Tag Archives: current-events

A Response to Social Media Comments Addressing the Michigan Mormon Church Shooting

Good grief, people. Mormons and the rest of orthodox (technical, not denominational term) are at complete odds on core Theology, Christology, and Soteriology. If you don’t know what those words mean, please don’t act like an authority on the subject. You only expose your lack of knowledge and affirm your ecumenical liberality.

That being said, Mormons are unquestionably conservative and hold to a religion that holds one accountable for their immoral actions. And whether or not they ARE Christian, they CLAIM to be, so that places a target on them. Because of this, all of us are in the same peanut gallery, and more and more shooters are coming to the carnival to play.

The recent shooting at the Mormon church is a tragedy because every human being has a soul, and each one is created in the image of God and is intrinsically infinitely valuable. You just don’t kill people because you hate them. Period.

But there is a growing worldwide spiritual conflict between those who believe hate justifies violence and those of any faith that preaches meekness in any form. The Christian world is NOT WEAK! We are meek. There is a difference. Should we rise up as militants do from other groups and defend ourselves, the cowardly jihadists of the world would either run in terror or die for their demonic causes as the untapped might of our assets were poured out upon their heads.

Remember, Jesus COULD have summoned 10,000 angels to deliver him from the Roman cross to which he was nailed. But he didn’t. When they came to Jesus in the garden to seize him, he didn’t have to allow it. For that matter, in just one humorous nod to the omnipotent power meekly restrained before them, all the soldiers fell backwards when Jesus answered, “I am.” I sometimes wonder if our Lord fought a slight grin when that happened. Those who were wise would have realized He wasn’t being arrested, but going willingly.

At the root of all evil stands the liar himself—Lucifer, Satan, the Devil. And whatever bears even a glimmer of Christ—be it His chosen nation Israel, whose unfaithfulness only magnifies God’s faithfulness, or His blood-bought church—Satan rages against it with a hatred as old as time and as fierce as hell itself. If Mormons want to be included as objects of Satan’s hate, that’s up to them.

Those who shoot children or praying adults in schools or churches, whether Christian, Mormon, or Muslim, are tools of Satan. They can clothe themselves in whatever cloak they prefer—Marine uniform, anarchist black, or Muslim hijab—the impetus for their actions is the Enemy of God. They are all the same. Our enemy is the same.

However, the fatal flaw of our enemies’ strategy is that fear and bloodshed will secure victory. They are convinced violence will void valor, deceit will destroy decency, and terror will trounce the timid. But they, just like those who supposed their chains could bind Omnipotence, are truly impotent. Their end will come. Their progeny will cease.

“Blessed are the meek, for THEY shall inherit the earth,” said Jesus. He also cried from the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The simple truth is that the proof of who is winning the war can be seen every time the victim says, “I forgive.”

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. —Ephesians 6:12

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Filed under current events, Theology, World View

What Would Make Me NOT Vote for Trump?

Please allow me to share a LOT of words with you. That’s all they are, after all. Just words.

But words have meaning. Words are powerful. Words expose the heart. And sometimes, believe it or not, it takes more than a sound bite or meme to get the full picture.

So, at the risk of losing your attention, I want you to see my heart. I want to be transparent.

This morning a friend asked a legitimate question on Facebook. A friend of that friend gave an answer. To that answer I responded.

Read if you’re interested.

The Original Question

Is there a moral or a red line that Trump could cross that would turn you against him? He mentioned once that he could shoot somebody on 5th Avenue and he wouldn’t lose any supporters. I’m not being facetious, I am being very serious. Is there any one thing or more than one thing that would make you have second thoughts?

The First Response

You’ll never get an honest answer to this question but it’s probably no there’s nothing he could do to turn his supporters away.

My First Honest Answer

To begin with, teachers and professors often claim that “there is no stupid question.” However, there are questions that cannot be answered simply because of the flawed premise on which the question is based. For example, “Would you rather be eaten alive by a shark or an orange?”

Your question is not to the level of unanswerable, but it’s close. The problem is that it assumes that Harris has NOT already done something that would make us not vote for her. The fact is that, in order to not vote for Donald Trump, he would have to exceed the unacceptable level of Kamala Harris.

My vote is based on my love of country, along with my love of family and church. Both candidates have histories from which I can draw conclusions. Both make plenty of claims, but only one’s history supports his claims. Therefore, based on what is readily knowable, despite propaganda, Trump may or may not “make America great again,” but Harris will certainly cause it irreparable harm. Her radical support for abortion alone, not to mention everything else she would support, if not mandate, will only pollute the land even more with the blood of innocents.

