Thursday, November 8, 2012
Pondering On Year Eighty-Six......
"I cry out to God, pleading that I may, as a person of ripe character and clear conviction ... will stand firm and mature in spiritual growth ... convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God." (My own version of Colossians 4:12.)
On my 86th birthday: Age, illness and loss has taken away much physically, mentally, gifts for service, but not spiritually!
I'm trying, with my Lord's assistance, to be more self-reliant; to organize my days; to write a list of priorities; balance my duties of time where and when I have the most energy.
It takes intentional discipline, and passionate prayer, plus patience with slow progress. My Lord will enable me to succeed according to my passion and commitment.
He asks me to trust Him and yet think for myself.... when I ask Him to help me find balance according to His Will and timing. Praise His Holy Name!
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
William P. Seibert's Heritage.....
My beloved husband of sixty years went home with his Lord four years ago, Christmas morning. How I long to hear his voice and share each day's blessings with him.
It is a special blessing when my children and grandchildren now express, with love, their time with him ... I realize that they absorbed his God-given, radiant energy of love for them and for our Lord.
His heritage is truly a bridge of love for generations to come. During his time here, like Jesus, he tried to guard them so not one of them would be lost. He told them many thing so they would be filled with joy. He gave to them God's Word of truth in his life-style, speaking, writing. And he prayed and believed they would be one with God.
What a heritage! ...... His love for them ... and his love for the generations to come... reaching out to Our two children and their mates; six grandchildren and their mates; and, we now have had fifteen great-grand-children.
Continuing my Pilgrimage,
Virgene
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
A Game of "Hide and Seek. . . .
Conditional Love begins with the conjunction "if", followed by the conditions that must be met if you are to be loved. Christian love demands no conditions; it is free!
Unconditional love, brings to mind an image of the game of "Hide and Seek." Like Adam and Eve, we try to hide from the Searcher . . . sometimes hiding so successfully we forget what the game is all about. The object is to be so hidden that we force the searcher to yell out, "Ally, Ally, all in free!"
One time my Father was "it"; but by deliberately not looking in that place, he was forced to call out "Ally, Ally, all in free".
By painful contrast, I remember the time I thought I had hidden so well that no one could find me, only to discover ... long after dark, that they had forgotten me and even that I was playing .. . so no one was looking for me.
Luke tells of the prodigal son: "While he was yet at a distance, his Father saw him" (Luke 15:20).
The Christian Miracle is that in Jesus Christ, God declares unconditional love for us.
Still on my Pilgrimage,
Virgene
Unconditional love, brings to mind an image of the game of "Hide and Seek." Like Adam and Eve, we try to hide from the Searcher . . . sometimes hiding so successfully we forget what the game is all about. The object is to be so hidden that we force the searcher to yell out, "Ally, Ally, all in free!"
One time my Father was "it"; but by deliberately not looking in that place, he was forced to call out "Ally, Ally, all in free".
By painful contrast, I remember the time I thought I had hidden so well that no one could find me, only to discover ... long after dark, that they had forgotten me and even that I was playing .. . so no one was looking for me.
Luke tells of the prodigal son: "While he was yet at a distance, his Father saw him" (Luke 15:20).
The Christian Miracle is that in Jesus Christ, God declares unconditional love for us.
Still on my Pilgrimage,
Virgene
Monday, July 23, 2012
A New Day For A New Dream . . .
I've dreamed before and failed. tThis made me afraid to dream again for fear I'd fail again. But I must remember -- only I can kill my dream. I decide for myself by rejecting God's way. (Turning my back and going away.)
Perhaps my other dream was not right . . or the time was not right .... or I was not right.
1. Is it possible my dream was not God's dream?
2. Was there some area of my life that needed changing in order to see my dream come
true?
3. I am not the same now, nor am I in the same circumstances. Life is always changing
so am I.
4. Do I see where I could be more of a success today as a more experienced person
than I could back then?
