Archive for the ‘God's House’ Category
The Curse Of The Permissive Parent And Pastor
The Curse Of The Permissive Parent And Pastor
My critics might say that this blog post is written with a bad spirit, I pray not, but it if so, may the Lord forgive me. Please allow me to give an altar call of sorts.
Parents
My beloved wife and I may be senior citizens now, but we have learned a few things about raising a family throughout the years. We have been richly blessed of the Lord with five of the most wonderful children parents could ever pray to have. But, it’s the raising of them that requires the help of the Lord and wisdom of a Solomon.
I cannot take credit for the wisdom part, (My wife is blessed with good common sense.) but we both have been greatly helped by our dear parents, by the Lord and by His Word.
Parents have to learn when to say Yes, and when to say No. Sometimes, both words are hard to say.
A child that never hears the word No while growing up, will most likely have a difficult time saying No to themselves as an adult.
We all enjoy the cute personality displays in our children. We love their antics and brag on their accomplishments. It’s all part of being a parent.
But, no one likes to see a tantrum when a child doesn’t get his or her way. But, it does happen. It happens at home, in Wal-Mart, in the car and even at church.
Many times a parent must say No to their darling child for it’s own good. Those pleading eyes and their sweet-talking may melt your heart. Remember however, your sweet innocent little child has learned long ago how to work the family system and manipulate your emotions. Oh yes.
When we see a well-mannered teen or young adult, we know they didn’t become that way just by themselves. There was someone in their life that helped make and mold them into that young adult we admire.
What Type Of Children Do Permissive Parents Produce?
· Spoiled brats?
· Children that must always have their own way?
· Children that feel free to talk back to their parents?
· Undisciplined and disrespectful that will bring their parents shame?
Who in their right mind would want to be married to someone that carried that same spoiled brat attitude into their adult life?
Children who have been blessed with loving parents, who were not afraid to say No, receive the most compliments in life. Just saying.
Under the disguise of being merciful and loving, some have permitted the development of little monsters in their own home.
The Curse Of The Permissive Parent Is That Your Child Will Bring You Shame.
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Additional Reading:
Seven Signs Your Kid Is A Brat
http://www.care.com/child-care-permissive-parenting-7-signs-your-kid-is-a-brat-p1017-q6594347.html
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Pastors
Pastors also have to learn when to say Yes, and when to say No. Sometimes, both words are hard to say.
Remember the story of Eli, a High Priest in the Bible? He was a nice guy, a real nice guy… just weak. He was so weak he couldn’t say, No.
He was a High Priest over Israel. Yet, he would not judge the sins of his own sons. The boys were a disgrace to their father. They brought shame and reproach upon him, upon Israel and they angered God so much, that He killed them.
Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas were priests, yet they showed great contempt for God’s Law and they openly sinned. No one dared cross them or complain. They made a great mockery in their execution of holy things in the Tabernacle.
KJV 1 Sam. 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
ESV 1 Sam. 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the Lord.
Eli’s sons were guilty of great crimes, which brought destruction upon their father’s house. Their actions caused the Ark of God to be lost to the great enemy of Israel.
Phinehas died in battle with the Philistines (1 Sam. 4: 4, 11); and his wife, on hearing of his death, gave birth to a son, whom she named Ichabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel” and then she died.
Upon hearing the news of the loss of the Ark in battle and the death of his sons, Eli fell from where he was sitting and broke his neck and died. Scripture says that Eli’s heart trembled for the Ark. That is very commendable. But why didn’t that same love for the Ark make him correct the sons that served the Ark with him?
A pastor that condones or excuses the sinfulness of his children will live long enough to regret the day he gave in to their pleas for permission to do wrong. As a pastor, you of all people should know that you really do not love your child when you:
- Supply them with money for their habits.
- Excuse their inability to keep a job even though they are married with children.
- Refuse to believe they could ever be guilty of wrongdoing.
- Excuse their prescription drug abuse.
- Always take their side against their spouse.
- Allow them on the platform while they are under the influence of a controlled substance to which they are addicted.
- Ignoring their drinking problem.
- Use them in leadership.
- Overlook their moral problems.
- Keep bailing them out of jail and sticking them behind the pulpit again.
- Allow their tempers and threats to cause good people to leave church.
- Have a different standard for the saint’s kids than for your own.
(Saints may not say anything to you, but they are not stupid. They see what is going on, but they keep on, as best they can, hoping you will correct the situation somehow.)
But If You Don’t…
You sir, have just become another Eli. God is not pleased with the shame you have allowed to be brought upon His house. It’s just a matter of time before the word Ichabod will be written again. Only this time, it will be written very close to you.
If you desire the glory of God to continue to bless and anoint the church you pastor. Take the oversight, reprove and rebuke with all long-suffering. Love what God loves, hate what God hates.
Under the disguise of being merciful and loving, some pastors have permitted the development of monsters.
The Curse Of The Permissive Pastor Is That Your Child Will Bring Shame Upon You And The House Of God.
I Promise You, The Glory Will Depart. Revival Will Not Stay.
Change Blindness
Change Blindness
Wikipedia notes that William James (1842-1910) is the first person known to mention the lack of ability to detect change. He noted this in his book written in 1890, Principles of Psychology.
Researcher John Grimes began to use actual photographs in 1996 in his change blindness studies.
