The Church that Shouts LIFE

   "Anthony vive. Anthony vive. Anthony VIVE!" I remember three years ago gathering around that grave site in one of the most powerful moments of my life. We were there burying our friend and brother, Anthony Cadena. Death seemingly won that day swallowing him whole, but we stood together, as a family, and in the face of death shouted back, "Anthony lives. Anthony lives. Anthony LIVES!" That day there was a truth bigger than our present reality. There was a life that was overcoming the death around us. 

   This sense of family and the way that this church corporately shouts LIFE is the reason that I initially fell in love with Candelaria and New Song. I remember seeing teenagers that came from broken homes. They found family that they needed here. They found people that believed in who they are in the Lord and called them to step into the life of the Spirit. I fell in love with that face of the Lord. And It's why I returned. 

In [Jesus] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:4-5

   There is darkness all around because we live in a broken and dying world. There is also light that shines forth in the darkness that cannot be overcome. Jesus is that light. We can walk carrying that light. We can shine in the darkness. We can bring life where there is nothing but death. That is our calling and inheritance as children of God. 

   Thankfully, I still see the church shouting back LIFE in the face of death. This week I got to be a part of a really sacred moment with Iliana, our newest widow and her family. Iliana's husband passed away last week from chronic kidney disease (read my previous post: The Disease that Whispers Death). Both of her boys are very involved in our Sunday school program. The amazing group of teachers that I work with, decided to come around her. We put together a care package for Iliana and her family from our Sunday school offering money. Each of the teachers also decided to buy something with their own money to add to the basket. On Sunday morning we showed up at her house. It was about more than some basic provisions. It was a moment to let her know that the church loves her and is standing with her, that she and her boys are not alone. As soon as she opened her mouth to speak, Iliana just started sobbing. She had the brightest smile on her face and tears streaming down her cheeks. Immediately, the teachers surrounded her, embraced her and began to pray powerfully over her heart. It was a sacred moment. A moment of Glory and seeing the church BE the true Church. They are caring for widows in their distress. They are living forth love. They are shouting back LIFE when death surrounds them. They are welcoming people into their family. I'm thankful to be a part of this beautiful community.