The Ballestero Blog

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Call Yer Mom!

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Call Yer Mom!

My cousin Pastor Clayton Brown and I sat in the quaint little Italian restaurant across from Bro. Paul Price in Napa, California. It was an honor for us to have supper with such a respected Pentecostal leader. He had been a dear friend of my family and my wife’s family over the years.

“I hear that you call your mother every day. Is that true?”

Those were his first words that evening as we sat down to eat. I was taken by surprise.

“I do my best to call her every day. Sometimes we have a problem connecting because I’m in a bad area or something.”

“Yes but you do try?” He pushed the subject. But now I noticed his eyes were beginning to brim with tears.

“Absolutely!”

The tears still made me wonder why this subject brought emotion so close to the surface for him.

“I’m proud of you for that. I wished more sons would call their widowed mothers.

“I just got off the phone talking to a man about that. I had to bawl him out for neglecting to call his widowed mother. She had no one to check on her. She was desperate to hear his voice. He said he was busy. I can’t tell you how much that upset me.

“Do you know that the Bible has much to say about the treatment of widows? There are curses on those that mistreat and neglect them. God hates them that do.”

The air was not completely out of Bro. Price’s sail yet on the subject, but we were interrupted by the waiter. Although we never continued the subject, I never forgot it.

I didn’t want to know who the person was, but I was glad it wasn’t me and that I had tried to call my Mom as often as I could. I also didn’t know who’d told on me, but I was glad I got caught doing something good for once.

Although my own Mom does very good for 88 years, there are many moments when I wish her short term memory was better. I may have to remind her a time or two within a single phone call where I’m preaching a revival or if my wife is with me or at our house.

It doesn’t matter whether she can remember tomorrow that I called her today or not. I remember. Right now that’s what matters to me.

I’ve pray my children keep close tabs on my beloved wife when I’m gone.

Oh, and here’s a bit of unasked for advice for the rest of you… ‘Call yer Mom!’

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 14, 2010 at 6:57 am

The Star Search In Pentecost

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The Star Search Of Pentecost

Today’s Christianity is sadly becoming more and more about personalities than about the Savior. The focus of some seems to be about making money and a name for themselves.

Mr. Bill Breen wrote an impressive article on leadership. Part of which, I wish to share here.  In this excerpt Breen explains that the head of the Caterpillar Company never promoted himself, just his company.

The Three Ways of Great Leaders

By Bill Breen

The Leader as Manager: Louis B. Neumiller

“Whereas entrepreneurs are company creators and charismatic leaders are agents of change, managers are value maximizers — they make the most out of something that already exists. Such is the case with Louis B. Neumiller, who rose through the ranks of Caterpillar and became its chief executive in 1941. Two months later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Just as C.W. Post used changing demographics to launch the cereal industry, Neumiller seized on the massive geopolitical event that was World War II to build Caterpillar into a global organization.

Neumiller really didn’t build anything new. By the end of his era, Caterpillar’s product portfolio didn’t look all that radically different. What changed was the corporation’s scale and scope. Neumiller capitalized on the war effort and then the rebuilding effort to transform Caterpillar into a global giant. And like all great managers, he took his identity out of the business — he let his company become a hero instead of himself.”

http://www.fastcompany.com/node/54065/print

••••••••••

Harvard Business School wrote:

“Under Neumiller’s “”home-town-boy”” leadership style, Caterpillar’s revenues grew from over $100 million in 1941 to $827 million in 1963, prospering through World War II and the global post-war boom. Neumiller built the Caterpillar brand into a common worldwide name, developing only the highest quality products, and expanding Caterpillar’s dealer network to include 258 dealers with as many employees as Caterpillar itself.”

http://www.hbs.edu/leadership/database/leaders/louis_b_neumiller.html

•••••••••••••••

†  John never allowed himself to be looked at as a hero, although thousands followed his teaching.

He refused to allow his ministry to point arrows towards himself, but rather let his words be arrows pointing towards the Lamb of God.

  • John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

† Paul had to deal with hero worship issues in the minds of saints nearly 2,000 years ago. (It’s nothing new.)

