Satan's Onslaught Against My Father

Before I go any further, I ask everyone to remember my sister-in-law, Debbie Ballard in prayer. Debbie has had pain in her chest and a very high blood pressure since Sunday. Tonight, her doctor decided to put her in the hospital in Marion, Indiana, and run a stress test on her tomorrow (Wednesday).
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My father was one of the healthiest men you would ever meet. I cannot remember dad being sick while growing up. He fell off a truck at Kroger one time in his 30's and hurt his back pretty bad. But even then, God healed him and he fully recovered. But at around 54 years old everything changed.

Looking back now on all that dad went through over the last fourteen years, I can see the fingerprints of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." I absolutely believe that Satan targets God's people that are fruitful in the kingdom of God. I believe that there are modern day Jobs that God allows Satan to try and test in order that He (God)may be glorified through man's good works.

Dad's illnesses were more than just a man growing older. Dad within a fourteen year period had one physical problem after another. It started with being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease followed by Diabetes. Then, a few years later the Doctors found cancer in one of dad's kidneys. After the surgery, I can remember the Surgeon telling us that dad's tumor in his kidney was the size of a football. So he had to remove the entire kidney. At around sixty years of age, dad had a heart attack while living in Terre Haute. They put to stints in dad's heart. Afterwards, dad really worked hard watching what he ate and exercising often. But a few years later, the Parkinson disease began to slow him down physically and mentally. Finally, over the last 18 months, my father had an infection throughout his body that contributed greatly to his death.

Dad's life was a fruitful one, even the years when he was sick. He multiplied himself many times over as he led people to Christ, discipled people, pastored and planted churches. Dad planted churches and sent people out into the ministry that planted churches. When a church is planted it is like planting a tree that bears fruit season after season. Satan hates and detests people like dad who are fruitful and multiplies many times over what God gives them. He will attack them and try them with regularity in order to cause them to become discouraged and to work less for God.

As it was said many times during my father's funeral service last week, he never complained through the fourteen years of sickness. He never felt sorry for himself. He never asked "Why." As the scripture says, "Endure hardness as a soldier," and dad did that understanding that his battle was not against "flesh and blood" but demonic powers that could not be seen with natural eyes. Through it all, Dad "...fought a good fight...finished [his] course...[and] kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). He was a overcomer through Christ Jesus.

Some of you that are reading this blog today need to hear a word from the Lord. He is saying to you "Don't give up! Keep fighting! Keep battling!" As you do this your life is producing fruit. Just because you may not be able to see it or feel it doesn't mean it's not happening. Yes, Satan is attacking you and you may be getting discouraged. But keep going to church. Keep giving. Keep teaching. Keep praying and keep sharing Christ. Remember, your enemy is not flesh and blood and remember you are an overcomer because "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (I John 4:4).

Sunday Wrap Up

Video Tribute, Don Ballard (Dad)


Top Ten Observations Today

10. The parking lot and sidewalks looked pretty good today. A special thanks to Frank Jones, Mark Bowers, and Ken Brumfield (and Jonathan) who worked hard clearing off sidewalks and putting down salt on the parking lot.
9. Amazing service this morning. Dan and Nancy Keaton ministered wonderfully in song and testimony. I think it was good for me to share publicly about dad.
8. The crowd this Sunday was really down. As a church, we are going to have to do a better job of doing evangelism and inviting the lost to church. We will be doing some things over the next few months to incite this. WE CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO COME...WE ARE SUPPOSE TO GO AND COMPEL THEM!
7. I appreciate all of you who shared your hugs, kind words, cards, and love today. I don't know what people do without a church family.
6. Great service tonight! I appreciate our youth and what they did this weekend. It is so very important to disciple our kids and give them opportunities to do evangelism. Thanks so much Corina, Mark, Gerry, and Wilma for going with the youth.
5. Brother Aker taught on the first three verses of Matthew 17. Good, sound bible teaching. I love it! I am a great football fan, but I wouldn't have traded hearing God's Word tonight to be a part of the world's big party.
4. A few years ago, we did a Super Bowl party type ministry thing. But people would leave after the food and watching the first half of the game without participating in the ministry thing we did. And I'm not talking about people who were visitors but this was church folks. Kind a makes you wonder who their serving...self or Christ?
3. Please remember Anna Hilton in your prayers. She will be having surgery to put in a pace-maker tomorrow. Also remember, Imogene Halcomb in your prayers this week.
2. Thanks to everyone who gave a little more than usual in an offering today for the Keatons.
1. I believe Arizona just might come back and win this game!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

-Pastor Randy

Saturday Thoughts...Dad's funeral services

Just to continue some thoughts regarding Dad's funeral services Thursday evening and Friday.

