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If You See Me At A Distance…

Written By My Dear Friend, Pastor Dennis Morris.

Guest Contributor

If You See Me At A Distance…

If you see me at a distance, just wave…

You don’t have to come my way, just a gesture of recognition and maybe a smile will be enough to make my day.

Your youth and vitality shouldn’t be wasted, because, I know it won’t last forever. Use it wisely and with precision, I could tell you how wasted time leaves many regrets.

Really! I love to just observe from a distance the interaction of folks like you who are full of life and enjoying life with others of your ilk. You know, if you try, you and them together could accomplish a lot for God.

No, I’m no one of importance. I can’t offer much but maybe a little experience, I don’t have the energy to run with the big dogs anymore so I’ll just stay on the porch and bark a little now and then so the man with the shovel doesn’t get the wrong idea.

I can’t finance your project or do very much to support your burden but I’ll encourage you if I can to be the best example of a child of God possible, the rest will be added as God sees fit! God is the driver, we’re just along for the ride.

The so-called “Social Ladder”, never made it down this far, so hanging around with an old fella like me won’t boost your standing with the “In-Crowd ” anyway, so just a wave and a smile is good.

Oh yes, I used to rush there and then here and back to there again. I confess I was impressed for a little while by the “In-Crowd “. While I rushed right by a few Great men and Godly ladies that could have and likely would have given me some good advice about wasting my productive years on pursuits that did not profit anyone. Someone told me that the so-called “Upper Crust” was just a bunch of crumbs held together by their own dough! Hmm maybe so…

Oh, don’t take me wrong I didn’t ignore the good folks but what I did amounted to the same, from a distance I waved and smiled. The amazing thing is the big smile that came to their faces when I did take a little time for them. I wasn’t completely unthoughtful but not thoughtful enough.

It wasn’t them that missed it, I was the loser.

Now I know how much I shortchanged myself.

It may sound like I’m having myself a pity party but, emphatically No, I’m not! I’m not being neglected or pushed aside, I pastor a wonderful church and I have wonderful friends and we communicate often. In fact, I feel very blessed.

I miss getting to go to many of the meetings that I always attended but because of life circumstances, I can’t. In fact, it’s as though God has sidelined me. Again, no complaints. I’ve traveled to mission fields more than most and had and still have some wonderful friends.

I heard it said one time that some preachers couldn’t preach their way out of a wet paper bag, I was probably included in that bunch but that’s alright, God has blessed me abundantly.

Besides all that, I made vows to my sweetheart over 53 years ago and I’ve never regretted it! She’s still my sweetheart, sickness and all.

I’m serious, when I say, I don’t expect sympathy for my situation or recognition for my small accomplishments, which are few and my victories that have never reached Goliath Giant per portions. I’m just a bystander for the most part now, so just wave and smile, I’ll understand and give you the biggest smile I can muster, I promise!

God Bless!

Dennis Morris

Written by Martyn Ballestero

October 24, 2019 at 11:40 am

Posted in Christian Living, Friends, Life, Marriage

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

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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

Baby, You Took A Chance On Me – August 14, 1965!

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Marcia June Starr Ballestero

Happy Fifty-Third Anniversary Darling!

You Took A Chance On Me – August 14, 1965

THANK YOU!!

I was nothing, yet you let me into your world.

I had nothing, yet you believed in me enough to partner with me for life.

I was so broke that I had to pawn my guitar to get to our wedding.

I couldn’t preach very good, and my revival calendar was empty.

But, you took a chance on me.

You were the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

You had talent and poise.

Your singing sounded to me like the voice of an angel.

I couldn’t sing,

I wasn’t talented,

I couldn’t preach,

I still had a face full of pimples,

I had nothing to offer you but a heart that was enraptured with the very thought of you.

But, you took a chance on me.

You took a chance on me without knowing much about me.

You took a chance on me and the very idea of you loving me was exhilarating!

You took a chance on me and made to the envy of all my fellows.

You took a chance on me and filled my life with peace, joy, and love.

You took a chance on me and made me the richest man in the world.

You went to death’s door five times to give us a family.

You are the most nurturing and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

You are the wisest woman I know.

You are the most beautiful woman I know.

You are the sweetest woman I know.

You are the most loving woman I know.

You are the very essence of peace.

You make a house into a home.

You are a perfect example of a wife and a mother.

Your talents have flourished.

Your beauty never fades.

Your love is wonderful beyond description.

Thank you for taking a chance on me.

I still don’t have anything.

I’m still broke.

I still can’t preach.

I’m still not talented.

I don’t know how you’re able to look past all of that and see that my heart is smitten by you.

But, Thank You!

I am thrilled to say that I am still here 53 years later.

