Thoughts of the Heart-The Positive Thinking that Matters-

May 6, 2015 Effie Barba

Power-filled Positive Living-Chapter 20B—Thoughts of the Heart-The Positive Thinking that Matters

Knowing Christ as my Savior doesn’t automatically transform me into this positive thinking, joyous person; although, it should. All one has to do is to meet a few Christians to know that; yet, we have been given everything that we need to be “always rejoicing.” So, why aren’t we? Is there some kind disconnect inside our brain between knowing the truth of our position in Christ and really embracing it fully? We have all heard the stories of someone living like a pauper and upon their death it is discovered within their home millions of dollars stashed away. They were rich; yet, they never enjoyed the benefits of those riches.

As Christians, we are richly blessed with spiritual blessings; yet, often live our lives as though we are spiritual paupers. “²⁸Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. ²⁹He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

³⁰Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: ³¹But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40).

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Christian Blog

Fully Alive to Joy In Christ

May 4, 2015 Effie Barba

Power-filled Positive Living—Chapter 20A-Fully Alive to Joy in Christ

It had been 4 weeks since the surgery and yet, here I was still in the hospital and still unable to eat or keep down any nourishment. It had been a small bowel obstruction which required surgery to open. I had no colon because of the previous surgeries and the small bowel obstruction had caused the small intestines to be so stretched and swollen that there seemed to be permanent damage. It was questionable whether they would ever awaken to function again. I was the only supporter of myself and mom, I needed to get well. Yet, if you entered my room you would hear praise songs coming from a CD player and you would be greeted with a genuine joy filled smile. Why? Because I had learned over many years of sorrow, that God is Sovereign, God loves me, and God’s plan for my life is perfect. God was and is the source of my joy in the midst of every fiery trial. Don’t misunderstand me—I do still have my moments of doubt or my fears; but, they don’t remain long within my heart or mind. Why? Because God has shown me His Might, His Glory, His Mercy, and His love toward me.

original photo used by permission of Jim Peregoy

What I need you to see is that God loves you with a perfect everlasting love. He sent His only begotten son to pay the price for your rebellious, self-exalting heart so as to provide for you everything that you need to find full joy, hope, glory, and love in Him. In Christ, you have the power to live a life fully Alive. In Christ you are God’s Beloved, Blessed, Chosen, Redeemed Child.

In Christ, You are heir of God’s Kingdom, heir of all of God’s Promises, heir of God’s righteousness and joint heirs with Christ. In Christ you are declared a Saint because of Christ’s righteousness being freely poured out to cover your sin. In Christ, you have been given the Holy Spirit to indwell you, to comfort you, to strengthen you and to provide you with unique Spiritual gifts that can be used for the Kingdom of God.

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Christian Poetry

Along the Road of Life

May 3, 2015 Effie Barba

Along the Road of Life

By Effie Darlene Barba

As I walked along this road of life

Amidst the rambling thorns of strife

I felt the pains-like sharpened knife

Tear open scars of yonder day

I gazed before me – looming there

Were mountain peaks in sunlit glare

I wanted then to cry a prayer

My silenced voice nothing could say

I felt so desperately alone

Until a light before me shone

A King who sat upon a throne

A path now lit before me lay

And then I heard a still small voice

That called to me to sing, rejoice

I pondered then to make the choice

Oh could it be I could say yea.

I felt within a warmth, a glow

It felt as if my heart did grow

As joy and love within did flow

The pains were gone, now gone away

I took a step, just one at first

Desiring more His hope I thirst

To drink His love until I burst

With laughter’s wondrous ray

Amazing then before my eyes

The mountains that had hid the skies

No longer did before me rise

Instead beneath my feet did lay

My heart rejoicing always sings

As lifted up on eagles wings

My weakness bids- His strength He brings

My fears and doubts He comes to slay

And so dear friends, I bid you now

To follow Him, before Him bow

My greatest treasure I avow

His Joy will fill your heart today

The artist that drew this picture as well “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. He has also drawn the front cover pictures used on my books. 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 and to discuss pricing.

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

Faith, Strength, and Hope in the Cross of Christ

May 1, 2015 Effie Barba

Power-filled Positive Living—Chapter 19C—Faith, Strength, and Hope in the Cross of Christ

This world, this earthly journey at times will break our hearts. There are moments in which the pain and sorrow is so great, rising in our chest that we think we cannot take another breath. We are so wearied by the constant turmoil, heartache, and desperation that surrounds us. How do we take another step forward, even a tiny step; when, there is no strength to go on? How does a mother’s or a father’s heart find a tiny sparkle of hope when they know their child is hurting? We so wish we could do something, anything to make their pain go away; and, alas our hands are tied it seems. We pray until we have no words left to say, silence fills the room and everything seems a loss. How do we find that mustard seed faith to move the mountain before us, when we are so laden with pain, guilt, or despair? That seed of faith that tiny ray of hope, and those whispers of joy can only come from God. It is God who, “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son…¹⁶For by him (Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷And he is before all things, and by him all things consist”(are held together) Colossians 1.

You see, I can tell you there is a hope and a joy that rises out of the ashes of all your shattered dreams; because, I have been crushed by the weight of this world over and over again. Too often at the end of the day, I fall to my knees and cling to the rock of my salvation; only to then in the morning awaken to a renewed strength, a miraculous joy, and a peace of knowing, my Father has the answer to my desperate question. Suddenly, I realize; He alone needs to know the answer and I can trust Him.

Each time when life seems too hard, I am reminded of these three things.

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Christian Blog

One Step at a Time

April 29, 2015 Effie Barba

POWER-FILLED POSITIVE LIVING-Chapter 19B-One Step at a Time

Where is the power to live a life filled with hope and joy in the midst of so many trials? How do we choose love, when every chose to love leads us to being vulnerable and broken hearted? How do we stand strong and victorious in life’s battles when our scars, each one, reveal how truly fragile we are? Certainly, it is not by my own might or power that I can just proclaim that “I am happy. I am good. I am strong. I am beautiful.” Indeed, when I stand before a mirror and gaze at my own reflection there; I see a body that has been broken down by scars and eyes that have grown tender from having seen so much sorrow in this lifetime. Not the picture of someone who can move mountains.