Tag: God’s Grace

Poetry Sunday-Prayer’s Song

Prayer’s Song

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

I come to pray dawn’s early hour

That I might seek Your strength, Your power

Prepare my soul to battle sin

The fears, the doubts that rise within

I do renounce my foolish pride

That in Your Glorious love abide

 

Chorus:

Oh, Lord; I long to see Your face

The wondrous beauty of Your Grace

It is Your love that draws me near

Your Joy that lifts my heart with cheer

Fountains of joy to quench each fire

Until You are my one desire

 

Then as I go about my day

How oft I pause-must stop to pray

A whisper here or whisper there

Your Holy presence rich and fair

Is always there to hear my sigh

To guide my way, my needs supply

 

Chorus:

Oh, Lord; I long to see Your face

The wondrous beauty of Your Grace

It is Your love that draws me near

Your Joy that lifts my heart with cheer

Fountains of joy to quench each fire

Until You are my one desire

 

Then as the day draws near it’s end

I turn to God, my dearest friend

To tell Him of life’s ups and downs

Of all the laughter and the frowns

I fall asleep there in His arms

Safe, secure from all life’s harms

 

Chorus:

Oh, Lord; I long to see Your face

The wondrous beauty of Your Grace

It is Your love that draws me near

Your Joy that lifts my heart with cheer

Fountains of joy to quench each fire

Until You are my one desire

[bctt tweet=”Fountains of Joy to quench each fire Until You are My one Desire”]

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The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header  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.

©2015 Effie Darlene Barba

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.

7 Steps to an Unconditionally Joyous Heart-Absolutely Free

7 Steps to an Unconditionally Joyous Heart-Absolutely Free

In September of 2013, I was accused falsely of having committed a “crime “against the company where I had faithfully served for 10 years. The so called crime had been invested for 9 months unbeknownst to me.  It, without my knowledge, had been discussed at every board meeting from January until September. I had not done anything wrong, nor thought of doing anything wrong; so indeed, the news of this had been a shock to me.   When all the dust had settled, I was cleared of any wrong.  What was obvious to me that one power hungry medical assistant had been the catalyst. The events actually lead to my placing my resignation exactly at God’s timing for me to make the move He had already ordained. Although, in September; I understood what God was doing. I, even told my boss, “All of this was God’s hand at work. God had whispered that I should be leaving for Missouri. He blinded your eyes to the truth, so that the whisper would become a shout. I have to go. Something I would have resisted because of my devotion to this company. You have been like a brother to me all these years; but, I have to leave.” Understanding the truth that God ordained everything should have meant the incident was over in my own heart and mind, right?  Yes, it should have.  However, in my heart I was angry and hurt.  The anger, the resentment toward my accuser, and the pain should have been gone. But it wasn’t for quite some time.

me and Pete

[bctt tweet=”Knowing that God’s Sovereign will controls every detail of my life should create Joy. “] For that moment in my life, it didn’t. You see, there was still that darkness within my own heart.

Continue reading “7 Steps to an Unconditionally Joyous Heart-Absolutely Free”

When is Devastating Pain Actually God’s Wondrous Grace?

When is Devastating Pain Actually God’s Wondrous Grace?

When I look back over all the years of my life; I am amazed by God’s Grace. How many times have I run ahead of God? How many times have I tried to help him accomplish his plans in my life, my way-not His? How often have I been impatient or pouted even because I couldn’t see His blessings? How often have I said, “If you would only…., then I could serve you better.” It has been God’s gracious hand that has lead me each step of the way. There have been moments of devastating pain along this journey. Yet, I have found those moments of devastating pain-both physical and emotional; were actually God’s Wondrous Grace working out His plan for my life in spite of me. Much like the life of Jacob, recorded in Genesis. Still Jacob made God’s “faith hall of fame” Hebrews 11, “21By faith, Jacob … worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”

prcas0633 (1)© Providence Collection/Licensed from GoodSalt.com

[bctt tweet=”JACOB WAS CRIPPLED THAT HE MIGHT BE CROWNED, BROKEN THAT HE MIGHT SEE GRACE, AND …”] JACOB WAS HUMBLED THAT HE MIGHT RECEIVE GOD’S SOVEREIGN BLESSING.