Assuming all the accused evils of both candidates were blatantly observable and undeniable, I could not vote for Donald Trump if, and only if, he was a greater danger to the republic and the moral fabric of this country. But we are not comparing Hitler to Nero. Even if we were, only one of those set fire to his own kingdom. Which would you choose?

The Response to My Answer

I think I disagree – I think it is the hypocrisy that drives everyone crazy. He can do no harm no matter what and the other side it criticized for everything – that’s the bottom line. He’s just not a “good” person in any way, shape or form.

My Final Reply

But I have to ask… what harm has he done that is supposed to make me vote for Harris? Rape? Murder? Treason? If he did those things, then we’d have a problem. But is it just possible that the media, which is TOTALLY and unapologetically biased, done everything possible to deceive the public? Just think of how many things Trump claimed to be happening that was labeled as crazy. And how many of those things were proven true?

  • The Dems and the FBI did spy on Trump’s campaign.
  • China was responsible for Covid.
  • The Hunter Biden laptop was legit.
  • The Bidens were making money off of Ukraine and China.
  • All of the “crimes” he’s been convicted of…do you seriously believe that wasn’t a witch hunt?

[Let me add that several years and millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted on the Russia collusion hoax.]

You and others say unequivocally that he’s a “bad man.” There have been plenty of accusations, sure. But do you believe them? What about the credible accusations leveled against the Biden/Harris administration? What about the lying about Joe Biden’s health?

Think about this. I’m sure what Trump said about women is seared into your memory, that as a rich and famous man he could just walk up to any woman and grab her (privates) and nothing would happen. Was he lying? But did he do it? Was he just making a point?

Trump, like many men, including former presidents, have been unfaithful. Trump was even divorced. Yet, look at his family. How does he treat them? How do they love him? Is that a mark of a scoundrel? During the whole 4 years he was president, what immoral thing did he do? As much as he is hated, don’t you think it would have surfaced if he had been with an intern in the Oval Office? You see, it’s just too easy to claim he is evil with no impartial evidence.

Do you realize that not one soldier died over seas while Trump was president? No new wars. Not a bomb dropped. Three peace treaties were signed in the Middle East. We became energy independent. He moved the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He strengthened religious liberty by ditching the Johnson amendment which limited speech from church pulpits. And he ended Roe v Wade, just as promised. And he’s a bad man?

If you are still reading, let me describe what will happen should Harris be elected. For one, the weaponization of the DOJ against political opponents will be permanent. Based on what has already been done, further, more dramatic catering to LGBTQ causes will have a major impact on churches, Christian schools, Christian business, Christian or conservative media, parental rights, and free speech. Tax law, such as taxes on unrealized capital gains, will cripple our economy, bankrupt our farmers, and destroy investment. And make no mistake, there will be more war, particularly involving China [and Taiwan], Iran, and Russia.

I know I’ve written a lot. I’m sorry. But I truly believe that what you think of Trump is the result of years of corrupt media propaganda and lies told by the sexually deviant groups that hate God and Christians. It’s just too obvious.

To Wrap It Up

There an old proverb that says, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Donald J. Trump is not an angel. He may even be a bad person. Yet, he is the only candidate for the office of President of the United States who will take a pay cut to serve, willingly risks his life for this country, and cares more for the sovereignty of our borders than the feelings of hostile regimes.

We have enemies, but only one flawed human is the most qualified choice to confront them. I’m voting for him.

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Filed under America, current events, politics

Two Thoughts on Rumors and Conspiracy Theories

Hey, everyone. I just want to say two things about all the “did you hear?” stories that keep coming up.

The FIRST thing is: even trusted “sources” can relay bad information.

What you hear might actually be factual, but information can be true and false at the same time when context and interpretation are skewed. Remember, even your “sources” have world views and agendas. If you cannot go to the ORIGINAL source of the information and see for yourself what is being reported, be careful what you repeat.

But here’s the SECOND thing, and it’s really, really, important. Don’t be blind to the obvious while in search of the hidden.

We are so likely to jump on the bandwagons of juicy, new conspiracy theories that we will ride them off the cliff of insanity, ignoring the obvious street signs and billboards as we zip past.

I say all this because despite all the hidden agendas, secret societies, and billionaire evil donors out there, it DOES make a difference for whom you and I vote or support. OBJECTIVE MORALITY based on an Immutable Standard does exist, and it is our job as citizens to be the first to vocally and politically advocate for it.

