Category: Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday—Grace for Grace

 

As I wrote today’s poem, I myself wondered if the two rhythms would clash.  There is that hurried, busy world that we live each day.  In that world, I am pulled by all the demands of a very busy, chaotic job at times.  Striving to give all that I can to complete the task, I worry that grace sometimes gets hidden there.

DSC00157  I am realizing as the autumn of my life is pressing in, that my greatest commission is to spread the love, grace and joy of my heavenly Father to all I meet. More and more I feel the urgency to spread His Wonderful Gospel.  To do so I need His Grace to shower me each new day.  I need the grace of yesterday which brought my salvation.  I need fresh new springs of grace for today.  Then, I need the flowing living waters of future grace for tomorrow.  Just as a water spring brings forth new water, the living waters of the word brings forth new grace for each new day.  Yesterday is but a memory.  Today is a new day.  I urge you to take time from your busy life, to spend time in quiet retreat with God.  In Him you will find the peace, tranquility, hope, joy, and love that your heart needs to face each new day. 

Grace for Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

In the bustle of life

So filled with strife

I rush to and fro

With no time to show

Your love and your grace

With a tired weary face

It is harder to shine

The joy that is mine

I fall to my knees

To ask you Lord please

Let me show your love more

Let it flow, let it pour

This is my desire

Then to bed I retire

Feeling lost in defeat

In my silent retreat

In the dark of the night

Your arms hold me tight

Your voice I have heard

You whisper Your word

Or sing a love song

And I know I belong

Then at the dawn break

Refreshed I awake

To begin a new day

But first, I must pray

To say a Thank you

For Your Grace anew

Like a bubbling spring

My heart then must sing

 

“Grace for Grace, your love you show

As living waters fresh do flow

With mercies new for each new day

My sins and faults all washed away

That I may stand before your throne

And Call upon your name Alone

Your Glorious light so clearly shine

And show the path You chose as mine

The path that leads me to Your side

Where in your love I will abide

Oh, let Your Love within me Grow

Until it then does over flow

Unto a world who needs to see

Your love and grace—this is my plea”

Remember this.  God’s mercy and grace is new each morning flowing forth toward all who come to His fountains of living water to drink.  Do you know Jesus as Your Savior? 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:16-19)

 

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.

Poetry Sunday—When Terror Strikes

We are forever surrounded by the effects of a fallen world.  There is fighting, anger, tension, destruction, and ever growing signs of bleak darkness that fills our news reports.  Suicide bombers who give their own lives believing they are fighting against evil while at the same time becoming the face of evil and terror to a desperate world.  Battle lines are drawn with man against man—yet, the enemy is the darkness within our own hearts and souls that blind us to the only truth which matters.  When tragedy strikes many cry out, “Where is God?”  He is right where He has always been.  He is on His throne today in the midst of our tragedy, the same as He was when they hung His Beloved Son on the cross to pay for our sins.  Justice, righteousness demands that each of us should die for our own evil self exalting hearts.  It is Grace that steadies God hand of Mercy each and every day that this world continues to rotate in it’s orbit.  Patiently, God waits for one more sinner to come to repentance.  He waits for one more child to come to Him.  It is His love and Grace which calls me to testify of Him.  With the events of this year and this week in mind, I wrote this poem—I hope it points you to Jesus and lights a candle of hope in your heart today.

WHEN TERROR STRIKES

By Effie Darlene Barba

war

When terror strikes from every side

Inciting fear in every heart

When all I see is torn apart

How can I Lord in You abide?

And rest in peace upon they word

With all the hate and sorrow heard

From wretched men, so filled with pride

I need a place in which to hide

 

I turn and lift my eyes toward You

To search the dark, to understand

How can this be as You have planned?

When all the world seems so askew

By evil hearts so filled with sin

It’s hard to see Your love will win

When selfish hearts themselves pursue

Destruction, death and pain ensue

 

As I gazed there shone forth a light

And reaching forth a steady hand

That held at bay hell’s death command

With sovereign power and such might

It is Grace alone that bids you wait

While justice bids man’s final fate

That one more broken heart contrite

With blinded eyes to then find sight

 

Oh, Lord, please help me understand

That the same love that bore the cross

Is Your love for us when we face loss

That Grace holds firm Your Mighty hand

That every kindness we have known

Is proof Your grace for us is shown

For Justice would itself demand

That darkness, death consume our land

 

So, help me Lord to be a light

To spread your word where e’er I go

Your love, your hope, your joy to show

Your gospel truth to then take flight

Transforming hearts that one by one

They seek and find your precious son

That then your Glory shine so bright

Beams of Grace in the dark of night

Let us close with this Psalm from David.  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ….One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. ….I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord”  (Psalm 27).

