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Puzzle Prayer Time

Puzzle Prayer Time

The beautiful white-haired grandma sat silently beside me as our car rolled down the Interstate. Marcia Starr Ballestero, my devoted wife of fifty years, was letting her thoughts and heart focus on the needs of a family member.

Small talk between us had died out when she picked up her iPad. From the corner of my eye I could see that she was doing it again. She does it at home too, almost every day.

She was going through her camera roll and albums looking for a specific photo. That’s her pattern. Today she chose one of our children and their spouse. Some times she chooses a picture of just one person, other times it may be a couple or even their whole family. Once in a while she chooses a picture of us.

The selected photo is then imported into her jigsaw puzzle app. Her gentle fingers begin to move over the hundreds of pieces. She moves them here and there trying to make them fit where she thinks they should go.

Her puzzles may last an hour or two, sometimes longer. The attraction she has for puzzles isn’t so much her love for games, but it actually is part of her family prayer time.

As she moves each piece of the puzzle into place, she is praying silently. She is praying for every aspect of their life. She prays for their soul, their marriage, their health, their finances and their home.

I do my best not to interrupt her puzzle prayer time. She methodically attempts to make pieces fit in place. Often she gets it right the first time. Other times not. When it becomes a trial and error project, it is like real-life to her. Her prayer focus is on the missing pieces in that person’s picture. Loving fingers slide over the face, sometimes the heart and then lingers a moment.

I wonder, is she praying for their heart?
Is she praying for them to make right decisions?
Is she praying for God to keep them safe?
I never ask.

When she is finished, she will hold the photo up for me to see. When I compliment her on the beautiful picture, she smiles. I know that there was a lot of love and prayer put into that puzzle. How much? Only God and her know.

No one else in our family knows about this. Our children and grandchildren do not even know. But heaven knows that there is a loving Mother and Grandmother who is trying to make the pictures of her family turn out right by asking for God’s help to find the missing pieces and put them in the right place.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

October 12, 2015 at 10:49 am

Posted in Blessings, Christian Living, Comfort, Family, Grandma, Life, Love, Marriage, Mother, Prayer, The Blood

Tagged with Prayer Time

She Still Calls Me Honey

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She Still Calls Me Honey

She Still Calls Me Honey

A Tribute To Marcia June Starr Ballestero

Who Has Been My Loving And Romantic Wife For Fifty Years.

No man has ever deserved a love so sweet as hers. Fifty years ago, Honey, was the first sweet name she called me when we fell in love, it’s what she still calls me now. I was very thrilled then and today I still am.

It started from the beginning when we both told each other, “I Love You!” Somehow, before the conversation was over, my new name became, Honey. It was just that easy for her!

It was exhilarating to know I was a Honey to the girl I loved most!
I felt cherished. I felt wonderful. I wanted to boast!

I’d never been anyone’s Honey before. I started walking around with that new Honey–feeling and it created a tingling in my heart. I felt different. I acted different. I was different. I was her Honey!

For fifty years or so, whenever I’ve heard that name called in a crowd, I immediately turn because I know it must be me being called. After all, I now am the man named, Honey.

If I were a cowboy, the name wouldn’t have fit.
Had I been a Marine, I would have suffered a bit.

How does one become a Honey?

How did I become a Honey in her eyes?

By the way, what is actually the definition of someone who is a Honey?

Webster says that a Honey is “a person for whom one feels love or deep affection; a sweetheart, a darling.

Honey is an affectionate term of address to a romantic partner, lover, or sweetheart.”

“Something sweet, delicious, or delightful.”

“An affectionate or familiar term of address, as to a child or romantic partner.”

“To call someone Honey is to talk flatteringly or endearingly to.”

By calling me Honey…

She is calling me her Sweetheart.
She is saying I am her Dear.
She is confessing I am her Lover.
She is bragging that her Heart belongs only to me.
That my Heart belongs only to her.

