Love | The Ballestero Blog

Archive for the ‘Love’ Category

Pompous Pentecostals

Pompous Pentecostals

(May the Lord be praised that we Pentecostal Apostolics have been given the honor of hearing and receiving the Gospel truth of Acts 2:38. It is a privilege to live separated from the world. I have no desire to change from this holiness lifestyle.)

In spite of our God-given heritage, too many of us are plagued with a self-righteous, and holier than thou spirit. It severely hinders the work of God.

1. Pompous Pentecostals Are Hurting The Church. They are hurting our church growth. They are hurting our spiritual growth. Saints and sinners alike observe them with disdain.

Pompous Pentecostals won’t speak to other Pentecostals in the Mall or on the street. You see them coming toward you in the mall and you nod. They don’t even nod back. They act like you are invisible. Why?

I have had warmer responses from Baptists and Methodists. Even strangers, that by all appearances have never been in a Holiness church, will readily respond to a friendly ‘Hello’ or a ‘Howdy’. Why can’t we Pentecostals be friendlier? Are we saying to the world, and even to other Pentecostals, “I’m too holy to talk to you?” Whatever happened to ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’?

2. Pompous Pentecostals Will Disfellowship One With Reckless Abandon. I’m not talking about disfellowshipping a person or a church because of immorality or doctrine that is contrary to Acts 2:38. I’m talking about precious people have been disfellowshipped for doing things that fall into the category of ‘doctrines of men’.

Here is a short list of things I’ve seen some disfellowshipped over by pastors and saints.

Wearing the color red
Wearing shoes with heels out
Wearing shoes with toes out.
Women’s hair not in a hair net.
Because of no seams in women’s nylons.
Women shaving their legs.
Playing Old Maid.

The list is endless. Pompous Pentecostals are inconsistent. Pharisees always seemed to incur the rebukes of Jesus. He was more angry with them than the sinners.

My point is this. What if we Pompous Pentecostals disfellowship someone who God is still in fellowship with? Why are we so quick to cut people off?

How are we going to explain that in the Judgment? God forbid that we should go to heaven together with those that we disfellowshipped.

3. Pompous Pentecostals Are The Only Ones That Are Right. They are the last defenders of truth in their minds. Everyone else is wrong. If they are not in our fellowship circle, they are lost.

Two things will be our downfall… Worldliness and Fanaticism.

Eccl. 7:16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Eccl. 7:17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

There are good Holiness minded Apostolic people who are scorned, shunned and discounted because they are not considered exactly like those that we are comfortable around.

4. Pompous Pentecostals Have Need Of Nothing.

Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Pompous folks won’t receive preaching that involves correction or instruction. They feel no need for improvement.

A fine young couple moved to the assembly I pastored from a church 2,500 miles away. I knew his former pastor preached against wearing watches.

The couple had been at our church for several weeks. One Bible Study night I singled out our new brother who was sitting on the front row. I welcomed him and told him what a blessing he was to the whole church.

“I notice that you do not wear a watch.” I said .

He shook his head no.

“I honor and respect that carefulness in you. Never lose your carefulness before the Lord.

We have some that wear watches in this church. I appreciate the wearers using them for timepieces and not for ornamentation. The best watches are Plantwear.

“But I don’t want you to go out and buy a watch and hurt your conscience because everyone here has one. I don’t want you wearing one just because we allow them here. Do you understand?”

He nodded.

“On the other hand, if you don’t wear one and we do, then I don’t want you to sit there and feel holier than the rest of the church and the pastor because you don’t and we do.

Because once you feel holier than the pastor, he can no longer help you or teach you. You in your own mind are holier than him and the church.

“If that spirit ever gets ahold of you then I am ordering you to go out and buy two watches and wear one on each wrist until you get over that spirit.

He nodded. He bought a watch.

5. Pompous Pentecostals Get Caught Up In Secondary Boycotts. You are my friend’s enemy, so you are then my enemy, because I love my friend. I don’t know what you did, but my friend leaves you alone, so I will too. There has to be something wrong with you if you and my friend are not close friends.

6. Pompous Pentecostals Show Their Prejudices. God doesn’t have a White Church, a Black Church, a Hispanic Church or an Asian Church. He just has a Church. How can we say we love God and hate our brother enough not to want to worship in the same building with him?

