Category Archives: wisdom

by Anthony Baker | September 9, 2016 · 7:00 am

She Might Be Flirting If…

The following is Part 2 of a 3-part series I wrote back in Sept. of 2013. I hope you’re enjoying it 😉

Stay With Me

Yesterday, taking a sharp turn from the direction I usually go, I wrote a post dealing with how men flirt. Today I am going to write about how women flirt, or at least my thoughts on the subject. But before you run off thinking The Recovering Legalist is becoming Vanity Fair or The Huffington Post, let me reassure you: there is a point to my madness.

Yesterday was about men. Today will be about women (or at least my understanding and perceptions of the creatures). Tomorrow will be about… Well, you’ll just have to come back tomorrow to find out. Just stay with me on this, OK?

More Nonsense

I scoured the web this morning looking for sources and I found several. However, unlike yesterday, I will give you the links at the bottom of the page, just so you’ll know I am not making this stuff up. Essentially there are a lot of websites and magazines with published articles dealing with “how to know if a woman is flirting.” But once again, several of the clues are deceptive.

Are you a nice person? Do you smile at people? Do you look people in the eye when you speak? Then you’d better watch out, somebody may think you are flirting!

The following are said to be clues that a woman is flirting, guys. So watch out, especially if she is one of those Proverbs 7 women (that’s not good).

She’s staring at you. Never mind that you might have a piece of chicken in your tooth, or you may look like a suspected criminal, if a woman is staring at you, you might be daddy material.
She smiles at you. According to the experts, yelling, screaming, hateful, and even non-emotional women are safe. It’s the ones that are smiling at you that should make you concerned (or excited). That means every girl that works at Chick-fil-A wants to take you on a date.
She plays with her hair. Supposedly, if a woman fiddles with her hair – twirls it in her finger while talking or listening to you – she is flirting. Sinead O’Conner, therefore, will be hard to read, I suppose.
She touches you. Normally, I would give credence to this one. However, some people are just “touchy” people. Some women have a motherly instinct that demands they straighten every tie and remove every piece of lint. So, don’t get creeped out when Granny brushes your shoulder.
She draws attention to her body. Seriously? What woman does not try to draw attention to her body, or at least parts of it? What is makeup for? How long has it been since women have striven to be modest? Good grief, with the way women dress today, the only women not flirting are wearing long blue jean skirts (but they usually have long hair, so watch out for the twirling)!

My Experience

What do I think? How do I believe a man can tell if a woman is flirting? From my experience, which is admittedly limited, I believe there are a few legitimate, full-proof signs. Let me share them with you, but in a more Jeff Foxworthy-ish style…

If a woman looks at you with her eyes, she might be flirting.
If a woman throws the rock back at you from across the playground, she might be flirting.
If a woman asks you to sip something she is drinking, she is definitely flirting.
If a woman bites her lip when you wear chocolate-scented cologne, she just has a hankering for chocolate.
If a woman says you are ugly, she might be flirting.
If a woman says, “I wouldn’t go out with you in a million years,” all the while maintaining an incredulous smirk of disdain, ask her out again next week: she might be flirting with you.
If you happen to be wrestling (pronounced “wrasling”) around on the floor, and the girl you are pretending to let beat you up actually breaks your finger and then says, “OH, did I do that? I’m sorry!”… I’ll let you figure that one out. I just married her.

Well, my wife just asked me if I could tell when she was flirting, so I guess I will bring this post to a close. Just be careful, men.

The last thing you want to do is misinterpret a woman’s intentions.

2 Comments

Filed under current events, General Observations, Humor, Life Lessons, wisdom

Tagged as Body language, eye contact, flirting, Huffington Post, Jeff Foxworthy, People, Women

by Anthony Baker | September 8, 2016 · 8:46 pm

Signs of Flirting?

The following is Part 1 of a 3-part series originally written in Sept. of 2013. I thought it would be a good time to repeat it.

Uncomfortable Topic

OK, so this is not a subject I normally discuss, but I feel I must say something.

