Tag: joy

Christian Poetry: A Voice for You

I wrote poetry from time to time when I was younger; but, that was rare and far between.  Then in 2004, I began to write Christian poetry with more frequency.  It would be hard to tell you what happened; but, it seemed as though the words would flow from my heart.  Today, I have been working on upgrading my website so that it is more visible.  My desire is to spread the Joy of Christ through the media available.  At times that has been quite a learning experience, as I did not grow up in the computer age and have had to learn by trial and error at time.  I changed the format, so all my “shares” reset themselves to zero; but, this is for the better—at least it is suppose to be. This weeks poem was inspired by those experiences today.

A Voice For You

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

I Google this and Facebook that

Dear Lord, how can it be

That life has now become complex

The forest midst the trees

 

My Father, dear I wish to write

And tell them of your word

Or even speak-to be your voice

Is that a dream absurd?

 

I know, dear Lord I have no skill

No great or brilliant mind

The only thing I have to give

My heart to thine affined

 

I give to you my voice, my hands

To do with as You please

And when I wander off somewhere

Please Lord, my will do seize

 

Help me Lord, to not get lost

Amidst this techy world

So that your Glory might shine forth

On peaceful wings unfurled

 

And teach me all I need to know

To spread your word abroad

That when they see your beauty fair

Their soul enwrapped and awed

 

Dear Father, now on bended knee

I bow before your throne

Please take from me each selfish thought

Replace them with Your own

 

I would love to hear from you or if you want to share your poems. You can COMMENT HERE.

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.

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”

CAN A SHATTERED HEART BE THE CATAPULT TO JOY?

Faith that makes you fearless and Joy Unimaginable–Can a shattered heart be the catapult to joy?

Let me begin with a huge apology.  For the first time in the 5 years that I have been posting I had to do a complete rewrite.  For those of you who have read the first posting and it really meant something for you; I will gladly send you an email copy for you.  Let me try to explain why I felt I had to rewrite the entire blog.   This morning’s writing was an attempt to “improve” my writing.  I realized after  I got to work that I had drowned you in my history I was hoping to help you see the awesome love of God who remained so faithful to me. I wanted you to know how He patiently took my hand to teach me of how much He loved me; even when I got it all wrong?  He loved me when my theology was all wrong; and, He loved me when I turned my whole world upside down.

follow Jesus

WHERE CAN I BEGIN:

Let me begin by saying my whole purpose for writing.  The very reason I began this blog or wrote any of my books has been to reach out a hand of love to any of the readers that came by.  This week I began taking classes in how to reach a larger audience and so instead of just listening to my heart; I tried to construct a blog the way “it should be.”  But I got it wrong.  What I meant to say this morning is: are you hurting? Have you or are you in the midst of an abusive relationship?  Have you known aching, desperate loneliness?  Have you ever believed you weren’t pretty enough or good enough to be loved?  If so, please understand; I have been there.  I do not say that with any pride or badge of honor.  I just want you to be aware that I know how that feels.  I know the fear and despair of facing cancer all alone; too afraid to tell your children that the doctors don’t think your chances are very good.  I know what it is to go paycheck to paycheck while at the same time trying to hide the truth of your financial devastation from your children. You don’t want them to suffer from your mistakes.  I know what it is to have good meaning christians question your faith or say “that it must be your sin that prevents God from blessing you?” And I know what it is to desperately cry out to God in the middle of the night, “Oh, God; why can’t I get it right?  How can you love me when I keep failing you?”

GOD’S GRACE:

The truth is–God’s grace has been there every step of this journey.  He has been Sovereignly present. He has been step by step transforming me.  He loved me way too much to leave me the way He found me.  Instead, inch by inch and glory by glory; He is changing me into the image of Christ.  (2Corinthians 3:17-18) I want you to know that He loves you.  You are never too deep, too far, or too lost for Him to find you.  I know; because I have been there.

 

Continue reading “CAN A SHATTERED HEART BE THE CATAPULT TO JOY?”

The Keys to Miraculous Faith

Fearless Faith and Awestruck Joy-The Keys to Miraculous Faith

She was a beautiful bride, the fairytale story as she married the prince. What anticipation and joy she had as she watched the nieces and nephews be born. She waited and prepared the nursery, longing to be blessed with a child. Year after year passed and she remained barren. She tried to keep up a smiling face before her husband whom she loved so much. She so wanted to be the perfect wife; but, no child came.

faith isoriginal photography used by permission of Jim Peregoy

Her tears had long since stopped when her husband told her the news that God had called him into a new land and that through his seed would come the promised blessing of all the nations. The Messiah would come to abolish sin and establish his kingdom. Once more she began to hope—could it be that God would now bless her with a child?

Continue reading “The Keys to Miraculous Faith”

Display Thy Glory, Love and Joy

Thy Glory Drawing Nigh

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

The clouds that dance across the sky

The shades of green beneath that lie

Sunlight’s rays stretch from on high

Display Thy Glory drawing nigh

 

The strength and hope as friends draw near

To speak a word of kindness, cheer

To give a smile or dry a tear

Display Thy love—that Thou art here

 

A toddling baby’s laughter, squeal

The wonder, awe of all that’s real

A child like glee we’re bid to feel

Displays Thy joy-so great, surreal

 

Oh, Lord; Thy Grace, Thy Love Divine

Thou art a treasure-precious fine

To think you chose to make me thine

How could a man thy gift decline!

 

Dear Lord, I ask, “Help me Display

Thy love, Thy Grace, Thy joy today.

For someone lost or gone astray

A guiding light that shines the way.”

 

“Disavowing pride, my heart of stone

To humbly bow before Thy Throne

And let your light through me be shone

That Thy Dear Son might then be known”

 

Unto a world so filled with pain

Where sin has left such crimson stain

And Lies of man, a joy doth feign

Where evil hearts thy love constrain

 

If they could see thy true delight

Thy mercies new each dawning light

Thy Glorious beauty shining bright

Thy strength, thy sovereignty, thy might

 

The clouds that dance across the sky

The shades of green beneath that lie

Sunlight’s rays stretch from on high

Display Thy Glory drawing nigh

 

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.