WHY WAS JACOB LEANING ON HIS STAFF?

Jacob had wrestled with God throughout the beginning of his walk with God. He wanted to do things his own way.  Pride, arrogance, and fear all were part of his life. There came a moment in his walk with God, that he came face to face with the truth of his utter unworthiness. It was a moment of devastating pain that allowed Jacob to actually see God’s Wondrous Grace. God touched his hip and he fell to the ground. He would from that day forward walk with a limp and require a staff to lean on; but, it was there that he realized God’s Grace gave him life. None of his own works could make him worthy. All that God bestowed upon him was a gift of a Sovereign God who would accomplish His plan for Jacob’s life because God chose to and not because Jacob deserved anything. That is Amazing, Wondrous Grace!! Join me as I tell you Jacob’s story.

Continue reading “When is Devastating Pain Actually God’s Wondrous Grace?”

5 Truths to Audacious Faith in a Parched Life

5 Truths to Audacious Faith in a Parched Life

All alone, I once more was packing up a house to load a truck and cross the country to go where I was certain that God had commanded I go. Going through all the “stuff” and downsizing. How do we accumulate so much stuff over time? Stuff that seemed so trivial and unnecessary. Trinkets and objects that perhaps once seemed important were now what I was discarding. I sighed with the thought, “How much money wasted that could have been used for something more important?” I was tired of moving while at the same time filled with the anticipation of what God had planned. Though I was wearied by my life’s journey, I had over the years learned that God loved me with an everlasting love, God had a perfect plan for my life, and He was the treasure I sought in what was often a dry and thirsty land. Through all the pains, sorrows, surgeries, and losses of this life; God had been there to guide me. I had loaded the final box. Then the trailer hauling my car was attached behind. Tired and exhausted I went to the empty house to sleep on the floor before leaving the next day. I wasn’t certain what awaited me in Missouri; but, this I knew. God was with me and before me. He had a plan and that was for my good.

 

In the deserts of lifeoriginal photography courtesy of Jim Peregoy

TENTS IN THE DESERT

Abraham had headed out into a land unknown because God said go. There were times when Abraham got lost along the way. There were times when Abraham’s faith waivered; but, in his heart—he loved God. He believed God. He always returned to the altar where he was willing to place his greatest earthly treasure because he trusted God. His faith had grown wandering in that desert. He had come to learn of God’s faithfulness. More importantly, he had come to realize that the promises of God were still yet to come. God would one day, through the seed of Abraham send down His own greatest treasure to be poured out as a sacrifice that all nations might be blessed. Christ would come; just not in Abraham’s earthly lifetime.

Continue reading “5 Truths to Audacious Faith in a Parched Life”

3 Novel Ideas for Man-God’s Grace for a Lifetime

3 Novel Ideas for Man-God’s Grace for a Lifetime

I am so excited to announce that finally at the bottom of this blog there is a link to the Comment section that actually works. After years of trying to figure it out on my own, reading through the disqus website, google searches, and you tube searches; I finally have a comment button link near the end of this blogpost.  It only took 3 persistent e-mails to the disqus help team, where I finally had to confess that I was an idiot and could not figure this out nor find it by reading their website.  Once I confessed my total idiocy to a group of computer nerds; I got the answer sent to me in the next email response. Of course it was pretty simple. Not nearly as complex as the original setting up of the account which I had somehow accomplished on my own.  Oh well on to the next hurdle. There always is a next hurdle. The idea is to learn from the previous hurdle, so as not to make the same mistake. Right? Well, easier said than done. Also, it is important to stop and ask someone who knows instead of being too embarrassed.

I've got thispicture of my son Alberto when he was 3 or 4

Repeat Offenders and Do-It-MySelfers (Like me!)

The same is true along this Christian pilgrimage. How many times have I failed to learn from my previous mistakes? How many times have I climbed a gigantic mountain only to be halted by fear when a small stone lies in front of me? How often have I been too embarrassed or too proud to ask God for help? Instead, I look at Him and say, “I’ve got this, let me do it.” Of course, then He has to undo my mess as well as help me do the original task at hand.

Continue reading “3 Novel Ideas for Man-God’s Grace for a Lifetime”