I wrote this poem in 2009.  I remember well our storm cellar.  the door wasn’t too secure.  I remember my father lifting me gentle from my bed wrapped in a blanket as he carried me to the storm cellar and went back for my brother.  Mom would go into the cellar.  Then my father would sit down on the lower step and with all his massive strength he would hold tight the door of the cellar.  As the lightning would flash I would see the shadow of his body there.  I knew I was safe and I would doze back off to sleep.  My journey here on earth has brought many storms; yet, my heavenly Father carries me to safety and holds the door shut until the storm passes.   I have been so blessed, so protected and so loved.  My earthly Father went on ahead to be with my heavenly Father; yet, I will never forget all that he taught me.

Safe Throughout the Storm

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The storm was raging in the night

Our house in certain peril

The lightening flash, the only light

To break the darkest hour

 

The thunder roar enlarged the fear

The pelting rain and hail

Twas certain now, tornado near

No where were we to run

 

I felt the arms that held me tight

They carried me to shelter

I felt the strength, the love, the might

My father’s arms could give me

 

His shadow there, the door secure

Though raging winds pulled hard

He did not budge, His mission pure

To keep his children safe

Chorus:

There is safety in his arms

Those arms that hold me tight

So filled with love, so free from harms

It is his love, his gracious love

That keeps me safe throughout the storm

 

The storm was raging in my life

And darkness filled my heart

My hope was gone, my world was strife

Nowhere to run, depart

 

I had no strength to stand against

This whirlwind spiraling down

This heart of mine ripped ‘way each fence

I knew I neared to drown

 

And then I felt the arms of love

En wrap me with His self

I could not feel the winds above

While sheltered in His arms

 

To think that God would love me so

To cry with me each tear

From there His throne to reach below

And hold me oh so dear

Chorus:

There is safety in His arms

Those arms that hold me tight

So filled with love, so free from harms

It is His love, his gracious love

That keeps me safe throughout the storm

© 2009 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 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.

Continue reading A Father’s Love Song to You →

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.

Continue reading I AM HIS CHILD →

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.

Continue reading Seven Virtues of Knowing I am Chosen →

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.