I have seen several pieces in the news about how to know when a man is flirting, but the signs leave me a little puzzled. I mean, I am a man, so I should have some knowledge of when I am flirting, correct? But, evidently, I may be flirting when I don’t know it!

I don’t remember the sources for the following, but if you want to, just Google them (It is not my intention to plagiarize, but I am not getting graded on a paper, applying for a job, or getting paid for this post, so I’m not going to worry too much at this point). Here are…

Ten (supposed) ways to know a man is flirting with you:

He makes eye contact when he talks.
He touches his face.
He laughs at a girl’s jokes.
He messes with his own hair.
He tries to gain your attention.
He leans in closer when you talk.
He touches you on the shoulder.
He always has a smile.
He puts his hands on his waist.
He throws rocks at you from across the playground.

Analysis of List

First, I always thought that I was supposed to make eye contact when talking with someone. Does this mean that every time I look someone in the eyes I am flirting? I guess I am going to have to revert back to my insecure, shifty-eye days.

Second, what if a guy feels bugs crawling on his face and in his hair? Should #2 and #4 on the list be avoided? I mean, if I get an itch, does that mean a woman is going to slap me?

Third, maybe guys are just being nice, you know? I try to smile at everybody’s jokes, don’t you? Sometimes a girl can be funny, even when she is ugly as a burnt tree.

Attention? What’s wrong with trying to get someone’s attention? Sure, there are different ways to do that, but come on! Just because I honk my horn at a lady walking down the street does not mean I want a date; there may be a tiger behind her, or a hole in front of her. The right thing to do is warn her.

Next (is this fifth?), the reason I lean in closer to a girl is because I am deaf from all the head-banging Southern Gospel music I have played.

Sixth, I may put my hands on my waist, but it might only mean I am disgusted with you. I would hardly call that flirting. But if I do put my hand on your shoulder, it might mean that I am secretly trying to see if the Vulcan grip really works.

Seventh, I always smile. Not really. That’s a lie.

Eighthly, ninethly, and tenthly, if I throw a rock at you on the playground, then I am absolutely flirting. Every boy knows that’s the way you let a girl know you like her. But since I am married, and since flirting with other women could cause my wife to do bad things to me in my sleep, I will keep my rocks to myself.

One Other Thing

There was one other sign that I did not include in the above list, but was in one article I read: “If a guy plays footsies with you in the sand, he might be flirting.”

If a guy starts rubbing his feet all over yours, that’s not a sign of flirting, people; that’s something way more. Ladies (and I am talking to women at this point), either get wedding invitations ready, or make use of a well-placed knee. You need no other signs.

Your welcome.

11 Comments

Filed under current events, General Observations, Humor, Life Lessons, wisdom

Tagged as dating, eye contact, flirting, marriage counseling, Relationships

by Anthony Baker | September 6, 2016 · 9:34 am

Perfect Timing for a Late Post

A Little Late

As many of you may know, I have another blog called ProverbialThough.com. If you are unaware of it, I hope before today is over you will check it out.

proverbial thought picture Anyway, I was one of several who would regularly write devotional commentary on proverbs in the book of Proverbs. Looking at a list each one of us would select passages which we would be responsible for addressing, then write and post it at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, because I was also in seminary at the time, I was often overwhelmed and sometimes missed a verse (rarely, but it happened). Proverbs 22:14 was one of those verses, however.

I was supposed to have written a post for Proverbs 22:14 in July of 2013! Better late than never, right?

Perfect Timing

Now, even though the post for Proverbs 22:14 was just written, it couldn’t have been written at a better time. You see, the whole idea behind the writing of Proverbial Thought was to look at the wisdom of each proverb and apply personal application based on how we as the writers had seen the wisdom played out in real life. And because each one of the writers came from different walks of life and different parts of the world, there was a more diverse pool of experience to draw from.