Even though by now she knows how imperfect I really am, she still calls me Honey. There have been days when lemon or persimmon would have described me much better, but she still called me Honey.

“Honey,” I like that better than… “The Old Man,” or “Dodo.”
It sure feels much nicer than… “Quail Head” or “Bozo”

Oh yes, when our babies were little, for their sake, she also added the name of Daddy in her vocabulary when they were in the room.

But now, even though our children are grown it is still the same. In our private moments, when she could call me whatever she really thinks of me, she still calls me Honey.

When I am upset or stressed, my name is still Honey.
When I have no money, my name is still Honey.

I have no memory of her ever starting a fuss. Yet, even when I was out of sorts, or out of line she still called me Honey.

When I’ve embarrassed her and myself, she still called me Honey.
When I needed to be put in timeout, she still called me Honey.
When I had zits on my face too horrible to kiss, she still called me Honey.
When I lost my hair, she still called me Honey.
When I didn’t preach well at all, after church she still called me Honey.
When some old friends criticized me and walked away, she stood by me and called me Honey.

She seldom ever calls me by the name my parents gave me. I’m always Honey to her. What makes her use that word? What have I done to deserve such a sweet name? Even when I’ve wrong, she still calls me Honey.

How do you get mad a girl who calls you Honey and means it?
How do you not respond sweetly to her words of endearment?

When I wake up, she says, “Good morning Honey!”

When I walk in the door she welcomes me home with, “Hi Honey.”

The sweetest words I can ever hope hear when answering my phone is, “Hi Honey!”

It still fires up my furnace and turns all the lights on in my heart!
I can still hear the Love oozing in her voice!
I can still see the Love radiating in her eyes!
I can still sense Romance as it walks into the room!

She doesn’t throw that word around like a waitress in some cheap diner.
She saved that word for only me, the one she chose to walk beside her.

Some say when a wife uses the word Honey that it soon becomes expensive for the man because some time and labor will certainly be involved. But, there have been no Honey–Do-Lists drawn up for me by her. I draw them up myself.

The things I do for her are the things I get to do for her as my way of showing appreciation and saying thank you for calling me Honey.

She says it like she means it with her voice so soft and sweet.
It’s the word romance is made of, there’s nothing that can compete

When she says Honey, she means it. She says in a way that:

Softens the harshness of life
Melts the feeling of pain
Creates a spontaneous smile
Nurtures the weariness
Embraces the hurts
And Comforts the soul

I have stood on the platform before huge crowds and referred to her publicly as “Sugar Booger.” Some people smile and shake their heads because they are embarrassed for my wife. There are many thousands and more who only know her by that name.

She has never bristled or looked embarrassed in public when I spoke those words. She knows that is not the name I use when we talk. When we are together and I am looking at her it only makes me think of words gentle, loving, soft and sweet, so I try to say them.

There is nothing harsh about her.
She doesn’t speak unkind words.
She doesn’t ever nag.
She never starts fights.

Her touch is soft and gentle; her words are just the same.
I am blessed to be around her and hear her call my name.

At this major marriage milestone of fifty years and counting, my bragging rights are still securely in place.

My special name is sealed forever in her heart and mine. I am the man she calls Honey… and I absolutely love it! I wouldn’t change it for the world!

She has spent fifty years calling me by the sweetness name she could think of. Her wondrous love for me could never be matched.

So as your Honey, I thank you from the depths of my soul.
Your love has nourished me and made me feel whole.

No man could have been made to feel his wife’s love than I.

No man ever deserved a love so sweet as yours.

No man could be happier with his marriage than I am.

Thank You, My Darling Marcia June Ballestero, For Loving Me Totally Without Restriction Or Reservation!

You’ve Made Fifty Years Of Loving You And Being Married Seem Like Just A Few Days…

And By God’s Mercy, It’s Not Over Yet. Because…

When We Get To Heaven And Start Looking For Each Other, The First Words I Want To Hear From Another Mortal Is You Saying,

“Hi Honey!”