  • 1Cor. 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
  • 1Cor. 1:13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul had to remind the Corinthians that they were wrong in focusing on personalities and not on Christ.

I detest the spirit that seeks to promote itself, and then encourages others to join their self made fan club.

†  Even Jesus was careful about how He approached the ministry that was before him.

  • Phil. 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

My Father taught me that if you have a gift, it will make room for you, don’t make room for your gift. It still makes sense to me today.

While I thank God for the gifts of music and ministry in these last days, Pentecost doesn’t need to run after stars, superheroes and holy action figures. Are we promoting the Kingdom or ourselves?

This life we’re living is not about us. It’s ALL about Him! We need another revelation of that.

If there is ever a ‘star’ search in our ranks, let it be the same search the 3 wise men had. I know where that search will end.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 13, 2010 at 12:02 am

“It’s OK To Struggle, Let Us Struggle…”

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“It’s OK To Struggle, Let Us Struggle…”

I sat the phone down slowly. My eyes were still brimming with tears. What I had just heard was heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time.

I had been talking on the phone to my oldest son Anthony and his beautiful new bride Kim. She was the former Kimberly Elrod of Piqua, OH. Her father Richard Elrod pastored there. Anthony and Kim had just gotten off their honeymoon just a few days prior.

My son had been asked to be the Youth Pastor in Jackson, MS at Bro. Tommy Craft’s church. The church had secured housing for them. It was a nice apartment that was furnished with a stove and a washer and dryer.

I knew that their small U-Haul truck did not contain much more than a bed, and a dinning room set she had purchased at a yard sale. Not much else besides personal articles and clothing. They were just starting out in life. Both had graduated from JCM only a few weeks earlier.

It dawned on me that there was no mention about a refrigerator in the house, I asked them about it on the phone. When they told me they didn’t have one, I felt desperate for them.

I had saved up about $350.00, so I volunteered to help out. I said to them, “Look, I  have some money put back, and I will send you $350.00 to buy one. You still have the U-Haul, and maybe you can find a used one in the Classifieds and use the truck to haul it.”

That’s when the sweet feminine voice of my new daughter in law piped up. She said, “No dad, don’t do that. We’re OK. Let us struggle. It’s OK to struggle!”

Emotion overwhelmed me. I cried silently. I had already fallen in love with her beauty and her talents. But I was unprepared for how beautiful her heart was. I immediately fell hopelessly in love with her sweet spirit and would then have freely given her half of my kingdom… if I’d had one.

“Well, you call me if you need me and I’ll be glad to do what I can to help!” I added.

(I couldn’t believe that there was still people like this in the world.) She was serious. She didn’t want me to intervene. They would make it, she said. Somehow they did.

The struggles in life of those you love is not easy to watch. You would love to bail everyone out of whatever mess they are in. Even when you know you can’t, you still want to.

The problem however is not always fixed if you do. When you look at nature it’s a clearer, although harsher picture.

Remember your journey to the farm when you were a kid? One of the highlights was watching baby chicks hatch. The 6 hour procedure is excruciating to observe. You see their little head hanging out. The look wet, helpless and tired. The heat lamp is keeping them warm. The shell is cracked. They’re exhausted and have to stop and rest for long periods which makes you want to help them.

If you try to help the baby chick, at best it may live 2 days. More than likely it will die sooner. I hate to say how I know that. The success of the chick’s survival is not the help, but the struggle.

Just because we are struggling in life, doesn’t mean God hates us, that we are out of His will or that our support system of loved ones has let us down.

Struggle is necessary to survival. (You’re still here aren’t you? Then don’t give up or give in.) It’s OK to struggle. The Father knows where you’re at. He’s watching. You’re going to make it!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 12, 2010 at 1:35 am

The Pot Bellied Church

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The Pot Bellied Church

Let the record show that I’ve got a pot belly. My 226 lbs today is 98 lbs more than it was when I started evangelizing full-time in 1963. My flat tummy disappeared years ago. I don’t like it; I wish it were a one-day fix. It’s not. I no longer button my suit coats.

  • How does a man get a pot belly?
  • What happens to him?
  • How does he cope?

