Tag: joy

How to Follow Jesus! Can You Show Me The Way?

How to Follow Jesus! Can You Show Me The Way?

We had a very old farm house and an old storm cellar when I was a child. I can remember when suddenly in the middle of the night when a storm would sound as though it was going to take the house away, my father would whisk me out of bed. Wrapped in a blanket, he held me very close to his chest as we went down into the storm cellar where mom was already. He would run back and carry my brother down. Then he would close the rickety door. He would sit just above us on a stair step and with his powerful arms, he held the door shut. No matter how hard the wind. No matter how loud the thunder. With each lightening flash, I could see his silhouette and I knew that the storm could not touch me.

we can see God

That is what Jesus wanted these apostles to understand. The storm was coming. He longed to draw them in close. He wanted so much that they could understand. Yet, Jesus also knew that over the next three days they would face confusion. There would be doubts as He was going to have to leave them to finish the work of salvation. Once His work was finished He would come again to be with them—then He could make the promise to them and to each of us who would follow; “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. Only when the work was finished could He make that promise by sending the Holy Spirit to indwell them. The night spent in this upper room with these His dearly beloved apostles, He longed to fill their hearts and minds with so much truth. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled, trust me.” This journey you are about to face is filled with storms, trials, struggles and doubts; but, don’t let your heart be troubled—trust me. I will keep you safe and bring you safely home. Abide in my love, my joy, and my peace.

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Do You Really Want To See The True Jesus?

Do You Really Want To See The True Jesus?

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:20 NKJV). That was the words of these Greek men as they approached Phillip. They wanted to see Jesus. He had just rode into Jerusalem on the young donkeys back triumphantly with the people crying out “Hosanna” which means “save us now.” Were these Greek men echoing the same cry that these followers had and that we have today? These were Gentiles seeking Jesus. They were the foreigners.  They were not the children of Abraham: yet, they wanted to see Jesus.  They had no doubtedly heard the stories of the Jewish Messiah coming to reign. He would bring victory and peace. He rode in on a young unbridled donkey to symbolize such peace. He had healed people, fed the crowds, and even had raised a man from the dead. Surely, He had come to bring peace, healing, and hope to a world that was filled with despair, bickering, affliction and wars. They wanted to see Jesus.  Isn’t that the cry of our own hearts today? We want to see Jesus—the triumphant King who will wipe away all our tears. We want Him to heal the wounds of our heart, to bring us prosperity, to heal our families, and to heal our country. We want Him to set up His Kingdom today, this very moment to save us from all this pain, suffering, and sorrow.

follow JESUS

Yet, are we prepared to hear Jesus’ response? “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12 NKJV). What was that? Jesus said that He must die!! How is that victory? We want comfort now!! We want victory and glory today!! Yet, Jesus says that we must be willing to serve Him and follow Him even unto death so as to find life eternal. I must be willing to lay aside all my petty wants, wishes and selfish desires for pleasure so that I might gain glory in Him.

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TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

 

“I Am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness…..18 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord:  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not    They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”  (Lamentations 3)

 

Joyous New Dawning

This journey at times may seem filled with sorrow, afflictions or heartache; yet, the one thing that is certain is God’s faithfulness, His love, and His mercy to all who humbly turn to seek His face.  In the midst of the sorrow, He brings us His joy, His love and His hope for each new day dawning.  We must only open our eyes to see Glory.


TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

by Effie Darlene Barba


My life-so filled with hopes and dreams

Lay shattered at Your feet

So many tears, so many pains

I laid before Thy seat


Can I look upon Your face of love

And question what You’ve done?

For You have been my only hope

My only morning sun


You’ve seen my heart when crushed with pain

Your hands have held it tight

When I have been so weak, so frail

You’ve shown Your strength, Your might

 

You’ve held me close within Your arms

When darkness filled my night

And when I could not see my way

Your eyes, they gave me sight


I lay my life within Your hands

That You may heal my soul

And keep my eyes upon You Lord

That I may reach Your goal


Shine forth Thy grace, Thy mercy Lord

And let me be Thy light

That all may see Your eyes of love

The blind, they might have sight


Let not the sorrows, nor the pains

Bring bitterness within

And give me strength to walk this path

Protect my heart from sin


I lay my heart, my soul, my dreams

Before Thy throne of love

I lift my eyes to You, My God

And seek Your will above


Thou art the only one I need

To fill my heart with glee

It is Your face, my one true love

Tis all I need to see


So lift me up and hold me close

Reveal Thy love divine

That through the holes within my heart

A world might see You shine


And if the sorrows of my past

Can touch a wayward one

I thank you Lord for each dark path

That lead them to Your son


I praise You now from mountains high

For each dark path I’ve trod

Twas there I found Your heart, Your love

Twas there I found You God


What great and wondrous joy I know

Because You are my king

And though the path I cannot see

My heart will trust and sing


A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see


Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead


I’ll skip with joy along this path

Though darkness may surround

Because I know You hold my hand

My feet will e’er touch ground


I cannot fall outside Your love

I cannot lose my way

I’ll hold my broken dreams once more

And see them real, one day


A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see


Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

 

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.

Really, What Is The Most Agonizing Heartbreak Of All?

Really, What Is The Most Agonizing Heartbreak Of All?

