Do You Know Where You’re Going, When You Go Green?
Do You Know Where You’re Going, When You Go Green?
The signs and slogans are everywhere. Go Green.
That, my friend just might be one of the most dangerous signs you ever obey!
Going Green is promoted to save the environment. Yet, for some it takes on a different meaning. It is much more to them than recycling plastic, glass and paper. They keep looking for greener grass on the other side of every fence.
They think the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and why not? Everyone loves green grass. Green grass is very attractive. Somehow, green has become a symbol of health, wealth, beauty, and comfort. It’s also the illusion of a enjoying a better life.
Americans Spend A Lot Of Money Just To Have Green Grass
Ehow.com says that the average home owner spends between $100 and $400 a month on his yard, depending on the size of the lawn and the company he chooses.
Read more: The Average Cost of Lawn Care | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5984601_average-cost-lawn care.html#ixzz1zZJwhW2U
We feel that our neighbor’s will judge us by the greenness of our grass. Maybe they do. If so, the solution is simple.
- Water your yard.
- Fertilize it.
- Trim it.
- Pull the weeds out or wack them with a gas powered weed eater.
- Remove the dandelions.
- Trap the gophers.
- It’s your yard. You could make it pretty if you chose to make it pretty.
It may cost you to have green grass. However, it may cost you more if you go looking elsewhere for greener grass. King David found out about that when he looked over the wall and saw Bathsheba.
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Just quit looking and the coveting will stop!
There’s That…
Pastor Tommy Craft’s Office Picture
In the late1980’s, I sat down in Pastor Tommy Craft’s office in Jackson, Mississippi to visit a few minutes before a church service. My eyes were immediately drawn to a large picture of the wall. It was a picture of a beautiful pasture with a fence running through the middle. On each side of the fence was a horse with its neck stretched out trying to eat the grass on the other side. Nothing was actually gained by the horses. The grass was actually the same. They both risked their necks on the barbed wire. The picture was silent reminder to never ignore the green grass under your own feet.
Discontentment
The lack of contentment makes the human eye look elsewhere. Having it, is truly a gift of God. Some possess 
much of this life’s finer things. They have plenty of money in the bank and live a life some would even envy. Yet, they are not content.
They have found out for themselves that King Solomon was right. The eyes of a man are never full. They always want more, so they never stop looking.
That mindset will have much bearing on how long you keep your vehicle, your house, your job and your spouse. It will also determine how long you attend your local church.
Contentment Can, And Must Be Learned
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation (Manner of Living) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
What You Don’t Appreciate, Maybe Some One Else Will.
A young woman named Jan complained tearfully to her friend Paula. She told Paula that she was going to dump her boyfriend. Paula agreed that she should dump him. She also said, “Let me know when you drop him, because when you do, I’m going to be there to pick him up.” Jan decided to rethink the situation.
The Desert Of Life Also Has The Mirage Of A Green Oasis.
When you finally struggle to get where the shimmering Oasis is, there will be no green, and there will be no water. You will only be fooled. You saw what you wanted to see. In your desperate struggle for a better life, you have not find satisfaction there. Actually, it is possible that you may wind up more desperate and disillusioned than before. Maybe the green you are looking for, is real… but, only in your mind.
For You, Does Going Green Mean Going For More Money?
I worry about those who only focus on the dollar and not their soul. They might make more money and also 
miss more church. It’s the worst trade off ever. There is no job worth losing your soul over.
We all have heard our share of get rich quick schemes. And we also know of some who have fallen into that trap. Beware!
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Beneath Some Patches Of Green Grass, Are Septic Tanks
Erma Bombeck entitled one of her books: The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank.
Did anyone ever ask, “Why is the grass greener over there? What makes it so green right there?”
It seems that in polite company, every one tries to ignore the source of the greener grass. But, no matter how much we suppress the truth from our thinking, filth made it greener. That is a fact.
Has sin made the grass greener where you have been looking? It’s possible. Maybe you should ask the “Why” questions about the Green Grass you’ve been looking at.
Lot Chose The Well Watered Plains Of Sodom And Gomorrah
No doubt about it. The grass was greener. It was so green, that it’s magnetism held Lot and his family captive. They actually loved the placed.
It was God who had the problem. Lot felt good about it. He listened to his own carnality. It was God who hated the filth of Sodom. Lot was willing to die there. God had to drag him and his family out.
