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Category Archives: Life

Hope That Holds Us Together

09 Dec
Hope That Holds Us Together

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Romans 15:4–13

Hope That Holds Us Together

Have you ever had those days when encouragement feels hard to come by? We carry our own worries, and the weight of the world can feel heavy. This passage reminds us that hope is not something we generate on our own; it is something we receive. Scripture speaks of endurance, comfort, and a hope that steadies us when life feels uncertain.

What’s striking is how closely hope and community are held together here. We are reminded that encouragement grows when we stay connected, when we choose patience over frustration and unity over division. Hope is not just about feeling better; it’s about learning how to live alongside one another with grace.

Today, if you are feeling strong, may your hope lift someone else. And if you are feeling weary, may you know that you are not meant to carry everything alone. God’s hope is wide enough to hold all of us, just as we are.

Prayer:
God of hope, fill our hearts with encouragement when we feel tired or discouraged. Help us to be signs of patience, understanding, and joy for one another as we wait for Christ’s coming. Amen.

 
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Posted by on December 9, 2025 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Praying for a World Made Right

08 Dec
Praying for a World Made Right

Monday, December 8, 2025

Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19

Praying for a World Made Right

Psalm 72 reminds us that God cares deeply about justice, especially for the most vulnerable. The prayer of this psalm is not abstract or distant; it asks for leaders to govern with compassion, humility, and concern for those who are often overlooked.

In Advent, we are invited to pray not only for ourselves, but for the world God loves. We pray for systems shaped by mercy, for communities marked by fairness, and for hearts—especially our own—that learn to reflect God’s concern for the poor and the powerless.

Today, may your prayers widen beyond what is comfortable, trusting that God’s justice is always rooted in love and meant to restore life.

Prayer:
God of justice and mercy, shape our hearts to reflect your care for the world. Teach us to pray with compassion and to live with hope as we await Christ. Amen.

 
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Posted by on December 8, 2025 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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A Hope That Grows from Stumps

07 Dec
A Hope That Grows from Stumps

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Isaiah 11:1–10
A Hope That Grows from Stumps

Isaiah’s vision begins in a place most of us would overlook, a stump. Something cut down, something that looks finished. Yet God brings new life from places we assumed were done. A shoot rises, small but determined, carrying the promise of peace, justice, and a future shaped by God’s Spirit.

Maybe there are places in your life that feel like stumps, where something didn’t go the way you hoped, or where loss or disappointment seems to be the final word. But Advent reminds us that God’s work often begins in hidden, surprising places. Hope, in God’s hands, grows quietly at first, and then more boldly than we expect.

As you worship today, may you sense that the God who brings life from stumps is at work in you too, planting something steady, faithful, and good.

Prayer:
God of new beginnings, help us trust the small shoots of hope you are growing in us. Give us eyes to see your promise and courage to follow your peace. Amen.

 
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Posted by on December 7, 2025 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Learning Peace Again

04 Dec
Learning Peace Again

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Isaiah 2:1–5

Learning Peace Again

There are days when peace feels far away in our world, in our communities, and sometimes even within ourselves. Isaiah’s vision of nations laying down weapons and walking toward God’s mountain can feel almost impossible. And yet, Advent reminds us that God’s peace begins in small ways, often within us before it ever reaches the world around us.  

Maybe peace looks like choosing gentleness when you could be sharp, or pausing to breathe before responding out of frustration. Maybe it’s offering forgiveness or receiving it. God keeps teaching us peace one small step at a time, shaping us into people who reflect God’s heart. 

Wherever you find yourself today, may you feel God guiding your steps toward peace, a peace that grows slowly, quietly, and beautifully within you.   

Prayer:
God of peace, teach us your ways today. Help us choose the path that leads to compassion, healing, and hope. Amen.

 
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Posted by on December 4, 2025 in Church, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Attending to the Foundation

21 Nov
Attending to the Foundation

Attending to the Foundation

11.21.25

Over the past week, I’ve been thinking a lot about foundations. It started during my recent drives to Austin, where I noticed all kinds of new construction — large homes, small homes, commercial buildings, and even tiny houses tucked along the roadside. Each one different in size and purpose, yet every one relying on the same essential element: a solid foundation.

That image stayed with me, especially as I walked alongside two families who lost their loved ones in the past couple of weeks. Being present at the end of life, sharing prayer with families, offering comfort, and holding space for both grief and gratitude — these are sacred and humbling moments. They remind me how fragile life can be, and how deeply we all need something steady beneath our feet.