I am thrilled to say that I am still head-over-heels in love with you.

I am thrilled to say that I still can’t wait to see your face every day.

I am thrilled to say that your love is sweeter now than ever.

I am thrilled to say that you are the love of my life.

I love you.

I need you.

Oh, and thank you for taking a chance on me. I ain’t much, but I am still yours.

I pray God gives us both health and many more years for me to enjoy loving the girl who took a chance on me!

Baby, I Love You With All My Heart!

Marty

Written by Martyn Ballestero

August 14, 2018 at 1:05 am

Posted in Love, Marriage

Just Imagine!

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Just Imagine!

Just imagine a thoughtless and demanding husband who is married to a wife who caters to his every need. Imagine him sitting relaxed in his little command center, his Lazy-Boy, while he bellows out orders.

“Hey Pearl, bring me a Diet Coke.”
“Get me the newspaper.”
“Did you call Bob like I asked you?”
“Get the phone will you, I’m busy.”
“How much longer do I have to wait for supper?”
“Since you’re up, get my slippers.”
“Clean the house with the new Air Compressors USA”

Just imagine a man who constantly makes demands like that on his wife. If she complied willingly and without comment, he’s a most fortunate man.

Just imagine what she might feel like if he never thanked her for serving him.

Imagine too what she would think of him if all he ever did was make more demands and never took time to talk to her or say sweet words of affection to her.

Imagine what future the relationship would have if the man said, I don’t really have time to talk to you, I just need you to do what I asked you to do.

Some wives might be content to be in a relationship like that, but I have never met them yet. A loving relationship is not a one-way street.

Then There Is The Flip Side Of That Problem.

Imagine a demanding wife that is married to a husband who she expects to cater to her every need.

Her Honey-Do-List never ends.
Her requests are only for her benefit.
She nags him if she doesn’t get what she wants when she wants it.
She feels like he doesn’t love her unless he is always giving to her and doing things for her.
His needs are not even on her radar screen.
She has no time to just talk to him.
He can’t remember when she last said, “I love you.”
Her world is only focused on her own happiness.

What A Mess! I Can’t Imagine Living Like That!

I don’t know who would ever want to enter into any kind of relationship such as this. How could their life’s story have a happy ending? What future do they have? It’s a world without love!

Yet That Is Exactly The Spiritual Relationship Many Of Us Have With The Lord.

The only time we talk to Him is to make more demands.
Our prayers are only to ask for more.
We ask for healing.
We ask for finances.
We ask for housing, transportation, and employment.
We ask for blessings for ourselves.
And yes… We are invited to ask. But…
We never just take the time to say, “Thank You, Jesus.”
We are too busy to just stop and ‘chit-chat’ with Him.
We find ourselves so busy asking for more favors that we almost never stop to say, “Have I told You today Jesus, that I love You?”

What’s The Chances Of Our ‘Relationship’ With God Lasting Very Long?

Actually, I am afraid it sounds one-sided.

It doesn’t sound like much of a relationship.

If it were a marriage, it might soon go on the rocks.

So, Where Is Our Walk With God Headed?

Just Imagine…

Just Imagine a husband been separated from his wife and writing over five dozen letters to her. Imagine the wife taking the unopened letters from the mailman and stacking them on the coffee table for all to see. Just imagine her never reading the letters from her husband. Imagine her thinking, “How precious of him to write, but reading his letters is boring to me.”

Imagine the two of them talking on the phone from time to time and him realizing by the things she says and doesn’t say, that she has not been reading any of his letters. Now what?

Absurd as it may sound, it happens everywhere, every day. We have letters and epistles written to us. Although cherished by us all, The Holy Bible remains unread and untouched. It is placed on the coffee table for others to see. But many of us will die, never reading what He wrote just to us. Now what?

Just imagine what our life would be like if we told the Lord several times a day that we loved Him, and not just asked for something every time we prayed.

Just imagine what our life would be like if we read the letters He wrote to us and got to know Him better!

Just imagine knowing Him in His fullness!

Just Imagine!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 21, 2018 at 8:50 am

Posted in Christian Living, God's Word, Marriage

All He Ever Wanted, Was Someone To Love Him

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All He Ever Wanted, Was Someone To Love Him

Proverbs 30:18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

Proverbs 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

He had it all.

Actually, He had everything.

Well, He had everything, except one thing.

He had no one to love Him.

He had Angels who praised Him continuously.

He had Angels who did His bidding without question.

But He had no one to love Him.

He had no one to dote on Him.

He had received honor before.

He had received praise before.

But He had never been loved before.

He had never seen love demonstrated.

He had never seen love displayed.

He had never seen love expressed or shown.

He had never seen romance before.

