it might just be love!

We've been sharing at Cornerstone Church in Bear, Delaware for six years now, and while we've always had a great time, last night, this morning and this afternoon with Cornerstone (or Rock-Stone, as Lily calls it) was just plain awesome.

You know I'm always behind Matt, but today he just shared what I felt to be a powerful, clear and very inspired message...I felt like I had a chance to grow in the Word, to be touched by the simple truth of the True Gospel and like I had been surrounded by His Church.  It was great!

He preached mostly from Psalm 51, written by David after committing adultery, lying, and committing murder.  His plea for forgiveness, not because of his regret but because of God's "unfailing love" (hesed: when a superior shows grace or blessing to an inferior, especially when it is unmerited), gave a powerful testimony...

...and then David's desire not only for justification, but for the miraculous creation of a clean heart, for sanctification...

It's the powerful Message of the Gospel, and I was proud of Matt for sharing it so boldly, clearly, theologically, quite un-popularly and passionately.  I love this man and the heart and gift that God has given him to do exactly what He very clearly told Matt to do before Matt was even walking with Him...teach My Word.

We were also particularly blessed that Casey and Laura, our nephew Nico, Grammy and Pop-Pop all came to one of the services.  We don't have a chance to go to church together often...maybe once or twice a year, so this was precious!

But it wasn't just the message that made today so good, man...it was the people.  His church at Cornerstone is a very loving, interested, desire to grow, compassionate people.  We saw a LOT of people between the five services, and were both really blessed by the great interest Cornerstone has as a whole to go deep with the Lord and to be changed by His Word.  

There are some great things happening at Cornerstone, and our times at churches across the US this summer have been encouraging and inspiring to a degree we've never before experienced.  

And we were super-unexpectedly-blessed by Uncle Don and Aunt Brenda coming all the way to one of the services.  Our relationship with them is an example of hesed in itself.  They're constantly pouring unmerited favor on us out of their love for Him, and we were so blessed to have our Don family and Ayars family with our Cornerstone family!!

What a great day.  The girls enjoyed the rest of it with their beloved cousin and outside riding bikes and toting around their fat little friend, Peter.

Thank you, Cornerstone, from the bottom of our hearts for all of your help, all of your prayers, all of your hugs and encouragement this weekend, and most, for just being faithful to Him.  There is no better encouragement to us as your brother and sister than the testimony of your lives!