After being absent from church for about 2 years, we were quite skeptical about starting up again. My sister-in-law Lisa came for a visit and heard that we weren't attending church. She looked on the Internet for a church for us to attend, and found one in Springfield that had an AWANA program, and the same beliefs. Lisa told us that she and my brother would attend this church with us during their visit (trying to motivate us).
The music worship time was quite different from what Jessica and I were used to. Members seemed to be happy as they worshiped, many of them moved their body parts (arms/hands) up and down. The gestures seemed to be moving with the music. There were about 3 young adults in the front row jumping up and down with their arms in the air. Jessica, my wife, said to me that she thought this jumping was distracting. I thought to myself, well young adults get more excited at rock concerts, that if these men are here worshiping God, then that is just fine with me.
A few weeks ago, we visited again Jessica's parent's church, a large church. In the middle of our music worship time, Jessica leaned over and told me that she "missed our jumpers". Jessica and I have both realized that it's o.k. to get excited when worshipping and praising God.
Don't tell anyone, but often times, we raise our hands and clap with the music too - shhhhhhh.
Although we were skeptical for about a YEAR, we have fallen head-over-heels in love with attending church again.
If you watch the video below, in its entirety, you may see why I just might become a new new jumper!
God Bless!
In His Hands,
John 3:16 (Jesus said)
"For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus). Whosoever believeth in him (Jesus) shall not perish, but have everlasting life."