As pilgrims journeying through this land we come upon many trials, temptations, sorrows and pain.  Too often the modern day church would try to cover up the truth of our journey and say such things as "come to Christ and you will never again experience sorrow, life will be easy".  Others will say name whatever you want and it will be yours. Then we realize that neither is completely true; despite a ring of truth hidden deep.  I have often told you about the tremendous joy in Christ that overcomes the sorrows and that we must fight at times to hold onto

that joy.  This is true…there is joy and peace that is found in Christ once we have come to the realization that He is our greatest treasure; yet, foolish pilgrims that we are there are those moments when we become complacent in the rolling hill or pasture that we are currently passing through.  We desire to stay there and let our desires wander toward counterfeit joys once more; losing sight of our only true joy—a relationship with our Creator who is perfect beauty and perfect joy.  His work in transforming us into a vessel that can truly experience His love, His Glory, and His joy one day must be always about removing the blemishes and the desires for counterfeit joys.  He loved me as I was with all my faults; but He loves me too much to leave me where I was and He is ever about the work of transforming me into the image that He knows I can and will be.  Let us look at truths that Peter wrote about which will help you and I to understand this journey.

Continue reading Beautiful Transforming Grace–Sorrows, Trials leading to Joy, Hope, Peace, →

So often we say we want God to lead us, to show us His will; then we only want to be lead by still waters or to be led by the pillar of a soft billowy cloud through brightly lit days.

  We want to see the end clearly.  What about when He leads by a pillar of fire through the darkness?  Do we trust Him and follow no matter what the storms that surround us?

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com

If we look at the scriptures we must realize that God leads us through the dark nights of our lives as well, sometimes as the pillar of fire before us.

Exodus 13: 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Too often we become complacent where we are and resist His desire to move us to a future unknown to us; but clearly known by God.    The comfort of the nest in which we are resting, the familiarity of all that surrounds us; causes us to want to stay where we are.  In those moments He must stir up our nest

Continue reading When God Stirs up the Nest to Lead You, Follow →

So often we as humans seek to be praised for a job well done.  We want someone to pat us on the back, to reward our efforts with raises, promotions, bonuses, and praise. We seek to be recognized.  Often we work well into the night to finish that project or to complete that task, wanting someone to notice.  Yet, often we go unnoticed in a busy world.  Or even worse, all we did gets brushed under a rug like rubbish because someone else seeking to climb in importance by stepping on everyone around them throws poisonous darts and accusations.  It happens everyday in the world of business and the journey of life.  Everyday, hard working, dedicated Christians across this nation have lost their jobs because some cold, cruel corporation listened to the evil voices of the "climb to fame at all cost" crowd.  I write this for you dear friend who has been the victim of the corporate wheels that roll on and as a warning to the corporate wheels who have lost sight of their mission and whose ears have been bewitched by voices of evil advice.

Dear Christian, always remember…

Continue reading When The Wheels of Corporation Run Over You →

I’d Traveled Far

By Effie Darlene Barba

I’d traveled far across this land

Unto the eastern shore

Uncertain of what God had planned

Alone, I stood once more

I’d heard Him bid for me to go

Twas all I needed know

 

And then I saw, as time did pass

His plan begin unfold

I had been placed within His class

To learn His love untold

And as I saw His Glory Shine

His joy, His love now mine

 

I met dear friends along this way

That helped me as I grew

And others stumbling blocks did lay

God used to guide me too

That I might see His Grace His might

With Christ my guiding light

 

And Now I know that I must go

To leave these all behind

I wonder if my life did show

A Glimpse of God’s dear mind

And did my life His Glory shine

Within this mirror of mine

 

Oh, Lord I have this one request

When memories of me rise

That they might see how I was blessed

Your grace my greatest prize

You took this broken, selfish heart

To fill Your Love Impart

 

So, can you Lord, use all I’ve done

Though blend of good and bad

To point them Lord to your dear son

His Grace, His Love did clad

A simple person such as I

With righteousness on High

© 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.”

How is it possible to have joy and hope when there is so much sorrow, pain, suffering and evil that surround us?  We are forever in the midst of a battle from those who would try to steal our joy? We look around us and see people who are hurting. We listen to the news and realize that the days are truly evil. We look within and see the remnants of darkness within our own hearts displayed through moments of pride, jealousy, selfishness, and self-exalting desires.  If we continue to look around at the world or look too long at ourselves, we might desire to resign in defeat.  Some in this world seek to search for joy in alcohol, drugs, power, sex, money, relationships, philosophy, and various religions; yet, find themselves sinking deeper into depression and despair fills their hearts.  But what about we who know Christ as our Savior, we who are in Christ?  How do we deal with the paradox that is our life?  How do we hold onto our joy in Christ?

Continue reading Joyful Singing in the Midst of Every Circumstance, Really? How? →