The attraction was so strong that Lot’s wife died from its attraction. The fruits of his daughters perversion became one of the things God hated most. Their names were Ammon and Moab, the life long enemies of the people of God.
It all started with Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom. It started with Lot looking at the greener grass every day. What are you looking at? In what direction is your tent pitched?
HINT: The Grass Would Be Greener Where You Are Living Right Now, If You Would Just Water It More Often.
The K-Rail Interview
The K-Rail Interview
The Ballestero Blog: Most Highway Dividers never give interviews, so I am especially honored to have the opportunity to chat with you for a few moments and ask some questions about your life and your work, if you don’t mind.
K-Rail: Thank you for taking the time to stop and talk. No I don’t mind you asking.
TTB: Is it OK if I call you K?
K: Sure.
TBB: Tell me about yourself before you became a K-Rail. I see that you have some photos with you. Please feel free to show them our readers.
K: Thank you, I would love to. I have been a Rail since Feb 26, 2008. They stamped it on me the day I got poured. I have a picture of that day right here.
Here I am when I was just an old hardened boulder hanging out with some friends. I’d sat in the same place for years. My life was going nowhere. I wasn’t good for much of anything either.
Then one day, this man came by and looked me over. I guess he saw some potential or something in me that no one else saw. He picked me up and took me to his place. I wound up being placed into a very powerful crusher. Then when he felt I was ready, he turned on the conveyor belt and I started on my new journey.
TBB: Oh my! What was that like?
K: I was like nothing I had ever imagined. The crusher ground me up into powder and small pieces.
TBB: So the first thing that happened to you, was a complete transformation? You also didn’t even look the same! I am looking at the pictures of you as a boulder and looking at you now. Wow!
K: That’s very true. But I realized that the plan was not to destroy me, but to give me a new life and a new purpose. I also became at one, in a spirit of unity, with the others that were made just like me. We are now forever bonded.
TBB: Then what happened?
K: They poured me into this great big vat that churned real slow. They added some water and put in another ingredient or two, besides. Then they poured me into a 10 foot mold. I didn’t even get to choose how I was to be formed or what I was to be. The one that found me, decided that for me.
Inside the mold they placed some steel cables that would be there to give me added strength. When they finished pouring me, I noticed the scales said that I now weighed 4,000 lbs.
They then let me sit and wait for a process that is called curing. I had to go through that awhile before they could actually use me and put me into service.
TBB: Are all Concrete Dividers put into service?
K: I think they are supposed to be, but I’ve heard about some that are just happy being stacked beside the road in a field and never used at all. I think they are more of an eyesore, than anything. I am so glad that I can be of service.
I had some friends who got poured the same day I did. They got painted a bright yellow. The rest of us thought maybe it would lead to them having pride or something. But then an old-timer said that they were painted that color because they would be working in a very dangerous area and their life’s work was to be a warning and a help to others.
This here, is a picture of my Mom. She was showing signs of old age by the time they took this photo, but she was faithful until the very end. She was always so dependable. I wish more moms were like her.
Here is one of my Dad. He received a very hard hit last month and it showed. Even though it actually finished him off, he never moved. He never stopped doing what he was put there to do. He had some steel in him too. I am very proud of my dad. He never complained nor cried about the hits he sometimes took. He was a man’s man.
Many of my friends have tire marks and bumper scrapes, but they are still standing. Some have been hit hard by cars and even by trucks. They have stood unchanging in rain, snow, heat and cold. That’s what our life is all about. Doing what we were put there to do. We were taught that this new life we now have, is not just about us… it’s about others. I am very happy to spend the rest of my life this way.
They expect me to be a guide unto others, and a protection for all. My job is to help travelers on their journey. So, no matter what happens around me or to me, I am placed here to be noticed. I am also here to be unmoved and unchanged.
TBB: I’ll look for you K, the next time I’m out your way. Thank you so much for what you do. We all thank you!
K: You’re sure welcome… I’m be here.
The June Starr Davis Memorial Presentation
Today is the Funeral of our beloved Mother, June Starr Davis. On behalf of our family, I thank each of you for the sweet words of affection and love you expressed about her. Your prayers for all of us at this time have been deeply appreciated. Thank You!
