I know that I had started a series on Rejoicing Friday to which I will return and complete before thanksgiving day.  Yet on Sundays I wish to continue the tradition started of giving you a poem.  Mom went to the hospital this week with chest pain.  The strain of the activities surrounding this move is taking it’s toll on her.  She is fine; but from there she will be going to a nursing home for a while, until I can return to take her with me to Missouri.  God commanded this move and I press forward; knowing He knows what is best.  This time, unlike all the previous moves; I am letting go of all the stuff I have carried with me for over 25 years.  For most of those who paid a quarter or two to take it; it means little.  Perhaps, a few things that went to friends means more as a remembrance of me; but I prefer they remember the God I love and adore.  God has a new plan ahead for which I am excited to watch it unfold. I trust Him and recognize that He is my greatest treasure.  As I leave one son and his family behind, I move near my other son and his family.

“Four Generations” * taken in 1974

So often in this life, joys and sorrows blend into one; that is why I have learned to follow God where ever He leads and to whatever He has planned.  Over the last year in providential Grace, He has prepared my heart for this move.  He ripped away the pride within as He knew that humility was needed to see Him clearly.  He broke the chains within my heart that bound me to this place and these things I formerly only thought I desired.  I listened to Keith Simon’s sermon from The Crossing Church in Columbia, MO called "Living with Meaning and Purpose."  I could not help but note the similarities to my current state when he spoke about a person’s life becoming "a yard sale." My hope is that during the time I have spent living here I have shown of glimpse of how much I love and trust God.  My desire is to have changed the eternity of someone, so that when they leave this earth; they draw nigh to God, instead of remaining in torment separated from the only true treasure and joy. I have yet to know all of what God has planned in Columbia; but, my desire is that all who meet me come to know Him as their greatest treasure.  Let my life always demonstrate what Paul so aptly wrote: Philippians 3: "8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

Oh, yes; I got carried away and I did promise you a poem today.   I wrote this poem last night and hope it inspires you to take a look at your life and your eternity. 

HOW MUCH IS A SOUL NOW WORTH

What is the value of this stuff we hold?

Why do we cling to it so tight?

And in the end when all is told

It’s gone and taken flight

Why do we cling to selfish pride?

And never see the cost

Of those we walk this road beside

Not caring they are lost

Chorus:

How much is a soul now worth?

When it has left this earth

When darkness doth surround

And then a beam of brilliant light

Breaking through the dark of night

When eternity is found

Whispers of a joyous song

Breaking through the silent throng

Of all the tears of days gone by

Losses of the time now past

Fleeting joys that never last

Replaced as God draws nigh

If God should take away these things

And rip them from your clutch

While holding you His song He sings

Because He loves so much

Would you now rest or would you weep

True treasure you have found

When all else lost one fatal sweep

His joy and love abound

Chorus

How much is a soul now worth?

When it has left this earth

When darkness doth surround

And then a beam of brilliant light

Breaking through the dark of night

When eternity is found

Whispers of a joyous song

Breaking through the silent throng

Of all the tears of days gone by

Losses of the time now past

Fleeting joys that never last

Replaced as God draws nigh

* From top to bottom, Margaret Shell  “ Peggy” Reed –my maternal grandmother, Johnnie Gray (Robinson) Garner-my mother, myself, Melissa Eunice (Moran) Smith-my daughter

Question:  Can you tell me the names of your great grandparents?  To Answer click comment here

© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba

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.”

Do you want to have the peace of God?  Rejoice! Don’t worry, fret, and have anxiety about anything.  How do you do that?  Remember always, The Lord is at Hand. He is  with you and He is returning.  As I wrote yesterday, God goes before you to prepare the way.  By such, even those moments of great sorrow and trial, He is there.  The questions then become, do you believe that God is Good? Do you believe that God is Sovereign?  Do you believe that God is omnipotent? Do you believe that God will do all that He has promised? Do you believe in Future Grace? and Do you believe that God loves you?  If your belief system does not include a resounding "yes" to all 6 questions; then peace is hard to find and rejoicing always is difficult.  Philippians 4 is a command to rejoice and not fret with the key words as to why being "The Lord is at hand".  Over the next few days, let us look at how that answers the six questions proposed.

“Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley”  ©2011 Ronald Barba

Philippians 4: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1.  Do you believe that God is good? 