“A study by Rensink, O’Regan, & Clarke demonstrated that change blindness can have an effect even if the eye was fixated on a scene. In this study, a picture was presented followed by a blank screen or “masking” stimulus, which was followed by the initial picture with a change. The masking stimulus almost acts like a saccadic movement of the eye which makes it significantly more difficult for individuals to detect the change. This was a critical contribution to change blindness research because it demonstrated that a change can remain unnoticed with the smallest disruptions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Change_blindness
Magicians and illusionists are keenly aware of this human weakness and they capitalize on that fact. Satan, the greatest con-artist of all time, does as well.
Old men are known to fuss about change. Young men are known to laugh at the old men. I understand that. I too have been young, and now I am old.
There have been way too many who have refused to see or admit change in our churches today.
While some cannot see the change in what is ‘accepted’ and ‘permissible’ in Apostolic circles… a great many of us can.
If you are a Senior citizen that has been in church all your life, then you should know about:
Change that brings carnality to the forefront
Change that substituted rhythm, for worship
Change that is comfortable with programs instead of a move of the Holy Ghost
Change in what is now considered modest or holy
Change that wears form-fitting clothes
Change to the current acceptance of Hollywood
Change in attitude about faithful church attendance
Change in respect for the ministry
Change to not preaching against sin
Change in sermon content, from doctrine to pop psychology
Change in sermon content from including discipleship to outreach only
Change in attitudes about submission to the Word or to the man of God
Change to acceptance of organized sports
Change that is uncomfortable with services longer than an hour
Change to believing a prophet is only to prophesy blesses, healing and prosperity
Change that mocks the holiness minded
Change that loves jewelry and makeup
Change that doesn’t feel a need to pray all the way through
Change that is happy with change
My critics might suggest that I think that I am the only one that can see change. That’s not true. It’s just that I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by saying that I see what I see. I truly believe there are some precious people who are not purposely trying to change the good to the bad. They are not maliciously trying to put light for dark. I am submitting that even good people just have a case of Change Blindness.
Change Blindness is alive and well in Pentecostal churches today. That truly scares me when I think about what the future could hold if Jesus tarries.
Remember the Homeland Security Slogan… If you see something, say something. I just did.
We Have A Situation Here!
We Have A Situation Here!
This is a phrase no one likes to hear. It means, to most of us, that something has gone terribly wrong and must be fixed.
Those words have been spoken to military officers, politicians, policemen, firemen and even school officials. To NASA, those words meant a serious problem existed… as in ‘Houston, we have a problem!”
Houston, we have a problem!
Businessmen have used the term when the company’s future was threatened. Actually, the phrase has also been used in many homes, as well.
When the phrase, “We have a situation here” is uttered, everyone goes into their damage control mode, and fight to avoid a disaster.
There is also another use of the word ‘situation’ that brings peace to the hearts of every born-again child of God.
Dictionary.com defines the varies usages of the word for us. There is more to this word, than just a description of one’s state of affairs or condition.
Sit·u·a·tion
Noun
1. Manner of being situated; location or position with reference to environment: The situation of the house allowed for a beautiful view.
2. A place or locality.
3. Condition; case; plight: He is in a desperate situation.
4. The state of affairs; combination of circumstances: The present international situation is dangerous.
The first two usages describe a place or location, not a dangerous set of circumstances.
So, when you have heard the words, “We have a situation here!” Do not dismay, for indeed you do!
Ps 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Mount Zion is a type of the church. Allow me to take this verse out of context and say that the church, God’s house, is beautiful for whatever our situation in life.
Personally? Church is my joy! What I need to handle any situation, I have always found in a good church service.
We Have A (Beautiful) Situation Here!
Ps 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
“I’m Going To Run Away From Home!”
“I’m Going To Run Away From Home!”
That’s what I told my mom. I looked at her face and she didn’t seem to be overly shaken by the news, which
Me, Daddy (Carl) & Mama (Content) Ballestero 1951
was a good thing for me. So I relaxed a bit. I had already handled the hardest part. I’d made my big announcement. She smiled understandingly at me, as she touched my shoulder.
“Would you like me to help you pack your suitcase?” She asked, still smiling pleasantly.
My seven-year old brain didn’t pick up on the fact that she wasn’t overly shaken or alarmed by my desire to go, and was asking to help me pack.
I quickly accepted her assistance, because I had never packed a suitcase before. Mama was good at packing and always making sure I had everything I needed for trips.
I watched as she put my clothes in the little suitcase. There were enough changes to maybe get me through a whole week, which was good. She made sure my little Bible and toothbrush were also packed in the suitcase. There wasn’t any room left for my brown teddy bear. I felt a major twinge about that. I hadn’t planned on being that alone.
Mama and I took a final look around my room looking for anything else I might need to take with me. Finding nothing, she closed the lid and handed me the small suitcase.
I stood there a little uncertain about how my goodbye should be handled. Our family was a kissy and huggy kind of family.
Should I kiss and hug her good-bye, or should I just say, “Bye” and leave? I was unsure. Before I had time to figure it out, mama made the decision for me.
“Honey, put down your suitcase right there, because I would like to take you on a tour of the house before you go.”
I sat the suitcase down and followed behind mama as she walked down the hall toward her bedroom. She stopped in the doorway as I joined her, and we both looked into her modestly furnished room.
“Since you are never going to get to see this room again, I thought you might want to see for the last time, where your mommy and daddy sleep at night. This is where you came every night to say your bedtime prayers and get your good night kisses.