He’s not proud of the fact that the flatness of his stomach was replaced with a bulge that prevents him from buttoning his suit coat. He does not wish to get any bigger but he refuses to alter his detrimental eating habits. He also refuses to admit the growth of his girth.

What he did was just pull his pants up as far as was comfortable. His comfort zone now was no longer where it used to be. It was at the bottom of his pot belly.

He no longer could see his belt buckle without bending over. He had to continually keep pulling his pants up and finally realized why suspenders were invented. He might have gained weight, but he still wore the same size pants. Things were just moved to a lower level.

The line that was higher up, had to be moved lower. It got lowered one day at a time. It no longer looks like it did. It would take a major change to get it back to where it used to be. It’s not a one-day fix.

This is what happens when the diet of the church gorges itself on worldliness.

  • The line gets lowered.
  • Compromise begins.

To keep things from getting alarming low, additional help is required. Suspenders become necessary. They try to find attractive suspenders that get compliments so that the lowered line is ignored. Lowered lines are quickly seen.

Most with weight issues and lowered lines have also been known to express concerns about back problems as well. Being overweight causes back pain.

Back pain is caused from backbone problems.

Backbone problems are common among those that let down under pressure and give in to the spirit of the age.

P.S. The photos are not of me.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 11, 2010 at 11:44 am

Posted in Christian Living

Divine Comfort

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Divine Comfort

2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

It is peace to our spirits to know that our Heavenly Father specializes in comforting. It seems that none of us can make it through life without needing Divine comfort.

In but a moment, your world can change, disaster hit, or calamity fall. None of us are exempt from crisis, whether physical, spiritual, emotional or even financial. When that happens all of us need someone to lean on. He’s always there!

•••••••••••••••••••

(Red Foley made a song famous that brought comfort to many in his generation.)

“Someone To Care”

When the world seems cold and your friends seem few

There is someone who cares for you

When you’ve tears in your eyes your heart bleeds inside

There is someone who cares for you

Someone to care someone to share

All your troubles like no other can do

He’ll come down from the sky and brush the tears from your eyes

You’re his child and he cares for you

When your disappointments come and you feel so blue

There is someone who cares for you

When you need a friend a friend to the end

There is someone who cares for you

••••••••••••••••••••••

Solomon sat down one day and began to recount that in life there are times and seasons we all must face. He described that there was a time and a season for everything. Toward the last of his discourse he makes a simple statement whose truth may escape the unobservant…

Eccl. 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew;

Imagine if you will, a small boy playing in the yard and in a moment full of life he tears his pants.  Regardless of what they cost or who gave them to him, the damage is done. He doesn’t know how to fix the problem but he goes to bed knowing that his mother said she could mend his little trousers.

When he has gone to sleep, and all the children are in bed for the night, the mother sits in her chair and sews. What took little Johnny but a moment to tear, takes his mother much longer to mend. The mending always seems to take longer than the rending.

Don’t be impatient. Your God knows how to mend the torn areas of your heart and life. Go on to sleep. The God of all comfort is at work. Your heart is in Good hands! Trust Him!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 9, 2010 at 11:23 pm

Happy Mother’s Day To My Other Mom

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Happy Mother’s Day To My Other Mom

I know I have the best Mom in the world. I could not have been more blessed in life than to have had Content Faith Gleason Ballestero for my mother. I’ve never ceased to tell her that and to brag on her. I have already wished her a Happy Mother’s Day. I love her and call her very often to tell her that.

  • But that is not my reason for writing.

I have the greatest Wife in the world; Marcia June Starr Ballestero. Besides the Holy Ghost, God could not have given me anyone more wonderful for a life’s companion than her. She is the love of my life, my soul mate and after 45 years I still thrill at the sight of her and the sound of her voice. I cherish her.

She has sacrificed her body and her life to bring five beautiful babies into our home. She is absolutely the most nurturing and loving woman you could ever hope to meet. She gave herself to me heart and soul and is a mother and grandmother whose abilities are wonderful beyond description. She is passionate about home and family (and me). She is also the world’s best cook.

