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Category Archives: Spirituality

Hope

02 Mar
Hope

3.2.23

Hope

Scripture: through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:2-4 NRSV)

Devotion: Lent is a season that invites us to reflect on our own sufferings and how they have shaped us. It is a time to acknowledge the difficult circumstances that we have faced and to trust in God’s faithfulness. When we trust in God, we can find hope even in the midst of our pain.

No matter what challenges we face in life, we can find comfort in knowing that God is in control. Even if we lose our job, become ill, experience a natural disaster, or find ourselves in a mess of our own doing, God is still with us. Lent reminds us to persevere through our suffering and build character and hope amid our struggles.

As we reflect on our own sufferings during this Lenten season, let us remember that our hope is built on trust in God. Let us ask God to plant new hope in our hearts and to help us persevere through whatever challenges we may face. May we find comfort in knowing that our suffering produces perseverance, character, and, ultimately, hope in the glory of God.

Prayer: Dear God, life is not easy. Please help us to continue trusting in you. Please help us to grow through this process and all those who suffer a change in their life plan. Give us the strength and courage to continue hoping. Amen.

AW

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2023 in Church, Culture, Life, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Spiritual Fitness

28 Feb
Spiritual Fitness

2.28.23

Spiritual Fitness

Scripture: For, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 NRSV)

Devotion: What is your spiritual discipline? Do you have a spiritual discipline? In other words, how do you regularly feed your soul and connect with God daily? 

As Christians, we often talk about the importance of spiritual discipline. We understand that it is crucial to our faith journey and that it helps us to grow closer to God. But have you ever thought about why spiritual discipline is so important? In 1 Timothy 4:8, we are reminded that while physical training has value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

What does this mean for us? It means that while taking care of our physical bodies is essential, we must also take care of our spiritual selves. We cannot neglect our spiritual needs. Just as our bodies need physical fitness, so do our spirits. We must find a balance that works for us as individuals and nourish our spirits in meaningful ways.

For some, this may mean spending time in nature and being mindful of the world around us. For others, it may mean setting aside time for prayer or meditation. Whatever your chosen spiritual discipline may be, it is crucial that you find what works best for you.

During this Lenten season, let us take the time to practice spiritual discipline. Let us step away from our everyday lives and allow God to clear our minds and renew our faith. As we do so, let us remember that our spiritual health is just as important as our physical health. May we strive to find balance in all areas of our lives and seek to live in a way that reflects God’s love for us and the world.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the many ways we can connect with you. Please help us to renew our faith and to refocus on you. Amen.

AW

 
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Posted by on February 28, 2023 in Church, Culture, Life, Philosophy, Postmodern, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Stillness

27 Feb
Stillness

2.27.23

Stillness

Scripture: Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10 NRSV)

Devotion: I participated in a retreat at the Still Water Lodge in Glen Rose, Texas, a few years ago. This place is next door to where Glen Lake Camp is located, a familiar site for many youths in our conference including ours who just returned from their winter camp.

This was my second gathering with this particular group at the Still Water Lodge. It was early fall, and the facility and grounds were very serene.

The next day, I woke up early and went to spend some time sitting on a wooden bench swing looking over the water. I pondered why they may have named that place Still Water Lodge. The water in the river behind the lodge seemed very still, thus the name Still Water. Whether or not that was the meaning behind the name is interesting. I have not been around many rivers, so I am uncertain and know very little of their behavior as opposed to oceans. But the water’s stillness connected me to that morning’s tranquility. It was peaceful and serene, and the weather was perfect, the fog slowly moving over to cover the skies and meet the morning dew.

The mist from the fog softly dropped on my bare skin, and I could feel its refreshing coolness. I could hear the birds chirping all around, a delightful sound. And even though I could hear the sounds of traffic in the background, I meditated on the peaceful present. It was as if God was saying to me, “Be still, Sela, for I am here.” I would have stayed in that space, that sacred space, with God all day if I could. 

During this season of Lent, find a quiet place to be still and listen to how God may be speaking to you. 

Prayer: Oh God, help us to find a space where we can hear you and listen to you more attentively. Amen.

AW

 
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Posted by on February 27, 2023 in Church, Culture, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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First Sunday in Lent Prayer

26 Feb
First Sunday in Lent Prayer

Dear God, we come before you today in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We thank you for the example set by Jesus when he faced temptation and overcame it by standing firm in your Word.

