Posted by hlewis |
I love that our youth are leading worship this Sunday with this scripture from Mark 9:37: “Whomever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me … and the One who sent me.”
Our church works hard at being welcoming, and if you want to see that in action, come on Sunday and watch our youth joyfully lead worship. They have been encouraged since they were little to stay in…
Posted by hlewis |
I know we have a lot of writers in our congregation, and I think what they do is amazing. Words have so much power in helping us interpret and navigate our lives — they can confuse or make clear the intent of the message. The Bible is a great example, with its many different languages and interpretations of scripture.
Here’s an example from this week’s scripture, Mark 7:15, from…
Posted by hlewis |
I absolutely believe in miracles. If you’ve worked with me, you know that I’m all about the big picture — if something amazing occurs, I don’t question the details or try to figure out the magic. I’m married to an auditor, so I leave the explanations to him!
My take on unexpected blessings is to give thanks for the wonders, and keep searching for more. I have a friend who calls…
Posted by hlewis |
Salem’s kids are performing their summer musical in both services this Sunday, which means I’ve been singing, dancing, and acting with our youngest talent every morning this week. Believe it or not, as much as I love it, the music is not my favorite part of our summer musical camp! What I absolutely love is experiencing scripture through the eyes of a child.
Monday morning, we met for…
Posted by hlewis |
There have been a lot of songs lately with the message that we need to trust that God is on our side even when things don’t work out the way we hoped. Mercy Me sings, “I know You’re able, and I know You can…but even if you don’t, my hope is You alone.” Hillary Scott sings about trying to understand why her broken heart is a part of God’s plan, and yet “…sometimes I gotta…
Posted by hlewis |
When I was a kid, I could swing all day. It was my favorite thing on a playground, even as a teenager. I loved the wind in my hair, pumping really high and jumping off, or just sitting suspended, chatting with friends. Sometimes when I was feeling daring, I’d kick my legs sideways when I was way up high and yell “MAY DAY!!!” as I lost control, twisting in the swing until I came back to…
Posted by hlewis |
I have always thrived on a busy schedule. My mom loves to talk about my favorite day of the week when I was in 6th grade: she’d meet me with my violin case after school to take the streetcar by myself to my lesson in downtown Stuttgart, Germany. I’d come walking up the hill later, and she’d exchange my violin with my cleats and glove to go…
Posted by hlewis |
Do you sometimes have the feeling that you are supposed to do something a certain way? Some people call it a sixth sense, listening to your inner voice, following your gut, even something mystical or psychic that is leading us in the right direction. Do you listen and follow? When you don’t, do you later wish you had?
I have a very specific memory of a time I chose not to listen.…
Posted by hlewis |
When I was a kid I was a tree climber. I loved the challenge of the climb, but especially the peace and seclusion of being in the tree. When we moved away from the house with my favorite tree to an apartment in Germany, we climbed the cherry trees in the orchard next to us and gorged on the fruit. Anytime we went apple picking I never even considered any of the long poles – I was in the…
Posted by hlewis |
I’ve been given a gift this school year, as my youngest began 1st grade: the gift of time to connect with people during the day. For the first time in 14 years, my day isn’t split in half with children coming to/from half-day preschool or kindergarten. In other words, I am free for lunch!! It’s a wonderful excuse to reconnect with people I care…