Category Archives: Witnessing

by | December 9, 2011 · 2:01 pm

Arrest the Finger

If I Robbed a Bank

If, if, if, (please understand) IF I robbed a bank, I can imagine how things would turn out. Aside from being sad, it would probably be comical.

Personality. I don’t have the personality to rob a bank. I don’t like making people angry. It really hurts my feelings when people think poorly of me. I want people to like me, not want to hunt me down. If I were to rob a bank, my request for money from the teller would start with a “Hi, how are you today?”

The Note. What kind of note would I give the teller? It would have to be crafted in such a way as not to embarrass me if read in public. What if I misspelled a word?  What if I used poor grammar? What if I used a preposition to end a sentence with? It would stress me too much to think that I committed a crime for which I would forever be ridiculed for a poor choice of criminal words.

The Getaway Car. That’s a joke. Just as soon as the deed was done, my car would either die, or not even start. We have the worst luck with automobiles. And besides, what kind of bank robber drives a mini-van?

The Defense Attorney. Considering that I could not keep the money I would have stolen, I would not be able to afford a good lawyer. From my experience, most defense attorneys I have met probably buy shares in Orange Suits R Us.

If I were to rob a bank, I would get caught, convicted, and sent to prison for life. My name and reputation would be permanently ruined. The name of Anthony Charles Baker would forever be associated with the seedy, felonious, arch villains of history.

If My Finger Robbed a Bank

Suppose I never walked into one of those cool, new banks that have complimentary cappuccino machines and free back rubs. Suppose I just stayed at home with my little dog and a computer, but let one finger on my right hand rob the bank? All my finger would need would be the correct access codes, false identities, foreign bank account numbers, and an expertly manicured nail with a healthy cuticle.

Eventually, as these things usually turn out, my finger would get arrested. No, wait…I would get arrested, correct? Maybe it would take a few years to track me down. Maybe I would slip up and get caught while spending holiday (as the Brits say it) in Mont Carlo on my 90 foot yacht.

The fact is that I would get caught, and the reality would be that the whole body of Anthony C. Baker would be imprisoned, not just the finger. In other words, you can’t give the FBI the finger and walk away.

A Sinning Member

The finger is part of the body. And just like my finger is part of my body, I am part of the Body of Christ, the Church. The apostle Paul made it very clear that every believer is more than just an individual, but a “member” of the whole. Some, as he put it, are eyes; some are feet; and some are fingers (Romans 12:4,5; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 5:30). Each one of us has a particular function, but each one in particular is a part of a whole.

So often we think that we can act with total independence and bear the consequences for our own sins by ourselves. Many, when questioned about unwise choices will respond with, “This is my life, so don’t judge me…I’ll accept the responsibility.” What they fail to realize is that their sins affect more than one individual member – they affect the whole Body.

If my finger robbed a bank, I could argue, to no avail, that my body was innocent, that my reputation should not be harmed, and that my finger should be held accountable. I could say, “Arrest the finger, not me!” How silly would that be?

The Body and the Name

When the world sees us, they see Jesus. Christians, by definition, are “little Christs.” We, by design, are the hands and feet, the Body of Jesus Christ on the earth. By our actions the world should see that Jesus  is loving and compassionate, but also holy and obedient to His Father’s will. What, then, do they think of our Savior when we live in open sin?

If I robbed a bank with my finger, the authorities would condemn me, Anthony Baker. If I treat my neighbor poorly, am unfaithful to my spouse, or harm my children, what does that say about Jesus? The  eyes of the watching world will say, “If that’s a Christian…”

As part of the Body of Christ, we are responsible for the name of Christ. In “the name of Jesus” we pray, but “in the name of Jesus” we also live our lives in front of the lost. They have a hard time disassociating the “finger” from the Body. The reputation of the Body (the Church) and the name it bears can be stained by the actions of only one member.

Something to Consider

It is not a pleasant thing to consider, but if Jesus is concerned about His reputation, would it be wrong for Him to remove a “member” for causing the rest of the Body, including the name of Jesus, to suffer reproach? That’s what He did in the book of Acts with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1)?

Do you claim the name of Christ? Do you call yourself a Christian? If you do, are you living in open, blatant sin, such as fornication or adultery? What about constant lying, or gossiping? These are things from which we are told to “flee.” Why?  Because you are telling others that the Person attached to the “finger” approves of those things.