“It’s also where you came every morning to get hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy. But, since you’re leaving you’ve probably outgrown all that now, so you won’t have to come back here any more, but I wanted you to see it.”
I took a big gulp. I didn’t want to cry now. I hadn’t expected a tour of any kind. I’d just wanted to runaway.
She then took my hand and guided me to my sister’s bedroom.
“This is where Beverly and your little sister Carlene sleep, take a good look, you’ll never get to see your sisters again. (Beverly was almost six and Carlene was two.)
Mama then guided me by my bedroom and I looked at my teddy bear proudly sitting on my bed. I felt a big twinge.
The tour continued into the kitchen. Mama took great pains to explain to me that this was where she fixed my favorite meals. She also pointed out where I used to stand and talk to her, as she cooked.
“Here is where I made your pancakes, and cooked your favorite meals. In here is where I baked you cookies, pies, cakes and your favorite orange crusted biscuits!” She said as she pointed at the oven.
“You probably won’t be having any biscuits, cookies or pancakes where you’re going. You don’t know how to make those, and you don’t even have anything to make them with, if you did. So take a good look around.”
I hadn’t thought about never having biscuits, cookies or pancakes again. There were some things about running away I evidently hadn’t thought out completely. I got very serious.
We then walked into the dining room and stopped at the foot of the table where I always sat.
“Here is your place at the table, son. It’s going to look awful empty without you in it!”
She let that sink in a moment before we moved on. She pointed at the chairs.
“Here is where your daddy always sits, and here is where Beverly sits, and Carlene sits here, and I always sit over there. Take a good look, Honey, because you won’t ever get to see this table, or eat with us any more.”
I began to feel more alone than I had planned. Mama walked toward the living room, and I joined her looking at the couch and easy chairs.
“Over here is your daddy’s chair. That’s where he always sits during family devotions when he reads us a chapter from the Bible or reads from The Bible Story Book.
“Here is where I always sit, and there is where Beverly and Carlene sit, and over there is where you always sit.
Mama placed her arm around me as we stood side by side looking the room over.
“Well honey, I think that about concludes the tour of our home. I know you won’t ever get to see it again, because you won’t be coming back. But I want you to know and I want you to always remember how much you mommy and daddy love you.
Never forget how much your little sisters love you too. We are going to miss you every day. You will always be welcome here, because we will always love you.”
Then without a lengthy delay she continued her goodbyes.
“Oh, one more thing, I know I’ve shown you all through the house for the last time, but why don’t you kneel down with mama where we always pray for our family devotions and tell Jesus goodbye.
“You probably won’t be talking to Him anymore either.”
Tell Jesus goodbye? That thought shocked me childish mind. I hadn’t planned on telling Jesus goodbye. All I thought I wanted to do was runaway from home.
Without waiting for me to give any verbal response, mama knelt down at the old sofa and began to pray as only my mama could pray.
Mama was one of those precious Holy Ghost filled mama’s that prayed them heart-felt and spirit filled prayers. She never prayed very long without everyone around her knowing she had touched something pretty wonderful in the glory world.
She began to pray fervently, crying quickly and speaking in tongues. This was how mama always prayed, but today’s prayer and her crying took on new meaning for me as I knelt there beside her.
I listened to her crying, and I felt sure I had made my mama cry because I was running away. I listened to her pray and speak in tongues and knew she was surely talking to Jesus.
I had only been on my knees less than two or three minutes when I began to cry. I placed my arm around my mama and pulled myself close to her.
“Mama, I am so sorry for wanting to run away. I’m not going to go anywhere. I’m going to stay home with you.
Please forgive me, mama. I love you. I promise, I will never leave you. I won’t even get married, or nothing. I’m just going to stay with you!”
She slipped her arm around me, and hugged me tightly as she gave me a sweet kiss. And then she went back to finish her prayer time with the Lord.
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By chance have you been thinking lately about running away from Home?
- Have you been considering leaving the Father’s House?
- Have you?
Well, before you go, please, please permit me to take you on a tour of the church you’ve been part of for so long.
I want you look with me again at the place where the plan of salvation was first preached to you. I am pointing at the pulpit.
Remember feeling like you had sinned so bad that God would never forgive you? Can you hear your pastor’s voice once again saying that there was no sin you had ever committed that Jesus wouldn’t forgive you of? Remember him trying to give you hope? He was trying to tell you that God loved you no matter what.
I’m sure you remember him saying that you needed to believe in God’s promise, repent of your sins, be baptized in Jesus name, and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues. Just like they did on the day of Pentecost.
Please look right over here at the altar where you first knelt down and repented of your sins. Remember how you felt when you felt you repented that night?
Now, I want you to come with me over to the baptistery and look into the place where your sins got washed away in Jesus name! Remember how clean you felt and how wonderful that experience was?
Then, when you came up out of the water you lifted your hands and God filled you with the Holy Ghost. You spoke in a language you’d never spoken in before! Take a look at this place again and ask your self if the world has anything that matches that.
Oh, see that aisle right there? Remember all the times you shouted, and danced for joy down those aisles?
Remember the night you came up to the front and stood right there in a healing line and God healed you instantly of cancer? The world can’t offer you that.
Look over there at the third pew where you’ve sat all these years. Remember that Sunday night you stood and testified about God healing you? Remember that?
Come over here to this door, look in here. This is the prayer room you always went to before service each night. You fought a lot of battles and won a lot of victories kneeling right there.
