The Ballestero Blog

Using Verbal Crutches and Fillers (aka… Sermon Suicide)

This is a plea to all ministers and church service leaders.

I have no permission or authority to speak on this subject or attempt to correct or adjust anyone’s speaking habits. But I will tell you something that your listeners won’t tell you. Your family and friends, and pastor may never say a word either, so you think you’re doing just fine, when you’re really not.

Although I’ve never graduated from a Bible school or seminary, and sadly, I have no degree, I was home-schooled in the ministry by my father and pastor, Carl J. Ballestero.

In my nearly 80 years of going to church, I have listened to some of the best preachers in Pentecost and have even heard a few who made me cringe.

After preaching over 10,000 sermons, I understand about being being nervous in the pulpit.

But you should never forget that your loud voice and fast talking does not necessarily mean you’re anointed. One can even teach a Wednesday night Bible class in conversational tones and be very anointed.

To me it is a spiritual crime to have God give you a word for His church, and then, while you try to deliver it, you allow your insecurities, lack of study, and absence of self-awareness to turn off your listeners.

Verbal crutches and fillers have destroyed thousands of sermons.

Verbal crutches and fillers like:

Amen!
Amen?
Praise God
Hallelujah
Glory to God
God Almighty
Almighty God
Brothers and Sisters
Uh.
Umm.
I can’t hear you!(Isn’t that lying?)
Turn to someone and say…

One minister who preached for me when I pastored in South Bend, IN said, “Do you hear me?” 154 times in one sermon. I cannot remember what he preached about. The constant “Do you hear me” killed the sermon for me. I never asked him to come back.

As a teen-age preacher, I’d visited a well-known pastor in the deep South. It was common for him to say, “Bless God” throughout his sermons. I came home, and when I was asked to preach on a youth night, I, too, said, “Bless God” often in my message. My father cautioned me afterward about using verbal crutches. He said, “When you say, ‘Bless God’. You’re not really blessing Him, You’re just taking His name in vain.”

I never said that again.

Preacher? Remember that there really are people in your audience who will count all of your amens and hallelujahs and completely lose track of your sermon thought.

Listen to yourself online, sometime, and count your verbal crutches and speech fillers; then be self-aware enough to stop saying those things.

Imagine what Acts 2:38 would have sounded like if Peter used verbal crutches

Or the 23^rd. Psalm?

Or Isa.9:6?

Imagine Peter saying…

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, Amen… and be baptized every one of you, Amen… in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen… for the remission of sins, Amen… and ye shall, Amen… receive the gift, Amen… of the Holy Ghost…Amen…

Acts 2:39 For the promise, Amen… is unto you, Amen…and to your children, Amen… and to all that are afar off Amen… even as many as the Lord our God shall call…Amen.

Try quoting that for your altar call, and see how much conviction is still left in the house.

Imagine Isaiah saying

Isa. 9:6 For unto us a child is born, Brothers and Sisters…unto us a son is given, Brothers and Sisters…: and the government shall be upon his shoulder, Brothers and Sisters…: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Brothers and Sisters…The mighty God, Brothers and Sisters… The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, Brothers and Sisters…

(Imagine trying to read that at your Christmas service.)

How about David using fillers?

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Praise God

Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: Praise God…he leadeth me beside the still waters. Praise God

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul Praise God… he leadeth me Praise God in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Praise God

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk Praise God through the valley of the shadow of death, Praise God I will fear no evil Praise God… for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me, Praise God…

Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Praise God thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Praise God

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy Praise God… shall follow me all the days of my life: Praise God and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Praise God… Praise God

(Everyone would stop quoting the 23rd. Psalm.)

Neither the prophets nor the apostles used verbal crutches or fillers in their speaking. Why do you? Stop it, please!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

June 29, 2022 at 4:30 pm

Posted in Uncategorized

Father’s Day2022, And I Am So Proud To Be A Dad!

with 4 comments

I’ve received a lifetime of continuous love, honor, and sweet words from my children. I feel, of all men, that I am most blessed! I am grateful and humbled by every word and expression of their love to me. My family honors me beyond what can even be imagined. I certainly am a very rich man.