For the benefit of family and friends unable to come, I am posting here the PowerPoint with 496 of her pictures that will be shown.
The original Presentation was 1.62 GB. This blog limits my upload size, so I had to reduced the resolution of the Mp4 file and made it small enough to post it here. The Original PowerPoint with full resolution is also included here. You may download either, or watch on-line
Thank You For Your Love And Prayers Today As We Celebrate The Life Of Our Mother.
Martyn Ballestero
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
To Download the PowerPoint Below, Right Click and Select Save As.
A Short Pictorial Of My Life
A Short Pictorial Of My Life
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The passing of our parents leaves the deepest of voids in our lives. The GOOD News is, that the guidance and support from our Heavenly Father and the Church (our Spiritual Mother) will always be there!
What Is Your Quality Of Life?
What Is Your Quality Of Life?
According to dictionary.com, the phrase quality of life entered our American language in the early 1940’s. We commonly use this expression to describe the availability of comforts, or the lack thereof.
Auntie Fern
As a seven-year-old boy, I was aware that my Auntie Fern was dying with cancer. She was quite young, but the disease had exhausted her strength. My mind still sees pictures of her sitting in Grandma Gleason’s house at 711 Polk St, Oregon City, Oregon in her special chair.
Auntie Fern smiled at me a lot as she sat covered in her lap blanket. I have no memory of ever seeing her walk, but before the cancer, she always had. She had a beautiful twelve-year-old daughter Carolyn. Cancer quickly takes away what we may have determined to be, our quality of life.
Beverly
My sister, Beverly Anne, was fourteen months younger than me. Problems at her birth complicated the health conditions she was already born with. She was a very sickly child. She was not strong enough to go to school after the fourth grade. She never got to skip rope a day in her life.
Her hair never grew long, her eyes were weak, her nails wouldn’t grow and her broken bones couldn’t mend. Her body produced no calcium.
She never had a boyfriend, or ever went out on a date. She never got a love letter. The lack of calcium, plus other critical health issues occasionally caused her to go into convulsions during the last two years of her life. She kept a bell by her bed to ring for help when she felt another episode coming on.
In her last years, I carried her in my arms from the parsonage to the church every service, and placed her in a special chair at church. Beverly died at seventeen. But she died talking in tongues.
The case can certainly be made about her not having much in the way of any quality of life. But I guess the measurement depends on the yardstick being used.
Daddy
After nearly eighteen years, I still carry the mental images of my Alzheimer’s stricken, father. His world was even further complicated with the addition of Parkinson’s disease.
His seven-year journey into that alien realm was heart breaking to watch. This was the man whose mind was so sharp, he had preached the 1964 UPCI General Conference in San Antonio, using notes he had scribbled on the back of his hotel cleaner’s receipt. Now, he had to be led everywhere. Now, he had to be fed. Now, he had to be dressed. Now, he had to be cared for as a small child, while the disease held him securely in its grasp.
He did not easily recognize his friends or even all of his family. He soon got to the place where he could no longer carry on any meaningful conversations. Yet, something was still alive in him on the inside.
Some visiting ministers came to see him one time. They talked about the Lord, and about the Oneness of the Godhead. They talked about the Mighty God in Christ. Daddy came out of his mental fog and started quoting ‘One God’ scriptures. Tears flowed as his visitors listened to his words.
When they were ready to leave, they wanted to pray with Daddy. As the prayer started, an invisible switch turned on inside of him. He began to pray with power and anointing. All wept again just listening to him pray. The Holy Ghost filled the room. When the prayer was over, he retreated back into his Alzheimer’s oblivion. On 9/11/1994, we watched as the hands of the Lord led him where no other hand could lead him.
Did he have much in the way of quality of life during his last years? No, not from where you’re standing. No, not from what my eyes or my heart could see either.
Mama
January 13, 2012 my loving sisters and I laid our sainted Mama in the arms of the Lord. Her dementia was different from Daddy’s. Her short-term memory left her a couple of years before she left us. Yet, she still always responded warmly to our affection.
I tried to call her every day, after Daddy died in 1994. The last year, however, it was almost impossible from me to have any meaningful conversation with her on the phone. I tried using Skype video calls, with my sister Nila assisting Mom. Her eyes always lit up when she saw me, she would then tell me that she loved me. When I told her how much I loved her and what a wonderful mother she was, she would smile and say, ” Keep talking, ‘Say some more Honey Baby,’ or ‘Cha La La.”
