Christian Poetry

Along the Road of Life

May 3, 2015 Effie Barba

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.

Continue reading Faith, Strength, and Hope in the Cross of Christ →

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.

Yet, in Christ—because of all that He has done for me and all that He has given me; I can arise each morning filled with Joy, Hope and Love to begin today. The mountains of obstacles may stand before me as insurmountable; but, God only asks I take His Hand and step one step at a time.

Like David wrote,

Continue reading One Step at a Time →

Christian Blog

Mountain Moving Faith, Hope and Joy

April 27, 2015 Effie Barba

Power Filled Positive Living-Chapter 19A—Mountain Moving Faith, Hope, and Joy

The wedding was over with all the excitement, beauty and wonder that weddings bring. For me there had been that special awe of realizing just how marvelously God had answered the prayers of this mother’s heart. Alberto and Lindsey were off to their honeymoon. Ron with his beautiful wife and two babies were on the plane to Florida. Melissa with her wonderful husband and daughter was on her plane back to California. I was on the drive back to Florida from Missouri with praise songs blaring from the speakers in my car. All the way to Missouri, God and I had talked. My finances were shaky as usual; after all the health struggles, all the surgeries, and my tendency to give away the rest to anyone in need of help. All the way to Missouri, there had been this sense of knowing that God was about to do something amazing and He was going to ask me to take a leap of faith. Now on the trip back to Florida, I knew that I at the age of 59 was about to make a major move to Missouri. I reminded God that there were gigantic mountains in my way. Mountains that I could never move. After all, who starts a career move at age 59? What about the upside down mortgage on my house? What about the cost? How was I going to manage moving mom to Missouri? Working 60 to 70 hours per week, how was I going to even add on the tasks of searching for a job, much less, packing and moving? Then, there was the task of finding homes for the 6 stray cats I had somehow inherited—one of which was feral.

As my car steered through the mountains in Chattanooga, I really saw the mountains looming before my life as insurmountable; especially if I was to make such a move. Then, suddenly from the recesses of my mind; I heard the whispering voice of God, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). Then, I knew!!

Continue reading Mountain Moving Faith, Hope and Joy →

Christian Poetry

I Turned and Saw the Face of God

April 26, 2015 Effie Barba

I TURNED AND SAW THE FACE OF GOD

Original artwork drawn with pencil by RoninRon Custom Art and used by permission.

I Turned and Saw the Face of God

by Effie Darlene Barba

I turned and saw the Face of God

His Glory did surround me

He smiled and gave a wink, a nod

No chaos could confound me

His Grace and Mercy were now mine

His Joy was Mine Abounding

That I might then His Glory shine

And shout His praise resounding

My Life now filled with Joy and hope

Amidst the chaos, pain, and grief

No more I’m left to merely cope

Wrapped in God, my soul’s relief

I’ll sing and dance this song of praise

Mountain peaks or valleys low

Protected by His watchful gaze

Fanning flames of life aglow

Oh what a Gracious Wondrous thought

When His soft voice spoke my name

In sin’s dark lair, my heart distraught

So laden with my guilt and shame

I turned and saw the Face of God

His Glory did surround me

He smiled and gave a wink, a nod

No chaos could confound me

His Grace and Mercy were now mine

His Joy was Mine Abounding

That I might then His Glory shine

And shout His praise resounding

The artist that drew the picture featured above 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 you might have.