A Memorial Day Tribute (Poetry Sunday)

May 29, 2016 Effie Barba

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 13

Memorial day was set aside as a day to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom. They have willingly served and died to stand for their belief in justice, honor and dignity of our great country. We must not take lightly our liberties or use our “freedoms” in such a manner as to dishonor their sacrifice. They fought that we might have freedom of speech, religion, and to keep us safe from terrorism of any form. It is easy to forget the huge sacrifice given by each person in our armed forces and by those who are sworn to serve us in law enforcement. During this weekend, set aside the barbecue for a moment of silence to contemplate those who have given their life to allow you to live the life you have. Then, say thank to all those who have served and those who are serving still. I am privileged to work each day with veterans. I see first hand the toll that service has taken on their bodies and hearts; yet, never have I seen a more gracious, honorable group of men and women. Their bravery continues to shine forth with hearts of gold. Their own medal of honor, each and every one.

A Memorial Day Tribute

By Effie Darlene Barba

Was it love that made you go that day?

Defending life your post you’d stay

Your uniform you donned with pride

With rifle slung there at your side

Did you know that day you’d pay the price?

Love would demand your sacrifice

Ah, yes you knew that could be true

And still you went, for that was you.

A hero’s heart and spirit soared

Defending truth its own reward

It was for me you died that day

That I might live and laugh and pray

While safe, secure my freedom won

Because of all that you have done

And though you did not know my name

You fought and died for me the same

So let me pause with grateful heart

To mourn the life, you did depart

And do what you would want me to

By thanking those who follow you

Those donning uniforms with pride

With rifles slung there at their side

[bctt tweet=”It was for me you died that day That I might live and laugh and pray” username=”effiedarlene”]

Photo used by Permission of Ronald Barba

©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.

Christian Blog

How Was Jesus Perfected Through Suffering?

May 27, 2016 Effie Barba

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren…. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:10,11,17,18 (NKJV)

As we grow older, as I have; we can look back over a lifetime of memories. Recently, I shared with all of you the story of my life as I searched for true love. I shared with you many of my trials, my failures, my regrets, and my sorrows along this path. Yet, above all of that I shared with you God’s Amazing Grace toward me. It has been His Wondrous Mercy, love and compassionate care which took the shattered broken pieces of my life into His Loving Hands. Held tightly within His hands of love, He ever so gently and patiently has remolded me. Every time His gentle hands held the broken pieces of my heart, He restored joy, hope and love to my despairing spirit. Were it not for Grace, I would forever be trapped within the fears of failure, looking into Satan’s dark eternal abyss with dread.

God lovingly made all things for and through His Son, Jesus Christ. Man sinned, desiring the gifts more than the Giver of life. Yet, God saw it fitting to perfect the captain of our salvation (Jesus) through suffering so that He might be both a merciful and faithful High Priest who could bring many sons and daughters to glory. Let us break this great truth down, piece by piece as it was so beautifully presented by the writer of Hebrews.

Continue reading How Was Jesus Perfected Through Suffering? →

Christian Blog

Why Is Jesus Superior to The Angels?

May 25, 2016 Effie Barba

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man .For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrews 2:9-12

Very meticulously the writer of Hebrews laid out the case using old testament scripture that Jesus was superior to the Angels. Although the angels had been God messengers throughout the Old Testament Scripture both in reigning forth judgment, in speaking to the prophets, in presenting themselves to God’s people as guides along the way; yet, they were always subject to Jesus rule. The angels are ascribed as having great strength and wisdom. Still, they are servants of Christ who are sent forth as “ministering spirits to them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1: 14).

It is such a comforting thought that Jesus has sent forth angels to comfort and to protect me. Still, I must not lose sight of the truth. Angels are not beings that I should worship. Only God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is worthy of all my praise. Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth and for a time to be placed in a position below the angels, so that He might suffer as a man and to purchase my salvation through His death on a cruel cross. He, by such, has won the victory for me to one day be with Him and reign with Him in Glory.

Let us for a moment, go step by step through the arguments as to why Jesus is Superior to the angels so that we might understand the depth of humility it took for Jesus Christ to take on human flesh.

Continue reading Why Is Jesus Superior to The Angels? →

Christian Blog

What Is the One Truth That Cannot Be Compromised?

May 23, 2016 Effie Barba

Jesus Christ, “who being the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” Hebrews 1:3-4(NKJV)

Some of the false doctrines that tried to invade the early church continues to invade some of the religions today. Many tried to proclaim that Jesus was either a prophet or perhaps even an angel sent from God. There had been mention in old testament scripture that angels were sent at times to guide the people or to speak God’s words to His people. It would be much easier to believe that Jesus was “an angel or prophet of God” than to accept that He was God Incarnate as God’s only son. Some said then and some still say that it doesn’t really matter which we believe, as long as we believe in God. Yet, that is a lie!

That is why the book of Hebrews is so important to grasp both for those who know Christ as their Savior and those who are yet in search of God’s Grace. For the sinner, knowing who Christ really is becomes the pivotal point of accepting Him as your Savior. For the Christian to truly comprehend the truth of this great salvation we have been given; we must first place Jesus in His rightful place without compromising to sound politically correct.

Continue reading What Is the One Truth That Cannot Be Compromised? →

Christian Poetry

Skipping Stones to Your Glory

May 22, 2016 Effie Barba

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?

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.