Political parties and their candidates are always quick to tell us what we want to hear, but their track records are not secret. As long as we don’t erase history, all we have to do is look back to determine what kind of future will unfold. Therefore, more important than bringing to light dark agendas and conspiracies, we should not be silent when fundamental, foundational Truths are destroyed right before our eyes.

Ultimately, we are not responsible for the plots hatched around boiling cauldrons, but we will be held responsible for how we steward the obvious.

Truth and Freedom Under Attack

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Filed under Christian Unity, community, current events

Some Things I Will Remember

Twenty years have come and gone, and many have already forgotten what happened on September 11, 2001. Tragically, much of a whole generations has never been told.

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 it wasn’t secularists, militarists, or a bunch of Baptist preachers who crashed four aircraft on that day, killing thousands.
  • 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 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.

Or are we? I’m beginning to wonder.

Now the flag is an offense and the Anthem alone is insufficient.

I won’t forget that, either.

God Save America! We’re Beyond Blessed.

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Filed under America, Culture Wars, the future, World View

It’s Just Been Busy and Writing Is Draining

Dear friends,

I just wanted to send out a quick update, just in case you were out there wondering why in the world I hadn’t been writing much as of late.

Well, honestly, it all boils down to two simple reasons: I have been more busy than ever because of the virus, and writing, especially about anything going on these days, is simply too tiring.

I can’t do everything. At least not as much as I want to.

So, when things slow down a little and I can afford the luxury to write more, my posts might go back to more in-depth, thoughtful commentary on life, reality, marriage, crime, politics, pets, legalism, watercolor painting, theology, people-watching, watches, zoology, substance abuse, and irrational fears.

Until then, follow Jesus.

Oh, and I’ll include a few videos to show you what I’ve been up to 😉

– Anthony

Image may contain: Anthony C. Baker, text and outdoor

Click on the Facebook link to watch Pastor Kenneth Ware and I talk racism and Jesus 🙂 The discussion will be on Facebook Live at 2pm eastern.

https://www.facebook.com/events/556523215236606/

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Filed under America, art, blogging

Statements, Services, and Studies: A Whole Day’s Worth

It is Sunday evening in Georgia,

and all I can say is that I’m glad I’m not in Atlanta. However, I’ve got a daughter, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter in Charleston, SC, and it’s bad there, too.

Honestly, I’m furious and sickened by the senseless thuggery and domestic terrorism that’s spreading havoc across the country. There’s no excuse for it. None.

Well, I’ve written about the subject of the protests and riots, already. So, what I’m going to do tonight is share the video that was my day.

The first video is from Facebook. I hope you can view it. I went live this morning before the scheduled morning service that had been recorded earlier.

The second video is of the service prerecorded for airing at 11 a.m. Unfortunately, I got the date wrong! 😩

The last video is from tonight where I was live from Augusta, GA. Even though it was originally on Facebook Live, I uploaded it to YouTube.  In this study I taught from Acts 9 while sitting in a hotel lobby.

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Filed under Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bible Study, Christian Maturity, Christianity, Church, community, current events, Preaching, Selah

Sri Lanka Weeps

The Christians in Sri Lanka weep as they mourn the loss of hundreds of precious lives, and pray for the wounded numbering in the hundreds more.

We weep with them. We mourn with them. We pray for the wounded.

But we rejoice in that the victory has already been won . . . The church will not be defeated . . . Jesus Christ has risen!

Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! – Psalm 30:5

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Filed under Christianity, Church, Countries, Culture Wars, current events, Prayer, Struggles and Trials

The Indignation Seems Misplaced

A Monday-Morning Opinion Piece:

I am amazed by so much these days. Even though you’d think I’d know better, especially because I see it all the time, I still find myself in utter amazement at what I read in the media.

“A majority of voters now believe Bret Kavanaugh is guilty.”

How in the eighch ee double hockey sticks is that possible???

Oh, that’s an easy one… the media wants people to believe he’s guilty. The political and social left runs the media, so that’s all the public is going to hear – he’s guilty.

But it doesn’t seem that long ago that a Democrat by the name of Bill Clinton was accused of far worse things than forcing himself on a girl at a drunken party. As a matter of fact, President Clinton was actually accused of rape, pure and simple. Oh, and it wasn’t just one woman who made that kind of claim.

