Category Archives: God

by Anthony Baker | June 30, 2011 · 6:01 pm

Shown Up, and What For?

A fellow blogger wrote about the time she realized she was not “all that and a bag of chips.” I started to tell the following story in a comment, but then decided to write it out here.

The “Comma Club” Day$

Back in 1998 I was at the top of my game. My career was doing very well, and money was not hard to come by. As a matter of fact, I was the 8th highest producer in a nation-wide company.

In ’97 I started something called the “Comma Club.” This “club” consisted of all the salespeople that had a comma in their paycheck each week. In other words, after taxes, to be in the club one’s take home had to be over $1,000. I was in it every week.

Then Things Changed

Thinking I was making a good move, I took a position out-of-state. The move was supposed to make life even better, but in a few months some changes within our company and the entire industry made closing a contract much more difficult. Weeks would pass without a paycheck, much less a comma (praise God for a faithful and supportive wife!).

At one time I was a top salesman and manager, but then we needed money to even keep a roof over our heads, so I had to find extra work. I even started delivering pizza. At one point, I was working four part-time jobs just to pay the bills, which was a far cry from where I had been.

The Lowest Moment

One day, after I had been out trying to sell my wares, I drove home to our little duplex (we used to have a 2,000 sq. ft. Cape Cod in the historic district). What I did not know was that my little girls, 4 and 8, had resorted to help in their own way. As I pulled up into the driveway, they came running to meet me.

“Daddy, did you sell anything?“

“No, I didn’t.”

“Well WE DID!! Look, here’s some money!“

“Where did you get that,” I asked.

“We sold weeds.” That’s right, they sold weeds.

Katie and Haley had gone out and picked wildflowers and weeds, then went knocking on doors in our neighborhood. They made a few dollars from people who were kind enough to buy their treasures. My girls were completely thrilled. I hit rock bottom….hard.

Shown Up

I had been shown up by amateurs! The former top salesman had now been out-sold by Wiggles fans. What good were all the awards that I had won? What good were all the pats on the back and the 4 digit paychecks now? I had been shown that my own kids could out-provide me by selling worthless weeds!

Of course, it was sort funny, in a sad kinda way, when the teenagers at the pizza place found out. I got made fun of, for sure. The “preacher” was delivering pizza, while his kids were at home selling “weed.”

Yeah, it was funny, but my ego was completely crushed.

What For?

For God’s glory.

The one thing that I needed to learn, if nothing else, was that my pride and self-sufficiency was incompatible with a life of faith. More than that, a self-righteous life is incompatible with a life of grace. God had to humble me so I could experience the wonder and the glory of His amazing grace. He deserved the awards, not me.

2 Corinthians 4:15 KJV – “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

There’s so much more to this story, but I’ll keep the other skeletons in my closet, for now. However, thank you, Heather Joy, for giving me a reason to shine the light on this dark time.

If not for the grace and mercy of my Savior, I would be nothing.

3 Comments

Filed under God, Life Lessons, Relationships and Family, self-worth, worship

Tagged as Cape Cod, Glory (religion), Sales, Second Epistle to the Corinthians

by Anthony Baker | June 17, 2011 · 12:44 am

Three R’s and Revival

I just thought it would be good to share some thoughts about the following verse. On Wednesday, June 15, I preached a short message entitled, “Three R’s and Revival” from Isaiah 57:15.

Something about this verse stood out to me the other day. As I was casually reading through the chapter, this verse grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. I was reading it on my iPhone, actually, in the NET version. It went like this:

“For this is what the high and exalted one says, the one who rules forever, whose name is holy: “I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged.” – Isaiah 57:15 NET

When I went back and looked at it, my eyes filled up with tears. I was impressed with this fact, the Holy One isn’t too good to sit down with the humiliated and discouraged.

God is humble.

Of course He is! Just look at what He did! Jesus became flesh (John 1:14) and walked in our shoes. He allowed Himself to be humiliated and beaten, even crucified, although He had every reason to look down on us, being God (Phil. 2:6-7). The “High and Lofty One” became the “meek and lowly” (Matt. 11:29). There was/is no pride in God.

The Three R’s

Isaiah 57:15 KJV – “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

The three R’s that I see in Isaiah 57:15 are these: Reign, Realm, and Residence.

