Category Archives: Life Lessons

by | November 19, 2015 · 1:44 pm

It’s Today, Not Tomorrow. Deal With It!

Stuck on Tomorrow

We all hate getting a song stuck inside our heads, and every day I drive the school bus I run the risk of that happening. Many times I find myself humming or whistling, even singing a random song just to tune out the noise of crumb crunchers.

The other day I got stuck on the well-known and loved-by-all show tune from Annie, “(The Sun Will Come Out) Tomorrow.” I kept singing the main lines over and over, often re-worded to my fit my fancy. One of the little girls sitting behind me asked, “Mr. Baker, why are you so stuck on that song?”

I love it when kids ask me questions…mmmwwaahahaha!

Why Tomorrow?

Yes, a little girl asked me a question, and like the great grandfather I know I will be one day, I unloaded with a barrage of questions the tiny dancer was unprepared to answer.

  • Do you think it’s smart to tell someone you love him when you’ve never even met him or know anything about him?
  • Why would you tell tomorrow you love it, when you don’t know anything about it?
  • How do you know tomorrow will be better than today?
  • What’s so bad about today? I mean, what’s it done that tomorrow won’t?
  • What’s the deal with tomorrow, anyway? Seriously? It’s never here. Never comes. It’s always tomorrow. But today, well, today is here, right where it’s supposed to be. Why not love today? At least today hasn’t left like yesterday, and tomorrow never show up?
  • Do you think Annie should have just been happy with the day she had instead of wishing for things that might never come?
  • Do you really know the sun will come out tomorrow?

I love talking with kids on the bus. Can you tell?

Carpe Diem

In all actuality, there are some really good reasons to have hope in tomorrow. But on the other hand, all we are promised is today, and it might be shorter than you think. Why not seize what you have and be thankful?

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24

We won’t have to answer to God for tomorrow, but today is a different bus trip altogether. 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Future, Humor, Life Lessons, music

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | September 3, 2015 · 10:05 am

You Can Call Me “Illustrator” If You Want To

The Book

As many of you already know, last year Parson’s Porch published a little book of mine, Life Lessons From the School Bus. If you haven’t picked up a copy, then why not?? I mean, seriously! It’s a good little book!

Anyway…

Each little story in the book has an illustration attached. And guess what? I did all the illustrating! Yes, I can do more than write; I can draw…sorta.

Unfortunately, because of the size of the book, and because the publisher didn’t see things that way I did, the illustrations on which I had worked very hard ended up being very small. Had I gotten my way, the illustrations would have had their own pages. Maybe, if the book ever becomes popular enough, a reprint will include just that.

The Illustrations

So, my dear friends, including those who have not yet found $10 to buy my book, I want to share with you some of the illustrations I drew. This way you will be better able to see all the illustrious and creative detail my geniusness can create 😉

Should you be on a tight budget and need an illustrator, give me a call. Seriously. I could always use a little extra gas money.

Also, if you’d like a signed and personally touched up copy of any of these illustrations, I will send you one for $20 plus shipping (which shouldn’t be much). What a deal!!

photo 3 (4) photo 5 (4) photo (32) - Copy photo 1 (5) photo 2 (4) photo 3 (2) photo 3 photo 4 (2)

1 Comment

Filed under book review, Life Lessons

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | August 5, 2015 · 6:06 pm

Hiding In Plain Sight

Back in 2010 (I think) I wrote a post that later became the basis for a story in my book, Life Lessons from the School Bus. If you don’t yet have a copy (you can order one by clicking on the picture), the following story, “Stop #13,” can be found on pages 45-46.

The reason that I am sharing it with you now is because today was the “kick off” day for our local school bus drivers. The most important and most repeatedly-stressed point was safety. I’m sure you’ll get the connection.

The Story

As you can see in the picture, a typical school bus has two mirrors immediately to the left of the driver window (besides the convex mirror below). With mirrors everywhere, driving is made much safer and easier, even in heavy traffic. What you don’t see is what is on the other side of the mirrors.

(This picture at the very spot an accident could have taken place.)

I was beginning to exit a gas station directly across the street from another station, and a Hardee’s. I looked in every direction and checked my mirrors. Then, as I started to pull out, an 18-wheeler appeared out of nowhere…directly in front of me! It had been hiding behind the mirrors.

