Today I was fortunate to cross paths with a brother in Christ, Chris Jordan. He is a pastor and author in Canada.
This post of his is worth reading, especially if you are one of those who stand behind a pulpit each week. I was convicted by several of the 15 quotes he included.
Filed under Christian Unity, Preaching
Every other week, or so, I am on the radio for about 15 minutes.
This week I took my daughter Katie with me to the radio station in order to film me recording a broadcast. It was a little distracting, but it was fun to have her there.
It is not easy to preach to a clock and a microphone. I prefer real people. It is also hard to preach like I normally would when I have only 14 minutes. Trying to imagine people listening to me while I sit there watching the clock tends to make me nervous.
Anyway, since I am not a big-name preacher with a full-time staff editing and mixing my recordings, you will hear less professionalism on this broadcast. The “uhs” and the “ums” will not be edited out this time. But, if you want to send in your life savings, I will make sure to use some of it to hire people with technical know-how and computer software.
Filed under Preaching
Well, it’s official…I have a big mouth.
Now, I know what some of you are saying. You are totally shocked aren’t you. Some of you are screaming at your computer this very moment saying, “NO, Anthony! It isn’t true!” But it IS true. It’s been scientifically proven.
If there was one branch of the medical field that I would hate to practice, it would be dentistry. Dentist have it bad. Just think, no body wants to visit them; they have to deal with spit and bad breath every day; and pretty much everything they do involves pain.
On top of that, dentists get no respect. Orthodontists get all the rich clients with braces to buy. Dentist get all the people who can’t afford braces – or dental floss. And when it comes to medical school, dentists are just as educated, but nobody calls them “brain surgeons.”
So, like I said, I have a big mouth, and it was proven by my last dentist visit. The tray that is meant to hold the compound used to make impressions was too small. The largest one they had was too small! So what did they have to do? Modify it.
Yep, in order to make an impression of my of my upper teeth, the dental assistant had to cut away the sides of the tray. Who wants to bet that little piece of plastic wasn’t cheap?
I have been told on many occasions that I have a big mouth, but now we know it’s something I couldn’t help. God made me that way. He knew long before I was born how many Oreo’s this “oracle” could hold.
Now that it has been confirmed beyond all doubt that my orthodontic orifice is larger than most, wouldn’t it be a shame if I didn’t take full advantage of it? It would be one thing to not speak when given the opportunity, but it would be a shame to waste such a voluminous gift.
Therefore, my friends, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” – Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV
Filed under General Observations, Life Lessons, Preaching, Uncategorized
If a fruit fly was asked to submit a ministry objective, it would probably be pretty short and sweet. If he could write, it would go something like, “Eat, procreate, and die.”
I am not a fruit fly. Yet, I was asked to provide a list of my ministry objectives. I thought you might like to see them. And, instead of just listing references, I footnoted the verses.
[1] Psa 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
[2] 1Pe 1:7 – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
[3] 1Ti 4:13 – Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
[4] Act 6:4 – But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
[5] Jos 4:21-24 – And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What [mean] these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
[6] Pro 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
[7] Jos 24:15 – And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
[8] 1Cr 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
[9] 1Ti 1:15 – This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
[10] Mar 8:34 – And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
[11] 1Ti 4:16 – Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
[12] Act 1:8 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, ministry, Preaching, Uncategorized, World View
Almost every Sunday I am a part of a radio broadcast. The program goes out over am radio to at least a few thousand people each week. It can be fun, but it can also be a challenge.
Even though some things are supposed to be as simple as breathing, “stuff” happens. Today, in a crunch for time, nothing wanted to work correctly. You see, I have to record my 15 minute sermon in advance, and I usually do that at home. The problem today was that nothing would record. The mic wouldn’t work. The computer kept locking up. You name it, it happened.
That is when I got the idea to go to the radio station.
Now, I have been in multi-million dollar recording studios in Nashville. I have recorded radio spots in modern, FM stations. But this was a first for me – vintage equipment older than me (I think). It was like I had walked into a museum of broadcasting.
Amazingly, everything worked. As a matter of fact, it was far simpler to use, not mention harder to break, than the finicky software on my laptop. When all else failed, I went back to the basics – and let someone else push all the buttons.
You know, I have heard it said so many times, “When all else fails, pray.”
Why is that? Why do we wait till “all else fails?” He never fails! Why don’t we just go to God first? Why don’t we let Him push the buttons?
If I had only gone to the radio station first, things would have been a lot less stressful. I would not have yelled at my wife, kicked the dog, etc. (yes, I’m joking). But when will we understand that going to God first will not only save time and spare the dog, but it will keep us from experiencing unnecessary heartache and stress?
