“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15:58
In President John F. Kennedy’s famous speech “We Choose to Go to the Moon” he said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
Sometime in the course of history, someone came up with the phrase, “You have to do what works for you.” This phrase, though it does have a small inkling of truth behind it, has become an excuse for someone to be lazy. How many times have we asked someone to complete a task, just to find the task unfinished and the person saying, “Sorry, it just wasn’t my thing,” or “Sorry, it just didn’t work for me?” Getting out of what makes us uncomfortable seems to be a top priority.
And don’t think that it hasn’t affected the Christian world as well. This excuse can make one spiritually lazy as well. Reading may not be “our thing,” so we don’t spend time in God’s word. Prayer may not be our thing, so we don’t communicate with our Lord.
If we look at the world through Christian spectacles, we know that everything belongs to God. There is nothing that does not exist outside of God’s hand. When God calls us to do something that is out of our comfort zone, we have no choice but to obey. After all God does not necessarily call us to be comfortable, but to Glorify and love him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
When we take in this Christian worldview, we know what our sole purpose is in life. We labor in order to persevere and further the Gospel, no matter where it might take us, what situation it might put us in, or what vocation we might pursue. I am not a minister because it’s cushy or looks good on a resume, but because this is where God put me and I have no choice but to obey. I do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard. I do it not to exalt myself, but to glorify God.
So in whatever hard or easy task you must partake in, do so with a joy and hope in Jesus Christ. In everything you do, glorify him.
OCBP
This year Cornerstone had the privilege of sending two of our students, Russ Ludwig and Holly Asher, to the Ocean City Beach Project (OCBP). OCBP is a summer-long community living opportunity for Christian college students to develop further as campus leaders. It provides the opportunity for them to grow personally in their faith and to develop a broader Christian worldview. They work and worship in one community and are being challenged to become a kingdom leader while living with other college students in a large beach house on the Jersey shore.
It has been a few years since Cornerstone has sent anyone to the OCBP, so it was amazing to have not just one, but two students. Russ and Holly both seem to be enjoying themselves immensely, and are being challenged in various ways. I can’t wait for them to get back and share their stories of transformation, and see what new gifts they bring to the Cornerstone community!
Why We Do What We Do
Meet Mike Stück. Mike is a junior majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. I have come to know Mike over the past two years in our discipleship group. He is a very gifted student who always puts God first.1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite movie is The Dark Knight, and my favorite book is Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I don't really have a favorite band, but I love alternative, classic rock, and Christian rock. DC Talk's got to be the band that's held the number one spot in my heart for the longest.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I have been involved in Cornerstone through Bible studies, freshmen Bible study, and leading first freshmen Bible study and then the service team. Cornerstone has introduced me to my best friends at Pitt, and it's the best place for me to feel at home when I'm stressed or tired.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone, along with the college experience as a whole, has taught me a lot in the past couple years. I've learned much more about myself than I thought was left to learn. I have grown closer to God through what Cornerstone has taught me, but personally the main thing I had to learn was that there were some things in my life that I needed to unlearn. Cornerstone has done more than just "teach Christian truths" and "drawn me closer to God;" it has really shown me a lot about what those two things mean, how they fit into my life, and some of the stupid assumptions I'd made about them in the past. Cornerstone is teaching me to have a real faith and not just to say that.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” -Philippians 4:19-20
It has been a difficult summer financially, but God has provided. Through hard work, and God’s grace and provision, we are starting to get out of our financial funk. God is good! We are not exactly sure where we are at financially yet, but we know that we are in a much better place. The chart above reflects the past month’s paychecks. We have had an increase in promised supporters and will let you know in next month’s newsletter of what that increase is. Just because we are better off financially does not mean that we don’t need help. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% on top of their usual giving. With this money we can be at full support again, and I will have more time to minister to students like Mike. 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 your financial gifts and your prayer. Remember that any gift is a good gift. In the past few months, we have truly witnessed God’s provision. 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.Moore News
There is not a whole lot to report on from home. The whole family got a chance (with some friends) to go to Latrobe, PA and attend Steelers’ training camp. Benjamin and Joshua absolutely loved it. They enjoyed watching the players, and participating in the games and activities that the camp provided. I, on the other hand, enjoyed standing on the sideline and watching the world’s greatest football franchise practice. Ah, it is almost football season. I can’t wait.It has been a busy few weeks for Asher, and therefore a busy few weeks for Emily. In the course of a week, he started pulling himself up, trying to walk supported, and cut a tooth. We had no idea he had cut a tooth, until he bit Emily’s finger. He is always in a constant state of happiness and did not fuss at all. Pretty amazing.
As summer winds down, please be in prayer for our family. We have to adjust back to the school hours, and that can sometime be a bit rough on the kids.
Thank you for all of your love, support, and prayers! We love all of you and hope that God blesses you richly!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
