Trike Riding!!
Trike Riding!!
Back in the older days of the AMF, especially in our imaginary “Section 19“, there was phrase coined some of us have never forgotten. “He’s Riding His Tricycle“. This was said about those that:
- Would go “off” on a tangent at a fellowship meeting when they got up.
- Talked a long time. Some times it was much ado about nothing.
- Added box cars to the end of a sermon.
- Got intoxicated with the sound of their own voice.
- Always had to put their 2 cents worth in.
- Tried to “get something going by bringing up a controversial issue. Just to start a fight.
We would say stuff like:
1. He’s Polishing his Trike.
2. That Trike has long antennas with coon-tails on them.
3. His Trike is so old, it even has an “I LIKE IKE” bumper sticker on it.
With that in mind, I see on various sites, what my generation called Trike Riding. I also see that the “Trike Salesman” don’t just sell to Older guys anymore. He is selling a lot of them to the younger men as well. He sells digital ones now to those with computers too.
Every opportunity some get to be in a Trike Parade, they join right in. Flashing their paint job. Squeezing on their blue bulbed horns. Putting Old Maid cards in the spokes to make extra noise.
Men that don’t pastor, never have, maybe never will, feel comfortable Riding Their Trikes in front of proven ministries and pastors of great churches. Treating them just like they were all in the same club. They’re Not. Attempting to display their skill while unbeknown to them, they are displaying a negative image of themselves.
Maybe they even went to “Trike U” and learned how to ride. It’s still not enough. Honor and respect is earned. It is not bought with many words. Especially many words that gender strife.
The feeling may be to some, that everyone’s opinion on the internet is equal. It’s not. I have seen men on Forums, Facebook and Blogs who are respected around Pentecost, deluged with comments and arguments, often disrespected or nearly scoffed.
That is the kind of stuff young men in our churches would have been set down for. (or maybe run off)
It makes old timers want to ask. Who was their pastor? Because if they had come up under a good one, they would know enough to behave differently. You may think this format to be a place where the playing field is level. It’s Not!
Maybe some are trying to win a trophy riding their Trike. If so, I hope they win it soon because my tired is starting to hurt. I’ve watch professionals ride Trikes. I know GOOD Trike riding when I see it!
You would have been impressed too. In those days, All of us younger men, found our place, kept it, and learned with our mouth shut and our ears opened. And just said. AMEN. With no back talk.
Well, I guess it’s time to go put my Trike up. Thanks for watching me ride. 🙂
Your Finest Hour
Your Finest Hour
Illustrations: What is your finest hour? What is your one defining moment?
- England’s – (Winston Churchill’s Speech)
- America’s – Patrick Henry – Give me liberty.
- What you do under pressure, and against ALL odds.
- 9-11 – Firemen, Policemen.
- It’s not always what you do out of your Strengths that counts.
- It’s not always what you do out of your Successes that counts.
- But what you do when your back is to the wall.
- When you are looking Failure square in the face.
1. When You Get Back Up!
- It’s not your victories and successes that are so awesome, it’s your recovery from failure.
2 Tim 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
(2 Tim 2:26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
- When You Recover Yourself.
- Righteous man falleth Seven Times.
2. When You Stand Up To The Enemy
- Pea Patch
- David – Goliath
- Devil, I’ve had it with you.
- Take Dominion, Plead the Blood
- Moses, Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
- When you take a stand for Godliness, Righteousness, (Pay bills)
- Take a stand for Godliness at Home: (With children, companion)
- When you say to the devil, you can’t have my son! (daughter)
3. When You Surrender To God
- When They Say Yes To Him.
- Abraham Offering Isaac: (Now I Know You Love Me)
- Saul – Damascus
- When you turn from your sin, to God.
- Put Him First.
- No happiness living halfheartedly.
- Fall completely in love with Him.
4. When You Forgive
- Let go of your bitterness.
- Get your sweet spirit back.
- Stop counting your injuries.
- Release your prejudices and hate.
5. When You Recover What You Lost
- David – Gilgal
- Dreams, Vision, Burden
- Joy, Love,
- Prayer life, Worship
- Lit a candle and swept the house UNTIL she found it.
- Get Victory over Critical and Self-Righteous spirit.
- Find your tenderness again.
6. When You Come Home
- Onesimus went back to his master.
- Prodigal
John Mark – was re-invited by Paul to join him in ministry. (He Become Profitable To Work Of God)
What’s Your Finest Hour?
When You Get Back Up!
