the family loft: Valentine's Day Church Service

For those of you who haven't figured it out by now...I love our church! Of course the people & systems have their many flaws, but God's fingerprints are entirely covering all. I am just thrilled to see how God is working. I wake up with great anticipation every Sunday morning & look forward to the reports of how God's at work throughout the week. We have been having some incredible worship services & Sunday morning was definitely no exception. The morning began with a packed house and ended with few dry eyes. God's Spirit is surely at work!

We jump-started the service with some worship songs (led by the wonderful Jason--my valentine) & two baptisms of some guys in our youth group!

Jason read Dwayne & Kane's amazing salvation testimonies before they were each baptized.

Dwayne

Kane

Brother Mike preached a short (yes, even for laymen it was short) message then led those married couples present, who desired to, to renew their vows. God was looking out for us by having Cassie sit with us so she could hold our *very squirmy* precious girl so Jason and I could focus on each other and the words we were saying. What a precious time. Of course, I could barely think straight to even repeat the vows with tears streaming down my eyes. Between God's presence, my sweet husband, and these pregnancy hormones I don't even know why I bother wearing mascaras on Sunday anymore...

After the vow renewal for married couples Brother Mike led us Christians to renew our commitment to God. As a church we have been challenged to do a 40 days of loving Jesus study (inspired by the Love Dare book). I'm on day five and pumped already!

Next, a formerly divorced couple stood before the church and reunited in marriage. The church has been praying for this couple for several years. We have been good friends with the husband, Jamey, and have been there many times as him, his son Austin & daughter Halley shared their heart with us in tears. These past few years have been difficult for this family, but praise God who alone can bring reconciliation where man sees no hope. We love all of this family dearly and we are excited to see what God has in store for Jennifer, Jamey & their family. What an incredible sight to witness.

The choir followed with a song about God's greatness & how He performs miracles. This is probably the absolute best song the choir sings. Maybe. We have an incredible choir with some incredible songs. This one has meant so much to our church though and it comes to life as I stand there and look across the congregation at the many people we've seen struggle as they fight our their faith in God in this battle of life. I saw Mike in his wheelchair who is constantly teetering on the brink of death, sitting with his oxygen tank, just released from the hospital where he had a serious case of pneumonia. His faithful wife stood by his side as they renewed their vows and now they stand there in front of the church publicly glorifying God for how great He is. They came to know the Lord only a few years ago yet the faith they've displayed could put to shame many a lifelong Christian. There have been many Sundays where Mike stood singing in the choir, oxygen tank and all & sang his heart out until he could physically stand no more and had to be helped home by his fellow brothers in Christ.

Shirley steps down from the choir to publicly reaffirm her commitment, faith & love for Christ. Four years previous this woman lost her husband to cancer. Two years later she nursed her daughter through cancer into good health only to have it return months later and send her home to her Savior. Shirley arrived home in time to nurse her son through his battle with cancer. He went home to be with His Lord a few weeks ago. He desired his funeral to be a worship service because he rejoiced knowing He was going home. And worship we did! Shirley has stood firm in her Lord through these trials and has continually demonstrated the sacrificial love of Christ to not only her earthly family, but her church family and those who need a church family.

I could continue with stories of marriages restored, couples fighting & struggling to make it, yet willing to recommit publicly to love one another anew. Relationships restored. Drug dealers turning their lives over to the Lord. Addictions broken. Broken hearts made new. Lives saved.

There are still so many broken lives, but I have hope in my God who is a God of miracles. Even now I can't help but weep as I think of all He's done for me, my family, and those I love. I pray today, that even as you read this, you can't help but catch a glimpse of How Great Is Our God.

The centerpiece on Sunday's dessert table.