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The following devotional is a transcript of a video devotional that was originally recorded as part...
December 3, 2021
“Everything from quarks to quasars, butterflies to brain cells, was created so that you and I might delight in the display of divine glory. We alone can glorify God by rejoicing in the beauty of His creative handiwork and relishing the splendor of His revelation in the Person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ.” —Kelly Monroe Kullberg, Founder of The Veritas Forum; Editor/Co-Author of Finding God (at/Beyond) Harvard

Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

In the Apostle Paul’s closing exhortation in his letter to the church in Philippi, he shared a final imperative. He told them to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise” [Phil. 4:8 ESV]. This is no small challenge in a society convulsed with hard news. This plea follows his equally challenging instruction to give thanks in all circumstances as we wrestle with anxiety and frame and express heartfelt prayers to God. I can't think of a more practical chapter in the scriptures to bolster our mental health. It has been a joy to compare notes with students who have had their young(er) worlds turned upside down for nearly two years. As I share this update and reflect on the quote I shared from KMK, I must confess that I feel the need to engage with this prescription once again!

December 3, 2021
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20
As we begin the liturgical season of Advent, we give thanks to God for the tenderness of heart our students have towards Jesus Christ as they extend His grace and peace and honor Him in the practice of righteous living.

December 3, 2021
Hello CU Caritas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Stanford students have begun their final exams, which end on Friday (or sooner for some). It’s a sprint to the finish! Then they’re off to a welcome three-week break over the Christmas holidays.

In our last Bible course, leading into this most challenging part of the quarter, we meditated on Philippians 3:7-11:

December 3, 2021
Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

As we enter the month of December, the students at CU Martus on the campus of Penn have been earnestly engaged in growing more in their gratitude of the gospel and focusing their intentions on flourishing Christ-centered friendships. Our weekly gatherings and outreach efforts have produced many good fruits in wisdom, devotion, kinship, and the transition of their hearts to mimic that of our Savior’s, Christ Jesus.

December 3, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,

Why should a Yale student read the Bible? As someone who teaches the Bible in both university and church contexts, I am intrigued that people read the Bible for various reasons. Some are fascinated by its ethical imperatives, spiritual claims, literary achievement, or influence on Western culture. Whatever the reason, the Bible is being read, and that’s a good thing. But when is doing something good ever good enough?

December 2, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

After having enjoyed Thanksgiving break, our students are in the final stretch of the semester. Year-end leadership meetings, Bible courses, and the CU Vita Christmas party are fast approaching and the students have loads of academic work to finish up during the coming weeks. As we look back on the semester, we are grateful for God’s gracious and powerful work in our midst. He has spoken through His Word, brought new believers to faith, and shined His light on the campus of Cornell through this amazing group of students. Thank you for praying for us for a strong finish to the semester!

December 1, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is already coming to a close! In just a few short weeks, and after many coffee-fueled late night study sessions (who among us doesn’t procrastinate?), our students will submit their final papers and take their last exams before heading home. We’re all looking forward to a little rest after a busy season, but it’s so bittersweet. We’ve been blessed beyond measure by a truly wonderful group of young women and men who so eagerly seek the Lord! They’ve poured their heart into one another and into spreading the love of Christ across campus. In a few days, we’ll be putting up a Christmas tree in the Judson Center and celebrating Christmas together before saying many sad goodbyes as they leave campus.

November 8, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Greetings from Providence!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already November. We continue to give thanks to the Lord for the new faces that joined our ministry since the start of the semester, and we are so thankful that we’ve been able to meet in-person for Bible courses and discipleship meetings. The students are craving the warmth and assurance of personal interaction, and thanks to your financial support, we’ve been able to host family dinners and praise nights at the Judson Center. These community-wide events have proven to be so beneficial in providing students spiritual and emotional support as they re-adjust to life on campus following the turmoil of the last 18 months.

November 5, 2021
Hello CU Caritas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Greetings from Palo Alto!

Students’ initial excitement of being back on campus at Stanford (after a long time away!) is waning, and midterm season has been going strong for multiple weeks now. Students are in need of refreshment from the Lord! I suppose we all are, all the time.

November 5, 2021
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” – Psalm 106.1

Dear CU Martus Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Greetings in the Lord! We now find ourselves heavily engaged with Bible courses, daily prayer, leadership development, Philia, Brogram, and reaching Penn students with the gospel.