But… If someone were to start quoting a Psalm, her mind became alert, especially, if Psalms 100 was quoted. She may not even open her eyes, but she would automatically quote the verses with you, or if you paused, she would quote the next verse. She came alive when any Psalm was quoted.
Other than that? Not much, but just sit in her chair all day. No more playing the piano. No more singing. Not eating much either. Just sleeping the day away.
A few days before she died, she had a stroke in the middle of the night. Her fall broke her hip. She was in so much pain. Did she have any quality of life in her last years? Not like you would hope to enjoy.
So, What Does It Mean To Have Quality Of Life?
- Does it mean good health?
- Does it mean wealth?
- Does it mean love?
- Does it mean living in a good neighborhood?
- Does it mean having needed amenities in your house?
- Does it mean living in a nice house?
- Does it mean owning a new car?
- Does it mean eating well?
- Does it mean having nice clothes?
- Does it mean something that money buys?
- What does it mean?
- Does it mean being able to walk?
- Does it mean being able to speak?
- Does it mean being able to hear?
- Does it mean being able to see?
Careful now…
In your mind,
- Does quality of life mean being active?
- Does it mean having the strength to exercise?
- Does it include bike riding?
- Does it include riding motorcycle riding?
- Does it include going fishing or hunting?
- Does it include going shopping?
- Does it include getting out of the house?
Actually, our definition of the term, Quality of Life is quite different from God’s opinion.
Jesus Said That He Was Life!
John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 10:10 I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
What the phrase, quality of life, has come mean to me is simply that there is NO quality of life without Jesus! The good news is that He came to give Life, and give it more abundantly!
How do you obtain this supreme Quality Of Life?
The answer is simple. You must be born again of the water and of the Spirit! On the Day of Pentecost, the multitudes asked Peter how to obtain this experience.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Quality Of Life really hasn’t much to do with mobility and health, (if we go by the Lord’s standard of judgment.) You may be rich, healthy and wise, and still not enjoy any real Quality of Life… until you’ve met the Giver of Life at an altar of repentance.
- Don’t Die Until You’ve Received The Holy Ghost… Which Is, Christ In You!
- There Is No True Quality Of Life Without Him!
That’s What I’m Talking About!
Repeating, But Not Obeying!
Repeating, But Not Obeying!
There’s a difference between repeating a command, and obeying it. If the drill sergeant gave an order and the soldier simply repeated it back to him, something uncomfortable will surely happen to the soldier to improve his comprehension.
If a parent gave their child a command to ‘Eat your veggies,’ or ‘Pick up your clothes,’ and the child just looked at the parent, smiled and repeated the command back to them and didn’t obey. Things might get ugly.
What if the math teacher said, “Turn to page 73 in you textbook.” And all the students said, “Turn to page 73 in you textbooks.” And then they just sat there and did nothing else?
Imagine the pastor saying, “You may be seated.” And the crowd answered him back, “You may be seated.” And they all just stood there and looked at the preacher and never thought that something might wrong with their response.
- This type of thinking is not really far-fetched all.
- This kind of twisted response happens around the world.
- This lack of understanding is resident in most churches in America.
- Repeating and not obeying, places the souls in jeopardy every day.
Jesus looked at His disciples and gave them instructions for evangelism and baptism. He said:
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
That’s what He said. So, on the day of Pentecost, Peter didn’t repeat the command, he obeyed the command.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Philip obeyed the command. He didn’t just repeat it.
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
At the household of Cornelius, Peter made sure the command was obeyed, not just repeated.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Even the Apostle Paul understood the difference between repeating and obeying.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
If, when the preacher baptized you he said, “I now baptize you In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,” he did not obey the command. He just repeated it, because he didn’t say what the name was.
To be obedient to the command of Jesus, you must be baptized in the NAME (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. That NAME, is Jesus.
- Only those baptized in Jesus name have obeyed Matthew 28:19.
- All others just repeated the command without obeying it.
What did your preacher do? Did he obey, or did he just repeat? You’ve got make sure!
The Night The Devil Got Scared!
The Night The Devil Got Scared!
The Devil stood behind the old man’s desk chair. He looked over his shoulder as the man wrote. The notes may not have been clearly understood to the average reader, but the Devil had no problem understanding their meaning.