Mat 6:33 NKJV – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Filed under Christian Living, Christian Maturity, General Observations, God, Preaching, Uncategorized
“Simple Preacher”
I’m just a simple ol’ preacher
I know what I know, I think
But when I’m around the scholars
I find that my knowledge stinks
They impress with their didactic polemics
And their proofs of amanuenses
But at the risk of sounding solipsistic
I know that I know I have Jesus
– Anthony Baker
My Official Pose
Ever wanted to know what I am like behind the pulpit – for real?
Here’s your chance.
On Jan. 29th I was a guest speaker at Mile Straight. My daughter, Katie, sang before I preached.
Big Risk
Now, I know I’m taking a big risk, here. You may not like me after this, and that will make me sad. On the other hand, maybe you will see that there is more to me than “Monday Monkey.”
Oh, if you would like to have me as a guest speaker, feel free to give me a call or email me (especially if you are talking England – hint, hint).
NOTE: for some reason Mile Straight Baptist’s website is experiencing some trouble. If the link does not work, try again, later. I’m sure it will be back on line, soon. Sorry for the inconvenience. (this was posted Tuesday at 5:40 am, eastern)
As of 7:05 am it is working. However, it’s in Flash video, so sadly it won’t play on an iPhone, which is aggravating.
http://sites.radiantwebtools.com/index.cfm?i=8898&mid=18&g=18587
If it was this easy!
If I have been asked once, I have been asked a thousand times, “Are you ready for Christmas?”
No, I am NOT ready for Christmas!
Well, if by “ready” you mean “have you purchased gifts for every relative and friend, cleaned your house, wrapped everything in red foil, watered the tree, mailed the cards, etc.,” then NO! Quit pestering me, alright! If, on the other hand, you mean to ask if I am ready for Christmas to get here, they yes, I am.
I am not the only person in this situation. Most, if honest, probably wish they had at least another month to get done everything on their lists. It is really hard to get ready for Christmas, traditionally speaking. On the other hand, I hope that we are always ready to celebrate the birth of Christ, which is the point of the whole day, you know.
Aside from getting ready for the Christmas celebrations to come, there are also some other things for which we need to prepare. Last night I gave my congregation three things that all of us should be ready for, maybe even more so than Christmas.
Be Ready to Preach
Paul said, “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel…” (Romans 1:15). I should be able to say the same, for, just like the apostle, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (1:16). I should, and YOU should be ready to preach/teach/share the gospel at anytime with anyone.
But you may say, “I am not a preacher, though.” Really? Well, the words of Jesus apply to all of us. He said,
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. – Mar 16:15 KJV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. – Mar 16:15 ESV
Even though you may not be a pastor or Sunday School teacher, if you are not ashamed of Jesus, then it is still your responsibility to “proclaim” the message Christmas, the gospel (“good news”) of Jesus coming to save. Be ready to preach.
Be Ready to Give an Answer
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer [a reasonable defense] to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” – 1Pe 3:15 NIV
If Jesus is the “reason for the season,” are we able defend the Reason, based on reason and evidence; not hollow, empty faith? There are so many who are quick to attack Christians and the God of Christianity. They claim Christmas is based on a myth no more verifiable than the existence of Santa Claus himself. These same folk who deny Jesus was the Messiah then choose to follow some other pagan god, or no god, and say their “reasons” are more logical. Really? Where is their evidence?
The Apostle Peter, when he said to “always be ready,” knew that there would be those who would question us and ask, “why do you have so much hope?” There are still plenty of people who are without hope in this world. They are looking for answers. What they are not looking for is a fairytale to make them feel good. They are looking for Truth that will make a difference in life, both on this earth and in eternity. Be ready to give an answer.
Be Ready to Go
I am writing this on the day before Christmas Eve, which is the day before Christmas. I know that Christmas is two days away. But unlike Christmas, I do not know if I will be here in two days. There are no guarantees about tomorrow, for one day life on this earth will be over and eternity will begin. However, for many of us, we believe that Jesus is coming back one day.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. – Mat 24:44 KJV
I want to be ready for His return. I want to be ready to go with Him. Being ready for that day, I believe, is a lot more important than getting everything wrapped just so, or cleaning house. If any “cleaning house” is done, we should always make sure our spiritual “house” is clean and ready. One day, someday, a trumpet is going to sound…
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Are you ready to go? If not, then there is good news: you can be. You may say that you are not good enough. You may think that you have done too many things to be forgiven. You may think that if God is real, then there is no getting right with Him, because you’re just too bad. Well, if you are willing to put your faith in the Christ of Christmas, the good new is that God is also ready…ready to forgive.
For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. – Psa 86:5 KJV
Get ready for Christmas; but make your heart ready for Christ. The Jesus born in a manger wants to give new life to you. Are you ready?
Questions about faith in Jesus Christ?
Call 1-800-NEED-HIM
Filed under Apologetics, Christmas, Culture Wars, Preaching, salvation
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