God has a dream for our life ! I must not let past disappointment hold me back from future fulfillment. This is a new day and I am a new "me". God doesn't say, "No"
... He does say "Grow".
We must cheerfully submit to our Father of Spirit and so truly live. He disciplines us for a certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness." .. in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought and action, resulting in right living and standing with God.(Hebrews 12:5, 13).
I will go forward and see if I can weave a New Dream into the tapestry of my pilgrimage.
Perhaps my other dream was not right . . or the time was not right .... or I was not right.
1. Is it possible my dream was not God's dream?
2. Was there some area of my life that needed changing in order to see my dream come
true?
3. I am not the same now, nor am I in the same circumstances. Life is always changing
so am I.
4. Do I see where I could be more of a success today as a more experienced person
than I could back then?
God has a dream for our life ! I must not let past disappointment hold me back from future fulfillment. This is a new day and I am a new "me". God doesn't say, "No"
... He does say "Grow".
We must cheerfully submit to our Father of Spirit and so truly live. He disciplines us for a certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness." .. in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought and action, resulting in right living and standing with God.(Hebrews 12:5, 13).
I will go forward and see if I can weave a New Dream into the tapestry of my pilgrimage.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Looking in a Mirror at Peter and Me.....
Peter, you are as incorrigible as I am. I see myself in you so many ways. Witness to so many miracles and yet thinking you have to be in control of every situation. You blunder so beautifully. When you think you are in control you are out of control. Were you a slave to your reaction when you denied Christ? I weep with you Peter, for I have betrayed Christ too may times to condemn you. I weep with you.
One of the beautiful things about scripture is that the characters are so like us! Sometimes it's like looking in a mirror. Having just read a few lines about Peter's denial of Jesus, and that prompted the entrance in the journal. A few lines of God's Word is sometimes all we need.
Lord, when I look in the mirror of the Scripture, help me not forget what I see as I continue on my Pilgrimage.
One of the beautiful things about scripture is that the characters are so like us! Sometimes it's like looking in a mirror. Having just read a few lines about Peter's denial of Jesus, and that prompted the entrance in the journal. A few lines of God's Word is sometimes all we need.
Lord, when I look in the mirror of the Scripture, help me not forget what I see as I continue on my Pilgrimage.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Found: A 2nd Key To A New Me!
Who would buy a safe, fill it with their treasures and documents and leave it unlocked? It happened because of memory lapse of where they put the key. Much later the key was found inside the safe, right on the top of the documents!
Like this lost safe key, the key to a new day for a new me is inside me..... right now! I can CHOOSE to take the key and unlock my God-given possibilities. "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me -- I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me {that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency." Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible) So.... I must choose!
As I contend for the faith, I will face troubles, pressures, and trials. Can I really do everything? The power I receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from my commitment to doing it....... not to accomplish anything I imagine without regard to His interest.
"Dwell in me and I will dwell in you --- live in me and I will live in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (virtually united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever lives in me and I in him bears much abundant fruit. However, apart from Me (Cut off from vital union with me) you can do nothing." (Jesus, in John15: 4-5)
So .... once again, the key to a new me is inside me .... so once again I must choose. I will commit and unlock the power to open more of my God-given possibilities. I will also continue on in my pilgrimage to find how I can find "New Days For a New Me." I hope you'll join me.
Like this lost safe key, the key to a new day for a new me is inside me..... right now! I can CHOOSE to take the key and unlock my God-given possibilities. "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me -- I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me {that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency." Philippians 4:13 (Amplified Bible) So.... I must choose!
As I contend for the faith, I will face troubles, pressures, and trials. Can I really do everything? The power I receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from my commitment to doing it....... not to accomplish anything I imagine without regard to His interest.