Take a look at the picture. Right behind the top mirror sat a Peterbilt. I never saw it. What saved me was taking my time and being cautious. Had I rushed on forward I may have pulled right into the path of that big truck. Only going slow and expecting the unexpected made the difference.

The Lesson

So many tragedies in life could be avoided if only we would take the time to “consider our ways.”

“Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways” (Haggai 1:5 KJV).

Do we stop to think about where we are going? Do we take the time to make sure there is nothing hidden behind the obvious? Sometimes our judgment can be clouded by the determination to move forward with our plans. Wisdom understands that the Enemy loves to capitalize on things hidden.

For example, how many people have fallen into financial ruin because they rushed into a business deal or bought something too expensive? Many times there are dangers lurking in the fine print or hidden in words we don’t take time to understand. Even though the path may look clear, it never hurts to take one more look before proceeding.

Ironically, big dangers can hide behind the very things meant to point them out.

Route Suggestions

The following are a few suggestions to help you navigate the route of life:

  • Never get too comfortable behind the wheel.
  • Never make quick assumptions based on past experiences.
  • Never let someone rush you into making an uninformed decision.
  • Read Psalm 119:105…”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” How important is it to have a light when driving down a dark and unfamiliar road? Where does this verse say we can find light for the road of life?

The road of life can be dangerous place, dear reader. Why not follow the One who not only knows the way, but IS the Way?

1 Comment

Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, Life Lessons

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | July 6, 2015 · 2:49 pm

Visiting Charleston, S.C. (Part 1)

Vacation (or Holiday, for you Brits)

Last week my family went on vacation. With the exception of Katie, the daughter who stayed home and watched the house and dogs (and used too much laundry soap), we all loaded up and drove to Charleston, South Carolina, to stay with our oldest daughter, Alicia, and her husband, Josh.

But it wasn’t just family. Roy and Esther Cavender (close friends from Hopkinsville, KY) also endured the long, 8-hour drive in our mini-van to Charleston. In case you’re counting, that’s four adults and one teenager in a single vehicle for the equivalent of a regular work day.

Have you ever gone on vacation with another family to another family’s house in a distant location? Let me clue you in to a fact of life – you’d better be REALLLLLY good friends.

Happily Married

One thing about going on vacation with people that are not in your immediate family is that you come to appreciate why you are married to whom. In other words, we all have differences which we can appreciate (Isn’t that “reyeght” Roy & Esther and Alicia & Josh?).

For example, my wife and I know how to get along (most of the time). We know what the other one likes and dislikes (most of the time); we know how certain situations make us feel (OK, I’m stretching it); and we know what is most likely to tick the other one off (Sure do!). That’s not the case with friends and family that don’t live under the same roof all the time. Vacationing can be a learning curve…with disputing GPS’s.

Staying in someone’s house, as opposed to a hotel, can save money and offer more time to spend together, but it sure has the potential for stress. Don’t get me wrong – we’d do it again! It’s just now that it’s all over, I like the way my wife and I do things. I’m pretty sure everyone else feels the same way.

We Had a Good Time

But even though there were some awkward and tense moments in and on the way to Charleston, we did have a fun and enriching time. We got to spend quality time with friends and family, meet new people, eat new foods, see new places, and experience the time away we so desperately needed. I even made a fish fly.

So, in the next few posts I will share my thoughts on some things I saw and did while in Charleston, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • photo 1 (6)The Confederate Museum
  • Shooting machine guns with my son-in-law
  • Going to the beach
  • Alligators in the back yard
  • Shopping
  • Visiting the Emanuel A.M.E. Church

Have I piqued your curiosity? Let me know if there’s something specific about which you’d like to hear.

I’ve got a lot of stories, it’s just a matter of narrowing them down to the magic 500 words or less, you know.

Leave a comment

Filed under Life Lessons, places, Relationships and Family, Vacation

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | June 9, 2015 · 7:00 am

Things I Don’t Know

As a husband, father, pastor, author, and perpetual student, I am constantly reminded of how much I really don’t know.