He understood things like physics, gravity, light, sound, space travel and how to make something out of nothing.

He understood emotions like rebellion, pride, and obedience.

He just wanted to know more about this thing called love.

He had always heard over 10,000 Hallelujahs at any given moment of every day.

He heard multitudes cry “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” every day.

What He’d never heard was someone say, “I love you!”

He knew the journey to finding love would be very long.

He had seen twinkles in stars before, but never in an eye.

His plan already included man, Calvary, and the Church.

He was prepared to do whatever it took to get a bride.

He wanted to find someone to love Him.

He spoke and the heavens and the earth came into existence.

By His own words, the sun, moon, and stars were created and flung perfectly into space.

By His own voice, the light was created, flowers and trees sprung up.

He said the words, and fish, birds, and animals appeared.

He looked it all over and said. “That’s good.”

Then He stopped talking.

Adam And Eve

He knelt down on the ground and with His hands, he began to form someone He could love. He called the man, Adam. The woman was named Eve.

He loved them. He visited every day. They walked and talked together every day without distraction.

He watched Adam and Eve smile at one another. He saw how Adam responded to Eve’s touch and Eve to Adam’s.

He watched them hold hands and kiss.

He liked what He saw. He saw the twinkle in Adam’s eye. He saw romance in its purest form.

He tried to imagine a mere mortal loving Him.

His mind raced ahead thousands of years. He thought of Himself and the Church. He pondered about His bride-to-be. “So… this is what it’s going to be like to be in love!”

He’d never been in love before. He saw Adam and Eve enjoying each other’s company. He told Himself, “That’s the kind of love I want. That’s the kind of romance I want.”

He so enjoyed being with Adam and Eve, that He turned His attention from the sounds of “Hallelujah” and “Holy-Holy” for a few hours every day just to come and see them.

He had no competition in the love department on earth. Maybe they would fall in love with Him.

Then came the heart-wrenching day when the evil serpent beguiled Eve. Sin, the enemy of the Most Holy One entered the picture. Paradise was no more.

Pain, sorrow, shame, and regret now entered the picture. The hope of Adam and Eve continuing their relationship with Him was over. Sin did it’s best to destroy that relationship.

They chose to listen to the voice of His enemy rather than listen to His voice.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

Enoch

Seven generations later, a man was born by the name of Enoch. He heard his father and grandfather talk about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He heard the stories about God walking with them in the cool of the day.

Enoch began to imagine what it would be like to have God for a friend. That seemed to be all he could think about.

He inquired often of his family, asking them many questions, hoping to hear more stories about those precious days. He even got to talk to Adam himself and listened intently. He dreamed of having a similar experience with God.

One day Enoch started calling on the Lord as he walked. He began talking to God as if He was beside him. The Lord did appear beside him and they began walking together and talking together every day.

Enoch was perfect in God’s eyes. His love thrilled the Lord. This was true love. Here was someone who chose to love Him, who took time out of their day and focused only on Him.

They walked and talked together every day for years. Then one day while they were walking, the sun started going down.

The Lord noticed it too. He also knew it was a long way back to Enoch’s house. So He said, “Enoch, it’s closer to my house than it is to yours. Why don’t you come on home with me?” Enoch said, “Yes.”

“And Enoch was not, for the Lord took him.”

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

Israel

He looked the world over and His eyes fell upon her. He could really love her. Her father was a Hittite and her mother was an Amorite. But He didn’t hold that against her.

He stood there looking at her, watching her. She was beautiful to Him.

She had no family, no one to look after her. There was no one else that loved her.

She was unwanted and unloved by everyone else in the world. She was considered second class and discarded by those who knew her.

She wasn’t beautiful, but He loved her.
She wasn’t rich, but He loved her.
She wasn’t mighty, but He loved her.
She wasn’t even faithful, but He loved her.

He, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the First and the Last, The Lord God Almighty tried vainly to woo her. He did everything He could to show her He could supply her every need.

He was the richest Man in the world and of all the people in the world; He chose her, the poorest of all. He alone could make her prosper. She wasn’t impressed for long.

He showed her things about Himself that no one else had ever known. He gave her some names she could call Him by that would reveal His protecting love for her.

Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will Provide.
Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our Healer.
Jehovah Nissi – The Lord our Banner
Jehovah Shalom – The Lord our Peace
Jehovah Raah – The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is Present

When she got sick, He made sure she got well. When she was hungry, He provided food for her and took care of her every need.

He loved her, and yet she wasn’t happy with Him. Her heart easily turned aside. She often looked at others the way He wished she would look at Him. It grieved Him continually.

While still on their honeymoon, problems arose. They hadn’t been gone from Egypt a month and things turned ugly. Before He could even get her to the Promised Land and the home He had given her, she showed her unhappiness.

