October 2014 Newsletter

Is God's Will My Will?
“This is the will of God, your sanctification . . .” —1 Thessalonians 4:3

Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to sanctify me— is it my will? Am I willing to let God do in me everything that has been made possible through the atonement of the Cross of Christ? Am I willing to let Jesus become sanctification to me, and to let His life be exhibited in my human flesh? (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). Beware of saying, “Oh, I am longing to be sanctified.” No, you are not. Recognize your need, but stop longing and make it a matter of action. Receive Jesus Christ to become sanctification for you by absolute, unquestioning faith, and the great miracle of the atonement of Jesus will become real in you.

All that Jesus made possible becomes mine through the free and loving gift of God on the basis of what Christ accomplished on the cross. And my attitude as a saved and sanctified soul is that of profound, humble holiness (there is no such thing as proud holiness). It is a holiness based on agonizing repentance, a sense of inexpressible shame and degradation, and also on the amazing realization that the love of God demonstrated itself to me while I cared nothing about Him (see Romans 5:8). He completed everything for my salvation and sanctification. No wonder Paul said that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

Sanctification makes me one with Jesus Christ, and in Him one with God, and it is accomplished only through the magnificent atonement of Christ. Never confuse the effect with the cause. The effect in me is obedience, service, and prayer, and is the outcome of inexpressible thanks and adoration for the miraculous sanctification that has been brought about in me because of the atonement through the Cross of Christ.
-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Fall Retreat
On September 26-28, we had our signature fellowship event: The Fall Retreat. It was a great weekend away from the city for approximately seventy students, with food, games, and teaching by Cornerstone alum Rich Herbster. Rich, a pastor of Mt. Pleasant Church in Aliquippa, PA and an adjunct professor at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA, spoke on Elijah. I don’t ever recall hearing a lesson on the Prophet Elijah (other than what I’ve heard in Sunday school or through personal study), so I found this talk series quite refreshing and engaging as did the students. The Fall Retreat was wonderful opportunity to connect with students that I haven’t had the chance of getting to know and deepening continued relationships.

Meet the Students

Meet Samantha “Sam” Gremler, a sophomore Developmental Psychology major at the University of Pittsburgh. Sam has a very bubbly, infectious personality that has been a welcome addition to Cornerstone. She is one of our three prayer leaders, and is currently being discipled by Emily. Read more about her…

1. What is your favorite movie, book, and band/music? For my favorite movie, this one’s a tough one, I would have to say Bicentennial Man. But Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is up there, too! I don’t get to read many books in my free time, but one I could read over and over again is Christmas After All: The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift. I love Christian music and movie soundtracks, particularly Disney. And I also love oldies (60s and 70s music) because I grew up listening to that in my dad’s car.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I joined Cornerstone almost immediately last year as a freshman, and have been involved ever since. I decided to apply to join the prayer team during the second semester to try and become more involved and to help the ministry of Cornerstone and to help future freshmen and Cornerstoners on their walks of faith. Because of band, I am never able to be a part of everything, but I try to attend and participate as much as I can!

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? The journey from high school senior to college freshman was particularly rough for me, but having a community at Cornerstone of people who genuinely and sincerely wanted to encourage me and hear about my life was so helpful last year and even going into this year. I have found some of my best friends through Cornerstone and the people I have met have truly influenced and helped me on my walk with Christ, and have helped me stay grounded and firm in my faith through the tough times college can bring.

Financial Update
Please read the following pledge letter.  Click on the link for the full picture, or on the picture itself.  If you would like to donate, please use the information on the navigation bar or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org.

Financial Pledge Full (Link)

Moore News

There is not much to report from the Moore household. The boys are continuing to play soccer until the end of October, and then they will join a futsal league (a variation of soccer played indoors and with a heavier ball) in the winter which will help them work on the technical aspects of soccer. It has been interesting watching them play, since I don’t really know anything about the sport (other than when my sister, Bekie, used play in high school). All seem to be naturals. Benjamin is the better all-around player: great at defense and can shoot or get the assist when necessary. Joshua is better offensively, however, and is natural at scoring goals for his age group. Asher is learning to get in the action and get his foot on the ball. Other than that, their time is either consumed with homework, Pokémon (Pokémon cards have invaded our house), Star Wars, or playing with their friends. They are quite good at keeping themselves busy, and in turn keeps Emily and me busy.

Emily is doing well, and has been heavily involved with the women’s ministry at the church. She also was overseeing the new landscape project at Bellefield, which seems ideal since she is a landscape architecture major. She is going to be running the Hershey Half Marathon this October, and has been training hard and diligently for that. I even got to run eight miles with her one day, and know that she is going to do great.

We hope that this newsletter finds you well, and pray that God continues to bless you.

In Christ,
Andy Moore