The reason this post was timely is because had I written it back in 2013 I would have had no idea what a real pit meant for killing looked like. I don’t know what I would have used from my experience to try to relate the truth of this particular passage, but I certainly would not have been able to compare it to an actual place in Africa.

So, just like so many other things in life, it was no coincidence that I did not write a post for Proverbs 22:14 until now – God knew what was best.

Check It Out

So, why not click on the link below and go check out this brand new post – 3 years late – on Proverbial Thought? And while you are there make sure you subscribe and leave a comment or two.

Oh, and share it 🙂

Click here to read “Sleeping In the Pit”

4 Comments

Filed under Bible Study, blogging, places, wisdom

Tagged as blogging, proverbs, Timing, wisdom

by Anthony Baker | August 4, 2016 · 7:00 am

Some Choose the Thorny Path

Wise Solomon

It never fails to amaze me how people get themselves into trouble. But if the truth be known, many of those who end up getting hurt, whether it be physically or emotionally, chose the wrong path. Wise King Solomon put it this way…

There are thorns and snares on the path of the crooked; the one who guards himself stays far from them. – Proverbs 22:5 HCSB

Below are two stories about two different paths. Both contain dogs, but only one has a happy ending.

Whose Fault?

People who drink and drive should expect problems down the road. People who use illegal drugs should expect problems, also. Why is it, then, when these people get caught, harassed, or arrested by law enforcement, they blame the whole thing on the police?

Recently a man’s dog was shot and killed. After seeing his owner arrested for mouthing off to machine gun-toting policemen who had surrounded the house of a criminal, the 80 pound Rottweiler decided to attack. What was the arresting officer supposed to do but defend himself? Yet, the community where this happened is calling for the policeman to be punished. Why? Because a fool who couldn’t keep his foolish mouth shut forgot to restrain his killer dog?

Taking a Different Path

The above story reminds me of something that happened to me years ago. One night our German Shepherd was acting like a stranger was close by. There had been some suspicious activity down the street already, so I took my shotgun (we lived out in the county) and walked with my dog through the shadows around our house over toward the street.

Just before we came out of the shadows, I saw six policemen with M-16 assault rifles walking in my direction. Little did I know they were looking for a criminal who had just shot at another policeman.

My heart nearly stopped. “Oh God…please don’t let them see me…for the love of all that’s holy, dog, pleeeeezzzzz don’t bark…”

The dog stayed silent… We both survived.

I quietly took a different path.

A Warning from Bugs

When I first saw this beautiful picture taken by my daughter, Katie Marie, the first thought that came to mind was what Bugs Bunny said as he ran back down the stairs he previously ran up in an attempt to escape a monster… “Don’t go up there! It’s dark!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBuvJ3N4LL8

I guess there are times when facing our monsters is wiser than running into the unknown.

6 Comments

Filed under Humor, wisdom

Tagged as bugs bunny, darkness, monsters

by Anthony Baker | March 7, 2016 · 12:46 pm

Did You Say “Chasten”?

“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.” – Proverbs 19:18

Mouths of Babes

Around 9 or 10 years ago, when I was vice president of a local Kiwanis Club, I would go read to young children at a Head Start day care program. These children were around 4 or 5 years of age.

One day I took my two young daughters with me. They observed the unruliness of several children in the class and later commented. Haley, who was only around 5 or 6 herself, asked, “Daddy, why won’t that teacher just spank those kids?”

“Because that’s against the law, Haley. Teachers can’t do that,” I replied.

“Well,” Haley huffed, “those children need a whipp’n, so somebody needs to change the rules!” Out of the mouths of babes, people. Out of the mouths of babes.

Chastening

I know that many of you reading this will disagree – some vehemently – but there is really only one way this verse can be interpreted – and it has nothing to do with “time outs” or being grounded. For example, consider these other verses…

“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” – Proverbs 22:15

“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” – Proverbs 29:15

“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” – Hebrews 12:7

Spanking is something that is frowned on, if not illegal in today’s society. Child psychologists, with all their worldly wisdom (and that’s key), urge parents to never physically discipline their children. Government agencies even control parents with the threat of prosecution. But what is biblical? What is wise?

