Power filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 9B—A Father’s Love Song to You

Have you considered how significant the truth that in Christ you are a child of God is? We wander through this journey with worries, trials, pains, and sorrows never stopping to ponder the truth of God’s love for us. He is a Father that loves us more than we could ever imagine. He gave everything that we might be adopted into His family. Despite His knowing all of my life, He chose me to be His child, to protect me, to provide for me, to comfort me, and to be always present with open arms to welcome me into His presence, even during those times when I have shunned Him or ignored Him.

He knew me and loved me before I was ever born. He knew every time I would doubt him, every fear, and every tear; yet, He chose me to call me His child. Because of that I am a Princess. My Father is the King of all the Galaxies—the Creator of the Universe; yet, He is ever present with me.

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Power filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 9A- I Am His Child

As I think back over my life, I realize how truly blessed I have been because I was the daughter of Charles William Garner. He had grown up on a poor dirt farm where he had plowed the fields with a pair of mules from the age of 12. This had made him very strong. He had attended grade school in a little one room school. Although he finished high school, he was not very good at reading; so some would have thought him uneducated. I knew better. To this day I am amazed by his wisdom. I never knew a day that he grumbled about how hard he had to work. In fact, he would work two and three jobs to make certain we had all that we needed. Sometimes, he would sleep less than 4 hours a day for months on end and I never heard him say, “I am tired.” It seemed that for Daddy it was a joy to be able to know that we were provided for. He never worried about getting himself a better truck, a nicer pair of jeans. In fact, he would wear his clothes until the holes were too big. He was never proud. Always, he was generous with a hand out to help someone less fortunate. He was a man of strength and honor. I never remember a moment of fear as a child because my Daddy would protect me. He had grown up in a very prejudiced area of the country and yet my father honored all men, ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it and a hand of friendship.  Beyond that he stood for justice and what was good and pure.

I don’t remember every hearing my father say, “I Love you”; but, he didn’t have to. I knew how much I was loved by every action he made, every sacrifice he made and that look of pride he had with each achievement of mine. He was a man of few words; yet, I learned so much about God through watching his life.

My father left this earth with a massive heart attack in 1993; but his spirit and his memories live on in me. One day I will see him again as we stand before our heavenly Father.

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Power Filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 8C—

Seven Virtues of Knowing I am Chosen

Does it matter that I or you were chosen before the foundation of the world? Does knowing that change anything inside of me? Does it change how I respond to the world around me? Look at what Paul wrote in: Colossians 3: ⁽NIV) “¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love”

original photograph courtesy of Raymond Giovanni Ramos

Paul knew how difficult this journey could be. He also knew that as followers of Christ, too often, our battle would be within our own heads. We are still journeying along in this world with bodies that have yet to be redeemed. We still must be in constant battle against sin, guilt, frustrations, fears, anxieties, and our own failures here. In Christ, we have hope, joy, love, and peace; yet, even as Christ prayed (see John 17) we are for this moment still journeying in this world. For that reason, we must fight to hold onto the truth of who we are in Christ.

When trials come, when the money runs dry, when we lose our job, when we care for our elderly parents, when conflicts occur inside our home, when we are sick with illness, when our body grows weary, and the list goes on of those things which quickly engulf our minds with all the worries of this world.

Paul knew this. Paul constantly was reminding the earlier Christians of three things.

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Yes I Would

By Effie Darlene Barba

As Chosen, Redeemed,  Beloved Child of God

Wherever I go, wherever I’ve trod

He’s been there to guide each step of my way

Clutching my hand so that I can’t go astray

Through moments despairing and moments of glee

His presence surrounding and covering me

Protecting and healing each wound of my heart

No matter what happened, he ne’er did depart

Whene’er I fell in the mud and the mire

As hell bent I ran after selfish desire

So gentle and patient, with eyes filled with love

He’d stretch out His hand from heaven above

How can it be after all that I’d done?

He willingly sacrificed His only son

To ransom my soul—to give me new life

Despite all the times, I gave Him such strife

Oh that I could love Him even half as I should

I’d seek and I’d savor His Will, Yes I would

I never would doubt Him, I’d never be sad

Trusting in His word, I’d always be glad

Humbly, I’d bow down to worship my King

Forever and ever His praises to sing

If only I loved Him even half as I should

I’d seek and I’d savor His will, Yes I would

Oh, precious dear Father in your presence I stand

And quietly listen for your voice command

Let the love of your heart and your Glory Divine

Pour forth to the world through these hands of mine

©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.

Power-filled Positive Thinking—Chapter 8B—Chosen by Grace Alone

One of the positions that is mine in Christ, is that I am Chosen. There it is chosen before the foundation of the world—“predestined according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.” Before all of you jump into the ageless discussions regarding what does predestination mean. Let me say that discussion, argument in fact has been going on since St. Augustine and St. Pelagius in the first century. So, I don’t intend to jump into that argument. Rather, I want to approach this from what does it all mean for me and for you who do know Christ as your Savior.

Original photo courtesy of Jim Peregoy

Furthermore, I recognize that there are many aspects of God’s wisdom that my finite brain may not fully comprehend. Indeed that was the approach Paul took. He accepted both that God chose and predestined those who would be saved and at the same time accepted that it was of utmost importance to go throughout the world and preach the gospel to lead men to a saving knowledge of Christ.

He did not split hairs upon both truths being true at the same time. Look at this scripture

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