The Recovering Legalist

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

Speak Out While You Still Can

What I am about to write is definitely dangerous.

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

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

The Norm?

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

Another video.

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

No Sharia!

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

A concluding thought

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

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

Life Lessons from the School Bus #6

“Say it with Boldness”

There comes a time when even a little kid may decide he’s had enough. Essentially, that is what happened not long ago on my bus, and even a few thousand years ago on the plains of Judah.

The Story

You see, for some reason, a few older elementary children kept aggravating a little kindergarten student named, let’s just say, Bill. Every time Bill would get on the bus, the first words he heard were, “Hey, you got your Beyblades?” Every day, every morning, it was the same question: “You got your Beyblades?” [If you don’t know what “Beyblades” are, just click the word.]

After a while, it started getting on my nerves. It wasn’t so much the constant asking, but the constant trashing of the English language. It was never “do you have,” or “have you got?” No, it was always “you got?” Poor little Bill never made a sound. He would just walk quietly to his seat.

Finally, about the time I was about to say, “Will you illiterate examples of prenatal abuse put a sock in it,” little Bill made his unexpected stand.

The Stand

Early one morning, shortly after a beautiful sunrise, I drove up to Bill’s house, turned on my warning lights, engaged my brakes, and opened my service doors, causing red to flash. Barely more than 3 feet tall, Bill had to grab hold of the rail as he struggled to make the climb up the staircase, each step a third his size. With each step you could hear the young scholars, those brilliant word-smiths, those elementary-school Einsteins, query from the seats inside, “You got those Bayblades? You got those Beyblades?” Then, when his ascension was complete, he stopped and stood defiantly in the front of the bus, feet shoulder-width apart, fists clinched and placed on his waist. Without any warning, he demanded…

“SHUT THE F*** UP!”

“Whoa!! HO there, little buddy! Dude, what did you just say?!” I said, “Son, you need to sit down…you can’t say stuff like that…I will talk with you in a few minutes.”

I had never heard, nor seen a little child with so much bravado. Like biblical David facing a bus load of mentally-challenged Goliaths, Bill decided he had heard enough. With the confidence that his words would be heard; with the confidence that just the right combination of words would demand respect, he stood on his soap box and demanded attention, never showing a hint of fear or intimidation. Without question he made his point. The other kids were shocked and silenced. Sadly, however, somebody taught him to talk that way.

Life Lesson

When you take a stand for what you believe, don’t act cowardly or intimidated. Be strong in your convictions and speak with boldness. Being meek and mild has nothing to do with being milk toast. Cowards do not deserve respect, nor an audience.

Even though little Bill chose to use inappropriate language, his indignation, expressed with boldness, earned him my respect. I couldn’t help but admire him. After becoming weary of taunting words (on and off the bus), he felt it was time to make a stand, which made me think of the story of David, the shepherd boy, who told a 9-foot tall Philistine warrior to “shut up.”

“[Who] is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” – 1 Samuel 17:26b NKJV

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. “Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” – 1 Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV

Because we live in a post-modern, relativistic society, bold speech is more likely to be labeled “hate speech,” than admired. The reason is that many consider truth to be ever-changing and subjective, not universal. So, when a person dares to speak with boldness what is believed to be an absolute truth, the “Goliaths” may continue to laugh, threaten, and continue in their taunting. Regardless, when Truth is on your side, there is no reason to be ashamed, or afraid.

May we all learn a lesson from little Bill’s outburst. When the time comes to make a stand, do it like you mean it. No matter your size or your age, your education or your status, when you stand for what is right, don’t be afraid to say, “Listen to me!” And when we do feel afraid, there’s nothing wrong with asking for boldness. Pray as the Apostle Paul did, “[That] utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” – Ephesians 6:19-20 KJV

1 Comment

Filed under Life Lessons, self-worth, Uncategorized

Tagged as Beyblade, boldness, coward, Toy

by Anthony Baker | March 10, 2011 · 2:32 pm

“Gasoline” Song

Background

A couple of years ago, when gas prices were first getting out of control, I was inspired to write this song. It was never meant to be a serious recording. Now, the message of the song, even though it was meant to be a joke, is more true than ever.

What happened is this….

I was working on some drum kit sounds, when all of a sudden the beat brought out of me the word “gasoline.” I just started singing it to myself, but then recorded it on top of the drums. Before long, I had a whole choir of different voices which I made up just for fun.

Then, again for fun, I decided to add the lead vocal. I do not consider myself a rapper, nor do others. All I did was make up the words on the spot just to go along with what was already recorded. I did not intend to write a song.