When You Take A Stand!
The Ministry Of Covering
The Ministry Of Covering
(Why Do Pentecostals Gossip?)
1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- I am NOT talking about COVERING FOR someone.
- I am AM talking about PROTECTING one another FROM gossip and slander.
- What is our obligation?
- It seems that if our own soul is not important to us and we do NOT love out brother, then there are no off limits.
- We are living in the days of Gossip Sheets and Rumor Rags on display in every Supermarket checkout line. Inquiring minds want to know!
- My Dad had a sign in his office: “You can’t white wash yourself by blackening others”
What is there about this society and this age that just delights in knowing the worst about everyone and then telling it everywhere? Evidently, it’s OK to say whatever you wish about someone as long as you say “POOR THING” at the end of the sentence.
I. The Bible starts out with the worst-case scenario. Some attempt to find deeper meanings in this scripture. I only want to take it a face value for what it says, for today’s thought.
Gen. 9:20 And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:
21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.
- How horrible!! Your brother tells you, that your father got drunk, and worse yet, anyone who comes into his tent will see him uncovered.
- That never seemed to bother HAM. But he wound up being the father of the Canaanites, a people of sinful and corrupting influences.
Ham saw there was a problem, did nothing to help and then told others. When Shem and Japheth heard the news, they:
- Didn’t condone the drunkenness of their father.
- They disapproved of his condition
- They disapproved even more of their brothers response.
- He would never wash that from his memory
- (The longer you live, the more fault you can find and the more humanity you will see in your hero’s life. You can’t let it throw you, nor give you license to do wrong either.)
- They went into a defense mode.
- They found a covering.
- Put it on their shoulders.Backed in.
- Turned their faces away, so as not see.“I’m not going to look like HAM did.
- We’re closer to him than you are, but willingly blind ourself.
- Not that we approve, but we don’t want folks like you finding out all you can about a situation and then go tell it everywhere.
- We’re going to cover him.
- When he gets back up, we want him to have his self-respect.
- Love covers all
1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Pr 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Pr 12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
The job of the Rodeo clown.
- To protect the fallen rider from the bull.
- The clown is no doubt one of the best athletes in the arena.
- He puts himself in the line of danger to protect a fallen comrade.
- Some of you clowns aren’t doing your job.
There is something wrong with those that have a keen interest in others sins.
- They more than likely will wind up having problems of their own.
- Knowing and telling, two different things
Shem and Japeth knew.
- They didn’t approve,
- They didn’t gloat,
- They didn’t laugh,
- They were appalled,
- They were mortified.
- They didn’t want their father to be a laughing stalk.
What is your intention when you spread the juicy details?
Prov. 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Prov. 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
Prov. 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Prov. 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
What’s Their Motive?
- This is a gossip generation
- News in Pentecost travels fast
- Cell phones
Paul, I am determined to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
The Curse Of Caanan.
- There is a curse from the Lord upon those that gloat over another’s problems.
- Considering thine own self.
- God’s ministry is one of covering so the world and enemy of our souls can’t see.
- Why do you want to expose some one.
Just because you know about someone’s mistake, doesn’t mean you have to tell everyone!
My advice? Never play Private Detective or Prosecuting Attorney in the Kingdom of God.
Let’s be more like Him!
She Laughed Her Way Through Her Trial!
She Laughed Her Way Through Her Trial!
Southern California in 1958 seemed like another world to me. I should have been used to traveling and changing towns. This place had a different “feel” about it. But I knew I would adjust. At 14, I had already gone to 21 schools. My Dad, Carl Ballestero, had been an Evangelist or Pastor all my life. Moving almost seemed normal to us.
Daddy had just resigned the little storefront church he had started in Yakima, WA. He had gotten a letter from a pastor he knew requesting he come and take his church as he was going to the mission field.
Our family of seven was crammed into the two door 1948 Pontiac. A small tarp covered utility trailer holding everything we possessed in the world was hitched to the bumper. We looked like Gypsies, I’m sure.
When we arrived at the Pastor’s home to present ourselves, a shocked look came into his eyes and he said, “Oh Brother Ballestero, I am so sorry, I’ve changed my mind and I decided to stay. I meant to write you and tell you not to come.”
My Father smiled and thanked him as he turned back to the car trying not to let dismay or discouragement show on his face to his family. We drove down the road a ways and turned a corner and stopped the car. Daddy and Mother had to decide what we were going to do next.
