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Category Archives: Theology

Do The Difficult

04 Mar
Do The Difficult

3.4.23

Do The Difficult

Scripture: “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:27-45 NRSV)

Devotion: You are wondering why I included so much of the biblical texts. Why did I not just reference it? The truth is, you would probably not take the time to look up the passage. Or, for some of you, you may skip through the pasted Scripture text, thinking you already know what it says. Whom are we kidding? We all do that. But studying and meditating requires that we re-read and re-read God’s words many times over. Our understanding of Scripture may differ today from a year ago. It is not that Scripture has changed; it is we who have hopefully changed as we grow in faith and knowledge of God.

This passage is significant. Jesus said to love our enemies and to do good things for those who dislike or hate us.
Essentially Jesus challenges us to be different, that is, to love like God. God is merciful and kind even to the wicked and ungrateful.
Anyone can love their friends. But how do you treat someone well who has hurt you? How do you give without expectation of return? That’s love as God loves.

Similarly, Jesus said not to judge others but to first examine ourselves and deal with our faults while not being critical of others.
We feel good about denigrating others. We talk about people behind their backs. We speak harsh words and expect the person to take it. The Bible instructs us to correct one another when necessary but in a spirit of gentleness. Criticism is not a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus cautions us about the attitudes of our hearts. It’s one thing to say, “That person stole money and needs to be appropriately punished.” It’s another to say, “That person stole money and ought to be strung up by his thumbs and horsewhipped.” Unfortunately, people who hurt us and arouse our moral outrage are difficult to love.

Jesus said, “No good tree bears bad fruit” and “the good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good… for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks”. If we want a good gauge for our spiritual health, we need to listen to what we say, not only to other people but also in private about others. Our words reflect our relationship with God as well as with others.
During the season of Lent, may we all take the time to meditate on the word of God and study Scripture, have self-examination, sincerely repent, and be in prayer.

Prayer: Oh God, sometimes it is difficult to love those who have hurt us. May you help us to be merciful and gracious as you are.
Help us to forgive and love our enemies. Amen.

 
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Posted by on March 4, 2023 in Church, Culture, Family, Life, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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Elevator Speech on the 5 O’Clock Evening News

03 Mar
Elevator Speech on the 5 O’Clock Evening News

3.3.23

Dear Church,

Have you ever been caught off guard with unexpected questions about your faith and the church’s mission and ministries? Imagine being in an elevator and someone asking you why you’re a Christian, why you attend Western Hills United Methodist Church, and what your church is doing to help families in the neighborhood and address the recent crimes in the area. Do you have a prepared response? Do you have an “elevator speech”?

This happened to me recently, on Monday, but instead of an elevator, it was an impromptu interview with WFAA Channel 8. The news anchor, Scoop Jefferson, wanted to discuss the recent criminal activities in our neighborhood, including a child who was hurt over the weekend. Despite not having time to prepare, glance in the mirror, or process what was happening that I would appear on the 5:00 O’Clock evening news, I had an answer for each of the questions, although spontaneous and unpolished. (Click here for the story.) Our church’s mission field includes Las Vegas Trail (LVT), and we are committed to making a positive impact, and sharing the love of Jesus, despite the challenges. And while WFAA had a story to share, we also have a story to tell, one of Jesus and the God we serve.

It’s worth remembering that Jesus didn’t serve in a “safe neighborhood,” and those he thought would support him abandoned him. The people who shouted “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday were likely the same ones who shouted “crucify him” on Good Friday. 

As we journey through Lent, let’s prepare ourselves through prayer, self-reflection, study, and meditation. Let us not only attend worship and Sunday School but also put our faith into action. 

You are invited to join a few of us who will be taking our faith into the streets of Lancaster immediately after worship this Sunday. If you would like to contribute something, please bring it Sunday. It can be clothes, toiletries, or food items that our friends on the streets can use.

Thank you for your faithfulness.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Grace and peace,
Pastor Sela

 
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Posted by on March 3, 2023 in Church, Culture, Economics, Family, Life, Media, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

 

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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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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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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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New Vision

10 Feb
New Vision

Dear Church,

Millions of people will watch the Super Bowl on TV this Sunday. Unfortunately for Dallas Cowboys fans, our team will also be watching instead of playing. The teams who make it to the Super Bowl deserve every bit since they worked hard and made necessary changes with their leaders, players, and staff. If someone is no longer contributing to the team’s success, they may better serve in another team, even if that means retirement. Everyone and everything has a season. 

The church is facing a critical time as the world has undergone a major shift in the wake of the pandemic. Many churches have experienced a decline in attendance and a reduction in offerings; some have even had to close their doors. To avoid becoming a part of the statistics of a dying church, it is imperative that we make necessary changes today with staff and leadership.

One of the most significant changes we need to make is to adapt to the changing times. In the corporate world, as with a professional football team, when something is no longer working, it is often necessary to restructure or get rid of it. The same holds true for the church. If we cling to old methods and ideas that are no longer effective, we will be left behind. The church must embrace new ideas, new technologies, and new ways of outreach if we are to reach the next generation.

Another critical change that needs to be made is to embrace new leadership. Jesus once said, “You don’t put new wine in old wineskins.” This means that as the church changes and evolves, the leadership must also change. Old leaders have limitations and tunnel vision and need to step aside to make way for the future. This church needs a new vision with new leaders who can see a future different from sustaining the status quo.

Since last year, over 2,000 churches have disaffiliated from The United Methodist Church. This division results from different opinions and theological interpretations of the Bible about human sexuality, among other theological matters. While it is heartbreaking to see our church denomination breakup, church splits and disagreements have existed since the beginning of the church. However, it is also an opportunity for growth and renewal and should not deter us from continuing our mission of furthering the kingdom of God.

As we look to the future, we cannot predict it based on the past. Everything has a season, and it is time for the church to embrace change and make way for the future. The mission of Jesus is to save the lost, heal the sick, and comfort the brokenhearted. This mission cannot be achieved by clinging to old ideas and methods. It requires a new vision, new leadership, and a willingness to embrace change. When we embrace change and make necessary adjustments to programs, staff, and lay leadership, the church will continue to be a beacon of hope in a dark world. 

Whatever team wins the Superbowl Sunday, it is clear that the Dallas Cowboys needs to make necessary changes today to increase their chances for a brighter future.

Pastor Sela

 
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Posted by on February 10, 2023 in Church, Life, Religion, 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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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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