A smirk of disdain came over Lucifer’s face. He knew what those notes were about. They spelled nothing but trouble for him. He knew what would happen if the words on these notes were ever spoken aloud and certain people heard them. Something had to be done immediately to keep that from happening!
The old man kept writing. The more he wrote, the more serious the Devil’s face became. This was an emergency! He had to intervene and defuse the situation. He had to do something, and do something now!
The old man suddenly bent over and laid his head on his desk. His shoulders shook slightly as he silently cried. His passion and fervor caused his heart much pain as he thought about the present danger to some of those he loved.
But then another thought crossed the man’s mind and he quickly wrote it down. The Devil read what he had written, and panicked.
Turning aside, he called to his Imps standing idly by. He bellowed out orders in a tone that they knew signaled a Red Alert.
“You,” he said, “make sure David has to work late tonight.
“And you,” he said point to another Imp, “make sure that Mary’s kids get sick immediately.”
“Go, create a plumbing problem at Bob’s house NOW!” He said to another.
“Oh, and while we’re at it,” he said looking at the fourth Imp, “give Sandra plenty of homework tonight. And if you’ve got time, give old Charlie a headache.”
The Imps howled their fiendish delight at the prospect of carrying out their orders. They all immediately vanished to complete their duties.
The frown on the Devil’s face relaxed somewhat. The smirk of confidence came back to him. He crossed his arms and turned his attention elsewhere for the moment.
The phone on the desk rang.
“First Pentecostal Church,” the old man said, “Pastor Jones speaking.”
“Pastor, this is David. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. The boss just came by and said we will all have to work overtime tonight. So, I won’t be able to be in church tonight. I am very sorry.”
“I am too, Brother David. I felt like the Lord had a special word for you tonight.” Pastor Jones said. “But, thanks for calling.”
The pastor leaned back in his chair and shook his head. He looked at his notes again and made a small addition.
Within minutes, the phone jangled again.
The caller was Mary. “Pastor, I’m calling for prayer. My two little ones have come down with something. They are running fevers. I am going to have to keep them in tonight. I know I need to be in church. I was certainly planning on being there tonight. Lately it seems it’s always something that keeps us out. If it’s not one thing, it seems to be another. Please keep us in your prayers.”
“I will, Sister Mary. I was hoping you could be there tonight. Missing church always takes an expensive toll on our soul. Thank you for calling.
Pastor Jones leaned forward and placed his face in his hands. He prayed a prayer for the sick babies, but he prayed against the working of the enemy in Sister Mary’s family too.
Before the hour was up, Brother Bob called. Somehow the septic tank back-flushed into the house and over 200 gallons of sewage flooded the main floor. Plumbers, and insurance people were on their way over. He would have to move into a motel tonight.
The Devil had a relaxed smile on his face. His boys were doing good work. They sure knew how to keep people out of church.
Sandra was the last to call. “Pastor,” she said, “I have a major test tomorrow. It will determine 60% of my final grade. I really need to study and cram for this test. I need to be excused tonight.”
The blinking light on the machine told him that a message had come in while he was on the phone. It was from Charlie. He had come home from the mall with a headache and didn’t think he would feel good enough to come to church.
The Pastor saw the handiwork of the Devil. The very ones that needed the sermon he was preparing wouldn’t be there to hear it tonight. Why couldn’t some people recognize Satan’s handiwork when things kept coming up to keep them home from church?
The pastor knew that sometimes there were legitimate excuses for folks to miss church. Too often however, some that stayed home were still well enough to go to work, school or Wal-Mart. Yet they found it easy to miss church.
Why couldn’t people get a revelation of the importance of faithfulness to every service? Was he the only one that could see that? Why couldn’t they see patterns developing in their lives that kept them out of church? Didn’t they see that it was the Devil’s business to keep them out of church?
The Imps came back into the room and the Devil high-fived them all. There was minimal damage the preacher’s message could do tonight!
The pastor picked up his Bible and his sermon notes and headed to the prayer room. He prayed for a mighty move of the Holy Ghost in the service. The Devil was fighting against the church, but God was greater. Satan would not prevail. God was still on the throne! The way Satan was fighting the church was to him a sign to him that Revival was on the way!