We had nowhere to go. Daddy only had $85 cash left. My four little sisters seemed too young to understand the crisis. There was not enough gas to go another 100 miles.
Daddy bought a newspaper and he and Mom read the “houses for rent” section of the classifieds. There was a converted duplex in National City that might work. The price was $80 a month. The last line said “no children.” We went to look anyway.
Daddy said that he knew the Pastor in National City, a Brother Leaman Reynolds. I’d never heard of him. Mom said maybe we could attend his church while Daddy Evangelized for a while.
When we arrived at the rental house, the landlady was waiting. When she saw us 5 kids, she promptly told Daddy that children were not allowed.
“Do you need me to drown them for you?” was his response.
She looked us over carefully and smiled and then agreed to let us rent the house. Now, we had $5.00 left. We drove to town and Dad talked the Utility Company into turning on the water and electricity for $5.00.
The car and trailer got unloaded quickly. There were no beds, so pallets were made on the floor. I went behind the Safeway Grocery Store and found 4 wooden orange crates by the trash bin. We took a closet door off and laid it on the orange crates to make a dinning room table of sorts. We didn’t have any chairs. The good news was, the crates made the table a comfortable height for those sitting on the floor.
The first morning, I was awakened by feminine shrieks. The previous renters had lived in the house with 16 dogs. (We’d found out later.)
My little sister’s arms, legs and torsos had flea bites everywhere. All of us were bitten. The fleas were still visible and so thick that mom got her vacuumkoo.com cleaner and took the hose and vacuumed the fleas off of our bodies.
When that chore was finished, we turned our eyes to Mom. She said to Dad, “Carl, we don’t even have a quarter to buy flea powder. But God said in Malachi, that if we would pay our tithes, He would rebuke the devourer for our sakes. Now honey, we’ve paid our tithes, so let’s get down here on the floor and ask God to rebuke these little devourers for our sake.”
And pray we did. Or, at least pray Mom and Dad did. Most of us kids just scratched with our eyes closed. I think we scratched more than we prayed. Mom has always been one of those Holy Ghost women that can go from “0” to “100” in 3 seconds. It didn’t take Mom long in pray before we heard her shift gears and move on out to the “Glory World” in God.
I don’t remember what she said, but what I do remember is that, when that 15-minute prayer meeting was over, the miracle had already happened. From that moment till we moved out over a year later, there were no more fleas found in that house!
Mother had brought a large bag of Pinto Beans down from Washington. A 50 lb. sack, if I remember correctly. The beans provided or only source of food for about a month. There was no salt, pepper, or ham hock to season with. We all drank tap water and felt happy for that. Beans three times a day. The current generation, with their luxuries from the WaterSoftenerGuide, we had none of that and it made us strong mentally.
When we gathered at the makeshift dinner table for supper. We folded our legs and sat on the floor. Mom announced the menu every evening and came around one by one and asked the same questions of us all.
“Tonight Darlings, we have:
- Fried Chicken?
- Roast Beef?
- Swiss Steak?
Which would you like?”
“Oh, I’d like some chicken,” I said.
“Great choice! Do you want white meat or dark meat?” was her next question.
When I said I wanted white meat, Mom put a spoonful of beans on my plate.
“Do you want:
- Baked potato?
- Fried potatoes?
- Mashed potatoes?
When we answered, Mom would put another dollop of beans on our plate. If we chose mashed potatoes, she would put a few more on that pile saying it was gravy.
Then she asked, do you want:
- Corn on the cob?
- California blend?
- Fresh snapped green beans?
Another pile was added regardless of our choice.
The salad menu often included:
- Garden salad (Dressings required additional beans)
- Caesar salad
- Cottage cheese and pears
Mom smiled and we laughed together as she served our supper. It was funny to us to say we wanted one thing and then be served another.
There always was a saucer beside our plates. The saucer served as a dessert plate.
Every night, we got to choose between things like.
- Chocolate cake
- Banana Pudding
- Strawberry Shortcake
When she finished serving us there were often 4 or 5 piles of beans on our plates, not counting our dessert.
Mama made us smile at mealtime as she used her imagination to lighten the reality of life.
One afternoon after a month or so, a grocery store delivery truck backed up to our door. The driver looked at his delivery receipt and asked if this was the Ballestero residence. When we said it was, he opened the back door of the bobtail truck and there were sacks and sacks and more sacks of groceries.
Mother told him there must be some mistake, because we hadn’t ordered any groceries.
