Category Archives: Future

by | December 19, 2012 · 10:57 am

The End Will Come – Eventually

The Prediction

I will not be the only one writing about December 21, the day the world is supposed to come to an end, but I have to do my job (if you call writing a blog that earns no income a job). Just this past Sunday a lady pulled me aside after church and questioned me about the Mayan calendar. She said, “I am not afraid to die, but I am afraid for my grandsons. What do you think will happen?”

Well, according to a lot of people who know how to read the writings of a people that could not predict the end of their own civilization, the world is going to come to a cataclysmic end on Friday, December 21. According to the Mayan wheel calendar 12/21/12 will be the end of time (because time ends when one runs out of space to chisel it into rock). Therefore, people around the modern world are running around all crazy planning to die in some horrible, earth-shattering way.

But just in case the world doesn’t end on December 21, 2012, you’re invited to some anniversary celebrations planned for December 22.

You’re Invited!

You’re probably scratching your aluminum foil-capped head and asking, “What will there be to celebrate on December 22?” Are you kidding me? Several parties are planned to celebrate some significant firsts. If the neighborhood is still here, why not join me?

  • 53-Chevy-Corvette-SC_DV_10-LF_08Corvette Day – Did you know that on December 22, 1952, the first production-ready prototype of the 1953 Chevy Corvette was shipped to New York for the GM Motorama show on January 17? Yes, December 22 will be a day of celebration in honor of the famous fiberglass-bodied icon, and plenty of cotton (glass fiber) candy will be served.
  • Taylor Swift coverTaylor Swift Day – On December 22, 2007, Taylor Swift’s “Our Song” went to #1. This unleashed a swift river of hits to flood the market, forcing everyone to admit that wearing a dress is cool (literally and figuratively). In celebration of this chart-topping day I will be wearing a sun dress, blond wig, and singing “Never, ever, ever getting back together!” to a picture of an ex-girlfriend.
  • dirty harry“Dirty” Harry Day – Who would want the world to end before celebrating the beginning of one of the most influential crime-fighters in cinema history, Dirty Harry? On 12/22/71 San Francisco Police Department Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan showed us how to go after bad guys with “the most powerful handgun in the world.” In celebration of the release of this movie I will be waving a frozen hot dog bun in the face of my daughter the martial arts expert and saying, “Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?”

Imminent End

It is highly unlikely that the world will end on December 22, but the world will most certainly come to an end for approximately 150,000 people. According to statistics, that is the number of people that die every day.

If the world doesn’t come to an end this week, or next, what guarantee do you and I have that we will be here to see next year? It is much more likely that you and I will die in a car accident than the world will end any time soon.

Whether it be sooner or later, death is imminent, and we don’t need a carved wheel to tell us that. The Psalmist said, “What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?” (Ps. 89:48)

The real question is not “when will the world end,” but “am I ready for MY world to end?”

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” – Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV

 If the world does end, then somebody else get the lights – I’ve got a Heavenly party to attend.

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by | September 3, 2012 · 11:46 am

A Little Time Off

Change of Plans

I was in the process of writing a post for today, a post dealing with the U.S national holiday, Labor Day. But then I got a phone call, and plans changed.

Not long ago I received a phone call from my cousin. He told me that my uncle, my father’s brother, had passed away. This was a terrible blow.

So, if you, my readers, wouldn’t mind, I would like to step away from The Recovering Legalist for a little while. I will still work on preparing posts for ProverbialThought.com, however, being that it is a daily devotional.

William (Don) Baker

Most of you may have never met my uncle Don, but you would have liked him. He was a very gentle, Jesus-loving man. But this wasn’t always the case. Just like my dad was before his conversion, my uncle was a tough-as-nails, hard-living, straight-shooting outdoorsman with a proud moonshine-running past. He was a man without fear, considering at one point he kept in his living room nearly 200 deadly snakes (Rattle Snakes, Copperheads, etc.).

My father, Terry Baker, was my uncle’s younger brother. Terry became a believer in the 1960’s, and then accepted the calling to preach. He always prayed for Don and invited him to church, but to my knowledge only went with him one or two times. My dad never gave up on my uncle.

Then, just a few years ago, the man who wouldn’t have anything to do with God or church found himself at death’s door. Beside a hospital bed he gave his heart and life to Jesus, and the change in that old sinner’s life was dramatic.

