Lewis Church

Being snowed in and having church services cancelled, we attempted to do something as a family.

Our daughter, the consummate planner and decorator, was left in full charge of room set up and worship service order. Timothy was in given the task of opening prayer. Mom was responsible for worship leading (or so she found out), and I was responsible for the Bible lesson (or so I thought).

The service began with Anna Ritchie and Teressa singing a rousing (and may I add unique) rendition of "How Great Thou Art," with Anna on the dulcimer and momma on lead vocals. What a joyful noise.

From there, we popped in a CD and had the "pro's" lead us, borrowing from recent worship sets at our church.

Timothy jumped into action and decided he would claim the role of "preacher" and he did not disappoint (as you can see in the pictures below). Not sure what all he was saying, but he did not lack in animation . . . and every now and then, we caught the word "Jesus."

After momma read a Scripture, I convinced Timothy to at least sit on my lap while I led us in a discussion of 1 Corinthians 10:31-33.

The question posed was simple: How can we each live our life to show God is most important rather living as though we are most important?

Timothy's answer: "Jesus." I guess he's figured out that seems to be the best answer to life's questions.

Anna Ritchie's answer: "Well, I guess the next time I want to hit my brother, I could see that it isn't that necessary." We saw it as a good starting point . . .

Meanwhile, Timothy (still in protest that I took his spot) decided to poop on my lap.

All that said, we persevered . . . deciding we would close with a family hug and go out and play in the snow for God's glory by:

1) Thanking Him for His gift and creation of snow.
2) Enjoying each other, putting the other first.
3) Being mindful of our neighbor and thinking of ways we could display that God is most important.

God, in and through the craziness of this morning . . . may You be glorified.

Wide World Of Winter

The Thrill Of Victory . . .

(Timothy's sister and a friend owning the slopes as they cruise on her great-great-grandfather's vintage sled.)




















. . . The Agony Of Defeat . . .

(Can you say wipe out?)














. . . And A Face Only My Wife Could Love.

(Our dog getting in on the action.)

The Butter Bandit

The Scene:

Top shelf of the refrigerator door.

Exhibit A:

A stick of butter, suspiciously openned, with finger marks throughout.

Exhibit B:

A 3-year-old son with one very greasy index finger.

The Verdict:

Guilty.

The Sentence:

Stomach ache.

Filled To Overflowing

Tonight was a guy's night at the Lewis household, as the girls went out for coffee. Needless to say, I can't say Timothy used soap during bath time, and teeth-brushing . . . well . . .

As Timothy and I cuddled in bed, we read from my favorite children's Bible, covering the story of "The Terrible Lie."

Adam and Eve chose to mistrust God and believe the lie that they could, in effect, be complete without Him. As the narrator puts it, "A life without [God] wouldn't be life at all."

Nevertheless, Adam and Eve tasted . . . Man fell . . . Sin entered . . . and God came seeking.

In the face of rebellion and brokenness, "God gently clothed them and then he sent them away on a long, long journey -- out of the garden, out of their home."

And then the line that gripped our attention:

Well, in another story, it would all be over and that would have been THE
END . . . but not this story.

In spite of everything, "God would love his children -- with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."

And of course, the lie of the serpent was trumped with a promise of God:

I'm coming back for you!

Something about tonight . . . lying with my son . . . telling him about the Son . . . gave me a great fullness.

With that, I reached up and turned off the light.

"I love you Timothy."

"I love you too Daddy."

From full to overflowing.