When Would Being Blind Be A Miracle Of Grace?

October 19, 2015 Effie Barba

Jesus and his disciples had just escaped being stoned as we ended chapter 8. Immediately, we see in chapter 9 that “as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth” (John 9:1). Jesus was passing by as he was avoiding being stoned to death. He had come to die; but, it was not suppose to be that day and it wasn’t going to be by stoning. His time ” had not yet come.”He had not retreated in fear. He had retreated because it was time to retreat. Besides, He had an appointment with a blind man. He had not gone very far; because throughout chapter 9 we see the discussion with the Pharisees who had wanted to stone Him once more. Jesus stops when He comes upon the blind man. That is great news!! He comes to us in our blindness to reach out and give us sight; with disregard for His own comfort. He is willing to find us where ever we are–He seeks us to offer sight.!!

The chapter unfolds and moves from a discussion of human blindness to spiritual blindness as we will see. Yet before we move to that let’s pause for a moment at the response of the disciples. ^“And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?³Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.⁴I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.⁵As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:2-5). The tragedies, the illness, the losses and the trials of this life do not always enter our lives as “punishment for our sins.” The punishment for our sins was carried by Jesus on the Cross. Indeed, until we accept that atonement for our sins; we are like this blind man. We are unable to see the light of the gospel. Unless we recognize our need of a Savior, our self-exalting hearts would be content in our own accomplishments and counterfeit happiness. We would not recognize the wondrous joy, hope, love and Glory that we are missing out on. Would I ever seek God’s truth in a world of blissful beauty? Would I

Continue reading When Would Being Blind Be A Miracle Of Grace? →

Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday—The Song of a Butterfly

October 18, 2015 Effie Barba

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

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.

Christian Blog

Why Are We So Quick To Stone Someone’s Life?

October 16, 2015 Effie Barba

Why Are We So Quick To Stone Someone’s Life?

I was 25 when my husband first moved us to Mexico. For me it was a new language and a new culture to learn. I did not realize that because of many of our movies and TV shows, the upper class had some preconceived ideas of we from North of the border. Over the years, I learned to dearly love the Mexican people as I saw their persevering hearts, courage, and their grateful attitudes. But, let’s go back to the beginning. As a young, blonde American girl with a limited Spanish vocabulary; I found I was accepted well among those in the market, the corner store and the taco stand. However, the socially elite women shunned me. They would grab their husband’s arms if anyone tried to introduce me to them. Which leads me to our story.

One night, my husband wanted me to join him with his friends. We left his mother to watch the baby and with some hesitance of heart I went. As the evening went on, my husband had consumed a little too much alcohol. I understood very little of the conversations surrounding me as we had ended up on the balcony of a small restaurant. The balcony was narrow with only one set of stairs to leave by and we were near the back, farthest from the exit. Two tables from us were a group of men who were smoking. Since there was no ashtray on their table they were flicking their cigarettes onto the carpet. I watched as the embers would fall and even slightly flame before dying out. Disgusted and a little concerned we might be trapped behind a wall of blaze; I picked up an ashtray and sat it on their table. Then I turned around to return to my seat when suddenly my husband seemed enraged. He ordered me angrily to leave immediately. Confused, in high heels I found myself walking all alone down the dark streets of Pachuca at midnight.

Continue reading Why Are We So Quick To Stone Someone’s Life? →

Christian Blog

HOW TO ACTUALLY LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART WIDE OPEN

October 14, 2015 Effie Barba

HOW TO ACTUALLY LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART WIDE OPEN

In every relationship of our life, one of the key elements is learning to listen with a heart wide open. This is true whether it is a mother listening to her child, a spouse listening to their spouse, a child to their parent, friends, or even coworkers. We were created with a need for sharing, for love, and the need to belong. Yet, sometimes our own needs are the very block that stands in the way of our relationships. We come into every relationship with baggage, scars, fears, and pains which alter our perceptions. Unfortunately this effects even how we hear others. Sometimes we put up walls and barriers to hold everyone else at a safe distance because we just don’t want to feel pain anymore. “If I let you too close, then I will need to feel your heartaches along with mine. That may be more than I can handle. Or you may just break my heart as well.”

At other times the barrier to listening comes from a need to feel important or an overwhelming sense of pride. Usually that is not a healthy self-confidence; but, rather a need to be proven. Both barriers stand in the way also in our relationship to God at times. There are times that we cannot hear His words of hope, joy and love; because, we are either focused on our pain or on proving ourselves to Him. We are afraid sometimes that if we listen with our hearts wide open He may ask us to let go of something or someone we love. Silly perhaps; but, we come to most relationships (even with our heavenly Father) with a lot to say and less desire to listen.

Continue reading HOW TO ACTUALLY LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART WIDE OPEN →

Christian Blog

What Happens When The Light Of The World Shows Mercy?

October 12, 2015 Effie Barba

What Happens When The Light Of The World Shows Mercy?

The feast of the tabernacles had ended and the Pharisees were frustrated that they had not found a way to “condemn” Jesus. Nicodemus had even suggested they had no cause; but, they found the words of Jesus offensive. How dare He suggest they did not understand the scripture! His words cut deep into their pride. They had spent a lifetime studying the scripture and working very hard to live an exemplary life. Surely, God would recognize all their goodness and their reward would be great. Still, this man from “Galilee” cut at their pride with His words. How dare He do that! They had gone away to their own homes while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. We know that was where He often retreated at night to pray. As Jesus returned to teach, the scribes and Pharisees came with a plan to entrap Him by presenting Him a case of “law.”

GUILTY, CAUGHT IN THE ACT

“³Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught^[b] in adultery, in the very act. ⁵Now Moses, in the law, commanded^[c] us that such should be stoned.^[d] But what do You say?”^[e](John 8 NKJV). Christ bent down and started to write on the ground. What was He writing? We are not told. Perhaps, He was writing the actual law. ““If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife, both the man and woman shall be put to death” (Leviticus 20:10 TLB). In this case, where is the man? They had brought the woman; but clearly, something was wrong with this picture. Being “caught in the act” meant they knew the man as well; yet, only brought the woman. Why? We are not told. Had one of these men entrapped her himself? Was she guilty? Most likely, as we see from the conversation Jesus has with her later; but, for this moment she was about to meet light, truth and be given grace. Jesus knew their hearts and also knew the heart of this woman.