Tag Archives: witnessing

by Anthony Baker | January 4, 2025 · 4:47 pm

Linking to Your Blog: Pros and Cons for YouTubers

A New Idea

For the last few years, I have been posting watch review videos on my YouTube channel called The Humble Horologist. If you haven’t viewed any of the content on that channel, please go there right now. The world could end at any moment! Don’t miss what could be your last opportunity!

But only today did I think about including a link to this blog/website in the “details” sections of my videos. My most-viewed video has garnered over 30,000 views so far. What if I had had a link where people could have seen it?

What are the pros and cons of linking the two?

Losing Subscribers – a Con

A potential CON could be turning away subscribers. Will it happen? I really don’t know, but it is a possibility.

I mean, I’ve already lost subscribers due to having used spiritual language in a couple of my videos. So, I guess it could happen. My watch review channel is not meant to be overtly Christian, so many of my followers and subscribers are only there for the watch content.

In reality, what matters more? Are numbers the real definition of success? Well, from a monetary standpoint, yes. It takes subscribers and views to become and stay monetized. Even though I haven’t yet earned my first $100, I am still hopeful that one day my channel will make enough to buy the watches I review.

But it’s also a sad thing to read, “I’m unsubscribing and will never come here again!” It is not my desire to offend people. To be honest, I want to be liked! Who in the world really enjoys making people hate them?

Hopefully, the benefits will far outweigh the cost of one or two angry viewers. And what are the benefits?

Changing Lives – a BIG Pro

Let’s face it, collecting watches is a luxury. For that matter, collecting anything is a luxury in most of the world. Seriously, if you really have to own a watch to tell time, what more do you need than something simple, rugged, and inexpensive? If it does what it’s intended to do – accurately keep time – why do you need 10? Or 50? Or 150?!!

But a huge PRO in linking my blog to my YouTube channel is that lives can be changed! Even if only one person finds eternal hope through what is shared here, then talking about watches (or any hobby) can become life-changing!

Bait and Seed

Jesus told his disciples, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” He also compared the gospel to the sowing of seed in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8.

I’m convinced that no matter what we do, we should be throwing out bait or planting seeds. Or both!

Whether working a job, doing traditional ministry, or sharing my affinity for watches with the world, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ should be my ultimate goal.

No tricks. No gimmicks. Just a “come and see” approach that leaves the looking up to the viewer.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think? Would you link a secular-minded YouTube channel to a religiously oriented blog? Let me know by leaving a comment.

If you are curious, take a look at my latest video below. And if you are a subscriber here, then go ahead and subscribe there, too! Why not? 🙂

Remember the “Least of These” this Cyber Monday

A few years ago I made a lot more “Monday Monkey” videos than I do now. Sadly, as I look back, I can see how much my girls have grown up!

The following video is a good example.

In the video below you will see my youngest, Haley, doing her part to help the “least of these,” a freezing puppet next to a tree…and I wasn’t exactly warm, either.

Remember, Christmas is not about getting; it’s about giving. God gave Jesus Christ unto a world who didn’t deserve Him, and that supreme act of love (both on the Giver and the Gift’s part) should be reflected in our giving.

This Christmas, why not give something of value to someone in need, someone who won’t expect it. Then, take the time to talk about the Greatest Gift ever given to mankind.

Seriously, ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to share Jesus with someone; He will make it happen.

This is Katie and Haley, now. Both are seniors: Katie, 22, in college (5th year), Haley, 18, in high school!

5 Comments

Filed under Christmas, Love of God, ministry, Witnessing

Tagged as charity, Christmas, giving, Monday Monkey, witnessing

by Anthony Baker | March 26, 2018 · 3:45 pm

Rude Witnessing. Is It Justifiable?

Justification?

There are some people in the Christian world who think making people angry is doing God’s work. Some Christians are convinced that they are fulfilling the Great Commission by crashing public events and barking out, “Repent! Repent!” In reality, many just come off as being inconsiderate, impolite, and obnoxious.