He looked at the delivery order again. And then said, “It says here the groceries have paid for by someone named: Anonymous. Over two hundred dollars worth paid in full. And they are to be delivered to the home of Carl Ballestero.
We cried with joy as the sacks of food covered the table, the counter, and the floor. We didn’t even know what to eat first. But what we did first was thank the Lord.
As a result of my Mom’s attitude during hard times, I was a full-time evangelist for over two years before I knew what a trial was. Mom had made our journey through hard times seem so fun and enjoyable, I didn’t know it was a trial. I thought everybody lived like that! She showed us that, “attitude was not something, attitude was everything.”
Thanks Mom! You’re the Best!
The Progression Of Sin
The Progression Of Sin
We can’t talk about Holiness without talking about sin. Holiness desires to live a life separate from sin.
- Appearance doesn’t matter? Some act like it doesn’t. They’re wrong.
- They say they’re “Enlightened?
- We had an Old fashioned Pentecostal term for them… they’re Backslid!
- Leprosy is a Type of Sin
Watch the progression of sin in these 4 example of Leprosy in Leviticus 13, 14.
- These all brought their concerns to the priest.
- Today we wait for the preacher to say something.
- We figure, if he doesn’t say anything, we must be all right.
- They seemed to know, without being told, that something was wrong.
- The good news is they wanted it fixed.
1. SKIN
Leviticus 13:1-9 (KJV)
2 When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests:
3 And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
- Makeup
- Eye shadow
- Eye liner
- Blush
- Cover girl
- Tattoos
What what ever happened to Shamefacedness? It’s far to common to see makeup around Pentecostal Churches.
2. HAIR
Leviticus 13:20-25 (KJV)
20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
Leviticus 13:30-33 (KJV)
30 Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard.
31 And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days:
32 And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be not in sight deeper than the skin;
- Hair Styles
- Cut hair on girls
- Long hair boys
3. GARMENT (Clothes)
Leviticus 13:47-59 (KJV)
47 The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment;
48 Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;
- Immodest
- Slits that should never be
- When you try the skirt on and ¾ of your leg comes through the slit, aren’t there alarms that go off in your head or your heart?
- (Who are you dressing like that for?
- Sleeves – sleeveless and cap sleeves are too common. (I’m old school.)
- I know I can be saved dressing like I do, why gamble?
- Tight clothes
- Revealing and sheer clothes
- Israel couldn’t Blush.
- God, don’t let us lose our ability to blush!
4. House
Leviticus 14:34-45 (KJV)
34 When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
35 And he that owneth the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seemeth to me there is as it were a plague in the house:
What’s in your house that God might consider Leprosy?
- TV?
- All kinds of Videos?
- Improper Music?
- Empty the house – Repent
- Scrape the walls – Heart searching
- Replace Stones and Morter – pray through to a renewal is always in order!
There’s no stopping place for sin. It gets everywhere. The Bible illustrated sin starting in the Skin, showing up in the Hair, displaying itself in how we Dress and then getting in our Home.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
.
Why My English Teacher Wanted To Be Baptized In Jesus Name!
Why My English Teacher Wanted To Be Baptized In Jesus Name!
Ms. DeGroote, as she wished to be called, was from France and she taught my senior year English class at South Bend Central High. She was 63 and referred to herself as a spinster. We had more creative names for her. Most of the students dreaded her classes. We were taught diction and enunciation with a heavy French accent. It seemed to make learning to speak proper English an impossibility with her as the instructor. By much effort I received the only A in her class both semesters.
My class was filled with Catholic students. South Bend, Indiana still is a predominately Catholic town. Its claim to fame is the University of Notre Dame. I was the only non-Catholic in the class.
Ms. DeGroote was a stern woman who tolerated no-nonsense in any of her classes. I was highly confined in her restrictive and controlled environment.
During the course, we had many weeks of conjugation and diagramming sentences. Somehow the nerd in me found those subjects easy and interesting. No, that is not normal, but it happened nevertheless. (I knew I was a nerd and not a geek, because geeks make more money than nerds.)
One day Ms. DeGroote said, “Now students, tomorrow I want you to bring to class a sentence or sentences that you have diagrammed. You may go to the board and diagram your sentence, and I will correct your paper. Or, I will go to the board and diagram your sentence while you correct the paper.
For the life of me, I could not think of a sentence to diagram. Especially since the whole class would see. Then it dawned on me. What better sentence in the world to diagram! I went home, picked up my Bible, and copied Mt. 28:19 down. I proceeded to diagram the verse. This just had to be right.
