Honor | The Ballestero Blog

Archive for the ‘Honor’ Category

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

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 June 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!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

June 15, 2019 at 6:20 pm

Posted in Family, Father's Day, Honor, Marriage

What Kind Of Son Are You?

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What Kind Of Son Are You?

There was a certain Father who had many sons and daughters. The children by now all lived on their own and seemed happy. He had treated them all so kindly that they doted on Him and often just stopped by His house to tell Him that they loved Him.

More often than not they would ask Him if there was anything they could do for Him. That always made Him smile. Sometimes they would say, “Father, if You see me doing something that displeases You… please let me know. You have been so good to me, that I want to spend the rest of my life doing things that please You. It made the Father’s heart rejoice to know His children loved Him.

One day two of the oldest brothers noticed that the youngest brother only came around the Father’s house on Sunday mornings about 10 AM and occasionally on Wednesday evenings around 7 PM when the special family meals were prepared. He wasn’t always punctual, and they noticed that when he did come around it was only for food. Most of the other children came early before meal time to talk with their father and enjoy the comfort of His presence and love, and stayed late. The youngest son never came early, and seldom on time.

Once in a while, he would come to his Father’s house because he needed money or some help with a desperate situation. He would always show his thanks and appreciation for the blessing.

The two brothers watched one night as the youngest came late to the table where the others were already eating and with a sheepish look slid into his chair. They gave each other a knowing look.

The oldest said to the youngest, “How come you only come around the Father’s house when there are loaves and fishes on the table? How come you never want to just come and visit a while with our Father and enjoy His company? Man, you’re really missing out! There’s no one in the world more wonderful than Him! Everyone notices that you have plenty of time to go visit all your friends or do your fishing and hunting. Don’t you know that when the rest of us come to visit with Him that we see Him looking down the road towards your house? He watches you walking in the other direction from Him to be with your friends, or go do your thing. And, then when a need arises you have the gall to act as though you love Him so that you can ask Him for a favor, hit up for money and mooch off of Him. He’s always giving to you and you give nothing back to Him. What’s wrong with you? What kind of son are you?

The supper table grew quiet. A tear ran down the Father’s cheek. The younger son glared at his older brother and left the table. The children put their heads down fearing to see the expression on their Father’s face. They knew how much their Father loved the one who wouldn’t return His love.

Is this your story?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 11, 2019 at 7:30 pm

Posted in Christian Living, God's House, Honor, Love, Personal Growth, Prayer

The Danger Of Being Too Friendly With The Evangelist.

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The Danger Of Being Too Friendly With The Evangelist.

On occasion, your Pastor will invite a guest speaker or an evangelist. He wants you to like them and enjoy their ministry. It’s a compliment to his good judgment of preachers and ministries if you do.

Where there becomes an issue that is uncomfortable for your Pastor and his friends are when you give the guest preachers nicer and more frequent compliments than you give to your own Pastor.

After all, he’s the one that worries over you, prays for you, counsels with you and answers to God for you. Not the others. They may like you, they may like you a lot, but there is a line that must be drawn between them and you.

Make sure you give better compliments to your own Pastor than you do to anyone else.

It’s kind of like a man giving another woman a compliment and he doesn’t even compliment his own wife. Something is very wrong in their relationship. Something is very wrong in your relationship with the Man of God if you are guilty concerning this.

A seasoned evangelist can often spot those who have a problem with their Pastor and then try to give the guest speaker the personal attention and honor that belongs to their Man of God. That is just so wrong.

It even gets more complicated than this…

There are many Godly, precious people who dearly love their Pastor and would never knowingly do a thing to injure him. In innocence, they attempt to interact with another preacher they admire and sometimes feel put off or hurt because of the lack of warmth in his response to them. Actually, in good conscience, he can’t. So, don’t take it personal. He does like you and appreciates you, he’s just trying to be careful. His allegiance is to your pastor.

In the day of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Messenger, emails and text messaging, don’t try to personally interact with other preachers (unless they are family) no matter how much you like them. It easily becomes quite an uncomfortable position for ‘ethical minded’ preachers.