I Truly Love You,

Marty, (Your Honey)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

June 1, 2015 at 3:55 pm

Posted in Love, Marriage, Romance, Treasured Memories

Tagged with I Love Her, Love, She calls me Honey, She Loves Me, Tenderness

The Storm Painter

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The Storm Painter

The painter of the storm had a mission. He had painted many a dark sky with thunderclouds before, but from a distance. He had painted the storms from the shore in the shelter of his studio where he was safe from all the elements of destruction. Today would be different. Artist Joseph Turner chose to view this storm outside his comfort zone.

He wished to paint what a storm looked like to him from the inside. This wasn’t to be just any April Showers moment. This storm would be a major blizzard, a rogue storm. Yet not just a bad snowstorm, but a snowstorm at sea. He wanted to view the storm from a boat while the waves threatened to sink his ship.

The seas were tumultuous, the waves high and rolling hard. There was no way he could stand on the deck and not slide off. He had to make a choice. He chose to be lashed to the mast of the ship for hours in the blinding freezing snowstorm. He wanted to paint it so real that on the canvass it would be hard to tell the sea from the sky.

‘Modern Painter’ website paid a huge compliment to Turner’s painting which he simply called Snowstorm.

Snow Storm – Steam-Boat off a Harbour’s Mouth exhibited 1842 Joseph Mallord William Turner

Turner

Joseph Mallord William Turner 1775-1851

Modern Painters described the Snowstorm, as “…one of the very grandest statements of sea-motion, mist, and light, that has ever been put on canvas.“

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-snow-storm-steam-boat-off-a-harbours-mouth-n00530/text-catalogue-entry

Maybe We All Are Painters

While almost none of us make our living as a professional painter, we still know a bit about the storms of life. Many know what it’s like to be tied to the mast and feel the snow, the sea spray, to be slapped in the face with freezing winds and have no defense from the storm. Imagine what it’s like to tied:

For hours with the snow beating your face.
For hours in the howling wind.
For hours with the ship struggling to survive the storm-tossed waves.
For hours seeing life-threatening skies and seas.
For hours in the bitter cold.
For hours of being wet and miserable.

Maybe We’ll Never Paint A Portrait Of Surviving The Storm…

Until We Too Have Been Tied To:

Heartache
Cancer
A Heart Attack
A Bad Marriage
Spousal Unfaithfulness
Financial Devastation
Rumor
Loneliness
Afflictions
Rejection
Depression
Lifelong Illness
Abuse

Maybe We’ll Never Be Able To Paint A Portrait Of Bearing One Another’s Burdens…

Until We Too Been Lashed To The Deck Of:

Stormy Seas
Tribulation
Shame
Embarrassment
Overwhelming Disappointment
Bitterness
Shattered dreams
Tears
Brokenness
The Death Of A Child
A Backslidden Spouse
An Addicted Love One

We cannot accurately paint the storm for others to see until we have lived through one our self. Naysayers may try to find fault with our story. But we have been there. We somehow survived. We felt the mast rub on our back. The rope burns will be there for a while. We suffered hypothermia. Our body shivered with the freezing snowstorm.

We thought of those we knew sitting at home in their warm little world. They could not help us now. It was no longer just a storm. It had become our storm. We chose not to waste our storm but share it with others in the hopes they would be helped or blessed.

Maybe We Will Never Truly Paint A Portrait Of Revival…

Until We Have Been Lashed To The Deck Of:

A Burden for souls
A Prayer Room
Travail
Tears
Vision
Compassion
Outreach

Maybe We Will Never Truly Paint A Portrait Of A Father’s Love…

Until We Have Been Lashed To The Deck Of:

A Wayward Child
Tearful Forgiveness
Showing Mercy
Patience
A Special Needs Child
Unconditional Love
Courage
Sacrifice

Maybe We Will Never Truly Paint A Portrait Of Deliverance From False Doctrine…

Until We Have Been Lashed To The Deck Of:

False Doctrine
Error
Tradition
Family Pressure

The Storms we survive should make us stronger.