I see the first one in the words “high and lofty.”
The second one I see is found in the words “inhabiteth eternity.”
The third “R” is located in the words “I dwell,”and “with him also.”

Reign

Earlier, in chapter 6, Isaiah said he “saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up…” The “high and lofty” One is none other than a King. And not just any king, this is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. The same description is found in Revelation 4. In verse 2, John saw a throne “set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.” Who was the One that sat on the the throne? Evidently the same Person who was seen by Isaiah, because in both accounts the angels were crying out “Holy, holy, holy...”

God is not a man-made idol or idea formed in the human mind – He is “high and lofty.” He is “exalted” above every other creature, whether in heaven or in earth. “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).

Because He is king, there remains only two options with regards to His reign: you are either His subject, or you are His enemy. God does not operate like earthly kings and nations. We have allies; but not God. His kingdom demands total loyalty (every knee shall bow). Serving another king is not a good thing at all, for it will only result in His judgment. No king is greater than He. To serve another is to live in rebellion.

Realm

God is the One that “inhabiteth (inhabits) eternity.” This is His realm. His influence reaches not only across all known and unknown areas of the universe, but across time immortal!

It was said that at one time the sun never set on the British realm. All over the world there were colonies under the control of the throne of England. But even more impressive than that, God’s realm isn’t limited to the present rising and setting of the sun, it is in ETERNITY.

It is important to note something here. I am not opposed to reading different translations, but a good example of when a new translation misses the mark is changing the word “inhabiteth” to “rules/lives forever.” Of course it is true that God lives and rules forever; however, there is more to it than that. The word “inhabit” touches upon His eternally sovereign omnipresence. God/Jesus is not just king over the here and now, or the future, but over the past, present, and future at the same time! He inhabits eternity! There is nothing in the realm of time, no matter where it is, that is out of His scope of authority.

Stop and think about this, folks. Think about the practical application of the above statement. Let’s just say you need $100 tomorrow to pay a bill. Or, it could be $1 million, a billion – doesn’t matter. You could go to an earthly king and ask for help, but the king would be limited to the time frame in which you needed the money, the amount that he had, and the limitations of his realm. Not God.

I have seen money come in for a need that was desperate. God provided what was needed. But, when you look at the sequence of events, God started answering that prayer long before it was ever prayed – decades before! God is not limited by time, space, or anything. His realm covers it all. When George Mueller prayed for milk (for his orphanage), do you not think that God had already put in place the neccessary sequence of events to make that milk wagon drop a wheel? It is not even out of line to think that He went back to when the tree was planted that provided the wood for the wagon.

Residence

God not only lives in the “holy place,” but He dwells with lowly man. His name is Emmanuel – God with us. But notice this, He only dwells with the humble, the contrite, the broken-hearted, the cast down, the weary, the needy (“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” – James 4:6). Even though He could choose to stay in His high and holy place, far above the heavens (as most men would do, given the opportunity), He makes His bed right on the floor with the lowliest, shivering beggar.

Of all people, God should be the one who looks down His nose at us. He is the “lofty” One upon the throne. We are the helpless sinners. How ironic is it that the only ones who will not open the door of their hearts are the prideful? Pride closes the door to the King.

and Revival

He said “I dwell” in order “to revive.” It is the presence of the God who cares; the God who understands where we are; the God who makes His home with the “discouraged” and the “humiliated” that brings revival. Oh, to live without hope, without compassion, without a tender touch from a caring hand, brings death. But to have a King step down from His lofty position in the heavenlies, from the eternal, to a lowly place in time – that revives the heart.

The gulf that separated me from Christ, my Lord
It was so vast, the crossing I could never ford
From where I was to His domain, it seemed so far
I cried “Dear Lord, I cannot come to where You are”

CHORUS
He came to me, He came to me
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me
That’s why He died on Calvary
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me

He Came to Me – by Squire Parsons

Don’t let pride shut the door to your heart when the King of Kings seeks to dwell with you.

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Filed under God, Preaching, salvation, translations, Uncategorized, worship

Tagged as God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, King of Kings, Lord

by Anthony Baker | June 12, 2011 · 5:06 pm

Faith? Just Go to the Store.

Have you ever gone to the refrigerator and said to yourself, “There’s nothing to eat?”

As a child, especially as a teenager, I remember being told to shut the door of the fridge. For five minutes I would just stand there staring. Who needs an air conditioner when you have a picky, hungry, spoiled teenager?