If Jesus takes His reputation seriously, to live in rebellion and unrighteousness would seem awfully dangerous. But I’m not pointing any fingers.

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by | November 26, 2011 · 12:04 pm

The Season Begins

So, Thanksgiving is behind us. All the cooking and Pilgrim costumes are a thing of the past. Of course, there are still plenty of leftovers to have for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late visitors, desert, bedtime snacks, brunch, and dog treats.

Now, all we have to do is look forward to the holiday renowned for peace (clearing throat in a sarcastic way).

Black Friday

For the first time ever, I actually went shopping in the early-morning hours of Black Friday. I could not convince my wife to stay in bed until the crowds were finished assaulting each other after waiting hours in the cold for the stores to open. No, we had to get up and stand in line for something they had only 50 of, even though we were 150th in line.

Eventually, after whining enough, my wife agrees to drag us to the mall. There, the stores had already been open since 4am, so the stampedes were essentially over. Everyone had a pleasant, cheerful attitude. The rest were already being booked at the county jail.

I have an idea for next year. We need to go stand in line where the first 50 customers get a new iPad3 for $25 and do some witnessing. I bet if we do our best Ray Comfort/Kirk Cameron impressions for a few hours, we’d either have a whole new congregation of believers, or we would be martyred for our faith. If not that, we would be sure to move up in line.

Recording Friday

I heard on the news that yesterday actually set some records. How ironic is that? I made a record (well, I recorded something).

Yesterday, my daughter and I recorded a radio program to be broadcast this Sunday. It was unusual to have my daughter, Katie, on the program, since it is usually a time for me to preach. Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to interview her and talk about what God had showed her in His word.

While we were in the recording mood, Katie wanted to record a song. Actually, it was a medley – “This is My Father’s World / What a Wonderful World.” I am including it in today’s post. Hope you enjoy it.

This Is My Father’s World Medley

 

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by | November 8, 2011 · 1:25 am

Going Up Hill

The road of life has it’s ups and downs. At least that’s one of the sayings I have heard.

Another one of those sayings is, “You’ve got to roll with the punches.” I have never really understood the reasoning behind that one, though. Shouldn’t you be standing up and not rolling on the ground when people are punching you? If they are still punching you when you are rolling on the ground, then isn’t that a sure sign you are not getting very far in the fight?

Well, yesterday morning I published a video that I have already decided to take down. It was not that it was bad, or anything. It was just that it went beyond the intended purpose. I have shuffled, not rolled, with the punches. I have re-examined the road.

The Reason

A few weeks ago I decided to start something to help draw in more readers. The “Monday Monkey” segments were supposed to be quick, humorous segments to bring a smile to everyone’s face. This last one was just too long, too complicated, and too weird – especially the part where I wore makeup.

Aside from being too long, I felt that the video, although humorous, tended to give the wrong impression. You see, I like being considered a funny guy, but not at the expense of being taken seriously. Bringing people to this site was never meant to be solely for entertainment purposes. The whole reason for this blog was to address serious issues that affect the lives of Christians, present a grace-oriented view of ordinary situations, and hopefully present the gospel to seekers along the way. The video I just pulled seemed to steer away from that purpose a little too far.

Over the last few months I have witnessed some folks stray from their walk with Christ, which breaks my heart. People who I thought were doing so well suddenly decided to throw in the towel and walk away, all because the struggle was too hard. Sadly, going up hill is never easy.

The Nature of the Walk

But that’s the nature of the Christian walk, isn’t it? It’s never easy. What IS easy is putting life in neutral and coasting downhill at every-increasing rates of speed, forgetting that the bottom is down there somewhere. The struggle is in climbing up hills and mountains every day, knowing the view at the top is worth the climb.

The video I just pulled made me look like all I wanted to be was a comedian. It made me look too goofy and satirical. That side of me would be better left for the comedy stage, I guess. Ultimately, even though I want to bring a smile and a laugh, I don’t want anyone to think my direction has changed.

Keep checking back on Mondays for more “Monday Monkey” segments, but I will be trying to keep them simple and short. The blog is not supposed to be all about a monkey, or even a man. It’s supposed to be more about the Son of Man who taught me that walking up lonely hills is the best way to go.

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by | September 23, 2011 · 1:09 pm

How Badly Do You Really Want It?