Photograph courtesy of Unsplash.com

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.

TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

 

“I Am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness…..18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord:  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not    They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”  (Lamentations 3)

 

Joyous New Dawning

This journey at times may seem filled with sorrow, afflictions or heartache; yet, the one thing that is certain is God’s faithfulness, His love, and His mercy to all who humbly turn to seek His face.  In the midst of the sorrow, He brings us His joy, His love and His hope for each new day dawning.  We must only open our eyes to see Glory.


TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

by Effie Darlene Barba


My life-so filled with hopes and dreams

Lay shattered at Your feet

So many tears, so many pains

I laid before Thy seat


Can I look upon Your face of love

And question what You’ve done?

For You have been my only hope

My only morning sun


You’ve seen my heart when crushed with pain

Your hands have held it tight

When I have been so weak, so frail

You’ve shown Your strength, Your might

 

You’ve held me close within Your arms

When darkness filled my night

And when I could not see my way

Your eyes, they gave me sight


I lay my life within Your hands

That You may heal my soul

And keep my eyes upon You Lord

That I may reach Your goal


Shine forth Thy grace, Thy mercy Lord

And let me be Thy light

That all may see Your eyes of love

The blind, they might have sight


Let not the sorrows, nor the pains

Bring bitterness within

And give me strength to walk this path

Protect my heart from sin


I lay my heart, my soul, my dreams

Before Thy throne of love

I lift my eyes to You, My God

And seek Your will above


Thou art the only one I need

To fill my heart with glee

It is Your face, my one true love

Tis all I need to see


So lift me up and hold me close

Reveal Thy love divine

That through the holes within my heart

A world might see You shine


And if the sorrows of my past

Can touch a wayward one

I thank you Lord for each dark path

That lead them to Your son


I praise You now from mountains high

For each dark path I’ve trod

Twas there I found Your heart, Your love

Twas there I found You God


What great and wondrous joy I know

Because You are my king

And though the path I cannot see

My heart will trust and sing


A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see


Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead


I’ll skip with joy along this path

Though darkness may surround

Because I know You hold my hand

My feet will e’er touch ground


I cannot fall outside Your love

I cannot lose my way

I’ll hold my broken dreams once more

And see them real, one day


A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see


Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

 

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.

Poetry Sunday-My Shepherd’s Lullaby of Love

Have you ever awoke with a heaviness of heart and really did not know why?  I did that yesterday.  It was as though all that I knew about God’s grace was being attacked and hope was a distant memory only.  As the day went by, I focused on songs, scriptures and sermons.  I remained in a steady and constant state of prayer until the sadness finally left. This journey sometimes would cause our hearts to despair; but, we certainly don’t have to stay there.  There are times when Satan tries to remind us of our frailties or tries to remind us of our unworthiness; but, we don’t have to stay there, either.  Then there are times that we may feel despair because there is something God desires to show us or because He needs us to reach out sympathetically to others in the Kingdom.   Sometimes God allows my heart to despair so that I might write a poem for someone in the Kingdom, maybe you—one that may touch your heart right whedmtas0055re you are today.  I do not know if  you are hurting today.  If so, I do not pretend to know why you are sad or why your heart may be filled with fear; but I do know that the Good Shepherd is singing a lullaby over you as He pulls you free from the thorny brush that your heart is trapped in.  He loves you with an everlasting love.  You are never too far for Him to seek you, find you and save you.  My entire life has proven these 7 truths about God’s love—1. He is faithful  2.  He loves me unconditionally 3.  He is a kind and gentle shepherd who wants to lead me into green pastures of joy, hope and peace.  Those green pastures can only be found in Christ—abiding in His love.  4.  He willingly gave His life that I might find life eternal in Him, through His suffering I might find joy.  5.  He never gives up on me.   He has a perfect plan of love to finish the work He began in me. 6.  No sorrow enters my life without purpose.  That purpose is always ultimately for my joy and for the good of the Kingdom.   7.  It has been His Grace and Grace alone that wooed this heart of mine.