Adults do the same thing.

With my mother-in-law coming over for dinner (that’s a whole ‘nother story), I went to the fridge to see what to make. Upon opening the door, this is what I saw: milk, soft drinks, cheese, sweet pickles, and sour cream. There was literally nothing in there, or in the cabinets, with which to make an evening meal. So, I stared….and whined….didn’t want eggs….or carrots….or yogurt….especially with biscuits….until my wife said…

“Just go to the store!“

Wow! What a blessing we take for granted! “Just go to the store,” she says. No food? No problem – JUST go to the store. Somewhere a cow had given its life and was waiting for me to come pick out its remains from a cooler.

I go to the store, just like my wife suggested, and found everything we needed to grill some wonderful, 20% fat-filled, high-cholesterol comfort burgers on our Weber grill (cheap little one). On top of that, I picked up an onion, some buns, and a fresh, ripe tomato. Problem solved. No faith required.

“Give us this day our daily bread. … Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink…” – Matthew 6:11, 25a

“God will provide.” Easy to say – hard to live.

In the early 90’s, when Romania was just beginning its walk with freedom, food was still a scarce commodity. Yet, whenever a guest like me would enter a home, the hosts would bring out the very best they had – ALL of it – and prepare a meal fit for, well, an American. They really couldn’t afford it. In many cases, there was literally nothing left for the next day. So, in an effort to stop the madness, I tried to talk some sense into these over-hospitable people.

“Look,” I said, “you don’t need to do this…we’re fine…save this food for yourself…we won’t eat it all, so it would be a waste.”

“No problem,” was the reply – from a teenage girl, no less – “God will provide.”

In my smug, self-righteous, experienced-in-the-terminology-of-the-faith kind of way I responded, “But you don’t understand…”

“No, YOU don’t understand” the young girl said with almost a sad look on her face. “Don’t worry about us, because when this food is gone, there will be more.”

She said, “You see, the food you are eating now was not here yesterday, and we didn’t even know where it was coming from. We ate all we had yesterday, but God provided us with food for today. So, there may be nothing left after today for tomorrow, but that is no problem. He brought us food for yesterday and today, and He will take care of tomorrow.”

That’s what I call faith! We just go to the store.

“O [we] of little faith…” – Matt. 6:30

15 Comments

Filed under America, Food, Future, God, Life Lessons, the future

Tagged as Adolescence, Cook, Food, God, Home, Refrigerator, Romania

by Anthony Baker | June 8, 2011 · 3:23 pm

Waiting, Waiting, and Waiting

I was going to write about having something to write about, but then I found something to write about…

Waiting in a hospital room.

Honestly, there are a few things on my writing agenda, including a paper discussing the audience of the letter to the Galatians; however, I just feel tapped out. There has been, and still is, so much on my plate that I am running out of RAM in my brain.

But sitting here in a hospital room waiting for my mother to come out of surgery gave me pause to think…and write…about waiting.

My mother is having a procedure done on her heart. It is called an ablation. It is not supposed to be that big of a deal, relatively speaking, but any surgery is big deal. Any time people take away your ability to breath on your own and put it into the hands of another, that’s a big deal. You just hope that person made more than just “average” grades on his/her “waking up the dead” exam.

Being a large, university hospital, there is good Wi-Fi signal, so here I have my computer to work from. If that fails, I do have my trusty back-up, my iPhone 4. As long as I can sit here and do something besides watch a television mounted too high on the wall next to the ceiling, I’ll be OK.

More bored than worried…

There are a lot of people who find themselves in situations similar to this, but are far more stressed and worried than I am. As a matter of fact, I am not worried at all. Maybe I should be, but why? Honestly, I am not only bored, but wishing that I was at home sitting in my own office, with all my books, getting done all the things that are pressing upon me. You could say that I am more worried about my schedule than I am about my mother’s surgery.

I can’t do anything about my mother’s surgery at this point. She is not only in the care of doctors who make far more than I do, but she is also in the hand of God. Why worry? All I have to do is wait.

Wait for what?

When we are told to wait upon the Lord, what is it that we are supposed to be waiting on? Are we supposed to be waiting for Him to do things just the way we want them to be done? Are we supposed to be waiting for Him to walk through the door with the news we want to hear?