The next day couldn’t come soon enough. I was ready for class. When 3rd period English finally arrived I knew I would be the second one called on. Everything in the class was by alphabet. Even our seating was arranged that way. I set behind Adams. We were all called by our last names.
When Adams was called on, he went to the chalkboard and almost got his correct. Ms. DeGroote sat at his empty desk and corrected his paper while he was at the board. When he finished, I heard “Ballestero!”
“I would like you to go to the board and diagram my sentence, and I will correct my own paper,” I said to Ms. DeGroote.
She said, “Read me your sentence.”
“It’s a Bible verse, if that’s OK,” I ventured.
She nodded and I read my Scripture.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
“Go ye therefore (comma)” I said.
Ms. DeGroote prefaced her work with a (you) in front of the word “Go”.
When I read the verse aloud, I paused on the word “name,” while I waited for her to catch up.
“Of the Father,” I said.
“Now, here we have a prepositional phrase modifying the word name. At this point we do not know yet what the name of the person is, but we do know by this prepositional phrase, that whoever this person is, they are a Father,” she said.
She then drew the appropriate lines on her diagram.
“Of the Son,” I continued.
“Now we know, that this person is both a Father and a Son, but we still don’t have a name.”
“Ms. DeGroote,” a girl named Williams called out with her hand in the air. “Aren’t Father and Son names?”
“They’re just descriptive titles. They tell us something about the name, but they don’t tell us His name, they are only titles.” was her answer.
She again drew the second prepositional phrase on the board.
“Of the Holy Ghost.” I continued.
After the 3rd prepositional phrase was in place, my teacher looked carefully at the diagram on the board from end to end. She shook her head. “All we know here is that whoever this person is, they are a Father, a Son, and they are the Holy Ghost! But we still don’t know what the name is.”
“Martyn,” she said looking at me carefully, “What is the name?”
I had been waiting for this moment. I stood, and gently said, “Jesus is the name!”
Ms DeGroote looked at her writing on the board. Then she turned back to me with her arms wide in surrender. With a heavy French accent, my Catholic English teacher said, “I guess I need to be baptized in Jesus name!”
“Yes!” I said as I pulled my upraised clinched fist down from my chin area. The other 30 students in the class clapped. I did a modest jig in the class aisle myself.
Have you been baptized in Jesus name?
Acts 2:38 (KJV) 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 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
When a Husband Offends His Wife
When a Husband Offends His Wife
by
Dr. Gary Smalley
When a husband recognizes that he has offended his wife in any of these ways, he needs to clear it up in order to restore the relationship. Why not ask your wife to check these that are true of you.
1. Ignoring her.
2. Not valuing her opinions
3. Showing more attention to other people than her.
4. Not listening to her or not understanding what she feels is important.
5. Closing her out by not talking or listening to her (the silent treatment).
6. Being easily distracted when she is trying to talk.
7. Not scheduling special time to be with her.
8. Not being open to talk about things you do not understand.
9. Not being open to talk about things she does not understand.
10. Not giving her a chance to voice her opinion on decisions that affect the whole family.
11. Disciplining her by being silent or angry.
12. Making jokes about her life.
13. Making sarcastic statements about her.
14. Insulting her in front of others.
15. Coming back with quick retorts.
16. Giving harsh admonitions.
17. Using careless words before you think through how they will affect her.
18. Nagging her in harshness.
19. Rebuking her before giving her a chance to explain a situation.
20. Raising your voice at her.
21. Making critical comments with no logical basis
22. Swearing or using foul language in her presence.
23. Correcting her in public.
24. Being tactless when pointing out her weaknesses or blind spots.
25. Reminding her angrily that you warned her not to do something.
26. Having a disgusted or judgmental attitude.
27. Pressuring her when she is already feeling low or offended.
28. Lecturing her when she needs to be comforted, encouraged or treated gently.
29. Breaking promises without any explanation or without being asked to be released from the promise.
30.Telling her how wonderful other women are and comparing her to other women.