The Mission Field

My uncle lived on a hill just above the Tennessee River in an area called Suck Creek. Our family had lived there for several generations. And it was there on the river that my uncle spent most of his time fishing and conversing with not only the Lord, but anyone who passed by.

The river was his “mission field.” He told me how that once his health declined to the point he couldn’t get around, about all he could do was ride his 4-wheeler down to the river bank. There he would sit and fish, feed the ducks, and witness miracles.

On more than one occasion, as he told me, he would be sitting there fishing when a total stranger would walk up to him. Many times the people would be feeling hopeless, considering divorce, or even suicide. Without having to go anywhere he would tell these people about how God changed his heart and gave him a love he never knew existed. He would tell them how Jesus loved them and could give them the same kind of peace he experienced. And in one case, even the town drunk came by – and got saved.

Shouting Down the Roof

One thing my uncle Don told me a couple of years ago was this: “The thing I regret most is that I didn’t get saved earlier…I could have heard Terry preach, and we could have shouted the roof down together.”

I sent my uncle cd’s of my preaching and singing. I know that he listened to me when I preached on the radio. But I know that it wasn’t the same. I am not my dad.

Joy Comes in the Morning

But all is not lost. Because of the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ we have Hope.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. … That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Rom 5:1-2, 21 KJV

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1Cr 15:51-57 KJV

I am looking forward to the funeral service this week. I don’t look forward to it because I have lost a loved one, but because of the hope we will all share. It will be a time to be reminded that this life is short and that tomorrow is never guaranteed. But it will also be a reminder that when the dark night is over, along with all the pain, “joy comes in the morning.”

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by | June 28, 2012 · 2:39 pm

How it Will Really Work

While I worked on a research paper due tomorrow morning, the President rejoiced over his political victory in the Supreme Court. The reality of his health care policy then caused me to think of the following words.

Eyes are burning,
There’s much to do.
Paper must be written,
I’m nowhere near through.

I’m drinking a lot of coffee,
I’m eating lots of snacks,
But I don’t have to worry,
Obama’s got my back.

“Stop your learning!”
Says Capital Hill.
“Your behavior is risky,
It might make you ill.”

But what of my paper?
My final report?
Can I not appeal this?
Have I no retort?

“I’m not your momma,”said Mr. Obama,
“But let me be perfectly clear,
“You do what I say, come good or bad grade,
“Or my health care won’t cover your rear.”

“I will determine if what you are doing
Is worthy of tax payer dimes.
Any activity determined a risk to thee
Will cost you in IRS fines.”

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by | April 17, 2012 · 10:56 am

My Prize Won’t Break

The Million-Piece Trophy

Just a few minutes ago I heard the sad, sad (so sad I almost want to weep tears of sorrow – not!) news that someone accidentally broke Alabama’s national championship trophy. Sad! So sad.

Seriously, a clumsy parent (say goodbye to that scholarship) knocked over the handmade Waterford Crystal trophy (valued at $30K) and smashed it into little, tiny pieces (now they can share). Isn’t it amazing how quickly such a hard-earned symbol of accomplishment could become fodder for the dust pan.

 The Believer’s Prize

Thankfully, at the end of this race, the race of life, there awaits for the Christian something better than a football made of fancy glass. And what’s more, it won’t decay, be stolen (Matthew 6:19-20), or get broken by an overly-excited loved one.

All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. – 1Cr 9:25 NLT

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by | March 7, 2012 · 3:13 pm

Election Season Vision

Every time an election season rolls around, I get a little blue, a little down, a little grumpy. You see, taking a stand on principle, especially when it goes against the mainstream, can be physically and emotionally draining. This time, however, I have the added pleasure of the flue to complicate matters, so you might find me acting a little “snippy.”

And, if you are a regular reader, you may have noticed there was no “Monday Monkey” video this week. Part of the reason has been a shortage of time (beyond normal), but there has also been a sick wife, daughter, and self. The thought of editing anything made my head hurt.

Yet, as much as I attempt to fight the good fight, be salt and light, and keep a roof over my family’s head, I must remember “this world is not my home, I’m only passing through.” As much as I may be tempted to stress over national and world economies, “my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” One day this world will pass away, even America. This is only a temporary stop, so I shouldn’t let it bother me too much.

One day I will go to a land where there will be no more elections, no more propaganda, no more political parties, no more special interests, only the High King of Glory reigning in righteousness and truth. That must be my focus, my vision, “whatever befall.”