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. – Isa 40:31 KJV

The promise is that those who wait upon the Lord may not have all the answers, or see things turn out just the way they planned; but that they shall “renew their strength.” Better yet, they shall “mount up with wings as eagles” and soar above whatever may come. They shall stay in the race and “run, and not be weary.” And if it just so hard that there is no getting over it, no getting around it, and no denying the path ahead, then they will it least “walk, and not faint.”

Waiting for what is unknown can be wearisome. Many times the waiting is made harder because of the worry and the inability to plan for the outcome. Thankfully, when all is in God’s hands, there is no need to worry, just wait. In waiting on Him, there will be strength to make it through the unknown that lies ahead, and the boredom of the hospital room.

“Many things about tomorrow,

I don’t seem to understand;

But I know Who holds tomorrow,

And I know Who holds my hand.”

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Filed under God, Life Lessons, Relationships and Family, the future, worship

Tagged as Health, iPhone 4, Scared of the future, Surgery, waiting, With Wings as Eagles

by Anthony Baker | May 27, 2011 · 6:23 pm

Hollow Humor

Image via Wikipedia

I love to laugh.

There should never be any doubt that I enjoy humor. As a matter of fact, my love for humor has not only gotten me through some difficult times, but it has gotten me into trouble. That is why I truly wanted to see, live and in person, comedy royalty, a legend……

Steve Martin.

Wow! I couldn’t believe I was actually in the same room with “the Jerk,” the “wild and crazy guy!” It was such a thrill, even after the sticker shock and buyer’s remorse that followed purchasing tickets. After dinner at my wife’s favorite restuarant (to make her happy), we had skipped desert, walked in the rain, choked through some guy’s smoke in front of the entrance, and found our place within a stone’s toss of living, comedy genius. It was awesome!

For the younger readers, Steve Martin is the white-haired guy in The Pink Panther, and the upcoming movie with Jack Black and Owen Wilson, The Big Year.

Well, instead of going around doing comedy, Steve Martin is touring with The Steep Canyon Rangers and playing bluegrass (Steve Martin is a scorching banjo player). But along with an all-original set of music sure to please the mountain music lover in everyone, Steve couldn’t help be the funny man. We’re not talking about joke-telling funny, just simple, natural humor. Even though the adults over 30 would have loved to hear him sing “King Tut,” he kept the humor conversational, never once putting on a pair of bunny ears or an arrow-through-the-head.

The Sad Part…

Even though I love comedy and music (even bluegrass banjo), the greatest love of my life is Jesus. And even though Martin was great and really worth the ticket price, it could have even been better had the One I love been invited.

A legalist would say that any music that is not religious is sinful. The legalist would not have enjoyed Steve Martin. On the other hand, a “recovering” legalist can enjoy what is beautiful and “good,” albeit not religious in nature. It’s just that no matter what it is, if it is void of Jesus, regardless of its quality, there’s something missing. It’s sorta like ordering your favorite food, only to notice that a key spice is missing. Adding a key ingredient after the fact is not the same as sprinkling on a little salt.

That being said, for what it’s worth, the following video is pretty darn funny; but sad at the same time.

The big reason why I listen to Christian music is not because I have to – I want to. Even though music and art of all types, including comedy, is ok on the surface, without Christ at the core, it rings hollow. What are your thoughts?

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Filed under Culture Wars, General Observations, God, Uncategorized, worship

Tagged as Big Year, Chattanooga, Comedy, Humour, Jerk, King Tut, Memorial Auditorium, Pink Panther, Steve Martin, wordship

by Anthony Baker | April 21, 2011 · 10:42 pm

I Just Want to Know Him

Feeling Down

For a little while I have been feeling down, a little discouraged. I can’t exactly explain why. It could be the change of seasons, or all the rain our area has been having. Maybe, it was all the comments I was making on other people’s blogs.

Comment sections will make one ill.

I learned a long time ago to totally avoid the comment sections on places like YouTube and our local news paper (online version).

YouTube comments are usually vulgar, vile, pornographic in nature, and full of hatred, ignorance, and vitriol. The comments in the local newspaper are also vulgar, vile, pornographic in nature, and full of hatred, ignorance, and vitriol. The difference is that the newspaper comments are written by people in my own town – my neighbors! If I avoid reading them, it is much more likely that I continue singing the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood theme song. Otherwise, I may throw my “sneakers” through the wall and choke somebody with an argyle sweater.

