Christ - Barbara Lynn Seibel

September 20, 2026

Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Three

What jumps to your mind when you hear the words cultural or social influence?

Where would you place yourself on a scale of cultural or social influence?

With the tools of social media and AI, influence is a rapidly and swiftly changing landscape today.

But even with all this technological innovation that is sweeping across our collective cultures, we still need to consider our personal interactions with people, whether physically or digitally. This makes us a culture maker, not just an influencer.

Today’s passage reveals that we can get things terribly wrong, but if we listen to Christ’s words and hold fast to Him, we can be conquerors for His glory in every area.

September 13, 2026September 14, 2026

Responding to Christ’s Review | Part Two

As a child, who encouraged you the most?

A parent? Sibling? Friend?

Why did you need their encouragement at the time?

How about as an adult?

Is there someone in your life who encourages you more than anyone else?

Why do you find that person so encouraging?

When do you find you need the most encouragement?

Today’s study passage shares Christ’s encouraging words to his followers in Smyrna (modern Izmir).

Christ’s words reveal his presence, God’s control, and a reminder of our eternal reward as His followers.

August 30, 2026September 12, 2026

Responding to Christ’s Review | Part One

Responding to Christ's Review A Study of Revelation 2:1-7

Have you ever heard of SMART goals?

Many workplaces use SMART goals to assist their employees in setting goals for the coming year and to assess the previous one.

Meeting these SMART goals often leads to a raise percentage following one’s annual review.

Here is what the acronym SMART stands for:

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T= Timely

As you study today’s passage, keep these goals in mind.

April 5, 2026April 4, 2026

Reminding Us of the Gospel

A Study of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Have you seen “The Jungle Book (1967)” movie?

The song “The Bare Necessities” from that film popped into my mind as I was studying for this post.

I remember the scene of Baloo the bear singing this song to encourage Mowgli to take life easy.

Now the song “The Bare Necessities” is not about Christian faith by any means.

I just want to clear things up front.

But the principle of focusing on the basics captured my mind.

Why?

Because Paul, the author of 1 Corinthians, reminds the believers in Corinth of the basics of the gospel message in this passage.

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?