Category: Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday—The Song of a Butterfly

Sometimes in this life we withdraw into a cocoon like shell where we will find it to be dark and lonely.  Particularly we do that when we have had our hearts broken one too many times.  For many years of my life, I believed the lie that if God really loved me; He would give me only beautiful things.  Perhaps like a caterpillar consuming all that would fulfill my heart.  God so graciously sent me the love of my life, Pedro Barba.  Yet, as human loves go

i-see-you-sarah-barba

     he was a broken vessel as well.  There were many sorrows and tears along the journey; yet, love stood firm.  There is where I began to learn of God’s unconditional love for broken vessels such as I and Pete.  Then, one day God took Pete home.  I struggled and hoped to rediscover human love; but, on that journey I found only sorrow and pain.  I withdrew into a cocoon like shell.  Yet, in the darkness there God’s gracious hand wrought a miracle of transformation.  When I finally emerged, I was filled with the strength of God’s love and the freedom to love without needing.  This poem is that story of God’s Grace to transform a selfish needy heart to one that can see and love beauty freely with no need to capture it in my hands or to own it. 


The Song of a Butterfly

By Effie Darlene Barba

A little girl had called Your name

Began to feast upon Your word

And like a caterpillar came

To cherish comfort, truth was blurred

I thought that if I did what’s right

You’d give me all my heart’s delight


Had I forgotten that it was Grace

That had saved a worm such as I

Within my heart pride took its place

Then I believed as truth the lie

That if You loved me as Your dear

You’d only fill my life with cheer


Above all else my one desire

To find the one who’d love me true

Enduring all I flamed that fire

And there He was, a gift from You

A human heart with broken soul

The pain of which did take its toll


Yet, willing heart my love stood firm

I bade you Lord to give me strength

Your love for me you did affirm

Unveiling all its depth and length

And then You took my earthly love

To be with you- Your home above


My sorrow came like bitter rain

I searched for love again to find

Attempts to love I did but feign

Until to loneliness resigned

I cannot tell you now the why

Despite Your love I still did cry


With Broken Heart-I drew within

And built a hard cocoon like shell

How was it that I thought therein?

I’d safe from pain and sorrow dwell

There within the dark cold wall

I heard God’s voice, I heard You call


In darkness there I felt Your Grace

I struggled, Lord your will to see

And there I saw Your love filled face

This gave me strength to then break free

So there I’d sealed myself to die

And now emerged a butterfly


Oh wondrous Joy I know is mine

And Love abounding in this heart

Your Mercy, Grace and Glory Shine

Upon my life You did impart

The broken moments You did will

That I might fly above the hill


And now, Dear God; Your love in me

No longer wrought with fear or need

This heart of mine has been set free

To pour forth love in word and deed

To those I meet along this way

And fly with joy in You today.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18)

The picture above is used with permission of Sarah Barba.  For copies please go to http://fineartamerica.com/featured/i-see-you-sarah-barba.html  where you can purchase copies. 

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and  who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

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-LOVE HAS WON THE VICTORY

I do not know what pain or sorrow may fill your heart today.  What I do know is that this earthly journey often leads us to believe that love never wins.  Broken hearts, rejection, guilt, shame all brought about by a society that presses us to strive harder, be better, and condemns us for not “hitting the mark.”  We are performance driven and even within the Christian community too often, we measure people or judge people as though we are better.  I remember years of great trials, pain, suffering and fear when many Christians told me that it was my lack of faith or my sin that brought my trials.  They did not see my heart; but, God did.  I was saved by Grace Alone and every step of my life has been shaped by His Grace and love for me.  He has drawn me closer to Him every step of the way..  There were many steps along this journey when I believed that love could never win and joy could never win; yet, now I know it already had won.  God’s love had won at the cross.  Joy in Him was gained there at that cross.  In my earthly journey, did it win as well?  Now I have learned that, “Yes, Love has won the victory song and Joy has won”.   So, do not lose heart, dear pilgrims.  Keep your eyes focused on God and you will see that Love Has Won and Joy has won as well in Christ.

mountaintop-experiences-in-the-valley-ronald-barba

“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls”  (Matthew 11)

 

 

 

 

 

LOVE HAS WON THE VICTORY

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

As darkness filled the noon day sky

The earth shuddered and did quake

A trembling as God’s heart did break

As wrath and hate screamed crucify

Christ had come with heart full of love

Forgiveness for mankind to buy

Through all the tears He did must cry

Humbly He left His throne above

It would seem that all was then loss

Their pardon was His final plea

His Gift of Grace for all to see

He bowed and died upon that cross

The Father’s love, it was so great

Awake, my son, arise awake

He called Him forth a new dawn break

Pure Love had conquered death and hate


Chorus:

Love had won the victory

Joy rang forth a wondrous sound

Hope and life that did surround

Giving faith to all with eyes to see

So Open wide your eyes to see

That Love Has won the victory

 

My heart so filled with darkest fear

Shattered by evil, hate and pain

Falling torrential like the rain

Anguish filling my every tear

Through broken cracks God’s love shone in

He wrapped me tightly in His arms

And there so free from all life’s harms

Forgiveness, joy, and love did win


Chorus

Love had won the victory

Joy rang forth a wondrous sound

Hope and life that did surround

Giving faith to all with eyes to see

So Open wide your eyes to see

That Love Has won the victory

 

Don’t fall into some dark abyss

With pain and guilt that pull you down

Until you feel that you may drown

Look up to God, In Him is bliss


Chorus

Love has won the victory

Joy rings forth a wondrous sound

Hope and life they do surround

Giving faith to all with eyes to see

So Open wide your eyes to see

That Love Has won the victory

[bctt tweet=”So all you who are broken hearted, don’t lose hope. LOVE WINS”]

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header, “mountaintop experiences in the valley” and  who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

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—SEEKING GLORY NOT HIS OWN

jesus christ picture

Jesus never searched for human fame or honor.  He rejected every chance for human pride or human glory while He walked on this earth.  Instead, He continuously strove to bring all the Glory to His Father.  Even in His obedience to die upon the cross, He displayed His love and trust of the Father who would raise Him from the dead.  Because of His humility and lack of desire for His own Glory—He has been made most Glorious.  Humility brings Glory to those who do not seek it for themselves.

 

SEEKING GLORY NOT HIS OWN

By Effie Darlene Barba

He did not seek for Glory-His Own

He longed to make His Father Known

Rejecting Pride and the fame of men

He bore Himself my guilt, my sin

He took my shame upon that cross

He never counted His pain a loss

Surrendered to His Father’s Will

He allowed His blood to freely spill

And as His Blood poured forth that grave day

He bowed His head to softly pray

Pardon for this sinner’s prideful heart

That from His love I cannot depart

Humbly bowing to the Father’s will

Made Jesus shine more glorious still

So while seeking Glory not His own

He was lifted high upon His throne

His Father’s pride and joy set ablaze

That all of heaven should sing His praise

“Glorious” the angel chorus sings’

“Lifted High above all earthly kings

The humble lamb who then was slain

Forever more He shall now reign”

And as I gaze upon that glorious face

To marvel at His beauty and His Grace

How can I give Him less than all?

Before His throne to humbly fall

Love so strong that strips this prideful heart

Of all desires, bidding them depart

Only Jesus is my precious king

The treasure to whom I long to cling

My joy, my hope, my true love song

Abiding in Him where I belong

[bctt tweet=”Jesus Christ humbly submitted to His Father’s Will, rejecting self exaltation  or Glory”][bctt tweet=”Casting aside all human desire for acceptance or Glory, I must seek the honor &Glory of God”]

Revelation 5:11-13New International Version (NIV)

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and  who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at  http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all

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-In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

 

David had sinned.  He was the King chosen by God—a man after the heart of God; yet, he had been tempted and failed. Trying to cover up that sin, he called Uriah home in hopes that Uriah would sleep with his wife and be fooled into believing that the baby she carried was his.  But Uriah was a noble man and would not sleep in comfort or with his wife while his comrades were still in battle.  So, as King; David sent Uriah into the front lines where he would certainly be killed.  David would then take Bathsheba to be his wife and all would think him a gracious King.  Grave sins, yes.  David fell before God with a broken, contrite heart as we read Psalm 51 which is David’s prayer of repentance.  Yet, the world continued to whisper about him and push him to moments of despair as we read in Psalm 69 where he says, “Reproach hath broken my heart: and I am full of heaviness:  I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.”    Still, God heard his cry.    Look at verses 29-32: “But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. …The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God”.  What?  The humble will see God’s mercy and grace toward his repentant child and will be glad.  The humble will rejoice that God’s grace has restored someone.  