Do you ever catch yourself singing commercial jingles for no apparent reason? Well, when I am driving, bored, and a little (or a lot) sleepy, I tend to start singing songs I learned as a child. In particular, one song is tops on my repertoire…

The Oscar Mayer Wiener Song.

Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener / That is what I’d truly like to be ‘Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener / Everyone would be in love with me.

First appearing in 1965, this song has become boiled, grilled, steamed, fried, and even micro-waved into our memories. But recently it struck me…what in the world am I saying? Am I so desperate for the attention of others that I would be willing to become an unhealthy food source?

The Need for Love

There are many hurting people in the world who would wish for nothing more than someone to love them. They go to great lengths to be prettier, richer, more popular, or even more “available” – all to find love. But do you really think it’s a good idea to wish you were a hot dog?

What most people don’t know is that there was a second verse to the Oscar Mayer wiener song. In the 1965 commercial a truly intelligent boy quickly understood the true ramifications of the song’s wish and sang the following:

Oh, I’m glad I’m not an Oscar Mayer wiener / That is what I’d never want to be/ ‘Cause if I were an Oscar Mayer wiener / There would soon be nothing left of me.

Sing it, brother! You tell ’em! Why would anyone want to be a hot dog? Do you really want to be loved so badly that you would sacrifice your humanity and allow yourself to be eaten? It’s not worth it, people…believe me!

The lyrics to this song could be re-written to expose what people are really saying. “Oh I wish I was something else instead of human / A tube of meat is what I want to be / I’d gladly die alone in boiling water / If you would only say that you loved me.“

Look, there is no reason to want to become a hot dog (you might get eaten by one). Really, there is nothing to be gained by having your body boiled or grilled on an open flame; covered in chili, relish, mustard, and onions; then chewed repeatedly until you’re swallowed by someone who will forget you an hour later (unless the chili upsets them). Stay human. It’s better that way! 

You are Loved!

Ironically, someone did become something He was not in order to die for love. The big difference is that He was God and became Human, not a hot dog. And what’s more, He didn’t die to be loved – He died because He loved. His name is Jesus, and He died for you. You are VERY loved!

“For God so love the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16 KJV

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 NIV

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by | August 24, 2011 · 10:35 am

“Don’t Be Skeerd” (My Own List)

This is a post about a post about a post.

After reading a post today on GrowUp! (click for link), I couldn’t help but respond with my own list of things that a Christian shouldn’t be scared of. Maybe the first one should be, “Don’t be skeerd to end a sentence with a preposition that you’re sick of.”

OK, so if you don’t get it, “skeerd” is “scared” spelled that way we say it sometimes in the South.

Here are 8 things of which a Christian should not be afraid….of:

Dracula, or any other vampire that stalks you through your window.

Just show them your cross. If that doesn’t work anymore, then quote Scripture. Of course, if you are a girl, then you’d be better off to just call 911, or better yet, shoot the idiot trying to act like a character from Twilight.

Disclaimer – DO be afraid of Vampire Bats. They have rabies. You may be alright when they bite you, but then again, you may be wishing your church family had something else to pray for…(I ended with a preposition, see?).

Atheists

If they prove that there is no God, no reason for faith, and no reason for forgiveness of sin, then you have nothing to worry about. They can’t prove there is no God, you know, but if they ever did, then you are free to whack them in the head with the biggest hardcover KJV you can find. If there’s no God, then there’s no absolutes or basis for morality outside of what makes you feel good. Make yourself feel better when they take away your hope by knocking the grin off their face…they should understand.

Women wearing pants, or men wearing dresses.

It may help some of you to know that even though most of the Christian world is more concerned with staying alive amidst persecution than with dress codes, some of our brethren and sistren still freek over this. For them let me just say, “Don’t be skeerd!” If Obama gets re-elected then we will probably end up wearing potato sacks, anyway. As we go back to the economic lifestyles of pre-electric days, no one will be able to afford any fancy stitching and things. Who knows, the toga may come back in style and everyone will wear a skirt.

Crazy worship styles and screens on walls.

No reason to fear these things, people. As long as the worship is from the heart and it IS true worship, not self-satisfying, self-glorifying entertainment, then God will be pleased. On the other hand, if church attendance continues to decline in this country, you won’t be able to afford the electricity needed to run the projectors and fancy sound equipment used by many praise bands. Where two or three are gathered together, there the non-electric bluegrass will be in the midst of them.