"Dwell in me and I will dwell in you --- live in me and I will live in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (virtually united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches, whoever lives in me and I in him bears much abundant fruit. However, apart from Me (Cut off from vital union with me) you can do nothing." (Jesus, in John15: 4-5)
So .... once again, the key to a new me is inside me .... so once again I must choose. I will commit and unlock the power to open more of my God-given possibilities. I will also continue on in my pilgrimage to find how I can find "New Days For a New Me." I hope you'll join me.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
A New Day For A New Me
I read some time ago about a Golden Budda that was hidden for a 1000 years in rough concrete. Then the concrete shell cracked and the inner splendor was discovered. I'm thinking there is a treasure within me to be discovered. But how can I release God's power? Somehow I must crack the crust that keeps God's power locked up. All my rejections, my failures, my hurts, my loss, my fears tend to accumulate like incrustations around my inner spirit. I must crack the crust of these negatives and obey Colossians 2:6 " As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him and be established in the faith." The kingdom of God is in you. . . but how do I do that?
Today, Lord, chip away my fears and fill me with belief, strip away my hurts and sooth me deep within.
{Colossians 3:12-17} If I "cloth myself, as God's own picked representative, . . . his chosen one ... and I am purified and holy and well loved by God himself". . . I have the courage to become the compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, merciful person God meant me to be. Then I can be the loving and have the harmony I seek. Perhaps I have found a beginning to finding a new key each day of my pilgrimage being "A New Day For a New Me." ............. To be continued.......
Today, Lord, chip away my fears and fill me with belief, strip away my hurts and sooth me deep within.
{Colossians 3:12-17} If I "cloth myself, as God's own picked representative, . . . his chosen one ... and I am purified and holy and well loved by God himself". . . I have the courage to become the compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, patient, merciful person God meant me to be. Then I can be the loving and have the harmony I seek. Perhaps I have found a beginning to finding a new key each day of my pilgrimage being "A New Day For a New Me." ............. To be continued.......
Monday, May 14, 2012
LISTEN .... CARE....?
When I ask you to listen to me
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I ask.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
You are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me,
and you feel you have to something to solve my problem
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.
So, please listen and just hear me,
And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn;
And I will listen to you.
If you are having trouble communicating....maybe the best thing you can do is to invite your loved one to share your feelings. Many times in writing or sharing with a friend, I've clarified my inner self. When we are the listener: Put away your desire to quote Scripture, give advise, or to lecture.
Two favorite motto's are:
NOBODY CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW
UNLESS THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.
TALKING IS SHARING....
LISTENING IS CARING.
and you start giving me advice,
you have not done what I ask.
When I ask you to listen to me
and you begin to tell me why I shouldn't feel that way,
You are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me,
and you feel you have to something to solve my problem
you have failed me, strange as that may seem.
So, please listen and just hear me,
And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn;
And I will listen to you.
If you are having trouble communicating....maybe the best thing you can do is to invite your loved one to share your feelings. Many times in writing or sharing with a friend, I've clarified my inner self. When we are the listener: Put away your desire to quote Scripture, give advise, or to lecture.
Two favorite motto's are:
NOBODY CARES HOW MUCH YOU KNOW
UNLESS THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE.
TALKING IS SHARING....
LISTENING IS CARING.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
ATTENTION WITH INTENTION
"Christian listening is an act which communicates to another, "Right now, I am here for you. No one else, just for you. I want to hear and understand what you have to say....I'm all yours." Listening is allowing the other person to set the agenda for the conversation, seeking to clarify his point of view. Ultimately, listening is helping a person to understand himself better." (Speaking from the Heart, Ken Durham).
Listening, is one of the most powerful tools available for building good relationships with friends and loved ones. Most people think communication means doing a lot of talking, but in truth, I think real communication begins when you start listening to the other person.
Personally, I find myself having to review the Book of James where he says, "Be QUICK to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK."
Returning Intention to Attention,
Virgene
Listening, is one of the most powerful tools available for building good relationships with friends and loved ones. Most people think communication means doing a lot of talking, but in truth, I think real communication begins when you start listening to the other person.
Personally, I find myself having to review the Book of James where he says, "Be QUICK to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK."