Don’t expect him to respond to your emails or private messages. His loyalty is to your pastor. Do you realize that if word got out that an evangelist was having conversations, exchanging emails, phone calls, private messages on Facebook, and text messages with saints, that his days as an evangelist are numbered? It’s not right for you or him. Don’t give him your information and don’t let him give you his.

Any contact with other preachers should be directed through your Pastor. If he sees fit to pass your message or request on, then fine. If he doesn’t, then trust his judgment. He knows what he’s doing and why. Your spiritual safety is his greatest concern. Work with him on that.

Guest preachers who ‘work the crowd’ by lingering long with each saint, buttering up them, and learning personal things about their world should raise everyone’s eyebrows. Why would he make comments on your Facebook posts all the time? What’s his motive? Ethical evangelists know to stay on the platform after service or near the Pastor to protect themselves and for proprietary’s sake.

If you don’t understand why, imagine you as a woman contacting, calling, writing or leaving messages for a male acquaintance of your husband. Or maybe it’s him calling you. Your husband would have serious questions for you both, and rightly so.

If he didn’t run when you attempted to contact him, then if he has even part of a conscience, he would not be comfortable around your Pastor anymore because of guilt. He’d know he had crossed the line of ministerial ethics. His days would be over. It’s not worth it for him or you.

If you love your Pastor then protect him. Protect how he feels about you. Protect his relationship with other preachers. Protect yourself. He’ll love you all the more for it too.

Don’t try to private message other preachers. Don’t force them to cut you off, block you or ignore you. They want you to like them, sure! But they hate it when you push them into an uncomfortable situation.

Don’t walk up and hand them gifts, or even money. If you want to give an extra offering to the evangelist, then talk to your pastor and he will guide you through a process that is comfortable to him.

Any evangelist that would contact you and ask for money or any favor is unethical. They are to be ignored, blocked or unfriended. Their actions should be reported to your pastor immediately.

Your Pastor is to be loved, respected and honored. His office as Pastor is above all others, and I personally thank you for loving him. He’s God’s gift to you and your church. Love him. Show it by your loyalty, and your respect. Let no other preacher, family or not, come between you and your pastor. That is a sacred area that should never be defiled. It is a line that must not be crossed.

On his behalf, I thank you.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

December 20, 2017 at 4:46 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Evangelists, Honor, Leadership, Love, Loyality, Ministry, Respect

The Deadliest Plague Of All

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The Deadliest Plague Of All

Some Of The World’s Worst Plagues

The Back Plague – 375 Mil.
Influenza – largest killer in USA – 50 Mil.
Plague of Justinian – 25 Mil.
Plague of Athens – killed 1/3 of population
3rd Pandemic of Bubonic- 60,000 a week
Cholera – 120,000 per day. 3.5Mil cases yr.
SARS – Global Threat #7
Malaria – 660,000 per day
Smallpox – 500 Mil.

The Worst Plague In The Church!

Not Adultery
Not Worldliness
Not Rebellion

The Worst Plague In The Church Is Gossip!

Gossip Def: Speaking negative about a person not present.
(Speaking negative with them present not good either.)

God’s Law About Hurting Others

Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.

MSG. Exodus 21:22 “When there’s a fight and in the fight a pregnant woman is hit so that she miscarries but is not otherwise hurt, the one responsible has to pay whatever the husband demands in compensation.

If the Church is God’s Bride, and Spiritual babies are about to be born…
Imagine the Father’s reaction when church folks get into a big fight and that fight stops Revival.
Everyone can expect the Father to exact damages.
He will exact damages. If not now, He will in the Judgment.

Know When To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

In the Heat of Anger – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Psalm 116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.

When You Don’t Have All The Facts – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

If Your Words Make Your Family, Friends or Church Look Bad – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

If You Think You Might Regret Your Words Later – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

When You Are Tempted To Tell Something That May Not Be 100% True – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Proverbs 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

A talebearer has no place in God’s Favor!
It violates God’s Law and Commandment – “Do unto Others”
Love thinks no evil.
Speech that tears people down, travels like wildfire. Good news goes at a snail’s pace.
Sowing discord is hellish.
It’s from the pit.
It’s from Satan himself.
Is it your intention to destroy?
They that live by the sword, shall die by the sword.

