Category: Christian Poetry

A Revival Prayer When Terror Strikes

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1: 3-6 (NKJV)

If ever there was a time to call all Christians to prayer in our nation, it is now.  Although, I am well aware that my last post from the series in Hebrews was a grave reminder that God hates sin.  Yet, it was also a reminder that God’s Grace is what has held His hand steady from calling all of mankind into judgment now as we so deserve.  He bids that we stand firm in proclaiming the truth of His Great Grace and Love!!  We must lay aside our self-exalting, pride filled heart so that He may use each of us to proclaim the truth of the gospel.  We must stand firm, without fear proclaiming the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way, the truth, and the life.  Without Him, there is no hope for mankind.  We must not be swayed by political “correctness” nor by self-righteous anger.  We must proclaim the truth with humility, love and kindness.  We must pray and study God’s word that we may be ready to stand no matter how stormy it gets.

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A Revival Prayer When Terror Strikes

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

When terror strikes and fear remains

Tears and blood their mingled stains

That tell a tale of horror’s pains

A Broken world so filled with sin

Rejecting God man’s heart within

Held tight by pride-those wretched chains

Continue reading “A Revival Prayer When Terror Strikes”

Whispers of Love (a poem)

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

God’s love wraps you tightly in His arms through every trial you walk while singing His love song of joy over you.  There is no fear, no sorrow too great; but that His love will bring hope, joy, and peace to your weary heart and soul.  Then you will soar!! 

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WHISPERS OF LOVE

Whispers of Love flowing all through my life

Even in moments of sorrow or strife

Whispers that came in the dark of the night

Promising Joy with the new morning light

Whispers of hope for the bleakest of day

“Love will find strength and will find its way”

Into your heart and grow from within

Until it flows forth rejoicing and then

Suddenly out of those long and sad years

Love does spring forth out of fountains of tears

Into rivers of joy bursting forth then to see

That love had been there abiding in me

Oh, thank you dear Lord for teaching me love

As Your spirit descends with the wings of a dove

And gathered the pieces of this shattered heart

To weave it with steel, Your glory impart

A Picture so rare, its beauty unmasked

A portrait of you made in brilliant stained glass

Your love had been there inside of me

Even when I had been too blind to see

Whispers of love, it was You all along

Holding me close, I am  your love song!

[bctt tweet=”Our security, our hope all rest upon the strength of God’s love which is always abounding to us.” username=”effiedarlene”]

Photo used with permission: https://unsplash.com/@ryanjacques

©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 Little Girl—Poetry Sunday

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them Psalm 127:3-5

As I hurried to try to complete everything at work last Friday, I was filled with the anticipation of my week ahead.  This week I lay aside all the stresses of a busy job to enjoy the wondrous benefits of vacation.  I am heading out later today to California to celebrate with my daughter her 42nd birthday which is tomorrow.  This weekend I have had my youngest grandchild, Annabella Grace.  Seeing the world through the eyes of a young child filled with such wonder and joy, always reminds me of how truly blessed I am.  So my dear readers, forgive me if this week my postings are not exactly on schedule.  I will try to get them out on time; but, California time is different than Missouri so I may be off by a few hours if not days.  Oh, well; I hope to be off that much—but we will see.  This poem I wrote 7 years ago in tribute to my daughter.  Those who have read the story of my life; may know that I did make the hard choice of leaving my little girl to be raised by her Father.  Truly, I believed at the time it was the sacrifice that love demanded given the circumstances.  Right or wrong, I cannot say now.  What I can say it has been God’s wondrous grace that gives me such a beautiful daughter so filled with love, grace and mercy herself.  I love you, Happy Birthday Melissa.  I am on my way so we can celebrate on a weekend of adventure and fun.

 

 

My Little Girl

 

My little girl I see you now

Your baby in your arms

It takes me back to years ago

To you with all your charms

 

I loved you so my precious sweet

I’d give the world for you

Yet life it turned and choices made

I thought were best for you

 

I thought I didn’t have enough

To give my little girl

To keep you safe, to give you more

I sacrificed my world

 

I prayed each day God keep you safe

Beneath His wings of love

That all life’s pain and grief

He’d help you soar above

 

And yet, my love, I see you now

This mother you’ve become

I know that God answered my prayer

With joy, I’m overcome

 

I love you so, my precious one

Though womanhood you’ve found

You’ll always be my little girl

Though years keep turning round

 

The greatest gift I give to you

Is Jesus Christ, God’s son

Who paid the price, that hand in hand

Equipping you this race to run

 

So rest within this perfect truth

He has the perfect plan

For you and now your little girl

He cradles in His hand

[tweetthis]God’s Grace is big enough to change even my failures into blessings for me[/tweetthis]

My prayer for each of you is that God’s Grace shower down upon you today.  If you have made tough choices in your life, some you have come to regret.  Remember this God’s Grace is bigger than all your failures, regrets and sins.  Turn it all over to Him and watch what He can do with it.

©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.

