Category: Christian Poetry

How do we find the strength to Win the Race even when broken and tired?  At times life seems to drain us of all hope.  We live in a broken world filled with division and strife. Confronted by the despair of aging bodies, illness, and financial loss; despair crashes in upon us. At times life bombards us from every side with   trials and difficulties.  We hold onto hope, grasping it with our last ounce of faith.

confronting defeat

Not being the most computer savvy person, I run and manage this website for you.  It is my deepest desire that perhaps at least one soul might wander onto these pages to find hope or to find Christ as their Savior.  So, it is; this is my labor of love for Christ.  Because of the financial cost, there are moments when I pause to ask God if I am to continue.  Certainly the money I spend could be sent to other ministries; perhaps, it would do more good elsewhere than here at my humble site.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3

MY OWN DILEMMA

For about two weeks, I have noticed some problems when I post.  After multiple phone calls to technical support with no certain repair to be found.  Then it was that I got the email from Google that my website had been maliciously hacked by malware.  Well since I have no one’s data but my own on this site, I take no orders or donations, and my SSL certificate was up to date; I knew no one could be at harm except me.  I felt sudden despair as I purchased a rather expensive site clean up and protection contract.  Tired and defeated; feeling rather broken by the evil of this world; I once more asked God “Is this the mission you have for me? or should I throw in the towels and admit defeat?”

Continue reading “The Strength to Win When Broken and Tired”

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Life rings forth each morning with renewed hope.  Strengthened by the nights rest, we arise to face a new day, a new dawn.  We have that hope because we know that in Christ, we have new mercies every morning.  There is no need to look back at my own failures with regret; but, to look forward knowing that Christ has redeemed me, cloaked me with His righteous.  In Christ, I am God’s Beloved Child; what more do I need to know! Each day, each new year; I can rest assured in Him.  Today truly is the first day of the rest of my life.

Bright New Day

By Effie Darlene Barba

Let the bells ring forth a joyous sound

Of Love and hope to all around

The past is gone, to be no more

Today, new dreams to seek, explore

Just like the dawning of new light

Brings with it beams of strength and might

That stretch like arms to fill the sky

With rays of hope for you and I

Each day with mercies new God gives

Beginnings bright, His spirit lives

Within our hearts to comfort, cheer

To know that God has drawn us near

Because in Christ we have new life

No longer trapped in sin and strife

He cloaked me in His righteousness

That I might now be filled with bliss

In Christ, I can rest assured that each new dawn is filled with hope and new beginnings.  Often in my lifetime, when I believed that I had failed God; I would lie there paralyzed by own guilt and shame.  Each time, as I lay there in the mud pit of my own making, weeping to God because of my own sin; God would reach out His hand of love.  In despair, I would say, “How can you love me?  I failed you, I am so covered with sin!”  He would smile and say,”What sin, my child?” Covered by the cloak of righteousness purchased by the blood of Christ; God no longer sees my sin.  Instead He would gently pull me up, dust me off and then say, “Child, we have work to do.  Let’s go!  Today is a new beginning.”  That is Grace beyond measure and mercy!

[bctt tweet=”Today dawns a new year, a new day and with Christ in me; new hope, peace, and joy” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]Just knowing that God loves me so Is all I really need to know![/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”Today is a new dawn with new mercies. Forgetting my failures of the past, I begin again.” username=”effiedarlene”]

I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down and press the comment button below

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Because Christ lives, we do not have to fear tomorrow nor weep for yesterday.  Every memory of love, joy, and hope have been God’s gift to us throughout the years.  If any of you awoke this morning alone, this poem I wrote is for you.  My hope is it lifts your spirit just a little; especially, if you have a missing place at your table.

A Christmas Dance

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The fireplace was blazing, the lights turned down low

While outside was falling a blanket of snow

So handsome you were with your suit and your tie

The guests had all left, it was just you and I

You reached out your hand to ask me to dance

Without a word but such love in your glance

The Christmas tree sparkled like stars in the night

The children asleep with dreams of delight

It soon would be morning, a bright Christmas day

But for now, we would twirl, turn and would sway

Wrapped in your arms, my heart soared or so it did seem

Until I awoke, it was only a dream

 

As I lay there in bed I felt so alone

‘Til I thought of you there before God’s throne

I imagined the joy as you danced and you sang

The chorus of angels as Christmas bells rang

The tears that were falling faded away

As I remembered God’s gift that first Christmas Day

CHORUS

 

The baby, God’s son sent from above

A sacrifice great to show me His love

He came to this earth to live and to die

And pay then sin’s price for you and for I

One day I’ll join you when God calls my name

Until then with joy, my life will proclaim

Jesus was born, what a Glorious day

Emmanuel lives in my heart to stay

 

So, Merry Christmas, my darling; now I must run

To celebrate joy, the gift of God’s son

As I now see that this memory of you

A wonderful gift that only God knew

Would fill me with hope, my love renew

One day we will dance again face to face

Celebrating our King for His Saving Grace

CHORUS

The baby, God’s son sent from above

A sacrifice great to show me His love

He came to this earth to live and to die

And pay then sin’s price for you and for I

One day I’ll join you when God calls my name

Until then with joy, my life will proclaim

Jesus was born, what a Glorious day

Emmanuel lives in my heart to stay

[bctt tweet=”My beloved husband went to be with God, July 23, 1994. We danced in my dreams last night.” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”One day we will dance again, this time it will be celebrating our Lord and King” username=”effiedarlene”]