She made a home that all of our children love to come back to and bring their children. All of her children rise up and call her blessed, and I am the president of her fan club. I would rather hear her sing than anyone else in the world. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. I have already wished her a Happy Mother’s Day. I cannot imagine my world without her in it.

  • But that’s not the reason for my writing.

I want to tell you about Marian ‘June’ Anderson Starr Davis, my ‘Other Mother.’

A prospective son in law understands that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. As awesome as my wife is, it wasn’t an accident. Although much was inherited in the beautiful Greek genes of her family, her Mom carefully taught her and set forth to her daughters the greatest example of what a Wife and Mother should be.

Mothers in law are the constant focus of unkind jokes. They always seem to be portrayed as mean spirited and unloving. I am not certain how that sentiment began. There must have been enough problems somewhere for it to become such a common concept.

Evidently, I got the best deal in the whole world. As a matter of fact, I don’t even tell ‘Mother in law’ jokes. Something in me is highly defensive of my ‘Other Mother.’ I would be crushed if she heard me laughing at one.

She has lived her life in a preacher’s home. Her Father, a Greek immigrant, was a Pentecostal pastor in Indianapolis, Indiana.

She married Bro. William R. Starr. (Bro. Starr pastored in Albion, Michigan and had been the District Superintendent of Michigan for 28 years when he died.)

Six years later she married Bishop Howard Davis of San Bernardino, California. This marriage was another match made in heaven.

Mom Davis (My Other Mother) is a gift from heaven to my world.

I found it easy to call her ‘Mom’ from the beginning.

She is loving to all of her sons in law. (Oh, did I mention that I am her favorite? Actually, she makes all of her five daughter’s husbands feel that way!)

She is supportive of them.

She is not intrusive into her adult children’s world.

She is affectionate.

She has great poise and grace.

She offers wise and practical advice when asked.

She is a Godly influence and example to her family.

All of her family feels thrilled and honored to be with her.

She takes time to listen.

She makes her home an inviting and comfortable haven.

She has been extremely supportive of her sons in law.

She taught her daughters to be loving and affectionate with their husbands.

She always compliments her sons in law.

Her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren absolutely adore her.

When I was very young she would listen to me talk of my dreams and plans. She listened with animation and encouragement. Looking back at some of the stupid things I talked about, It’s a wonder how she tolerated my ignorance. Yet she made me feel like what I was saying was the most important thing in the world.

When my wife and I married, she sat us down for a talk. She said, ‘Marty, if you have a problem with Marcia, don’t tell your Mom and Dad. We want them to love her. Tell us, we know how to talk to Marcia.

‘Marcia, if you have a problem with Marty, don’t tell us. We want to love him. Tell his Mom and Dad, they know how to ‘fix’ him.’ (I think my wife’s had me fixed twice.)

At meal time, Mom Davis still serves her husband first.

She treats her man like a King.

In turn she is treated like a Queen.

Her beauty is inward and outward. She has been easy on the eyes for over 80 years.

She is a master at decorating.

She is an artist.

She is an author.

She is sought after a public speaker for Ladies Meetings.

She is a master musician with perfect pitch.

She is a woman of great wisdom and intellect.

She is comfortable hobnobbing with Aristocrats or commoners.

She may look like she dresses to the ‘nines’ but she still shops at Goodwill.

She is a great business woman.

She is a problem solver.

She is an administrator.

She’s smart (In her 80’s she’s figured out how to get around on the computer, read blogs and do Facebook in grand style.)

I have never heard one of her son in law say one negative word about her. She is loved, respected and honored by us all.

The term mother in law describes to me a person that has become a mother, by law. (i.e. By marriage to her child.)

Sis. June Davis may be my Mother by law.

The law says she is my mother (in law) but it doesn’t stop there…

My heart says she’s my mother too, regardless of the law.

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom,

Marian June Davis

I Love You!

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 9, 2010 at 12:12 am

Posted in Mother

When My Mother Knelt To Pray

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When My Mother Knelt To Pray


Dedicated to praying mothers, especially mine: Content Faith Ballestero

by

Martyn J. Ballestero Sr.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I cannot tell just how I felt

Or explain to you and say,

The way my little heart did melt

When my mother knelt to pray.