He talked with Moses about His plans for her and gave him detailed instructions.

But before Moses could talk to her she started looking at someone else. She began to dress to please them. She brazenly displayed her disdain for His wishes.

She murmured.
She complained.
She rebelled.
She flaunted herself in front of others.
She became brazen.
She couldn’t even blush.

It broke His heart. Yet He fought for her when everyone tried to kill her. He supplied her every need. He cared for her more than she cared for Him.

He still loved her. He sent her letters, but she ignored them. Even after she got settled in her new home, she started looking for other lovers.

She played the harlot and was unfaithful to Him. She only dressed to please Him if she was in the mood. She often saw others that attracted her and she dressed and displayed herself in a way to please them. She longed for their affections, not His.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

Hosea

No one seemed to care how He felt. He had no one to share His pain and problems with.

In His Divine Heartache, He looked upon His prophet, Hosea. Hosea was unmarried.

He told Hosea to marry a woman who stood on the street corners at night. “Just go pick a prostitute, anyone will do.”

He wanted someone to feel like He felt, every day.

He wanted to see again how mere mortals handled rejection from those they loved.

Hosea found such a girl. Her name was Gomer. Everyone in town knew Hosea. They were shocked at his choice of a wife. In their minds she was trash.

She had dirtied herself.
She had lowered herself.
She had ruined her name.
She would destroy their marriage.
Of all the girls, why pick her?

The romance burned brightly and then quickly faded. The Lord watched how their love life went.

He watched Gomer sweeten his coffee with her kisses and then walk out the door disappearing for long periods of time.

Then came the babies. Their very names carried not only a prophecy to Israel but also a wake-up call to Hosea about his two-timing wife.

Jezreel, “God will disperse”

Lo-ruhamah, “Not pitied, or No Mercy”

Lo-ammi, “Not my people”

Hosea could tell by the names he named his children that he was not their father.

Gomer eventually got so involved in her wild lifestyle that she was overpowered and put into slavery by one of her lovers. She later was placed on an auction block and sold like a farm animal.

Hosea got word that his wife was being sold. He knew what she was and what she had done. But he loved her in spite of it all.

Anyone can tell by what he paid for her, that he gave all the money he had and emptied out his meager pantry besides. He gave his all to buy her back. He paid fifteen pieces of silver, and 1½ homers of barley.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

The Lord watched as Hosea gave all he had to buy his unfaithful wife back.

He turned his attention again to Israel. She wasn’t on an auction block. She wasn’t held against her will. She was happy to be unfaithful.

So He wrote her a bill of divorcement and He didn’t talk to her for 400 years.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

Calvary

One day, He finally stepped into His closet and clothed Himself in a robe of flesh. He was born in Bethlehem to a young virgin.

He chose not to arrive in splendor, so He came to earth in obscurity. He came as God manifested in the flesh. He walked almost unnoticed around her.

He didn’t make Himself handsome so that she would love Him for His good looks. He wanted her to love Him for who He was, not what He looked like.

But He came unto His own and His own received Him not. They didn’t believe Him.

He wept.
His love was everlasting. Her love was fickle.
She tried to find fault with Him. She only followed Him for what He could give them.
He wanted to talk.
She was too busy, too preoccupied.

He said to her, “You say you love Me, but you say that only with your lips. It’s just words. Your heart is far from Me. You don’t love Me with your heart.”

He saw her as she really was. A slave. She was in bondage and held fast by her own sins.

He knew He was the only One who could redeem her.

He willingly offered Himself on Calvary for Her. He willingly gave His all to buy her back. He gave His blood to wash away her sins and He arose on the third day to give her hope of a new life.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

The Church

Over 2,000 years have come and gone. He’s ready now to take His bride to a home He has prepared just for her.

He wanted someone who would love Him enough to heed all of His Word. After all, if she really loved Him, she would keep His commandments. Not pick and choose which ones she liked. He was in love, why wasn’t she?

Yet He sees her still looking at the world. Sometimes she tries harder to please her other lovers than she does Him.

She has started complaining again if she thinks He’s asking her to dress a certain way just for Him. She doesn’t always act like she is in love with Him.

She says, “He doesn’t care how I dress. He doesn’t look on the outside. He only looks on the inside, on the heart.”

But when He looked in her heart, He saw nothing there that looked like love to Him. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.