Please walk with me down this hall. Here is the Pastor’s office. He sure loves you. Think of the many times he’s given you counsel, direction and encouragement.
I know you’ll never forget how he would pray with you, and for you, before you left the room. I hope you can remember what that was like, because you won’t have anything like that anymore.
Now, we need to come back out into the auditorium and look it over real slow. Let the faces of each one come to mind as you look at where they sat during service. They loved you. They rejoiced and shouted the night you got saved. Those dear people will pray for you daily, when they realize you are gone. They will never give up on you.
Never forget how much you are loved here. We are going to miss you everyday. Don’t ever forget that the Lord truly loves you and gave His all for you!
Well, that pretty much concludes our little tour.
Aw, before you go, why don’t you kneel with me right here where you always pray, and then you can tell Jesus good-bye too…
He Gambled With His Life
He Gambled With His Life.
He was born into a world of slavery, so his name was a common slave’s name of the day. They named him Epaphroditus after the Greek god, Aphrodite. His name, among other things, meant lovely, beautiful or charming.
No Christian would ever give their child such a name. But it didn’t matter now. He was a first generation follower of Christ.
His Background
He was born and raised in Philippi. He had received the Holy Ghost and was baptized in Jesus Name in the church that was started after the imprisonment and then the deliverance of Paul and Silas. His church just happened to be in the very city that Nero lived.
Nero was a most perverted emperor who crucified Christians regularly and killed them just for sport. Yet, somehow he could not stop the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians could even be found in his own household. https://martynballestero.com/2011/04/03/the-church-in-the-torture-chamber/
It is thought that Epaphroditus was a man of means and respected by those in the congregation. It is known, however, that he was a delegate of the church and was their personal representative to the Apostle Paul.
Paul Got Arrested
About A.D. 61 word had been received in Philippi, that Paul was unjustly imprisoned in Rome, some 800 miles away. (According to Roman custom, if he were not actually in prison, at least he would be placed under some kind of house arrest, and chained to a Roman Soldier. Phil 1:13)
As a prisoner, Paul now had no opportunity to make tents and sell them. He certainly desperately needed help on many levels. He needed money, he was writing letters (Epistles) to churches, and there was no one to minister to his personal health needs.
The church family of Philippi took up a love offering for Paul, and commissioned Epaphroditus to deliver the money and minister to whatever needs Paul may have.
Epaphroditus readily took that commission to heart, and carried it out the best of his ability.
Whatever Paul needed, Epaphroditus obtained for him. Serving Paul was the honor of his life. This was the man who had brought the Gospel to his city and was greatly punished for it. This man was his hero, so he served him willingly.
If the Apostle Paul had never visited Philippi, Epaphroditus most likely would still be living in sin. That thought could not be erased from his mind.
Epaphroditus knew well the meaning of living outside of his life. His background now came to the foreground. He was a slave by birth, now he was a voluntary love slave unto the work of the Lord. He had the heart of a servant, and it showed.
He served Paul diligently day and night without even stopping to take care of himself. He never looked at his work as sacrifice. He willingly served. He burned the candle of his life at both ends.
Here Is What Paul Wrote To The Church At Philippi:
Phil 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
Phil 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
Phil 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Phil 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Phil 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
Phil 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul Called Epaphroditus His:
- Brother
- Companion
- Fellow Soldier
It is commonly believed that Epaphroditus was retired after serving the mandatory twenty-five years in the Roman Army.
He was the kind of man who would rather burn out, than rust out. He didn’t just retire. He refocused and threw himself into the work of the Lord. His local church had seen that willingness in him and chose him to represent them, to Paul. He did not let them down.
His Name
Now let’s look again at the name Epaphroditus. Remember I told you that it meant that he was named after the goddess Aphrodite? Aphrodite was the goddess of luck; actually, she was the goddess of luck and the goddess of beauty as well.
And when the Greeks rolled the dice in their games of chance, they would say “Epaphroditus” as they rolled the dice. His name not only meant Beautiful, but Luck.
A Servant Doesn’t Quit
- A servant doesn’t quit just because the task is hard.
- A servant doesn’t quit just because he is tired.
- A servant just doesn’t quit.
Epaphroditus Gave All
All Epaphroditus knew to do was to give himself to the work of God, no matter how lowly the service. He gave his all and his health as well. He almost died. A man called Beautiful risked his life for the work of the Lord. A man called Luck risked everything for the work of the Lord. He did it without thinking twice about it.
What If Epaphroditus Attended Our Church? Would He…
- Show up for the Epaphroditus workday at the church?
- Show up for Visitation?
- Teach Home Bible Studies?
- Make sure the Church was clean and ready for service?
- Volunteer, or have to be recruited?
- Freely minister to the needs of his Man of God?
- Ask if there was anything else he could do?
Lord, Give Us Another Epaphroditus!
Lord, If You Need Another Epaphroditus, Send Me!
The Best Worshipper In Pentecost Has Just Died!
Most of us are thunderstruck when we read about the emotional outbursts of King David as he worshipped the Lord! David was wild in his worship!
David was well-known for dancing and clapping his hands and lifting up his voice in praise.
In one place, the King even twirled in the air as he danced, when the Ark was coming back home.
But, I’m afraid the good King David will only win the 2nd Place Award in Heaven, when the Awards are handed out for Exuberance In Worship.
The 1st Place Trophy for Exuberance in Worship will just have to go to none other than Brother Donald L. Zhiss!