Returning Intention to Attention,
Virgene
ATTENTION WITH INTENTION
"Christian listening is an act which communicates to another, "Right now, I am here for you. No one else, just you. I want to hear and understand what you have to say. I'm all yours." Listening is allowing the other person to set the agenda for the conversation, seeking to clarify his point of view. Ultimately, listening is helping a person to understand himself better." (Speaking from the Heart, Ken Durham).
Listening, is one of the most powerful tools available for building good relationships with friends and loved ones. Most people think communication means doing a lot of talking, but in truth, I think real communication begins when you start listening to the other person.
Personally, I find myself having to review the Book of James where he says, "Be QUICK to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK."
Returning Intention to Attention,
Virgene
Listening, is one of the most powerful tools available for building good relationships with friends and loved ones. Most people think communication means doing a lot of talking, but in truth, I think real communication begins when you start listening to the other person.
Personally, I find myself having to review the Book of James where he says, "Be QUICK to listen and SLOW TO SPEAK."
Returning Intention to Attention,
Virgene
Monday, May 7, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Needing Each Other.....
Help me up my friend.......
dust me off......
feed me warmth....
You are a comfort....
let me lean on you.....
until I can stand alone.
I will stand a little taller then.....
and you will be proud.....
to have such a friend as me.
Eventually, we all have experiences when a dark fog envelopes us in loss, pain, grief. Our heart is broken and we feel alone. What can we do? Yes, we cry out to our Lord who is our strength and He always hears and answers.... but sometimes we hear only silence.
One dark foggy night I went back in memory to similar events. How did I survive? We often forget how our Lord answers our prayers through his children. We really do need each other as we tread our pilgrim way in our earthly journey. In every crisis when we are feeling so broken, we need someone to bring us the nurturing loving help. I thank my Lord for those He sent to help me, dust me off, feed me warmth, comfort, let me lean on them until I could stand. They did it because of the love of God. " Lord, help me to receive someones tears in your name today!"
dust me off......
feed me warmth....
You are a comfort....
let me lean on you.....
until I can stand alone.
I will stand a little taller then.....
and you will be proud.....
to have such a friend as me.
Eventually, we all have experiences when a dark fog envelopes us in loss, pain, grief. Our heart is broken and we feel alone. What can we do? Yes, we cry out to our Lord who is our strength and He always hears and answers.... but sometimes we hear only silence.
One dark foggy night I went back in memory to similar events. How did I survive? We often forget how our Lord answers our prayers through his children. We really do need each other as we tread our pilgrim way in our earthly journey. In every crisis when we are feeling so broken, we need someone to bring us the nurturing loving help. I thank my Lord for those He sent to help me, dust me off, feed me warmth, comfort, let me lean on them until I could stand. They did it because of the love of God. " Lord, help me to receive someones tears in your name today!"
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Lord . . Let's Dance Again
As I grow older and more infirmities surface, my old fears tip-toe through my thoughts. As I re-read in my older Journals, I see that I sing the same dirges again and again
. Jesus, I know I must be wearing you and my family out with same old, old. I'm even sick and tired of it.
When I read the words in John 5:8, I can almost hear Him say, "Get up... pick up your pallet and walk, Virgene. You don't have to stay huddled under sheets of discouragement today. Get up, my child, you still have a little life left to live. There's freedom if you want it."
When you choose to take Jesus' hand and let Him lead you, the fear and discouragement scrams!
Lord, I'm reaching for your hand today. Let's dance again..
No matter how trapped we may feel in our infirmity God can minister to our need.. We must never let a problem of hardship cause us to lose hope. God may have a special work for you to complete in spite of your condition.
. Jesus, I know I must be wearing you and my family out with same old, old. I'm even sick and tired of it.
When I read the words in John 5:8, I can almost hear Him say, "Get up... pick up your pallet and walk, Virgene. You don't have to stay huddled under sheets of discouragement today. Get up, my child, you still have a little life left to live. There's freedom if you want it."