I was at a church were several dozen people boycotted the Sunday services because the pastor had personally canvassed and bused in several bus loads of people from the ‘projects’ the week before.

They wanted no one from the ‘low income’ housing development to attend their upscale church. The boycotting of the weekend services by all the ‘rich’ people was to get the pastor’s attention and make him ignore ‘those low class people’

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. What would it be like in a world where love was felt and people were treated with kindness regardless of income or race?

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

Definition – Online Dictionary and Thesaurus

Pompous

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition: arrogant, egotistic

Synonyms: affected, arrogant, bloated, boastful, bombastic, conceited, flatulent, flaunting, flowery, haughty, high and mighty, high-flown, highfaluting, important, inflated, magisterial, narcissistic, ostentatious, overbearing, overblown, pontifical, portentous, presumptuous, pretentious, puffed up, puffy, rhetorical, self-centered, self-important, selfish, self-important, showy, snobbish, stuck-up, supercilious, uppity, vain,

Antonym: (the opposite meaning) = modest

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

The opposite of being a Pompous Pentecostal, is being a Modest Pentecostal.

May we all remember the timeless lesson Jesus gave about the Pharisee and the Publican. The Pharisee was proud that he was not like ‘other’ men and bragged on his own ‘godliness.’ The Publican was ashamed and with much inward pain smote his chest and asked for God’s mercy. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ” Luke 18:14

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 23, 2011 at 12:02 am

Posted in Holiness, Love, Pride

Tagged with Pride

In Memory Our First Valentine’s Day

with 6 comments

To My Loving Bride Of 45 Years.

In Memory Our First Valentine’s Day

The year was 1965. We were almost engaged. I was already head-over-heals in love with you. I just couldn’t let the most romantic day of the year go by without making an all out effort to see you.

The Youth Revival in Lansing, Michigan I’d preached at your Grandfather Hebert Starr’s church had just closed. I was back home in South Bend, Indiana for a few days with my parents. My car was in the shop getting some repairs done, and I was desperate for transportation. I’d asked my old friend Bobby Edgin if he would take me to see you so I could give you my Valentine’s Day gifts. He and his wife drove me the 100 miles to Albion, Michigan after he got off work. We got to your church a little bit late.

The song service was already in progress. We surprised you by coming. You looked so beautiful sitting up there in the orchestra playing your saxophone. You were dressed in a fashionable A-line “Poodle” skirt and beautiful blouse. Your white bobby socks completed your outfit. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.

You were a Senior in High School. I found out later you were still in your school clothes. Your hair was beautifully curled as usual, and hung down over your shoulders and back. I had never watched you from out in the audience before.

When I’d preached the Youth Revival for your Dad three months earlier, I’d sat with him on the platform behind you and the orchestra. You looked beautiful to me from every angle.

As soon as the orchestra was dismissed that night, you disappeared for a while. In a few minutes you returned to the service having changed out of your school clothes into something more dressy, with nylons and heels as well. Then you came and sat by me. I’d never sat by a girl in church before. I have absolutely no memory of the sermon. You were the only thing on my mind!

I couldn’t stay long after service because it was a 2-hour drive back home and my ride disliked staying up late.

Not long after the service was over, I gave you my card and candy. I remember giving you something else but I have forgotten. Whatever it was, it was just part of the excuse to see you, tell you I loved you, and hope there might be an opportunity for another hug and a few kisses. There certainly was!

After all these years, my love, I’m still coming back for more of those wonderful kisses. They seem to get sweeter with time.

I love you Marcia June Starr Ballestero.

I Really Love You, And I Always Will!

Happy Valentine’s Day My Love, for the 46^th time, from the man who’s still thrilled to be your husband.

XOXOXO

Written by Martyn Ballestero

February 14, 2011 at 3:11 am

Posted in Love, Marriage

Tagged with Happy Valentine's Day

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

Are You A Grandma?

with 13 comments

Are You A Grandma?

Grandma Ballestero

Jeron had lived in the same town as his Grandma Marcia Ballestero for all of his three, nearly four years. He loved to stay over night there and did so as much as he could. Circumstances permitted him to do so, and he enjoyed all the attention and pampering that good Grandmas are known for.