One Of The Most Wonderful Gifts A Man Can Give His Children!
One Of The Most Wonderful Gifts A Man Can Give His Children!
It’s not money.
It’s not expensive gifts either.
It’s not giving them all the latest toys and gadgets.
It’s not even giving them a large allowance.
I am not talking about giving your children something that only rich dads can afford. I’m talking about giving your children a gift that every father can give to his children, if only he would.
- The most wonderful gift a man can give his children?
- The answer is simple!
- It’s hanging right there in front of you like the nose on your face!
- You want to know?
- You really want to know?
Love Their Mother!
That’s It! Love Their Mother!
Let your children hear you say something like, “I love you Baby,” to their mom. Then watch them smile approvingly. Let them see you kiss her and hug her. Let them see you brag on her. Kids aren’t dumb. They can tell if you really love their mom.
Let your sons see you be tender with their Mama, and they’ll grow up being tender to their wives too. Let your daughters see how a woman is to be cherished and loved. There not much more you can do to bring peace and comfort to your children, than for them to know they grew up in a love-filled home.
Your house may have cost 100’s of thousands of dollars. But if love was not shown or felt, then all you really have is an expensive daycare center for your children.
Both of my parents have now gone on to be with the Lord. But my father left me many wonderful memories and examples of him openly expressing his love to my mom.
In my mind I can still hear him singing love songs to her that seemed to blurt out of nowhere. Songs like:
- Let Me Call You Sweetheart.
- Sugar In The Morning, Sugar In The Evening, Sugar At Supper Time.
You get the idea. Mom would always smile and walk into his open arms. All of us children would smile and nervously laugh our approval. Sometimes we turned our heads. Sometimes we watched.
Many times I’ve walked into the living room, kitchen or dining room and seen them in a tender embrace. Sure I walked back out, but I saw it! I saw that my dad truly loved my mom. For a little kid or even a big kid, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Do you forget things like that? Absolutely not! You remember it so well, that you do the same things when you get married. Then, you let your children see you be loving and tender to their mother.
If you will do that, you have just increased the odds that your children will grow up knowing the secret of a happy home life. And your grandchildren will grow up in a loving home as well. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
≈≈≈
(Now sir, go tell you wife right now how much you love her, and let your children hear you say it! Wrap your arms around her and give her a big smooch! That’s your homework for tonight. Class dismissed.)
I Hope They Find Fault With You!
I Hope They Find Fault With You.
No, really I do! Don’t get hasty and jump to conclusions though. I don’t hate you at all. I do not even dislike you even a little bit. I’m your good friend. But that being said, I hope they find fault with you.
You may think that you are already loaded down with bad things. You may feel overwhelmed with the things you presently are enduring. Yet the good “Brother-in-Christ” that I am, I pray that your critics find fault with you every day.
My words may seem heartless to you right now. They may even cause you to wince and look the other way. However, I am most sincere.
- Do I wish you pain? Absolutely not!
- Do I wish you trials and heartache? You’re Not Even Close!
- Do I wish more people disliked you? No Way!
- Do I wish you to become alone and friendless? Oh my, no!
- Do I wish you to become discouraged? Never!
Then Why Would I Hope That Others Find Fault In You?
When everyone finds fault with you, doesn’t that mean something is horribly wrong? Would your first response be to try to fix whatever the problem is? I don’t know for sure. Maybe.
But, in this case, my desire for you to be criticized and others find fault with you is meant as a good thing. What sounds even crazier to you right now is that I truly want everyone to find fault with me, the most.
Where did my twisted thinking come from? It came from the Bible, of course!
Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Daniel 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
The only fault that the critics and enemies of Daniel could find was that he loved the law of his God!
Like They Did To Daniel, I Hope They Find Fault With You Too!
(So… Are we still friends, after me scaring you like that?)
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Mr. Thomas Jefferson is rightly honored as one of the most brilliant minds in American history. He is remembered for many achievements in his public life and in his service to our nation.
- He served as Governor of Virginia.
- U.S. Minister to France.
- Secretary of State under President George Washington.
- Vice President in the administration of John Adams.
- President of The United States from 1801-1809.
His tombstone makes no mention of those accomplishments. It says rather, that he was the “author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia.”
What a man. What a mind. Yet, with all of his understanding, somehow Mr. Jefferson could not actually believe anything about the supernatural, or stories of miracles, as found in the Bible.
