Category Archives: the future

by | February 8, 2012 · 10:54 pm

The Oval Office Thermometer

I have written a lot, even when I should have already called it quits and gone to bed. But I have erased it all. Why? Because a simple message deserves a simple post.

In the near future our country will be going to the polls to elect a president. Who we elect will say a lot about the people of this nation, for one thing remains the same: we get what we deserve.

My prayer is that a God-fearing, honorable, trust-worthy, man of character will be elected. He doesn’t have to be a Christian, but it would be nice if he bore no animosity to my faith. It was none other than George Washington who said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.“*

Now, more than ever, especially with recent action taken by the Obama administration, our country has taken a turn toward complete secularism. The leaders of our country seem to think that religion, especially the Christian faith, is harmful, unfair, and destructive to our society. But it was another founding father, John Adams, who said: “[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.“**

But if history continues down the path it has been taking, I fear the next election will result in a further slide downward. It won’t be the president’s fault, either. It will be the fault of a people that put him in office. The reason is pretty simple: the type of president we elect is going to be a representation of the heart of the people who vote.

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people. – Proverbs 14:34

“We the people” are the thermostat. We elect a thermometer.

*(Source: George Washington, Address of George Washington, President of the United States . . . Preparatory to His Declination (Baltimore: George and Henry S. Keatinge), pp. 22-23. In his Farewell Address to the United States in 1796.)

**(Source: John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co. 1854), Vol. IX, p. 229, October 11, 1798.)

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Filed under America, Christian Unity, General Observations, the future, voting

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by | January 20, 2012 · 1:49 pm

Pre-Weekend Update

I really envy those who can find the time to write every single day on their blogs. You don’t know how much I have longed to sit down to my faithful keyboard and empty my knowledge-filled brain (well, not all my brain). At this point I am not even typing on a keyboard, just my iPhone.

Tonight, I will write more. My computer will be back up and operational, so that will help. For now, because I have to pay for said computer, I must head off to drive the famous school bus. If you read this in time, pray – it is a Friday.

Stay Tuned!

As a teaser, be looking for a story dealing with animals in Romania – animals that leap from the trees and kill you if you don’t make the right sounds. I’ve been wanting to share this “true-life” story for a while.

If you haven’t done so already, SUBSCRIBE! You will be notified each time I write an article or post a video of Monday Monkey. Cool, huh?

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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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Filed under Christian Maturity, Future, God, salvation, the future, Uncategorized, worship

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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 | October 25, 2011 · 12:31 pm

Missing God

My Dad

My father (Terry L. Baker) passed away back in 1991. I miss him very much.

One of the fondest memories I have is running and jumping into his lap after he came home from work. I can still remember the smell, too. You see, my dad worked in an auto machine shop and was very acquainted with sweat, grease, metal shavings, and Varsol. But even his words of “Don’t jump on me, son, I stink” never made a difference. When he finally got home, all I wanted to do was run to him (tears fill my eyes as I write this).

Another memory is his old (new then) 1968 Ford truck. It didn’t matter where I was, whether it be at school, the baby sitter, a friend’s house, or wherever; the sound of his truck was as distinctive as a fingerprint. I could hear him drive into a driveway, but more precisely, I could hear the distinct, redemptive sound of the shutting of the door. Whenever I heard that sound it meant my dad was there to take me away with him. What I wouldn’t give to hear that sound in my driveway right now.

I miss my daddy. I miss being his son. When everything seemed scary, wrong, broken, or hopeless, my dad would show up and let me know everything would be alright. Even when I got too big to jump into his lap, just being with him made me feel safe, loved, accepted, and never alone or intimidated. He was our family’s rock.

My God

There are also times when I miss my God.

For example, I have been taking a required biology class which requires me to read a secular, humanistic textbook. Do you know how hard it is to experience the joy of learning when all you read is telling you that your Heavenly Father is a myth? I can see His handiwork in the obvious design of this world, all the way down to the sub-atomic level, yet I am told “evolution” is my “real” parent. Why shouldn’t it make me feel cold and alone?

Also, I have been surfing the “tags” on WordPress.com. How depressing it is to find that so many of the articles included under the tags of “religion,” “Christianity,” and “God” are all hateful, atheistic, snide comments made by self-justifying Libertines secretly hoping God is a lie. Sometimes, on occasion, I don’t want to read them for fear that they might be right, and I might be alone, that there is no hope, and that life is meaningless.

That’s when I cry, “Abba!“ That’s when I just want to run into His arms, jump in His lap, feel His embrace, and stick my tongue out at all the ones that deny Him.

I don’t know what it will sound like when my Father comes to take me home. I may hear the sound of a trumpet, or He may just whisper in my ear while I sleep. But if God had a truck…..well, I’ll recognize the sound, whatever it is.

“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” – 1 John 2:28 KJV

(Even now, tears fill my eyes more than before as the Hope of Glory fills my longing soul. But if He ain’t your Daddy, you wouldn’t understand.)

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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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by | October 15, 2011 · 11:51 pm

Subscription Contest Ideas

Thanks

I want to thank you for subscribing to this blog.

What? You haven’t subscribed? Why not? Don’t you want to be updated every time I feel inspired to create a literary work of greatness? Pfff…like you’ve got other things to read….riiiiight.

Seriously, if you are a subscriber, I do want to thank you. Your decision to click that little “sign me up” button has, and always will be a little source of encouragement.

The Contest

I am not the biggest, most famousest writer in the blogosphere. All one has to do is look at Heather Joy’s blog to realize I am on the fertilizer level of the readership totem pole. But, I would like to change that, with your help, of course.

Why don’t we set a goal for 100 subscribers by the end of the year (Right now I have 36)? Do you have any ideas how that could be done? If I do reach 100 subscribers by the end of the year, what could we do to celebrate?

