iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

I believe Donald Trump is a Russian sympathizer (at best). Trump & Vance ambushed Zelenskyy. It was intentional. Near the end, Trump even said: “I think it’s good for the American people to see what’s going on. I think it’s very important. That’s why I kept this going so long.”

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Putin invaded Ukraine. This fact is not up for debate or reinterpretation.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

If the United States is going to be a city on a hill, a shining example for others, we cannot be led by a hypocrite. An executive order contradicting the Constitution should be an impeachable offense. It breaks the Oath of Office to "support and defend" the Constitution. See Amendment 14, Sect 1.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

I finally deactivated my Twitter account. I first decided to last month, then thought maybe I should stick around to be a voice of reason... But I couldn't tacitly support that platform's owner any longer. You can only find me here on Bluesky and Substack (LivingByLamplight.Substack.com).

livingbylamplight.substack.com

Living by Lamplight | Michael M. Baker, PhD | Substack

This Substack helps Christians (and the Christian-curious) figure out how to navigate through this crazy, strange, and wonderful 21st-century world we live in; Subscribe for a free PDF of the 3-7-10 P...

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 31: “We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives” (21:2, TLB). We often "spin" everything we do - even if we'd judge someone else for doing the same thing. Let's examine why we’re doing something. Do our motives still line up with God’s?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 30: “A fool does not care whether he understands a thing or not; all he wants to do is show how smart he is” (18:2, GNT). When we listen in order to understand another person’s perspective, we show them respect. Understanding them does not = agreement.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 29: “The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam; stop it before it goes any further” (17:14, GNT). This is important to remember, even in online communication. (See also 2 Timothy 2:23.)

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 28: “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent” (17:28, NLT). Beware of those who think they know everything, who assert how smart they are on every topic. It’s better to listen and learn than to say something wrong.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 27: “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips” (24:26, NIV). Or, “An honest answer is a sign of true friendship” (GNT). We can often deceive ourselves. Do we want friends who will feed those delusions, or ones who will help us face reality?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

I posted this a couple months ago, and in the wake of Bishop Budde's message it has taken on new relevance: livingbylamplight.substack.com/p/lost-in-tr...

livingbylamplight.substack.com

Lost in Translation: The Greatest Commandments

We know how we should treat others, so why don't we?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Readers seemed interested yesterday, so I'll leave this here again: livingbylamplight.substack.com/p/analysis-o...

livingbylamplight.substack.com

Analysis of Bishop Budde's message

How should Christians react?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 26: “Depend on the Lord in whatever you do. Then your plans will succeed” (16:3, ICB). While many translations tell us to “Commit your plans to the Lord,” I like that this one says, “Depend on the Lord…” It emphasizes the trust factor just a bit more.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 25: “The Lord destroys the possessions of the proud but cares for widows” (15:25, TLB). With whom do we align ourselves?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 24: “Anyone who oppresses the poor is insulting God who made them. To help the poor is to honor God” (14:31, TLB). Who is being oppressed today? We should stand with them.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 23: “Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble” (13:20, ERV). Choose your friends wisely; they influence the direction of your life. Who do you hang out with?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 22: “Hard work means prosperity; only a fool idles away his time” (12:11, TLB). We should rest weekly. But how else do we spend our time? Being productive? Serving? Binging shows, playing games, or scrolling away our time? Daydreaming about how life could be, if only…?

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

There's still time to memorize this month's Bible verse before the February one is revealed! livingbylamplight.substack.com/p/memory-ver...

livingbylamplight.substack.com

Memory Verse #3

We can be bold.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 21: “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction” (12:1, NLT). How do people respond when mistakes are pointed out? That will tell you a lot about their character. Be teachable, not stubborn.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 20: “What good people produce is like a life-giving tree. Those who are wise give new life to others” (11:30, ERV). As I was recently reminded, you never know whose life you might touch simply by caring for them as a person.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 19: “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it” (3:27, GNT). It’s easy to say, “Next time” or “I’m too busy right now.” But that won’t address the need you see right in front of you. We can’t solve every problem, but we can help one person at a time.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 18: “Ants are small and weak, but they save their food all summer” (30:25, ERV). We, too, should put aside some resources for future use. We don’t know when they will come, but we know hard times are coming. A little preparation goes a long way.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 17: “Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then” (27:1, GNT). Our lives can change in an instant. A diagnosis. A loss. An accident. A natural disaster. Let’s practice gratitude for what we have.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 16: “Losing self-control leaves you as helpless as a city without a wall” (25:28, CEV). The world says, “Do what you want to do.” The Bible says, “Control yourself, and do what God says to do.” Then, we will have around us the wall called Salvation (Isaiah 60:18).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 15: “If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit” (25:16, NIV). Disciple, self-control, moderation. These are good things.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 14: “Develop your business first before building your house” (24:27, TLB). Before committing ourselves to expenses, we have to know how much money we can make.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 13: “The rich and the poor are the same. The Lord made them all” (22:2, ERV). A country with Christian foundations should recognize this truth more readily. Wealth increases your net worth, but it should not have any effect on your perceived worth.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 12: “Avoiding a quarrel is honorable. After all, any stubborn fool can start a fight” (20:3, GW). Stand up if necessary. But the Bible also says: avoid arguments; make peace; aim for unity; turn the other cheek; love enemies. Conflict is a last resort, not a first response.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 11: “Pride is the first step toward destruction. Proud thoughts will lead you to defeat” (16:18, ERV). At some point, we will meet our match; forget something; let down our guard; run out of time. We’re not perfect, and thinking we are is dangerous.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 10: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare” (15:1, NLT). We should all be a little kinder in our daily interactions, particularly when facing someone who has had a bad day.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 9: “It's healthy to be content, but envy can eat you up” (14:30, CEV).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Someone at Zillow.com should put a list price on Greenland. If not now, at least on April Fool's Day.

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 8: “Giving help to the poor is like loaning money to the Lord. He will pay you back for your kindness” (19:17, ERV).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 7: “Fools believe every word they hear, but wise people think carefully about everything” (Proverbs 14:15, ERV).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 6: “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (10:4, NIV).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 5: “For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (2:6, NIV).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 04/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 4: “Lazy people always want things but never get them. Those who work hard get plenty” (13:4, ERV).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 3: “The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet” (10:19, GNT).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 2: “Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life” (4:23, TLB). “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT).

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Michael Baker @livingbylamplight.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

Proverb a Day, January 1 (whoops, catch-up): “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7).

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