This poem I wrote for anyone who feels despair today.  My dear friends, we all need a reminder sometimes of God’s Grace and love which sings over us with a Lullaby whenever our hearts are heavy.

My Shepherd’s Lullaby of Love

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Awakened with fear I do not know why

Struggling to pray, I really must try

Thoughts whirling, twirling around in my brain

Unharnessed they fly, I cannot constrain

Screaming within all the guilt and the shame

I know it’s my fault and I am to blame

Though I wanted to follow, I turned away

I was the one who had wandered astray

I struggled to find a verse from your word

To comfort my soul, a hope to be heard

In the midst of my darkness, sorrow and pain

A soft, gentle sound, a song’s sweet refrain

My shepherd’s dear voice was calling my name

My eyes filled with tears, as nearer He came

Trapped in the thicket and thorns of my heart

I longed for release, a chance, a new start

Chorus

Then the words of His song grew ever so clear

“Hush little one, there is nothing to fear

My love for you grows with each beat of my heart

A love that can’t die nor ever depart

You are precious to me, I love you so

I laid down my life just so you would know

The depth of my love, my mercy my grace

Oh look at me now, look into my face

And rest, my dear love, rest here in my arms

Forever my strength will keep you from harms

Where ever you go where ever you are

My Glory will shine as your guiding star

When the sorrows of life cause you to roam

My lullaby song will lead you back home”

 

Forgetting His pain, the thorns He did tare

Until I was freed from that dark hidden lair

He lifted me out from the darkness within

Forgiven I was for my doubt and my sin

Letting go of all else in His arms I did rest

Protected, beloved, undoubtedly blest

He is my dear love, my greatest treasure

Joy that exceeds the lure of life’s pleasure

Chorus

His lullaby song rings ever so clear

“Hush little one, there is nothing to fear

My love for you grows with each beat of my heart

A love that can’t die nor ever depart

You are precious to me, I love you so

I laid down my life just so you would know

The depth of my love, my mercy my grace

Oh look at me now, look into my face

And rest, my dear love, rest here in my arms

Forever my strength will keep you from harms

Where ever you go where ever you are

My Glory will shine as your guiding star

[bctt tweet=”Where ever you go where ever you are My Glory will shine as your guiding star”]

[bctt tweet=”When the sorrows of life cause you to roam My lullaby song will lead you back home””]

Has the Good Shepherd ever rescued you from the thorns and thistles?  Or do you have a poem you would like to share?  click here to leave your comment or prayer request.  If you prefer to contact me privately, email me by clicking the contact button below–I will keep you in my prayers always

Above picture used by permission of GoodSalt.com/ Darrel Tank

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.

Poetry Sunday—The Fullness of Your Grace

Sometimes it is important that we stop and realize what wondrous Grace we have been given.   I know that I have been given Grace upon Grace with so much love.

family grouping

The Fullness of Your Grace

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

I thank you Lord for each new day

With all the Grace You bring my way

Through valleys deep and mountains high

You lift my heart that I might fly

 

What wondrous Grace I know is mine

Your glory O’er my life doth shine

And each new dawn awake to see

Your Gracious Love displayed to me

 

Sometimes it is through rivers deep

Or Rocky Mountains, ooh so steep

Your strength and might still guide me on

That I might sing this joyous song

 

And recognize as night draws near

That you have filled my life with cheer

The greatest gift you’ve given me

Was found within my children, three

 

And then you went beyond, above

And gave each one their perfect love

Chosen special by your hand

And then their babies oh so grand

 

That joy was more than I deserve

And yet, for me you did reserve

Such precious friends you’ve given me

That filled my heart with hope and glee

 

As wondrous as these joys are now

They’ll pale compared to You, somehow

When one day soon I see Your face

And feel the fullness of Your Grace

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  Psalm 100:4

[bctt tweet=”I thank you Lord for each new day With all the Grace You bring my way”]

Is there a story about God’s Grace you would like to share?  Do you have a poem you would like to share?  Click here to comment.

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.