Poetry Sunday—The Fullness of Your Grace

October 25, 2015 Effie Barba

Sometimes it is important that we stop and realize what wondrous Grace we have been given. I know that I have been given Grace upon Grace with so much love.

The Fullness of Your Grace

by Effie Darlene Barba

I thank you Lord for each new day

With all the Grace You bring my way

Through valleys deep and mountains high

You lift my heart that I might fly

What wondrous Grace I know is mine

Your glory O’er my life doth shine

And each new dawn awake to see

Your Gracious Love displayed to me

Sometimes it is through rivers deep

Or Rocky Mountains, ooh so steep

Your strength and might still guide me on

That I might sing this joyous song

And recognize as night draws near

That you have filled my life with cheer

The greatest gift you’ve given me

Was found within my children, three

And then you went beyond, above

And gave each one their perfect love

Chosen special by your hand

And then their babies oh so grand

That joy was more than I deserve

And yet, for me you did reserve

Such precious friends you’ve given me

That filled my heart with hope and glee

As wondrous as these joys are now

They’ll pale compared to You, somehow

When one day soon I see Your face

And feel the fullness of Your Grace

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4

[bctt tweet=”I thank you Lord for each new day With all the Grace You bring my way”]

Is there a story about God’s Grace you would like to share? Do you have a poem you would like to share? Click here to comment.

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

Do you know the voice of the Good Shepherd?

October 23, 2015 Effie Barba

Do you know the voice of the Good Shepherd?

With all that had happened over the months that had proceeded, I knew it had been the whispering voice of the good shepherd who had lead me to Missouri and to the job at the VA. Yet, in those early months in 2014, the job had remained only part time. Before arriving, I had believed with confidence I would find a second job. After all, God knew my finances and would provide. Month after month passed and no job presented. Indeed I felt the sting of rejection a few times along that road. Could I have heard Him wrong? Was I a fool to believe that I heard His voice prompting me to come to Missouri? Finally, a job offer came; but, I would have to leave the VA to take it. It did offer a lot more money. So I prayed a lot. Then, I knew in the very depth of my heart that I must decline the new offer and stay where I had been sent. No matter what the struggles, this was where God had lead me and this is where I was to stay. Then, a few months later, my job became a full time job. Over the last year and a half, I have seen the unfolding of God’s Grace in every aspect of my job and my life. I have been abundantly blessed in the physicians and supervisors that I now work under.

Every detail of my life has been orchestrated by a Sovereign God who is my Good shepherd. There are the mysteries of life that God has yet to reveal—the aching heart when I realized that God’s Sovereign Hand halted the moving of my youngest son and family. Perhaps, God knew that if I had known that in the beginning I would have hesitated. He knew I would have questioned the plan. I may not fully understand the plan; but, this I know. I “know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

In John 10, Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd who will lay down His life for the sheep. His sheep will know His voice and will follow where ever the good shepherd leads them. Whenever I stumble along this path or whenever my heart aches because I don’t understand, the good shepherd is there to gather me in His arms and to hold me.

Continue reading Do you know the voice of the Good Shepherd? →

Christian Blog

What Is The Commission Of The Teachers Of Truth?

October 21, 2015 Effie Barba

What Is The Commission Of The Teachers Of Truth?

There he had sat all of his life just outside the temple courts. Perhaps he had heard the scripture being read. Whenever they would read from Isaiah 35 “God …will come and save you.⁵Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened.” His heart would ache with longing that one day God would come. Perhaps he did not understand at first; but, he longed to understand and to see God’s glory. A heart that during his years of blindness had grown tender. Then Jesus came to him, he placed clay over his eyes and sent him to wash his eyes. He did not see the man who had brought him sight; but, he believed in the truth that this was from God and that the man who had performed this miracle was from God. His parents were afraid of the Jewish leaders and would not answer them concerning the miracle. Yet, this man who had been given sight was willing to risk being an outcast of the synagogue to speak the truth. He had been touched by Grace and he had seen a glimpse of God’s Glory in the gracious act of Jesus giving him sight. That was enough to draw him to boldly stand before the Pharisees and speak the truth from Isaiah 35.

Of course the Religious leaders cast the man out of the synagogue. Once more Jesus had come to seek and find him. Outcast by the local religious community; yet, precious in the eyes of God. This time, Jesus came to offer him salvation for his soul and to give him spiritual sight. First he had heard the truth of scripture with a contrite heart, then he had seen a glimpse of God’s glory which caused him to long for more, and finally, he came to worship Christ as his Savior and King. This is a beautiful illustration of salvation.

Continue reading What Is The Commission Of The Teachers Of Truth? →

Christian Blog

When Would Being Blind Be A Miracle Of Grace?

October 19, 2015 Effie Barba

When Would Being Blind Be A Miracle Of Grace?

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.