We pray for our church and community, that we may follow Jesus’ example and resist the temptations that come our way. Please give us the strength to overcome the trials and challenges we face, and help us to rely on your Word as our guide.

We pray for unity within our church and community so that we may be one in purpose and mission. May we support and encourage one another in our faith, and reach out to those who are lost or hurting.

We pray for your guidance and wisdom as we seek to serve you, and for your protection and provision for our families, friends, and neighbors. May we be faithful stewards of the resources you have given us, using them to glorify you and advance your kingdom.


In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 
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Posted by on February 26, 2023 in Church, Life, Religion, Spirituality

 

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Ashes

25 Feb
Ashes

During the season of Lent, I will be sharing a few devotions that I had written as part of a daily devotional for our church, Western Hills United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Ashes

Scripture: By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread

until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken;

you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:19 NRSV)

Devotion: Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a season of repentance and reflection in the Christian church. This day is marked by the practice of receiving ashes on the forehead, which are typically made by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. The ashes symbolize mortality and remind us that we are but dust; to dust, we shall return. 

The practice of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday dates back to the 8th century, but Christians have observed the season of Lent since the early days of the Church. Lent is 40 days, mirroring the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and praying before beginning his ministry. During this time, Christians are called to focus on prayer, fasting, and acts of charity to draw closer to God and prepare their hearts for Easter.

In the book of Joel, we read the call to repentance at the heart of the Lenten season. Joel 2:12-13 says, “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” The ashes on our foreheads are a visible sign of our desire to turn away from sin and towards God, to repent and receive the grace and forgiveness that is offered to us through Jesus Christ.

Prayer: God, as we begin this season of Lent, help us as we reflect on our lives and draw closer to you by seeking your will and mercy. Amen

AW

 
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Posted by on February 25, 2023 in Church, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Lent Season 2023

24 Feb
Lent Season 2023

2.24.23

We have entered the Lenten Season of 2023, beginning with Ash Wednesday. Thank you to all of you who came to have brunch with us. We were incredibly blessed to have an excellent and meaningful worship service Ash Wednesday evening, with a terrific message from our guest preacher Rev. Alfie Wines, Ph.D. If you did not have an opportunity to join us Wednesday, please take the time to view our worship service online on our YouTube channel. The church season of Lent, the 40 days, not including Sundays, is a time of self-examination and repentance in preparation for celebrating the most significant day for the Christian faith, Easter.

Please pick up a Lenten devotional Sunday to be a part of your daily spiritual discipline. The devotions are also shared online on our website and social media.

*Invitation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ:
The early Christians observed with great devotion
the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection,
And it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration, there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation. During this season, converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith,
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness,
And restored to participation in the life of the Church.
In this way, the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy, and for- giveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ
and the need we all have to renew our faith.
I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church,
To observe a holy Lent:
By self-examination and repentance;
By prayer, fasting, and self-denial,
And by reading and meditation on God’s Holy Word
*BOW


In Christ!
Pastor Sela

 
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Posted by on February 24, 2023 in Church, Culture, Life, Religion, Spirituality

 

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Come Holy Spirit

17 Feb
Come Holy Spirit

February 17, 2023

Over the past week, there have been several events around the world that have influenced my thoughts and caused me to pause, pray, and reflect, and I will share two of them. The first event that impacted me was the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, claiming over 45,000 lives. It is disheartening to think about the thousands of grieving families, and my heart goes out to them. Our shared humanity connects us despite the distance and different religions that people may practice. We are all brothers and sisters, and our belief in the one monotheistic God unites us.

The second event is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The revival has been ongoing for over a week, and a couple of other universities have also caught a spark of that fire and started revivals on their campuses. This is encouraging news, no matter who is involved, but particularly when it involves young people worshiping nonstop. Thousands of people flocked to Asbury to witness and participate in the revival. It shows a hunger for spiritual renewal and that young people are willing to take up the mantle of faith. Seeing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a college campus filled with students is inspiring. This gives hope for the future of the church and the world. Asbury University is rooted in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition and theology, and the university is named after Bishop Francis Asbury, the first Methodist bishop in America.