If Your Words Are Meant To Get Even Or To Give Someone A “Piece Of Your Mind” – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

If You Know That What You’re Saying Can Hinder Revival In Your Church – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

When The Subject Is None Of Your Business – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

If Your Words Will Damage Another’s Reputation Or Character – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Proverbs 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

If Your Words Will Damage A Friendship – It’s A Good Time To Keep Your Mouth Shut!

Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Bottom Line:

If you want to gossip and be a talebearer, I can’t help you.

(You don’t even know what spirit ye are of.)

God may not even try to help you if you don’t want to change.
He may not even try to save you if you don’t want to change.
Why would He want that kind of spirit in heaven?

If You Want God To Be Good To You, You Must Be Good To His Children!

Gossip is a bigger terror and threat to God’s Church than ISIS.
Gossip is like a hit and run driver.
Gossip is not much different from a drive-by-shooting.

All We Have Is Our Name.

All We Have Is Our Character and Reputation.

Gossiper? Did it ever dawn on you that you are a tool of Satan?
That your every hurtful word is an abomination to God?

How to Stop Gossip?

Change the subject.
Say something positive
Confront the gossip politely. Yet frankly. (“That sounds like gossip to me!”)
Point out missing info in the story.
Walk away.
Turn the gossip into a prayer for the victim.

We All Must Give An Account For Our Every Idle Word.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

In One Church That I Know:

If You Commit Moral Sin…

The Pastor tries to be patient and merciful.

But If You Gossip And Don’t Stop After First Or Second Admonition,

You are no longer welcome.

Gossip Against A Minister.

1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Against A Minister, receive not an accusation – (Don’t listen to the accusation)
There must be at least two actual witnesses before it can be told. That shows respect.
Why not show your brother in Christ the same respect? Why not two witnesses for him too?

With Gossip:

Unity is destroyed.
Revival will stop.
Friendships are broken.
Holy Ghost is grieved.

David Protected His Brother’s Inheritance!

1 Samuel 16:11-13

The first mention of David finds him tending sheep. He was the youngest of many brothers. The eldest son received two-thirds of the father’s possessions for his inheritance and the rest divided up the remaining third among themselves.

David was guarding sheep that would never be his. They would wind up being his brother’s sheep. He was in charge of his brother’s inheritance. He was told by the father to guard his brother’s inheritance.

In like manner, we too are guardians of our brother’s inheritance. All your brother has is his good name, (his inheritance) and you are the guardian of that. You may even have to defend it against a lion or a bear.

Remember that you too have a brother whose job it is to defend your good name. You sure want him to do a good job. Why don’t you protect your brother’s inheritance like David did?

Like Yours, Your Brother’s Good Name Is Worth Defending Too!

The Spirit Of The Church Is Worth Saving!

The Deadliest Plague Of All Can Only Be Stopped By You!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

April 25, 2017 at 10:12 am

Posted in Brotherhood, God's House, Gossip, Honor, Pastors

Tagged with gossip

The Passing Of Bishop Rodney McDonald

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When I was a small lad of ten or so, my father, Evangelist Carl Ballestero preached a revival in Texas City, Texas for a Pastor Titus McDonald. My memories of those days are faded somewhat with time. But I remember being there.

I remember also meeting Brother Titus McDonald’s son, Rodney. He was about my age. I never dreamed that someday we both would find ourselves in the ministry and that I would preach for him like my father preached for his father, and later preach revivals for his son.

In the early sixties, I attended Western Apostolic Bible College in Stockton, CA. That is where I met Bishop Rodney McDonald’s lovely future bride. Her name then was Sister Karen Hedger.

Imagine my surprise years later to find out that my old acquaintance was married to someone I had met out in California years ago.

Over the last decade or so our paths have crossed with the McDonald family quite frequently. It has been my great honor to preach several revivals for Pastor Nathan McDonald, their son. The church is in great hands with his leadership and is experiencing a wonderful move of the Lord.