mountaintop-experiences-in-the-valley-ronald-barba

We shutter and think that “I WOULD NEVER” fail God so badly as David did.  We quantify sin, as though one is greater than another and we measure ourselves as better than others.  A human state of pride; as though lifting ourselves up or condemning others lessons the darkness there within our own self-exalting, pride-filled hearts.  I learned a lot when I worked in the jail ministry.  A lot about my own heart as well.  How many times should I forgive and continue to reach out to help?  Did Christ ever give up on me?  Christ was criticized because He reached out for the sick, the sinners, the demon possessed, and the lowest among the people.  We must humbly seek to help a brother that has fallen—to reach out a hand of kindness and forgiveness.  Perhaps it is our hand that God will use to guide them.  We must not set ourselves up as judge; rather, try to see their heart and display the same grace and mercy we have been given.  This poem I write for anyone that has stumbled and fallen.  I write this poem also as a reminder that our duty as Christians is not to be judge; rather to be the hand of Christ to help a fallen brother or sister in Christ. 

 

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

By Effie Darlene Barba


Accused, Condemned in eyes of men

Rejected, hated for my sin

No one stopped to see my heart

Cast aside some broken part

That no one cared to see inside

The scars and sorrows that abide

A heart so filled with hopes and dreams

Of meadows green and crystal streams

Lay shattered, broken cast away

With nothing good or kind to say


Chorus

Then God’s Dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved


How quickly men’s own selfish pride

Does cast away and cast aside

A fallen one—a broken heart

Who needs your hand to help them start!

Christ had come to heal the lame

To lift their guilt and take their shame

He called the sinners to His side

To know His love-in Him abide

So why do we not give our hand

To help a fallen one to stand

So, prideful man with heart so small

Be careful lest you too shall fall


Chorus

For it was God’s dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header, the portrait used today, and  who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below.    If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you.  Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait?  An idea for a book cover?  Or a new logo?  Feel free to email him at Artedabarba@gmail.com   to discuss any art projects.

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 Betrothed

Jesus is not just a king; he is a betrothed King—an engaged King. And soon he will be a married King. His betrothed bride is the people of God—the people who trust him, elect from every race and nation, the church. He came the first time 2,000 years ago to die for his bride—to pay a dowry, as it were, with his own blood. And he will come a second time to marry her and take us—his church—into the gardens and the chambers of his love and joy forever.—John Piper (Sermon: Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, Past and Future)

yskas0025

What Wondrous Joy that my Beloved will return for me one day!!  That day I will understand the depth of His love, will realize He is my greatest treasure, will see His Glory clearly, and will understand that HE IS everything my heart seeks!!

My Betrothed

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

My betrothed hath gone to distant land

Preparing all that He has planned

Majestic Castle I am told

With streets and walls of purest Gold

And one day soon He comes for me

So I His Glorious Bride might be

What Gracious, wondrous love He’s shown

He paid the price, made me His own

 

How was it that He saw beneath

My filthy rags and did bequeath

His Crown to place upon my head

While taking all my shame instead

 

There’s nothing in this heart of mine

Could e’er deserve such love divine

I’ll never know what He did see

And yet, He did, He’s chosen me

 

He sent His counselor to prepare

My every flaw to then make fair

A righteous robe to then adorn

One day soon, One precious morn

 

My Lord, sometimes, I feel so frail

And fear my love for you will fail

Oh Love, my Love, I need you near

Your face to see, your voice to hear

 

Your letters pressed against my breast

A whispered prayer at each night’s rest

Awakened at some midnight’s hour

I feel your strength in me empower

 

Each day I live, I love you more

That on that Joy my heart doth soar

The trials, pains all fade away

While I await my wedding day

 

My betrothed hath gone to distant land

Preparing all that He has planned

Majestic Castle I am told

With streets and walls of purest Gold

And one day soon He comes for me

So I His Glorious Bride might be

What Gracious, wondrous love He’s shown

He paid the price, made me His own

Are you joyfully awaiting His return, busily preparing for your wedding day with great anticipation?  I would love to hear all about your wedding plans—Click here to comment.

[bctt tweet=”My betrothed hath gone to distant land Preparing all that He has planned Majestic Castle I am told With streets & walls of purest Gold”]

[bctt tweet=”one day soon He comes for me So I His Glorious Bride might be What Gracious wondrous love He’s shown He paid the price, made me His own”]

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and  who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below.    If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you.  Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait?  An idea for a book cover?  Or a new logo?  Feel free to email him at ArteDaBarba@gmail.com  to discuss any art projects.

Picture used with permission of  goodsalt.com/Kim Yongsung

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.