From my heart and with tear-filled eyes I say, “Thank You!”

How Did I Get To Be A Father Who Is So Fortunate To Be Loved Like This?

The answer is very simple and only three words long… Marcia Starr Ballestero!

On this day, most dads receive presents and affectionate words. But, today my heart feels like re-directing the attention from myself to my wife. She is one who deserves all the credit that I enjoy today.

“But”, you say, “you’ve worked hard to put food on the table and you’ve made many sacrifices.”

While there may be truth in what you say. Remember that even if I had been childless or a bachelor, I still would have had to work hard and make sacrifices. We all do. It’s called life.

Now… Let Me Get Back To Talking About My Wife!

She is the one who endured discomfort, pain, and sleepless nights.

She is the one who carried them for nine months.

She is the one who walked right up to death’s door and brought home beautiful babies.

She is the one who nursed and cared for them during all hours of the night.

She is the one who washed their dirty clothes and made their beds.

She is the one who picked up their dirty clothes from the floor.

She is the one who mopped up the trail of mud on the kitchen floor.

She is the one who cooked their meals and washed their dishes.

She is the one who made a house into a home for them to forever cherish.

She is the one that dressed them all for church and then got herself ready.

She is the one who cleaned up after their messes.

She is the one who had to wrangle them through the store while she bought groceries.

She is the one who gave kisses, comfort, and put bandages on their ouchies.

She is the one who maintained their proper level of decorum during church services.

She is the one who cooked the best meals a kid could ever eat.

She is the one who had to cook in a hot kitchen.

She is the one who taught them manners and respect.

She is the one who taught them how to pray.

She is the one who taught them about the love of Jesus.

She is the one who taught them right from wrong.

She is the one who taught them about dressing godly.

She is the one who taught them about the manifesting the fruits of the spirit.

She is the one who taught them what an Apostolic should be.

She is the one who taught them to be Christ-like.

She is the one who taught them how to live for God.

She raised up our children in the way they should go.

She is also the one who taught them to be sweet to their daddy.

She taught them all that and MORE!

I would just walk into the house at the end of the day, and enjoy the love and affection from all my babies because of her.

(It was their Mother, after all, who made me a Father.)

Today, I am enjoying Father’s Day fully knowing that it was my beloved wife who did all the work so I could enjoy this great honor! She deserves all the credit. But, today, I get the thanks!

Thank you, my Darling Marcia, for making me a Daddy!

Father’s Day, And I Am So Proud To Be A Dad!

From my heart and with tear-filled eyes I say, “Thank You!”

How Did I Get To Be A Father Who Is So Fortunate To Be Loved Like This?

The answer is very simple and only three words long… Marcia Starr Ballestero!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

June 16, 2022 at 1:59 pm

Posted in Uncategorized

Gates Without Fences

with 4 comments

Gates Without Fences

A gate without a fence is like having standards in a church without enforcement. Some preachers say that they preach holiness and that they preach against sin, but they never name the sin nor enforce what they preach.

They brag about having a gate. They point at their gate. They might even decorate their little gate. But since there is no fence attached, the people feel they can live for God without any restrictions. Dress like they want. Go where they want. Watch what they want. Do what they want. Live like they want. They easily wander toward whatever worldly thing attracts them… Seemingly without consequence from their leadership.

Fences are built to keep the unwanted out. Fences are necessary for living Godly in an Ungodly World. Why wouldn’t you want a fence?

Advice from an old man? If you choose to put up a gate, make sure you include a good fence.

If you don’t, you will never be taken seriously as a man of God. You will have nothing but a congregation of world-minded members who are comfortable being carnal.

If a pastor is afraid to enforce doctrine and enforce separation from the world, because he may lose some of his members. He is not much more than a hireling in God’s Eyes. He is not pleasing to God. His congregation is trying to survive spiritually on pop-psychology type sermons and may be lost. They sing and preach about a Holy God, without wanting to be Holy themselves.

They Brag about their Gate. But, they don’t have a Fence!