Last month, I preached a revival at their church and one afternoon was honored to go out to eat lunch with the Bishop and his wife in downtown Oklahoma City. No one knew that it was to be one of my last moments to be with them together.

I was awaken with the news today of his impending passing. He was given “minutes or maybe hours” to live. My heart hurt with the news. I became overwhelmed with emotion.

This morning Bishop Rodney McDonald went from this life into the Glory World. He had struggled with health issues for several years now, and it hurt to even watch him try to breathe on his bad days.

I Salute Him and Honor Him.

The Godliest of men.
Pristine in his principles and motives.
A man of honorable ethics.
Accurate in doctrine.
Devoted to his wife.
Devoted to God.
He gave his life to the Work of God
Uncompromising.
A Preacher’s Preacher
He held fast to the Old Paths.
He lived what he preached.
He was given to hospitality.
Everyone that knew him loved him.

Goodbye My Dear Friend. I Love You!

I will always treasure our moments, meals, and the memories we made. We were just together a few short weeks ago. It doesn’t seem possible!

Join with me in prayers and support for the whole family, especially Sister Karen McDonald, their son Pastor Nathan McDonald and church, Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, Oklahoma City, OK.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 23, 2015 at 3:11 pm

Posted in Friends, Grief, Honor, Ministry, Pastors

Welcome To A World Of Honor

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Congratulations New Convert!

Welcome To A World Of Honor.

You Have Been Greatly Favored Of The Lord! He Has Chosen To Honor You!

1. He Honored You By Opening Your Understanding.

Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

2. He Honored You By Allowing You To Repent Of Your Sins!

No one can unilaterally choose when to repent.

It was God that drew you to repentance.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

It was The Goodness of God led you to Repentance.

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

3. He Honored You When He Washed Your Sins Away In Baptism In His Name, According To Acts 2:38!

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

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

4. He Honored You When He Filled You With The Holy Ghost Speaking In Other Tongues!

One of the world’s highest honors is for Christ to choose your body as a temple to dwell in.

You have been highly favored of the Lord!

You Have Now Embarked Upon A Journey Full Of Honor And Divine Favor.

5. He Honored You By Giving You A Wonderful Pastor Who Would Preach The Truth And Lead You In The Paths Of Righteousness.

Always Honor Your Pastor. He Is Here In Christ’s Stead.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

6. He Honored You By Giving You A Revelation Of Who He Is. God, Manifested In The Flesh!

Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

7. He Honored You By Guiding You Into All Truth.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

8. He Honors You By Providing Healing For All Of Your Diseases.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

9. He Honors You By Supplying All Your Needs.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

10. He Honors You By Protecting And Defending You.

Remember! Honor Is A Two Way Street!

God Especially Focuses On The Subject Of Honor.

He Is Well Pleased When Those He Has Honored, Choose To Honor Him In Return.

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

He Tells Children To Honor Their Father And Mother.

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

He Tells Us To Honor Our Seniors And Show Respect.

Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.

He Tells Us To Honor The Widows.

1 Timothy 5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.

Honor Him With Your Praise And Worship.

Psalm 71:8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

God Requires That You Honor Him With More Than Just Words.

Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

He Expects You To Honor Him With Your Tithes. In Doing So, You Honor Him For What He Has Given You. He Then Will Honor You More.

Proverbs 3:9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Your Lifestyle Should Honor Him.

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Your Conduct

Your Spirit

Your Faithfulness To His House Honors Him.

He Places His Honor in His House.

Psalm 26:8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

Your Love For Others Honors Him

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Your Moral Purity And Separation From The World Honors Him

1 Thessalonians 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Your Modest Clothing Honors Him

1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Your Prayer Honors Him.

Your Reaching For The Lost Honors Him.

Your Service In His Kingdom Honors Him.

Your Manifesting The Fruits Of The Spirit Honors Him.

Your Putting Him First In All Things Honors Him.

Your Asking Him To Direct Your Every Step Honors Him.

Your Including Him In Your Decision Making Honors Him.

Does Your Life Honor Him?

Be A Vessel Of Honor, Not A Vessel Of Dishonor.

2 Timothy 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

God Has Chosen To Honor You.

