We say a great many things in church (and out of church too) without thinking of what we are saying. For instance, we say in the Creed “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” I had been saying it for several years before I asked myself why it was in the Creed. At first sight it seems hardly worth putting in. “If one is a Christian,” I thought, “of course one believes in the forgiveness of sins. It goes without saying.” But the people who compiled the Creed apparently thought that this was a part of our belief which we needed to be reminded of every time we went to church. And I have begun to see that, as far as I am concerned, they were right. To believe in the forgiveness of sins is not nearly so easy as I thought. Real belief in it is the sort of thing that very easily slips away if we don’t keep on polishing it up.
We believe that God forgives us our sins; but also that He will not do so unless we forgive other people their sins against us. There is no doubt about the second part of this statement. It is in the Lord’s Prayer; was emphatically stated by our Lord. If you don’t forgive you will not be forgiven. No part of His teaching is clearer, and there are no exceptions to it. He doesn’t say that we are to forgive other people’s sins provided they are not too frightful, or provided there are extenuating circumstances, or anything of that sort. We are to forgive them all, however spiteful, however mean, however often they are repeated. If we don’t, we shall be forgiven none of our own.
-C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Meet the Students
1. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory is relaxing on the beach and watching the jets fly over. I would also always love playing in the water with my brother, and sitting in the hot sand eating chips and cold PB&J’s.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? In Cornerstone, I was introduced to freshman bible study during the fall of my 1st year. After enjoying the bible study, and meeting many great people, I decided to start going to regular Cornerstone meetings on Wednesday nights. Here I got to know older students and started to become a part of the community. Following my familiarization with how Cornerstone worked, I volunteered to put my percussion skills to use and play drums in the worship band on Wednesday nights. I have now become part of the freshman ministry team and am preparing to work with fellow Cornerstone friends and welcome freshman to college and share/live the gospel with them.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Coming to PITT was different for me, because I was the only one here from my High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, and I also had no idea where to look to be involved in a community or place of worship together with others. It was an answered prayer from God that I looked across Fifth Avenue one day and saw a big “CORNERSTONE COLLEGE MINISTRY” sign at a Presbyterian church. This is the exact thing that I had prayed to find. It took me a while to adjust to the new environment of Pittsburgh, eight hours away from home, but I met some wonderful people who were just as interested in seeking the Lord and living like Jesus, just as much as I was. It also brought me to a realization that even in a secular place like college, there is still a way to be devoted to God and bring the joy of Jesus Christ to those that you meet and commune with.
Financial Update
Moore News
With a new college school year also come a new school year for my kids. Benjamin will be going into the third grade, Joshua will be going into the 2nd grade, and Asher will be (gasp) going into Kindergarten. Both Ben and Josh are excited to get back to school (as I am sure Emily is as well), and Asher is thrilled to be joining his big brothers at Fulton Academy. I asked him if he was afraid at all, and he responded, “A little bit. I’m afraid of not being with Mommy and you.” Asher is such a social butterfly that I am sure he will forget about us within a matter of minutes. We just pray that he will be able to not talk through all his classes.
Emily is preparing to be an “empty nester.” I’m sure it will be a hard adjustment for her, but a welcome one. She has done a great job preparing the boys for school that they all seem to have adjusted and excelled. Now she will be looking for part time work, which could also be another big adjustment. So please be in prayer for her with all of this transition.
I pray that this letter finds you well. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:7
In Christ,
Andy Moore