It mattered not just what I did,

Or with what I’d gotten away,

Nothing ever seemed to stay hid

When my mother knelt to pray.

Some mom’s pray with folded hands

And memorized words they say,

But it wasn’t like that, you understand

With my mother knelt to pray.

The power of God would seem so real

In that special time of day,

Heaven’s nearness I could feel

When my mother knelt to pray.

The sweetness of her voice did rise

To God, and melt us all that way,

With a tender cry that I still prize

When my mother knelt to pray.

If hearts could talk, mine’d be the first

To confess to you today,

The “dam” within my soul would burst

When my mother knelt to pray.

She prayed for us all, one by one,

That we’d live for God alway,

It gave new strength to overcome

When my mother knelt to pray.

Hearing my mother thus employed,

From my heart I can only say,

Oh what communion God enjoyed

When my mother knelt to pray.

Years have past and I have knelt

With my family today,

May they, through me, know what I felt

When my mother knelt to pray.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 8, 2010 at 11:55 pm

Posted in Mother

Thanks Mom!

with 5 comments

Thanks Mom!

1. Thanks Mom For Loving Me And Making Me Feel Cherished.

2. Thanks Mom For Making Home A Place Your Children Want To Be.

3. Thanks Mom For Being A Mom Your Kids Wanted To Talk To.

4. Thanks Mom For Telling Me “No”

5. Thanks Mom For Dedicating Me To The Lord.

6. Thanks Mom for Praying For Me.

  • Beside your Bed at night
  • Before School each day.

7. Thanks Mom for Having A Family Altar.

  • Prov 22:6

8. Thanks Mom for Being A Woman Of Faith.

9. Thanks Mom For Showing Us How To Be Content At Our Lowest In Life.

10. Thanks Mom For Putting Church First.

11. Thanks Mom For Being Faithful To Dad.

12. Thanks Mom For Never Letting Us See You Argue With Dad Or Fight In Front Of Us.

13. Thanks Mom For Never Displaying Bitterness, Or Carrying Grudges.

14. Thanks Mom For Being Tender Hearted & Submissive.

  • To the will of God
  • To Your Husband
  • Treating Daddy like a King (He treated you like a Queen)

15. Thanks Mom For Being Faithful To God.

  • For saying Amen
  • For backing up your amen’s with your dress and conduct

16. Thanks Mom For Being A Wonderful & Loving Mother In Law,

17. Thanks Mom For The Rich Heritage You Have Given Your Children.



Thanks Mom!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

I Love You!



Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 7, 2010 at 10:15 pm

Posted in Mother

God’s Algebra Test

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God’s Algebra Test

I went to 26 schools growing up. It is still very evident that my education lacks much in the way of continuity. Daddy was an Evangelist for 25 years and a Pastor for 25 as well.  Quite often he had to stop in his travels and rent a house so us kids could go to school.  I got a late start. I turned 7 in Kindergarten. Somehow I was able to get out of the 12th grade mid-term at 17.

Arithmetic was a very easy subject for me and I always aced a Basic Math test. In 1958 we moved from Yakima, Washington to southern California. My Yakima Math teacher recommended me for Algebra. I got a late start and missed the basics. I somehow couldn’t wrap my mind around the concept of things like X and Y. I had no problem with numbers. But in my mind, letters had no place in a Math test. I saw that I was in trouble and couldn’t seemingly catch up, so I transferred out of Algebra class into Radio and Electronics Shop.

At about 40 years of age I said to myself, “Algebra is the only thing in life you’ve let beat you. Don’t let it.” So I went to the bookstore and bought an Algebra Textbook and a Workbook. I worked my way through and completed the exercises and tests. I cannot say that I’ve ever used Algebra in everyday life since, and that was 26 years ago.

But I have used it in preaching!

In preaching?

Absolutely!

The Algebra book has helped me preach many times.

What would ‘frost my cake’ sometimes during my 30 years of pastoring was when some dear soul would request that the church pray that they would be able to find the will of God for their life.

Yet these same people would somehow seem to be clueless about the will of God for their lives that was written down in black and white. They enjoyed the attention they received by making their mystical prayer request.