The Rest of the Story

Since I recorded this, only for fun, I have gotten a lot of laughter, but a few sneers. Most people understand that your typical Baptist preacher doesn’t go around singing songs like this (It ain’t Southern Gospel or Praise and Worship). On the other hand, there are a few “legalists” out there who think that because this song does not reference any doctrinal truth, it is garbage and detrimental to my testimony. For some reason, Christians can’t say, “Ooo baby!” I am sorry they feel that way. I was thinking of my wife when I sang this. She’s MY baby, so THERE.

Lighten up and have a little fun!

Sometimes the only way to deal with sorrow and pain in this world is to laugh in its face. Even when the pain is so bad you can hardly bear it, laugh anyway. Those who can’t laugh lose hope. Even though we may not have much hope of gasoline prices ever coming down again, we can still have hope in the Lord. In all things “praise the Lord,” and just laugh. What have you got to lose, but a frown?

Click here for the “Gasoline” song 01 Gasoline

Please, respond and let me know what you think. Share it if you would like. It is copy-written, though, so if you make money with it, please remember I have a wife and kids (and know a lawyer or two).

3 Comments

Filed under Christian Living, Do not judge

Tagged as Automobile, Fuel, Gasoline

by Anthony Baker | March 8, 2011 · 2:23 pm

It’s OK to Have an Imagination

A Confession

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

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

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

Growing Up

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

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

His Imagination

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

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

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

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

Even a Trash Can…

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

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

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

Drumsticks NOT included.

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

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

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

A JOYFUL NOISE!

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

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

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

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

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

“How do you tune it?”

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

7 Comments

Filed under Do not judge, General Observations, God, legalism, self-worth, worship

Tagged as Chris Tomlin, Laminin, Waste

by Anthony Baker | March 5, 2011 · 12:15 pm

Life Lessons from the School Bus #5

“It’s Not About the Journey…”

When I am driving a school bus, I am always trying to watch my surroundings. There are always dangers on the road; everything from potholes, to crazy drivers. It is also important to watch my gauges. By watching things like my temperature, fuel, and air-pressure indicators I can tell if my bus is operating correctly. The last thing I want to do is wreck, but neither do I want to run out of fuel or break down with a bus load of kids.

But the thing that I have to know, if nothing else, to make my job a success, is where the heck I am going.

Now, I am not talking about simple directions. The “rights and lefts” are the supposedly simple directions that tell a driver where a kid lives and how to get there. However, knowing where the children live and picking them up is only part of the job. Getting them to the right school is the ultimate goal.

That’s the part that’s most important, you know. You can pick up all the kids in town, but you need to get them to the right destination. The safest driver in the world would still be harming the young skulls full of mush if the last stop he made was at the mall, the wrong school, a playground, or the city dump. The last stop has to be the school the kids attend. Otherwise, the whole trip was in vain. If I don’t get the kids to where they are supposed to go, I haven’t done my job. My journey has ended in failure.

Life Lesson

It’s not so much about the journey, but more about where the journey ends.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Proverbs 14:12 NLT – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Miley Cyrus sang a song in one of her movies that said, “It ain’t about how fast I get there. It ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side…it’s the climb.” The problem with that logic is this: what if you’re climbing the wrong mountain? All that hiking up the side of the rocks may earn you a few bragging rights, but what’s the point if your not getting anywhere, or worse, you’re going the wrong way?

There are lessons to be learned along the road of life, but roads do lead places. A journey, by definition, needs to have a destination, or you’re just walking in circles. Sadly, many on the road of life are content with the journey, never caring that the “rights and lefts” they are following are flawed. The final, last stop leaves them without joy; without purpose; without hope; alone and empty without God.

For the Apostle Paul, there was something to look forward to at the end of his race. He realized that there was a reason for the “fight” and a purpose for “keeping the faith.” He saw at the end of his journey a reward that made the hard travel, the bumpy and bruising roads, and the “climbing” worth it all.

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Tagged as Bus, Miley Cyrus, School bus, Student

by Anthony Baker | March 3, 2011 · 11:47 am

Free Speech? Oh, Pleeease!

If you haven’t heard by now, the Supreme Court has ruled 8-1 in favor of Westboro Baptist Church. The case involved whether or not the church had the right to picket and protest at the funerals of fallen soldiers. According to all but one of the judges, they do.

Image by M.V. Jantzen via Flickr

They have the right to carry signs that read, “God Hates America,” “God Hate Fags,” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers” to the streets surrounding funeral homes where brave sons and daughters lie. They have the right to carry their signs and bring their voices as close as they can to the funeral processions and cemeteries. They have the right to free speech, no matter if it is hurtful. Free Speech? Oh, Pleeease!