Awaken to Joy-

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

Have you ever been Amazed by Joy?  I mean really Amazed!!  If you looked deep within your own heart or you looked at the storms that surround your life there was no reason for you to know this much joy; yet, there it is pulsating through your veins.  That, my dear friends is the power of Christ in you.  In Christ you have everything you could ever need to be a never ending spring of joyous living water to a dry and thirsty land.  Despite that, how many years did I waste searching for counterfeit joys to fill my heart and spirit; only to discover that perfect love and perfect joy had been abiding there within me ever since the moment I first accepted Christ as my Savior.  My greatest desire is that  God molds a beautiful mosaic of Jesus for you to see from all the shattered pieces that were my life. I pray that when all the pieces of this my life are fitted together by God’s hand of Grace that the portrait of my life becomes an echoing reflection of God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, Joy and Glory.  My prayer is that you find God to be your greatest treasure and all your desires are met in Him.  I wrote this poem many months ago; but, wanted to share it with you today.

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Awaken to Joy

Awaken, Awaken Oh heart of mine

Today has arrived so rich and Divine

Such Joy overflows into a new song

“By Grace I am Saved and By Grace I belong”

 

Wherever I go—whatever I do

Let Your Glorious Hope be all that I view

Such wonder and awe you place in my path

While never your anger– never your wrath

 

Oh Marvelous Grace that fills me with glee

Before your dear throne I have this one plea

Let your love flow forth to all whom I meet

Seeing Your Glory they fall at Your feet!

 

Lord let me be a reflection of You

In all that I say and all that I do

Let the Grace that You freely gave to me

Be the Grace that I give to those I see

 

Let Love guide my feet wherever I go

Your joy and Your hope be all that does show

And one day, Dear Lord, when this earth I leave

Don’t let those who knew me one moment grieve

 

Because they know that you are my treasure

And being with you my greatest pleasure

Let the life that I lived be an echo so true

Of the Grace and the love that I found in You

 

Awaken, Awaken Oh heart of mine

Today has arrived so rich and divine

Such Joy overflows into a new song

“By Grace I am Saved and By Grace I belong”

The picture “ Only In Christ I AM”  above was created by Ronald Barba  and is protected by copyright laws.  I am using with full permission of Ronald Barba.  Prints are available at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/only-in-christ-i-am-effie-darlene-barba.html

©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 with the exception of the portrait above and any money received will be given to the artist from whom I commissioned this piece.  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.

Skipping Stones to Your Glory

Tragedies and sorrows seem to always be present surrounding us in this world.  So how can I or you hold onto a steadfast joy despite the tragedies and sorrows of this life?

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Skipping Stones to Your Glory

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Storms surround my life today

Sorrows urging me to pray

With gentle voice, I hear You say

Trust in me I’ll guide your way

 

A pilgrim in this foreign land

Where is the hope in which I stand?

You paid the price- that just demand

And hold me firm within Your hand

 

Chorus:

So, Precious Lord let my eyes see

That you have won my victory

Whatever sorrows facing me

Are skipping stones to Your Glory

 

Fix my eyes on Christ my Savior King

And then, oh then my heart will sing

Of Your wondrous Joy in everything

No matter what this life may bring

 

The sorrows of life, their ebb and tide

That force me on my knees abide

And rips away my selfish pride

That in thy Grace my tears subside

 

The trials that would tear apart

This fragile, broken, lonely heart

Except thy love can ne’er depart

Each day, Your Grace-my fresh new start

 

Chorus:

So, Precious Lord let my eyes see

That you have won my victory

Whatever sorrows facing me

Are skipping stones to Your Glory

 

Fix my eyes on Christ my Savior King

And then, oh then my heart will sing

Of Your wondrous Joy in everything

No matter what this life may bring

Jesus Christ has already won the victory.  All I need do is to focus upon Him.  How can I hope for Joy if I do not focus upon the very source of Joy?  All these trials, pains and sorrows are merely stones on which I may skip closer to Him.  If I embrace the truth that Jesus Christ holds all things by the power of His word; then, I can have the assurance that “all of this works together for my good.”  Everything is but a skipping stone on my journey toward seeing Glory, Beauty and Majesty beyond any thing this heart could imagine.  If I know that God is and that He rewards all who seek Him, then I can trust Him in the midst of every trial that comes my way; knowing that His plan is to bring me into His bosom of everlasting Joy.  There are no “bad days” for those who know Christ as their Savior.  All of those days we might have once thought bad are merely stones upon which we may skip our way closer to Him.  The more I see Him, the more I realize that He is my Joy, my greatest Treasure, and my Everlasting love.  So what Satan meant for evil in an attempt to steal my Joy; God has used for good every single time. [tweetthis] Every trial, pain, and tear have brought me one step closer to Glory. [/tweetthis] I hope this poem warms your heart today reminding you of Him.  My prayer each morning is that God reveal to You His Joy, His love and His Glory that you might seek Him.  May He establish your faith in Jesus Christ and comfort you through whatever trials you face today.

Photo used by permission of Arto Marttinen via Unsplash.com  The inscription I added.

©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.