While There Is Hope

As one who works with children of all ages, I can testify that a lack of discipline is at the root of most unruly behavior. Our school systems are completely helpless in the face of youth who have no fear of punishment.

Solomon says, however, that chastening a child is one way to ensure a better future, even if the child, at the moment, cries out in protest. The great Matthew Henry said, “It is better that he should cry under thy rod than under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more fearful, that of divine vengeance.”*

How many teens are in jail today because parents were too timid to use the “rod of correction?” How many instead have fallen under the “sword of the magistrate?”

While there is hope, learn to say “NO!” While there is still hope, take away the phone and video games. While there is still hope, take away the keys. While there is still hope, don’t buy those designer clothes. While there is still hope, don’t be afraid to chasten.

As we watch the news these days, the NIV translation of Proverbs 19:18 really hits home: “Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.”

Be the parent and chasten when necessary – while there is still hope.

*Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), Pr 19:18.

This post was adapted from a post previously published on ProverbialThought.com.

2 Comments

Filed under Parenting, wisdom

Tagged as discipline, Parenting, spanking

by Anthony Baker | March 2, 2016 · 2:57 pm

Just Don’t.

Word of advice… Never drink from an elementary school water fountain.

Just saying.

6 Comments

Filed under iPosts, wisdom

Tagged as children, Education, Water

by Anthony Baker | January 22, 2016 · 9:40 pm

Putting On the Brakes

Pictures In the Dark

I am not supposed to be using a cell phone on a school bus. However, what you see in the picture below is the result of using my cell phone…on the school bus. But note, the brakes were on.

Yes, I used my old iPhone 4S to capture (there’s no click) an image of the instrument panel on my bus. Actually, I took a picture of only one part of my instrument panel: the part that showed my “service brake” was engaged.

As I was waiting for my bus to warm up, I sat there looking at the gauges, making sure everything was in working order. That’s when something crossed my mind that had never occurred to me before – the brake is actually performing a “service.”

The “Service” Brake

There is no “P” for “Park” anywhere on a school bus. In order to put a bus in “park” one need only engage the service brake (by pulling out a knob) and put the transmission in neutral. When the air brake is “set,” the bus isn’t going anywhere…it’s parked. The air in the system actually keeps the brakes disengaged; releasing air pressure causes the brakes to set.

Now, again, what got me to thinking is the word “service.” Sure, there’s a technical meaning to the word, but what I pondered was the service part of “service,” like “how can I be of service to you, Madam?” How could bringing something to a compete halt count as a “service?”

Well, sometimes putting the brakes on something can help people more than they realize.

For Their Own Good

There are multiple stories in the Bible where people were stopped in their tracks or kept from doing something. Here are just a few.

In Numbers 22 we read of God stopping Balaam, a prophet, with a talking donkey! The Lord had placed an angel in Balaam’s path, preventing him from cursing the children of Israel, but he didn’t see it, and it almost got him killed. God opened the mouth of the little donkey and let it ask, “Why are you beating me?”
In 1st Samuel there’s the story of a woman named Abigail. Abigail had a husband who got drunk and picked a bad time to offend King David. When David and his men were on their way to wreck havoc on the man and his village, Abigail ran out to stop David with a little kindness and a little food. “Thank God for your good sense!” said David. “Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands.” – 1 Samuel 25:33 NLT
It was the Holy Spirit Himself who put the brakes on the Apostle Paul’s dream to go to Asia Minor (Acts 16), sending him instead to Macedonia (Europe). One could say this was not only for Paul’s good, but for the good of the world.

How many times have you found yourself traveling down the road toward your dreams when all of a sudden the tires screeched as the brakes locked up solid? How did you react? Were you thankful? Angry? What if God was just trying to keep you from unseen harm? What if God was just wanting to redirect you toward greater things?

The next time God engages the brakes, keep in mind there may be a “service” He’s trying to perform for your good!

