Is There Any Hope for Finding True Joy and Love?

December 7, 2015 Effie Barba

Love—that illusive emotion that every heart longs for. We devote our lifetime in search of it; albeit by many means. Some lock themselves into a world of self-love in hopes to avoid the heartbreak. Some devote themselves to giving themselves away in self-sacrificing love. Perhaps they do find a satisfaction in such; yet, sometimes they too are left with a hunger or hollowness within their hearts when their sacrifice goes unnoticed by anyone else. Hand in hand with our desire for love, we desire respect—validation that we have a purpose. That our life matters to someone, somewhere. When we cannot find that, we fall into desperate despair. We search for meaning perhaps in our jobs, our family, or in belonging. Too often, in our desperate desire to become greater we, in fact, move farther away from love and toward hate. Anger, violence, racism, all stem from hearts that desperately need love. These are the ultimate results of broken hearts in utter disarray with no hope within.

In these final chapters of the gospel of John, we are intimately brought into the presence of Jesus teaching His apostles and all of us who would one day come to know Him as Savior. With such love and compassion, Jesus wants to teach them the truth. He is fully aware of the agonizing road that lies before Him over the next three days; yet, He wants these to be ready. He knows that the only hope for mankind lies in their finding out the truth about love. “God is love” (I John 4:8). He is the perfection of love as demonstrated in His giving His most prized possession-His Son to die for rebellious, undeserving hearts. He did so because His love was so great and His Joy so overflowing that He longed to shower that love and joy upon us. It was the purpose for which He created us. Love is most perfected when showered upon another. God is that perfect love—first and foremost in His perfect love toward His son who is that perfect mirrored perfection of His own Glory. Jesus is that perfect reflection of God’s own love, joy and righteousness made flesh. God’s very words made flesh. That spirit of goodness, righteousness, joy, and love between Heavenly Father and His Son showering forth in the form of the Holy Spirit.

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Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday—A Mother’s Prayer

December 6, 2015 Effie Barba

I searched through my archives of poems written and felt drawn to post this one. I wrote this several years ago when one of my children had come to me with their heart broken by love. My heart crushed with their sorrow; yet, I knew that God’s plan was never wrong. His plan was to bring them good—even through the sorrow. All I could do was listen and gently say, “You may not understand now; but, you will. God’s love for you only allows what is good. Wait, you will see—out of the ashes of this horrible pain will come His Joy into your life.” As a mother, my heart wishes that I could bear the pains of this journey for them. I would rather be ill than to watch them suffer. A thousand times, I would prefer my heart crush in place of theirs. I know the same is true of you Fathers out there. Truly, this prayer could be that of a Father as well. I do not know why God drew me to this poem today. Perhaps it is for you—to comfort your heart.

My Children and I-1982

1982 Me with my 3 greatest Joys of this life

A Mother’s Prayer

by Effie Darlene Barba

There is no pain so great, so deep

As when I see my dear child weep

When sorrows come or dreams are dashed

Their broken heart; their hopes are crashed

The wrenching pain cuts deep my heart

I fear that it shall rip apart

My tears pour down like searing rain

I cannot bear to see their pain

Oh Lord, dear Lord for this I plead

Please let me take their bitter reed

This is my prayer both day and night

Give me their pain and they delight

And then I felt your arm’s embrace

And saw the tears upon your face

The tenderness within your eyes

Had made me pause and realize

That you had felt my pain before

As your dear son my cross had bore

How great the pain you felt that day

My sin upon your son did lay

Your love for me, the guilty one

Endured the pain and watched your son

Bearing the wrath that sin demands

Rejected, beaten, nail pierced hands

And so, dear Lord, help me to see

Your plan for them as was for me

To drive them deep within your arms

Away from all these worldly harms

That they may hear Your Joy-filled song

Sung over them amidst the throng

In You their life remains secure

Your love for them is ever pure

And gentle eyes become their gain

The wisdom, hope that’s born from pain

And points their eyes to always see

Glorious Grace- Eternally

This I know. God loves my children even more than this human heart is capable of and I can trust His plan for their lives. His Grace and Love surrounds them—He will be their Joy. He will be the strength that carries them through the storms of life. He will be their light through their darkest valley. On this I am sure.

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.

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5 Reasons Not to Let Your Heart Be Troubled

December 4, 2015 Effie Barba

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).

