Amazing Grace as Seen by the Eyes of a Child

August 7, 2015 Effie Barba 2 Comments

Natalie is my beautiful granddaughter. While visiting with her this week, she told me that she loved to write. She is six years old and getting ready to go to first grade. So, when she told me how much she loves to write, I told her that if she would write a story about anything she wanted to I would use it on my website. I told her she could write about her most loved memory, her favorite pet, or anything she wanted to. She said ok, sat down and began to write. She kept turning pages and writing again. I thought she was having trouble deciding what to write. We left to go off on an adventure in the park before I could read what she had written When we returned my daughter handed me the pages that Natalie had written and as I read I was in Awe. Little had I realized that she was really writing her own 8 page book. A book that spoke volumes in only a few words. I typed the words at the side incase the pages are a little hard to read. I hope you enjoy this her first book.

evey body praise the Lord! Come and praise the Lord!

for he is our father

Praise the Lord

because he made us!

Praise the Lord! because he died on the cross for us

he Did it for us he did it for us

When he died on the cross

he let us free free!

he understands us from all the way up thare!

he loves it he loves you

The End

[bctt tweet=”There was nothing left to say, I sat in awe of God’s Grace as revealed through a child’s eyes. “]

[bctt tweet=”She wrote, evey body praise the Lord! Come and praise the Lord! for he is our father I say Amen”]

“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Luke 18:15-17)

Do you have a story about how God has amazed you through the words of a child? I would love to hear from you. Click here to comment.

I hope you enjoy the song I chose for you today. Jesus Loves Me

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. 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.

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

What Is The Greatest Oath Ever Made?

August 5, 2015 Effie Barba

What Is The Greatest Oath Ever Made?

He had spoken the world into being. He said let there be light. Instantaneously billions of light sources poured forth from His mouth. What we know as the sun, the moon and all the stars were formed with one word of God. Then, God formed man from the dust of the earth. Gently molding and shaping someone to lavish His love, joy, and glory upon. He knew that man would choose to worship himself (the creation) more than the creator; yet, He proceeded. He knew that the road to redeem man from that fallen state would mean Christ would have to bear the penalty for that sin. Still, His love was too great to not share it. He would bear the cost of love.

[bctt tweet=”After Adam sinned, God swore an oath to send a Savior He gave His word that light would come”].

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.” (John 1 NIV)

Continue reading What Is The Greatest Oath Ever Made? →

Christian Blog

Can My Heart Ever Really See God’s Wondrous Glory?

August 3, 2015 Effie Barba

Can My Heart Ever Really See God’s Wondrous Glory?

This journey of life has taken me through dark and treacherous valleys at times. So, often I have searched to find the heart of God; desiring to know and understand His will. Sorrows, pains, trials come and toss me about on this sea of life. Each time I am tossed by the storms, I find myself trusting more firmly in the only anchor that can hold me fast in the midst of the storms. I find myself searching and seeking to know God more. I search to see His Glory, His Love, and His Joy. I find that out of the darkness: I become filled with Joy in the midst of sorrow, love in the midst of broken heartedness, and that hope arises out of despair. It is in those dark valleys that God’s Glory shines brightest. Quite the opposite of what my heart would have thought it desired. I really would prefer that His Glory present itself toward me in prosperity. Yet, in my own humanity; my thoughts turn away from God and toward me when all is going well. As though an all righteous, just God would be so pleased with my own accomplishments of righteousness. Yet, God’s Glorious attributes include His perfect Love as well as His perfect Justice. Both are blended into His Splendor. He knows what is best for me. He knows all that is needed in my heart to prepare me for the greatest pleasure in Him and in His Glory.

[bctt tweet=”God knows the only hope for my heart to see glimpses His Glory in a broken world is to allow storms”] Could I understand His power and might were it not for the storms in my life? Would I even search for God, were there no storms? God’s heart breaks with mine every time mine is broken. Yet, He knows that unless mine is broken; I can never feel the depth of His love. I would never be able to truly love anything or anyone; had my heart never been broken. In that broken state, I found God’s love which filled me to overflowing. Only then could I learn the truth of love. If I had never known sorrow; could I really know the depth of Joy I have found in God?

Continue reading Can My Heart Ever Really See God’s Wondrous Glory? →

Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday—Because I See Thy Gift of Grace

August 2, 2015 Effie Barba

Because I See thy Gift of Grace

By Effie Darlene Barba

A pilgrim’s journey through this land

Through meadow’s soft and desert sand

Beside the gentle bubbling streams

With flowers kissed by sunlit beams

Or rushing, roaring water falls

Whose beauty gasps and danger calls

Twinkling stars in the dark of night

That guide my way and shed their light

The gentle breeze across my face

Whispering words of God’s sweet Grace

Creator Lord with all You do

Whom else on earth could I pursue

For all I have and all I am

Is due to You—My precious lamb

Who chose to die and pay my price

In You I find my paradise

And now I see through different eyes

This course on earth no more disguise

Its beauties shine, your glory clear

I feel your breath, your warmth so near

To warm the chill within my soul

Like fireplace lit in winter’s snow

You blessed my life with love’s sweet kiss

That hope and joy arise amidst

The darkest trials I may face

Because I see thy Gift of Grace

[bctt tweet=”Surrounded by God’s Grace Love, & Glory. Let my eyes seek His beauty & my ears His Voice.”] Let me each and every day grow to love Him more, seek Him as my greatest treasure, never lose the awe of His creation, and run to fall before His throne of Grace to be near Him. Dear Father, transform this heart to desire only you.

Do you have a poem that you would like to share? Click here to leave your comment or to share your poems.

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

Christian Poetry

How can it be that God so Loved Me?

August 1, 2015 Effie Barba

It is God’s Amazing Love and Grace that saved me. I so want to learn to love Him with all my heart, to seek Him with all my being and to follow Him.

Lord, let me lay aside all else that I might follow you. Let me sit at your feet until I want nothing more than I desire you. You, who so willingly love me, who has taken all my brokenness that I might be made whole. Fill me with your joy, your love until there is none other than your Glory left to reflect back to you. And when my faith doth fail me, Lord be my faith that I may not stray from your dear presence.

artwork by Ronald Barba and used by permission for information go to http://www.barba-art.com

Today I wanted to share with you this amazing hymn written by Charles Wesley.

AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN

by Charles Wesley (1738)

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

It has been God’s Grace that endured such evil with great longsuffering so that I might see His Glory, be embraced by His Love, and be overwhelmed by His joy. Lord, take all of me, all my desires and mold them to thy will. [bctt tweet=”Let my heart become a polished mirror to reflect God’s Glory.Whatever the cost, let me follow Him”]

And Can it Be – Dan Bos – Lyrics

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any 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 regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”