The Storms we survive should be used to help others see.

The Storms we survive can later turn into a thing of beauty for us.

The Storms we survive are a gift from God.

(When we hear a testimony from someone who has survived a storm, it gives us all great hope!)

What Portrait Is Our Life Painting For Others To See?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

March 30, 2015 at 4:24 pm

Posted in Bitterness, Christian Living, Comfort, Death, Failure, False Doctrine, Forgiveness, Gossip, Grief, Healing, Life, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Tears, Thankfulness

Tagged with Surviving The Storm

“I Am Your Brother” – (An Anniversary Re-Post From 2009)

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December 2014 celebrates the fifth birthday of The Ballestero Blog. In memory of this anniversary, a popular post will be showcased from each year. From December 2009:

“I Am Your Brother”

Psa 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

(An open letter dedicated to promoting better understanding among brethren in the local church. In the following list are some things that your “brother” has often, no doubt, wanted to tell you…. but was afraid!)

Dear Brother:

We really didn’t have any choice. God somehow in His wise providence, has chosen to put us together, for our mutual benefit. I am your brother. Here is a list of things that have been bothering me. I plead for your understanding.

1. I have problems within myself. I know it and I don’t like it either. Be patient please. I am your brother. I am still working on myself. Thanks for your tolerance.

2. In recognizing my own problems, and knowing how much I loathe them, I know they must bother you and others too. Please bear with me while I’m trying to get the victory over myself. Just like I am bearing with you.

3. It frustrates me too that I’m not perfect. I want to be. That’s my prayer.

4. Sometimes it frustrates me that you’re not perfect…. but that’s when I remember, I’m still your brother!

5. There are so many good qualities in you. I gain strength from them all. I just hope that some of my good qualities can also be seen.

6. I hate the fact that Satan tries to capitalize on our shortcomings and magnify them in the eyes of others. My hope is that you’ll be able to see the good in me and not just my faults.

7. Thank you for respecting my feelings even when you didn’t understand them. (Sometimes I don’t understand my own feelings either.) I wish to make every effort to respect yours too. I am your brother.

8. I guess I’ve wanted to put you into my mold and make you exactly like I wanted you to be. That just doesn’t work. Neither can I fit into your mold.

9. As my brother, I allow you the liberty to pick friends of your own choosing, and have good times with them, (even without me), and not be resentful or jealous.

10. Likewise, I may choose some friends and occasionally be with them. From time to time I’d like to have fun and fellowship with them and not worry about slighting you.

11. However, you are welcome wherever I am. Don’t ever feel you are ever intruding. And please don’t “hang back” if you weren’t personally invited by me to join the crowd. You belong also. You’re my brother. Your friendship is highly valued and enjoyed. There will always be room for you in my world.

12. Thank you for the security I feel between us. Even if we haven’t talked for a while, when we do, it is a comfortable conversation and picks right back up where we left off. I like that.

13. Those you love can hurt you the most. Let’s be careful in our treatment of each other, lest we do irreparable damage to ourselves. We must never grieve the Holy Ghost to the point that we’re both damaged, bitter or lost.

14. Let’s not have a “hot and cold” relationship that changes with the weather. We need to be able to count on each other. Brethren are supposed to have the next-to-the-closest relationship in the world. Only Jesus is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. I am going to stick by you. I am your brother.

15. I pledge to defend your name and honor during your absence. I am your brother.

16. Likewise, I know that I can depend on you to do the same for me.

17. As long as there are people, there will be rumors, criticisms, remarks, opinions and second-guessing. When my back is turned, you are my only defense. I need you to watch my back, as I will watch and guard yours. You can trust me. I am your brother.