In the evening, when it got close to bedtime, Grandma would take the little man up onto her lap while she sat in her soft rocking chair and rock him. She would have his special little blanket ready to comfort him and he would fall asleep in her arms.

He actually had the run of his Grandma’s house. He had his own room; he was the object of most, if not all of her attention. He also happened to be the only Grandchild for hundreds of miles. Jeron was in hog heaven.

Jeron

Then the day came when he had to move a thousand or so miles away. He was so sad to be taken away from his Grandma. It made his little heart break and real tears ran down his face. Lots of hugs and kisses were necessary to reassure him.

The first Sunday night in his new town, he went to church with his Dad and Mom. For a little kid, not quite four years old, it was almost overwhelming. The church was much bigger, the faces were all new, and he really missed his Grandma.

As the people were all setting back down after singing some choruses, Jeron slipped across the aisle to a lady he’d spotted that was about his Grandma’s age and size.

“Are you a Grandma?” He quietly asked.

“Yes I am.” Was her response.

Jeron leaned up close, and politely asked, “Can I sit on your lap?”

“You sure can,” she said as she opened her arms.

Jeron crawled up onto her lap and went soundly to sleep.

No one today knows the name of the dear lady who offered her lap to a little ‘lost’ boy. Jeron is in his middle teens now and is much too ‘mature’ to speak of such things.

In my mind today, several questions still nag at me:

What was there about her, that made Jeron choose her?

Was it her age?

Was it her resemblance to his Grandmother?

Was it her kind face?

We’ll never know, I’m afraid.

But, what about her?

Why did she willingly hold a strange little kid on her lap and let him go to sleep?

I may not have all the answers, but this I know, she was a real Grandma.

What the word “Grandma means to a little kid, is someone who is loving, affectionate and takes good care of you.

Grandmas come to your defense. Grandmas feed you good. You feel safe with Grandma. Grandmas will buy you things you always wanted, and take you places you like to go.

Grandmas are nurturing and kind. They are soft-spoken and don’t scream at you. Grandmas are very loving. Grandmas make you always feel safe. All kids know this. Grandmas give you their hearts. Grandmas love kids. Grandmas don’t have to be related.

What the world needs are more good Grandmas.

Are you a Grandma?

Written by Martyn Ballestero

October 22, 2010 at 12:42 am

Posted in Family, Grandma, Love

An Old School Lesson – “If You Can Take It, You Can Make It.”

with 7 comments

An Old School Lesson – “If You Can Take It, You Can Make It.”

I was mingling in the headquarters hotel lobby in Grand Rapids during the 1965 UPCI General Conference. At 21, I was a newlywed of two (2) months. I saw a familiar face, and turned to greet a treasured family friend, Bro. Howard H. Davis.

From my early childhood, the Ballestero and the Davis families have been close friends. Over the years, my father had talked to me in revered tones about all five of the Davis brothers. They all were Pastors or Missionaries. I grew up with an ingrained respect for them.

After we shook hands and hugged necks we greeted each other with small talk. He looked at me and said I’d like to talk to you a minute. I readily agreed.

Martyn & Marcia Ballestero 08/14/1965

He said, “Brother Marty, I know you’re married now and evangelizing. But you don’t look like you used to look. You’ve changed the way you comb your hair to one of these worldly hairstyles. I liked the “old” Bro. Marty better.

“You don’t look like a holiness preacher now. You don’t look like the son of Carl Ballestero. You don’t look like the Bro. Marty I used to know.”

I quickly tried to review in my mind, the reasons that I had changed to this “new look.” My wife had said it was “nice” and I guess that meant she liked it. There had even been a few compliments from friends my age. I really didn’t have a good answer why, except that I liked it. Maybe it was my vanity that started all this. I thought I looked “cool.” I didn’t consider if God was pleased or what injury I might do to my ministry, or lose in the respect of my Elders.

I knew in my heart that it took some love and bravery to walk up to the son of your friend and extend admonishment like Bro. Davis had, in hopes of helping me.

I was certainly caught off guard. Maybe the word stunned even comes to mind. I didn’t interrupt him. He was my Elder. He was my father’s dear friend. He then, in my mind, was my friend too by inheritance.