I couldn’t believe that some folks would actually ignore the will of God as written in His Word and yet attempt to seek the ‘unknown’ and the ‘as of yet, unrevealed’ will of God.

That’s when the Algebra lessons came in handy. I preached some Algebra lessons in a sermon or two.

One of the first things a student discovers in Algebra, (to put it in basic terminology) is that to find the ‘unknown,’ we have to use the ‘known.’

In other words, if we are serious about finding the illusive and unknown will of God for our lives, how can we be taken serious if we blatantly ignore the will of God that is written in His word?

Some don’t want to be faithful to church, so they ignore Heb 10:25 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

  • Heb. 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Some don’t want to pay tithes, so they ignore Mal 3:10 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

  • Mal. 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Some have a problem with holiness, so they ignore Rom 12:1 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

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

Some won’t submit to their pastor or obey what he preaches, so they ignore Heb 13:17 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

  • Heb. 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Some won’t forgive and seem to want to hold grudges, so they ignore Mark 6:14-15 and still say they are seeking the will of God.

  • Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • Matt. 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I guess you get the picture by now. It’s not really a joke or meant to be taken lightly.

  • James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Keep on praying and seeking the will of God in your life. Just don’t ignore the will of God as it is written in His Word.

Maybe, just maybe, if you are obedient and faithful in what you have been taught, then God may show you more. Don’t expect more if your obedience is less.

Oh, by the way… If you really want to know what the will of God is for your life, go ask your pastor. Don’t you TELL him, let him TELL you.

  • That’s what all the God fearing Kings did in the Old Testament.
  • That’s what you should do too.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 6, 2010 at 11:01 pm

Arrested For Flatulence

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Arrested For Flatulence

“Pull over right here,” my brother-in-law, Pastor Nathan Yandris, said in a tone demanding immediate response. I swerved the truck, pulling into the first available parking place. I could see no apparent reason for the hasty stop.

I only saw one person on the sidewalk. He looked like a bum. He wore a backpack, and his clothes were not freshly laundered. His hat kept most of the sun off of his face.

“He used to go to my church. When I first met him, he lived under a bridge and was homeless. I taught him a home Bible Study, and he got the Holy Ghost. He did great for a while, and then about 3 months ago he wanted to take the bus and go to New York and get his mom in church. He was only going to be gone a couple of weeks. This is the first I’ve seen of him since.”

With that, Bro. Yandris piled out of the pickup and walked up to the man. They greeted each other warmly. I watched through the windshield as they talked. I saw the man shaking his head, and moving his arms explaining something of great importance. It took him quite a while. I lost interest in watching their conversation, and focused my attention elsewhere.

About 15 minutes later, Bro. Yandris gave the man some money, got back in the truck and said, ‘Let’s go!” I backed out and he waved as I drove off.

“I found out where he’s been for the last 3 months. He’s been in jail!”

“Really?” I said.

“Yes, he said that he was on his way to New York, but the bus driver called ahead and they pulled him off the bus and arrested him in Joplin, MO.”

When I asked him what they had arrested him for, he said, “Flatulence.”

“They can arrest you for flatulence?” I asked in disbelief.

“Evidently. He said laughing. The 1st offence was bad enough. They took him to court and he was standing in front of the judge being sentenced when he did it again.  He said he couldn’t help himself.

“When the judge realized what had just happened in his court room, he covered his face and shook his head in disbelief. He then sentenced him to 90 days in jail for contempt of court.

“He never did make it to New York.”

*******************************

The religious leaders and critics were criticizing the followers of Jesus because they pulled corn from the field and ate it on the Sabbath day. Jesus announced to them that the words they spoke would defile them more.

Jesus reminded his hearers, it wasn’t what went into a man that was the problem, but that which came out of him.

  • Mark 7:18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
  • Mark 7:19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
  • Mark 7:20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
  • Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
  • Mark 7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
  • Mark 7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

The words we speak and the things we do can get us in trouble with God. The spirit we manifest, is noticed by the Heavenly Judge as well.

  • Psa. 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Don’t live so that the Judge of all the earth holds you in contempt of court.

Written by Martyn Ballestero

May 5, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Posted in Christian Living