Poetry and Wisdom - Barbara Lynn Seibel

July 23, 2024July 23, 2024

Time to Heal From a Broken Heart

This is not a bible study post, but recent events will probably influence one in the days to come.

Why do I say this?

This past week, I have suffered a tragic loss in my family. The loss is quite deep and unexpected, and I am uncertain how long it will take to process. I do know I need to take a break from my writing and let the Lord tend to my broken heart. I am not sure for how long, but will follow His lead.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as I process my grief and make arrangements with family and friends.

In the meantime, I am meditating on Psalm 77—emphasis mine.

In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord

77 To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.

¹ I cry aloud to God,

aloud to God, and he will hear me.

² In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;

in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;

my soul refuses to be comforted.

³ When I remember God, I moan;

when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

⁴ You hold my eyelids open;

I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

⁵ I consider the days of old,

the years long ago.

⁶ I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart.”

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

⁷ “Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

⁸ Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?

⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious?

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

¹⁰ Then I said, “I will appeal to this,

to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

¹² I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

¹³ Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?

¹⁴ You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

¹⁵ You with your arm redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

¹⁶ When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

indeed, the deep trembled.

¹⁷ The clouds poured out water;

the skies gave forth thunder;

your arrows flashed on every side.

¹⁸ The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lighted up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

¹⁹ Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

²⁰ You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Blessings,

Barbara Lynn

^[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 77:title–20.

September 17, 2023September 16, 2023

He Stops All People | Job 37:5-8

Discussing the weather is generally considered a safe subject.

But severe weather is another matter entirely.

Severe weather requires both humans and wildlife to seek protective shelter.

Sometimes severe weather takes us by surprise, giving us little time to find protection.

At other times, we can prepare a refuge ahead of the severe weather.

What is the purpose of severe weather, according to Job 37:5-8?

September 10, 2023September 9, 2023

Job 1:1-5 |Thus Job Did Continually

Recently my daily Bible reading practice brought me to the book of Job.

This Old Testament book deals with suffering.

We all experience suffering. Some more than others.

What is striking in this book is the steadfastness of Job’s faith in God throughout his immense suffering.

How could Job refrain from turning away from God in the face of significant loss? Even as friends and family, encouraged him to curse God or confess a sin he had not committed?

The opening verses are key in answering this question.

September 3, 2023September 2, 2023

Psalm 139 | How Well Do You Know God?

David, a lowly shepherd boy anointed King of Israel, experienced great highs and terrible lows in his lifetime.

He is the accredited author of Psalm 139, typically titled, Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart.

This title literally comes from the next-to-last verse of the Psalm where David is asking the Lord to monitor his motives.

Yet the verses prior to this request reveal the magnitude of who God is and how well He already knows David, and thus, us today.

July 30, 2023July 29, 2023

Psalm 23:1-6 | You Are With Me

I recently spent a month away from my home. Then, two weeks after being back, I traveled to a conference related to my day job for a week.

The first trip involved traveling solo, but upon arrival, I was constantly with family except for the occasional errand or taking a stroll in the evening.

I traveled with two coworkers to the conference that had over 600 attendees but had a room to myself at the end of each day.

Although both travel experiences varied, I had the same sense of longing during both.

I wished my husband and my pets were with me.

What does this have to do with Psalm 23:1-6?

July 15, 2023July 15, 2023

Where Do You Seek Refuge? (Part Three Psalm 2)

It’s hard to believe it has been a full month since I last posted.

Thank you, readers, for your patience as I took this past month to care for both my parents. One parent, who had fallen the month prior, came home from rehab a day after the other one came home from knee replacement surgery. Thus, having someone in their apartment around the clock was wise.

It was an honor to serve my parents in their time of need.

Now, as I settle back into my home and personal routines, it is time to finish our study of Psalm 2 with a focus on verses 1-6 and some final thoughts.

June 11, 2023June 3, 2023

Where Do You Seek Refuge? – Part Two Psalm 2

Some motion caught my attention as I was watering my balcony plants a couple of weeks ago.

As I looked more intently toward the motion, I discovered four black kittens and their mama had taken up residence in our neighbor’s backyard.

I had wondered what place of refuge the pregnant stray mama cat would ultimately choose to have her litter.

Our neighbor’s backyard, although fenced, also has some gaps that will allow for ease of departure when desired by both the momma cat and her offspring. The yard also has some items covered with tarps and other gear the kittens can explore or hide in to get away from either predators or the elements. Plus, they have an excellent water source.

What does a family of stray kittens have to do with our study of Psalm 2?

June 4, 2023May 30, 2023

Where Do You Seek Refuge? (Part One – Psalm 2)

There was a season in my life when I agreed to work a part-time contract job that was unexpectedly stressful.

When I was physically present at the job, my direct report praised and encouraged me.

But when I was not in the building, I learned this same person was doing everything they could to undermine me.

As I began studying Psalm 2 for today’s post, the Lord reminded me of this experience.

During that period of working that stressful job, I was wandering through a garden store one weekend when my eyes landed on a cement turtle figure.

The expression on the turtle figure looked like it was retreating into its protective shell. I, too, wanted to duck into a shell to escape the stress I was experiencing at my job.

I purchased this turtle figure to place on my desk at my stressful job. It was a reminder that the Lord would be my protective shell as I completed my contract with integrity.

And yes, I still have the turtle figure today as a memento of that period of my life.

What does this have to do with Psalm 2?

May 28, 2023May 27, 2023

Do You Enjoy God? (Part Three)

When were you last asked, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

The last time someone asked me that question, I responded, “I have absolutely no idea.”

My response startled this person.

Prior to that moment, I had planned to get a doctorate in piano performance, become a professor, and form a chamber music trio with other faculty. I had literally mapped out my life plan in five-year increments all the way to age ninety!

I applied for this part-time administrative support position primarily to generate more income. But deeper reasons existed too. My patience in teaching music had worn thin. Plus, I was dealing with intense physical pain in my upper body when performing. I recognized I needed to transition away from that field, at least temporarily.

What does this have to do with enjoying God and the study of Psalm 1:5-6?

May 21, 2023June 22, 2024

Do You Enjoy God? (Part Two)

Growing up, I recall the backyard of my parent’s home had several large oak trees and a maple tree. Also lining the edge of their property line and the start of the neighbor’s yard behind was a row of cottonwood trees.

I remember climbing both the maple tree and one of the cottonwood trees frequently.

Sometimes I climbed the trees to see how high I could get or as a hiding spot when playing hide and seek with neighboring kids.

I also recall times when I would go to the trees when I was hurting emotionally. Being hidden amongst the leaves and supported by the sturdy tree branches helped me feel safe in those moments.

Why all this talk about trees?

Today, we will study Psalm 1:3-4, which uses fruit tree imagery when describing a blessed or happy follower of God.