31. Holding resentment about something she did and tried to make right.
32. Being disrespectful to her family and relatives
33. Coercing her into an argument.
34. Correcting or punishing her in anger for something for which she is not guilty.
35. Not praising her for something she did well even if she did it for you.
36. Treating her like a little child.
37. Being rude to her or to other people in public, like restaurant personnel or clerks.
38. Being unaware of her needs
39. Being ungrateful.
40. Not trusting her.
41. Not approving of what she does or how she does it.
42. Not being interested in her own personal growth.
43. Being inconsistent or having double standards (doing things you won’t allow her to do.)
44. Not giving her advice when she really needs it and asks for it.
45. Not telling her you love her.
46. Having prideful and arrogant attitudes in general.
47. Not giving daily encouragement.
48. Failing to include her in a conversation when you are with other people.
49. Failing to spend quality time with her when you’re at a party.
50. “Talking her down” – continuing to discuss or argue a point just to prove you’re right.
51. Ignoring her around the house as if she weren’t a member of the family.
52. Not taking time to listen to what she believes is important as soon as you come home from work.
53. Ignoring her at social gatherings.
54. Not attending church as a family.
55. Failure to express honestly what you think her innermost feelings are.
56. Showing more excitement for work or other activities than her.
57. Being impolite at mealtime.
58. Having sloppy manners around the house and in front of others.
59. Not inviting her out on romantic dates from time to time (just the two of you).
60. Not helping her with the children just before mealtime or during times of extra stress.
61. Not volunteering to help her with the dishes occasionally, or with cleaning the house.
62. Making her feel stupid when she shares an idea about your work or decisions that need to be made.
63. Making her feel unworthy for desiring certain furniture or insurance or other material needs for herself and the family.
64. Not being consistent with the children; not taking an interest in playing with them or spending quality and quantity time with them.
65. Not showing public affection for her, like holding her hand or putting your arm around her. (You seem to be embarrassed to be with her.)
66. Not sharing your life with her, like your ideas or your feelings (e.g. what’s going on at work).
67. Not being the spiritual leader of your home.
68. Demanding that she submit to you.
69. Demanding that she be involved with you sexually when you are not in harmony.
70. Being unwilling to admit you’re wrong.
71. Resisting whenever she shares on of your blind spots.
72. Being too busy with work and activities.
73. Not showing compassion and understanding for her and the children when there is a real need.
74. Not planning for the future, making her vary insecure.
75. Being stingy with money, making her feel like she is being paid a salary – and not much at all.
76. Wanting to do things to embarrass her sexually.
77. Reading sexual magazines in front of her or the children.
78. Forcing her to make many of the decisions regarding the checkbook and bills.
79. Forcing her to handle bill collectors and overdue bills.
80. Not letting her lean on your gentleness and strength from time to time.
81. Not allowing her to fail – always feeling like you have to lecture her.
82. Refusing to let her be a woman.
83. Criticizing her womanly characteristics or sensitivity as being weak.
84. Spending too much money and getting the family too far into debt.
85. Not having a sense of humor and not joking about things together.
86. Not telling her how important she is to you.
87. Not sending her love letters from time to time.
88. Forgetting special dates like anniversaries or birthdays.
89. Not defending her when someone else is complaining or tearing her down.
90. Not putting your arm around her and hugging her when she’s in need of comfort.
91. Not bragging to other people about her.
92. Being dishonest
93. Discouraging her for trying to better herself either through education or physical fitness.
94. Continuing distasteful habits.
95. Not treating her as if “Handle With Care” was stamped on her forehead.
96. Ignoring her relatives and the people that are important to her.
97. Taking her for granted, assuming that ‘a woman’s work is never done” around the house.
98. Not including her in the future plans until the very last minute.
99. Never doing little unexpected things for her.
100. Not treating her like an intellectual equal.
101. Looking at her as a weaker individual in general.
102. Being preoccupied with your own goals and needs making her feel like she and the children do not count.
103. Threatening never to let her do something again because she made a mistake in the past.
104. Criticizing her behind her back. (This is really painful for her to hear about your criticisms from someone else.
105. Blaming her for the things in your relationship that are clearly your failure.
106. Not being aware of her physical limitations, treating her like a man by roughhousing with her or making her carry heaving objects.
107. Losing patience or getting angry with her when she can’t keep up with your schedule or physical stamina.
108. Acting like you’re a martyr if you go along with her opinions.
109. Sulking when she challenges your comments.
110. Joining too many organizations which exclude her and the children.
111. Failing to repair items around the house.
112. Watching too much TV or playing video games and therefore neglecting her and the children.
113. Demanding that she sit and listen to your point of view when she needs to be taking care of the children’s needs.
114. Insisting on lecturing her in order to convey what you believe are important things.
115. Humiliating her with words and actions, saying things like, “I can’t stand living in a pig pen.”
116. Not taking time to prepare her for enjoy sexual intimacy.
117. Spending money extravagantly without helping those less fortunate.
118. Avoiding family activities that the children enjoy.
119. Taking vacations that are primarily for your pleasure, like fishing or hunting while preventing her from shopping or doing things she enjoys.