On the other hand…

I enjoy reading the comments on other blogs I follow. Because they are monitored, the language is acceptable and weirdos are usually weeded out. But on occasion, there comes along a blogger (hint, hint) who wants to pose questions that are meant to stir up the pot. The ensuing comment bombardments can stir up long-lasting debris from text-verse explosions, the result of which can choke the joy right out of a Care Bear (that’s an 80’s toy). A week of battling through these things has evidently taken its toll…I need a hug.

You see, the problem with legalism (over-simplified: a life of rules and regulations) is that it can give one a false sense of knowledge and understanding about God. Lists of regulations are fine, to a degree, but they are limited. Obeying lists does not make one any closer to the List Maker, or any more like Him. As a matter of fact, following the lists too stringently may cause one to risk missing something written between the lines, or even miss the reason the list was given.

I have come to a simple conclusion about God: I don’t need to argue anymore about lists – I just want to know Him.

A list in our hearts

The Bible talked about the time when the Law would be written on the hearts of men (Jeremiah 33:31). What does that mean? Well, it’s easy to understand if you think of it in terms of relationship.

If you are in a close relationship with someone, it doesn’t take a list for you to know what makes that person happy or sad…you know in your heart. God essentially told Jeremiah that a day would come when men would no longer need a list to live by, but they would act according to relationship. In a close relationship, a grocery list can help you prepare for a special night. However, without a relationship, a grocery list from a total stranger might be easy to check off, but it doesn’t mean you’re invited to dinner.

Grocery List

Keeping with the “grocery list” analogy, have you ever been given a list for things to pick up at the store? If the list was from an employer, your boss at work, and he wrote down ten items he needed for the office kitchen, the safest bet would be to buy exactly what he requested, no exceptions. You would not want to question his authority or wisdom, and you would especially not want to seem insubordinate – you could get fired. You would be wise to not think for yourself – just follow the list. That’s like LEGALISM.

What if the list was from your husband or wife? Would you feel stressed walking into the store? Would you be afraid to go home if something on the list was not available, leaving you with no option but to find a substitute? If you were in a healthy marriage, you would know to make the best choices for the sake of your family. No list would have to tell you that. The key is that you would not be chained to the list, but you would be free to make the best choice for the sake of your family. You would be trusted. And if you messed up, you’d still have a home to go to. That’s like GRACE.

My Prayer

I pray that I come to a point where everything I do gives evidence of the fact that I have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to know Him more. I want my heart to beat in rhythm with His. I want to be able to distinguish between things that bring Him glory, and things that break His heart.

Jer 31:33 – But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 – And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Psa 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

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Filed under God, legalism, Uncategorized

Tagged as Christianity, grace, Grocery store, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Legalism, lists of do's and don'ts, Religion and Spirituality, Shopping list

by Anthony Baker | April 10, 2011 · 4:23 pm

There IS Purpose

To Begin With…

The world is in a state of turmoil. Pain and suffering are everywhere. Worry and fear are some of the more common emotions among men and women these days. In the midst of all this unforgiving stress, the hurting need comfort; yet, where are they to find it? I believe that comfort can be found in the belief that this world is not the result of an accident, but design. I believe that there is more to life than what we can see. I believe in a Creator. I believe in God. This belief gives me comfort in the midst of pain and suffering.

But…

Many (but not all) scientists, however, do not believe in a Creator, so they pursue meaning and purpose through the discovery of new things, improving mankind’s situation, and better anticipating the future of the universe. Even though great scientists of the past viewed science as a means to further understand God’s creation, leading them to give God praise for His magnificent design, many modern scientists see the universe through a naturalistic worldview. They tend to comfort themselves in the supposed fact that this universe, made of matter, is all that there is – nothing more. They reason that since life is just a natural process and that matter is all that there is, what does it matter (pun intended) if there is no purpose to life? To the naturalist (the typical scientist), it is all about the here-and-now, occasionally sprinkled with purposeless wonder and meaningless awe.

Science?