What if I made a list of all the things I don’t know? Well, that would be impossible, especially when there are so many things that I don’t know I don’t know.

However…..

Here are some things I wish I knew more about or could better understand. If it were possible to master these subjects, my self-esteem might go through the roof! Some may even call me a “know-it-all” in a non-derogatory way!

Do you know the answers to the following questions?

  • How can only three knobs (valves) and two lips play an infinite number of musical notes?
  • How do people get clean in dirty bath water?
  • What are hot flashes, and why women hate them in the winter?
  • Why are things like Pi (things that have no answer) so dadgum important?
  • If animals in cartoons and movies can talk to each other in English, not to mention read, why don’t they just write a note to humans when someone is in danger?
  • Why do women wear “natural” makeup to look natural, when natural was what they were before they put on the makeup?
  • Greek grammar – enough said.
  • Who killed Kennedy?
  • Why can’t I just decide to increase my debt limit, instead of balancing my budget?
  • Why do dogs and cats hate each other?
  • Why I could never pick up a snake by the tail, but Steve Irwin could?
  • How did the first person decide drinking something fermented, breathing something on fire, eating something coagulated, or using the anal glands of a beaver for flavoring (castorium) was an appetizing idea?

Life is full of persistent, nagging questions. Some questions may never be answered. I may never truly be a know-it-all. However, when it all comes down to what’s most important, I am reminded of the words of a man who was blind from birth: “I was blind…but now I see.”

I may not know everything, but I know that I will be OK when I die. I know that this world is not all there is. I know that heaven awaits me when I die. How? It’s all written in the Word of God.

 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. – 1 John 5:13

Did you know that?

2 Comments

Filed under Life Lessons, World View

Tagged as , , ,

by | May 21, 2015 · 12:04 pm

While My Phone Charges

iRecorder

c26-B003Z8WHDC-collage-4-l

Here’s an Amazon.com link if you want one 😉

There is an app on my iPhone4s that I use to record all my sermons, including the 15-minute ones I record and then email to the radio station. However, if my phone is not charged, I have no way of recording, because the digital microphone (Blue Mikey) plugs into the port where the charger goes (I’m ready for an upgrade, though).

So, while I am waiting a few more minutes for my iPhone to charge so I can record a sermon for radio (I nearly let it die because I left it at church last night), I am going to give you all a little update.

Not Pitiful

Here’s the thing: I’m OK!

Am I having to deal with some serious issues, the details of which I can’t make public? Yes. Am I in need of a serious all-inclusive vacation? Absolutely (I’ll take donations)! Did my last post give some the impression that I am a pitiful mess, moping about the house, driving aimlessly down the road, incessantly dobbing my watery eyes with tissues from a pink, doily-covered box? Evidently!

In case you were wondering, the reason I wrote “My Confession” was because I was just trying to be honest about life. There ARE days when the burdens we must bear and the walk we must walk are impossible to endure without the strength available to us through Jesus Christ.

I’m a Warrior

Even though I may shed a tear, that just means I’m still human and have a heart; I’m not an animal or a machine. But once my tears are dried, once I’ve used my pass into town to blow off some steam, I am going to be right back on the front lines, giving the enemy heaven.

I will fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life, holding true to the profession I have made (1 Tim. 6:12). I will put on the whole armor of God and stand in the face of every onslaught from the evil one (Eph. 6:13), not giving an inch of ground. I am a warrior in the Army of the Living God, so I will endure this present hardness and eschew the petty things of this life; that I “may please Him who hath chosen me to be a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

My phone is charged, so a charging I will go.

 

(UPDATE: If you are curious and would like to hear how the sermon I just recorded turned out, then I’d be happy to email you a copy 🙂 )

Leave a comment

Filed under Christian Living, Life Lessons, ministry, Preaching

Tagged as , , , ,

by | May 18, 2015 · 7:00 am

Don’t Beg, Just Dig

How about a little Matthew Henry to start off the week?

The following is commentary based on Proverbs 13:23.

