20722 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg VA

Praise the Lord, what a night to remember…

For so long, I’ve driven past Calvary Chapel and noticed how full it always seemed, cars lined up, lights glowing, worship rising from within those walls.

I had often wondered what it might be like inside, what message was being preached, what hearts were being healed there.

But this week, the Holy Spirit nudged me in that still, quiet way He does, a pull deep within my soul that I could not ignore.

I received an invitation from my dear friend and co-worker, Joanna, one of the worship team leaders at Calvary Chapel. And though I wasn’t sure what to expect, I knew one thing, God wanted me in that place.

From the moment I walked through the doors, I felt it, the presence of God resting in that sanctuary.

The music swelled, voices lifted high in harmony, and I was reminded that worship isn’t about performance, it’s about surrender.

Joanna sat beside me after singing and playing guitar on stage… so that I wouldn’t sit alone, and that gesture of kindness almost brought me to tears before the sermon even began.

This church family, full of hugs, love, and genuine compassion, welcomed me not as a visitor, but as one of their own.

Every handshake, every smile, every embrace felt like the love of Jesus being poured directly into my heart.

Calvary Chapel stands firm on the truth:
The Bible is the inerrant, inspired Word of God.

They teach verse by verse and that is something I deeply admire.

Pastor Troy Warner is leading this congregation through the entire Bible, not once, not twice, but four times. And you can tell. This is a church rooted in Scripture, grounded in prayer, and alive with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Tonight, we focused on 1 John: 3 1-24 “The Children of God”

The message came from 1 John 3:1-24, and though we didn’t reach the final verses, the Word pierced me straight to the heart.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.”
— 1 John 3:1

Pastor Troy spoke with clarity, humility, and depth.

And then, he said something that nearly took the breath from my lungs.

He spoke about how some of us struggle to relate to God as “Father” because of what our earthly fathers/parents were, or were not. And I sat there, frozen, blinking back tears. Because that is my story.

Childhood abuse left me questioning love, struggling to trust, and wondering if I was ever truly seen or wanted.

But when Pastor Troy said that God wants to heal even that wound, the one that distorts our view of Him, I knew that was a word straight from Heaven for me.

“When we understand His love,” Pastor said, “we become willing to sacrifice.”

And isn’t that the truth?

Love changes everything.

Love heals the unhealable.

Love redefines who we are and whose we are.

Pastor Troy reminded us that we cannot just live any way we want and still claim to walk in His light.
We must deny ourselves.
We must love our brothers and sisters.
We must walk as children of God.

He used an analogy I’ll never forget, ask him about the spices and granules.

I needed to hear another message that even a small light, he said, can be seen in the darkest room.
And if that’s all we have, if our light feels dim, our hope fragile, it’s still enough. Because God sees. God knows. God loves.

As I sat there surrounded by people singing, praying, and worshiping, I realized how much my heart needed this reminder.

We cannot earn the love of God, we can only receive it.
We cannot hide from His love, He pursues us relentlessly.
And when we let that love in, it changes everything about the way we see ourselves, and everyone around us.

I thought about my own life, my own story, the pain of my past and I wept in the car on the way home, quietly, because I could feel something breaking loose. I could feel the weight of shame being replaced with something new.
Belonging.

It is a privilege to be a child of God.
It is a privilege to be part of His family.
It is a privilege to be called His own.

Maybe you’re like me, still healing, still learning to believe that God’s love could be for you. Maybe you’ve felt unwanted, unseen, unworthy.

But let me remind you,
You are loved by the same God who spoke galaxies into being.
You are chosen, not by accident, but by grace.
You are seen, even in your hiding place.
And when you finally stop running and turn toward Him, you’ll find that He’s been waiting all along.

As the evening ended, members surrounded me, praying over me, embracing me, and speaking encouragement into my life. I can’t remember the last time I felt so at peace.

To Pastor Troy and his family, to the incredible worship team, to Joanna for sitting beside me and showing such Christ-like kindness, to everyone who reached out with a hug or a smile, thank you.

Thank you for showing me what the family of God looks like.
Thank you for reminding me that love heals.
Thank you for pointing me to the Father’s heart.

I walked out of Calvary Chapel changed. The Holy Spirit had met me there, spoken to my heart, and reminded me that every breath is grace, every day is mercy, and every moment is an opportunity to share His love.

We never know how much time we have left.
So let’s live with love that costs something.
Let’s forgive quickly, serve joyfully, and share boldly.
Let’s hold nothing back because the Father has held nothing back from us.

I will never forget what God spoke to me in this place.
And I can’t wait to see where the Holy Spirit leads me next on this sacred journey.