The revival at Asbury University is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is not contained in a specific time, generation, location, community, denomination, or building, for it flows freely among people who sincerely desire God. It challenges us to reflect on how we can have a revival in our community. Can we also have the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our church and neighborhood? I can attest that I see a spark of the Holy Spirit when we gather on Sunday. I see this spark in children, youth, and all ages. And to continue this spark beyond Sunday and have it continue burning, we must first experience it (the outpouring of the Holy Spirit), spread God’s love, and pass it on. Just like the hymn, Pass It On.

There must be a deep desire in our hearts to seek God. We need to continuously ask ourselves if the work of the Holy Spirit is evident in our lives with how we speak to others and about others and with how we conduct ourselves and our affairs. How deeply do we desire God in our lives? Sometimes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit requires us to do uncomfortable things, but we know it’s from God. The Holy Spirit may lead us to leave the comfort of our building and go to places we may not want to go, but it is where we are most needed. It is a sign of whether we are only doing what we want to do or following God’s vision for us.

As we move towards Lent next week, we must repent of our sins, turn to God, and reflect on our role in the lives of others. We need to ponder on our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ, and reflect on how and if God plays a role in our lives. The events over the past week challenged us to think beyond ourselves and consider the needs of others. It is essential to consider how we can positively impact those around us, both near and far. We can take inspiration from the revival at Asbury University and work towards spreading the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our small groups and community. We can make a difference by fostering a culture of prayer and worship. Creating opportunities for people to gather and pray can ignite a spiritual awakening in our neighborhoods.

On Ash Wednesday, February 22, I invite you to come and receive ashes between the hours of 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. I will be in the narthex (primary entryway to the sanctuary). If you cannot get out of your car, just pull up by the door. I also invite you to brunch at 10 a.m. at the Westside Cafe on Camp Bowie. Here we can break bread, be a witness, and offer ashes to those who wish to receive them. And finally, you are invited to join us for our worship service at 7:00 p.m.

Thank you for your faithfulness.

In Christ!
Pastor Sela

 
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Posted by on February 17, 2023 in Church, Culture, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Student life, Theology

 

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Vision

27 Jan
Vision
Photo by Sebastian Palomino on Pexels.com

Dear Church,

Six months ago, we embarked on a journey. The Bishop and conference brought us together to be in ministry alongside our neighbors and serve those in our mission field. Our vision for the future is to continue our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Without a clear vision, we may not be able to see accurately. Without a refined vision, we may go around and around as in a roundabout. The mission is to make disciples. The vision is to transform the world. We refine and define our vision by assessing our present location or where we are now and asking ourselves where we want to go from here. If we consider that everything is fine as is and we want to stay where we are, then by all means, we do not need to do anything. To remain idle is like a church on hospice.

However, if we envision a future where we are reaching more people for Christ and are committed to following the ways of Jesus, we must define our steps and create a pathway to get there. We evaluate our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Continuing to do the same things repeatedly and expecting different results is not the answer. We must continuously recruit new people in new positions to bring their ideas to the table and to have new conversations and diverse perspectives.

Put simply; it’s like mapping where we’re going. Our map must first know our current location before calculating our destination. Only then will our map app line up our path with a plan to get to where we want to go. And along the way, we may encounter delays and obstacles, but with a plan in place, we can deviate and continue the journey.

In the past six months, our worship attendance increased slightly. As I have heard from several people, there is a new energy in the room. My vision for the next 12 months is to engage more people for Jesus, specifically younger people. One way we will accomplish this is with the help of a Children’s Ministry Director. The position is currently open and available. Another way of reaching more people is by enhancing our music ministry. Weekly, our media team continues to need help. One week our livestream works well; the next week, our sound is lost. The sound is excellent in a particular section of the sanctuary, while our voices are barely heard in other areas. Every aspect is a work in progress, but we can better define a path forward by analyzing our current position and making improvements.

Ultimately, our worship attendance will consequently increase as a result of our commitment to engaging the people in our mission field. We must sometimes ask whether we are genuinely committed to following Jesus and continuing his mission, or are we standing in the way, causing a delay? I pray that we are all committed followers and seek to move forward.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Pastor Sela

Western Hills United Methodist Church

2820 Laredo Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76116 http://www.westernhillsumc.org

 
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Posted by on January 27, 2023 in Church, Culture, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Commissioned!