If 36 years is not too long ago to request an FBI investigation when there is very little – if any – evidence to warrant it, then why not launch an FBI investigation into the claims of Paula Jones, Kathleen Willey, and Juanita Broaddrick?

One person (Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY) asserted that Judge Kavanaugh must be guilty because he is not calling for an FBI investigation on himself! Well, did Bill Clinton? Uh, don’t think so.

And what about all the supposed shaming of female victims of rape and abuse? Are those in the media too young to remember the term “bimbo eruptions”? That was the term used by Hillary and her team in the 1990’s to describe the regularity of accusations against Bill Clinton. And each one who made an accusation was summarily attacked and destroyed.

Hillary is widely quoted as saying: “These women are trash. Nobody’s going to believe them.”

The media loved Bill.

Hey! You folks in the #MeToo! movement! Is there a statute of limitations on enabling a serial abuser?

Honestly, what I see in the news regarding Judge Brett Kavanaugh is nothing but sickening. Not because I sense that he’s guilty of anything, but because of the hypocrisy of those calling for his lynching. If Judge Kavanaugh had only been a Democrat and was sure to approve of killing babies in the womb, he would have had no problem getting approved.

The media would have been worshipping at his feet.

But if Bill and Hillary Clinton had been Republicans – and let’s not forget about Sen. Ted Kennedy and a certain dead girl in his submerged Oldsmobile – we would have heard calls for the death penalty.

So, in my humble opinion, I think the indignation of the left is sorely misplaced.

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Truth or Bigotry?

Dear Mr. Romney,

I read what you said about Dr. Robert Jeffress and his beliefs. You tweeted some very pointed comments about his qualifications to lead prayer on behalf of our nation at the opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, today.

You said…

Robert Jeffress says “you can’t be saved by being a Jew,“ and “Mormonism is a heresy from the pit of hell.” He’s said the same about Islam. Such a religious bigot should not be giving the prayer that opens the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. (source: Twitter)

Well, Mr. Romney, the apostle Paul (who penned a huge portion of the New Testament your faith gives away all the time) made it very clear in his letter to the Romans that simply being a Jew is no guarantee of salvation  On top of that, neither Mormonism, nor Islam, affirm the deity of Jesus Christ, and both are legalistic, works-based religions; therefore, they both run afoul of Romans 4:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9.

I am very glad that we are moving our embassy to Jerusalem, and I’m also pleased that Dr. Robert Jeffress (a fellow SBC pastor)  is going to be praying. He is not a bigot; he’s a man of character, for it takes character to tell the truth when the truth is unpopular.

In John 14:6 Jesus made the most radical and exclusionary statement one could make, both in His day and ours: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If Dr. Jeffress is a bigot, then Jesus is more so.

I guess you just confirmed you worship a different Jesus.

Respectfully Yours,

Pastor Anthony C. Baker, M.Min.

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Filed under current events

Standing Sure In a Crumbling World

imageOriginally written in 2014, I’m re-posting this in memory of the innocent lives lost in France on Thursday.

World Events

Let’s get real for a moment, shall we? The world seems to be coming apart at the seams right now. Russia and Ukraine are fighting; Israel and Hamas are fighting; ISIS is trying to take over the world; airplanes are crashing or being blown out of the sky; new diseases are popping up everywhere; and more former Disney child stars are choosing to cry out, “I don’t want to be a role model!” while exposing their bare behinds.

Face it, the world is going to hell in a hand basket and Toto has already jumped.

But seriously, as bad as the world is, it’s not like we have Nero for a president. Oh, but wait! America isn’t the only country in the world, you know, and Christians are being killed as often today as they were in the first and second centuries (along with anyone who refuses to yell “Allah Akbar!” as he beheads his sister).

Life Goes On

But even as we look around at a world in turmoil, does that mean we must forget about living? Sure, the temptation might be to down a bottle of Prozac and curl up in a ball, all the while waiting for the first warhead to hit your town.

However, kingdoms rise and fall and nations come and go, yet children still need moms and dads, strangers still need a kind word, and the way we live is still important.

As a matter of fact, right before another group of people’s world was about to be turned upside down, Jesus Christ gave some timeless instruction on living from a hillside (The full text can be found in Matthew, chapters 5-7). His words still apply today. Below are a few excerpts:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” 

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 

Jesus then concluded his sermon with the following encouragement…

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” – Matthew 7:24-25

Though the world might be falling apart, we don’t have to. 

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Filed under America, Christian Living, current events, the future