18. I love you brother! Not just because I must love you, but I really want to love you!! (If I say I love God and don’t love you, I am called a liar)

1 John 4:20-21 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

19. Brother, if you see me and can tell that I have a problem, don’t go tell the world, help me. Don’t be afraid. God put you in my life to help me make it.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness: considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

20. Brother, I “prefer you”. I pray for your success and blessing. I pray that all your efforts receive due honor. (Without my harboring any jealousy or envy.)

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love: In honor preferring one another.

Please!! Should I ever be blessed or promoted above my fellows, it would kill me to think my brother was jealous. I want to prefer you. I want to be happy at your successes. So please be happy at mine. I am your brother. We’re on the same team.

21. It is God’s will that the law of kindness guide us in our relationship. He wills that we be kind to each other.

2 Peter 1:5-8 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to your virtue brotherly kindness, for if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I can’t thank you enough for your kindnesses, nor can I tell you how much I truly appreciate them.

22. Brother, God won’t hear my prayer if I’ve got something in my heart against you! If I ever need to ask forgiveness or apologize, please forgive me. And then don’t crucify me and alienate me because I was conscientious. Realize we’re both just two brothers trying to be saved.

I Love You Man!!

(Now let’s have revival!)

Written by Martyn Ballestero

December 5, 2014 at 9:41 am

Posted in Brotherhood, Love

Tagged with My Brother

At What Level Do You Wish To Play?

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At What Level Do You Wish To Play?

In the 1980’s electronic chess games became the rage in certain cerebral circles. One particular model would ask its user, as soon as the power button was switched on, “At what level do you wish to play?”

Everyone knew it was just a game. The unit was a cheap handheld device that anyone could play. The user could play in the beginner mode, or even play at the expert level. No one would criticize the level he or she played. It was just a game, and it was only played for fun.

But The Question It Asked Is Still Valid In Real Life Today. At What Level Do You Wish To Play (Or Participate)?

‘Live Like You Were Dying’ is the title of a popular song made somewhat famous a few years ago. The message from just the title of the song is enough to make one think about prioritizing their life.

Like the electronic chess game, some things are just for entertainment, and some things are mainly used to pass the time. Then there are other things that have life and death importance attached. Our souls get intertwined in the process. You have to know which ones are which.

Your Friendships

Your God-fearing friends tell the world the level at which you wish to play.

Your worldly friendships probably display the level you really wish to play. If that is the level you wish to play, so be it.

Friends are more than just pals. Your friends matter to God.

They Influence you.
They generate peer pressure that will change you.
They can take you away from God.
They can bring you closer to God.
Chose your friends carefully. You will soon become what they are.
What do your friendships today say about the level you have chosen to play?

In Your Friendships, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?

Your Marriage

The way you cherish your spouse and give yourself to your marriage tells your family, friends and the whole wide world the level you have chosen to play.

God becomes deeply interested and involved in your relationship with your spouse.
His Word even directs you how to love and express your love to each other.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

He pays attention to your mistreatment and neglect.

1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

Those who have trouble at home soon have trouble in church. The Lord knows that, you should too.

In Your Marriage, At What Level Do You Wish To Play?

At Church

Your Response And Involvement:

In the Worship service says volumes about the level you wish to play.
In the Prayer room shows the level you are playing.
In the Altar service shows the level you are playing.
In Outreach shows the level you are playing.
In Giving To Missions shows the level you are playing.
In Giving Your Tithes shows the level you are playing.
In the way you argue about Standards shows the level you are playing.
In Obeying God’s Word shows the level you are playing.

Your Reaction to the Preaching even when it corrects you makes clear the level you wish to play.

Saying Amen to the Word tells God, the devil, the Pastor and the Church family the level you wish to play.

Pictures and Posts on Social media sites tell everyone the level at which you are probably really playing.

Old timers used the phrase, Playing Church. Never let that be said about you.

Living For God Is Not A Game.