She dreads talking to Him on a daily basis. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
She doesn’t think about Him during the course of the day. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
Yet she talks freely to everyone else but Him. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
All she seems to want is a sugar daddy. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
She has to be begged to visit His house. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He blesses her with money and yet she is not faithful to give her tithe to Him. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He sends blessings her way and loads her down daily with benefits. She soon forgets. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He sends healing to her every situation. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He calms her storms of life. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
She has all the songs memorized and sings them without feeling. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
She hears His Word preached and chooses which parts she likes and doesn’t like. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He says He’s coming to get her and she’s not even looking out the window for Him. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He says He is coming to get and to take her to heaven with Him, and she is not even making herself ready. She doesn’t act like she is in love with Him.
He knew it would happen this way.
A long time ago He said that she would love pleasure more than she loved Him.
He said that her love would wax cold.
He said she would leave her 1st love.
And He was right.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

You

Do you love Him? I mean, do you really love Him? Do you love Him with all of your heart? He wants to know.
He wants to know if you love another. Do you?
He wants to know if your heart belongs only to Him or not. Does it?
He’s looking for a bride that will love Him with all of her heart, her soul her mind, and her strength.
Could that person be you? He’s looking your way right now. He wants it to be you.

All He Ever Wanted Was For Someone To Love Him.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 15, 2018 at 6:12 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Fear of God, God's House, God's Word, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Recovery, Salvation, Sin, The Blood, Tithes

She Put Her Gum In The Offering Plate!

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She Put Her Gum In The Offering Plate!

Agnes was mad, she was really mad! She had long ago gotten past being upset. She was irritated by what was happening in her world. Her world was out of control. This was not the life she had planned for herself.

Her family was by far the richest in her hometown of Bolivar, Missouri. They owned the entire town. Well, at least most of it was theirs. Her maiden name of Burke was a name that was well-respected in Bolivar. It got respect because it carried most of the money.

Everything had been wonderful in her world up till now. Her husband Bill was not rich nor did he come from a moneyed family like hers, but he wasn’t afraid of hard work and was a good provider. They loved each other. They had recently moved to the Riverside, California area.

When Agnes found out that Bill had somehow wandered into one of those Pentecostal Holy Roller churches, she was mortified. They were good Baptist people from a long line of Baptists. This should not be happening.

When Bill came home from the little Pentecostal church, he was acting differently. He said he’d gotten the Holy Ghost and had talked in tongues.

Agnes was not happy and went through the roof. She argued. She ranted. She raved. This was unbelievable and totally unacceptable! She had to find a way to get Bill back on track and away from all of them low-class Holy Rollers.

She finally decided to go to the little church with Bill and see if she could fix the mess Bill had just gotten them into.

The ladies looked horrible to her with their long hair, long dresses, and long sleeves. The women had their hair all done up. They looked old-fashioned and out of date. Agnes knew she would never fit into a church like this one. All of the women in the church dressed that way. Agnes refused to comply. She was determined to show her disdain for their manner of dress. She was determined to never be part of something so ridiculous.

She seldom missed a service, however. Her attendance was not because she was interested. She wasn’t. She despised everything about this new religion of Bills. Somehow, she had to get him away from this craziness.

To express her disdain for the ‘holiness’ dress code of the holy rollers, she wore things she knew they would disapprove of. She wore sleeveless dresses to church. She wore slacks. She even wore mini-skirts just to get a reaction from them.

She hated everything about these holy rollers. She criticized Bill’s involvement. She made his life a hell, at home.

At church, Agnes purposely didn’t smile much. She just sat there and chewed her gum. She always did. She knew that chewing gum in a church was considered disrespectful, but what did she care. When the offering was being received, Agnes would take her gum out and press it into the dollar bills in the plate.

She was pleased to watch the church secretary try to separate the gum from the paper dollars. It was one of the few things she enjoyed about going to this church.

Her husband Bill had laid on the floor, she found out, when he was praying to receive the ‘Holy Ghost,’ or whatever it was called. He evidently thrashed around quite a bit and rolled back and forth so much that the Pastor, Carl Ballestero, actually sat on him to hold him still so he could receive the Holy Ghost. How stupid, she thought. For six months now, Agnes had constantly shown her disdain and disrespect for the Pentecostals.

One night, a visitor came. The visitor was an old woman who had been in the original Azusa Street Mission. The presence of the Lord fell and people began to worship, but not Agnes. The old lady came to where Agnes was standing and even though she refused to pray, the old sister began to minister to her. In a few moments, she laid her hands on Agnes and prayed. God immediately filled her with the Holy Ghost.

She soon dropped to her knees, and then fell on the floor talking in tongues. She rolled. She rolled down the aisle. She rolled up under the piano and lay there for two hours, talking in tongues. She couldn’t stop.

Bill took his wife home drunk in the Holy Ghost that night. She went to sleep still talking in tongues. At 3 am, Agnes got out of bed and went next door to her neighbors, and beat on the door.