Pastoral ministry stretches across many areas: tending to worship and preaching, supporting the spiritual needs of individuals and families, guiding mission and outreach, and ensuring that the ministries entrusted to my care continue to grow in healthy and faithful ways. As an ordained elder, I’ve vowed to a ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service — a calling that touches every part of church life. And like any foundation, this work requires regular attention to stay grounded and strong.

In recent days, I’ve become more aware of my own emotional fatigue. Ministry is meaningful, but it is also demanding. To serve well, I have to make space for rest. With Thanksgiving week approaching, I’ve chosen to take this week to renew my energy, to refresh my spirit, and to tend to my own foundation. My hope is that others will do the same — to spend time with loved ones, to breathe a little deeper, and to reconnect with what matters most.

And Advent is just around the corner — a season of preparation, anticipation, and hope. I look forward to walking through it with renewed strength, ready to prepare my heart — and help others prepare theirs — to receive the promise of Christ once again.

Wishing you a meaningful Thanksgiving week with the people who bring life and joy to your days. May gratitude guide your steps, and may rest restore your spirit.

Peace, Sela

 
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Posted by on November 21, 2025 in Church, Community, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality

 

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A Joy to Be Back!

04 Jun
A Joy to Be Back!

After three years away, I’m back in Taylor—and it feels good to be home. The warmth of Sunday’s welcome was more than I could have asked for, a reminder of just how much this community has shaped me. Time apart has a way of teaching you what really matters, and I’ve carried those lessons with me into this new chapter.

Living in Fort Worth gave me experiences I’ll always be grateful for, but I quickly learned how much I missed the rhythms of small-town life. Taylor moves at a different pace—a pace that feels more human, more gracious. After years of battling daily traffic and concrete sprawl, there’s something restorative about familiar roads, familiar faces, and a community that still knows how to pause and breathe.

One of the most memorable parts of my first Sunday back was the fish fry luncheon. The last one I attended was actually on my final Sunday here in 2022, so sharing another one on my first Sunday back felt like a beautiful full-circle moment. Good food, laughter, and the simple joy of being together reminded me again of the power of community.

I’ve also noticed how much care has gone into keeping things beautiful here. From the church grounds to the spaces that welcome people in, it’s clear that this community continues to take pride in being a place where people can feel at home.

While I’m still unpacking a few boxes and finding my footing again, I’m excited about what’s ahead. More than anything, I’m thankful for the chance to keep growing—with you, with God, and with this town I get to call home again.

Here’s to the season ahead: may it be full of faith, hope, love, and plenty of shared meals around the table.

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2025 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality

 

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Washed and Ready

16 Jan
Washed and Ready

1.6.25

Washed and Ready

Water is life. We take it for granted, but without it, we can’t survive. We’ve seen the devastating impact of its absence—from the freezing conditions four years ago that left many of us without water for days to the wildfires in California, where the lack of water allows flames to rage uncontrollably. In many parts of the world, people walk miles just to access clean water. Without water, deadly diseases spread, crops fail, and life grinds to a halt.

This week, as we reflect on the Baptism of the Lord, we are reminded that water holds not only physical power but also deep spiritual significance. When Jesus stepped into the Jordan River, He entered fully into our human experience. His baptism wasn’t about repentance but about identifying with us, affirming the life and mission He would fulfill. God’s voice declared, “You are my Son, my beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Like Jesus, we too are baptized. Through the waters of baptism, we are named and claimed as God’s beloved children. But here’s the question: Are we just washed, or are we also ready? Baptism isn’t a one-time event that washes us clean—it’s a call to a lifetime of discipleship, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Are you living as someone who is ready? Ready to follow Christ? Ready to be a witness to God’s love? If not, what’s holding you back? Fear? Doubt? Forgetfulness of who you are in Christ?

This week, I invite you to remember your baptism. Remember that you are beloved by God. And if you feel stuck or unready, seek the Spirit’s power to renew and commission you once again. Together, let us live as people who are both washed and ready—ready to serve, love, and reflect the grace we have received.

Sela Finau

 
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Posted by on January 16, 2025 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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A Prayer for Those Affected by the California Fires

09 Jan
A Prayer for Those Affected by the California Fires

1.9.25

A Prayer for Those Affected by the California Fires

God of Mercy, we come before you with heavy hearts as the fires rage across Southern California. We lift up in prayer all who are affected, trusting in your unending compassion.