It was early spring in Dallas with all the beauty of early flowers budding and a gentle soft breeze that caressed your face as you went outside. I was especially excited that day as I prepared for Pete’s return from Mexico. He had gone to visit his family as I had stayed behind to run the clinic. He had been gone for a month. Now, he was going to return. I had cooked his favorite foods. The house was spotless. With trembling hands of love, I carefully put on my makeup. I wanted so to sweep his heart away when he got off the plane. Meticulously dressed, I then got then turned to make certain Alberto and Ron were also dressed with their best—everything meticulously ironed and pressed as it should be. I loved my husband so much and wanted to bring joy into his life. Each son had made him a very special gift. Ron had drawn him a beautiful picture and Alberto had crafted a beautiful card. I placed their gifts carefully on the bed next to the meticulously wrapped gift box. Inside the box, I had placed a beautifully crafted sculpture of a tiger which I knew he would love. I was so excited with the gift I had found for him. One final look and everything in its place, I put the boys into the back seat of the truck.

Gift of a Rose unsplash

We got to the airport with just enough time to park the truck and hurry in for the arrival of his plane. As he walked through the doors we were there and went straight to him. “What! Are you just getting here?” he snapped. Angrily, he walked on to the baggage claim. No hug for me nor his sons. We scampered behind him. I tightly held each boys hand as we hurried to keep up. Silence remained as we had gotten the bags. My heart groaned with such a sigh—but no sounds could be made. Finally in the truck, I once more tried to ask, “How was your trip?” “Terrible and I don’t want to talk about it. You didn’t even care enough to be here an hour early to wait for me,” came his reply. It was a long trip in silence. When we got home, he went to his room—shut the door and never came out. I gave the boys their dinner. Then, I got them ready for bed. Once they were asleep, I went to the spare bedroom and cried myself to sleep. With so much anticipation, I had wanted to give Pete joy, love, and a glimpse of wonder. He never mentioned the gift nor the cards. A few weeks later it sat on his desk; but, never a response or a thank you.

Have you ever with great excitement and anticipation waited with the perfect gift of love for someone only for them to not recognize it? Have you ever poured out your heart to someone; only to be rejected? Jesus, so well knows your heartache as well. Let’s look at

 

John 11:35 and the verses surrounding “Jesus wept.” Most of my life, I had heard theologians say that Jesus wept because of His empathetic sorrow as He watched the mourners cry. That is until one day I heard Ken Davis present, “It’s Enough to Make a Grown Man Cry.” He pointed out the truth that Jesus was coming to raise Lazarus from the dead. He was coming to display God’s Glory, Power and might. He came to bring a joy that could not be taken away. He came to present hope. He came to be the key to salvation. He came with everything that Mary, Martha, the Apostles and the Crowd could ever need. Yet, they didn’t see it. Read the whole chapter carefully and I think you will see that truth. He did not weep because Lazarus was dead. He wept because no one could see that He came with everything they needed to abundantly live a life filled with joy, hope, courage, and love. Jesus wept because they could not see that He was enough.

HOW OFTEN HAVE I CAUSED JESUS TO WEEP?

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces that day when Pete did not realize that I had done it all with love and that I only wanted to bring joy into his life. That was not the first time, my heart was shattered and certainly wasn’t the last. Human love will shatter your heart often because of all its flaws. Yet, I wonder how many times I have caused Jesus to weep because I didn’t realize He is enough. He has stood with open arms and a perfect unconditional love. In Christ, I have everything I need for a life full of joy, hope, faith, strength, love, victory and beauty. He has showered me with His righteousness, His love, His joy, and His glory. Yet, how often have I cried to Him or grumbled; thinking He wasn’t enough. How often have I caused Him to weep.

WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSE

I pray that I learn to sing, “You’re My Everything.” What about you? Jesus is standing with His loving arms wide open with everything your heart needs to know joy.  He wore the thorns upon His brow that He might offer you a thorn less rose.  Will you accept this rose from He who loves you perfectly more than anyone else could ever love you?

Original Photo used with permission of Unsplash, quote is mine

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.

What Is The Abundant Life? Can I Have It, Please?

What Is The Abundant Life? Can I Have It, Please?

As I stared into the mirror, there was that rounded moon shaped face. The “buffalo hump” between my shoulders was beginning to go down; but, no away. Lingering effects from the long year of steroids to just barely stay alive; until, they finally had removed the colon. The surgical scars crisscrossed my body distorting whatever shape had previously been mine. Yet, those scars were few compared to the emotional scars that were within my heart. I had grown tired and weary of this journey. All alone, I stared into the darkness. I had been a dutiful little Christian and bore all the trials as they came with a stoicism and steady face. A stoicism I had learned during the years of abuse—a stoicism that you kept it all deep within. Don’t let anyone from out there see the real you; they will only hurt you. Oh, yes; God was my refuge. The only one I could turn to and I would continue to trust Him. Yet, abundant life? What was that?

abundant life

I was alive. I had won the horrific battle against breast cancer (at least the first rounds). I had survived the steroids and meds of ulcerative colitis and the surgery to remove my colon. Financially I was in a hole so deep, I might never come out of it. Did I mention, I was also recently divorced? Perhaps trying to avoid saying, “I failed again!!” Yes, fool that I was I had remarried after having been a widow for two years; but, that ended in only heartbreak. Still, I was alive. My daughter was happily married and living in California. My sons were both off to study, Alberto at the University of Missouri and Ron in New Jersey at Joe Kubert’s School of Art. Could I say my life was abundant? Abundant with what—pain, sorrow, suffering, failure, loneliness? So, when in 2002, they found the mass on the head of the pancreas; a part of me thought this was God finally taking me home. I was tired. The journey had seemed so long. I wanted to go home to God. Little did I know that God had a very different plan!! His plan was to show me how to live life abundantly full of joy in Him. So, what is the abundant Christian life?

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