The Way You Thank Him, Is Not Just With Words Alone,

You Honor Him When Your Life Is Surrendered To Serving Him.

You Honor Him When You Keep His Commandments.

You Honor Him By Surrendering To His Will.

You Honor Him By Doing His Will.

You Honor Him By Laboring In His Harvest.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 3, 2013 at 9:38 am

Posted in Christian Living, Honor

Tagged with Honor

What Is Class?

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What Is Class?

My father-in-law, Rev. William R. Starr was blessed with five beautiful daughters. He had no sons. He wrote a note to his girls which they have always cherished. He was indeed a wise man. He passed his wisdom on to his daughters.

Pardon me, while I invade family privacy and make public his advice to his children.

What Is Class?

To All My Beautiful Daughters

Class never runs scared. It is sure-footed and confident in the knowledge that you can meet life head on and handle whatever comes along.

Jacob had it. Esau didn’t. Symbolically, we can look to Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel. Those who have class have wrestled with their own personal angel and won a victory that marks them thereafter.

Class never makes excuses. It takes lumps and learns from past mistakes. Class is considerate of others. It knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small sacrifices.

Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. The most affluent blue blood can be totally without class, while the descendant of a Welsh miner may ooze class from every pore.

Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down. Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse.

Class can “walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch.” Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because he is comfortable with himself.

If you have class you don’t need much of anything else. If you don’t have it, no matter what else you have, it doesn’t make much difference.

Dad

Written by Martyn Ballestero

December 6, 2011 at 11:16 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Honor, Life, Personal Growth, Respect

Tagged with Class

The Unwanted Girls

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The Unwanted Girls

The news story told of 285 young Indian girls that had chosen new names.

“Nakusa” or “Nakushi” (two variations of the Hindu word meaning “unwanted”) were among the names abandoned in an effort to promote their self-worth.

“Now in school, my classmates and friends will be calling me this new name, and that makes me very happy,” a 15-year-old girl told the AP after the ceremony. The teenager was formerly named Nakusa by her disappointed grandfather, but chose to be called “Ashmita,” which translates to “very tough” in Hindi.”

Girls hold certificates stating their new official names during a renaming ceremony in Satara, India, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Almost 300 Indian girls known officially as "Unwanted" have traded their birth names for a fresh start in life

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/10/24/unwanted-indian-girls-get-new-start-in-naming-ceremony/

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Reading this story made me very sad. Their culture devalues women. An unborn baby girl might well be aborted if the parents knew its gender. It’s heart breaking to me. The very thought, is unthinkable in my family.

I have been blessed more than most men to have been surrounded all my life by loving and amazing women. Their lives are blessed of God. My life has been blessed to the highest level because of them.

In my family, the women and girls are cherished, and loved. They are also respected, listened to, and honored. I always want them to know that!

Each of the married women love and honor their husbands and treat them like kings. No wonder each husband finds it easy to treat his wife like a queen and cherish her.

The daughters love and honor their fathers. They treat him with great respect. They in turn are loved and doted on. They have never felt unwanted, but rather are treated as if they were a princess.

The same is true for all the grand daughters.

It would be a near impossibility to find a family that loves it’s women more than the Ballestero family loves theirs.

With all of the above in mind, today I wish to stop and honor the women in my world.

I want to tell all of you that I love you, I honor you, and I cherish you, and I am proud of you. You all have me forever wrapped around your little fingers. I have you wrapped around my heart.

You are so gifted and talented. You are:

Singers
Song Writers
Musicians
Music Teachers
Choir Leader
Speakers
Writers
Authors
School Teachers
Recording Artists
Artistic
Designers
Business Owners
Leaders
Beautiful
Loving
Nurturing
Tender
intelligent
The Best Cooks In The World.
The Best Mothers In The World.
The Best Wives In The World.
And… You really love the Lord.
(This list could go on awhile…)

You might often be embarrassed by me, but you will never be unwanted! I love you and pray God richest blessings on you in all you do! There will never be such a thing as an unwanted girl in my family!

Let me show my readers a picture or two of why I am such a blessed man!