I can imagine King David taking lessons on the Street of Gold from him, right about now, laughing his head off, just watching Brother Don cavort and rejoice!
I’m also sure they are joining together in worship. I can see it now. Both of them Worshipping and Praising like they never imagined they could!
Today, part of me is sad that this chapter of life has closed for Bro. Don.
But, going to Heaven and seeing Jesus was what he always longed for.
The other the side of me has a big Holy Ghost grin pasted on it.
How many nights have the dear old saints of Christ Temple in South Bend heard Brother Don Zhiss thrill us, as he rejoiced in the revelation of the mighty God Jehovah, manifested in the flesh of Jesus Christ?
I’ve lost track how many times he would quote:
Deut. 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.
Or,
1 Tim. 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.
I can still hear him quoting;
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(And then he would proceed to tell us what His name is… Jesus!)
By the time he was finished with his scripture quoting, you could count on him to be out in the aisle. That’s when the shouting would begin. You’ve never seen such rejoicing since the days of King David.
He continually, and exuberantly, rejoiced over the revelation of one God, and knowing that his name is Jesus!
I’ve seen him run the aisles, and a time or two fall down in his running. That didn’t stop him, he would even roll on the floor.
One thing for certain, no man in his right mind would run very close behind Bro Don while he was taking a lap or two around the church, because he was known to change his mind.
Many times he would do a quick reversal a run back the other way, without giving anyone notice. Slower thinking people might be apt to get accidentally run over. How a man of his stature could be so quick on his feet was amazing!
If you don’t have a Don Zhiss story, then you never visited Christ Temple twice.
I never knew him to have an off night, when it came to praise and worship. Will we miss him? You know it!
Worshippers are the ones we miss the most. No one misses a stick in the mud.
This man was a pastor dream. Never, in the 52 years have I known him, have I been aware of him causing a pastor or a saint any problem.
He had no enemies. He was indeed, a pastor’s friend.
Every time he drove by the parsonage and saw a car, with an out-of-state license plate, he would immediately go the Kentucky Fried Chicken and pick up a big bucket of chicken to help us feed our guests.
- Remember the night during Bro. Duke’s revival when he thought he could fly?
- Remember the night when a table got flattened during a worship service in the basement?
- Remember the night when he “forgot to mind the things of the flesh?”
- Remember the night when he didn’t wear his suspenders?
- Remember the night during Testimony service, when Casey got his head polished?
- Remember the night when all the men were out in the aisle, and Ted Stone got run over, several times?
- Remember the night he came home from a Youth Rally in La Porte, with Bro. Jimmy Wyant and Brother Dick Nicely and they had to stop the car several times so he could have a ‘run-away’?
- Remember how many dead services he single-handedly brought back to life with a testimony?
That’s a little of what I’m talking about.
Stories about this dear man will make you laugh harder than you’ve laughed in ages.
When I was a Pastor, Missionaries, Pastors and Evangelists from all around America repeatedly asked me about Brother Don Zhiss.
Their comments would always go something like this:
“What’s the name of that big Jew guy that’s in your church? You know, the man who worships real good?
“What’s his name again?”
“Don Zhiss?”
“Yeah, that’s him! How’s he doing? Is he still alive? I sure did like him! Man he loved to have church!”
They never asked about anyone one else. They all loved this man, because he never had to be prompted to worship.
What Brother Don possessed was like a well of living water springing up!
He was ‘cited about name of the Lord. He never said excited, he just said that he was ‘cited about the Lord!
- Brother Don was almost always the first one to say amen to the preacher.
- He also had a conscious that was very tender and very careful.
- His life was wrapped up in church.
- When the church doors were open, you could count on him to be there.
- As long as I’ve known him, he faithfully attended church, when his health permitted.
- He never let the fire in his soul go out! He never lost his Joy.
Almost every church in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan has enjoyed a visit or two from Brother Don Zhiss. When he came, few ever forgot him.
Wednesday of this week, we said our final good byes to the best worshipper you could ever hope to meet.
What’s Going On In Heaven Right Now? “I Can Only Imagine!”
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At The Request Of Family And Friends, Here Is His Home-going Service.
Brother Van Winkle Takes A Trip To The Pastor’s Office!
Brother Van Winkle Takes A Trip To The Pastor’s Office!
The old gentleman tottered a little unsteadily on his cane as he entered the Foyer of the First Pentecostal Church. The Sunday Morning Greeters welcomed him with much ado.
No one recognized him, nor had they ever seen him before. His clothes, although clean and pressed, definitely were way out of style.
After shaking his hand, someone handed him a Visitor’s Card to be filled out, and asked him his name.
“I’m Brother Van Winkle,” was the old man’s answer. He looked bewildered.
“And, I’m not a visitor!” he said as he looked at their unfamiliar faces. “I started attending this church when I was thirty. I got baptized here and received the Holy Ghost in 1959 soon after the church was first started. Who are you people?”
The Greeters exchanged confused glances with each other.
“Where’s Pastor Reynolds?” The old man continued, “He can vouch for me!”
There was a long pause. Finally the oldest Greeter said, “Brother Reynolds died in 1988, and we’ve had two more pastors since then.”
“Oh my! Oh my! My nurse told me that I had fallen into a deep sleep or something for a long time. But, I had no idea how long. The last thing I remember was when John F. Kennedy was voted in as President. What year is it now, the old man inquired?”
“Today is October 21, 2012.”