120. Not letting her get away from the children just to be with friends, go shopping for special items, or have a trip away with her friends.
121. Being unwilling to join her in things she enjoys like shopping, going out for coffee and desert at a restaurant.
122. Not understanding the boring chores a housewife does: like picking up clothes and toys all day long, wiping runny noses, putting on and taking off muddy work boots and jackets, washing and ironing, etc. etc.
100 Ways You Can Love Your Wife Her Way
I am reading a book by Gary Smalley. “Hidden Keys of a Loving Lasting Marriage.” Mr. Smalley has several lists in this book that may prove important to your marriage.
(My experience as a former pastor is that those that have problems at home, wind up having problems at church.)
100 Ways You Can Love Your Wife Her Way.
Discuss this list with your wife.
- Ask her to check the ones that are meaningful to her
- Arrange them in order of importance to her.
- Use the list as a basis for learning her views.
I know your relationship will be greatly strengthened as you learn how to use these suggestions.
100 Ways
1.Communicate with her; never close her out.
2. Regard her as important.
3. Do everything you can to understand her feelings.
4. Be interested in her family.
5. Ask her opinion frequently.
6. Value what she says.
7. Let her feel your approval and affection.
8. Protect her on a daily basis.
9. Be gentle and tender with her.
10. Develop a sense of humor.
11. Avoid sudden major changes without discussion or giving her time to adjust.
12. Learn to respond openly and verbally when she wants to communicate.
13. Comfort her when she is down emotionally. For instance put your arms around her and silently hold her for a few seconds without lectures or putdowns.
14. Be interested in what she feels is important in life.
15. Correct her gently and tenderly.
16. Allow her to teach you without putting up your defenses.
17. Make special time available to her and your children.
18. Be trustworthy.
19. Compliment her often.
20. Be creative when you express your love, either in words or in actions.
21. Have specific family goals for each year.
22. Let her buy things she considers necessary.
23. Be forgiving when she offends you.
24. Show her you need her.
25. Accept her the way she is; discover her uniqueness as special.
26. Admit your mistakes. Don’t be afraid to be humble.
27. Lead your family in a spiritual relationship with God.
28.Allow your wife to fail; discuss what went wrong after you have comforted her.
29. Rub her feet or neck after a hard day.
30. Take time for the two of you to sit and talk calmly.
31. Go on romantic outings,
32. Write her a letter occasionally, telling her how much you love her.
33. Surprise her with a card or flowers.
34. Express how much you appreciate her.
35. Tell her how proud you are of her.
36. Give advice in a loving way when she asks for it.
37. Defend her to others.
38. Prefer her over others.
39. Do not expect her to do activities beyond her emotional or physical capabilities.
40. Pray for her to enjoy God’s best in life.
41. Take time to notice what she has done for you and the family.
42. Brag about her to other people behind her back.
43. Tell her about your job if she is interested.
44. Share your thoughts and feelings with her.
45. Take time to know how she spends her day at work or at home.
46. Learn to enjoy what she enjoys.
47. Take care of the kids before dinner.
48. Help straighten up the house before mealtime.
49. Let her take a bubble bath while you do the dishes.
50. Understand her physical limitations if you have several children.
51. Discipline the children in love, not in anger.
52. Help her finish her goals — hobbies or education.
53. Treat her as if God hand stamped on her forehead, “Handle with care.”
54. Get rid of habits that annoy her.
55. Be gentle and thoughtful of her relatives.
56. Do not compare her relatives with yours in a negative way.
57. Thank her for things she has done without expecting anything in return.
58. Do not expect the band to play when you help with house cleaning.
59. Make sure she understands everything you are planning to do.
60. Do little things for her – An unexpected kiss, coffee in bed.
61. Treat her as an intellectual equal.
62. Find out if she wants to be treated as physically weaker.
63. Discover her fears in life.
64. See what you can do to eliminate her fears.
65. Discover her intimate needs.
66. Ask if she wants to discuss how you can meet her intimate needs.
67.Find out what makes her insecure.