Disclaimer – For the record, I love bluegrass gospel. Sorry. Wait, I’m not sorry. Scratch that. I love bluegrass and want to see the words projected on screens in church for all to sing along….with.

Stray dogs that wander in through an open door and listen to the church service.

Had it happen. Didn’t mind. At least when the dog fell asleep he didn’t snore.

Week-long revival meetings.

Where have these things gone? All we see anymore are the 3-day kind, if not the weekend ones that include Sunday, but not Friday.

Just think, if we went back to longer revival meetings, then……wait…..does anybody have revival meetings anymore? We must be too skeerd of having to get dressed up each night; miss some TV we could easily DVR for later; miss a ball game or party; or hear something from God that might convict us. THAT should scare our socks off.

Visitation

What is there to be scared of? Why do we hate knocking on doors, prayer-walking streets, etc.? As long as we’re not trying to sell anything, then most people are happy to meet someone who cares about them. Sure, there are the few vampires that don’t want you coming around, but most folks are at least cordial, at least here in the South. Folks don’t like being banged over the head with your Bible, but they do appreciate being greeted kindly and invited to some place nice. Just invite them to the King’s house for a meet-and-greet (with a little sweet tea and love, they might just figure we’re not out to take their money).

Change

Somethings remain the same, and they have stones above their heads. Now, when those things come back from the dead, you DO have something to be skeerd….of (one more preposition misplacement). Of course, it all depends on Who raises the dead, too. Are they being raised to “walk in newness of life,” or to eat the flesh of screaming movie-goers? Either way, just invite them to a homecoming dinner on the ground and they’ll be alright.

Related articles

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by | August 5, 2011 · 4:39 pm

Beware the Boycott

I don’t want to take too much time addressing this issue, but it does need some clarity.

An Effective Boycott?

Recently, in a conversation that had the potential of causing irreparable damage to my reputation of being nice, I was accused, once again, of being, for lack of a better term, a “liberal.” Why was this accusation (although the term “liberal” was never used) thrown up to me? Simply because of the fact that I went to Disney World.

The History. Back around 1996, the American Family Association (decent group of people) called for a boycott of Disney World and all Disney products. On the heals of this decision, in 1997 Southern Baptists voted to boycott Disney. The reason for this was something called “Gay Days.”

For a couple of years I went along with the ban (which was overturned in 2005). We didn’t go to or buy Disney movies, nor did we go to the theme park in Florida. My wife and I felt that the boycott was justified because we wanted to send a message. We wanted Disney to know that many of their patrons (traditional families) were upset with their decision to have a special day set aside for, and promoting, homosexuality.

The only problem with this particular boycott is that it was unfounded. It was based on faulty information spurred on by indignation. Simply put, the Christians got the facts wrong. Sadly, too many are still refusing to face the facts – Disney does NOT now, nor did it ever, have a “Gay Day.”

What, then, is the true story? In 1991 the gay community in Orlando decided to band together and select a day in which they would all go to Disney world wearing red. What started out as a single day of solidarity turned into a week-long event that now makes up “Gay Days.” Totally apart from Disney, the LGBT community started this. Now, it is a big celebration that takes place all over Orlando. Disney has absolutely nothing to do with it. [Click here for a link to the “Gay Day’s” actual site.]

When it became clear that Disney did not set aside their parks for a day to promote the LGBT lifestyle, I was very happy to ride Mission: SPACE and eat at the Crystal Palace. I was free to purchase Disney DVD’s for Christmas. Finally, I could travel the World Showcase at EPCOT without feeling like I was supporting same-sex marriage. Getting the facts straight (pun intended?) was liberating, and it didn’t make me a “liberal.”

Get the Facts, NOT the Rumors.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV – “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

It is so embarrassing when Christian groups boycott something based on erroneous information. All it does is send a message that we don’t know what we are talking about – that we’re crazy – that we’re misinformed. When we can’t even do a little research into what is so obvious, what does that say to the unbelieving world about our theology? Have we really studied God’s Word, or are we just going on false assumptions based on the rants of a prejudiced preacher?

  • BTW, another business that is still being boycotted by Christians is Proctor & Gamble.  [For more info on the Proctor & Gamble story, click here.]

What to Do?

It is this simple: unless you never spend any money, you will never be able to keep all your dollars out of the hands of unbelievers who believe differently than you. In case you haven’t noticed, we live in a fallen world full of fallen people. So, what is the answer? There is no perfect answer for every individual. Just try to abide by the following suggestions…

Use good judgment.  If you feel like you are supporting something ungodly in a direct way with your patronage, then stop. Boycott it. On the other hand, if you are not sure, do your homework.

