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 →

Out of the Darkness

By Effie Darlene Barba

Out of the darkness, Light shone within

Bringing His Glory, covering my sin

Along with His Glory, gifts did out pour

Bringing new hope and joy evermore

 

He breathed forth His love, the Spirit descend

Into my heart to heal and to mend

All of the brokenness-the dark crimson stain

All of the tears and all of the pain

 

This pathway to truth, so laden with stone

He knew there’d be times I’d stumble and moan

Because He did know my heart was so prone

To try to stand tall and to walk it alone

 

Then what He did at first seemed so strange

A group of great gifts he has so arranged

That I must family and friends truly need

In order to stand and then to succeed

 

So Sovereign and Wise is God’s perfect plan

That guides me along this pilgrimage land

Teaching to love and be more like His Son

Showing me that my victory’s been won

 

One day, I’ll come to understand all

As before His throne, prostrate I fall

Filled with His Glory, His Joy I will see

Because He, true light had come to save me

 

So, come now dear friend, and take now my hand

Together we’ll walk through this pilgrimage land

We’ll laugh and rejoice though trials present

Sharing God’s love is our spirits ascent

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the 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 Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Remember when I told you that in 2008 I had a great epiphany? I had suddenly realized that it had been I breaking God’s heart and that He had not been the one breaking mine. Actually that had been me breaking my heart as well. It was that same year that I heard the most incredible series of messages by Dr. Charles Stanley called God’s Children Gifted for the Ministry. That series opened my eyes and my understanding, which proved to be life changing for me.

Why didn’t God reveal these truths to me earlier and save me from the years of heartache and failed relationships? He knew I wasn’t ready to hear the truth until then. He knew my greatest asset was my greatest weakness at times. He also knew that it would be a humbled and broken heart that would lead me to my greatest contentment and joy. What an awesome, patient and gentle God He is. He has guided my life with such precision and grace.

So how did a sermon series change my life?

Continue reading Leading Mercy →

Power-filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 15b—Enter the bold, valiant defenders of Truth

In Christ, we as believers are the chosen, beloved, redeemed, blessed children of God-heirs of royalty who have been declared as saints and who are compelled by love to be the servants of the most High God. All of these attributes are shared by all who know Christ as their Savior. The Holy Spirit indwelling the hearts of every believer is the conformational seal of this truth. As we have been studying, the more we understand these truths and write them on our hearts with indelible ink; the more we grow in hope, faith, love and joy. These truths guide us to a life of true positive thinking. All these gifts in Christ are shared commonly; yet, there are the seven primary spiritual motivational gifts of ministry which God chose to divide amongst the saints in such a manner so as to ascertain that we would each other.

original artwork courtesy of Ronald Barba and is protected under copyright laws

No one is to stand alone in this Christian Journey.  God has designed it so that we need each other to be able to stand firm in faith.

Continue reading Enter the Bold, Valiant Defenders of Truth →

Power-filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 15A-Understanding those with the Gift of Service

It was late September 2000 when I was finally heading to St. Louis for a total colectomy. It had been a long road of high dose steroids and medical management of my ulcerative colitis with no relief of symptoms in sight. Indeed, now I had all the side effects of the steroids from the moon face, the buffalo hump, a full beard, and severe weakness from the muscle wasting in the legs. I had waited until fall when both my sons would be gone away to school—Ron in New Jersey and Alberto at Missouri University. They had watched me through the chemotherapy and as I battled the ulcerative colitis; although, I tried to shelter them as much as I could from the truth of what I was experiencing. I knew I would have an ileostomy for 6 to 8 weeks and wasn’t looking forward to it. I parked my car and carefully wrote down the exact location. The tickets were bought and in 6 days, Melissa would fly in and take a taxi to the hospital. She was going to arrive as precisely as I could determine the day I should be released to go home. She was coming to drive me home and to be my companion over the first two weeks after I was discharged. Which brings me to the motivational gift of service which is definitely the primary motivational gift that my daughter has.

Those who have the gift of service as their primary motivational gift are very sensitive to the desires, likes and dislikes of those around them. They desire to give of themselves tirelessly in an attempt to help meet the needs of others, even to the extent of disregarding their own personal health and personal comfort. They gain great pleasure in seeing that they have made someone else’s life easier.

It is important for them to receive gratitude and positive feedback in return, because they very much need to realize that what they are doing has made a difference. They are always looking for ways to serve and love to be around people. There are times when they can be easily side tracked because they may suddenly see another need which appears to be more urgent so they run off to the greater need before completing the first task.

 

Continue reading Understanding those with the Gift of Service →