Meeting Covenant Community

This past week, I listened to a talk given by Iain Murray at Capital Hill Baptist Church on George Whitefield and catholicity, or evangelical unity. Murray gave examples of how Whitefield saw Christians not primarily as members of certain denominations or churches, but first and foremost as members of the body of Christ.

Tonight we experienced a very real demonstration of that. A group from our church met with another nearby church for dinner, fellowship, worship, and teaching. It's wild how you can have an instant connection with people you've never met before simply because you're both believers.

But what made this meeting especially significant was the fact that, on Easter Sunday, this church will meet by itself for the last time, and the following Sunday they will come worship with us. We are going to spend the summer getting to know each other and helping them learn who we are as a church and what we are about. And then next fall they will decide, individually and as families, whether to join our church permanently or not.

What I was aware of as we shook hands and took turns introducing ourselves tonight, was that these people are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of them may link arms with us in a more personal way. But no matter what they each decide, it's a pleasure to get to know them. They love Jesus and they are seeking to serve Him with their lives. I was surprised at what an encouragement that was to my faith.

Bingley and the Baby

Bingley is doing a little better with the baby. Like a youngest child, he appears to be both jealous and curious. I am trying to be patient but firm with him. I guess I really have four children...

One Month Old

Abigail turned one month old on Tuesday. She still sleeps most the time. She has a lovely rose complexion and a generally contented spirit. She's got a great smile, too, but I haven't caught it on camera yet.

What a gift from God!

April Showers Bring...

...Muddy Children

Carrousel

Lily's been waiting since November to visit the "big merry-go-round" near Grandma and Grandpa R's house. We took advantage of the easier schedule over spring break to finally make a trip. The motion was a bit much for William, but Lily totally loved it. And we had the extra treat of being joined by Tio 'Teo, Auntie Mim, and Lydia as well as Grandpa R.

Abigail's Favorite Place

Good News for April Fools

"And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray." Isa. 35:8

I'm not sure if Spurgeon purposefully picked this Scripture for today's date in the Chequebook of Faith, but I thought it was pretty appropriate.