“Somebody help me sit down, this is too much for my heart,” was all he could say.
The old man was almost in a state of shock. They led him to a pew so he could sit down.
Everyone seemed friendly and attentive. Before church even started, many came by and shook his hand and welcomed him. He looked around carefully to see if he could find a familiar face. He wasn’t sure. He saw nothing he recognized in any of their faces. An Usher eventually took his Visitor’s Card from him, and laid it on the pulpit.
The worship was very lively, and the musicians played with great expertise. There were six young people on the platform singing the choruses. Every singer had his or her own microphone. There weren’t even any cords attached to the microphones either, and yet they worked! That amazed the old man.
The words of each chorus appeared as if by magic on the wall. No one seemed surprised or thought it amazing. Brother Van Winkle could not imagine how it was happening.
The service leader made a point to welcome their new visitor, ‘Brother Van Winkle.’ Everyone clapped their hands and made him feel welcome. But, the whole thing had a hollow feeling, nonetheless. This was his church, yet somehow it was not the same. He realized he really did feel like a visitor.
Brother Van Winkle enjoyed the worship and was also very impressed with the ‘new’ pastor… Pastor Shields. He preached a wonderful and stirring message.
At the end of the altar service, Brother Van Winkle started for the door. His mind was still awhirl trying to sort out all of his emotions and reconcile them with his memories. As he was entering the Foyer, Pastor Shields intercepted him.
“The Lord bless you Bro. Van Winkle! I am so glad you came today. One year ago when I became the pastor here, someone told me that you had been a member here many years ago and had fallen into a coma of some sort. So, I came occasionally to visit and pray for you. I am happy to see that you got your miracle!”
“Thank you so much! It feels like I just went to sleep and woke up the next morning. But the reality of it is, I’ve lost over fifty years of my life.”
“If you can spare a moment or two,” the Pastor said, “I would love to have you step into my office and talk to me about some of the differences you can see in the church today, as compared to back then.”
The two men walked a short distance into the Pastor’s Office and Brother Van Winkle was seated in a comfortable chair that he could get out of, without much ado.
“Thank you for that wonderful message this morning, Pastor. I will feast on that one for a long while.”
The Pastor modestly nodded his thanks and smiled. He motioned with his hand as if encouraging the old man to begin.
“Well, the first thing I noticed was that there are no song books in the church anymore. The singers on the platform really did a great job though.
We never had singers up on the platform like that when I got in church. We only had one song leader. Seeing a group up there was new for me.
I looked around at the congregation a bit, and was very surprised to see that many of them were just looking at the words on the wall and not singing at all. It was almost like they were being entertained.
The Pastor made grimace and shook his head as if in agreement.
“I only knew one song out of the seven that we sang today. They all were very nice songs though, and the people seemed to enjoy them. But in the 1950’s we sang songs about the Blood, the Old Rugged Cross, the Holy Ghost, Baptism in Jesus Name and about Heaven. I guess I’ll get use to the new stuff, but I sure like the old.
“I noticed too, there was no testimony service this morning. You do still have testimonies don’t you?”
Again Pastor Shields made a slight grimace, and this time shook his head sideways.
“I was really hoping there would have been some prayer before the service started today, like there used to be. I really missed not hearing the saints pray out loud. And the Altars! The Altars are missing!
“I know,” the Pastor said with a sad sound in his voice.
“The facial hair on some of the men in the church, and especially on those that were on the platform, really confused me. I’ll have to say; I never saw that when I was young. Then too, not many of the guys dressed up for church today. Where do they have to go that’s more important than God’s House? Don’t they dress up for God anymore?
“I am an old man. But, I was caught off guard today when I looked at the lady folks. Many of the young women and girls here, evidently aren’t very careful about how they dress in public. I especially can’t believe they would dress for church like that if they’ve got the Holy Ghost. The clothes the ladies wore today were much tighter and much shorter than they used to be here in this church. Why would they do that?
“The old saints were very careful about modesty. Back in the day, Moms and Dads wouldn’t have let their kids leave home looking like that! They wouldn’t have even allowed them to buy those clothes in the first place. Some of those outfits didn’t leave much to the imagination.
“I was shocked when I saw some women and girls wearing slacks and jeans! Some had cut hair too! If they claim to be members, and are not new converts, do they even have the Holy Ghost? Really? They don’t look like the saints use to look around here. The saints of old use to get convicted of things like that.
“Then, because of the jewelry and makeup I saw, here and there, I thought we had a number of visitors today until they recognized me, from the pulpit, as the only visitor. The others, I guess, consider themselves members here too.
The Pastor looked down at his desk, as if too ashamed to look the old man in the eye.
“Some of the boys’ hair styles looked like they just got out of bed and they didn’t comb their hair for church this morning.
But, I think what got me the most, was overhearing some of the young people laugh and talk about movies and TV shows. That would have never happened back in the old days.
“I am sounding like a tattler, and I sure don’t want to be. I know that science has improved so much since I was here last. I guess what the kids had in their hands during the church service are some kind of telephones they can carry in their pockets now. The ones by me were fascinated with them most of the service. I could see some of them showing each other pictures or something, and laughing.
“None of them had a Bible, either. They just played with their phone. I wondered why their parents didn’t stop them.”
Then, as if the thought suddenly struck him, he asked, “Pastor, I looked around today to see if there were still any of the Williams family in the church. They were some of the pillars in the church when I was young. Are there any left?”