Don’t be unrealistic.  When you are driving across the country and you come to the last gas station for another 200 miles of sand, fill up your tank! It would not be a smart thing to keep driving in hopes that God would drop a fuel can beside a cactus, all because you don’t feel right about buying fuel at a place that sells alcohol. Get real!

Keep things in context.  What is most important? Sometimes we will put our personal crusades ahead of the welfare of our own families.

Want an example? Have you ever avoided the better product or medicine and selected a known inferior, therefore subjecting your children to the possibility of further infection and/or pain? I have. Why? I didn’t want the Devil to get a dollar. Never mind that my child might have died. Never mind that I drove to the other side of town on gas that funds the persecution of Christians in Saudi Arabia, thereby giving the Devil about 25 dollars, all in the hunt to find non-devil-supporting medicine.

Make it Clear.  In other words, make what you are doing clear to the one your boycotting AND the one you patronize. If you never let the business you’re boycotting know about it, what good is it? They need to know why you’re choosing to withhold your money.

Home Depot mascot at Chicago Gay Pride parade.

Recently, we had to make a major purchase involving building supplies.  I made it perfectly clear to the manager from which I did purchase the materials that I chose his place over another. I made it clear that until The Home Depot changed its activist-like policies supporting and promoting the LGBT agenda, I could no longer give them my money, a portion of which would be donated  to LGBT causes (click here for more info). The manager of the competition promptly gave me an additional 10% off.

Be gracious. You don’t have to be a self-righteous jerk to make a point or stand up for what you believe. If you feel there is Biblical support for your stand, make your stand in a biblical, Christ-like way. Don’t bring reproach to the name of Jesus and His church by acting hateful.

Keep This in Mind

If you feel like you must make a stand, do so with all your heart (Col. 3:23). Don’t let intimidation keep you from speaking out for what is right. On the other hand, keep in mind where you are. You are not in heaven, and this is not the Promised Land or the New Jerusalem. Don’t expect unbelievers to always act like saints. When you boycott a decent, secular business for not acting like the Church, you run the risk of alienating the very ones you’re called to reach. Consider the following words of Paul:

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV – “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

Should we never go to the mall because the owner of the property is possibly an adulterer? Should we quit buying fuel because most providers are Muslim and hate Christians? Should we never buy clothing because the designer used half-naked models in a Paris show? Maybe, but where would it all end? Paul made it pretty clear in the above verses that there are times when it is necessary to “company with fornicators.”

The sad reality is that the very ones we should be boycotting may be IN the church, not outside. If we choose to boycott the world, it might be advisable to first determine if we are being hypocritical. Hypocrites make terrible evangelists and worthless boycotters.

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by | August 4, 2011 · 7:54 pm

A Given Example

“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done unto you.” – John 13:15

Every Christian has a particular place of influence. God has chosen to place me within a 35,000 lb. rolling metal box full of children. Sometimes I have wondered “why?” The answer is pretty simple, “For I have given you [as] an example…”

In the above verse it was Jesus who was telling his disciples that He was showing them how to act, how to serve. Jesus had just washed their feet in an act of true humility and grace. What was His point? If the King of Glory can be a servant, so can we.

But not only has Jesus set an example for us to follow, He has given each of us the responsibility to be an example. He wants us to do as He has done unto us.

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, told Timothy, “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Why is it so important to be an example? Because others are always watching.

As a Christian bus driver, I am always being watched. I am being watched by not only students, but also parents, teachers, and co-workers. Because I am being watched, it is important that I mirror the humble example set by Jesus. As a matter of fact, my example in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, and humility is the only way to witness when I can’t speak openly of my faith.

One thing that may be hard to understand, but should be encouraging, is that no matter where the Christian goes, so also goes the Holy Spirit. It is our very presence that can make a difference in the lives of others when we do the humble, mundane activities of life in a Christ-like way. The lost can “see” Jesus in us. I pray these kids see Jesus in me, even if I’m not allowed to speak of Him.

Each new year I look at all the empty seats and wonder, “Who will sit here?” Every seat represents a soul. Every seat represents an eternal future known only to God. And here, alone in the bus, I ask God to make me an example…one that somehow makes a positive impact on someone now, and for eternity.

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