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What Is It Like To Be Real?

What Is It Like To Be Real?

That was a story my friend, Pastor Kenneth Bow told me about recently. He said that many years ago he had read the story and was taken by its power. It’s truths are still powerful today.

Bro. Bow is one of those friends that always helps me go to a higher level in God and in life. I will always be indebted to him for his insightful guidance and personal encouragement. He is a Gift of God in my life.

Since he related the story to me, I wouldn’t stop looking until I found it.

The following, is part of the story that takes place in a child’s nursery. The Velveteen Rabbit that is stuffed with sawdust is talking to the old Skin Horse.The Rabbit wanted to know what it would be like to be real.

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/williams/rabbit/rabbit.html

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For a long time he lived in the toy cupboard or on the nursery floor, and no one thought very much about him. He was naturally shy, and being only made of velveteen, some of the more expensive toys quite snubbed him. The mechanical toys were very superior, and looked down upon every one else; they were full of modern ideas, and pretended they were real. The model boat, who had lived through two seasons and lost most of his paint, caught the tone from them and never missed an opportunity of referring to his rigging in technical terms. The Rabbit could not claim to be a model of anything, for he didn’t know that real rabbits existed; he thought they were all stuffed with sawdust like himself, and he understood that sawdust was quite out-of-date and should never be mentioned in modern circles. Even Timothy, the jointed wooden lion, who was made by the disabled soldiers, and should have had broader views, put on airs and pretended he was connected with Government. Between them all the poor little Rabbit was made to feel himself very insignificant and commonplace, and the only person who was kind to him at all was the Skin Horse.

The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,” he asked, “or bit by bit?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

“I suppose you are real?” said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

The Skin Horse Tells His Story

“The Boy’s Uncle made me Real,” he said. “That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 27, 2011 at 1:53 am

Posted in Life

At An Inappropriate Hour, Do We Perceive Beauty?

with 7 comments

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities. This experiment raised several questions:

In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . . How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

Enjoy life NOW … it has an expiration date.

Snopes verifies this as true http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bell.asp

(Taken from an email.)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 12, 2011 at 2:27 am

Posted in Life

If You Were A Gentleman!

with 25 comments

If You Were A Gentleman!

Man is not born a Gentleman; he’s made into one.
Someone had to help him.
He had to be taught.
Either his parents, his family, the woman he loves, or his friends participated in his education.
If you were a Gentleman, it wouldn’t be an accident. There are some things you would do and some things you wouldn’t.

For Example:

At 13, my mother instructed me to pull out the chairs at the table for my 4 younger sisters. She also told me she wanted me to open the doors for them as well.

I was not thrilled at all with my new duties. I did it, but without enthusiasm or smiles. When we were alone one day, I asked my mother why I had to pull out chairs and open doors for my little sisters.

She said, “If you don’t know how to treat your sisters nice, you’ll never know how to treat your wife nice.”

Women notice not only the obvious, but they are keenly aware of the little things that guys do every day.

While some behavior is acceptable around most guys, the women, the men are attracted to, might not welcome it.

__________________________

Here’s Some Advice You Never Asked For, Didn’t Want, And Became Offended When It Was Given To You.

__________________________

Some Do’s And Don’ts:

1. Include The Pastor (And God) In Your Courtship

Ask his opinion of her.
Ask him if he would approve of you two ‘seeing each other.’
Invite him to pray with you about her.
A relationship with a wrong person may destroy you.
Someone worth marrying is most often found worshipping or around an altar, not hanging around the foyer.
Break up with her, if your Pastor advises you to. Be thankful that he is watching for your soul.
Be very worried if your parents don’t like her.
Honor their requests.

2. Be On Time

3. Hygiene:

Take a shower, we have showerhead systems available cheap these days, use soap.
Deodorant is a must. Not a Musk.
Brush your teeth. At least one of them.
Use mouthwash if necessary.
Sanitary wipes are important. Use them.
Use the Q-tips. Clean out your ears.
Cologne can be smelled from afar. It can be overwhelming. Be careful.

4. Clothes:

Polish your shoes.
Clean and trim your fingernails.
Don’t mix blacks and browns
Find a tie without any food stains
By dressing up for her, you are sending the signal that you think she is important.
- (Why do guys so quickly fall into a relaxed mode when it comes to chivalry, etiquette and manners? Every guy needs some help in one or more of these areas.)
- Remember: EVERYTHING you say, do, and wear on important occasions, will be forever remembered.