The neighbor lady said, ‘Agnes, what are you doing beating on my door at 3 am? Is something wrong? Do you need something?” All Agnes could do was speak in tongues. She gave up and went back to her house. She spoke in tongues for three days straight.

In time, God called Bill to preach the Gospel. A transformed Agnes and her husband, Bill (Wild Bill) Yandris, went to Merced, California and built a beautiful church to the glory of God. The Apostolic Tabernacle.

Bro. & Sis. Bill Yandris

The very godly Sister Agnes Yandris and her beloved Bill, have now both gone home to their glorious reward. Their children are carrying on this glorious message!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

January 11, 2018 at 11:22 am

Posted in Christian Living, Church Planting, Holy Ghost, Immodesty, Marriage, Pride, Repent, Salvation, Treasured Memories

The Cracker Barrel New Year’s Sermon

The Desire To Be Cherished

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The Desire To Be Cherished

“They do not love that do not show their love.” – Shakespeare

It’s A Basic Life Need

Cherish – Definition:

To hold Dear:

To Cultivate with Care and Affection

To Nurture

To Treasure, Prize, Value

To Feel And Show Affection For

Babies Desire To Be Cherished And Held.

They cry often for their Mama’s touch.
Children run to her to be comforted.

When Babies Are Not Cherished:

I read a few years ago about Romanian orphans who were given only the basic nourishment and hygiene. Soon the babies became withdrawn and unresponsive. They may be forever emotionally damaged… much like adults who are not cherished. They will almost always exhibit emotional problems and act out.

All Children Desire to Be Cherished.

Every child remembers if they were loved. Everyone remembers how their parents treated him or her when they were young. Not being cherished is something most difficult to survive.

Little Kids Ask Their Parents.

Am I your favorite? Who do you love the most?
How much do you love me?
They are putting out feelers attempting to assure themselves that they are cherished.

Teenagers Desire To Be Cherished.

They dream about it.
They sing about it.
They listen to music about it.
They want to be loved.
They want someone to cherish them.
To complicate the matter, their hormones rage out of control during the process.
Some girls never feel cherished by their father, so they seek elsewhere for male approval.
They never felt cherished at home, so they look for someone to validate and approve of them.
They just want to be cherished.

Sadly, the title of the song: “Looking for Love In All The Wrong Places,” has more truth than fiction.

During Courtship, Both Parties Practice Cherishing The Other Person.

They say sweet things.
They do sweet things.
Treat each other with tenderness.
The boy courts the girl and brings flowers and candy.
They overlook each other’s imperfections.

My Father-In-Law, the late William R. Starr, gave me some wise insight before I even asked his daughter out on a first date. He said, “Men love with their eyes, but Women love with their ears.”

Dad Starr was telling me in man-talk, that a woman wants to hear that she is cherished! He was a very wise man.

All Husbands And Wives Desire To Be Cherished

Every woman wants to know she’s #1. So does every man. When you hold your wife in your arms and tell that you love her, she wants to feel your words coming from your heart, and not just your mouth.

If you are a wise man, you will NEVER stop courting your wife and affirming your love for her and expressing it often. The words, “I love you!” have a very short shelf life. You need to say it every day!

Flowers, cards, candy, dates and accomplishing ‘honey-do-lists’ with a smile, sure helps keep life wonderful at home.

Every Prospective Groom Says, “Will You Marry Me?” He is hoping he will be cherished and loved.

Every Prospective Bride Says, “Yes” She is hoping she will be cherished and loved.

To The Wife:

Don’t settle for less than being cherished. Likewise, cherish him. It’s a two-way street.

To The Husband:

Sir, you are to love your wife As Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. You won’t easily give your life for someone you don’t cherish. The Lord meant for the husband to cherish his wife with his very own life. It’s really not hard.

Jacob Cherished Rachel.

He worked seven years to get her as his wife, and was given the wrong one. The Bible just says: “It seemed but a few days, for the love he had for her.”

David Never Cherished Michal

He always referred her to as “Saul’s Daughter.” He never said that he loved her. He never referred to her as his wife. That may be a reason why she acted out so badly.

The Proverbs 31 Wife

Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

“He Praiseth Her”: The word praiseth here is – Halal

HALAL – haw-lal’;

To shine; hence
To make a show, (let everyone know)
To be (clamorously) foolish; (enjoy with enthusiasm)
To rave; (to go on and on with excited appreciation)
To boast, (brag in public)
To celebrate, (honor every achievement)
To foolishly glory, (go overboard in expressing praise)
To sing, (to express your emotion as deeply as possible, sing His praises.)
To praise, (to say every nice thing you can)
To rage, (to be wild about)

When joined with the abbreviated form of God’s name “Yahweh” = Hallelujah. That’s where the word Hallelujah comes from. (Saying Hallelujah like saying 10,000 praises to Jehovah)

When a man goes to this extent, of ‘Halal-ing” his wife, she will feel cherished and will perform unbelievable things for her home and family because she knows she has the backing of the man she loves.

