The Love of God

Valentine's was on Saturday and we kept it pretty simple. I made Red Velvet pancakes for the family and then we went about our regular Saturday duties. Those included at least one load of laundry in my fun new red laundry room. It still makes me smile. It's one of those things that I just like more and more as time goes on, just like the man behind the whole project!

Sunday morning, we sang one of my favorite songs, "The Love of God." I especially enjoyed the following illustration from Sunday's message as well.

John 3:16 was the verse through which D. L. Moody learned to appreciate the greatness of God's love. Moody had been to Britain in the early days of his ministry and there had met a young English preached named Henry Moorhouse. One day Moorhouse said to Moody, "I am thinking of going to America." 

"Well," said Moody, "if you should ever get to Chicago, come down to my church and I will give you a chance to preach."

Moody did not mean to be hypocritical when he said this, of course. He was merely being polite. Nevertheless, he was saying to himself that he hoped Moorhouse would not come, for Moody had not heard him preach and had no idea of what he would say should he come to Chicago. Sometime later, after Moody had returned home, the evangelist received a telegram that said, "Have just arrived in New York. Will be in Chicago on Sunday. Moorhouse." Moody was perplexed about what he should do, and to complicate matters he was just about to leave for a series of meetings elsewhere. "Oh, my," he thought, "here I am about to be gone on Sunday, Moorhouse is coming, and I have promised to let him preach." Finally he said to his wife and to the leaders of the church, "I think that I should let him preach once. So let him preach once; then if the people enjoy him, put him on again."

Moody was gone for a week. When he returned he said to his wife, "How did the young preacher do?"

"Oh, he is a better preacher than you are," his wife said. "He is telling sinners that God loves them."

"That is not right," said Moody. "God does not love sinners."

"Well," she said, "you go and hear him."

"What?" said Moody. "Do you mean to tell me that he is still preaching?"

"Yes, he has been preaching all week, and he has only had one verse for a text. It is John 3:16."

Moody went to the meeting. Moorhouse got up and began by saying, "I have been hunting for a text all week, and I have not been able to find a better text than John 3:16. So I think we will just talk about it once more." He did. Afterward Moody said it was on that night that he first clearly understood the greatness of God's love.

At Sunday dinner, "God's Conversation Heart" favors were found at each place. 

Other Valentine treats throughout the week included:

Raspberry Cheesecake 

Valentine Sugar Cookies

Red Velvet Fudge

My favorite part? 

Wondering at the amazing Love of God and seeing the tears in the eyes of my children and husband as they too, reveled in the wonder of this love like no other!