A recent “scientific” study was conducted that shed some interesting light on the reasons why people choose to believe that there is a Designer of the universe, rather than purposeless existence after death. Just consider the title of the study: “Death and Science: The Existential Underpinnings of Belief in Intelligent Design and Discomfort with Evolution.” (Tracy, Hart, Martens) This study showed that when faced with the ultimate reality of death, most choose to find comfort in the belief that there is a design to everything, which would suggest purpose, rather than hold to Darwin’s theory of evolution. When faced with what was called “mortality salience,” even the unreligious tended to be “uncomfortable” with the theory of evolution. The conductors of the experiment were amazed (I found it perfectly logical), even indignant at times (which I thought was funny). Sadly, the researchers who conducted the study were obviously predisposed to atheism and the idea that the universe is un-designed. Surely they included themselves in the category of “certain individuals who are more deeply invested in the scientific worldview (e.g., scientists),” and, like Carl Sagan, viewed “naturalism as providing human life with meaning and purpose.” (Tracy, Hart and Martens 10)

Only a fool could look at a working machine that had every feature capable of performing a particular task and call that machine a random collection of atoms without purpose or meaning. Even the Psalmist said, “the fool hath said in his heart, [there is] no God.” On the other hand, the logical person would conclude, at some point, that the universe machine must have been designed by a Designer. To illustrate this, William Paley (1743-1805) used a pocket watch as an analogy to describe what one should conclude when he looks at the universe. Like a lone watch found on a beach, the universe should be to the observer an intricate work of art made for a purpose. People that are logical also see themselves as instruments of purpose, because they can recognize things that bear the marks of design. Why should it be a surprise to anyone, that when faced with death, the need for meaning would be important to the same, thoughtful, logical observer? “When we see evidence of intelligent design…we naturally assume that an intelligent designer was responsible for constructing the object.” (Phillips, Brown and Stonestreet 78)

Ten Words

The Christian can find his whole sense of purpose in the ten words that make up Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The Christian scientist can also read these words and find confirmation to his observations. It is the naturalistic scientist that looks at William Paley’s watch analogy (teleological argument) and comes to the illogical conclusion that “chance plus time” created a beautifully intricate machine out of nothing.

If the universe is Godless, and it was not designed for a purpose, then meaning is irrelevant. The thing that is designed for a purpose, even if only to amuse, has a purpose, which gives meaning to every aspect of its being. Something that was not designed, created, or brought about either in reality or in the abstract, exists, at best, by accident. There is no purpose inherent within an accident (accidents are by definition unplanned), unless, of course, the accident was caused. If an accident is caused, even if it was not purposeful, then it was at least caused, was it not? So, either way, it could be argued that whether the universe was designed or came about by accident, there was a Something that brought it about, for both are objects of a Creator, else neither would have existed.

Waxing Philosophical

In conclusion, I would now argue that if the universe was either designed or the result of an accident, and if both design and accident have to have a cause; and, since accidents usually don’t result in the promotion of life-sustaining details, but rather carnage; and, since the universe mirrors best an intricate machine full of life; therefore, it must be designed, not an accident. If, then, the universe was the product of a Designer, then there must be a purpose inherent in the design. In other words, there is a reason for everything we see. It may be hidden somewhere in the workings of this great machine. Or, it could be found in the revelation of the Designer – the Bible.

There is, according to Scripture, a purpose for everything. Even amidst all the turmoil of the Vietnam War era a song came out by a group call The Byrds entitled, “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The lyrics included a line from Ecclesiastes 3:1 which said, “a time to every PURPOSE (emphasis mine) under heaven.” To everything there is a purpose, even though it may not be plain to the observer. For example, unless they are meant to be a prank, buttons and levers on a machine usually have a purpose. Even if they don’t do anything, they had the purpose to illicit a response of some kind from the observer. That being understood, if there seems to be any design to the universe, wouldn’t it make the most sense to assume there was a Designer? If there was a Designer, then there was a purpose for the design. And the Bible says that the purpose, if for no other reason, was to cause “…all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him [the LORD]. For he spake, and it was [done]; he commanded, and it stood fast.” – Psa 33: 8-9 KJV

God made everything for a reason. You have a purpose. There IS hope in Jesus Christ.

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. – Psalm 31:24 KJV

Works Cited

Tracy, J. L., J. Hart and J. P. Martens. 2011. Death and Science: The Existential Underpinnings of Belief in Intelligent Design and Discomfort with Evolution. PLoS ONE. 6 (3): e17349.

