This world with all the complexities, the trials, the conflicts and the sorrows that surround our hearts and minds daily would crush the strongest of mankind were it not for hope, inner peace, joy and a knowledge of purpose which allows one to rise above the clamoring noise of destruction. Perhaps that is why so many run to cling tight to new age philosophers, positive thinking, and even the prosperity gospel which has penetrated our churches. We so want to avoid any emotional pain and to find some way to stop those voices in our head. The methods given by the new age philosophers are alluring and filled with methods which at first glance appear fundamentally sound.    Indeed, they seem to work at first; yet, the problem is not the methods as much as it is on what they base their trust upon.  They base their philosophy upon digging deep within, surrounding  one’s self with positive thoughts, looking  in the mirror while proclaiming one’s self as powerful, beautiful, successful, and filled with peace. The power they believe comes from one’s own mind.  Still, what about when you do it all; yet, tragedy strikes? Or when your heart has been broken one too many times and the hard cold casing you have surrounded your heart with becomes a lonely and dark casket, what do you do then? What about when the mind is lost in a coma, alzheimer’s, or a brain injury? If my only hope is in the power of my own mind and my inner strength, what then? Oh, yes; I do with all my heart believe in positive thinking; but, the difference is on what I place my hope. The foundation of my hope is in the Great I am, God—my Creator, my Savior, my sustainer and my Father. That relationship can only be found through the redemptive work of Christ. It is Christ in me, my hope of Glory. (Col.1:27)

orignal photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com

Knowing who I am in Christ is the key to true fountains of joy bubbling up within me even when the world crashes in around me; not, some counterfeit outward joy that I must prop up with my own mind or self-boasting, self-exalting behaviors.

It is only knowing the truth of God’s fathomless, unconditional love for me which can mend this broken heart of mine and fill it with so much love that I can shine forth that love to those around me. It is the knowledge of the exceeding Greatness of God’s Power toward me that can give me hope in the face of every road and turn I take. Imagine this, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent creator of the Universe loves me and is guiding my every step—what do I ever need to worry about.

So, we need to be careful when we read the “positive thinking” philosophies that we remember who we are in Christ. Paul even warned us of this very truth.

Continue reading Power Filled Positive Thinking-The Real Key to Success (Part 1) Introduction →

Most Saturdays, I try to give you a new poem; however, some weeks I go back and pull from my own archives.   Tonight, I have chosen this poem from my archives.

In this world, there are so many frustrations, trials, pressures, illness, and stresses that at times we are wounded.  Sometimes our hearts are broken, sometimes we feel that we are the targets of unhappy people’s darts, sometimes we are frustrated with ourselves, and sometimes we find ourselves battling illness.  We may know who we are in Christ and recognize that He is our source of love, joy, hope, faith, and righteousness; yet, we are wounded by the sadness and pain we see all around us.  Those are the moments we must withdraw and spend a moment alone with God so that we might be restored. Never let the trials steal your Joy in Him.  Hope you enjoy this poem.

A Soldier Wounded

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

A Soldier wounded in the fight

Oh Lord I need Your strength, Your might

I need to go, a place to hide

That draws me closer to Your side

 

This battle Lord has knocked me down

Until it’s hard to glimpse Your crown

With evil pushing all around

I dearly need Your solace found

 

That I might rise again to fight

With vision of the brilliant light

Of your great glory in the end

Oh that your love I might defend

 

Within this world, pain doth abound

I need your word my mind surround

Until I cannot hear their voice

So I might know what is your choice

 

I must lay down my sword tonight

And pray for strength tomorrow’s light

That I might stand once more for you

With Christ’s dear love my only view

 

So hold me tight within your arms

And keep me safe from all that harms

My tears may fall against your chest

As I recall Your will is best.

© 2014 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.”

