July Newsletter

No Other Gods

One of the first lessons parents try to teach their children is how to share. Fathers and mothers are forever reminding their sons and daughters to share their space, share their toys, and share their food. “You have to share,” they say.

As important as it is to learn how to share, it is also important to realize that some things are not meant to be shared. A bite-sized candy bar, for example. Or a unicycle. Or a piece of confidential information, like the answers to a test. Or, to take an even more serious example, the sexual love between a husband and wife. These things were never intended to be shared with someone else. In order to be used properly, they have to be kept exclusive.

If some things were never meant to be shared, then it is not surprising to learn that there are times when even God refuses to share. He is a loving and merciful God who loves to pour out his mercy and grace on his people. But there are some things that he will not share. This is especially true when it comes to his deity. God will not share his glory with any other God.

This is an essential commandment, the one that comes before all of the others and lays the foundation for them. Before we learn anything else about what God demands, we need to know who he is and who we are in relationship to him. God does not share the stage with any other performers. He refuses to have any colleagues. He will not even acknowledge that he has any genuine rivals. God does not simply lay claim to one part of our life and worship; he demands that we dedicate all we are and all we have to the service of his praise. Thus the Ten Commandments begin by asserting the great theological principle of soli Deo Gloria: glory to God alone.


Honduras (Why We Do What We Do)

The jungle is hot. It’s even hotter with the humidity. Beads of sweat are rolling down my face as I walk through San Jose, from church to church talking with the pastors. The idea is to create something new, something exciting, amongst the villagers there: a festival that would unite every denomination and praise the Almighty God. The denominations hate each other there, so I expected my work to be difficult. Instead, I found that all were eager to participate.

Clods of red dirt turn to dust beneath my feet, dying my shoes the same color. I am going over in my mind what I will say at this festival, for I have been elected to speak. How will I relate to the Hondurans? My life is cushy and lazy compared to theirs.

My mind is racing from thought to thought. I can’t help but flashback to my time in the Dominican Republic. What did I learn there? That all who calls on the name of Christ can have a common, unsurpassing joy. That’s when I realize that I am thinking too much, and need to rely on God and not myself.

Days later, it is time for the festival. I walk across the front porch of our complex, nervous and sweaty. “Why didn’t I write any notes for this sermon?” I ask myself. Quickly, I remind myself that it is not I leading this talk tonight, but the Holy Spirit. “Let God take charge…Let God take Charge,” I remind myself.

I look up at the crowd of 300, wondering what I am going to say. Then, something moves in me. Words start pouring out of me, as if I didn’t know where they are coming from. I tell of the story of Zacchaeus, and his longing to look upon a savior. I tell of God’s overwhelming love for those he has created. I tell them that neither height, nor depth, nor any living thing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ. I tell them that only Jesus Christ can fill their void, much like he did for Zacchaeus.

I am much more animated, much more vibrant than I have ever been before. The Gospel has been presented, and I walk off the porch with a new vigor, and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ. I truly know I put God first. I have no idea what the Hondurans thought of my sermon, but I know that I did God’s work.

There are so many things I can say about this trip. Certainly God was glorified.


Financial Update

The past two months have been rough financially for Emily and me. For the first time since we began college ministry, we have not had a full paycheck two months in a row. It has been difficult and we’ve had to tighten our budget even more, but God has provided. I have been working extra hard to build up our lost funds, and know that God will eventually even things out. It has added some extra stress though, and sometimes it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Fundraising is such a tough part of the job that I often ignore or delay it. I think the past two months have been a great way for Emily and me to truly rely on God’s provision. I have had no choice but to face the thing in my ministry that I dread the most. God has truly been changing my heart about fundraising. I am even beginning to (gasp) enjoy it.

Because of an increase in health insurance and ministry expenses, we now have to raise an additional $300 a month. Our support has risen from $2,600 to $2,900. We are currently at 89% of where we need to be. We thank you for your enthusiasm to be part of this ministry and glorify God. We pray that we can be at full support again, and know that God will provide for us.

Because of the increase, I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. This could help me easily raise the extra expenses. With this money, I will have more time to minister to students and lead mission’s trips. We are always looking for new supporters that help make this ministry possible. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through gift and/or prayer. We trust for you and for us that God will provide. He always has, and He always will. Remember that any gift is a good gift. We thank you, and may God bless you richly because you have given to advance His kingdom! Please be in prayer that God will continue to build our support team and that we would be faithful in doing our part. Also pray that God will ease our anxieties or fears of fundraising.


Moore News

Shortly after I came home from the Honduras trip, I discovered that my grandmother, Dorothy “Dottie” Moore, had passed away from congestive Heart failure. It was hard, though not unexpected news. When my grandfather, and her husband, passed away three months ago we thought it was only a matter of time before she went to be with the Lord. It has been a difficult few months for my family, but it is good to know that we can take refuge in God’s grace.

In other news, Emily, the boys and I will be taking a vacation and traveling to Virginia to visit our close friends who recently moved there. We cannot wait to see them, and have some nice, relaxing down time.

We thank God everyday for all of you, and pray that he blesses you richly!

Also, check out our new facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131453700205205) and our blog (http://thepittstop220.blogspot.com).


In Christ,



Andy Moore