In like manner, when the same man goes to this extent to Halal The Lord Jesus… there is no telling what the Lord will do for him.

Not Everyone Has Been Cherished In Life, But There Is Great News!

God Cherishes His People.

They Are The Apple of His Eye

Zech. 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts… he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

(Warning: Don’t mess with any one the Lord cherishes!)

God Protected Israel In Goshen

Egyptian Dogs wouldn’t bark against the Israelites.
No Plagues came nigh them.

God Protected Israel In The Wilderness

Provided in the wilderness.
There was no sickness.
No one’s clothes wore out.

God’s Desire To Be Cherished By Man

Yes, you say you love the Lord, but do you cherish him? Jesus wants to know for sure that you cherish Him before He can use you.

Jesus to Peter

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

David

Psalm 137:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

Psalm 137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

He was saying he loved God’s house more than anything in the world. David also said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

He cherished the things of God! God said that David was a man after God’s own heart. Was David perfect? Oh no. He was far from perfect. But the way he cherished everything about God, made God smile upon him.

The Jealousy of God – Is Another Way Of Saying He Just Wants To Be Cherished.

2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

God Desires Man To Cherish Him

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.

The Lord Knows The Difference Between Lip Service And Heartfelt Expressions Of Love.

Men that cherish God – Worship
Men that cherish God – Come to His House

My Visit To See Marcia, The Girl I Wanted For My Wife, In 1965

Before our engagement, in the early stages of our courtship, I once closed a revival service on Sunday night in Fort Worth, TX and drove 24 hours straight through to Albion, MI… just to see a little Miss Marcia June Starr for one hour. I arrived after 10:30 pm, left before midnight and drove two hours back to my home in South Bend, IN. It’s never a sacrifice to see the one you love.

You’re Not Faithful To God’s House?

Don’t tell me you cherish God and you can’t make it to church.
You don’t cherish Him if you layout of church!
It’s never a sacrifice to see the one you love.

Like David, we should all say, “I was glad when they said unto me let us go unto the house of the Lord.”

Jacob Cherished The Birth Right

Jacob had major character flaws I’m sure.
But he cherished the same Birthright that Esau despised, so God chose to love Jacob and discard Esau.
God cherished Jacob and said, ‘Jacob Have I loved, and Esau have I hated.’
Make God love you too by cherishing those things, which are Godly and eternal.

Don’t Tell Me You Cherish The Lord Jesus…

If You Don’t Pay Tithes.
If You Hate Holiness.
If You Aren’t Faithful To His House.
If You Don’t Pray.
If You Don’t Worship.
If You Bring Disunity To His Church.
If You Rebel Against His Word.

Sing Like You Cherish Him.

Pray Like You Cherish Him.

Talk Like You Cherish Him.

Dress Like You Cherish Him.

God is Jealous Of What You Cherish.

Amp Bible 1 John 2:15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

You Don’t Cherish The Lord If…

If Someone Has To Beg You To Come To Church
If Someone Has To Beg You To Worship
If Someone Has To Beg You To Pray

Think about the words the next time you sing: “So, I’ll Cherish The Old Rugged Cross”

The Old Rugged Cross

George Bennard 1913

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:

So, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

A wondrous beauty I see,

For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross, I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

The Lord Cherished Us Even In Our Sins.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

We Love Him Because He First Loved Us!

Here’s Your Homework For Today:

1. Tell Jesus that you love Him!

Tell Him from your heart that you love Him.
Yes, this very moment… say, “Jesus, I love you with all my heart!”
Put your heart into it. He can tell.

2. Next, Go Tell Your Spouse And Your Family That You Love Them.

Put your heart into it.
They can tell.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 18, 2017 at 10:30 pm

Posted in Christian Living, God's House, Love, Marriage, Passion

“What If a Few Weddings In The Bible Didn’t Turn Out Like God Wanted Them To?”

with one comment

Guest Editorial.

Bill Davidson Gives Marriage Advice To People Who Aren’t Sure!

“What If a Few Weddings In The Bible Didn’t Turn Out Like God Wanted Them To?”

What If Rachel Didn’t Want To Leave Her Mama?

Gen 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:

Abraham’s servant prayed for the will of God in choosing a wife for his master’s son.

He Didn’t Pray:

For The girl to be beautiful.
For Her to be talented.
For her to be the smartest girl in town.

