In our Old Testament reading for this coming Sunday, Amos 7:7-15, we hear how Amos was treated by the religious and political leaders of Israel when he spoke out for justice and God’s ways. Amos warned the leaders of Israel that their ways were wrong and that they needed to change, but the leadership did not want to hear that, and so they kicked him out. The high priest, Amaziah, who was technically…
Hello, Salem! I am so excited to be serving in ministry with you!
In my short time here I have already been inspired by Pantry Pack, worship, the youth, music, and working with this awesome staff. I am eager to get to know you and more about Salem! I love hearing the stories of how God works in the lives of God’s people, and I can’t wait to hear yours.
I have done youth ministry…
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…
I am truly troubled these days, and I feel I need to share my concerns. As I am sure you have read or seen on TV, the United States has embarked on a practice of separating children from their immigrant parents who are attempting to enter this country illegally. Now, before I go any further, I am fully aware that we have laws, that we need laws, and that we need to enforce our laws; after…
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…
I pray that you have had a blessed week.
On Monday morning, as I read our Gospel text for Sunday (Mark 3:20-35), I actually started to laugh. Now, don’t get me wrong, this is a serious text about living our lives doing God’s will, but what I found funny was how Jesus responded to the accusations made against him by the religious leaders, “He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of…
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…
I pray that you have had a blessed week.
This Sunday is Holy Trinity Sunday. The Doctrine of the Trinity is the church’s attempt to offer a description of God, but as I have said many times, the reality is, to define God is virtually impossible. The bottom line is the Doctrine of the Trinity tells us that God is a God of relationships; it’s just that simple. He is a God that reveals…
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.…
In our Gospel text for this coming Sunday (John 17:6-19), the seventh Sunday of Easter, Jesus prays for the disciples as he prepares for his own death. I am always amazed by this story, because at a time when anyone else would be praying for themselves because of what was about to happen to them, Jesus was busy praying for the people he loved and cared about.
Jesus helps to remind me…