When he finished. I apologized for disappointing him. I told him how much I appreciated him loving me enough, and being brave enough to tell me what I needed to do. I told him that I would immediately go upstairs to my Hotel room and change my hairstyle back to the “Old Marty” look.

We hugged necks and I went to my room.

While I stood in front of the mirror, my wife asked in a gentle tone, “Baby, what are you doing?”

“I’m changing my hair back like I used to comb it,” I replied.

“But I like the other way,” she offered.

I replied, “So do I, Baby. So do I.”

When I was done combing my hair, I kissed her and left the room. I wanted to go downstairs to the Lobby again. When Bro. Davis spotted me from across the big room, he nodded my way and smiled. I nodded and smiled back.

Neither of us knew then, that someday he would become my Step Father-In-Law. I have privately thanked the Lord that I did not show a bad spirit or attitude that day. That I understood that he was brave enough to help a friend’s son stay on track. I will forever honor him for that alone.

Nearly twenty years later, 11 couples of pastors and their wives went together on a Caribbean cruise. It was the best trip ever! This was an opportunity to get better acquainted and relax. We all had great fun and enjoyed the fellowship of each other. I got a close-up look at Bro. Howard Davis. I watched him laugh, tell stories of his travels, and have a great time.

When we talked now, it really felt comfortable. I was no longer the little kid talking to grownups. I enjoyed the conversations, and camaraderie immensely.

Years later after the passing of their spouses, my Mother-in-law, June Starr and Howard Davis became acquainted. In private conversation one day with “Mom” Starr, I confided to her my opinion of Bro. Howard Davis.

I said, “If I was stranded on island for 6 months and allowed to have 3 friends with me, He would be one of them. He’s wise. He’s very knowledgeable about life. He’s balanced, He’s kind and He’s fun. He’s easy to be around. You’ll not be sorry if you marry him.”

One of my life’s happiest moments is when I was honored to walked down the aisle with my Mother-in-law on my arm to give her in marriage to Bro. Howard Davis.

He has become the father image in my life today. He’s a stabilizing factor for me in a changing world. His wonderful ministry is probably the best-kept secret in Pentecost.

I Love Bishop Howard H. Davis with all my heart! When my father died, my Pastor died also. I felt vulnerable and alone. I believe everyone needs a Pastor in the their life. I asked “Dad” Davis to be my Pastor and submitted myself to him. I am happy to call him, “Dad Davis” and Pastor!

____________________________________________________

Epilogue:
My ‘Other’ Mother, Sis. June Davis, has written a Biography Of Bishop Howard Davis. You will want to get this book.

The book is entitled: ‘Man With A Purpose’

The book is 119 pages of Howard’s history, from childhood to US Navy man, Minister, Church builder, member UPCI 60 years, Pastor {same Church 42 years}, world traveler, Ordained Bishop, and His Article, NIGHT OF CONFLICT; 8 chapters about the last night of World War Two, with Him as a teenage backslider on the USS Wiley, DD597, a Destroyer under attack at 2:30 A.M. by Japanese Zeros and Bombers, at the Island of Okinawa.

Those of you who know him will want to get this book. If you are a Pastor, You will want to get some copies for your members.

Price: $10.00 plus $2.00 mailing, each book. Mailing for more than 1 book will be different.

Send orders to.
Marian June Davis
735 Greenwood Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92407

Written by Martyn Ballestero

October 16, 2010 at 10:08 pm

Posted in Christian Living, Family, Love, Marriage, Ministry, New Book Release, Pastors, Respect, Submission

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

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

“I’m A Prisoner Of Love”

with 6 comments

My wife and I have been singing old songs in our van as we’ve traveled down the road recently. We’ve especially sung this old song written by Dottie Rambo and made dear to our hearts by Sis. Emile O’Brien. For some reason we can’t quit singing these words.

PRISONER OF LOVE

By Dottie Rambo

When I came to Jesus I settled it all.

I gave him my life to control,

Neither fear no persuasion could draw me to Christ.

But His love has captured my soul

He holds me secure with his love strong and true.

I’m happy his servant to be.

In bondage to Jesus forever I’ll stay

My soul doesn’t want to be free.

Chorus

I’m a prisoner of love (I’m a prisoner of love)