In defense of their actions, many street preachers and their followers (but not all) have suggested the following points:

“The Gospel is more important than ______.” (whatever is going on that is being interrupted, such as music, fireworks, etc.)
“We’re here to get sinners saved, not to make friends.”
“100 years from now the crowd will forget [the event], but they will be happy they heard the Gospel.”
“The Gospel (and Bible in general) is supposed to offend. Jesus said, ‘They hated me, so they’ll hate you.’ Jesus never held back when He talked to the Pharisees, did He?”

In response, let me share…

A Few Thoughts

First. In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” But in Romans 12:18 we are told, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Even though we are commanded to preach the gospel, we’re not commanded to stir up strife.

Second. Paul told the Romans, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another (14:19).” Maybe that’s because Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek (Matt. 5:5),” and “Blessed are the peacemakers (Matt. 5:9).”

Third. Even though Jesus never pulled any punches with the Pharisees, it is never recorded where He went to a Pharisee picnic with a bullhorn blasting out “Repent, you serpent-breathed, white-washed tombs!” As a matter of fact, as best I can tell, it was the Pharisees who came to Jesus in order to stir up trouble, not the other way around (Matt. 3:7; 15:1; 16:1; 19:3). It should even be noted that all the words Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in Matthew 23 were spoken in the temple (Matt. 21:23), not on the street.

It’s Just Manners

Folks, it’s really a matter of decency, respect, and good manners. Emily Post said, “Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter which fork you use.” A Christian should be the most mannerly person in the world! Jesus was never rude or obnoxious, so why should we?

The English novelist and war correspondent Maurice Baring is quoted as saying, “Whoever one is, and wherever one is, one is always in the wrong if one is rude.” That should be a lesson to us.

It doesn’t matter how great the message or how right the cause, rudeness is the Great Negator.

9 Comments

Filed under Preaching, Witnessing

Tagged as Christianity, Manners, preaching, Rudeness, witnessing

by Anthony Baker | December 15, 2017 · 7:00 am

Remember the “Least of These”

A few years ago I made a lot more “Monday Monkey” videos than I do now. Sadly, as I look back, I can see how much my girls have grown up. The following video is a good example.

In the following video you will see my youngest, Haley, doing her part to help the “least of these,” a freezing puppet next to a tree…and I wasn’t exactly warm, either.

This Christmas, why not give something of value to someone in need, someone who won’t expect it. Then, take the time to talk about the Greatest Gift ever given to mankind.

Seriously, ask the Lord to give you the opportunity to share Jesus with someone; He will make it happen.

Cold as Hell?

The other morning it was a brisk and refreshing 55 degrees on my school bus. I had not yet turned on the heaters before picking up one group of students, and that’s when one highly-intelligent, highly-literate teenage girl said,

“Damn! Turn on the heat! It’s cold as hell!”

I took no time in responding, “You know, I think hell is a little hotter than this.”

Here’s what I’m going to start doing. Every time someone uses Hell as a descriptive adjective, I’m going to consider it an open invitation to share the gospel. When someone says “cold as hell” or “hot as hell” I’m going to say something like:

“You know, it’s funny that you should say that, because from what I’ve read, specifically from those who’ve actually been there or seen it, Hell is much, much worse than you’re describing…and I’m glad I won’t have to go there! You want to know why?”

There are also those who commonly use the descriptive of “funny as hell.” To those I will reply:

“You know, what’s really funny is that something could be ‘funny as hell,’ because from what I’ve heard Hell isn’t funny at all. Do you actually believe in hell?”

Honestly, if we really want to share the gospel with people, we can find the opportunities.

6 Comments

Filed under Faith, Life Lessons, ministry, Preaching, salvation

Tagged as cursing, Gospel, witnessing

by Anthony Baker | February 5, 2016 · 6:30 am

Rude Witnessing

Justification?

