Tag Archives: writing

by Anthony Baker | November 19, 2014 · 3:08 pm

Blatant, Unapologetic Hit Request

I’m on my school bus at this moment (not driving, of course), using my old-fashioned, antique iPhone 4s to write this post. You see, my internet at home has been down for a couple of days and I’m suffering from withdrawal. In other words, I’ve got to write something.

One thing I regularly do from my phone is check my stats. Let me be very honest: low visitor/view numbers can ruin my day. Why is this? Am I not supposed to be writing for the Lord? Just to make a difference? Whether people read my stuff, or not? Let’s get real, ok? Yes to the above, but I like recognition, too. Sorry, but I love the stage, whether it be literal or cyber.

Oh, I know it’s a pride thing I suffer from; I’m not an idiot. As a matter of fact, I love applause, awards, etc. But on the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying something. I’d be a pathetic preacher if I hated to speak in front of crowds, wouldn’t I? So, I know there’s an element of pride involved, but I do try to keep things in their proper perspective: “and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

But here I am. I’m writing. I’m on my phone. The kids are about to come out and load up, and I’m asking for numbers. I want to see how many views and likes I can get on this post. Why? Just for the heck of it, that’s all.

And, because I deserve it – I’m doing this from a phone, people!

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Tagged as blogging, iPhone, pride, stats, writing

by Anthony Baker | October 15, 2014 · 12:59 pm

Feedback Needed! Don’t Be a Snotty Susie!

The following is an excerpt from a new book I am trying to complete within the next few days. It will be called Life Lessons from the School Bus. Let me know what you think. Marketable? Funny? Gets the point across?

“Losing Marbles”

Once there was a little girl on my bus who cried over everything, especially when she didn’t get her way. She ended up losing her marbles.

Snotty Susie

One morning this little girl – let’s just call her “Snotty Susie” – was crying about how everybody hated her. Seriously, not two minutes after getting on the bus she started in with her caterwauling (the howling or wailing noise a cat makes). For the next 15 minutes the rest of the kids tried to console her, but all she kept saying through the sniffing, slobbering and crying was “Nobody wants to be my friend! Everybody hates me! WAAAAAH!”

Fortunately, we reached the elementary school before everyone went deaf from the crying. Then, just as “Snotty Susie” was stepping off the bus, a little boy who had gotten off in front of her looked back and said, “Nobody hates you, Susie; we just don’t like you.”

At least the little guy was being honest.

The Great Giveaway

Well, that afternoon, when the elementary kids were getting on the bus to go home, “Susie” got on first and sat on the front row. “Would you like a marble, Mr. Baker?” she asked. “No,” I said, “I have plenty.”

“What kind do you have?” she asked. “The round kind,” I replied.

Then, as the other children entered the bus, just as soon as they walked past her, she would ask, “Would you like a marble? You can have it for keeps. EVERYONE! Get your FREE marble, if you WANT one!”

I asked, “What are you doing? Why are you giving away your marbles?” She said, “Because I am going to MAKE them like me.”

Honestly, I felt sorry for the poor little girl. No one had ever taught her how to make friends.

Life Lesson

When we treat people poorly, and then try to buy their friendship with shiny trinkets, we end up losing our marbles.

“Snotty Susie” usually had a bad attitude about everything. She regularly talked mean to other kids, made fun of them, and then cried out in emotional pain when someone wasn’t nice to her. No one wanted to be her friend because she was NOT friendly! She couldn’t even buy friends for a day.

The saddest part was that I picked up a handful of marbles after all the children got off.

Route Suggestions

King Solomon said, “A man that has friends must show himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24). How can you be nice to someone today?
Don’t try to buy your friends. If you do, you’ll just go broke (marble deficient) trying to keep them.
Don’t let anyone buy YOUR friendship. Be a real friend to somebody who’s a marble short.

[UPDATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO BE LESS SOPHOMORIC. I HOPE IT WORKED.]

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Filed under book review, Humor, Life Lessons

Tagged as children, devotional, Humor, Public Transport, School, transportation, writing

by Anthony Baker | August 16, 2014 · 9:36 pm

Up-coming Posts

For several weeks my brain, or at least the part that initiates writing, has been numb. I have been wanting to sit down and write about things that interest, concern, or humor me, but life has had a Novocaine-kind of effect. All I’ve been able to do is look at my computer and then say as shake my head, “I’m too tired.”

There are, however, a couple of things about which I want to write, especially within the next couple of days. One has to do with my daughter going off to college. Another has to do with going to church on Sunday nights. On top of that, I am working on finishing another book I’ve been working on: a shorter, mostly humorous collection of thoughts from driving a school bus.

I did recently write about Robin Williams. I would like to share a few more thoughts regarding depression, suicide, etc.

By the way, just the other day a young lady – a teacher – came up to me and personally thanked me for the first volume of Proverbial Thought. She said it made a big impact on her life and drew her closer to God. Seriously, now THAT’S a compliment.

