Mixing Work and Recreation“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Colossians 3:23There was a recent poll taken in 2010 by the Conference Board research group that says 55% of Americans are not satisfied with their work. Why do you think that this is? One reason for this, I believe, is that somewhere along the way, work became a chore and solely to make money and not fun.
When students come into my office seeking vocational advice, I always respond to them to: 1) do something in which you could most glorify God, and 2) do something that you are passionate about. But, somewhere the dream of making a better world became a dream of making money to better our shelves. Money is material and does not last. In fact, the money you make is not even yours but God’s.
What if we went to work to enjoy what we do, and not go after the green? Work and play do not have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, I would say that you could glorify God to your fullest by working for his glory and enjoying it in the process, rather than mundanely working for want of a better life. As John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” Indeed, this goes for work as well.
Returning to the Dominican RepublicIf you remember from one of last year’s newsletters, I defined my trip to the Dominican Republic as “The largest spiritual renewal in my life, other than my conversion to Christianity.” This year I have the pleasure of taking 27 students back to the place were I found a love for those who are less fortunate, and learned how deep Christ’s love and joy goes. The total cost of the trip is $28,600, and we have currently raised approx. $15,000. If you would like to know how to support a student on this trip, please read the attached note.
Please pray for the following students going on the trip: Alexis Wilder, Andrew Weber, Ashley Moore, Austin VanHorn, Ben Carlson, Benjamin Schneider, Bob Durso, Cody Latimer, Dan Carmen, Danielle Englert, Elise Hinderliter, Eric Marsteller, Erin O'Brien, Faith Chorpenning, Hannah Geyer, Heather Ludwig, Jesse Wool, Laura Benson, Laura St. Clair, Leigh Wiker, Steve Reich, Nicole Arthur, Robin Gilmore, Rosie Morrison, Sara Keally Simpson, Titus Jones, and Ty Cline.Why We Do What We Do 
Meet Megan Klansek. Megan is a freshmen nursing major at Pitt. Megan is unique in the sense that her parents are missionaries and she spent a good portion of her life in Romania. She is quirky, upbeat, and very grounded. One interesting fact about her is that when she was a little girl and other kids were playing house, she pretended that she was a missionary smuggling bibles into other countries. Read more about her.
1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? My favorite movie is Mulan or Schindler’s List, and my absolute favorite books are Agatha Christie Mysteries. I'm just discovering current music, so for now my favorite band is The Civil Wars.
2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I've been coming to Cornerstone since the beginning of this year, my freshman year. I joined leadership this semester as a leader in a Freshman Bible study. I also will be playing piano on the Cornerstone worship team.
3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? A Cornerstone message that particularly resonated with me was one on the issue of pride. It allowed me to recognize this as a stumbling block in many different aspects of my life: pride over being a Christian and thinking those who weren't saved were somehow less than me, theological pride in thinking knowledge of the Bible put me over other believers, pride that kept me from being vulnerable in relationships.
The worship and community I get to experience in Cornerstone have complemented what I took from this message. Seeing real-life examples of humility, before God and others, serves as a great encouragement in the continuing struggle against a prideful nature. It also reminds me to pray for humility and Christ-like characteristics instead of letting these issues in myself get overlooked or buried under the piles of papers and test studying.
I have been doing student profiles for about a year now, and it never ceases to amaze me how God has worked through students in Cornerstone. It has also never ceased to amaze me how God has worked through my supporters to help minister to students like Megan. By supporting me in both prayer and finances, you (with God’s grace) have made it possible for me too fully minister to Pitt students. As you can see, we are now at $2,700 per month, or 93% of where we need to be. All the donations in the past couple of months have been great and we thank God for all of you, but we could still use your 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 monthly support again, possibly obtain a raise, and I will have more time to minister to students. 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 Cornerstone 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
After a somewhat busy holiday season, things have been pretty quiet. Asher’s toddling has become a bit more stable. Walking is now his main form of transportation around the house. It’s not always the most pretty walk (frankly he walks a bit like Frankenstein’s monster), but he is pretty fast at getting to where he wants to go.
We have been preparing for Benjamin to go to pre-school next year and have applied for him to go to a Montessori School. I know that I am a dad and have to brag, but Benjamin has intelligence beyond any four year old I have ever seen. He has the ability to read books (in which he taught himself how to read a good amount of the words), and has a memory that is scary. In fact, he has memorized every street between our home and the church (including ones we do not take) and can give clear and precise directions of how to get to there and back.
Joshua is still going through the pains of potty training, and seems to finally be getting a hold of it. Hopefully it sticks. He is still madly in love with football, and even plans on having a football/Steelers party for his third birthday in March. And yes, he was very sad when the Steelers lost the Super Bowl, asking the question, “Why did they lose?” In fact, I’m still in mourning myself . There’s always next year, I guess.
Emily and I are doing well, doing our best to enjoy the opportunities that are given to us in and out of our household.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported our ministry prayerfully and financially. We could not do this job without Christ’s love working through you. Thanks and God bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