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

 

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by | March 1, 2012 · 6:35 pm

Hide Thou Me

I was thinking of the words to an old hymn, Hide Thou Me…

Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my life in vain,
I’m tempted oft to murmer, to grumble and complain;
But when I think of Jesus and what He’s done for me,
Then I cry, to the Rock of Ages, hide thou me.

There are times when the burdens of life get so heavy; when the struggles get so hard; when no matter what, we still worry; that we have to cry out to Jesus, “Hide me!” Thankfully, He does. Back around 1880 Vernon Charlesworth wrote, “The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide, A Shelter in the time of storm; Secure whatever ill betide, A Shelter in the time of storm.”

How different it is for the unbeliever.

Where does the atheist turn when his world is falling apart? When all friends forsake him? When the doctors say, “I’m sorry, but we’ve done all we can do?” When someone sings “The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow,” but he knows he won’t see it?”

Where does the unbeliever hide? In drugs? Alcohol? Meditation? Sex? Nietzsche? Nature (which he believes is nothing more than the product of random chance and void of meaning)?

Scripture (Revelation 6:16) speaks of a day when men who chose to run from the Rock will “cry to the mountains and rocks” to “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne…” Ironic, isn’t it?

Oh, “Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee.”

(Click HERE to watch GVB sing “Hide Thou Me.”)

And who would have thought that only 2 hours later I would find my family and myself seeking shelter as a tornado comes through (present tense – still waiting)?

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by | January 12, 2012 · 1:42 pm

I’ll Tell You What I Want, What I Really, Really Want

Spice Girls

Do you remember the Spice Girls? Here today, gone tomorrow girl band from the U.K.? They were the ones that made famous the song “Wannabe” (I’ll spare you the video).

What was the catchiest part of the whole song? The part that went “Tell me what you want, what you really, really want. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want.” As a matter of fact, just for fun, here’s a link from the movie Chicken Little. The pig and chicken characters do a pretty good cover.

Honestly, I am not totally clear as to what the Spice Girls wanted. I wouldn’t know a “zigga” from zagga. On the other hand, I bet what they wanted was not what poor Job (in the Bible) wanted, but we’ll get to him in a minute.

Heaven

Have you ever thought about what you would want to see most in Heaven? Assuming Heaven will be your home after this life (don’t assume – eternity is too long for a mistake of that nature), what would you want to see first? Tell me what you want, what you really, really want.

Do you look forward to walking on a street of pure gold? Are you excited about seeing things that can hardly be imagined, much less described? What about gates of pearl? An emerald sea? Do you really, really want to meet all the saints of old, including relatives who have gone on before. Angels? A mansion?

Job

Do you remember Job? He was the guy in the Bible (with the book named after him) that lost everything he owned, including his wealth, family, and health. He even lost his friends, especially if you consider all they did was accuse him of wrongdoing.

Job wound up in such a state that his own wife even begged him to just curse God and die (Job 2:9). Job was a miserable wreck of a man who had every reason to want to go to Heaven. Yet, what Job really, really wanted to see first was not golden, bejeweled, or even a thing…He wanted to see God.

Remember, what you want tells a lot about your heart. Instead of wanting to exchange his suffering for a new body; his poverty for wealth; his loneliness for a reunion with loved ones, all Job wanted was to see God with his own eyes, in his own flesh. This was his hope and desire all wrapped up in one.

For I know [that] my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this [I know], That in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. [How] my heart yearns within me! – Job 19:25-27 NKJV

What we fail to think about is that when we see God, all the other joys of Heaven will have to seem secondary! God, the highest of all that is good and lovely, the depth of Whose attributes can never be plumbed, will one day look into our eyes in a moment of total realization, understanding, and belonging. What else could compare? Sure, there will be other things in Heaven, but who will care if it takes a million years to get around to some of them?

Tell me what you want. What do you really, really want.

Do you want Heaven, or Him? There is a difference.

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by | January 8, 2012 · 3:52 pm

Pursuing Tomorrow, Forgetting the Past

Looking back over the last month or so, I can see that my writing has been lacking. Well, by “lacking” I do not mean to imply that it was of inferior quality. No, it wasn’t even written.

Just yesterday, I mentioned to my wife how that there have been so many ideas come into my brain, only to flow right back out again, much like husbands in the Kardashian family. I can’t tell you how many things I have wanted to write about – really, I can’t tell you.

Isn’t that just sad? I think so. More than that, it leaves me feeling empty, like something was wasted. How tragic to lose a good thought!