He loved the principles of life as taught by Jesus Christ. He approved of almost all of the Lord’s teachings. What he could not accept was anything supernatural. So, he did what he thought best. He made his own bible.
He calmly sat down with two exact Bibles, and began to cut out the parts that he liked. He would then paste all of the verses he liked into a scrapbook. Now, there would be nothing in his new bible that would make him uncomfortable.
Beliefnet Blog: Separating The ‘Diamonds’ From The ‘Dunghill’
“Done with his official work for the day, Thomas Jefferson sat in the new presidential mansion in Washington in 1804, and opened his Bible — not to pray, but to cut. He scoured the text for Jesus’ greatest teachings, sliced out his favorite portions and glued them into an empty volume. He called it “The Philosophy of Jesus.” In 1819, he started over and created a new version called “The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,” often referred to now as The Jefferson Bible. In Jefferson’s version, Jesus was not divine.”
The virgin birth – gone.
Christ’s bodily resurrection – gone.
The miracles of the loaves, walking on water, raising Lazarus – none of them made Jefferson’s book.
The bad news is that the story doesn’t end there. Although Thomas Jefferson did that 200 years ago, almost everyone is doing it now. It happens in personal lives, homes, churches and denominations. Folks are only taking from the Bible, the parts they like best and they are leaving the rest on the table.
Even some Apostolic Pentecostals have problems in this area. Listen to the audience when the preacher preaches next time. Do they say amen or do they remain quiet? To the preacher, it would be easy to judge the silence of the congregation as non-acceptance. Maybe it is.
The Preacher Can Expect A Good Response If He Preaches On:
- Love
- Mercy/Forgiveness
- Faith/Miracles/Healing
- Blessings/Prosperity
- Winning Souls
- Baptism In Jesus Name
- Receiving The Holy Ghost
- One God
However:
- What happens if the same man preaches on Worldliness?
- What happens if he preaches against the ungodly influence of Hollywood?
- How loud is the sound of amen, when the pastor reads Bible passages about women Cutting their Hair?
- If he reads scriptures about not Loving the World, does the crowd get silent?
- Maybe, it’s when he reads the part about women not Wearing Men’s Apparel?
- Does the crowd grow silent when scriptures warning about Ornamentation are read?
- What about the subject of Tithes? Can they still say amen?
- How about when the preacher reads verses about Modest Apparel?
- What if he just reads verses about Doctrine, is anyone bored yet?
Let’s Talk Some More:
- What does the crowd do when the man of God reads verses on Forgiving One Another and Bitterness?
- Does is tense up when he reads about Gossip and Backbiters and Hatred?
- What do they do when he finds a verse about Jealousy and Envy?
- How about the verses on Submission and Pastoral Authority?
- What about when he reads verses on Loving your Neighbor as yourself, while preaching against Racism? What is the response then?
- What about the audience’s response when the pastor reads verses on Fornication and Adultery?
- What is the reaction when the pastor reads verses about Rebellion?
- How about the ones on Unity?
- When he reads verses about being Faithful to God’s House, what is the reaction of the crowd?
- Do they get uncomfortable when he reads the one about, “not setting any wicked thing before my eyes?’ How does that go over?
Pentecostals have openly talked about having their ‘candy sticks.’ As a rule, that’s a good thing. The downside is that some have taken only their candy sticks, and thrown most of the rest away. It’s kind of like swallowing a camel and straining a gnat.
- All some want to see in their Bible, are verses on Love.
- Others may only be in search of New Birth scriptures in their Bible.
- Then there are those that are only interested in Holiness subjects
- A few hang up on themes like: Faith, Healing, Miracles, Worship, Prophecy, Divorce, Pastoral Authority, and Prayer, to name a few.
Why not just take it all? Let no one be guilty of only taking the part of the Bible they like, and leaving the rest for others. I am convinced that the Jefferson Bible is alive and well in most Jesus Name Pentecostal churches today.
We easily break fellowship with those who have not cut out the same portions of the Bible that we have.
I submit to every gentle reader, that many are crippling their walk with God because they refuse to take the entire Bible. Do not treat God’s Word like a buffet line, and only choose what you like. Choose it all.
Do You Own A Copy Of The Jefferson Bible?
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 