5. Dining Manners:

Open all doors for her.
Pull the chair out for the lady when she is being seated.
Pull the chair out for the lady when it is time to leave.
Help her with her coat. (On or off.)
When a lady stands to leave a table to go to the powder room, a gentleman stands while she leaves the table.
He stands again when a lady returns to the table.
Always chew with your mouth closed
Don’t talk with your mouth full.
Take modest sized bites
Avoid ordering food with garlic.
Don’t use your finger to shove food onto your fork. Use a properly sharpened knife and fork or some bread or pita.
Place your napkin in your lap and not in your collar.
Do not eat as if you were condemned.
Women are grossed out immediately by bad table manners.
When you pay the waiter, don’t be stingy and tip to the exact cent.
You can look at a check and figure 10% in your head. Round it off and then double it.
She will figure, that if you are tight with the waitress, you will be tight with her. She will be right.
No burping, passing gas or spitting.

6. Conversation:

Former girlfriends should not be entering into your conversations.
Ask her questions about herself.
Don’t yap on and on about you.
Most Men love with their eyes, most Women love with their ears.
Talk to the Girl. (About Herself!)

7. Wedding Plans: (If you ever make it that far)

If you dominate the plans concerning the wedding, you’re not wise.
A Wedding is the ultimate social event in a woman’s life. Let her have all the free rein she needs in it’s planning.
Follow her lead. You won’t be sorry.
Any negativity from you will not be forgotten.

8. Don’t sound like a control freak to her.

Even if her music is different from what you like, let her play it.
There will be time to play yours.
Let her be the keeper of the home.
Let her decorate the way that makes her happy.
Sometimes you win by surrendering.
It’s OK to let your heart and your head get a little mushy about the girl.

9. Hats

Take your hat or cap off when you meet a lady.
Take it off in the elevator
Take it off in the church
Take it off at the table

10. Bring flowers. Bring Candy, Don’t be cheap.

11. The Male Ego

A Gentleman does not have to thump his chest and act like Tarzan to be a man.
Use your physical strengths to be a blessing, not a brawler.
Men seem to want the woman to submit to their authority after marriage, yet some men struggle with submitting to God’s authority or even Pastoral authority.
Why should she submit to you when you won’t submit?
A Gentleman never sits when a lady has to stand. On a bus, in a waiting room, or any other crowded setting. Give her your seat.
Never require of another what you would not be willing to do yourself.
The real measure of a man is not his biceps or chest size. A true measure of a man is between his ears. His thinking, his decisions, his choices are indicators of his maturity.
Get a job, search on the top job search websites. A steady job. Keep your job. Don’t quit it because you found something you didn’t like about it. Have consistency in your life.
Pay your bills.
Be a man. Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk.

12. Your Eyes

Like the Bible says, ‘make a covenant’ with your eyes.
Look her in the eyes when you are talking.
Don’t stare at her chest.
(God forbid you be seen staring at another girl’s body in her presence.)
A Christian Gentleman doesn’t ogle a lady’s physical attributes. Look her in the eyes!

13. Dress Size

If you are determined that a girl has to be a certain dress size for you to be interested, then a dress size may all you ever get out of that relationship
Don’t rob yourself of possibly the best kept Treasure in Pentecost, just because you are hung up on what you think a woman’s dress size should be.

14. Who’s Going to Pay?

Never let her pay for your food, or your gas, for that matter.
A Gentleman pays for all the expenses.
You are the ‘pursuer’ so you do the paying.
She will love you if you’re rich or poor. If you don’t have a lot of money, she understands. Just do what you can afford to do.
Don’t be a piker or be skimpy on what you spend on her. She will resent the fact that, if you do have some money, you were too tight to spend it on her.
She will be quick to appreciate your sacrifice.
Just because you bought her a hamburger, doesn’t mean she OWES you anything!

15. The Nose

If you must blow your nose… excuse yourself,
Leave the table to do it if possible.
If you can’t, turn your back to the table guests, take care of your business and then pocket the filled handkerchief.
Never place a napkin with filled with snot back on the table. Especially if the boogers are showing.
Remember, a wet nose is only tolerated on dogs.
PS. If a cold or sinus drainage is an issue, try medication.
Keep your finger out of your nose.
No booger picking or flipping.