Continue reading Rejoice- The Lord is at Hand (Part 1) God is Good →

Currently I am in the process of getting ready to move.  December the 9th, I pick up the U-haul to be loaded.  Hitch a big trailer behind to load my car and take off on a 1200 mile trek across country.  People look at me and say, "Are you crazy?"  I laugh.  God has said "Go".  God has worked out every detail of this move and every detail so that my new job starts on the 16th of December.  God has blessed me with Alberto as my son who will be there on my arrival.  Melissa and Ronald have been a constant moral support as well.  No mother could be more wondrously blessed than I.  This move has meant letting go of a lot of "things" facing forward and following God’s command.  When He first whispered "go" in July, I said okay; but, thought we had time (maybe a year or two) for preparation.

“Could Any Mother Be So Blessed”

Every detail of my life over the past year was working in the background orchestrated by God to prepare me for His timing of the move.  On September 10 when God said, "Today, put in your resignation"; I had no job secured.  I obeyed and placed my 90 day notice.  God knew the start date of the job He had prepared for me in Missouri.  I didn’t need to know the details: He had gone before me and paved the path. My mind is a whirlwind of all that I must still get done while finishing out my final work weeks; so please forgive me if my writing becomes a little scattered. Yet, as we are approaching Thanksgiving, I wanted to take a moment to just praise God for who He is.  I want to thank Him for saving Grace, present Grace and the Future Grace which will always go before me. 

Psalms 100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

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

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalms 95 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnKAIFCdWqs

 

Question:  What are you Rejoicing about Today?   Comment Here

 

© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba

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.”

In an attempt to help us understand His love for us, God used similes that we could understand.  Yesterday, we looked at His love through the eyes of a bridegroom for his bride.  Today, let’s look at the other picture of His love that God uses far more often in the scripture–that of a father for his child. 

"This is shown in Psalm 103 (AMP): “⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy and loving-kindness.⁹He will not always chide or be contending, neither will He keep His anger forever or hold a grudge.¹⁰He has not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.¹¹For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.¹³As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].¹⁴For He knows our frame, He [earnestly] remembers and imprints [on His heart] that we are dust.”

photo used by permission by Sarah Barba

            Just as a father loves his child and even pities him when he falls down or fails in his endeavors; so, too God as a loving Father sees our frailties and our failures through eyes of love and forgiveness.  The other day my grandson, when attempting to take his first steps, lost his balance and fell hitting his head on the coffee table.  The rising bump on his head, I am certain, caused his father great anguish.  Yet, Aiden was not then strapped down to prevent his taking his next step.  That might prevent his hitting his head or suffering injury again; but it would also prevent his being able to learn to walk.  Much in the same way our heavenly Father is there to provide guidance, to place bumper pads, to tell us of the dangers around us; but, He knows that for us to be able to learn to walk, He will allow us at times to fall down.  We may even suffer injury when we fall; but He is there to comfort us, pick us up, and to help us take the next step.  He chastens us, admonishes us, provides us with shelter, shares of His wealth, shares in us His Glory, and prepares us to share His Kingdom.  The greatest agony I have ever experienced in life has been when one of my children was injured, physically or emotionally.  I do believe that helped me to realize

Continue reading Similes of God’s Love for You- Father for Child →

Throughout the Bible, God provides us with similes to attempt to describe for us this love that He has for us.  These similes pale in comparison (particularly since sin has tainted the true meaning of either); but are used in an attempt to allow us to understand even minutely how much He loves us.  He frequently refers to His love for us as a husband for His bride or as a Father for His Son.  Both forms of love are distinct with their own characteristics; yet, each in their perfect form displays a part of the love God would have for us.

            There is no doubt that man searches for a love that completes him.  He searches for that one soul-mate which will understand him for himself and thereby allow him to become inspired to do more and be more than he has ever imagined himself to be.  We desire that love to be eternal and to never betray us in anyway.  This is demonstrated in so many love songs and romantic novels.  We applaud the love that overcomes every obstacle to be with the beloved.   We desire a love that would overlook our frailties and see us for the one we could become at our highest level of performance and who is willing to do whatever it takes to help us reach our fullest potential.  Yet, in this we are seeing a “need-love”.   We do not need a love that will only accept us where we are; but rather, will guide us to be the best we can be. 

photo courtesy of istock/rhennmorgan

We need one who will forgive all; yet, at the same time not accept our ugliness of spirit as being the best that we can be.  One who will continue to love and at the same time will gently guide us to be better than we were so that our beauty may become more gloriously seen.  It is precisely that kind of love which Christ has demonstrated to his Church, his beloved bride.

Continue reading Similes of God’s Love For You—Bride →