Tag Archives: love

Christian Poetry

A Prayer for Our Nation- Poetry Sunday

1For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

If we listen to the news today; we would believe that our nation is broken beyond repair-split between so many ideas that could never be united.  We watch violent protests, politicians with no respect for truth nor the laws of our land.  We see heated arguments played out on our news broadcasts.  We see anger, terror,  lies and the portrayal that our liberties are squelched by what might be called political correctness.  It seems all that the news medias want is to further divide and sensationalize our differences for their own financial gain.  Yet, if you walk outside for a moment; I think you would see the true greatness of this land.  You would see someone stopping to give a helping hand to a stranger.  You would see the hearts of the police who sacrificially serve their communities while facing evils that we dare not even think about.  Our greatness as a nation is our ability to unite and stand strong with one true battle cry, ““I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”    I am proud to be a Christian and I am also proud to be an American where I defend liberty and justice to all regardless of their faith, race or gender.  I do ask that I, as a Christian; be afforded those same liberties as well without fear.

flag-and-cross-compressor

To all my Christian brothers and sisters, let me remind you that we must unite in prayer for our nation.  We must then go forth and proclaim the name of Jesus unashamedly; while at  the same time displaying the truth of His gospel through love, grace, humility and kindness.  We must stand firm for what we believe; yet, we must do so with dignity, grace and love.

 

A Prayer for Our Nation

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

I listened to the news today

Their crafted words were meant to sway

My mind to turn and think their way

The truth I dare not really say

 

Their words portrayed a great divide

And bid me then to take a side

A battle built of human pride

While truth and justice set aside

 

Our Country torn and broke apart

No hope to find a brand new start

And then I looked within my heart

I must not delay to do my part

 

And so, I bowed my head today

While for my country I will pray

For truth, for love, for grace to sway

To shine a light by words I say

 

“Give me the strength, dear Lord to stand

With humble love to heal this land

Not water down the truth I know

Through kindness then your love to show

 

Give me words to speak, make me wise

Yet, never, never compromise

I cannot deny the Only One

Who loved us so You sent Your son

 

To bleed and die upon that cross

I’d rather die or suffer loss

Than e’er deny my God, my King

Let bells once more of freedom ring

 

And never deny my right to say

To God, I bow my head to pray

Teach me Oh Lord to stand for you

With gentle grace and honor true

 

As I look upon Christ’s gentle face

To understand your love and grace

I must not compromise my stance

Yet do so with a love filled glance

 

And so, dear Lord I bow my head

Teach me to walk where you have led

And fight this war down on my knees

Where I might there your will then seize

The original picture of the flag is from: http://www.123rf.com/profile_stillfx  I did use photoshop to add the cross with the praying woman.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

Christian Poetry

My Little Girl—Poetry Sunday

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them Psalm 127:3-5

As I hurried to try to complete everything at work last Friday, I was filled with the anticipation of my week ahead.  This week I lay aside all the stresses of a busy job to enjoy the wondrous benefits of vacation.  I am heading out later today to California to celebrate with my daughter her 42nd birthday which is tomorrow.  This weekend I have had my youngest grandchild, Annabella Grace.  Seeing the world through the eyes of a young child filled with such wonder and joy, always reminds me of how truly blessed I am.  So my dear readers, forgive me if this week my postings are not exactly on schedule.  I will try to get them out on time; but, California time is different than Missouri so I may be off by a few hours if not days.  Oh, well; I hope to be off that much—but we will see.  This poem I wrote 7 years ago in tribute to my daughter.  Those who have read the story of my life; may know that I did make the hard choice of leaving my little girl to be raised by her Father.  Truly, I believed at the time it was the sacrifice that love demanded given the circumstances.  Right or wrong, I cannot say now.  What I can say it has been God’s wondrous grace that gives me such a beautiful daughter so filled with love, grace and mercy herself.  I love you, Happy Birthday Melissa.  I am on my way so we can celebrate on a weekend of adventure and fun.

 

 

My Little Girl

 

My little girl I see you now

Your baby in your arms

It takes me back to years ago

To you with all your charms

 

I loved you so my precious sweet

I’d give the world for you

Yet life it turned and choices made

I thought were best for you

 

I thought I didn’t have enough

To give my little girl

To keep you safe, to give you more

I sacrificed my world

 

I prayed each day God keep you safe

Beneath His wings of love

That all life’s pain and grief

He’d help you soar above

 

And yet, my love, I see you now

This mother you’ve become

I know that God answered my prayer

With joy, I’m overcome

 

I love you so, my precious one

Though womanhood you’ve found

You’ll always be my little girl

Though years keep turning round

 

The greatest gift I give to you

Is Jesus Christ, God’s son

Who paid the price, that hand in hand

Equipping you this race to run

 

So rest within this perfect truth

He has the perfect plan

For you and now your little girl

He cradles in His hand

[tweetthis]God’s Grace is big enough to change even my failures into blessings for me[/tweetthis]

My prayer for each of you is that God’s Grace shower down upon you today.  If you have made tough choices in your life, some you have come to regret.  Remember this God’s Grace is bigger than all your failures, regrets and sins.  Turn it all over to Him and watch what He can do with it.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

Christian Blog

Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart?