16. The Phone

When you call a girl’s house and her parents or siblings answer the phone, take a few moments and talk to them.
Never blurt out immediately, “Is _____ There?”
Your taking time to talk to the Mother or Father will go a long way in helping your future with the family.
When you are together, don’t spend your time texting other people. Focus on who you are with.
Never text and drive.
Your texting and calling other people at the table tells everyone there that they are not important to you.
I know you don’t text in church.
Never be part of sending or receiving inappropriate photos and texts.
If she is willing to send you an inappropriate photo, you have just been warned as to her lack of morals and consecration.

17. The Man Draws The Line

A Christian Gentleman draws the line.
He would respect her
He would never make improper advances or say suggestive things
He would never touch her in an inappropriate manner or place.
He would never think of asking her to ‘Prove Her Love”
He would respect his parents, her parents and their pastor’s guidelines for courtship.
When a lady says ‘NO’, that means ‘NO”.
After you say goodnight, if you have to repent before you go to bed, then something is wrong with your relationship.

18. Be A Worshipper

What does this have to do with courtship? Maybe plenty.
A man who has a difficult time expressing his love and affection for God, may have a difficult time expressing his affection to the woman he loves.

19. How Long Do You Stay Out?

Always honor the parental or the pastor’s curfew.
If there is none then be honorable and have her home BEFORE midnight.
Protect yourself and protect her, don’t spend a lot of ‘alone time’. There is safety in numbers.
Inform the parents about where you plan to go and what you plan to do.
Make sure they have your cell number and invite them to call you if the need arises.
The Bible already said your flesh is weak. It is weak. Quit trying to prove it’s not. Don’t knowingly put yourself or her in a position to be tempted. There is no girl worth going to hell over.

20. Never Let The Romance Die.

After marriage, let the courtship continue until your last breath.

_______________________________________________________________________________

When my mom and dad got married, after the wedding, they had to take a city bus. Dad jumped on first to pay for them both and walked toward the back of the bus. When he turned around, he saw that mother was not on the bus. Looking out of the back window, he saw her still back on the street corner.

He jumped off at the next stop and ran the several blocks back. He asked, “What’s the matter Connie?”

She said, “Where I come from, a gentleman lets a lady on the bus first.”

My father apologized and said, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t have a mother to teach me or have I ever had a sweetheart. Would you teach me?”

____________________________

All of us need help; we just need it in different areas. Let her know that if you are doing something that is distracting to her, you are willing to be helped. Then change.

If you treat her like a Queen, she’ll treat you like a King!

__________________________

May The Lord Bless You.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

December 29, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Posted in Life, Love, Marriage, Romance

Tagged with courtship, dating, fatherly advice, gentlemen, manners, young men

Mom said, “What If I Forget God?”

with 37 comments

Mom said, “What If I Forget God?”

Yesterday I cried. I cried about several things. I cried about things that I couldn’t fix. I cried about things no one can fix. (It may not be prudent or wise to share this, but I will.)

Sis. Connie Ballestero

My youngest sister, Nila Marxer, lives in Southern California. She has taken care of my 88-year-old Mother in her home for six years or so. Nila is an Angel sent from God to our family. Mom lives in an apartment inside Nila’s home.

My Mom’s health is not very good anymore. Her short-term memory loss has alarming worsened recently. It makes my phone calls to her, extremely painful for me. Mom has a problem of not remembering even the day of the week.

A few days ago, she wandered out of her room before midnight and went into the main living room. She turned all the lights on. At 2am, Nila came out of her bedroom and found Mom standing there looking around.

She said, “Mom, let me take you to your room and put you to bed.”

When they got to Mom’s room, Mom said, “Is this where I’m staying?”

“Yes, Nila said.

“Oh,” she said, “I didn’t know where I was supposed to sleep.”

That was unwelcome news. It was like one of your worst fears coming true. I am very grateful to Nila for being so loving and patient.

Last night while on a Skype video call to my sister, I got to see her, her husband Eric, and my Mom. Mom was all smiles.