For the Lost: We grieve for those who have lost their lives. Receive them into your eternal peace, and bring comfort to their loved ones who mourn.

For the Displaced: Be with those who have fled their homes, leaving behind familiarity, treasured memories, and the comforts of life built with love. May they find safety, peace amid the chaos, and trust in your abiding care.

For the Grieving: Hold close those who now face the overwhelming loss of homes, livelihoods, and entire communities. Surround them with your tender compassion and stir up the strength and kindness of neighbors, friends, and strangers alike.

For the Vulnerable: Protect all pets, livestock, and wild animals endangered by the flames. Guide them to safety, and bless the hands of those who rescue and care for them.

For the First Responders: Bless the firefighters, rescue teams, and emergency workers who risk their lives to protect others. Grant them courage, strength, and moments of rest as they face exhaustion and danger.

For Creation: We pray for the forests, fields, and all that you have made, scarred by the flames. Teach us to be wise and faithful stewards of your creation, and inspire us to work for its restoration and care in the days to come.

For the Community: In the midst of devastation, may hope take root. Let the generosity of strangers, the courage of neighbors, and the shared labor of rebuilding restore what has been lost.

God of comfort and restoration, let your healing presence fill the hearts of all who suffer. Strengthen them for the days to come, and may your peace, which passes all understanding, sustain them through the darkness.

Amen.

 
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Posted by on January 9, 2025 in Church, Community, Culture, Economics, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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What Then Shall We Do? A Christmas and New Year’s Reflection

19 Dec
What Then Shall We Do? A Christmas and New Year’s Reflection

12.19.24

What Then Shall We Do? A Christmas and New Year’s Reflection

As we journey through Advent and approach Christmas, we hear John the Baptist’s urgent call from the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” His challenge to the crowd resonates with us today: “What then shall we do?”

John reminds us that preparing for Christ’s coming is not about relying on our church traditions, family name, or how much money or time we give the church. None of these outward signs can genuinely prepare our hearts. Instead, it’s about how we reflect God’s love and justice in the way we live. John calls us to bear fruit that shows repentance—a life that aligns with God’s will.

This requires a shift in our attitudes and ways. Are we sharing the blessings God has given us, or are we holding onto them for ourselves? God’s blessings were never meant for us to hoard. They are meant to flow through us, reaching those in need. Preparing for Christ means living with open hands and open hearts. It means practicing compassion and integrity in our everyday actions. It means being generous to those who lack, showing fairness in how we treat others, and embodying God’s justice in all we do.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, let us examine our lives and ask ourselves hard questions: Where do we need to let go of pride, selfishness, or complacency? How can we show more love and justice to those around us? Advent is not only a time to anticipate Christ’s coming but also a time to realign our lives to reflect His kingdom.

This Christmas, let us welcome Christ into our celebrations and our actions. As we step into the New Year, may we commit to living lives of generosity, compassion, and integrity—lives that prepare the way for the Lord every day.

Christ is coming—may our hearts, homes, and lives be ready to receive Him.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Pastor Sela 

 
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Posted by on December 19, 2024 in Church, Community, Culture, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Refined for the Season

11 Dec
Refined for the Season

12.11.24

Refined for the Season

Advent isn’t just about decorating our homes or checking off shopping lists—it’s about preparing our hearts and lives for the arrival of Christ. The prophet Malachi offers a challenging but vital message for this season: we need refining. Like a refiner’s fire purifying gold or a launderer’s soap scrubbing away dirt, God’s work in us removes impurities and instills qualities that shape us into Christ’s likeness.

This process is not always easy. It requires honest reflection and a willingness to let go of attitudes and habits that hold us back—selfishness, pride, impatience. But it also fills us with new gifts: love, peace, patience, and kindness, the fruit of the Spirit that makes us more fully who God has called us to be. Advent reminds us that transformation is possible; this is the season to let God begin that work in us anew.

Sometimes, we may resist this refining work because it feels 

uncomfortable or disruptive. Yet, just as we wash before we sit at a table or remove our shoes before entering a clean home, Advent calls us to spiritual preparation. It’s an act of love and respect—to ourselves, to God, and to the promise of Christ who is coming.

As we prepare for Christmas, let’s embrace this deeper call to readiness—not just for the celebration of a day, but for the ongoing work of God in our lives and the world. Join us next Sunday as we continue our Advent journey and reflect on the joy that Christ’s coming brings!

Love, grace, and peace!

Sela 

 
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Posted by on December 11, 2024 in Church, Community, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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