“No, not any more. The old ones, of course, have died off. The girls married guys from other churches. Larry the oldest boy backslid years ago.”
“What about Bobby?”
“Bobby,” the Pastor continued, “moved to Texas about ten months ago because he could get a job there that paid more pay, than he could earn here.”
“What?” Bro. Van Winkle was astounded! He moved away from his church to make more money? Why, I’ve never heard of such! That is unbelievable. He should have known better. He should have stayed right here and put the church first. God would give him a good job right here where He had planted him. Have you heard anything from him?”
“He stayed in touch with some of his old friends here for a while. The last I heard, he wasn’t going to church anywhere, and him and his wife were getting a divorce.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. God doesn’t lead you away from your church to a place where you will lose out with him. I’ll sure pray for Bobby. He was very young last time I saw him.”
Now, the old man put his head down trying to sort out all the news. These kinds of things made his heart hurt some more. There was a long pause in the conversation.
Bro. Van Winkle finally lifted his head and with a warm smile on his face, and a kind sound in his voice, he said, “Pastor?”
The Pastor raised his head and smiled back.
“Pastor, I am an old man, and I don’t like change. I am so surprised, and even shocked, by some changes I have seen today. I know that most things change over a lifetime. I know too that some changes are for the good and there is nothing bad about them, but some of these changes scare me to death.
“This is still my church and I am happy to call you my Pastor. You should know however, there are some areas that I don’t ever plan to change!”
“Some of these changes I don’t like either,” said Pastor Shields. “It is easy to get use to gradual changes. I know. Some of these have happened over a lifetime, and then some have happened within the last fifteen years or so.
“Regardless, we are THE Church. We should ACT like God’s Church and we should LOOK like God’s Church. That’s my goal here. I haven’t been Pastor here very long. It takes a while to turn some ships around, but with God’s help, I would like to see this church get back on course.
He came around his desk to shake hands with the old gentleman.
“Thank God I have a few good men like you in this church to stand behind me. I would like to invite you to join me in prayer right now for a God sent revival in our church and in our town!’
He picked up his Bible from his desk and turned the pages until he found what he was looking for. He began to read aloud.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The two men stood and prayed for God to bless them and to bless their church, then they shook hands in a bond of agreement before walking out the door. Each man fully committed in his heart to be Apostolic in every area, and to seek God’s blessing and approval on the future of The First Pentecostal Church!
Not Everyone Knows How To “Go” To Bethel
Not Everyone Knows How To “Go” To Bethel
Many people pass by Bethel on their spiritual journey. Some just visit Bethel. Few actually “go” to Bethel. Going to Bethel is by Divine invitation and should not be taken lightly.
For Jacob, Bethel was the place of his spiritual beginning. It was where he found himself, for the first time, in the presence of God.
Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Genesis 28:21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
That experience birthed a covenant relationship between himself and the Lord. He vowed to pay God tithes of all he had. He vowed to serve Him, and asked Him to be his God as well.
It had been about twenty-one years since Bethel. A lot of living had transpired in Jacob’s life since then. He’d gotten married… twice. He also had a large family by now. A vast herd of sheep and cattle followed him as well. Jacob was considered to be a wealthy man. God had richly blessed him.
However, his wives continued in their worship of idols and the wearing of jewelry. They were even willing to hazard the wrath of their father Laban, and his band of fighting servants to keep them. They were devoted to their idol worship.
Then it happened! Out of nowhere, God gave Jacob an invitation of renewal. Actually, God commanded Jacob to move back to his place of spiritual beginnings, and build an altar of consecration.
Genesis 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Here’s All That God Said:
1. Go UP to Bethel. Going to Bethel is always an upward experience.
2. Dwell there. Don’t just visit or pass by. Move there! Get back to that first-time experience!
3. Build an Altar. Develop a relationship with me.
Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Genesis 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
When God told Jacob to move to Bethel and build an altar, Jacob understood what that meant. He didn’t have to have God spell everything out for him. He knew. He not only received the Word, he received the Spirit of the Word!
Put Away The Strange Gods.
God hadn’t said one word about putting away the idols hidden in his wives’ tents. Jacob knew they were wrong. He had tolerated them up to now, but no more. He knew he could not go to a place of spiritual renewal with idols in his camp. They must go.
Be Clean!
Clean yourself up! We’re going where God meets with people. Jacob knew this was the most important place in the world they could ever go to. Going as they were, didn’t seem right. “Be clean,” he commanded everyone.
Change Your Garments!
Jacob could see that what they were wearing was wrong. They all needed to wear clothing that was proper for the occasion.
So, Here Is What They All Did!
Genesis 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
They Gave Him Their Idols.
There was no lamentation, no weeping, nor tears mentioned here. They just handed them over without making a scene. If you are going to Bethel, taking idols with you will void the experience.
They Gave Him All Their Earrings.
Where did that come from? Why did they do that? God hadn’t said one word about getting rid of their idols or their earrings.
Jacob hadn’t even said anything about getting rid of their earrings either. Yet, they handed them over to Jacob without ceremony.
They gave him all of their earrings. They gave him all of their idols. They not only received the Word, they received the Spirit of the Word!
Was There A Connection Between The Idols And The Earrings? Absolutely!
Hosea 2:13 And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
Hundreds of years later, Hosea records the connection. The custom of wearing jewels and earrings was directly connected with the worship of Baal. The wearing of earrings was part of the ceremony in worship of that idol.