Jesus has just told the apostles that He is leaving them. He has told them that one of them will betray Him. Judas has left—but the apostles still don’t know that it is Judas who will be the betrayer. Look at John 13: no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night”. Jesus has just told them they cannot follow Him where He is going next. He had told Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Peter had whispered to John to find out “who” was the betrayer. Could he be afraid that it could be himself? Behind all the outward strength, behind that face of stoicism was Peter afraid he might be the one who would betray His Beloved Jesus?

PETER’S AGONY AND JESUS’ LOVE

Then as Peter in great devotional love has declared his loyalty; Jesus tells Peter that “the truth is that you, Peter will not even make it through the night before you deny me three times.” What agony must Peter have felt!! How troubled would his heart be!! His mind must at that moment have been filled with so much pain, so much turmoil that he could barely hear the rest of the words that would come. Have you ever been there? I have. I have fallen before God with such agony of heart—fearing my own failure. I have spent days and nights in agonizing prayer because of my own sin. I wanted to follow Him. Like Peter I have wanted with all my heart to be a shining light to a world in need of a Savior. Yet, I have failed at times. My words were not as kind as they should have been. My feet have stumbled along the path and I have fallen head on into the mud and the mire of sin. At those moments when my heart is crushed by the weight of my own failure.

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How to Find Joy In The Midst Of a Painful Journey

December 2, 2015 Effie Barba

How to Find Joy In The Midst Of a Painful Journey

All of the years had begun to wear upon me, I longed to go home to be with the Lord. The pancreatic mass seemed to be a blessing in disguise. Almost a wondrous gift for having marched through the years faithfully. I was tired, weary of the battles of life. Financial ruin despite my faithful tithing. Broken heart despite my having poured out love, hoping it would bring love in return. Battling cancer, illness, and the chronic effects of the medications to cure it all. Some like the friends of Job would say, “God must be angry—it must be because of sin that you have suffered.” Yet, they did not know my heart—only God did. This heart that longed for Him. This heart that thirsted for Him in a dry and barren land. That was 2002 and the mass was not cancer nor my way home to God. It was a turning moment for me to learn that in the midst of all the trials, sorrows, and sufferings of this earth—God is forever my Joy, my strength, my hope and my provider. Perhaps I was a lot like Peter when he said, ““Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37 NIV). Have you ever in the recesses of your heart longed to be home with Jesus? To leave behind all the sorrows, struggles, and trials of this world and follow Him now? That is the cry of my bipolar mother’s heart every day!!

Jesus had been there with the apostles. He had walked with them, taught them, and even at times gently rebuked them. He had lovingly washed their feet. Now He was preparing them for His eminent death and resurrection. He would be leaving. He would send the Holy Spirit to guide them; yet, physically He was going away. They could not follow Him into His death. He would have to take on the sins of the world and take upon Himself all the wrath that evil deserved. He would have to face the darkest of nights so that light would finally have victory over the darkest evil. Only then would His ultimate Glory be displayed as He made the final blow against all of evil once and for all. He would rise victorious—Glorious.

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Christian Blog

Is Your Spirit Ever Troubled Because Of Love?

November 30, 2015 Effie Barba

Is Your Spirit Ever Troubled Because Of Love?

It was with great love and compassion for these His apostles that Jesus had washed their feet with tenderness. He knew and saw their hearts. Though they would scatter briefly at the time of His crucifixion; they would become His redeemed. He knew their fears, their coming failures; yet, they would become the ones who would spread the gospel news to the world. He longed to prepare them for the coming days. He wanted to wrap them with truth, love, and joy that would sustain them. Yet, there was one whose heart was dark. One whom Jesus saw the darkness lurking deep. There was one who would betray Him to the chief priests.

The plan had already been set by Judas with the priests. Jesus knew this and that Judas Iscariot would betray Him. Still, the truth of this caused Jesus to moan within His spirit. Note, “²⁰Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. ²¹When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me” (John 13). There was one who had walked with Jesus, who had eaten with Jesus, who had seen the miracles; yet, did not believe or receive Jesus as the Savior. In the darkness of his heart, Judas had only sought money and fame. When Jesus rebuked him back in John 12:8; he had become angered instead of yielding to the truth of Jesus’ words. Yet, Jesus moaned at the reality of this truth that Judas, one whom He had poured out His love upon—would betray Him. Has that ever happened to you? Have you loved someone dearly; only, to be betrayed by them? Your heart is shattered. Oh, how agonizing is that feeling!! Yet, Jesus knows exactly how you feel. He was betrayed by one He loved dearly. He longs to comfort your soul with His love.

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