My Mom, Mother-in-law, Wife, Daughter, Daughters-in-law, Grand Daughters, Sisters, Sisters-in-law and Nieces are shown below. Besides all these, there are my wonderful cousins, close friends and “adopted” family members.

: My Mother – Content Faith Ballestero

: My Mother

: My “Other” Mother – Marian June Davis

: Mom Davis

: My Wife – Marcia Starr Ballestero

: Marcia & Marty Ballestero

: My Daughter – Marisa Ballestero Hartzell

: Pastor Brandon & Marisa Hartzell

: My DIL – Kim Elrod Ballestero

: Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero

: My DIL – Christy Huntley Ballestero

: Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero

: My DIL – Courtney Phebus Ballestero

: Pastor Martyn II & Courtney Ballestero

: My DIL – Jasmine Robinson Ballestero

: Andy & Jasmine Ballestero

: Grand Daughter – Kalyx Ballestero

: Grand Daughter – Christyana Ballestero

: Grand Daughter – Chloe Ballestero

: Grand Daughter – Ainsley Hartzell

: Sister – Beverly Anne Ballestero

: Sister – Carlene Branham

: Sister – Ramona Yandris

: Pastor Nathan & Ramona Yandris

: Sister – Nila Marxer

: Rev. Eric & Nila Marxer

: My SIL – Alexa Starr Olson

: Pastor Rick & Alexa Olson

: My SIL – Rebecca Starr Trammell

: Pastor David & Rebecca Trammell

: My SIL – Priscilla Starr Spears

: Pastor Curtis & Priscilla Spears

: My SIL – Sara Starr Copple

: Pastor Tom & Sara Copple

: Pastor Royce & Step-SIL Glenna Davis Walker

: Carlene, Nila, Ramona, seated – Martyn

: Priscilla, Mom Davis, Marcia, Alexa, Rebecca, Sara

: Niece – Stacy Branham

: Niece – Elisha Yandris

: Niece – Erica Marxer

: Niece – Shauna Olson

: Niece – Elizabeth Olson

: Niece – Lindsay & Aaron Olson

: Niece – Farrah Trammell Erwin

: Niece – Heidi Trammell

: Niece – Britt Spears

: Niece – Charity Spears

: Niece – Natalie Spears Colegrove

: Niece – Michelle Hutchison

: Niece – Sharayah Copple

Every One Of These Ladies Are Wanted!!

It don’t get any better than this. I, my friend, am a blessed man!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

October 28, 2011 at 1:10 am

Posted in Family, Honor, Love, Marriage, Mother, Pride, Thankfulness, Treasured Memories

Tagged with Family, Love

Memorial Day 2011

with 13 comments

Memorial Day 2011

Thank God for those who gave willingly of themselves for our country and for our freedom. Their memories are hollowed in our hearts because of their sacrifice. We will never be able to repay that debt. May their love for America never be forgotten.

My father, Carl J. Ballestero and my wife’s father, William R. Starr, both served during World War II. My uncles Stan and Wendell Gleason served as well. Today, my heart breathes a personal word of thanks to them especially.

My prayer is that God will continue to bless America.

My Dad, Pvt. Carl J. Ballestero

Carl J. Ballestero

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William R. Starr

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There are some veterans of another war that I’d like to honor today too. They fought in a Spiritual War and in a Spirit filled Army. These men all preached to me. Some counseled me and redirected my focus. They fought against hell to save me. All in some measure have affected my life and my ministry and I honor them. May they all rest in peace. They will never be forgotten in my heart.

Starting first with my Father. My Father was also my pastor. He pastored 25 years and evangelized for 25 years. Everything I know and everything I am, I owe to God and to him. If you ever heard him preach, you never forgot what you felt and heard. He was truly a man of God. I miss him everyday. I am very proud to call him Dad.

Carl Ballestero - My father and my pastor.

Carl Ballestero preaching on the streets of Fresno, CA.

My dear Father-In-Law, William R. Starr was a tremendous preacher and a giant among men. He was a wise leader of men, a church planter and revivalist. He not only worked a secular job, but was pastor of a large church and District Superintendent of Michigan for 28 years at the same time. A true Christian if I ever met one. He is greatly loved and sorely missed.