Looking ahead, tomorrow is a new day. In the morning I start back to work after a long, unpaid Christmas vacation (I’m tired – I need to go to work). Tomorrow, I start seminary classes. Tomorrow, I get back into a routine. Tomorrow, I will pursue what lies ahead, forgetting those things behind (which will be the easy part).

Philippians 3:13-14 – Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The “forgetting” part means that I’m already half way there! Yay!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out tomorrow’s Monday Monkey episode. It’s a little longer than normal, but a good one.

 

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by | December 31, 2011 · 11:14 pm

Last Post of 2011

What a Year!

2011 was definitely one for the record books. So many things happened in the last 12 months that it would take a year to talk about – ha!

Thankfully, this blog has grown and adapted to some changes in my life and ministry, and along the way attracted some new friends. Next year will be even better.

Over the last year my family has experienced a lot of pain, trials, and temptations. We have been tested sore, but have passed the grade. Though the enemy sought to destroy, God’s grace was sufficient and His strength made us more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:37).

What a God!

As I look back, without a doubt I should have been defeated or dead long ago; however, my God promised never to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). As a matter of fact, I should have never worried, for my God promises to carry me through…

Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. – Isa 41:10 KJV

What a Family!

I would not be the man that I am today without my lovely, faithful, ever-forgiving wife, Valerie. She has stood by my side and encouraged me as only a God-given helpmate could do. She has always deserved far better than me.

I would also be a poorer father if it weren’t for my children. They are not perfect, of course; but neither am I. Thankfully, even though I have made mistakes along the way, they have not sought a new husband for their mom, nor did they seek to divorce me.

What Friends!

As far as I can tell, I am ending the year with more friends than I started it with. To the best of my knowledge, I only lost one or two along the way, which only goes to show they probably weren’t my real friends to begin with.

A couple of the friends that I started the year with got married along the way. As a matter of fact, I performed the ceremony on this very day, New Years Eve, 2010. Praise God! They are still married!

A Final Thought

We cannot change the past, but we can trust God with the future. During one particular trial this year, I latched on to a verse of Scripture, Psalm 57:2, and claimed it as my life verse. Here it is in a few versions…

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth [all things] for me. – KJV

I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs [all things] for me. – NKJV

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. – ESV

When I cry, I will cry out to God, for He will not only hear, but He can do something about it. I hope you do the same.

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by | October 23, 2011 · 12:01 am

Time Passing Too Quickly?

Only 6 Months

It’s June. He’s only six years old. He’s just seen a commercial for the coolest, most awesome toy ever created by man. The problem is that Christmas is still 6 months away.

Little Billy (it’s always Billy, isn’t it?)  asked, no pleaded with his mom and dad to immediately go to the toy store. He HAD to have it. But mom and dad, with words that bring tears to any kid’s eyes, calmly, cruelly said, “You’ll have to wait till Christmas.”

“What? NOOOO!” cried Billy. And so, in response to his anguish, what words did his dad choose to comfort poor Billy? “Now son, Christmas is only 6 months away.” Again, Billy cries out “NOOOO!”

What is Billy’s problem? To a child looking forward to the best day of the year, the day when his dreams will come true, six months seems like an eternity! Every day will pass by like snails on Valium.

Only 6 Months?

He’s only 60 years old. There are so many things he’d like to have done, but time just slipped away. Now it seems like ever moment is picking up the pace. Time is flying by and he is scared.

Not long ago Bill went in for some tests, only to get a call from the doctor the next day. There were some results which needed to be talked about in person, so William was asked to come back into the office. With a sullen look, the oncologist said, “William, you’ve only got about 6 months to live.” Only 6 months?

Want to Slow Down Time?

For Billy, 6 months is an eternity. Nothing he can do will make time go by any quicker. It will seem like forever until Christmas.

For William, 6 months will seem like a blink of an eye. There will be nothing he can do to slow down the clock. Eternity will come knocking at his door.

How could William, then, become more like Billy? What would make William’s time seem like an eternity here on earth? The answer could be found in the truth of Colossians 3:2…”Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Oh, that our hearts could long for heaven the way we long for earthly pleasures! As a child longs for Christmas, why can’t we long for that celestial homecoming? The day that we set our affections on things above will be the day time down here slows down.

Need More Time?

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Watch the sands in your hour-glass multiply as you “look forward to a city whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

Wouldn’t it be great if we could look toward the end of our lives with the same expectation of a child longing for Christmas?

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