From the midst of a dark, cold jail cell; Paul is writing to the early church. A church that he knew would be persecuted. Even more so, the church which Paul was preaching too were the Gentiles—those who were by the Jewish nation considered the lowest of the low—the heathens. So, imprisoned for his faith in Christ, beaten and flogged for having preached the gospel; Paul has eloquently been telling early believers to remember who they are in Christ. They are the redeemed, beloved, chosen children of the most high God. He has urged them to remember these truths as they were going to need to cling tight to those facts while they are being rejected and persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. He reminded them that it was God’s plan from before the earth was formed that the body of believers would include them—called out from the gentiles as well as the Jews and these former enemies would be joined in the formation of the “church” of believers that would now spread the gospel of Christ.

Artwork is used with written permission of Ronald Barba who owns the copyright. His work can be found at: http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

Then from the midst of that jail cell, Paul prayed for these believers a prayer that they be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. He knew that they would be facing so much unrest, injustice, and ostracism that they would by nature grow bitter, angry and hostile in their response. Yet, Paul knowing the battle that might occur around them and within their own hearts; prays that they become so rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, that they are strengthened with hope. He prays to the only one who can perform this kind of miracle of love, which is God himself. Look at this prayer.

Continue reading A Prayer for Love in a Hostile World →

As we enter the Christmas season with all of the festivities, family, lights and cheer; all too often it is a time of great loneliness for some. The bombardment of magical love stories play across the airs with so many Hallmark movies and Hallmark cards are chosen and sent. Love being such an elusive emotion and so hard to understand at times. The very mention of the word brings floods of emotions from ecstatic joy to broken hearted despair. On this my birthday as well, I pause for a moment to look back over my life; though, I must not dwell there for too long. But when I do I see the blurring of love that is a part of my life—the moments of great sacrificial love that rose above and those moments when my own needs to feel loved or desired were the driving force which usually lead to disaster and heartbreak. I have read C. S. Lewis’s “The Four Loves” over and over again hoping to understand the mysteries of love so as to overcome its controlling force.

So, please do not think as I begin to unravel a small part of this mystery of love that I proclaim any expertise beyond that of being one who has had her heart broken on many levels and more often than I could dare to say; yet, choose love. Awaken your heart to the Glorious Love of God and allow His love to Shine Through You today. That may not sound like an easy task in a world that is so broken; yet, it is what we need more than anything else to even heal our own hearts.

Much like the heart felt poem that I wrote on Saturday, The Song of a Butterfly.

I have learned these major points when it comes to love which I hope you find helpful.

Continue reading I Choose Love →

Isaiah 60: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Light shine? Glory of the Lord risen? In me? The dog decided to go out at 3 am. So I crawl back in bed and begin to pray and ponder on this scripture for the day. Then, I hear at 3:30 the microwave and the clinking of a spoon against a cup as Mom clink, clink, and clinks away making her coffee. Finally, silence again as I begin once more trying to focus on the Lord. If I won’t be allowed to sleep why not at least use my time to be alone with God. Finally, the alarm sounds at 4 (usually the time I spend the next hour alone with God); but, instead I get up. Coffee made and I sit down to meditate and write. Then, dog wants to go out, again. I study the scriptures in I Corinthians again and suddenly, Mom is in panic—she can’t find the Sweatshirt that she wore last week and I had washed yesterday for her. She doesn’t want to wear it today she just wants it in her hands to put away in the closet that has at least 40  other sweatshirts.Finally the sweatshirt is in her hands and I go back to try to write to you about God’s Glory shining forth in your life and mine. Got the picture? I wish I could say that I felt no frustration and God’s mercy and grace flowed forth as I went and grabbed the sweatshirt to place in her hands.  It didn’t really; yet, that is Grace—because then after repentant prayer and seeking Him—these words came.

Arise and shine with the light of the Glory of the Lord? How? Yet, that is precisely what we are asked to do. The beauty of the gospel was given us so that we might display God’s Glory and truth to the world. Yet, it was given to us who are such frail vessels—quickly frustrated, distracted, and self-absorbed at times. So again, how does a vessel such as I ever arise and shine forth any light of God’s grace and glory?

Continue reading Display God’s Glory, Me? How? →