We arrived back home today around 1:30 pm. I really appreciate all the flowers, gifts, e-mails, cards, and phone calls we have received. I know many of you would have liked to have attended but couldn't because of the weather, distance, or having to work. That's very understandable. Nevertheless, thank you so much for your prayers(I don't know what people do that are not covered in prayer)and kind words and deeds.

The service itself yesterday was beautiful. Everyone did a wonderful job. The crowd was made up of some family, friends, and many, many pastors and ministers. My uncle from Arkansas led off in prayer. He is faithful Baptist deacon who has been a successful small businessman in Arkansas for as long as I can remember. He and his wife Carolyn came up Tuesday ahead of the snow storm and went back Friday. They are precious people.

My other uncle, Pastor Jerry Ballard (Columbus, Indiana), followed his brother Bud with the reading of the obituary and a Eulogy. He did a wonderful job sharing about their boyhood growing up in Pumpkin Bend, Arkansas. He talked a lot about the mischief he, dad, Bud, and Gene (my deceased uncle) would get into and how my grandfather would discipline them (the old-fashion way which would be considered abuse today). Jerry and dad have always been close. Dad led Jerry to Christ when they first came up to Indiana to work. Later, Jerry led dad in receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I really appreciated Jerry's wife, Geraldine. Geraldine has been the Executive Secretary & Treasurer at the Indiana State Office for a long time. The State Overseer of Indiana refers to Geraldine as the "real Overseer" of Indiana (he's kidding of course..I think). Anyway, Geraldine made so many phone calls for me this week and printed the programs for the service. I don't know what we would have done without her. She is a jewel!

My dad and mom's pastor, Maggie Phipps, who pastors a church called "Caring and Sharing" in Indianapolis followed with another eulogy. They have a wonderful ministry that feeds and provides clothing and lots of other services to many, many people on the west side of Indianapolis. Maggie is well-known throughout Indianapolis and loved by the community. She is quite a servant of God.

Next my sister's family shared. My niece, Bree, who is a gifted writer, shared her thoughts about dad. The funeral director later told me has has never seen someone so young share so eloquently in that kind of setting before. Then, my sister and her husband shared their memories back to back. One thing that Bob (my brother-in-law) shared that I had never heard before really blessed me. He said back in the early 90's when he and Candace moved to the east side of Indy from Lee College. He got a job selling cars at a car lot not too far from where my dad worked at the Kroger plant before dad went into full-time ministry. Bob told us that he would often run into people that worked at Kroger. He would ask them if they knew Don Ballard. Now this is fifteen years after dad had left Kroger. But Bob said that everyone that he talked with that knew or remembered dad spoke of his "high character and his Christ-like life."

Candace was not on the program to share. Nevertheless, she did a wonderful job. I am really proud of Bob and Candace and their beautiful children, Bree, and Danielle.

Afterwards, everyone viewed a video tribute to dad. I had worked on this particular video all week and I would cry as I would work on it. Annette watched it with me for the first time Wednesday night and we sat and cried together. Anyway, as you can imagine, I don't think there was too many dry eyes in the place. I might play it Sunday AM if the KP family wants to see it. If you attend KP and you want to see it, please let me know before the service starts.

My brother followed the video. I felt sorry for him. But he is such a powerfully anointed speaker...he did great. Tom and I both were with dad when he died Monday. He shared a little about that and some other humorous stories. I might share some of Tom's thoughts at a later time. It was really good!

After Tom, the assistant pastor of dad and mom's church shared an old song called "God Walks the Dark Hills." Of course, it was one of dad's favorites. Then, Woodrow Alley, one of dad's long-time pastor friends shared some thoughts and stories. Woodrow and his wife came and prayed for dad about this time last year. God really used Brother Alley to prophesy over dad. I sincerely believe that God gave dad one more year to fulfill Brother Alley's prophesy. Brother Alley is 75 years old and still evangelizing. I know the KP family enjoys his ministry.

Finally, I concluded the service with a few thoughts and an altar call. It all started with dad back in the early 60's which would eventually lead to all of dad's family (dad, mom, and six siblings) coming to Christ. Dad's children and grandchildren know Christ as their Lord and Savior. But dad was always burdened for a few family members and close friends that were still out there lost. It is my prayer and dad's that everyone that was at the funeral service left there with the assurance of eternal life. Dad will be looking for you when the rapture takes place very soon. I hope he finds you there.