I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13

 

In listening to the news yesterday; I could not help but notice that some say we have lost our hope this year, while others say for the first time in 8 years they have hope of a future.  Both reflecting their hope in a man who either is now or in one who soon will be our President.  Yes, I must say I am hopeful that our President Elect will bring good things to our nation; the same as I was hopeful when I voted for President Obama eight years ago.  If my hope stands merely upon a man or a woman; I know that I will be disappointed.  Yet, my hope cannot be dashed by mere circumstances of this world; because, my hope is firmly held and anchored by God to His promises for me.  And so it is, to all those who feel hopeful this Christmas and to all those who feel their hope has been crushed; my prayer is that God touch you with His Grace.  I pray you abound in hope because of God’s Gift to you upon that first Christmas Day.

My One Desire This Christmas Day

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The tinsel and lights with songs of good cheer

It was the season, December was here

The stores were a bustle with holiday light

Yet something was wrong, it just wasn’t right

There was an a boding a sense that of fear

As some even said hope left us this year

I pondered a moment and wondered then why?

Perhaps it was truth replaced by a lie

They said that You don’t really belong

To celebrate You would even be wrong

That Christmas must not be about You

We must not offend; our thoughts must be new

I shuttered the thought, my life without You

A cold bitter hopelessness came into view

 

Chorus:

Lord, help me to be a star shining bright

To draw all men unto Your Glorious light

Hope can be found in Your Precious Son

Only in Him, the victory is won

Love came to earth that first Christmas Day

Only in Him can hope find its way

So, let me sing forth this Glorious Song

Proclaiming Your Grace, Your gift to belong

Let my life be a mirror, a reflection of You

For others to see! If only they knew!

 

Verse II

Don’t they know You’re the hope that came on that day?

That you are our Joy? There’s no other way!

That you are our Savior! The one that we need!

The One for whom our heart’s cry does plead!

Reflect forth my hope, my eyes fixed on You

So Filled by Your Glory for others to view

Let Your love and joy shine forth from my life

To those who are filled with fear and with strife

Transform my heart, make me Your light

To pierce through the deepest darkness of night

You are the hope, the love they search for

So, Lord make me less that You can be more

This is my true wish and for this I pray

The gift I desire on this Christmas Day

Bridge:

Ring forth the joy of Christmas cheer

The Lord has come to draw men near

He left His majesty on high

Our dreadful plight to rectify

To set us free from chains within

That bind our hearts to death and sin

That hope a rise within our hearts

As love and joy He does Impart

Chorus:

Let my life be a mirror, a reflection of You

For others to see! If only they knew!

You are the hope, the love they search for

So, Lord make me less that You can be more

This is my true wish and for this I pray

The gift I desire on this Christmas Day

[bctt tweet=”Let my life be a mirror a reflection of You For others to see If only they knew” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”You are the hope the love they search for So Lord make me less that You can be more” username=”effiedarlene”]

[bctt tweet=”This is my true wish & for this I pray The gift I desire on this Christmas Day” username=”effiedarlene”]

I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

Picture used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@rpnickson

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.  I Samuel 2:1,2

 

Sometimes as we journey through this life we become bogged down by the thorns.  The road seems so treacherous, our hearts grow heavy and we lose sight of God’s face before us.  Sometimes the scars we carry are so devastating, the thorns rip open the wounds and we think we cannot survive or risk another wound. We see the mountain peaks in front of us and we lose hope; yet, God bids us to look up.  When we recall His majesty and His Grace, the mountains fall as we sing praise to Him.  Our hearts fill with hope and overflow with joy as we focus on God’s promises. His Love, His Sovereignty and His Grace become our strength.

Along the Road of Life

by Effie Darlene Barba

As I walked along this road of life

Amidst the rambling thorns of strife

I felt the pains-like sharpened knife

Tear open scars of yonder day

I gazed before me – looming there

Mountain peaks filled with darkest lair

I wanted then to cry a prayer

Agony’s silence came to stay

 

I felt so desperately alone

Until a light before me shone

A King who sat upon a throne

A path to whom before me lay

 

And then I heard a still small voice

That called to me to sing, rejoice

I pondered then to make the choice

To choose Joy’s song as mine today

 

I felt within a warmth, a glow

It felt as if my heart did grow

As joy and love within did flow

My pains and sorrows swept away

 

I took a step, just one at first

Desiring more His hope I thirst

To drink His love until I burst

With laughter’s wondrous ray

 

My heart rejoicing rose to sing

As lifted up on eagle’s wing

My weakness bids- His strength to bring

My fears and doubts He came to slay

 

Amazing then before my eyes

The mountains that had hid the skies

No longer did before me rise

Instead beneath my feet did lay

[bctt tweet=”Along the Road of Life, Our Joy is Held Firm when our hearts sing Praise to God.” username=”effiedarlene”]

[tweetthis]The deepest scars of life must be cut open before they can be healed.[/tweetthis]

[bctt tweet=”When we praise God for all He has done, we open the gates of hope and joy in all He is going to do” username=”effiedarlene”]

I would love to here about your journey; please scroll down to comment below.

Photograph used by permission: https://unsplash.com/@atlas_green

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.