With her voice breaking, Nila talked to me about Mom, with Mom sitting beside her. She talked about health issues that Mom was currently dealing with. Then she said that her and Mom had talked about her memory loss. Mom expressed her greatest fear to Nila.

Mom said, “Nila, what if I forget God?”

That statement ripped my very heart out. Of all people, my Godly Mother who has had the Holy Ghost for 80 years. She labored with Dad in the ministry for over 50 years. And now, she worries that in her memory losses, she might forget about God.

I cried.

Nila said, “Marty, quote the first part of a Psalm and see if Mom can quote the rest of the verse.”

I looked at Mom and Nila seated in front of their computer and I started with Psalms 100.

I said: (Psa. 100:1) Make a joyful noise unto the LORD,

Mom said: all ye lands.

I said: (Psa. 100:2) Serve the LORD with gladness:

Mom said: come before his presence with singing.

I said: (Psa. 100:3) Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

She said: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

I said: (Psa. 100:4) Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

She said: and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

I said: (Psa. 100:5) For the LORD is good;

She said: his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

My tears still flowed.

In a day when so many are willfully forgetting God, my heart is overwhelmed by the fears of my sainted Mother.

“What If I Forget God?”

Written by Martyn Ballestero

October 20, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Family, God Head, Grief, Life, Mother

The World’s Greatest Spousal Insurance Policy!

with 7 comments

The World’s Greatest Spousal Insurance Policy!

Today Marcia, my beautiful wife of 45 years, and I were riding down the Turnpike in Tulsa listening to XM Radio’s Enlighten on Channel 34. It’s a Southern Gospel Station. Presently a familiar sounding group came on and I read their name on the player. It confirmed what my ears were hearing.

My mind went back many years. I thought of the times I had been in church services with these people, but those days are now forever gone. They are just distant memories.

They once were Jesus Name, Apostolic. I knew them when the ladies in the group had long uncut hair. They wore no makeup or jewelry back then. The men had good haircuts and no facial hair. Somehow, things changed for them. They left the Oneness people seeking more popularity and acceptance from the Trinitarians. They compromised their beliefs about salvation’s requirements and the God-head in the process.

Along the way, they all met with divorce. Their divorces didn’t draw them back to God or to a place of rededication, but their new spouses helped push them even further away from the old landmarks and from truth.

Thinking on these things, my mind reflected on the history of the city of Bethel in the Bible. It was made famous by Jacob, his dream and his covenant with God. At that time, Bethel was only a flat rock that Jacob used for a pillow that night.

The next time we read about Bethel, it is a place filled with people who did not stay loyal to God. Idols were now very common in Bethel. It even became a headquarters for idolatrous calf worship. In Bethel, of all places!

The prophet Amos said that Bethel would “come to naught.” Amos 5:5. Jeremiah hung his head and said that Israel “was ashamed of Bethel.” Jer. 48:13.

Later, Hosea called Beth-el, (which means the house of God) ‘Beth-aven’ which means a house of adultery.

Thinking on that sad progression from the House of God, to House of Idolatry, and then to House of Adultery, I became deeply bothered in my spirit.

In prayer some years ago, I asked the Lord, “How did Bethel go from idolatry to adultery?”

It was like the Lord dropped this thought into my spirit… “The progression was easy. They’re both fathered by the same spirit, the spirit of unfaithfulness.”

If that’s true, then the greatest insurance policy any of us can give our spouse is to be faithful to God. Because, if we are faithful to God, then we will also be faithful to our spouse! It’s that simple. Are you FAITHFUL to God?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 22, 2010 at 1:02 am

Posted in Christian Living, Compromise, False Doctrine, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Life, Love, Marriage, Romance

Do You Know What Drowning Looks Like?

with 2 comments

Do You Know What Drowning Looks Like?

The Monthly Feature from the Medical News TODAY

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196538.php

If you and your family are planning to spend some of this summer by the sea, by the pool, or perhaps even a river or lake, perhaps you should ask yourself, would you be able to spot someone in trouble in the water, in time to save their life: do you really know what drowning looks like?

Mario Vittone, a writer on maritime safety, tells a story about a former life guard, now a boat captain, who spotted a potentially fatal incident from fifty feet away. The captain jumped off his own boat, and sprinted toward a family swimming between the beach and their anchored boat: he sped past the astonished parents, to save their nine-year old daughter, who had been quietly drowning not ten feet behind her father.

