Tag: Storms of life

Poetry Sunday: Joy, Eternally

The aurora borealis is the result of a solar storm flinging particles into the atmosphere at either of the earths polar tips with the result being brilliant, beautiful lights appearing in the darkened night sky.  When storms enter our lives, we shutter in despair and fear. Yet, God knows every storm and allows them in only to bring us closer to Him.  He knows our heart and desires to give us His Joy.  Too often the eyes of our heart are too fixated on counterfeit joys and our desires are for things that cannot satisfy.

Aurora BorealisSometimes into our darkest night, God sends a storm so that our eyes may be opened to behold Glory, beauty and Joy.

 

Joy, Eternally

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Without the sorrows would I see?

Your beauty rare—Your love for me

Or would this heart be satisfied

With lesser things that build my pride

 

Your love for me so great and grand

Allowed each tear as You had planned

That I might seek Your lovely face

Eager to feel your arms of grace

 

And now, this Joy that fills my chest

Is mine because in You I rest

Your Glory lights my every trail

My treasure precious without fail

 

I thought my heart would break in two

Until Your Love came into view

What mystery is Your Grace Divine

My Darkest hour Your light did shine

 

This Joy, this hope, this love that’s mine

I feel Your spirit intertwine

Within my heart to nourish me

With all of You eternally

[bctt tweet=”Without the sorrows would I see? Your beauty rare—Your love for me”]

Samuel 22 (NIV) “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—…You, Lord, are my lamp
the Lord turns my darkness into light…“As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Would you like to share a story of how God transformed a storm into Joy in your life? Or share a poem you have written?  click here to open the comment  box

The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and  who designed my logo is Ronald Barba.   To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below.    If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you.  Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait?  An idea for a book cover?  Or a new logo?  Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Photo used by permission unsplash.com

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.

Can My Heart Ever Really See God’s Wondrous Glory?

Can My Heart Ever Really See God’s Wondrous Glory?

This journey of life has taken me through dark and treacherous valleys at times. So, often I have searched to find the heart of God; desiring to know and understand His will. Sorrows, pains, trials come and toss me about on this sea of life. Each time I am tossed by the storms,  I find myself trusting more firmly in the only anchor that can hold me fast in the midst of the storms. I find myself searching and seeking to know God more. I search to see His Glory, His Love, and His Joy. I find that out of the darkness: I become filled with Joy in the midst of sorrow, love in the midst of broken heartedness, and that hope arises out of despair. It is in those dark valleys that God’s Glory shines brightest. Quite the opposite of what my heart would have thought it desired. I really would prefer that His Glory present itself toward me in prosperity. Yet, in my own humanity; my thoughts turn away from God and toward me when all is going well. As though an all righteous, just God would be so pleased with my own accomplishments of righteousness. Yet, God’s Glorious attributes include His perfect Love as well as His perfect Justice.  Both are blended into His Splendor.  He knows what is best for me.  He knows all that is needed in my heart to prepare me for the greatest pleasure in Him and in His Glory.

 

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[bctt tweet=”God knows the only hope for my heart to see glimpses His Glory in a broken world is to allow storms”] Could I understand His power and might were it not for the storms in my life?  Would I even search for God, were there no storms?  God’s heart breaks with mine every time mine is broken. Yet, He knows that unless mine is broken; I can never feel the depth of His love. I would never be able to truly love anything or anyone; had my heart never been broken.  In that broken state, I found God’s love which filled me to overflowing.  Only then could I learn the truth of love.  If I had never known sorrow; could I really know the depth of Joy I have found in God?

Continue reading “Can My Heart Ever Really See God’s Wondrous Glory?”

Will God Anchor My Heart in the Midst of this Storm?

Will God Anchor My Heart in the Midst of this Storm?

If there is one thing for certain in this life, storms do come. They come in many forms tearing at our hearts, minds and souls. Sometimes it seems the storms will never end with each one following the other like an endless hurricane season with almost no relief between.

