Awaken to Joy

January 17, 2016 Effie Barba

Sometimes when we take a moment to remember the wonder of all the things we have because of God’s Amazing Grace toward us; we must be filled with joy. The wonder, beauty, and Glory of knowing Jesus as our Savior, being adopted into the family of God, and being given the gift of His love should make our hearts sing with Joy. We should become overflowing fountains of His love and Grace toward those whom we meet along this journey. My prayer is that all the pieces of this puzzle of my life when fitted together are 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 this morning for you.

Awaken to Joy

By Effie Darlene Barba

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 awe and wonder 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 just this one plea

That 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”

©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 Video Blog

What Do You Do When You Get It All Wrong?

January 16, 2016 Effie Barba

I awoke this morning with these ideas circling in my head. As I began to write down some of the thoughts; I realized that I needed to share these with you today. So, I filmed this video for you.

4 points to remember when you get it all wrong

1. It is not about how many times I have failed God. It is about how many times that God’s loving Grace has searched for me, found me buried in despair, and asked “Child, do you love me?” “Yes, my Lord, with all my heart!!”, I reply. “Then my Child, come take my hand. We have work to do. The fields are white with harvest. Feed my sheep.”

2. It is not about how many times Satan has sifted me and left me like dust on the board of life. It is about how many times God takes that pulverized flour and makes bread to feed those who are hungry.

3. It is not about how many dreams I have toward doing things for God—no matter how lofty they might be. It is about how many times God picks up the shattered pieces of those dreams, then reflects His Glory through them to shine His light upon another soul. Changing the eternity of another through the shatter pieces of what once was my dreams.

4. It is not about what I can do for God. It is about what He can do with a broken heart, and feeble weary hands when that heart has come to realize that He is my greatest treasure. He is my Joy, my hope, and the love I have so longed for.

So, dear friend; if you think that God can not use you to shine forth His Glory. Think again. He loves you and His mercy is new every morning. I needed to tell you that today.

I wrote and published my book A Broken and Contrite Heart in 2011 which was an in depth look at what do you do when you get it wrong. Although, I have grown spiritually since it’s publication; it remains a good place to begin or continue your journey of Grace. Whenever, I forget (as sometimes we humans do); I have to return to that place in which I realized that it has always been all about Grace and Grace Alone.

If you wish to purchase a copy, you may click the link or go to Amazon.com or BarnesandNobles.com to order one.

If indeed, you wish a copy and cannot afford it; please email me. Depending upon the response, I will try to honor you with a copy. Understanding that in the modern book market; I, the author, must purchase my own books from the publisher. So, as I am able and God permits, I will try to fulfill those requests.

©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 of course the exception of my own book for which I receive a small commission from Authorhouse, the publisher. 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.

Blog

What Really Is The Truth You Desperately Need To Know?

January 15, 2016 Effie Barba

What Really Is The Truth You Desperately Need To Know?

The truth. What is it? We search for it. We seek it. We really want to know. In our conversations, in our own lives, in our relationships, in our family and even our court rooms we say we want truth. Yet, do we always? Or do we only want “our truth”? When I look back at the memories of my past do I see the truth of all that happened? Then why sometimes is my memory different than what mom remembers or to that which my children may remember? Have I softened my own guilt in a situation? Where is the truth? Somewhere in the midst of all the different memories of an event, there is hidden there the real event with all the facts of it.

Of all the places we desire to seek truth, none are more notable than in a courtroom. Truth is needed; yet, even there can we ever really know the truth? Eye witnesses often recall an event with variances as to what they saw. Can I really trust my own memory of things? And so it was as Pilate wanted to know, “What is the truth about this man from Galilee, called Jesus? Why did the priests send Him to be tried under the roman rule?”

Continue reading What Really Is The Truth You Desperately Need To Know? →

Christian Blog

How to Face Life’s Greatest Trials with Peaceful Confidence

January 13, 2016 Effie Barba

Our lives are filled with seasons of great trials. Sometimes those trials are short in their duration and other times they go on for years with little relief. Sometimes it is a tragic illness. At other times it is an unexpected turn of events that comes crashing in on our well planned out lives. Whatever the trial is and no matter how long that trial may be, we need to find a way to face that trial with confidence. How do we find peace in the midst of that trial so that our responses are wise and steady? How do we hold fast to our faith without falling deep into despair when our world falls apart? How do we keep facing devastating trials with hope within?

Jesus was brought to trial before the chief priests first and then before the Roman authorities. He was mocked. He was questioned. They would slap Him and jeer asking that He tell them “who had touched Him.” As the night went on they beat Him severely, placed a crown of thorns on His head, spit in His face, placed Him in purple robes and presented Him to the very crowds that He had so lovingly served. This crowd who had even followed His every word a few days before now screamed “Crucify Him.” Although, He could have whispered one word and a legion of angels would have destroyed all these men; He calmly stood and softly spoke only a few words in response. Within those few words and the ones which came shortly before we can see the keys to facing any type of trial we too may face.

Continue reading How to Face Life’s Greatest Trials with Peaceful Confidence →

Christian Blog

What to Do When I Fail With All My Heart?

January 11, 2016 Effie Barba

What to Do When I Fail With All My Heart?

Often I have heard sermons on Peter’s denial. I have listened intently as pastors explained the different analogies concerning why Peter failed this test. I have heard it explained that Peter failed because he followed Jesus at a distance or that he became too concerned for his own life. Others commentaries say that he stood with the wrong crowd as he warmed himself by the fire. We wish we could find a reason for his failure. Then we would find the formula that prevents us from stumbling as well. My heart so longs to love God better!! I want to be a testimony for Him. I want to always present Him well. I wish I could find the truth as to why despite my desire to please Him, to love Him and to follow Him; sometimes, I make a mess of it all. When that happens, then, like Peter—all I can do is to fall before God’s throne of Grace to weep a little while.

Peter truly loved the Master. He had left everything to follow Him. At times, Peter was a bit tempestuous like the sea he had fished in. Yet, his heart longed to please the Master. This had been a long night as Jesus told them that He must go away so that the Comforter would come. Jesus tried to prepare them; but, Peter didn’t really want to hear this. He didn’t know how He would survive without Jesus being present to guide Him. Was it fear that caused Peter to deny Jesus? I don’t think so. Peter had pulled out his sword in front of a cohort of soldiers; but, Jesus told him to put it away. Peter had followed while others had scattered. He didn’t know what the plan was next. He needed Jesus to tell him the plan. “Where do I go now? What do I do now? If I am not to fight for you, then what?” Haven’t you been there? I have. In those moments of waiting when you feel so lost and alone, uncertain as to what the next step is. Those moments when you are praying with all your heart and soul not to fail God; then, you find yourself flat on your face in the mud anyway.

Continue reading What to Do When I Fail With All My Heart? →