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it Hebrews 4:1-2 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrew 3:19 (NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews once more comes with a warning. In Hebrews 2:1, he had warned us to “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Both warnings had begun with a therefore, asking us to go back and consider the argument which proceeds. In Hebrews 2, the preceding argument had been: “Since God has now chosen to speak to us through Jesus Christ, we must take earnest heed to listen because Jesus was greater than the prophets and the angels through whom God had previously spoken. If we listened to them, much more we should listen to the truth taught by Jesus, God’s own Son. If we fail to listen, fail to take heed; we may let the only hope of salvation slip away from us.”

For Who He Is

Now, once more Hebrews 4 opens with a grave warning that begins with a “therefore”. This time the warning very specifically is: “Since God’s promise of entering His rest (eternity in Paradise with Him) is on the line; be afraid, lest you come short of it because of unbelief.” Woah! Let’s stop a moment to dissect this. Does this mean I could lose my salvation after I have accepted Christ as my Savior? No!! There is: however, the question of whether you truly have come to a saving knowledge of Christ or not. So, please stay with me here while I try to break this down for you both through the argument made by the writer of Hebrews and by an example from life. Continue reading Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart? →

Poetry

A Memorial Day Tribute (Poetry Sunday)

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15: 13

Memorial day was set aside as a day to remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom.  They have willingly served and died to stand for their belief in justice, honor and dignity of our great country.  We must not take lightly our liberties or use our “freedoms” in such a manner as to dishonor their sacrifice.  They fought that we might have freedom of speech, religion, and to keep us safe from terrorism of any form.  It is easy to forget the huge sacrifice given by each person in our armed forces and by those who are sworn to serve us in law enforcement.  During this weekend, set aside the barbecue  for a moment of silence to contemplate those who have given their life to allow you to live the life you have.  Then, say thank to all those who have served and those who are serving still.  I am privileged to work each day with veterans.  I see first hand the toll that service has taken on their bodies and hearts; yet, never have I seen a more gracious, honorable group of men and women.  Their bravery continues to shine forth with hearts of gold. Their own medal of honor, each and every one.

Flag draped Casket

 

A Memorial Day Tribute

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Was it love that made you go that day?

Defending life your post you’d stay

Your uniform you donned with pride

With rifle slung there at your side

Did you know that day you’d pay the price?

Love would demand your sacrifice

Ah, yes you knew that could be true

And still you went, for that was you.

A hero’s heart and spirit soared

Defending truth its own reward

It was for me you died that day

That I might live and laugh and pray

While safe, secure my freedom won

Because of all that you have done

And though you did not know my name

You fought and died for me the same

So let me pause with grateful heart

To mourn the life, you did depart

And do what you would want me to

By thanking those who follow you

Those donning uniforms with pride

With rifles slung there at their side

[bctt tweet=”It was for me you died that day That I might live and laugh and pray” username=”effiedarlene”]

Photo used by Permission of Ronald Barba

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.

Christian Poetry

Joy Pours Over Me

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

Out of the darkest valleys or sorrows that life can bring, God remains Sovereign and His Plan is always to bring us good.  It all goes back to Faith is 1. Knowing that God is and 2. Believing that God richly blesses those who seek Him.  My journey to discover the truth of love and joy took me down a lot of winding roads.  Some of those roads seemed at the time very treacherous indeed; but, God had a plan for my good.  That plan never depended on my figuring it out or my getting it “right.”  It depended 100% on God’s Grace, Love and Sovereignty to complete the work He began in me.    My life is filled with peace, joy, hope and love.  Oh, don’t get me wrong; there are trials as well.  The difference in my response is how I view the trials.   I have learned to embrace each trial as a precious gift that once unwrapped will reveal to me some precious aspect of God’s Glory that I had not seen before.  As I concluded the series, In Search of True Love; my prayer is that I have helped you to see the magnitude of God’s Grace and Love toward you.  Tomorrow, we will begin a new series through Hebrews (at least that is my plan for now, unless God chooses otherwise).  I wrote this poem today and hope it touches your heart with joy, peace and hope.

Joy Pours Over Me

JOY POURS OVER ME

by Effie Darlene Barba

Every Step of my journey here

Through the darkest nights

That were filled with fear

Or the mountaintops

Clothed with laughter’s cheer

Your voice called to me

Your heart drew me near

 

Through pain and tears You taught me how

To seek your face Be-

Fore your throne to bow

Where You my heart would

Grace and Love endow

Your wondrous Strength to

Soar above the now

 

The scars from all the years gone by

Were healed because Your

Tears You chose to cry

As on a Cross You

Sent your son to die

And pay the price for

Someone such as I

 

And then I saw the value, worth

Of all the sorrows

Pains upon this earth

Travailing pains

That brought new birth

To life eternal

Filled with Joyous mirth

 

For purest gold to truly shine

It must endure the fire’s

Flames which do refine

Or pressed beneath the

Darkness in a mine

A diamond forms so

Precious, rare and fine

 

Your truth revealed this mystery

Pain is a gift that

Helps my heart to see

Glimpses of You

Spectrum of Glory

Dimensions of Love

Until

Joy pours over me

[tweetthis]Each trial is a gift; once unwrapped reveals a new aspect of God’s Glory [/tweetthis]

Please feel free to post a comment, share a story or just say Hi.  Hope you can join us tomorrow as we start a new series.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

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.