Poetry Sunday—Grace So Grand

February 21, 2016 Effie Barba

Do we really understand how great a grace we have been given? That God, the creator of the Universe, would give His only son to die that we might be saved. If I truly understand the magnitude of God’s Grace and Love toward me, would I ever be filled with sorrow or despair? Could I ever complain or worry about any of the trials I face here on earth? It is a grace so grand that reached down to love me right where I was. It is a grace so grand that continued to draw me closer to Him even when I turned my face to seek lesser things. It is a grace so grand that draws me still, ever closer to His Side. It has been God’s patience, love and grace that has gently taught me every step of the way drawing me ever closer to Him.

Grace So Grand

By Effie Darlene Barba

My Lord, How can I understand?

The Grace on which my faith doth stand

A Grace so grand that sought me out

Pursued this heart so filled with doubt

My heart desired for lesser things

Like love of men or diamond rings

And though I did not seek your face

You reached to me to give me grace

How could it be you loved me so?

That on this heart of stone bestow

A love so great it drew me in

And pardoned me for all my sin

Forgiving all that I have done

Redeemed I stand by thy dear son

That died the death that should be mine

So in His Glory I might shine

As beacon of His love so pure

Tis Grace that holds my heart secure

Your grace that drew my heart aside

And bid me in your love abide

Is the same Grace on which I vow

To give you all, before you bow

My life is yours-do as you will

What e’er it takes to this heart fill

With your dear love, to overflow

Unto the world that they may know

It was your Grace that loved me so

Your joy has set my life a glow

Your Grace does call to them to come

Drawn by your love to then succumb

Unto your will, accept your son

And know the life that Calvary won

“Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ…of his fullness have all we received… grace upon grace” (John 1:16 and 17).

©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

Can One Kind Word Bring Hope To The World?

February 19, 2016 Effie Barba

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” Proverbs 18:21…An unbridled tongue “is full of deadly poison” (James 3:8)

What incredible grace it was that God reached down and touched the heart of a 5 year old. He knew what trials lay before this child. He knew what sorrows would befall her. He even knew every time she would fail. Yet, He reached down and touched her heart; revealing the truth of salvation. My clearest memory of age 5 was accepting Christ as my Savior while Dr. M. R. Dehaan’s voice boomed from the kitchen radio. What Grace that God looked down the corridors of my life and chose to reveal Himself clearly to this little 5 year old at the start of her journey. He knew the perils that lay before me. He took my hand that day to never let go!!

When Charlie left for grade school, I was left behind on the farm. Though he really did not want to go, I longed to go to school. I sat every evening as mom tutored Charlie like a little sponge taking in every bit of knowledge I could. It was with great excitement and joy that finally a year later I was also going to school. I knew little about the perils that lay ahead for a child who had such a tender heart. I had gained a lot of weight that year. I entered school overweight and with a speech impediment. Quickly, I became the one that others teased and made fun of every day. I managed every day to spill my lunch onto my dress to make matters even worse. Top student in my class, I could answer all the questions, was in advanced reading and math; yet, no one liked me. To add to my despair, I was very sensitive to the pain of others. There was another little boy who was also overweight but did not seem to understand the teacher’s instructions. Every day he got spanked for something. Everyday my heart broke. It broke from watching what I felt was injustice. I wanted to scream, “He doesn’t understand, please don’t hit him.” Still, my voice was silent.

Continue reading Can One Kind Word Bring Hope To The World? →

Christian Blog

3 Truths of Love Displayed In a Child’s Heart

February 17, 2016 Effie Barba

If I am to tell you the truth of love; then, I must begin at the beginning. We arrive at every relationship of life carrying our baggage from the past. Unless we are willing to acknowledge and recognize that; we cannot develop meaningful relationships and we cannot truly love another person. My hope, my desire is that through this series I may help you to find strong, unshakeable love that warms your heart and holds fast to truth, hope and joy.

As a young child growing up on the farm, my mother says I was very sensitive and tender toward justice. She tells me that at age 3, I would be busy playing when my older brother would take my toys. (Charlie was 10 months older than I). Mom would hear what happened and would come to spank Charlie to make him return my toys. To this she says I would protest. “Please don’t spank him! I don’t want that toy, he can have it. He can have that toy.” I do remember that horrid pain of seeing someone hit another. Years later, I felt the injustice when a teacher would spank a child. My whole body would tremble, my heart break every time someone or something was hurt. I could never have imagined back then that one day I would be crouched in the corner while my husband beat me with a steel rod.

Continue reading 3 Truths of Love Displayed In a Child’s Heart →

Christian Video Blog

A Search for Love-Why is it Actually Important?

February 15, 2016 Effie Barba

As promised I am going to start a series on Love. What is it? How do I find it? How do I keep it once found? Why is love so important? I plan to take you on a journey toward finding true love that will last an eternity. Today, I want to start with a video introduction. The series will be mostly written—it will be a journey through brokenness and sorrow; yet, will lead you closer to understanding love with all it’s beauty and it’s complexities. Where ever you may find yourself along this journey, my desire is to help you discover the true joy and beauty of love.

LOVE IS IMPORTANT. Why?

1. Love says I matter, my life matters.

2. Love gives purpose and meaning to life, beyond merely existing.

3. Love stretches me to be a better person—it reveals my own weaknesses and pushes me to overcome them

4. Love reveals the deepest scars so they can be healed. You can never fight cancer until you find it first. Often our own scars remain hidden deep inside our heart until love reveals them. Only then can they be healed

5. Love brings Joy to life.

6. Love is central to hope—always looking forward.

7. Love gives us a sense of belonging. WE are not alone.

¹⁴For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^[c]¹⁵from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—(of Love) ¹⁹to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19 (NKJV)

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Christian Poetry

POETRY SUNDAY- WHISPERS OF LOVE

February 14, 2016 Effie Barba 4 Comments

So many years of my life, I searched for love as though it were some illusive dream. Along that journey, my heart was shattered often. Somehow I was searching for some fairy tale illusion of love without understanding the truth of love. All through those years, always remained a whispering hope and dream of love. There came a day that with greatest sadness, I let go of that dream. It was as though a part of me was gone. That was when the most miraculous thing happened. I began to realize that God’s love had been there every step of the way. He had whispered those moments of love to give me a glimpse of what true love would be. He had whispered his love in those moments of kindness from a friend. He had whispered His love more boldly in the love of my children and grandchildren. He had shown me love through my little grandchildren who love with such purity of heart.

One day, I awoke and began to realize that all my illusions of love had been a broken, self-centered heart searching to find someone who would love me. As though they could fix the broken parts of me. That someone could remove that flaw of doubt within me. I needed confirmation that I was ok. I wanted to believe that something in me was lovable. What I did not realize was that God’s love was that!! He had given me everything I needed to be His Beloved Child and the lovely betrothed of Christ. How gently and patiently He has led me along this path. He has given me wise friends and teachers along this journey. He has given me such wondrous children and grandchildren. He has guided my hand all along this path. Love abides in me. Now I have learned to love without expectation—just to love! So where ever you are on this journey of love, let this be your song of hope. If you have someone—don’t take today for granted. It may be your last moment with them. Treat each moment as though it is your last. If you don’t have a companion—I would like to introduce you to mine. I am willing to share. Let me introduce you to Jesus.