At Church, What Level Do You Wish To Play?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 28, 2014 at 9:53 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Family, God's House, Holiness, Holy Ghost, Life, Love, Marriage, Personal Evangelism, Personal Growth, Prayer, Romance, Tithes, Witness, Worldliness, Worship

Tagged with Living for God

The Desire To Be Cherished

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The Desire To Be Cherished

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

It’s A Basic Life Need

Cherish – Definition:

To hold Dear:
To Cultivate with Care and Affection
To Nurture
To Treasure, Prize, Value
To Feel And Show Affection For

Babies Desire To Be Cherished And Held.

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

When Babies Are Not Cherished:

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

All Children Desire to Be Cherished.

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

Little Kids Ask Their Parents.

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

Teenagers Desire To Be Cherished.

They dream about it. They sing about it. They listen to music about it. They want to be loved. They want someone to cherish them. To complicate the matter, their hormones rage out of control during the process.

Some girls never feel cherished by their father, so they seek elsewhere for male approval. They never felt cherished at home, so they look for someone to validate and approve of them. They want to be cherished.

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

During Courtship Both Parties Practice Cherishing The Other Person.

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

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

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

All Husbands And Wives Desire To Be Cherished

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

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

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

Every Prospective Groom Says, “Will You Marry Me?”… Hoping he will be cherished and loved.

Every Prospective Bride Says, “Yes”… Hoping she will be cherished and loved.

To The Wife:

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

To The Husband:

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

Jacob Cherished Rachel.

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

David Never Cherished Michal

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

Proverbs 31 Wife

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

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

HALAL – haw-lal’;

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

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

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

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

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

God Cherishes His People.

They Are The Apple of His Eye

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

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

God Protected Israel In Goshen

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

God Protected Israel In The Wilderness

Provided in wilderness.
No sickness.
No one’s clothes wore out.

God’s Desire To Be Cherished By Man

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

Jesus to Peter

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

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

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

David

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God Desires Man To Cherish Him

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

The Lord knows the difference between lip service and heartfelt expressions of love.

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

My Visit To See Marcia In 1965

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

You’re Not Faithful To God’s House?

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

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

Jacob Cherished The Birth Right

Jacob had major character flaws I’m sure. But he cherished the same Birthright that Esau despised, so God chose to love Jacob and discard Esau.

God cherished Jacob and said, ‘Jacob Have I loved, and Esau have I hated.’

Make God love you too by cherishing those things, which are Godly and eternal.

Don’t Tell Me You Cherish The Lord Jesus…

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

Sing Like You Cherish Him.
Pray Like You Cherish Him.
Talk Like You Cherish Him.
Dress Like You Cherish Him.

God is Jealous Of What You Cherish.

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

You Don’t Cherish The Lord If…

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

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

The Old Rugged Cross

George Bennard 1913

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suff’ring and shame;

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.

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

Has a wondrous attraction for me;

For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above

To bear it to dark Calvary.

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

A wondrous beauty I see,

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

To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;

Its shame and reproach gladly bear;

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

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

The Lord Cherished Us Even In Our Sins.

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

We love Him because He first loved us!

Here’s Your Homework For Today:

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

Next, go tell your spouse and your family that you love them. Put your heart into it. They can tell.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

November 18, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Family, Love, Marriage, Mother, Romance, Singing, Tithes, Worship

Tagged with Cherish

King David Is My Hero, But…

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King David Is My Hero, But…

When it comes to praise and worship, I am hard pressed to find a greater example and leader in worship than David. He is my hero when it comes to worship.

His writings gush out praises to Jehovah, and I love it. He makes constant calls for everyone of us to join him in praising the Lord! He never stops thanking God for His new mercies every morning. What a worshipper!

The Lord even said that David was a man after His own heart. Maybe part of that was because even though David was flawed like the rest of us, he was quick to repent. God always forgave him. Where then does my reticence to brag on my ‘hero’ come from?

His Family Relationships Frighten Me.

He showed love and affection to God, but I see little evidence that all of his family felt loved and nurtured by him.
It may be just my uneducated opinion, but that family flaw is what scares me as a father and a grandfather.