I have been recently reminded of the depth of fear and turmoil that we as Christians may feel at times during this journey. Will editing and rewriting the third edition of Mountaintop Experiences in the Valley; I was carried back in time to those moments of despair and loneliness. Were it not so long ago? Widowhood, cancer, recurrent illness—Valley after Valley of despair with glimpses of hope in their midst. The glimpses were like flickering candles that were nearly blown out by the storms. I took myself there for perhaps two reasons. I wanted to give all of you, copies of that book—one section at a time. Yet, since the initial writing or even the second writing; I have grown spiritually and for that reason needed to give you the insight I have learned along the way. The second reason to take myself back there is it provides strength for my own journey. For certain there are still storms raging around me; but, how I see those storms has changed over the years. Anyway, the book is available to anyone who subscribes to my website. You will receive updates of each post. Be assured your email will not be given to anyone else. You can email me as well with your ideas, your critiques, your needs and your own storms. I would love to hear from you.

Anchor in the storm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bctt tweet=”God will anchor our hearts in His Faith and His Love when storms are raging.”]

WHEN STORMS ARE RAGING

Fear, panic, and anger fill our hearts when storms are raging around us. We cry out from our fear and pain with questions. We shout to God, “Why me?” At times, our faith seems to fail us as it crumbles into despair instead. Sometimes we are filled with guilt; perhaps our own sin has led us there. Much like the apostles in the boat when the storms would rage.

 

Continue reading “Will God Anchor My Heart in the Midst of this Storm?”

In the Midst of the Storm

 

In this lifetime, we will face storms at times, whether they are storms within our own souls, storms within our emotions, relationship storms, or financial storms. When they come we tremble, we wonder where has God gone; doesn’t He know how desperately we are hurting? Doesn’t He care? Why would He allow such tragedies to occur? Some would even say, “I’ve been trying to follow His will? What now? How do I start again?” I am certain Job very much felt that way as He sat in the ashes scraping his wounds-everything gone. Was this God’s punishment? Was it judgment for Job’s sins? Yet, the scripture tells us that “Job was a righteous man.” Job’s faith had been counted for righteousness, much like ours. So, why the storms?

save meUsed by permission of Ronald Barba for information go to http://www.barba-art.com

In Job 37 we are reminded: “12 The lightning bolts are directed by his hand and do whatever he commands throughout the earth.13 He sends the storms[a](TLB) 13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.”(KJV)

We see here that though there may be times when God sends storms for correction; yet, other times it is “for the land” and other times it is “for mercy.” So, let us explore these three reasons for storms just a little deeper.

Continue reading “In the Midst of the Storm”

Mountain Moving Faith, Hope and Joy

Power Filled Positive Living-Chapter 19A—Mountain Moving Faith, Hope, and Joy

The wedding was over with all the excitement, beauty and wonder that weddings bring. For me there had been that special awe of realizing just how marvelously God had answered the prayers of this mother’s heart. Alberto and Lindsey were off to their honeymoon. Ron with his beautiful wife and two babies were on the plane to Florida. Melissa with her wonderful husband and daughter was on her plane back to California. I was on the drive back to Florida from Missouri with praise songs blaring from the speakers in my car. All the way to Missouri, God and I had talked. My finances were shaky as usual; after all the health struggles, all the surgeries, and my tendency to give away the rest to anyone in need of help. All the way to Missouri, there had been this sense of knowing that God was about to do something amazing and He was going to ask me to take a leap of faith. Now on the trip back to Florida, I knew that I at the age of 59 was about to make a major move to Missouri. I reminded God that there were gigantic mountains in my way. Mountains that I could never move. After all, who starts a career move at age 59? What about the upside down mortgage on my house? What about the cost? How was I going to manage moving mom to Missouri? Working 60 to 70 hours per week, how was I going to even add on the tasks of searching for a job, much less, packing and moving? Then, there was the task of finding homes for the 6 stray cats I had somehow inherited—one of which was feral.

When Mountains Loom

As my car steered through the mountains in Chattanooga, I really saw the mountains looming before my life as insurmountable; especially if I was to make such a move. Then, suddenly from the recesses of my mind; I heard the whispering voice of God, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20). Then, I knew!!

Continue reading “Mountain Moving Faith, Hope and Joy”