Please, friends, try to go to church somewhere this Sunday morning (if it’s not already Sunday morning where you are). And, if possible, go somewhere to church in the evening.

Until my brain gets a little more feeling back, may God be with you all!

Oh, and please pray for those being killed because of their faith, looted because of race, and sold because of their gender.

Thursday Thoughts (Proverbial Speaking)

Proverbial Thought

In February of 2012 the Lord put on my heart the idea of a blog/devotional called Proverbial Thought. Then, with the help of several others, I launched that blog on April 1st, 2012. Today, nearly 700 days and 350,000 words later, we are done.

A total of eight other writers contributed to Proverbial Thought over the last two years. Some contributed more than others, but all were greatly appreciated.

The three generations of Welfords in England – David, Nick (David’s son), and Ken (David’s father) – made C. S. Lewis and C. H. Spurgeon proud. Daniel M. Klem, residing in Arizona, put in his fair share while attending college and seminary. Grady Davidson, a Presbyterian pastor in Chattanooga, “lent” his deep thinking to several posts. Chris Jordan, a Four Square pastor in Canada, already a prolific writer, had a great Spirit. Jason Sneed, a music minister in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, shared his fine-tuned perspective. And last, but not least, my own daughter, Katie Marie Baker, contributed our most youthful (and certainly our most female) wisdom.

The Next Steps

As was always the plan, two things are going to happen next. First, even though none of us will be regularly contributing to Proverbial Thought, starting in April the old posts will be re-posted each day on a regular schedule. Now, there will be some new stuff every now and then, because a few proverbs (verses) were missed. And, if any of the contributors feel the desire, they are always welcome to come along and add some additional thoughts, later. Nevertheless, starting in April, there will be re-runs.

Secondly, I will be attempting to edit this voluminous work in order to submit it to a publisher. For all I know, no one will want to turn Proverbial Thought into a published commentary, one unlike any other on the shelves. If that is the case, we may have to self-publish. Either way, my desire is to have the contributions to Proverbial Thought turned into a printed work that will honor God, even when the internet is down.

Prayers Needed

Pray for me, please! Pray that I will recognize the right window or door God may open. Pray that Proverbial Thought will continue to minister to people around the world, whether digitally or in print. And lastly, pray that God will continue to bless those who graciously accepted the invitation to help me with this awesome project.

“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” – 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 KJV

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Filed under blogging, Christian Maturity, Christian Unity, Countries, ministry, Preaching, the future, wisdom

Tagged as blogging, proverbs, publishing, writing

by Anthony Baker | May 5, 2013 · 11:31 pm

Back to the Blog

Freedom!

I can’t tell you how free I feel! The other day I took a book with me to read while waiting for my little girl to get out of Wing Chun class. She asked, “Aren’t you tired of reading?” I said, “No, I’m just excited to be able to read what I want to, and not what I have to.”

I took my first college course in 1987. On Monday, April 29, I took my last. Over those 25 years I completed 10 years of actual schooling, four of which was non-accredited. Now, after all of that, it is so exciting to realize that I can pick up anything I want to study without having to worry about a grade.

[By the way, I completed my Masters with a 3.67 GPA!]

Thanks!

I want to thank David, Nick, Chris, and Jessie for filling in during my absence. The posts they wrote while I was taking time off to finish seminary were truly appreciated. If I do decide to go back one day for a higher degree, I hope they’re still around.

I would also like to thank all of the new followers who have come along in the last few weeks. Some of you will cancel once you realize what you’ve actually subscribed to – but I hope not.

Now, what do I write about first?

Why I Love To Blog – Inspirational Thoughts (prefs.zemanta.com)
Wing Chun Kung Fu Forearm Positions, Movements, and Self-Defense (page 5) (expertscolumn.com)

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Tagged as writing

by Anthony Baker | April 16, 2013 · 11:25 pm

Taking Time Off

Dear Friends and Followers,

I will be taking the next few weeks off in order to focus on my last 2 weeks of seminary and preaching. Unfortunately, I have fallen behind on some critical assignments, so this blog must be placed in the hands of others.

I will be inviting some other bloggers to be guests over the next few weeks. So, please keep coming back, even if I am somewhere locked away in front of a Word document.

My last post was my 400th! Can you believe it? I guess it’s a good time to take a break. Maybe I will come back a little wiser.

One last thing. Our deepest condolences go out to the Shea family. George Beverly Shea died today, and that breaks the heart of millions around the world. One thing is certain, however – he is probably singing “How Great Thou Art!” face-to-face with the Savior.

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Tagged as blogging, School, seminary, writing

by Anthony Baker | October 16, 2012 · 5:59 pm

“Freshly Pressed” High, then Reality

Woo Hoo!