Amazing, isn’t it? Hurtful, hateful speech being allowed by the Supreme Court of the United States, yet students can’t post the Ten Commandments or pray for the safety of other students at ball games? Are they kidding? What about the guys in Detroit who were arrested for handing out Christian literature at an open-to-the-public Muslim event? What about all this talk about alienating Jews and Pagans from Christmas by putting up a manger scene – AT CHRISTMAS!!? – on public property?

OK, that’s fine. There is something else that can still be done.

Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders

Maybe you have never heard of them, but there are groups like Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders (I put a links at the bottom of the page.) These are the type of guys that need to be recruited to guard every soldier’s funeral. I have seen them in action, too, and it works. Evidently, people in leather riding Harley’s intimidate loud-mouthed pseudo-Baptists. Who knew?

When the first soldier from our town died in this conflict, around two hundred bikers came and stood vigil. They made a barrier around the funeral home, each one holding an American Flag. They took turns and stayed until it was time to go to the cemetery. Nobody from ANY protest group dared show up. If they had, well…..

Every once in a while people need to make a stand for decency and honor. Every once in a while, Americans need to make a stand on behalf of those who serve and protect us. When it comes to the funeral of a fallen soldier, we should assert our right to peacefully assemble and protect mourning families from these heretics from Westboro Church.

John Wayne, from "The Green Berets"

Sometimes, however, I imagine, “what would John Wayne or George S. Patton have done?” I wonder what Buford Pusser, the real-life sheriff from McNairy County (made famous in the movie Walking Tall) would have done if Westboro protested in his town. I wonder…..Oh, I wonder.

“Fair and Balanced”

Now, please notice that I linked stories from both Fox News and CNN. I didn’t want to be considered biased (hmmm). However, one thing became obvious to me: even though both networks covered the story, and both networks “more-or-less” sided with the father of the slain soldier over the kooks at Westboro, one network took a little more time making sure the reader knew that the “fundamentalist” church was “anti-gay.” Surely, they have no agenda, do they?

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/03/02/westboro-funeral-pickets-protected-speech-high-court-rules/

CNN US

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/02/scotus.westboro.church/index.html?hpt=T2

http://www.rollingthunder1.com/index.html

http://patriotguard.org/

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Tagged as Buford Pusser, Freedom of speech, Patriot Guard Riders, Westboro Baptist Church

by Anthony Baker | March 1, 2011 · 9:34 pm

Life Lessons from the School Bus #4

“Till the Storm Passes Over”

Yesterday a strong storm front moved through our area around 2:25 p.m., EST. I was in the bus. NOT a good idea.

On a normal day, schools get out at 2:15. Yesterday, because of the coming storm, school dismissal was delayed until 2:30. That was a smart move. It would have been really dangerous to be on the road with a bunch of children and a tornado coming.

Because I knew that rain and high winds was on the way, I went outside of the school building and onto my bus to put up the windows. That was at 2:15……2:17, it was still calm……2:18, the storm hit like a bull catching a matador.

The following is what I posted on Facebook from my iPhone:

2:18 pm “Storm is on us at lookout valley. In bus. Not good. Think was a bad idea.”
2:21 pm “Laying on floor.”
2:21 pm “Just a little scared.”
2:23 pm “Hail.”
2:24 pm “Hope somebody is praying.”
2:30 pm “Whew! Bad stuff is over. Kids will be getting on bus soon. They held them in the school until the storm passed. Was scary.”

The reason I got down in the floor, as opposed to sitting in my seat, was because I was afraid that broken glass might start flying around. I also thought that I might be safer on the floor if a tree came looking for my head. Who knows? All I know is that while I was on the floor – while the bus rocked and the wind roared – I prayed.

I didn’t get off the bus because the wind was so intense, and opening the door would have been difficult, if not impossible. Not to mention, I had no idea if I would have been blown away or hit by a head-seeking oak branch. At least in the bus there was some metal protecting me. But on the other hand, it would have been a lot safer in the building. The bus was a bad idea.

As a result of the storm, there were hundreds of calls to the police for help. Trees were down everywhere, blocking roads, taking down power lines, and even crushing cars and damaging houses. As a matter of fact, I had to wait for nearly an hour for a power line to be cleared, just so my bus to get down a little back road. It was a mess.

Life Lesson

Sometimes storms come when you least expect them, even when you expect they will come. When they do, it is best to find shelter in a place that can weather the storm.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. – Psalms 18:2

When the storms of life hit, the best place to be is within our Saviour’s protective hand. The flimsy philosophies of this world are no better than a school bus in gale force winds. Till the storm passes over, resting safe within His arms is the best place to be.