Vittone, whose articles have appeared in many magazines, including Reader’s Digest, said he was not surprised when he heard this story: he knows a thing or two about drowning, having served nineteen years in the US Navy and Coast Guard, and his strongest message is “Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning”.

Furthermore, says the CDC, many parents have watched their child drown without realizing what was happening. They did not know what the captain who saved the little girl in Vittone’s story was trained to notice and her parents were blissfully unaware of: the signs of Instinctive Drowning Response, a term coined by Dr Francesco A. Pia, a water safety expert.

Vittone and Pia wrote about the Instinctive Drowning Response, in the Fall 06 issue of On Scene, the journal of the US Coast Guard Search and Rescue. Pia says it is what people do to avoid suffocating in water: they don’t splash much, they don’t wave, and they don’t yell or call out. Quite different to what many of us might expect.

†††

When reading this today, all the alarms in my soul went off. How many do we know that have drowned spiritually in front of our eyes and we didn’t see the signs of their unspoken struggles?

I’m not talking about those whose overt actions and speech give away their desire for the world. It’s those that we know whose struggle for survival is inward and their pride keeps them from admitting they need help.

Pastors, evangelists, youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, parents and concerned saints have ALL experienced the horror of losing someone dear to them. Some of us were oblivious to the spiritual drowning.

God help us all to be more aware of the needs of our sisters and brothers.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 21, 2010 at 11:15 am

Posted in Backsliders, Christian Living, Evangelists, Family, Friends, God's House, Leadership, Life, Pastors, Sin

The Worst Family In The World

with 8 comments

The Worst Family In The World

I don’t want to be accused of gossip, or sued for writing about a family that I know, so I’ll not use any names.

It’s the most unbelievable family I’ve ever met. There’s not another couple like them anywhere. Once you’ve met their family, you might even want to run away from them too. You will however, at least shake your head in disbelief as I have.

The Father is a big guy. He’s likeable enough sometimes, but he has such a bad temper. He’s always ready to fight at ‘the drop of a hat.’ The family and neighbors could entertain us for a long time telling about all the fights that he has been in. He has been ordered to take anger management classes, but he refuses to go.

On the other hand, Mom is quite good looking for her age. She constantly tries the latest beauty treatments and is determined to keep up with the Jones’s. She feels deeply, and becomes easily entrenched in the snare of wanting what she can’t have. I can’t count how many of her friendships she has ruined because of her displays of jealousy.

That’s Mom and Dad. I want you to meet the kids. The house is full of children. It’s no doubt the largest family I have ever met.

Everyone will tell you that they are the worst kids in the world. They are totally undisciplined. If you met them, the words, “little heathens,” would come to your mind.

For example, one has committed murdered and gotten away with the crime.
Another is a known thief.
They all lie.
One of them is a drunk.
Some had been in jail.
They all love to stay up all hours of the night and prowl through the neighborhood. They wrecked havoc almost every night.
The brag about their exploits.
They all reject the authority of the school, the police and the pastor.
They want to party all the time.
They are incorrigible.
They are all juvenile delinquents.
No visitor feels safe in their home.
No one in their right mind invites any one the children into their home.
They changed their neighborhood for the worse.

Their neighborhood was the nicest one in town. It was peaceful. People moved there because it was quiet and it seemed safe. No one even locked their doors. The neighbors really seemed to like each other too.

Neighbors began to put up FOR SALE signs on their homes not long after the family with all the kids moved in. No one wanted to live near them. Not only did the kids take over the neighborhood. The neighborhood association was not even able to buck up against this unbelievable family.

There was one church in the vicinity. The First Pentecostal Church, and many of the neighbors attended.

The family claimed to be members of The First Pentecostal Church also. The parents attended faithfully and attempted to bring as many of their kids as they could. The children disrupted many services.

They ruined Weddings.
They sabotaged Birthday Parties.
The destroyed the Church Dinners and other functions.

Visitors often decided to never come back because of what they saw and heard. Even some of the long time members left and told the pastor that they loved him but they couldn’t tolerate ‘that’ family.

The parents got offended with the pastor and began to talk about him. They finally got enough influence in the church and then they helped split the church. They went across town and started their own.

They posted pictures of their new church on Facebook and bragged about their new church and new pastor. They also told lies about the former pastor and church people.