He only prayed for her to be willing to give him and his camels a drink. That’s it. But what would have happened if she had chosen to stay in her village with her mom and ‘em?

After all, she hadn’t even seen a picture of this Isaac dude she would have to marry.
(He might have a few head of cows, but he might be ugly too.)
Besides, she may never get to see any of her family again.
Was this guy worth all of that?

If Rachael, even after passing the ‘will of God’ test that the servant had made, had still said no to leaving her mama… What would she have missed out on?

Being the wife of a man who was in a covenant relationship with God!
Being in the bloodline of the coming Messiah!
Being one of the richest women in the world.
Becoming one history’s most beloved mothers!

Bill Davidson’s Advice To Every Rebecca?

Pack your suitcase girlfriend, and kiss yer mama goodbye!
Pack yer little pink suitcase.
Don’t wait,
Grab the opportunity. It’s a once in a lifetime.
(Besides, even though you’re sweet, you may need to cover your face when you first see him.)

What If Boaz Had Never Married His Ruth?

Boaz felt pretty much like a cool dude. He was doing pretty well for a single guy. He had a big farm and some hired hands working for him. He had everything a man could want… except the most important thing. A wife!

During the harvest, this beautiful woman shows up in his field and works like a slave girl. She sure wasn’t afraid to work. Sure, you might could guess she wasn’t rich and had come through hard times, but she wasn’t asking for a handout either. That was in her favor.

Boaz was smitten by her beauty. When he looked at her he was more influenced by his hormones than by the Holy Ghost. He like what he saw. Yet, there was a few hurdles he had to get past.

There were some details that had to be ironed out and quite a few people to reckon with and please. Public opinion had to be faced.

Boaz then struggled a bit with going forward with wedding plans and even tried to let one of his cousins have first chance at marrying her if he wanted her.

Ruth 4:5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

Ruth 4:6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.

So, What If Boaz Had Never Married His Ruth?

He would have been out he will of God
Obed, his son would have never been born.
(His name means worshiper. There would’ve been no worship in his life.)
Jesus would not have been born.
There would have been no cross, nor an empty tomb.
There would have been no salvation for sin.
Boaz would have had to go to hell.
Boaz did not know there would be a messiah in his blood line.
He never asked for or sought the will of God.
He had no clue that the will of God was staring him in the face.
He might have died a bachelor if he let Ruth get away.

Bill Davidson’s Advice To Every Boaz?

Dude, don’t pass up this opportunity and let this Ruth chick slip away.
If you don’t marry her, you will go to hell.
You are an idiot man, if you let anyone else have a chance to marry her.
My God man, Tell her you love her now, and get the ball rolling!

What If Jacob Had Let Rachel Slip Through His Fingers Because He Was Broke?

Jacob the con artist ran away from home to keep from being killed. He hasn’t been gone but a few days and he meets the prettiest girl in the world. It would cost a lot of money to marry a girl that pretty. What’s a man to do?

He didn’t have two shekels to rub together.
He didn’t even have his own tent.
He didn’t even own a camel to ride on.
He didn’t have enough money to go on a nice date.
He was broke.

So, how do you face a girl’s dad and act like you are interested in his daughter and you don’t have any money? How will you support her? Will you have to live with her folks? You have no place to take her. Can you live on love alone?

Bill Davidson’s Advice To Every Jacob?

Hey Jake! She loves you even though you’re broker than the ten commandments.
It will work out. I promise.
Man Up Dude!
Be willing to give yourself when you don’t have any money.
Tell her you love her. Even though you’re broke, it’s still God’s will.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 26, 2017 at 9:33 am

Posted in Life, Love, Marriage

Happy 70th Birthday Marcia Starr Ballestero

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Happy 70^th Birthday Marcia Starr Ballestero

My Darling Marcia!

What joy you’ve brought into my life, Baby. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, besides the Holy Ghost! Your saying yes to me has been very expensive for you, and absolutely wonderful for me! Thank You! You are heaven’s gift to me!

I want to thank you for your love!

Thank you for giving me your heart!

Thank you for giving yourself to me!

Seventy years! It’s quite the journey! You had already walked seventeen of those before I caught up with you!

Once my eyes laid hold on you, my heart became committed to keep me close to your side for however long the journey!

I have been honored above all men to hold your hand every step of the way!

Your stride was a steady and peaceful pace! With sweet calmness and grace you’ve faced life and all its uncertainties!

You took my heart and treated it like gold, you gave me yours to have and to hold!

You laid down by death’s door five times to make our home complete.

Thank you for always trying to serve me first at meal times, even though you should have been the first. Thank You!

I am overwhelmed at the staggering sacrifices you have made in expressing your love to me. Thank You My Darling.