I was so thrilled when I was told this blog was going to be featured on “Freshly Pressed.” I was literally ecstatic (well, let me make sure of the definition – a trance-like state of joy or delight – OK, that’s good), really I was.

Just the thought that this wee widdle bwog was chosen out of so many thousands was mind blowing. It was better than when I got the Perfect Attendence Award in 3rd grade! Or was it 4th grade? Or was it the spelling bee?

Anyway, on October 1st my recorded views gradually climbed and climbed, peaking out at 942 by midnight. Wow! Never in one day has so many people come to read anything I had ever written. Wow!

Woo!

Then October 2nd came. Wow! Several hundred views in one day. Not too bad, little camper!

And then all the other days came…and went…with gradually declining numbers. It was like watching Enron‘s stock prices fall. It was like I was watching my stats try to break the sound barrier after leaping from a record height.

But it was all right. I knew that going in. I knew there were no promises that I would become an award-winning blogger overnight, all because of some silly award-like gift from the blogging mega-minds at WordPress. I mean, after all, I did get a few followers and a whole lot of “likes” (to which I have not yet finished replying – sorry).

Oh Hooey!

No, the real problem was that once the initial high was over, I had to face reality. Only 1000 views in a day? Are you kidding? I was excited about nearly 1000 views in a day?

Do you realize that there are blogs out there that receive tens of thousands of views a day? Let me spell that out – Tee Eee Enn Thous Ain’t Nothin’. Whatever.

If getting thousands of views a day means I have to become another Perez Hilton, forget it.

Oh Hey!

Thanks, though, for all of you who regularly stop by to read my nonsense. You are appreciated. All 15 of you.

Now back to writing about stuff that matters. My wife just told me, “You keep writing stuff like that, and if it were me, I would quit coming back to see what you wrote – all that ‘just to write‘ stuff doesn’t interest me. Just saying.”

Next Topic: How NOT to Encourage Your Spouse

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Filed under General Observations, Humor, Life Lessons, Relationships and Family, self-worth, Uncategorized

Tagged as blogging, Enron, Freshly Pressed, Humor, Literature, topics, Wordpress, writing

by Anthony Baker | June 15, 2012 · 5:19 pm

Relative Recompense

Starving Blogger

Today I went out to lunch. The person I was to meet was a man I had only spoken with on the phone and by email (sorta scary, huh?). He had no idea what I looked like, nor I he (that just sounds weird – is that grammatically correct? – “I he”?).

That’s when I had a brilliant idea – make a sign. I needed one like people use when they stand on the side of the road asking for money (rarely work). So, I got a piece of cardboard, a marker, and made myself look like a beggar. Of course, that’s not too hard to do.

He knew who I was!

Food, Money, Whatever

Blogging is not a something one does to earn a living, at least not normally. I do it in order to give me an excuse to write. I do it because some people would rather read this than trip over dirty laundry while searching for a dust-covered journal. I do it because I love it.

There’s also another reason for blogging – the Message. My hope is that people all over the world will learn a little bit more about what it means to be a real Christian, not one of the fake, stereotypical hypocrites so many use as an excuse to run from Christ.

If I could get paid for doing this I would jump up and down like a circus clown on Meth. On the other hand, if writing would just put food on the table I would be as thrilled as a chocoholic getting a job transfer to Hershey, PA.

But if writing never pays the bills, cures my ills, or feeds me krill (it rhymed, what can I say), I will keep doing it. Every once in a while someone, somewhere, gets a blessing.

Inspiring Blog Award (odetomyabode.com)
i aM tHE bOMB!!! (barefootbaroness.org)
The Versatile Blogger Award (jessieclemence.com)

Prayer Before Writing

While reading a required book for one of my seminary classes, I came across something that convicted me. It was a prayer.

“Holy One, you wrote my name in the palm of your hand before time began. You commanded the prophets to write down your will for your people. Please let me, as I write, share your love and grace and wisdom through my words.” – Deborah Core

The Seminary Student Writes is a small book, but it is full of helpful instruction and insight for writing at the seminary level. However, the above prayer, or its equivalent, should precede not only research papers and dissertations, but blog posts as well.

Every time I sit down to write I should say a prayer. Before I hit the “publish” button I should be sure my words comply with His words. For you see, words are powerful. Words are tools. Words are weapons. Words should be used with the utmost care and wisdom.

It never fails to amaze me when I see how my words reach so many place all over the world. Most of the places my blog is read I will never visit. Yet, what I write here has the potential to minister in ways I could never imagine. With so much potential to influence lives in places only God knows, how much more should I ask Him to give me the words?

Do you pray before you write?

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Filed under book review, Christian Maturity, God, ministry, Witnessing

Tagged as Christianity, faith, God, HolySpirit, Jesus, prayer, Religion and Spirituality, seminary, Word, writing

Tag Archives: writing

Blatant, Unapologetic Hit Request

Feedback Needed! Don’t Be a Snotty Susie!