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

See…[how] a small estate may be improved by industry, so that a man, by making the best of every thing, may live comfortably upon it: Much food is in the tillage of the poor, the poor farmers, that have but a little, but take pains with that little and husband it well. Many make it an excuse for their idleness that they have but a little to work on, a very little to be doing with; but the less compass the field is of the more let the skill and labour of the owner be employed about it, and it will turn to a very good account. Let him dig, and he needs not beg.[1]

See, then, that you don’t complain about the field in which you work, just work the field. The smaller the plot, the more work it may take to produce a crop, but a crop it will produce.

Never forget that “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). If you work the field, plant and water the seed, then the One who sent you into the field will take care of the rest.

Little is much when God is in it. Don’t beg – and don’t worry – just dig. 

 

[1] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), Pr 13:23.

 

2 Comments

Filed under Faith, Life Lessons, ministry, Parenting, Preaching

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | May 11, 2015 · 8:58 am

The Hard Way

The following comes from a post I wrote for ProverbialThought.com. Even though I wrote this a couple of years ago, nothing has changed; I still see people making poor choices, making things harder than they need to be, and it breaks my heart. Oh, if only we would follow the path of Wisdom!

Proverbs 13:15

“Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.” KJV

“A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person is headed for destruction.” NLT

 A Hard Life

Every now and then you may encounter people with a look that older than than their age. You may meet a man who is only in his thirties, but looks like he over sixty. A young woman may cross your path that is wrinkled, bent over, and haggard, only to find out that she is 28 years way too old.

What makes people look like they are much older than their chronological age? Hard lives. Lifestyles bent on destruction.

To be fair, there are others that you may see who have been through a lot of pain and suffering due to circumstances beyond their control. These, too, may look older than they actually are. Life has been hard on them. But for many, what they have endured has been the result of a transgressor’s path, and that’s a hard road.

Good Sense

A person that exhibits good sense (“understanding”) is typically a person who takes better care of himself. Good sense says, “Hey, maybe staying up late every night partying until the sun comes up is a bad idea.” Good sense says, “You know, taking that drug might be harmful, not to mention addictive.”

Someone with understanding and good sense is also somebody others respect and trust. For example, this type of man or woman is the one who gets the job or promotion. He or she is the one who gets awards and bonuses. They are also the ones who have lower life insurance premiums and rarely have to pay large down payments to purchase anything on credit.

However, the transgressor is the one who nobody really trusts closing the store at night. He’s the one who always calls in sick on Monday morning. Life insurance companies consider him a “high risk” and deny him coverage. And when it comes to buying a house or new car, all he can do is rent.

Advice for the Road

Let me give you some advice. If you are planning on traveling down the “hard road” of life, plan on things never going your way. But don’t think you can blame all of your woes on those with more than you, because they have “understanding;” they can see through your schemes.

Don’t blame the government. Don’t blame the church people. Don’t blame your boss (if you can keep one). Don’t blame anyone for the path that you have chosen.

Also, if you are planning to live a life that transgresses God’s word (His law), don’t blame Him when things don’t go the way you plan. He warned you.

So, when you find yourself living in a run-down motel, remember, Wisdom has been crying out, “You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding” (Proverbs 8:5 NLT).

When you won’t listen to Wisdom, your way will be hard.

2 Comments

Filed under Bible Study, General Observations, Life Lessons, wisdom

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | May 5, 2015 · 9:14 am

Riots from a Biblical Perspective

Just this morning I read a tweet from the ACLU that declared “Black Spring has begun.” At a time when racial tensions are high, why foment them even more? Why encourage it?

Most of the reporting going on these days has nothing to do with journalism; it’s more about stirring up a story for ratings. A combination of manufactured stories, lawless “thugs” looking for any opportunity destroy, and a news media constantly driven to push “breaking news” have contributed to an overall spirit of bitterness and hate.

On the urging of certain race baiters and hate merchants who blasphemously wear the title of “Reverend,” youth have been running the streets, misinformed, angry, and burning down their own neighborhoods. And they think this is supposed to help?

Romans 12 and 13 have a lot to say to what has been going on in Baltimore and all the other cities where riots have been going on. Romans 13:10 is especially noteworthy…

“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.”

Think about that verse. Meditate on it. Love doesn’t steal from its neighbor. Love doesn’t burn its neighbor’s store down. Love does not drag his neighbor out into the street and beat him to death. Love does not pour lighter fluid on his neighbor and try to light him on fire. Love does not smash his neighbor’s cars. Love does not threaten and curse his neighbor’s race. Love does not destroy his neighbor’s hometown.