Dad's body was buried in a little country cemetery in Clayton, Indiana, not too far from where Annette and I lived before coming to Ohio. It's a beautiful little spot with a farm and cornfield not too far away. It is definitely dad's kind of place. One day soon he will be looking down on that very ground when his body comes out of that grave (I Thessalonians 4:15-18) and joins his spirit in the air. I plan on following his body to that great homecoming in the air! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

-Pastor Randy

Friday Countdown...Dad's funeral service today

It's really late and I am emotionally and physically beat. But I wanted to share a few initial thoughts regarding dad's service last night and today. I will share more tomorrow.

The visitation went well Thursday evening. I hate that the weather was so bad in Ohio. I know that others wanted to come but just couldn't due to the bad road conditions. Nevertheless, I so appreciated your prayers.

We had two people share some memories and thoughts about dad on the half hour during the visitation beginning at 6:30 pm. I had never seen it done before, but I thought it worked out pretty well. We done this because we had so many that wanted to share something that we couldn't possibly work it all into the Friday service. It was really neat hearing from some of the youth that I had grown up with at the Greenfield Church of God. I appreciate their humorous stories, kind and comforting words.

Dad's life touched many lives. Not just as a pastor, but the 17 years he served as a lay person working at the kroger plant in Indy. This was pretty evident by the testimonies and the outpouring of love shown the last few days.

This week we have received emails, cards, and phone calls from so many people all over the country. It has been very touching!

I love you all. I will share plenty more tomorrow.

-Pastor Randy

"I Didn't See A Sting"

Sorry, its been awhile. As you know, its just been really, really busy. This morning we went to the funeral home and made the arrangments. I think everyone knows but the visitation is set up for Thurs. 5 to 8 pm and the service will be at 10 am Friday at Jones Family Mortuary in Mooresville, Indiana. The funeral home bought a church building located behind the home. They have turned it into a very nice banquet hall/chapel. It is very spacious and should serve us well.

I really don't want to write too much about Dad's passing Monday at this point. Of course, it is still very fresh and emotional for me. Today on my way back from Indy, I received one phone call after another. Sometimes I would get choked up during the phone calls and many times weep in between the phone calls. It is as hard as I thought it would be but at the same time the joy I feel for dad is a great comfort. Truly, when a dad is saved and lives for God, his salvation is a wonderful gift to his children and wife when he dies.

One observation I do want to share about dad's passing. As I watched dad breathe his last breath and pass on into eternal life a scripture passage hit me in the face that I have preached many times. The scripture came from 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, " O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

I am here to tell you from what I saw UP CLOSE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO STING IN DEATH FOR THE BLOOD-BOUGHT, REDEEMED BELIEVER IN CHRIST. The hebrew word for "death" denotes "point or poison." Some translate it as "hurt." At noon Monday, for the first time in my life I saw a body of a dear man that had held me, carried me, hugged me, kissed me, that gently and firmly touched me throughout my life turn lifeless. As painful as that was to watch, there was no stinger. Jesus removed the sting at Calvary and all my brother and I could do was rejoice with tears and hands raised in victory.

Well, I need to go. I have so much to do. Please KP family remember Linda Apke, Anna Hilton, Ken Brumfield this week in your prayers. And thank you so much for your prayers for me and my family. Like wings they have carried us. I love you!

-Pastor

Sunday Wrap Up

Hello everyone. I trust you have had a great day of worship. I thank Brother Tim Orr for preaching both services today. I heard he done a wonderful job and you had good worship services today.

The latest on dad is he is hanging in there. It's little after 11:00 pm here. My mother, brother, sister, and I are in the room with dad. It has been a hard few days but very soon I believe dad will be with the Lord. I am anxious for him to experience heaven and for his time of suffering to end. Thanks so much for every one's prayers. If he goes home soon, I will post the services times on this blog and the church office will be sending out e-mails.

I love and appreciate you all!

Saturday Thoughts

Dad had a very restful night. He is only taking his medication for pain at this point. He is unconscious, but comfortable. I had a good time with him and the Holy Spirit this morning. I put a "greatest hymns" CD in and we worshiped and read the psalms followed by a great time of prayer. The presence of God was wonderful. Even though he was in an unconscious state, I know he heard everything and joined in.

Dad had a lot of visitors today, most of which were family. Mary [Robinson] Roland and her husband and son came. Pastor Larry Pyeatt also came to the hospital. Mary's dad, Elmo Robinson, as I wrote in yesterday's blog, was dad's best friend until his passing. Mary was more like a sister to me growing up. Mary was a very gifted and anointed solist. She went on to sing and travel with Nancy Harmon for many years. Mary was very special to dad and I know he was too her as well.

Well, I came back to my mom and dad's house this evening to rest up some. My brother is staying with dad tonight. I plan to get back up there pretty early in the morning...Lord willing.

I appreciate everyone's prayers. We can feel them! Have a wonderful worship time tomorrow. Give God your best in every aspect of your worship!

-Pastor Randy