Poetry Sunday: Joy, Eternally

September 6, 2015 Effie Barba

The aurora borealis is the result of a solar storm flinging particles into the atmosphere at either of the earths polar tips with the result being brilliant, beautiful lights appearing in the darkened night sky. When storms enter our lives, we shutter in despair and fear. Yet, God knows every storm and allows them in only to bring us closer to Him. He knows our heart and desires to give us His Joy. Too often the eyes of our heart are too fixated on counterfeit joys and our desires are for things that cannot satisfy.

Sometimes into our darkest night, God sends a storm so that our eyes may be opened to behold Glory, beauty and Joy.

Joy, Eternally

By Effie Darlene Barba

Without the sorrows would I see?

Your beauty rare—Your love for me

Or would this heart be satisfied

With lesser things that build my pride

Your love for me so great and grand

Allowed each tear as You had planned

That I might seek Your lovely face

Eager to feel your arms of grace

And now, this Joy that fills my chest

Is mine because in You I rest

Your Glory lights my every trail

My treasure precious without fail

I thought my heart would break in two

Until Your Love came into view

What mystery is Your Grace Divine

My Darkest hour Your light did shine

This Joy, this hope, this love that’s mine

I feel Your spirit intertwine

Within my heart to nourish me

With all of You eternally

[bctt tweet=”Without the sorrows would I see? Your beauty rare—Your love for me”]

Samuel 22 (NIV) “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
³ my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield^[a] and the horn^[b] of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—…You, Lord, are my lamp
the Lord turns my darkness into light…“As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Would you like to share a story of how God transformed a storm into Joy in your life? Or share a poem you have written? click here to open the comment box

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

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Christian Blog

What Does Saving Belief In Christ Really Look Like?

September 4, 2015 Effie Barba

What Does Saving Belief In Christ Really Look Like?

Nicodemus had believed that Jesus was a teacher come from God; yet, did not understand when Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Nicodemus was a religious scholar; yet, his eyes were veiled to the truth that salvation was grace and act of faith. He believed in Jesus because of the miracles—a belief of the mind. Still, the eyes of his heart were veiled to the glorious truth that Jesus was God and the messiah had come. Nicodemus did not understand that the messiah would die to pay the penalty for man’s sin, even though Jesus had pointed out that Moses had lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. Nicodemus had studied the book of Isaiah. He should have known and seen the truth. Nicodemus and the Jewish nation were looking for the Messiah to come as a King and they would have possessions, power, and luxury in the Kingdom of God—here on earth.

[bctt tweet=”Did Nicodemus recognize his own need for a shepherd?”] He saw Jesus as a teacher; but, did not see Him as the Messiah who came to be the Savior of all who would come unto Him.

Continue reading What Does Saving Belief In Christ Really Look Like? →

Christian Blog

How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit

September 2, 2015 Effie Barba

How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit

It was late at night as he made his way to Jesus. The crowds had gone home to rest. He was a scholar, one of the elect of the Sanhedrin. He had spent his lifetime studying the scripture; yet, this man Jesus from Nazareth spoke as no other he had heard before. Then, there were the miracles as well. He, Nicodemus, wanted to have a moment to speak with this man who had run all the money changers and merchants from the temple; who had then taught the scripture as no other teacher had ever done. With a tone of great respectfulness as he approached he said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2 NIV).

[bctt tweet=”Then Jesus very passionately responds with the greatest truth that all needed to know. “]This was the greatest message of all. The good news of why Jesus had come to this earth to be the final sacrifice needed to cover man’s sin and to provide the only atonement that can give new spiritual life. It was the only message that could restore a full, vibrant relationship with God. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3 NIV).

Continue reading How to Be Born Of Water and Spirit →

Christian Blog

Why was Christ’s Cleansing of the Temple really important?

August 31, 2015 Effie Barba

Why was Christ’s Cleansing of the Temple really important?

The gospel account written by John detailed those events of Jesus’ life that would display His Glory, His deity, and His grace upon grace poured out for you and for me. John wanted to show you Christ in all His beauty that you might believe in Him and gain eternal life. He wanted to share with you what he had found in Christ. “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹But these are written that you may believe^[b]that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31 NIV)

So why did John choose to tell us of this cleansing of the temple at the beginning of the earthly ministry of Christ? If we read the “cleansing of the temple” accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke we will read about Christ running out the money changers upon His final trip into Jerusalem just before His arrest and crucifixion. Yet, John is telling us about Jesus running out the money changers and those selling animals in the temple courts during Christ’s first trip to the Passover at the beginning of His earthly ministry. Why is that an important detail to our seeing Christ? How does that impact our lives? Those are the questions I want to look a little further into with you.

Continue reading Why was Christ’s Cleansing of the Temple really important? →

Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday-Come Quench This Thirst

August 30, 2015 Effie Barba

In this journey of life, we search to quench our thirst by so many things that only leave us wanting more. Christ is the fountains of living water that will fill your heart with genuine joy that cannot be taken away. His blood was poured out to wash away your sins and to clothe you in His righteousness. Such love is so much more than I could ever imagine and fills me to overflowing. Wine, the blood of the grapes, is symbolic of Christ’s blood poured out for our sins. Let us seek God as our only treasure. Only God can quench our thirsty souls.

¹“O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water” Psalm 63 (NLT).

Come Quench This Thirst

By Effie Darlene Barba

I’ve been searching for love all of my life

Someone to hold when life brings me strife

A Friend, A Companion, someone who cares

About all my dreams, my life song he shares

With Broken Heart—I cried out to You

You Came and You Loved –my heart was made new

CHORUS

You are the rivers, You are the wine

Come quench this thirst with Your love divine

Hold me so tight that I can’t let go

Filled with Your Spirit-my heart aglow

Give me Your Joy far beyond measure

Until I know the truth You are my treasure

I’ve been searching for dreams, success – a name

A message, a truth, something to proclaim

Surely the world should know I’ve been here

Hold my head high—the crowd would then cheer

Broken by failures, I cried out your name

You came and You loved – I’ve not been the same

CHORUS

You are the rivers, You are the wine

Come quench this thirst with Your love divine

Hold me so tight that I can’t let go

Filled with Your Spirit-my heart aglow

Give me Your Joy far beyond measure

Until I know the truth You are my treasure

I’ve been searching for joy in so many things

Houses and cars or big fancy rings

Chasing a dream where ever it leads

Thinking these things will fulfill my needs

Drowning in debt, I turned then to You

You came and You loved—Your Glory in view

CHORUS

You are the rivers, You are the wine

Come quench this thirst with Your love divine

Hold me so tight that I can’t let go

Filled with Your Spirit-my heart aglow

Give me Your Joy far beyond measure

Until I know the truth You are my treasure

I’ve been searching for You by labor of mine

If I try hard enough, surely I’ll shine

I would work so hard and make You so proud

I would stand high above the rest of the crowd

Chained in my sin, I turned then to You

You came and You loved-humbled by Grace I’m new

CHORUS

You are the rivers, You are the wine

Come quench this thirst with Your love divine

Hold me so tight that I can’t let go

Filled with Your Spirit-my heart aglow

Give me Your Joy far beyond measure

Until I know the truth You are my treasure

[bctt tweet=”Drink from the fountain of living water given by Christ and never thirst again!!”]

Do you have a poem or a thought you would like to share? Click here to comment.

New Living Translation(NLT)

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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