed it, the imagination can help us to see God from different perspectives, in different colors, with different expressions. Just think of what C. S. Lewis was able to do with the Narnia series. But replacing the God that is with a god of of our own creation is more than dangerous; it’s idolatry.
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. – Rom 1:21 KJV
Some people say, “My god would never judge anyone.” Others say, “My god understands me…he made me this way.”
Still, others are convinced that “God doesn’t care what road you take, just as long as you’re sincere.”
But what kind of god are they thinking up? Maybe a creature that lives in the woods, but certainly not the God of the Bible.
For More Information
If you want to know more about the Copacavaca, I can think of something. Who knows, we may be looking at the next Dracula, only with four legs and udders (quick, somebody contact Chick-fil-A).
However, if you want to know more about the God who really is, I suggest you read the Gospel of John in the Bible.
And if you’d like, imagine yourself huddled next to a campfire, late at night, as an old, old man shares the amazing story of what he saw take place long, long ago…that you might believe (John 20:31).
I imagine the Truth will blow you away.
Filed under General Observations, God, Humor, legalism, worship
Wise Men Give After-Christmas Gifts
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
Late-Comers
Part of the Christmas story can be found in the book of Matthew, the first book in the New Testament. There, in chapter two, we read of several wise men, Magi, who followed the star till it rested over the place where the young Jesus was living.
But what most people fail to notice is that only the shepherds came to visit Jesus while he was still a baby in a manger. The Magi came later, once they were living “in the house” and Jesus was a “young child.” And, based on Herod’s decree that all male children 2 years old and younger should be killed (Matt. 2:16), Jesus could have been a toddler up and walking.
Simply put, generally every manger scene protested against by atheists is not a faithful representation of the Christmas story. How ironic is that? But I digress…
The Gifts
When the Magi came to Bethlehem in search of “he that is born King of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2), they brought with them three very rare and valuable gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They were not random gifts, but ones with specific political, spiritual, and practical importance; they were meant to recognize a literal, earthly, but also heavenly King.
Gold was a universally recognized precious metal, symbolic of all wealth. Frankincense was a substance primarily used as incense, but also mixed with other substances to create the holy anointing oil placed on high priests and kings. Myrrh was a substance used for things ranging all the way from cosmetics and antiseptics, to perfuming the living and embalming the dead.
According to Matthew 2:11, the Magi fell down before Jesus, which would have been an appropriate response when in the presence of royalty (and these men knew the difference). But the wise men did more than fall prostrate before royalty, they “worshiped him.” This young king was more than just “King of the Jews,” but the long-promised Messiah, and they offered their gift to the Son of God.
Are You Wise?
As long as I can remember there have been sermons preached during and before Christmas entitled, “Wise Men Still Seek Him.” The sermons focus primarily on the seeking leading up to Christmas, but rarely, if ever, on the gifts given after the celebration is over. But today is different.
Today, I am going to ask you to consider three gifts we should give, now that the birthday celebration is over.
- Gold. Gold represented wealth. In your worship of the King, will you give Him your wealth? In reality, God owns everything, including everything He loans unto you. But with your heart, are you willing to lay everything that is most valuable to you at His feet?
- Frankincense. Frankincense represented worship. Would you be willing to fall down before Jesus, or do you hold back some of your Frankincense in reserve? Are there idols in your life – people or things – for which you reserve a little of that anointing oil, making those things lords of your life? Would you be willing to make Jesus Lord of all? Will you worship him without reservation?
- Myrrh. Myrrh was symbolic of the beauty of life, from beginning to end. Would you give to Jesus everything that makes you happy? Everything that brings you hope? Everything that is sweet-smelling? Everything that hides your faults and failures, disguising your true self? Would you give Jesus your life? He can do more with it than you can do on your own.
Returns
For several days after Christmas people will stand in line to return and/or exchange unwanted gifts. Many will trade what others gave them for something they want more. Others will just ask for a refund or in-store credit.
Rest assured that when you give your gifts to Jesus, he will not return them, exchange them, or re-gift them next year. But will you, once you realize what you’ve given, want to take something back?
Don’t wait for a New Year’s resolution. Now that Christmas is over, be like the Magi and leave everything at Jesus’ feet, then “depart…another way.”
Once you give Jesus those three gifts, you’ll never be the same.
Filed under Christian Living, Christmas, God, Love of God, salvation, wisdom, worship