2 Comments

Filed under Christian Living, Faith, God, Life Lessons, wisdom

Tagged as Bible, blogging, Brakes, Service, transportation

by Anthony Baker | January 14, 2016 · 7:54 pm

Resources from SUPER Librarian

My Friend

I have never asked him to tea, but I know he’d accept. We have never gone to a movie together, but I bet he’d go if I suggested a time. We’ve never gone on a road trip, gotten drunk together (before conversion), or vented about things no one else would understand. Nevertheless, I consider Kevin Woodruff to be my friend.

Mr. Woodruff and I at a TTU alumni banquet.

Mr. Woodruff, as I will probably always call him, was the long-time librarian at Tennessee Temple University before it closed its doors last year. Nowadays he gets to call the wonderful library at Bryan College in Dayton, TN his home (he goes somewhere else to sleep, but he lives where the books are). Bryan College, incidentally, is where my daughter, Katie, is a sophomore.

A Walking Resource

When I was attending seminary at Temple, Kevin Woodruff was the go-to man when one needed a book, an article, a journal, or some rare printed artifact needed to complete a paper. Just recently, while visiting Bryan College, I had a few minutes to myself while waiting for Katie to get out of class (we were going to eat lunch together). I went to the library and there was Mr. Woodruff, as expected, clad in his trademark blue pull-over vest.

“Hello, Anthony,” he said with a genuine smile, greeting me by name as he usually does. Small talk ensued, the beautiful library was discussed, and then I shared with him a need I had for information on a particular subject.

As soon as I expressed my need, without even putting on his cape and mask, Mr. Woodruff said, “I think can help you with that, just follow me.” Then off we trekked up a couple flights of stairs, down a long path beside rows and rows of books, till we made a left and came to an abrupt halt. After just a sweep or two with his right index finger he reached up and started pulling down volume upon volume of related texts he thought might prove useful.

My impression was not only that Mr. Woodruff knew where any book for any subject was in that vast repository of knowledge, but he had probably read most of them!

A Virtual Resource

Well, the whole reason I started writing this piece was not to praise Mr. Woodruff, but to share with you what he has compiled for his college. The resources he has brought together in one place is rather mind boggling.

If you are a student of the Bible, such as a teacher or pastor…if you are just someone who wants to dig a little deeper (or as deep as you desire)…what Kevin Woodruff has compiled (and is still updating) will prove invaluable.

Click on logo for a wealth of free Bible study resources.

Click on the Bryan College logo and you will find a link to their “Bible Study Resources” page. This is what Mr. Woodruff has put together for the glory of God.

Should you have any questions having to do with anything biblical, just give Kevin Woodruff a call – I’m sure he’d love to point you in the right direction.

Extra Credit

Mr. Woodruff doesn’t sleep; he indexes.
Mild-mannered librarian by day…mild-mannered librarian by night.
That’s not a blue sweater vest; that’s a θώραξ of cotton.
Some people think they know it all, but few do…and Mr. Woodruff taught them.
The world is full of geniuses, but how many of them actually got an “A” from Kevin Woodruff.

2 Comments

Filed under Bible Study, wisdom

Tagged as bible study, books, Bryan College, higher education, Library

by Anthony Baker | January 7, 2016 · 7:00 am

Why Complain About Lemons?

Why is it that people say, “When life gives you lemons…”? What is wrong with lemons?

Why not cherries? Or grapes? Why not suggest what to do when life gives us avocados? I hate avocados!

What if life gave you tomatoes for your iced tea? You’d be wishing you had some lemons, I bet.

No, it’s always the poor lemon. It’s like everyone is prejujuiced. What’s wrong with a little sourness every once in a while? Why did “tart” have to become linked to women with questionable moral standards?

The fact is that God doesn’t just allow lemons, He sends them as a gift! Unfortunately, most people never take the time to recognize the benefits of a little acidity.

So, the next time when life gives you lemons instead of strawberries, don’t be so negative; you might have been spared an allergic reaction from hell without knowing it.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18