“No justice, no peace!” has been the rallying cry of so many. But what is justice? Is is not the fulfilling of the law? How, then, can hate-filled destruction aimed at innocents neighbors bring justice? “Love” is the fulfilling of the law.

Racism may always be with us to some degree, but those who must continually stir it up and continue it will one day stand before a Holy God and give an account.

What would Jesus do? What should Christians do? One thing is for certain, had the truly innocent Jesus been falsely accused and crucified today, and if Al Sharpton was in charge, then Jerusalem would be burned to to the ground quicker than a match could light. Sounds wrong, doesn’t it? Because it is.

 

Sunday evening I decided to record a sermon which expounded on Romans chapter 13. In the light of what is going on in my country, as I read God’s Word and compared it to what is going on in our nation, I became more and more indignant. No one was in the sanctuary when I spoke, so no one was there to hear what I said. But I did record it, and I am not ashamed to share it with the world.

This country needs to hear about things from God’s perspective.

bible

Click on the Picture

 

 

12 Comments

Filed under America, Christian Unity, current events, Life Lessons, Preaching

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | May 4, 2015 · 9:52 am

Secrets to a Long Life

Morning Questions

I don’t know what it is about Monday mornings and the questions kids want to ask while I am driving. Something must happen over the weekends which cause children to seek wise counsel from the school bus driver.

One question I got the other day was just too big for me. I mean, seriously, I laughed, shook my head, and ignored the kindergartner. He asked, “Mr. Baker, why is the world so big?” If I had answered truthfully and said, “Because that’s the way God made it,” then I would have been fired. So, since I couldn’t think of anything overly stupid with which to respond, I stayed silent.

However, this morning, there was a question I had to answer. This morning a young girl got on the bus and asked, “Mr. Baker, do you know the secret to living a long life?” “Well, there are several secrets, but what’t the one you know?”

“Play the harmonica,” she replied.

“Play the harmonica?”

“Yes,” she said matter-of-factly. “Because playing the harmonica will help your lungs, and strong lungs will help you live longer.”

“Is that so?” I asked. “Yep,” answered the little girl.

“Well,” I replied, “my daddy played the harmonica, and he’s dead.”

My Secrets 

OK, so I’ve never been convicted for the over use of tact. Sometimes I am too brutally honest for my own good (so my wife says). Other times, however, I can be sweet and compassionate – just not this morning, evidently.

Anyway, this morning’s question got me to thinking. Could I come up with some secrets for living a long life?

10 Secrets to Living a Long Life (by someone who hasn’t yet died):

  1. Never pull the trigger when it’s pointed at you.
  2. Never smoke more than 3 cigars in an hour.
  3. Never jump from a moving vehicle if it’s moving through the air.
  4. Never corner a rock badger.
  5. Drink at least 3 glasses of something a week.
  6. Eat food.
  7. Don’t drive drunk, or with a teenage girl with directional issues.
  8. Breath regularly, except in the tourist’s bathroom at the Bush’s Baked Bean factory.
  9. Hide all sharp objects, scissors, and ammunition before going to bed with an angry wife.
  10. Drink excessive amounts of coffee.

Serious Secrets

Now that you have my secrets for living a long, not necessarily healthy, life, what does the Bible say about long life? What kind of “secrets” can we find hidden in that wonderful book of Wisdom?

5 Biblical Secrets to Long Life

  1. Obey and honor your parents (Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:1-3).
  2. Don’t mess around with another person’s spouse (Prov. 6:29-35).
  3. “Keep my commandments, and live…” (Prov. 7:2).
  4. “Forsake the foolish, and live…” (Prov. 9:6).
  5. Repent of your sins and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior – that’s the secret to ETERNAL life (John 3:15-16; 10:28; Rom. 6:23).

 

So, what are your secrets to living a long life? Do you have any more to share with us? Leave them in the comment section so we can all learn to live a little longer 😉

5 Comments

Filed under Christian Living, Humor, Life Lessons, Life/Death

Tagged as , , ,