The family of Jacob understood that if we get rid of our idols, we might as well get rid of whatever goes along with its worship.
God didn’t say anything about it to them in that verse, but they did it anyway. They knew, and that was enough for them.
Jacob, their husband and father hadn’t said anything either, but they knew. So they did the right thing without argument.
Without The Holy Ghost
- Jacob’s wives responded.
- They were convinced.
- They were convicted.
- They gave up their idols.
- They gave up their jewelry.
- They changed their clothing.
- They cleaned up.
For This Generation, It’s Not Always The Same.
Many today want chapter and verse for everything. If the Bible doesn’t name their particular vice, entertainment, lifestyle, or sin, they feel justified in continuing. They will debate, argue, get mad, quit church, or move off, to maintain their lifestyle.
They will justify themselves on Facebook and comment with harshness. Some will debate on blogs as well, in their attempt to hold on to the things that will hinder their Bethel experience.
They only want to go by the Word! If it’s not mentioned, then it must be OK.
They struggle to get the Spirit of the Word!
If you don’t think earrings are an idol even today, just trying preaching against them. Many will fight to keep them on.
I Can’t Make Anyone Go Back To Bethel
- But God is inviting us all to go back to a simple place of renewal and spiritual restoration.
- Don’t wait for God or the preacher to name the wrong or the sin in your life.
- You should have enough Holy Ghost conviction in you to make you feel uncomfortable when you are not doing right.
Come On Church, Lets Get Right!
Come On Church, Let’s Do It Right!
Come On Church, Let’s Move Back To Bethel!
Some Men Don’t Dress Up For Church Anymore!
Some men don’t dress up for church anymore. Churches where all the men wear suits, are rare. Does this reflect our ‘comfortable’ thinking about God? Is it that we bought into the concept that God ONLY looks on the inside? I don’t know. I sure don’t have an answer. If you don’t dress up for God, then when would be an appropriate time to dress up?
Young men wear a suit or a tuxedo to the prom.
Men wear a suit when they marry and pledge their love to their bride.
Men wear a suit to the job interview.
Men wear a suit to drive a limo.
Men dress up to serve your food.
Men wear a suit when they are on TV, to make a good impression.
Men wear a suit when they stand before a Judge.
Men wear a suit when they sit on the witness stand, to impress the jury.
Men wear a suit when they are in the company of the Mayor.
Men wear a suit when they are in the company of the Governor.
Men wear a suit when they are in the company of the President.
Sadly, this is too true!
Some men don’t dress up for church anymore!
- How important is church to you?
- If it doesn’t mean much, your choice of attire will soon reflect your opinion.
- Being in the presence of the Lord, is the most important part of my day.
- I will always dress up for the occasion.
If I Were The Devil
“If I Were the Devil…”
by
Paul Harvey, 1965
I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I would have one-third of the real estate and four-fifths of the population , but I wouldn’t be happy until I had the ripest apple on the tree. So I’d set about, however necessary, to take over the United States get important realtors like burnaby real estate and others to help me win USA and Canada.
I’d subvert the churches first; I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.”
To the youth I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” [our note: I heard this from a humanities instructor when I was in college–a breeding ground for the sowing of wickedness into the minds of those that have to memorize blasphemy in order to pass the course and get out and go past conscience to continue doing what they are told.]
I would convince them that man-made God [our note: in college in a philosophy “class” I was told the lie, “There is no God.” That was a lesson in lies.] instead of the other way around.
I would confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is “square.”
In the ears of the young married I would whisper that work is debasing [our note: Americans are pleasure-loving people. Some are obese from lack of work meanwhile others pay somebody to mow the grass while they go to the “Fitness Center.” The children sit in school all day and then in front of the tv for hours on end in the midst of broken-down toys and eating processed foods full of refined sugar. The children do not work. They have no skills. The body and mind need to be involved in work. We were not made to be idle. A day of productivity is satisfying to both young and old.], that cocktail parties are good for you.
And to the old I would teach to pray after me: “Our Father, who art in Washington…” [our note: America seems to become more communist by the second.]
And then I’d get organized; I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that everything else would appear dull and uninteresting.
I’d threaten television with dirtier movies and vice versa.
I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could; I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction; I’d tranquillize the rest with pills.
If I were the Devil I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the Devil I’d encourage schools to refine young intellects [our note: the schools disrupt and destroy young intellects and parents look on in horror as their children disintegrate before their very eyes. Parents need to REPENT of the sins and BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and OBEY his word and then they can be saved and rear their children correctly.] but neglect to discipline emotions: let those run wild. Before you know it, you’d have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every school-house door. Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing.
With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to do what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography.
I’d designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and I’d get the preachers to say, “She’s right.” Thus, I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the Houses of Congress.
And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys, girls, and church money.
If I were the Devil I would make the symbol of Easter [our note: Easter is a pagan festival] an egg and the symbol of Christmas [our note: “Christmas” is a blasphemy] a bottle.
If I were the Devil I’d take from those who have and give it to those who want it, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
What’ll you bet that I couldn’t get whole States to promote gambling as the way to get rich?
I would caution against extremes: in hard work, in patriotism, and in moral conduct.
I would convince the youth that marriage is old-fashioned, but swinging is more fun; that what you see on television is the way to be; and thus I could undress you in public and I could lure you into bed where there are diseases for which there is no cure.
Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.
In other words, if I were the Devil, I’d just keep doing what he’s doing.
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 