When you choose to take Jesus' hand and let Him lead you, the fear and discouragement scrams!
Lord, I'm reaching for your hand today. Let's dance again..
No matter how trapped we may feel in our infirmity God can minister to our need.. We must never let a problem of hardship cause us to lose hope. God may have a special work for you to complete in spite of your condition.
Lord, Let's Dance Again!
As I grow older and more infirmities surface, my old fears tip-toe through my thoughts. As I re-read my old journals, I'm singing the same dirges again and again. Jesus, I know I must be wearing You and my family out with the same old, old. When I read those words in John 5:8, I can almost hear Him say, "Get up! Pick up your pallet and walk, Virgene. You don't have to stay huddled under sheets of fear today.
Get up, girl, you still have a little life to live. There's freedom if you want it. When I choose to take Jesus' hand and let Him lead me, the fear scrams.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
My Supplementary Will.....
I most want to leave my children things with out material value. So here is my Will :
ARTICLE I : HOUSE
To each of my children., I hope to leave a home built with the solid bricks of faith and self-esteem. May their houses have windows of empathy and doors that open both ways.
ARTICLE 11: VEHICLES
May my children, be provided with some means of transportation to take them beyond themselves; an absorbing hobby; a service to others that only they can perform; a talent or favorite recreation that renews their Spirit.
ARTICLE 111: PERSONAL ITEMS
I bequeath each child a jewel box filled with glistening memories: Reading Egermier's Bible Story Book; Daniel the Church Mouse; Snoopy Cartoons and other things that made us laugh and cry together; The shared miracles of a puppy who came to stay the night and remained for 19 years; beautiful sunsets; eat-
ing popcorn; worship together at church; A bag of tiny diamonds made of little things,,, such as - bedtime
kisses, family prayer times and mealtime graces; Being together and sharing our hurts and joys.
ARTICLES 1V: STOCKS & BONDS
Finally, I would leave my children enough stock in the bonds of Love that they will be able to keep
investing it in others, becoming "Heirs of God through Christ" {Galatians 4:17}.
ARTICLE V: TAXES
Befor taxes are levied on this estate, please deduct (and forgive) cross words spoken, time of being to busy to listen and missed apologies.
Lord, I bequeath these intangible to those I love, praying they will remember I Corinthians 13:8 ----
{My} " Love goes on forever...."
Signed : V. V. Seibert & W.P. Seibert - Dated: March 4, 1993.
ARTICLE I : HOUSE
To each of my children., I hope to leave a home built with the solid bricks of faith and self-esteem. May their houses have windows of empathy and doors that open both ways.
ARTICLE 11: VEHICLES
May my children, be provided with some means of transportation to take them beyond themselves; an absorbing hobby; a service to others that only they can perform; a talent or favorite recreation that renews their Spirit.
ARTICLE 111: PERSONAL ITEMS
I bequeath each child a jewel box filled with glistening memories: Reading Egermier's Bible Story Book; Daniel the Church Mouse; Snoopy Cartoons and other things that made us laugh and cry together; The shared miracles of a puppy who came to stay the night and remained for 19 years; beautiful sunsets; eat-
ing popcorn; worship together at church; A bag of tiny diamonds made of little things,,, such as - bedtime
kisses, family prayer times and mealtime graces; Being together and sharing our hurts and joys.
ARTICLES 1V: STOCKS & BONDS
Finally, I would leave my children enough stock in the bonds of Love that they will be able to keep
investing it in others, becoming "Heirs of God through Christ" {Galatians 4:17}.
ARTICLE V: TAXES
Befor taxes are levied on this estate, please deduct (and forgive) cross words spoken, time of being to busy to listen and missed apologies.
Lord, I bequeath these intangible to those I love, praying they will remember I Corinthians 13:8 ----
{My} " Love goes on forever...."
Signed : V. V. Seibert & W.P. Seibert - Dated: March 4, 1993.
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