Power-filled Positive Living Chapter 17a- Power to reject the null hypotheses of Life

It was June, 1995. I was uncertain as to what the future might bring. My whole world seemed to have collapsed when Pete had died. My whole world had for so many years been wrapped around caring for and loving Pedro Barba Arroyo. Willingly I had used up all the resources in an attempt to help him get well. We had lost the practice, lost our home in Texas, and we had moved to Mexico with the hope that Pete would get well. He died on July 23, 1994 and I had spent the last year traveling between Pachuca, Hgo, Mexico and my hometown of Dexter, Mo. All that had been left of what had been to the world’s eyes a prosperous life was some land in Mexico which Pete had left the children and I. Now that was secured and I had made the final trip from Pachuca to Dexter by way of the “carreterra” (Mexican highways) to begin to pick up the pieces of my life to start again. My grief was overwhelming still—all my hope had been that God would heal Pete here on this earth. Yet, God chose not to; instead, God chose to take Him home. Pete had accepted Christ as His Savior only a few short months before his death. I did not question God’s Sovereign choice; yet, I also knew that there was a lot of brokenness left behind in me and in my children. Scars that would still need to be healed. Though I had looked for a job—none seemed available at first. So, I decided we would all go to Disney World. I flew Melissa in from California, invited my nephew Derek, loaded up my van and we went on a trip to Florida. I ignored the cost as I spent what I had on Disney World parks, Hard Rock Café, and Universal Studios. We stood on the beach at Daytona and then we returned home. I wanted to restore hope and joy into the hearts of my family. I was uncertain of what the journey would bring tomorrow; but, I did know that whatever it brought—God was at my side and would be through it all. Oh, by the way, as soon as I returned I had a job waiting for me—that vacation had been a leap of faith for me and a trip for all to remember.

Where is the power that can give a weary, broken soul hope? Can it be found in the recesses of a despairing soul by merely proclaiming that all is well? When everything is lost, where does one find the strength to stand again?

Continue reading Power to Reject the Null Hypotheses of Life →

Because I See thy Gift of Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

A pilgrim’s journey through this land

Through meadow’s soft and desert sand

Beside the gentle bubbling streams

With flowers kissed by sunlit beams

Or rushing, roaring water falls

Whose beauty grasps and danger calls

Twinkling stars in the dark of the night

That guide my way and shed their light

The gentle breeze across my face

Whispering words of God’s sweet Grace

Creator Lord with all you do

What else on earth could I pursue

For all I have and all I am

Is due to you—Oh precious lamb

Who chose to die and pay my price

That I find in You, my paradise

And now I see through different eyes

This course on earth no more disguise

Its beauties shine, your glory clear

I feel the warmth your breath is cheer

To warm the chill within my soul

Like fireplace lit in winter’s snow

You blessed my life with love’s sweet kiss

That hope and joy arise amidst

The darkest trials I may face

Because I see thy Gift of Grace

© 2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Power-Filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 16C-

We have learned that God uniquely gave to us spiritual gifts of motivation that are to assist us as a body of believers and as a family to minister to those around us. Those gifts are divided in such a manner that we would need each other and not stand as an island. They very much are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Those named are: exhortation, giving, teaching, leading (organization), prophecy (justice), serving, and mercy. Depending upon the specific gifts which one has as primary and as secondary, one’s approach and vision in a situation may differ from another’s approach. If we understand this truth and have gained an understanding of the importance of each gift; then, instead of discord arising, we would be able to harmoniously work together to stand firm in the faith while ministering to those in need. We need to discover, cultivate, and use our own unique gift for the ministry of Christ. The greater our knowledge of our gifts, the less chance that we will fall into the fleshly pitfalls that are inherent to our own gifts. Also, the greater our understanding of the gifts, the more we can recognize the value of those with different gifts from our own being like a check and balance for our own emotional journey.

As these are spiritual gifts they might necessarily be those which must be tempered by the Holy Spirit. For that reason we must utilize these gifts along with the fruits that would be the Spirit. Note that in I Corinthians 13 as Paul has just referred to the gifts in chapter 12, he now begins chapter 13 with a warning that if we utilize these gifts without the outpouring of love as our central motive—we become noisy, clamoring, obnoxious sounds.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (Agape like love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Continue reading Spiritual Gifts—Empowered by Love →

Power filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 16 B

Throughout this book we have been looking at the wondrous power filled gifts that are ours in Christ. Our position in Christ is forever sealed by the Holy Spirit who is our constant companion, reminding us in the midst of every trial of this life that “all is well with our soul.” We are the redeemed, beloved, chosen children of God—heirs of royalty, and servants bound with the chains of love. In God’s magnificent wisdom, He then bestowed special motivational gifts in such a manner that we would need each other. God so desired that we understand that in Him we have all the joy, the love, and the glory we would ever need; however, we cannot fully comprehend the marvel of that until we are able to share that with each other.

Friends are those who come along side us when we are in our deepest trials standing like shields of faith, they hold our hand and listen. They are there in our darkest valleys shining their light of love to lead our way out. They rejoice when we rejoice and comfort us in our tears. They are our prayer warriors, always lifting us up before a mighty God.

Interwoven throughout my life, God has always placed such special friends to be there at the exact moment I needed them. Each with their own unique spiritual gifts that when harmoniously intertwined with mine lead to each of us blossoming into the persons God had created us to be.

Continue reading Friends—God’s Special Gifts →

POWER-FILLED POSITIVE THINKING-CHAPTER 16A-

This pilgrimage journey that we who know Christ must walk upon this earth is filled with sorrows, pains, pitfalls, and moments of such brokenness that our faith seems such a fragile thread that we can hardly cling to. We know that the scripture tells us that we have joy in Christ, that God is Sovereign, and that all things work together for good. At my age I have witnessed it over and over again in my own life; still, my heart bleeds when I see one of my children hurting or in pain. Though they may be grown, I long to run to them, to scoop them into my arms and to hold them until the pain goes away. I so wish that I could just kiss “the boo-boo” and make it all better.

So, where is my faith? It is right there in the midst of my greatest fears as God’s mighty arms are still holding me, even when my heart is bleeding. It is right there in my river of tears as I lay before God, humble, helpless, broken, and with a contrite heart. Faith is that moment of peace; however brief, that occurs as you look up to see a glimpse of glory and feel the presence of God wrap around your trembling soul. Faith is that smile that emerges from the pain or the song that gently rises from the depth of your broken heart, reminding you that you are God’s Child—chosen, redeemed and beloved.

Continue reading Hands Joined In Faith In the Midst of Life’s Trials →