Mom and Dad even became an active part of their Pentecostal Association. They seemed pleased to attain a degree of respectability.

I want you to at least meet them.
I want you to know their names.
I want you to be alert if they ever visit.

Remember their names. Her name is “Envy” and his name is “Strife.”

They are the mother and the father of the confusion in your neighborhood and in your church. They are also the parents of every evil work.

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

BEWARE!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 3, 2010 at 1:51 am

Posted in Christian Living, Family, Life, Love, Pastors, Submission, Unity

Ten Traits Of A Successful Saint

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Ten Traits Of A Successful Saint

They Have Faith

They trust God.
Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

They Are Obedience

They don’t argue with the Bible or the Pastor. They willingly submit to His Word.
Rom. 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

They Live Righteousness

They live right. They are honorable, pay their bills, and their word are their bond. They give the Church a good name.
Phil. 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

They Are Humble

They are not proud or arrogant. Neither do they display attitudes.
1Pet. 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

They Love One Another

They love, forgive, overlook faults, are not harsh or critical. They are kind and helpful.
1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

They Surrounded Themselves With Godly Fellowship

They are careful about influences in their life. They understand, carnal friends call pull them down and pull them out.
2Tim. 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

They Worship:

They don’t have to be begged to praise the Lord.
Heb. 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

They Witness

They never forget who they are and why they are here.
Matt. 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

They Have Personal Devotions

They include the Lord in their daily living.
Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

They Live A Holy Life

They live like, and even look like someone who has given their life to the Lord.

Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 9, 2010 at 9:45 am

Posted in Christian Living, Faith, Friends, Holiness, Life, Love, Overcoming, Personal Evangelism, Personal Growth, Prayer, Sowing The Seed, Trust, Unity

If You Gotta Fight, Fight Fair!

When God Takes His Children To Six Flags

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When God Takes His Children To Six Flags

To Six Flags? Absolutely!

While I understand that most of us old geezers have never gone, nor may ever go, Six Flags represents to many Americans a place of fun and entertainment.

Imagine the excitement around the house as children chatter about the proposed trip. They can hardly sleep the night before. They are pumped. They talk almost non-stop and their voices can be heard in the next room.

The names of fun rides are often repeated. Someone remembers being told, “Don’t forget to go to the Majestic Pavilion or whatever it’s called. It’s the best thing out there! Or what ever you do, go on the King’s Castle boat ride.

We have all heard stories of people waiting in line for more than an hour just to get on one ride. They all act like it was worth it and would do it again.

It almost seems sacrilegious to our ‘sanctified’ minds to suggest that the good Lord would ever take His children to Six Flags.

But He does! He’s a good Father who enjoys seeing His children enjoy their life living with Him.

Remind yourself of the Biblical use of words like Flag, Banner, Ensign, and Standard. They can be used interchangeably in the Word of God, and often are in most translations.

Let me tell you about a different kind of Six Flags. The ones mentioned in the Bible.

1. A Flag Called” Love”

Song 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

God wants His children to be found standing under the Banner that says, Love. Here is found not only God’s love, but the love of the brotherhood as well.
There’s The Banqueting House too. Start the trip by being fed at God’s All You Can Eat Buffet. He serves up giant helpings of Love for those that are emotionally starved, insecure or need reassurance. Step right up, the door’s open.

2. A Flag Just For The “Outcasts”

Is. 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth

The eye of God is ever looking to gather His own back to Himself. He looks in every part of the world searching for those that are outcasts. (overthrown, tottering, cast down, thrust out, driven out and away from Him.)
The Father always makes a way to come home.
All you have to do is look in this direction, If you can see this flag, it’s God’s Welcome Home sign. It’s His invitation to all those who are weary, to come home.

3. The Flag Called Truth

Psa. 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

This Flag must be displayed. (Unfurled) God want the world to see this.
All who gather here are not ashamed.
Truth is on display under this flag. Keep it unfurled. Keep it on display.
To them that fear the Lord this is a wonderful place to gather.

4. The Flag Of Defense

Is. 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

The Father’s children live with great peace and assurance here. They have His promise that if things get bad in their life, that if they just come to this flag, that everything is going to be alright. There is safety here.

5. The Banner Of Rest

Is. 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Is. 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.