“Sheltered in the Arms of God”

I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender.
They’re leading me in the paths that I must trod.
I’ll have no fear for Jesus walks beside me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

So let the storm clouds rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don’t bother me;
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

– Dottie Rambo

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Filed under Future, God, Life Lessons, the future

Tagged as Bus, Facebook, God, iPhone, School bus, Storm

by Anthony Baker | February 26, 2011 · 12:08 pm

Thou (Who?) Art Worthy

Every once in a while we need to re-examine what we do. In this case, I would like to re-examine….

The Concert.

I have been playing music since my early years. Even before I could play an instrument, I would often sing with my mom and dad at different church services and revivals. So, especially with all the later experience of playing with 7 different groups over 25+ years, I should know a little about being on stage.

One of the things about playing music in front of a large audience is the adrenalin rush you get when everything goes just right, especially when the crowd responds with thunderous applause. Ask any musician or singer who has been there and done that…there’s nothing quite like it. Some have even compared it to a sensual experience that could be felt physically, almost like the effects of a drug.

Why is that? What would make a person feel so good at the reception of applause, screams of praise, worship? Worship? Yes, that’s what I said….worship. The reason it feels so good may be because it is too good; too good for us.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. – Revelation 4:11 KJV

Please don’t think that I am coming down on Christian music, or anything like that. The last thing I would want to do is rip groups like Building 429, Third Day, or Casting Crowns, for example. But on the other hand, even Christian groups (and preachers, conference speakers, pastors, evangelists, etc.) need to re-examine, every now and then, Who is worthy of all praise.

Consider the Guitar “Solo”

Recently, at a Christian college basket ball game, I witnessed something that almost made me sick. Even my little girl thought it was strangely inappropriate. For the rendering of the national anthem, a solo electric guitarist stepped out onto the center of the court. Evidently trying to emulate Jimmy Hendrix, the Christian-school rocker proceeded to pitifully destroy The Star-Spangled Banner. But it was the ending of this amateurish exhibition that made me nauseous and indignant.

At the part of the tune where the lyrics would read, “o’er the land of the free,” the little ham hammed it up by repeating that measure three times, at least, each time going up an octave on the fret board. The worst part was when he stopped, before the last progression, and motioned to the crowd with out-stretched, beckoning hands, pleading for a louder response from the fans. Who were we supposed to be applauding, the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, or this wanna-be Hendrix?

Seriously think about this: when Christian musicians play on stage to adoring fans who have paid money to attend a well-publicized event, and the lead guitarist shreds four measures from the latest top 20 hit, who is receiving the praise? How can we do this appropriately in light of the above verse? Are we sharing in God’s glory, honor, praise? Maybe that’s why it feels “too” good.

A Suggestion

Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

This is just a suggestion to all my friends on stage, whatever you do. Re-evaluate what you are doing. Make sure that your efforts to win the lost; to bring the congregation into a heart of worship; or to turn all eyes upon Jesus, do not make YOU the only object in their line of sight. This ain’t Wayne’s World, and we shouldn’t be Aerosmith.

“We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” should be reserved for the ONE who IS.

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Filed under America, Christian Living, General Observations, self-worth, worship

Tagged as Christianity, Religion and Spirituality, Star-Spangled Banner

by Anthony Baker | February 24, 2011 · 10:31 am

A Song for Bus Drivers: “The School Bus Man Can”

There may be other songs out there that are dedicated to school bus drivers, but I decided to do my own, “The School Bus Man Can.”

Several years ago, as the school year was coming to a close, a video was put together to share with all the drivers in the county. The person putting the video together asked if anyone had any music they would like played in the background. I said, “I DO!”

You see, a few weeks earlier I had sat down with my 8-track digital recorder and put together an ode to bus drivers. I even enlisted the help of my two girls (they sang backup and made all the noise). It wasn’t meant to be taken seriously; however, within it were certain elements of truth.

A particular part of the song that needs a little explanation is the ending. This is a true story.

One day, just when the morning routes were coming to an end, a desperate call came over the 2-way radio. At first, it didn’t make sense, or at least it didn’t seem like much about which to be concerned. All of a sudden, like the moment you realize the unbelievable is real, the subject of the distressing radio transmission becomes painfully obvious – someone has got to go to the bathroom – and she is letting the whole world hear about it.

Folks, here is a lesson for you: when you have to go “potty,” keep it to yourself!

The funniest thing, a moment of “No she didn’t say that,” was when the dispatcher asked for the unit number of the bus calling in. The dispatcher asks, “What number is this?” Honest as a heart attack, the person on the other end of the radio says, “Number ONE! Not TWO! I gotta go PEE! PLEASE let me go PEE!!” If I’m lying, I’m dying.

I hope you enjoy this. Feel free to pass it on. I can’t make anything off of it anyway, you know. Sammy Davis, Jr. might come back an haunt me.