Christ - Barbara Lynn Seibel

December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Have You Prepared Your Heart for Christmas?

Part One

In the United States and many other cultures, it’s hard not to know that the annual celebration of Christmas is coming thanks to the retail industry.

Not to be outdone, the entertainment industry also makes sure the culture is aware.

But neither the retail nor the entertainment industry is what I’m referring to by asking, “Have you prepared your heart for Christmas?”

I’m desiring to look past the tinsel, gifts, and frivolity to something much more personal and enduring.

Join me in exploring some thoughts from Micah, where a promise was given regarding what our hearts need most.

November 23, 2025November 22, 2025

Something Only God Can Do

My late husband was normally not an early riser.

But when he went hammock camping, he always offered to be the one to get up to make cowboy coffee for the group.

I asked him once why he did this when he wasn’t normally a morning person.

After all, he used to say he preferred the morning to start at 2:00pm most days.

His response was that he enjoyed the quiet time of solitude when no one else was up yet, watching the sunrise, and listening to the birds sing while enjoying his first cup of coffee.

I also think he secretly enjoyed being in control of the coffee. 😊

One of the most touching things the hammock club did after learning he had passed, was to put up an empty hammock with a stock pot and a twig cross nearby in honor of their fallen friend for the duration of their camping event.

Today, our passage talks about God’s power to transform the world much like a sunrise opens the dawn of a new day. Whether it’s morning or evening, take some time to enjoy your own quiet time of solitude with the Lord’s transformative power.

November 16, 2025November 15, 2025

Are You Dating or Preparing to Marry God?

This feels weird to write about.

Why?

From an earthly perspective, having become a widow in 2024, the thoughts of dating and marriage are very far from my mind.

After all, I’m still recovering from the shock of this earthly loss.

But the title question is not about earthly relationships.

It is asking what type of relationship you have with God.

Is it a relationship where you’re just testing the waters? Curious but not committed?

Or are you preparing for a relationship to last for eternity?

Further, what is God’s role in this?

July 7, 2024July 7, 2024

Valuing Time to Pause

I gave myself this week off from my usual lengthier posting.

Why?

As a leader, it is important to model the value of pausing.

If I do not model the value of pausing, then I am not following God’s or Christ’s example.

What do I mean?

January 21, 2024January 21, 2024

Seeking Prayers From You

Yes, I said I would have part two of Why Did They Turn to Idolatry this week.

When I last posted, I knew with a brief trip coupled with a busier-than-usual workload at my day job, I would not have time to post something last Sunday.

Then, last Monday my husband and I said goodbye to our sweet dog of 14 years after having said goodbye to our sweet cat of nineteen years just back in September.

And the next two weeks will be unusually busy at my day job as we host a huge conference.

October 1, 2023September 30, 2023

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 | Whose Instructions Do You Follow?

One member of my book club recently brought some dessert to share with the group.

She wrapped each piece of cake individually and brought her own metal forks to share with us.

After she had passed them out but had not picked up her own fork, one of us teasingly asked, “Do we need to wait to eat our piece until you have picked up your fork?”

With a glint in her eye, she quickly picked up her fork so we could enjoy the yummy treat.

What does this cultural practice of waiting for the hostess to pick up her fork before the guests can begin eating have to do with 1 Corinthians 11:17-34?

December 11, 2022December 10, 2022

Taking Some Recovery Time

This past week has not gone as I had originally planned.

I got sick with a head cold while traveling back from visiting family.

And I am still in recovery.

Thus, I have not prepared my intended post for this date.

Instead, I have been taking care of my body by sleeping and drinking plenty of hot tea or brothy soups.

My pets have enjoyed getting to snuggle more with me than usual.

Each day I am making progress and anticipate resuming a more normal routine soon.

Meanwhile, as you prepare for the festivities of this Christmas season, please take some time to ponder the following prayer of Christ to God, found in the gospel of John.

December 4, 2022November 26, 2022

What Are You Joyfully Celebrating? Part Two

Time spent observing nature is one of my favorite things to do.

I find it brings me great joy.

A soft sunrise or a bold sunset always garner an expression of awe in me.

Tending to a vegetable and herb garden spring through fall also brings me joy, especially when the plants yield a harvest we get to eat!

Being from the Midwest, I appreciate the beauty of a golden wheat field, but I also love spending time in the mountains, whether it be the Rockies or the Blue Ridge.

The Bible sometimes personifies the forces of nature, not to cause us to worship them, but to encourage our own joyful celebration of our Lord.

In this vein, Isaac Watts penned a verse that starts with “Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!”

How does a reigning Savior bring joy to the earth?