In defense of their actions, many street preachers and their followers (but not all) have suggested the following points:

“The Gospel is more important than ______.” (whatever is going on that is being interrupted, such as music, fireworks, etc.)
“We’re here to get sinners saved, not to make friends.”
“100 years from now the crowd will forget [the event], but they will be happy they heard the Gospel.”
“The Gospel (and Bible in general) is supposed to offend. Jesus said, ‘They hated me, so they’ll hate you.’ Jesus never held back when He talked to the Pharisees, did He?”

In response, let me share…

A Few Thoughts

Third. Even though Jesus never pulled any punches with the Pharisees, it is never recorded where He went to a Pharisee picnic with a bull horn blasting out “Repent, you serpent-breathed, white-washed tombs!” As a matter of fact, as best I can tell, it was the Pharisees who came to Jesus in order to stir up trouble, not the other way around (Matt. 3:7; 15:1; 16:1; 19:3). It should even be noted that all the words Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in Matthew 23 were spoken in the temple (Matt. 21:23), not on the street.

It’s Just Manners

The English novelist and war correspondent Maurice Baring is quoted as saying, “Whoever one is, and wherever one is, one is always in the wrong if one is rude.” That should be a lesson to us.

It doesn’t matter how great the message or how right the cause, rudeness is the Great Negator.

13 Comments

Filed under Preaching, Witnessing

Tagged as Christianity, Manners, preaching, Rudeness, witnessing

by Anthony Baker | July 9, 2012 · 1:09 pm

Rude Witnessing

Just the other day I read a story about a preacher who got arrested. The reason was not what you probably think. He was not guilty of beating his daughter. He was not found possessing child pornography. No, the only thing he was guilty of was preaching – at a July 4th festival.

Is there anything wrong with preaching at a public festival? No, not really. Here in America our freedom of speech is still protected by the Constitution (for now). Then what was it that got this preacher into trouble? Well, I will get to that in a second, but first…

I have the utmost respect for anyone who can stand on a street corner and preach to a hostile crowd. I have stood on a street in eastern Europe and handed out Bibles, but I didn’t preach. Seeing soldiers with AK-47’s watching me was enough to keep my English to myself. So, don’t get me wrong, if you want to be another Ray Comfort, have at it. God bless you!

The thing that got the festival-crashing preacher in trouble was not the fact that he was preaching in a public place, it was because he was being rude. Yes, I said it. He was being rude.

Justifying Rude Behavior

In defense of their actions, many street preachers and their followers (but not all) have suggested the following points:

“The Gospel is more important than ______.” (whatever is going on that is being interrupted, such as music, fireworks, etc.)
“We’re here to get sinners saved, not to make friends.”
“100 years from now the crowd will forget [the event], but they will be happy they heard the Gospel.”
“The Gospel (and Bible in general) is supposed to offend. Jesus said, ‘They hated me, so they’ll hate you.’ Jesus never held back when He talked to the Pharisees, did He?”

In response, let me share…

A Few Thoughts

Third. Even though Jesus never pulled any punches with the Pharisees, it is never recorded where He went to a Pharisee picnic with a bull horn blasting out “Repent, you serpent-breathed, white-washed tombs!” As a matter of fact, as best I can tell, it was the Pharisees who came to Jesus in order to stir up trouble, not the other way around (Matt. 3:7; 15:1; 16:1; 19:3). It should even be noted that all the words Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in Matthew 23 were spoken in the temple (Matt. 21:23), not on the street.

A Matter of Manners

The preacher that got arrested went where people had probably already “staked out” a good place to watch the fireworks display. One person told me, however, “He had the right to speak, and they had the right not to listen…they could have moved.” But really, what kind of message was that sending? Remember, people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care (paraphrasing Zig Ziglar).

The English novelist and war correspondent Maurice Baring is quoted as saying, “Whoever one is, and wherever one is, one is always in the wrong if one is rude.” That should be a lesson to us. It doesn’t matter how great the message or how right the cause, rudeness is the great negator.