November 5, 2021
Dear Cornerstone Partners and friends of CU Lux,

Every community of Christians is called to pursue humility. In our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians this semester, students at CU Lux learned that early Christians incorporated a hymn about Christ’s humility in their worship (Phil. 2:5-11). The hymn celebrates Christ’s life of selflessness, from his divine preexistence to his undeserved death and exaltation. The one who enjoyed equality with God emptied himself. Instead of clinging to the advantages of that equality, Christ set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, becoming human. He lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death—a crucifixion.

November 4, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

We praise God for partners like you in supporting the work He is doing through Christian Union Lumine at Columbia. The students have reached the halfway point of the semester and are finishing up their midterms. It’s truly hard to believe how fast this semester is going!

November 4, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe that the Freshmen Campaign is complete and now the fall term nearly is as well. It’s been a joy to see the normal rhythms and rituals of Dartmouth life return this academic year. Being together again for Bible course, The Vine, and our social events have been such a blessing. To contradict the popular saying, we did know what we were missing by not gathering together. Would you please join us in praying for these few requests:

November 4, 2021
“A person who rejects Christ may choose to say that I do not accept it, he may not choose to say there is not enough evidence.” -Simon Greenleaf, Founding Faculty Member, Harvard Law School

Dear CU Gloria Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Greenleaf’s Testimony of the Evangelists is one of a thousand such apologetic works from lawyers, literary scholars, philosophers, and theologians who have argued for through the ages the veracity of the teachings of Jesus and eyewitness testimonies of his earliest followers. Last month I mentioned the stunning ‘Christ hymn’ in Philippians, chapter 2 (see also John 1:1-18; Colossians 1:15-20). As I say to students all of the time, the descriptions of the nature and person of Jesus in the New Testament are crazy talk unless we can support and defend them. The onus is on us to do our homework and to keep an open mind.

November 4, 2021
Dear CU Nova Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Christian Union Nova remains strong as students study the book of Philippians and near the end of a semester with zeal and genuine camaraderie.

First-year students are engaged in Bible courses and readily share how much they appreciate their fellowship with those of the same precious faith! In addition, many upperclassmen have returned to their Bible courses with greater levels of commitment, and student-to-student discipleship pairs continue to be a place for nurtured friendships. At the same time, large group meetings are charged with sincere worship and messages that convict us all to seek God, love one another, and trust in the reliability of Scripture.

November 2, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

We continue to be encouraged by the ways that our students are growing and maturing in Christ, and the ways that they are reaching out with the gospel of Christ at Cornell. Bible courses and prayer meetings have been well-attended, students are enjoying fellowship at the Mott Center and events like hockey games, pumpkin carving, and hikes. Through it all God is at work to build the community, advance His kingdom, and open doors for the gospel.

October 7, 2021
Dear CU Libertas Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

The last few weeks have been such a blessing for the team here at Brown! The weather continues to cool down, the leaves are beginning to change to familiar autumn hues, and, for the first time in two years, we’ve been able to welcome freshmen to campus. Your faithful support has made it possible for us to greet many of these students face-to-face, hosting them for meals at the Judson Center and grabbing coffee on Thayer Street. Additionally, we’ve been able to connect with a number of sophomores who weren’t in-person last fall. These students desire to be a part of Christian community; they’re eager to pray together, desperate to see the Lord move on campus, and, perhaps more than at any point in recent memory, motivated for the work of evangelism and outreach.

October 4, 2021
Dear CU Lumine Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

The familiar words (above) spoken by the Apostle Paul to the saints in Philippi ring true for my heart towards you as well. Your faithful support (financially and through prayers and encouragement) have made it possible to reach so many incoming freshmen and new to in-person Columbia sophomores this past month.

October 4, 2021
Dear CU Vita Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

While the weather is cooling down at Cornell, the academics are heating up, as our students have been taking prelim exams over recent weeks. Bible courses have been very well attended and weekly prayer meetings are getting underway. One of our sophomore leaders, an engineering major from Pennsylvania, decided to lead a new prayer meeting on Wednesday nights. We are encouraged that an increasing number of students are feeling led to seek the Lord for personal renewal and wider revival together with their friends.

October 4, 2021
Dear CU Vox Cornerstone Partners and friends of the ministry,

Autumn in Hanover is spectacular and it’s a delight to have the entire student population back on campus. There are still some Covid protocols in place but overall, campus life feels like it has returned to normal. The bustle of students in town is a welcome sight even if it means getting stuck in traffic waiting at crosswalks.