Phillips, W. Gary, William E. Brown and John Stonestreet. Making Sense of Your World, A Biblical Worldview. Salem, Wisconsin: Sheffield Publishing Company, 2008.

Here is a link to the Institute for Creation Research article addressing the study mentioned above: http://www.icr.org/article/6039/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+icrscienceupdate+%28Science+Update+from+ICR%29&utm_content=FaceBook

1 Comment

Filed under Apologetics, God, Uncategorized, World View

Tagged as Intelligent design, Intelligent designer, purpose, William Paley

by Anthony Baker | March 18, 2011 · 3:29 am

Speak Out While You Still Can

What I am about to write is definitely dangerous.

I am having a hard time finding the words to say. I have written and re-written stuff for the last 5 hours. The problem is that there is no easy way to say what I want to say. I am not a radical. I am not a conspiracy kook. What I am is someone who watches what is going on in the world, in light of history, and is terribly disturbed by what potentially lies ahead. Please watch the following video, and then read my thoughts on the matter.

Nobody wants to label the whole religion of Islam as dangerous. To do so runs the risk of being labeled “Islamaphobic.” But just in case no one noticed, the reason the police didn’t stop the peaceful Muslims from clogging the streets of France is because of the fear that some radical will burn a police station, behead a cop, or start a riot that leaves the city in ruin. Why shouldn’t that make me nervous? Since when did the police of any country run in fear of Christians?

The Norm?

What will we allow to become the norm in this country? Sure, there are the humanists and the atheists who would like to see no public display of religion; but most Americans would just prefer that a person be able to hold whatever belief their conscience dictates, exercising their faith in peace. However, if the norm becomes fear of speaking out or questioning anything about any religion; fear to enforce certain laws because it may offend a Muslim; or fear to even draw a cartoon depicting a particular “prophet” (that got a lot of people killed, you know); then freedom will cease to exist. That is not the norm I want to get accustomed to.

Another video.

You see, it is coming to a point where we are going to have to speak out for freedom, or we will not be able to speak out at all. Fear and intimidation is running rampant all over the world. Just look at how people are being jailed for speaking out in Europe against Sharia law.

No Sharia!

To not speak out in this conflict of cultures is to allow Islam the opportunity to replace our Western form of government with a system of laws that go against everything our forefathers fought for. There will be no place in an Islamic state, should it go that far, for those who seek freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of thought, or equal rights for all. Freedom of religion is a core value in American society, but we should beware of those who would use that freedom to usurp the freedom of all others. Already, intimidation and the fear of retribution is robbing us or our of public discourse in the arena of ideas.

A concluding thought

As a concluding thought, the above videos spoke of laws in other countries that limited religious expression outside of the home, church, synagogue, or mosque. We should be thankful we are still allowed to express our faith anywhere, not just inside the walls of our own homes and churches. But make no mistake, there are those in this country who would love to have us be just like France and Austria. They have already succeeded in removing many expressions of faith from the public arena in the name of “separation of church and state.” Understand that unless we have the right to full, unrestrained discussion, only the most intimidating bullies will be aloud to speak. Speak out while you still can.

Sharia threat bandwagon keeps rolling on | Sarah Posner (guardian.co.uk)
States Move To Ban Islamic Sharia Law (npr.org)

It’s OK to Have an Imagination

A Confession

I am in my 40’s, and I still feel like a kid – most of the time – at least mentally – well, that makes me sound stupid – I mean, emotionally – now I am emotionally unstable – I didn’t say that; the keyboard did. When am I going to be the mature person I always wanted to be? When am I going to grow up?

If given the opportunity, I would like to take a box of plastic toy soldiers out to a dry, dusty field; cart a load of bottle-rockets and firecrackers; and sling across my shoulder a CO2 pellet rifle with a scope. Then, with the PG-version of a Gen. George S. Patton inspiring my imagination, I would unleash the “shock and awe” of my personal arsenal in an anti-feminine display of testosterone-infused mayhem. Sorry, ladies, if you don’t understand. You may need to go find a sale somewhere.

Is there something wrong with me? Probably, but that’s beside the point. No, nothing is “wrong” with me – I’ve just got an imagination.

Growing Up

Since when did it become necessary to lose one’s imagination in order to become an adult? Did Jesus ever say that pastors should check their imaginations at the door when they entered the hallowed halls of ministry? Of course not! What kind of preacher would I be without an imagination? A pitiful, orthodox, dry and sad one, I would think.