12 Jun

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The Central Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church opened with a beautiful Worship Service on Sunday, June 9, and concluded today, Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Arborlawn UMC in Fort Worth, Texas. It was business as usual it seemed for most people, but for me 2 things made it special, my commissioning and meeting up with school friends and colleagues.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013, was a very joyous, meaningful, heartfelt, and spiritual moving day. It was the most amazing evening for me, thus far, as I got commissioned as Provisional Elder of the Conference. I didn’t feel so much a sense of accomplishment as I did feel God led and that I am where I am because that’s where God wants me to be. Yes, a sense of my calling being affirmed was what I felt.

Bishop Mike Lowry preached a very relevant and brilliant sermon. The entire service was beautiful and I truly appreciated the Bishop’s message. His sense of humor and thought-provoking style was splendid. The best captured phrase that seemed to have made its round in Twitter was “If you want to make God laugh, tell her your plans.” How true on so many levels.

I was so ecstatic and grateful that all of my family, which included 7 brothers, their wives and children, were present to witness and to share the special evening. One of my brothers could not make it but was represented by his son. And, I was very happy that my oldest brother was present and stood with me as I got commissioned.

I am grateful to the friends who also came to show support. And to the family and friends who were not present, I appreciated your thoughts and prayers.

I give thanks to God for my family and all the wonderful people I have met throughout the years. Your love, friendships, encouragements, and prayers have helped me come this far, and I thank you.

But now that Conference is over and I have been appointed to 2 churches, I need to attend to my responsibilities of leading God’s people which includes writing a sermon for this Sunday and every Sunday thereafter. Whoa!! Am I really not ready as the Bishop conveyed last night in his message? Whether I think I am ready or not, I do firmly believe in my response to one of his examination question, “With God’s help, I will.”

On top of that, I have 3 weeks to find a place to move to, as I close on my home the 1st week of July. Yikes! Time to get busy! But, confidently and faithfully, I do believe that with God’s help, I will! Amen!

 
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Posted by on June 12, 2013 in Church, Culture, Family, Life, Religion, Spirituality

 

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Heavens Telling Of Your Glory

26 Mar

A Lenten Devotional for Day 36: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Heavens Telling Of Your Glory

Scripture: Psalm 19

Devotion: Some of you know that I work another job at night, and for those of you that don’t, before you start wondering “what kind of job?” I will soon explain. Needless to say, working at nights has not always been a pleasant experience, especially working 12-hour nights and being up for more than 24 hours at a time. That is never good for the body, mind, and spirit. Nevertheless, that has been my work schedule for the last 4.5 years, as I had to find employment that would work with my seminary school schedule. How I managed seminary work and this overnight job is beyond me. This is one of those things that I consider a God thing.

In any case, I realize early on working in the financial industry that while America sleeps, the rest of the world is awake, from Asia to the Pacific to Europe, and that we’re all connected in this global network, financial or otherwise. This means that what happens around the world affects the U.S., and vice versa. I think of what happens to us as individuals and a people affects God.

One of the benefits of working from evening till dawn is that I am privileged to see many sunsets, sunrises, endless clouds and skies in incredibly astonishing colors and form. Each time I see it, whether I’m on my way to work or on my way home, I am always in awe of the beauty of creation and how fortunate we are to be given the opportunity to witness the splendor and magnificence of this world that we live in. I pondered on how amazing it is that we’re all connected to the sun and endless clouds in the skies, giving us a glimpse of God’s glory.

I am reminded of how humanity seems insignificant in the midst of vast stretches of the cosmos and time and space. I think about how we’re all tiny specs in this big cosmos, but am comforted in knowing that God journeys with us each and every day and watches over us whether we’re asleep or awake.

Prayer: Creator God, We give you thanks for all of creation, and we give you thanks for the gift of life. This Lenten season, a time of self-reflection, a time of growth and renewal, open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts, so that we may live into what you have created us to be. Amen

*Originally published as part of a Lenten Devotional Booklet that I compiled and edited for Martin United Methodist Church.

– See more at: http://www.martinmethodist.org/connect/devotions-for-the-season-of-lent/#sthash.Jm50Cxzq.dpuf

 
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Posted by on March 26, 2013 in Church, Culture, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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