His First Wife, Michal

Remember the background story of his first wife, Michal? She must have been quite a beautiful woman.

King Saul, her father, offered her hand in marriage to any man who could kill 100 giants and bring him the proof. What young man in is right mind would go fight a hundred giants for an ugly girl? She must have been a trophy wife. David killed 200 for her.

The scriptures say twice that Michal loved David. Yet, nowhere is it ever mentioned that David loved her. She is never referred to in the Bible as David’s wife. She is always called ‘Saul’s daughter.” David never called her his wife, or said that he loved her.

When Saul tried to kill David, Michal helped him escape her father’s wrath. She loved him. When a girl stands up for her husband against her own dad, that is a major event! I see no sweet return of thanks from him for her efforts or love.

David then takes Abigail as his wife, after he removes her husband. When Saul hears of this, he goes and finds Michal and gives her to another man for a wife. That new husband was head over heals in love with her.

Much later, when Abner secretly approached David about reuniting the divided kingdom, David’s response surprised me. David’s only requirement to agreeing with Abner was, “Bring me Saul’s daughter.”

He never said, “Bring me my wife,” or “Go get me my wife and bring her back to me then I will.” He used the term… “Saul’s daughter.” That is not the expression of a man who tenderly loves his wife.

Abner forcibly brought Michal down the road to David. Her new husband followed behind her crying for her. Abner threatened him and sent him home. The wrong man was crying for Michal.

No wonder when David was dancing before the Ark of the Covenant with not very much on but a linen ephod apron, Michal was upset and maybe jealous.

What she said cannot be justified. God even paid attention and closed up her womb because of her attitude and comments.

What it appears to my unscholarly mind is that she was feeling like David was putting his physical anatomy on display by dancing half naked, and the young maidens in the street could see more of him than she was allowed to see at home.

David’s home life shows little evidence of romance. Everyone woman he was attracted to was married to someone else, it seems. She was the unloved trophy wife.

Abigail and Bathsheba were already married when he met them and fell in love. He loved them deeply, but not the woman he was married to. It was as though she didn’t exist.

David conquered many giants, but he lost in love.

His Children

Absalom

Absalom showed zero respect or honor for his father. How did that happen? Something went wrong in the early stages of home life for this to happen. Because of his treasonous behavior Absalom became banished from Jerusalem. David chose not to ever see him again.

Another son, Ammon was a pervert. He had twisted desires for his own half-sister, Tamar. He plotted with and took the advice of his evil friend to entrap her and rape her. He succeeded in his evil plan. The Law demanded that he be put to death. Not one finger was raised against him for two years.

Ammon, and Tamar Fleeing From Him

Tamar ran to the tent of her full-blooded brother, Absalom. Most girls would run to their father for protection and safety, but not her. Why? Was it because she didn’t feel protected him? I don’t know for sure, but that is my guess.

Two years pass and Absalom waits for his father to defend his daughter’s honor. David doesn’t.

Absalom then takes matters into his own hands and sees to it that Ammon is killed. David then mourns for Ammon and it appears Tamar is the second-class citizen, and still unloved. Her father never defended her. David never allowed the law to punish his son Ammon for what he did to Tamar.

It seems that David was never there for his family when they needed him.

My Family

Information and stories like this frighten me. In my mind, the Church, and this Holy Ghost filled life is the greatest thing in the world. Family is the next greatest gift of God I can think of.

I Ask Myself, “Do I Make My Wife Feel Cherished? Or, Is My Life All About Me?”

I really strive to make a conscious effort to make sure my wife feels cherished. My life is supposed to be about her and my family, not just about me.

In my loving God, going to His house, and serving Him, I never want to ever forget about the wonderful wife He gave me.

I am a husband who is still head over heals in love with my beautiful wife after all these years. I feel the desire to tell her often every day that I love her, and need her.

I Ask Myself, “Do I Make My Children Feel Cherished? Or, Is My Life All About Me?”