The Payoff

One idea I have been tossing around is a random gift certificate giveaway – something like a $20 gift certificate to The Cracker Barrel. Another idea would be to invite all my subscribers out to eat at a local restaurant (I’d buy dessert). Maybe one lucky subscriber could be randomly selected to receive a lock of my hair for a keepsake….oh, that wouldn’t work, would it?

Do you have any ideas? Just keep them inexpensive. I don’t make anything from this site, you know.

Buddy (a.k.a., Monday Monkey) and I thank you!

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by | September 20, 2011 · 10:11 am

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Why is it that so many place such a high premium on what children say? Why should we “listen to the children?” Sure, every once in while they say something cute or insightful, but on a regular basis? Get real. They may be short, but we’re not talking about Yoda. Youth is not a prerequisite to wisdom.

Buy Your Own House

This morning I was driving my bus full of children and one decided to share his “wisdom” with me. According to this young man, a fifth grader, it was better to not buy a house together, or share your money with your wife (if you get married). Why? “Because your wife may end up becoming a prostitute and kick you out and make you pay alimony.”

I can only pray for that poor boy. Where is he learning that stuff? Is this what he thinks of all women? Is this what he thinks of marriage? What kind of future do we have if kids like that keep growing up and taking over? He is definitely NOT a child I want to listen to.

If Children Ruled the World

But there are those who swear that true wisdom can be found in the words of young children. Forget the need for a lifetime of experience, listen to the wisdom of those who just learned to wear pull-ups and cut their own meat. If we did what the bleeding-hearts wanted us to do – listen to the children – where would we be right now?

* No one would ever work, except those that need to work so that others would not have to work.

* Every day would be Christmas, Halloween, and summer vacation.

* There would be peace on earth and no more wars – except when someone disrespects you or takes your candy.

* Everything should be available for the asking whenever it is wanted, as long as we don’t have to be the ones providing it for someone else.

* There would be no need for multiple cable channels, only Disney, Nickelodeon, MTV, ESPN, and The Twilight Channel.

* Everyone would be able to walk around and have everything, while complaining that they are mistreated.

* No one would ever eat at home.

* Education, if desired, would be determined by what the child thought was important.

* Teachers, Doctors, Policemen, School Teachers, and Ministers would be disrespected and maligned, while movie and rock stars would be deified.

* Animals would be considered equal with humans.

* Hate would be outlawed; that is, unless someone disagreed with you.

* Church would be nothing but fun and games, with cookies for all to enjoy.

Wait! Maybe the children are already in charge!

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Filed under America, Christian Living, Christian Maturity, Defending Traditional Marriage, General Observations, Relationships and Family, the future, World View

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by | September 10, 2011 · 4:39 pm

I Will Remember

Ten years have come and gone, and many have already forgotten what happened on September 11, 2001. But I won’t forget.

Not only will I not forget, I will choose to remember.

I will remember…

  • that freedom isn’t free, and there are those who want to steal it.
  • that Christ came “to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;” therefore America is never more “Christ-like” than when its people shed their blood for the freedom of others, whether they love us, or not.
  • that two, huge buildings once stood where one that doesn’t do them justice stands now.
  • that it wasn’t secularists, militarists, or white, Anglo-Saxon protestants that crashed four aircraft on that day, killing thousands.
  • that Islam is the enemy to liberty and freedom, no matter what the media or Muslim apologists attempt to say.
  • the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople – they weren’t converted to Islam through peaceful conversion.
  • who is considered the “Great Satan” and what countries are truly religiously intolerant.
  • the heroes who went back into those buildings to rescue anyone they could.
  • the heroes who fought back and said, “Let’s roll!”
  • the heroes who go into harm’s way for freedom every day.
  • that if it were 50 years ago we would have rebuilt the twin towers bigger and better, and would have said to the terrorists, “Just try that again!”
  • that if we had had generals and a president with the mentality of those in the 1940’s and before, there would be a lot of glass parking lots in the middle east right now.
  • that America was founded by men who knew God; who recognized the hand of Providence; and who knew when to bow a knee and call to God for deliverance.
  • that we (and all freedom-loving people) are in a life-and-death struggle between opposing worldviews – a war. Losing can’t be an option.

I will also choose to remember, and not forget, that America, no matter its current faults and flaws, is made up of a people, who, when push comes to shove, will take the fight for freedom anywhere in the world. We will also defend it. That’s who we are.

God Bless America!

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by | August 10, 2011 · 5:41 pm

Taking Over?

The Apes

You may have heard it by now, but a new Planet of the Apes movie just came out in theaters. I have not seen it, but really, how good could it be without Charlton Heston? Those dirty apes!

The Dogs

Well, long before Moses (a.k.a. Charlton Heston) battled talking monkey, someone coined the phrase “going to the dogs.” The world has definitely been doing that, recently. Forget the “bulls” and the “bears” at the stock market. Everything is getting so crazy I wouldn’t be suprized if apes and dogs take over soon. Come quickly Lord Jesus!

The Example

Early one morning, just a couple of days ago, my wife and I went out to run some errands. For fun, so he wouldn’t have to stay home alone, we took Nugget along for the ride. The moment we decided to order a biscuit Nugget knew exactly what was happening. He would not be denied the opportunity to place his own order.

 The Order

"No, I don't want a steak biscuit...I would like to have Chicken...And please hurry...I'm a hungry dog...and I like eating chicken."

 

"Woof...I mean Thank You!...But you can keep the biscuit...or give it to my mom, er, owner...is it supposed to come through the that box?...Drive around? OK."

 

"What are you people doing in there? I did what I was supposed to...now where's my food. Woof! Can you see me? Am I not cute enough for you?"

 

"She said she won't give it to me unless you give her money...What is money?...Can you please hurry?"

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