Growing up has nothing to do with the desire to have fun or play (even with plastic army men). Growing up has everything to do with being the person we are designed by God to be. Growing up means accepting responsibilities, finishing tasks, taking stands, and putting others first. Growing up means not being tossed back and forth with every wind of change, or every wind of doctrine (Ephesian 4:14), but committed to truth, and speaking it in love (v15). Growing up means carrying our crosses when the cross gets heavy, especially when we have to carry it for the sake of others. Becoming mature does not mean we have to crucify our imagination.

His Imagination

Aren’t you glad God had an imagination? Who else could have thought up everything that is when there was nothing to compare it to? We should praise Him for His wonderful imagination!

PRAISE the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light! Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created. – Psalm 148:1-5 NKJV

Stop and think about it. We were made in the “image” of God (Gen 1:27). Surely, “imagination” was included in that likeness. We are the product of His very own “creativity.” He created us with an imagination so that we could appreciate the beauty of the unseen; so that we could long for the yet-to-be. ……..”I can only imagine.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII&feature=related

Even a Trash Can…

Saturday night, March 5th, 2011, was the day I said about a shiny, silver trash can, “I have GOT to get me one of THOSE!“

For our daughter Katie’s 15th birthday, instead of a party, we bought tickets to see Chris Tomlin and Louis Giglio in concert. Chris Tomlin sang, and Louis (the “Laminin” guy from YouTube) Giglio preached. However, before Chris or Louis got up to do their stuff, a group we had never heard of took the stage. Their name? Rend Collective Experiment.

Well, I am not Irish, so maybe that’s why I don’t fully understand or appreciate Rend’s style. Frankly, it was a little weird, at first. But on the other hand, once my ears adjusted, the energy and emotion from the stage was too contagious to ignore. Thankfully, because the lyrics were projected above on screens, I was able to understand what it was that I was being compelled to sing along with. Did I say I’m not Irish? I’m not even lucky. Anyway…

Drumsticks NOT included.

The worship experience was awesome, and I don’t use that word flippantly. I really felt the Spirit of God move, especially in my own heart, and Sunday was evidence of that. Saturday night brought renewed strength and encouragement in the faith that overflowed from the the pulpit as I preached. But one thing in particular stood out and has been forever sealed in my memory – the silver garbage can.

I kid you not, along with all the other instruments I expected to see a live band play, like guitars and drums, a girl with more enthusiasm than a hummingbird at the sight of a bird-feeder was whacking away on a tin trash can – a garbage can. And I am not joking when I say that I am surprised the can was as tough as it was, because she beat the lead out of any alloy it was made of.

I had never seen anybody play a trash can, before; yet, after an initial period of jaw-dropping amazement, my immediate thought was, “How could I get one of those in the church choir?” “Who could I get to play it?” Really, other than rhythm (which is critical), what do you need by way of musical talent to play a tin can? All you need is a willingness to make a……WAIT……

A JOYFUL NOISE!

O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. – Psalm 95:1 KJV

Some are piously thinking to themselves, “How could God have been glorified by a stinking garbage can? What rubbish!” But God never said a joyful noise had to be made on a pipe organ, did He? When did God ever say he couldn’t be glorified by a trash can? But talk about the pot calling the kettle black – Praise our Father in Heaven! – WHAT ARE WE that WE should be given the opportunity to sing praises unto the King of Glory? WE are nothing but “filthy rags!” If not for His mercy, we would still be in our sins.

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away. – Isaiah 64:6

But PRAISE THE LORD, He has chosen to use us to bring glory to His name! Just like that old trash can the girl on stage was pounding with a stick, if God chooses to use us, He can put us in just the right place, just the right context, to bring out of us a new and joyful anthem of holy celebration. Even though the world says a trash can is fit only for garbage and filth, God can take the most humble of things and elevate them to the heights of a heavenly choir! HALLELUJAH!

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. … That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, 31 KJV

“How do you tune it?”

I was so blessed with that trash can that I looked over at my wife and said, “I have GOT to get me one of THOSE!” Then I looked over at my daughter and said, with the best Irish accent I could muster, doing an imitation of Rend Collective’s drummer, “That was GRRRET!” If God can use even a trash can, I know He can use you and me. Now the only question I have left, being a bassist, is “how do you tune this thing?“