I am the father, the example to and defender of the five most wonderful children in the world. I am a blessed father. My love for them is not defendant upon their behavior. I love without reservation. Even if I don’t approve of their actions, they know that they are still loved.

I am Papa to fourteen and soon to be fifteen of the best Grandchildren a man could ever hope to have.

No matter what happens to them, they know that Papa will always be there for them. I often go overboard with sweet words and affection.

My Bottom Line

When to a wayward child I close the door to my house, more often than not, I have just closed the door to the church as well. My heart may break and I may cry watching them self-destruct and hurt, yet my heart and my door is always open to them.

Where Do Your Children Go For Help, To You, Or To Others?

Dad? Fathers will always be remembered and maybe despised for their lack of love. A wise father, even through heartache and tears, shows love to his family especially when they hurt.

A dad doesn’t have to be a king to be loved and honored. Even loving dads that are paupers are placed on the family pedestals. Just show them that you love them and even say, “I’m sorry” when you need to, and your family will think you’re the best.

I am greatly flawed as a man, a preacher, a husband, a father, a papa, and a friend. Yet, I have no reservation in showing praise and affection to the Lord, or to my precious family!

Today as always, I choose to express my total love and affection to Jesus Christ.

Today as always, I choose to express my total love and affection to my wife and family. If, (God forbid) they ever stray away from the Lord, I don’t want to be the cause. I have no ‘throw-away’ children.

Now Dad, Go Wrap Your Arms Around Your Family Like You Mean It And Love Them!

It Matters Not That The Whole World Sees You As A King,

If Your Wife And Your Children Despise You.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

September 16, 2014 at 11:52 am

Posted in Family, Love, Marriage, Mercy, Romance

Tagged with Discarded Children, Love, Unloved Wives

I Have Entertained An Angel

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I Have Entertained An Angel

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

The Scripture presents the concept of realizing that it is possible to have someone near you that is Heaven sent.

It is possible to talk with them, laugh with them and enjoy their companionship. That is exactly what has happened to me.

I came in contact with an angel once, when I was young. That angel transformed my life and stole my heart. She has been a Gift of God to me.

She is Mercy and Kindness wearing a beautiful dress.
She is Love and Hospitality in high heels.
She is Forgiveness and Long-suffering wearing a charming smile.
She is Godliness and Purity carrying a big purse.
She is Holiness and Holy Ghost from the top of her beautiful hair to the tips of her toes.
She is Fun and Laughter with a Twinkle in her eye.
She is all an Angel could ever be.

She is an Angel. The Prettiest and Sweetest Angel of all. She is The Gift of God to my Family and to me in particular. I have entertained an Angel. Her name is Marcia June Starr Ballestero.

July 16th is her Birthday and I needed for her to hear me say:

Happy Birthday My Love!!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

July 15, 2014 at 3:59 pm

Posted in Family, Love, Marriage, Romance

Tagged with My Beautiful Wife

A Nursing Father

I Don’t Love You

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I Don’t Love You

Those are words no one wants to hear. They announce the ending of a friendship, a marriage, and quite certainly puts ones relationship with God in jeopardy. They are four of the scariest words a Christian can say.

Why are they four of the scariest words any child of God can say? Take a closer look at the Word of the Lord and see if you don’t agree.

1. When A Christian Doesn’t Love His Neighbor As Himself, He Is In Trouble With God.

Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Loving others and expressing it with compassion, is required of every Christian.

2. When God Calls You A Liar, You Are In Serious Trouble.

1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Remember The Story Of Lazarus And The Rich Man?

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Luke 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

The only reason shown here why the rich man went to hell was his willfully ignoring the needs of Lazarus.

3. When A Husband Says, “I Don’t Love You,” He’s In Trouble With God.

Ephesians 5:33 – Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

KJV Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

ESV Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

By holding grudges, not forgiving, and being bitter, a husband is guilty of disobeying Scripture.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;