(If You’re Serious About Being Saved. Make Sure You Have A Fence Around You For Protection.)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 12, 2020 at 10:59 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Doctrine, God's House, Holiness, Ministry, Old-Time Pentecost, Pastors, Worldliness

My Dog Doesn’t Like Being A Dog Anymore!

with 4 comments

My Dog Doesn’t Like Being A Dog Anymore!

Rusty And The Love Of His Life… Marcia Ballestero

My dog doesn’t like being a dog anymore. Some might even say that he is going through an identity crisis. It’s so obvious that even a non-professional picks up on the situation. The canine in our house is currently choosing not to act like a dog anymore.

Little 6 lb. Rusty thinks he is human. He seems to enjoy passing himself off as a person, rather than a puppy.

For a short time, he seemingly enjoyed just being a puppy. He had his own puppy food, puppy toys, puppy snacks, puppy playpen, puppy bed, puppy stroller, puppy travel crate, and puppy play area. He was a happy and contented little pooch.

But, Rusty’s whole world has now changed. It changed when he tasted a bit of people food. Once he found out what people ate, his food didn’t taste as good to him as it used to. Whenever he now sees us seated at the table, he stands on his short hind legs and taps us on our legs to get our attention. He never gives up or stops trying until he is rewarded.

It didn’t stop with the food issue. He feels that if his mistress is sitting on a comfortable couch, that is where he should be, too. Oh, and now the bed. Yes! He doesn’t like his bed now. He wants to be on the same bed as his master.

Before you criticize Rusty, please be aware that he is just like you. You were happy being a sinner until you tasted of heavenly things. No wonder David wrote: Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good…”

Once you have tasted of the mercies and goodness of the Lord and have sat together with him in heavenly places, you come into His presence, and He can tell by the look in your eyes that you are not identifying as the dog you used to be, but you want to be like Him; You want to eat Angel food, rest in His arms, and be comforted by His care.

Once you have been baptized in Jesus’ Name and been filled with the Holy Ghost, your nature changes. You won’t want to be a dog anymore!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 12, 2020 at 2:35 pm

Posted in Christian Living

It’s Time To Drain Your Swamp!

with 5 comments

To “Drain The Swamp” Has Become An Oft Heard Political Figure Of Speech.

The phrase is used to promote the idea that the other government party’s control, partisan thinking, and corruptness needs to be removed from power.

But, that’s not my focus and altogether how I see its meaning.

Swamps Are Not Easily Navigated. Most Of Us Do Our Best To Avoid Going There In The First Place.

Merriam Webster Defines A Swamp As:

a wetland often partially or intermittently covered with water especially: one dominated by woody vegetation
a tract of swamp
a difficult or troublesome situation or subject

When We See A Swamp, What Our Untrained Eye Sees Is:

Pollution
Scum
Stench
Brackish water
Disease Potential
Mosquitos
A Home For Snakes, Alligators, And Vermin.

One doesn’t have to look far or even leave their home to find the swamp that needs to be drained the most. It needs to be drained every day.

The Greek New Testament Word For Drain Or Empty Is Kenosis.

It first came alive to me when I read Philippians 2:6-7.

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

kenoō; from G2756; to empty: — emptied (1), made empty (1), made void (2), make…empty (1).

In coming to earth, Jesus did not cease to be God, and He did not become a “lesser god.” Whatever the “emptying” entailed, Jesus remained fully God: “Col. 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”

His self-emptying is our example. We too must empty our lives of every hindrance and everything that displeases Him. We are commissioned in God’s Word to drain our swamp. No one can do it for us.

Draining Your Swamp, Or Emptying Your Swamp Includes But Is Not Limited To:

Denying Yourself

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

It’s A Daily Command. Every Day, We Must Say No To Our Flesh, Then Take Up Our Cross And Follow Him.

Heb. 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

It’s Possible To Drown In Your Swamp… Please Drain It!

1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Don’t Drown, Drain.

Drain The Pollution, Scum, Stench, Disease, Vermin, Filth, And The Sin. Drain The Potential Hazards From Your Heart And Life.

Are You Bitter?