68. Plan your future together.
69. Do not quarrel over words, but try to find hidden meanings.
70. Practice common courtesies like holding the door open for her or pouring her coffee.
71. Ask if you offend her in any way when being intimate with her.
72. Ask if she is jealous of anyone.
73. She if she is uncomfortable about the way money is spent.
74. Take her on dates now and then.
75. Hold her hand in public.
76. Put your arm around her in front of friends.
77. Tell her you love her — often.
78. Remember anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.
79. Learn to enjoy shopping.
80. Teach her to hunt and fish or whatever you enjoy doing.
81. Give her a special gift from time to time.
82. Share the responsibilities around the house.
83. Do not belittle her feminine characteristics.
84. Let her express herself freely, without fear of being called stupid, or illogical.
85. Carefully choose your words, especially when angry.
86. Do not criticize her in front of others.
87. Do not let her see you become excited about the physical features of another woman.
88. Be sensitive to other people.
89. Let your family know that you want to spend special time with them.
90. Fix dinner for her from time to time.
91. Be sympathetic when she is sick.
92. Call her when you are going to be late.
93. Do not disagree with her in front of the children.
94. Take her out to dinner and for little getaways.
95. Do the “little things” she needs from time to time.
96. Give her special time to be alone or with her friends.
97. Buy her what she considers an intimate gift.
98. Read a book she recommends to you.
99. Give her an engraved plaque assuring her of your lasting love.
100. Write a poem about how special she is.
If your wife persistently reacts negatively to you, it may be because she perceives a threat to one or both of two important areas: 1) her security 2) her established relationships.
What Was In Heart Of Judah?
What Was In Heart Of Judah?
Just a Thought. You have to put the meat on the bones.
We Know that Judah, represents Worship and Praise. They have been called the Tribe of the Praisers.
Notice where Simeon is located (taken from my Mac Bible program). It’s in the heart of Judah. Some of Simeon’s definitions are, Submission and Obedience. Typifying to me that Worship and Submission should be in the very heart of our Worship! My Worship to Him won’t mean very much if I am not submitted to Him and His Word. What’s in your heart?
I prefer writing “Bible” to bible, “God” to god, and “Jesus” to jesus!
I prefer writing “Bible” to bible, “God” to god, and “Jesus” to jesus!
In today’s world of fast communication with blogs, forums and social networks, it’s easy to become a little careless when quickly writing about God and church.
The good Lord knows that none of us are perfect nor do we have the right to go around admonishing others.
Forgive me then for treading where normal people would may not. (My friends have never called me normal.)
It does seem from this old man’s point of view, that my generation has gone from carefulness to carelessness in a number of areas.
Remember the stories we all heard about the Scribes copying Scriptures? Remember Bible teachers saying the scribes were fearful to even spell out the name of Jehovah? I am told they wrote the abbreviation Jah instead.
When they came to that word, they would stop, get a new “pen” (Some say they even changed their garments as well) and then write the name, Jah (Jehovah)
Even comments on Wikipedia show the additional carefulness of men in the Old Testament:
“Laws of writing divine names:
- “According to Jewish tradition, the sacredness of the divine names must be recognized by the professional scribe who writes the Scriptures, or the chapters for the tefillin and the mezuzah. Before transcribing any of the divine names he prepares mentally to sanctify them. Once he begins a name he does not stop until it is finished, and he must not be interrupted while writing it, even to greet a king. If an error is made in writing it, it may not be erased, but a line must be drawn round it to show that it is canceled, and the whole page must be put in a genizah (burial place for scripture) and a new page begun.
- “According to Jewish tradition, the number of divine names that require the scribe’s special care is seven: El, Elohim, Adonai, YHWH, Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh, Shaddai, and Tzevaot.”
We all understand that was in Israel, and that was a long time ago. I’m sure I’m “old school,” but I prefer writing “Bible” to bible, “God” to god, and “Jesus” to jesus!
In your opinion, I may have OCD, or I may be sticking my long nose where it don’t belong. I may be a picky old English major who likes proper nouns with caps. Or, I may be making an appeal for carefulness. You decide.
I was raised to take my hat off when I came into the Church Sanctuary because it was God’s House. I am grateful for a Dad and Pastor who taught me respect by example.
I was reminded to be careful concerning the things of God and His church. I had my early articles edited by my Pastor/Father. He changed all my god’s into God’s, and my jesus into Jesus. I also had my he changed to He and my him changed to Him.
Write like you want, because I’m not the Capitalization Sheriff.
But this is how I choose to write concerning things worthy of the highest honor.
Thank you for reading.
God Bless You.
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 