God 16 - Barbara Lynn Seibel

December 19, 2021December 19, 2021

A Sublime Lesson

Spending time pondering the meaning of a familiar Christmas carol, O Christmas Tree, has revealed a depth of meaning to this tree song previously overlooked.

In everyday conversations I seldom hear the word sublime used.

The first definition of sublime is: lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner.

Lesson, though, is frequently used in a variety of ways.

But did you know that the first definition of the word lesson is: a passage from sacred writings read in a service worship?

Why does verse three of O Christmas Tree use these two words?

December 12, 2021December 3, 2021

Christmas Tree: Part Two

Last week we learned the first verse of the carol O Christmas Tree is celebrating the birth of the Christ child we as Christians are named after.

The tree we use to celebrate this birth by decorating it and singing about reminds us of the loyalty our Heavenly Father has demonstrated by sending Christ.

The color of this tree reinforces our hope in our Heavenly Father who has brought to fulfillment promises made concerning the arrival of the Christ child.

What can we learn from verse two of O Christmas Tree?

December 5, 2021December 3, 2021

I have pointed out before the intention of God’s landscaping the earth to bring us and himself pleasure. Writing now in the month of December our American culture is busy setting up trees and decorating them in our homes, work, and public places. We also decorate doors, windows, mantles, etc. with fresh greenery (or imitation!) Have you ever wondered why we do this? What is all the fuss about dragging trees and greenery out to decorate in honor of Christmas and singing O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree for English speaking people)?

November 28, 2021November 21, 2021

SPEECHLESS

When have you been speechless?

Was it a positive or negative reason that left you speechless?

Commonly, we think of speechless moments resulting from something that has suddenly happened to us, whether good or bad.

But what about those times when we have experienced something for an extended period and find ourselves speechless and uncertain how to proceed?

And what about those times someone we know is struggling or something has happened across the city, state, nation, or globe, and we find ourselves speechless?

Those times can feel much like the vantage point of the person outside the maze in the picture above.

Not knowing which words to speak, we hesitate and linger just outside of the maze, hoping for someone, something, anything, to illuminate our mind with the correct words and choice of direction

Does the Bible yield any encouragement or insight for these times of speechless uncertainty?

October 31, 2021October 29, 2021

TRANSFORMING PRAYER

For whom do you pray?

Yourself?
Family members?
Friends?
Coworkers?
Government officials?
What about those who are antagonistic toward you or seeking to injure you?

October 24, 2021October 25, 2021

Being Grateful During Difficulties

I was distracted.

Shortly before I sat down at the computer to write we received news that a family member has entered the active dying phase.

Instead of writing a post for this blog what I really wanted to do was mindlessly play a card game on my computer or watch a movie where I did not have to think much about the plot line but just enjoy the scenery, clothing, or humor.

But instead, I texted friends who I knew I could ask to pray for the situation.

Each of them responded to me with a short prayer and encouragement.

I then opened my planning schedule to see what verse of scripture I had planned to work on today and read these words:

October 17, 2021October 17, 2021

CONSTANTLY DEVOTED

What relationship in your life would you describe as constantly devoted?

What other words would you use to describe the relationship in addition to constantly devoted?

Persistent?

Faithful?

Loyal?

Others?

What elements of the relationship make it one that is constantly devoted?

Are you someone else’s constantly devoted relationship?

What does Romans 12:12 have to do with being constantly devoted in relationship?

October 10, 2021October 17, 2021

FLASH FLOODING

This past week has had five straight days of rain in my area.

Flash flooding alerts were prevalent.

Power outages occurred from the flash flooding in some cases.

In addition to the literal flash flooding of the past week there has been emotional flash flooding in my extended family.

What flash flooding have you been dealing with recently?
Emotional, spiritual, physical, or mental flash flooding?
Maybe several flash floods are occurring in your life or someone you know simultaneously?
How can Psalm 69 help us with the flash flooding that occurs in our lives?

October 3, 2021October 3, 2021

BALCONY TIME

This morning included some balcony time.

The weather was just cool enough with an occasional breeze to be able to enjoy while simply being.

Balcony time is precious to me.

Whether shared with my husband, canine(s), others, or just the Lord it is a therapeutic place for me.

At times the just me and the Lord time on the balcony is critically needed.

It is a time of solitude and isolation from all the pressures I face throughout a day, week, month, year and so on.

In other words, a place to hideout and be refreshed by the Lord.

Kind David in the Old Testament expresses in his many psalms a need to have an audience with the Lord.

Today we will look specifically at Psalm 54 .

September 26, 2021September 26, 2021

EFFECTIVENESS IN PRAYER

Several years ago, my husband hung a large birdfeed er from a tree limb in our yard.

We were eager to see what birds would find their way to this bountiful buffet of seeds.

Yes, we got birds, but we also got squirrels.

These squirrels, and possibly one specific rodent, were quite effective at getting seed from the feeder even though it had a rounded dome on top that was meant to deter them.

They were quick to figure out that if they simply chewed through the wire that the feeder was hanging on it would drop to the ground causing the domed lid to come off and spill all the seed on the ground.

My husband even hung the feeder with a stainless-steel cable that they chewed through before trying an 6- gauge copper wire.

This last wire was looking good for a while. But then we noticed that a squirrel was trying to chew through it too.

What does the effective tenacity of these squirrels have to do with effectiveness in prayer as discussed in James 5:16?

Tag: God

O Christmas Tree: Part Three