August 17, 2018
Our Father’s Business: Human Flourishing
Friday, August 17, 2018The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:10-15 (ESV)Sometimes, just after starting my car, I say out loud, “Alright, Carola, the goal is to not hurt the humans. Jesus, help me to not hurt the humans.” I say this because in my rush to arrive somewhere on time or beat the traffic, I have oftentimes forgotten that there are other human beings around me—in cars, on bikes, on sidewalks—whose lives matter just as much as mine. When I do take for granted the preciousness of the lives of others, I find myself taking risks that, upon reflection, are not worth the potential cost.In a similar way, business leaders can lose sight of the other humans that make up their businesses and are affected by their businesses. Volunteering with a labor-rights organization in Trenton, New Jersey, I heard the stories of men and women working in poor conditions for minimum wage, employed by companies of all sizes that seemed to be thriving economically. Yet, at what cost? Who is paying for those business leaders to flourish?August 16, 2018
The Magna Carta of Humanity: Human Nature Post-Auschwitz, Post-Hiroshima, and Pre-Singularity; How the State Serves Both Salvation and Religious Freedom; Some Thoughts and Advice for the College-Bound Students in Your Life; Why Should We Care About the Arts?; Telling a Better Story and more, in this issue of Christian Union's bi-monthly email brief.
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.— Psalm 34:15
August 16, 2018
Thursday, August 16, 2018
How to Win Friends and Influence People “And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Luke 16:9-10 (ESV)It is no secret that the priorities of Jesus regularly riled up the religious leaders of His day. Jesus’ proclivity for welcoming the disreputable “sinners and tax collectors” into relationship and community became a particular target of their ire and scorn. The series of four parables in Luke 15:1-16:15 function in tandem as a sort of “apology” for Jesus’ radical inclusion and acceptance of such shadowy characters as deeply consonant with the shape of God’s coming kingdom in the world.August 15, 2018
Christian Union Celebrates Graduating Students at HLS
Students associated with Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard Law School expressed gratitude for Christ-exalting Bible courses and Christ-centered community at a dinner celebrating the graduation of third-year students (3Ls). Michael Wilkinson, Christian Union’s ministry director at Harvard Law School, said the heart of the evening centered on thanksgiving to the Lord for His abundant grace and provision for the graduates during their time at Harvard Law School (HLS). Wilkinson, who took over as ministry director in the winter of 2017, has high expectations for the five graduating students and also for the ensuing years of ministry at HLS.August 15, 2018
Bryan ’19 Is Inspired by Parents’ Missionary Zeal
While watching his parents serve as missionaries in Ethiopia, a Harvard College student enjoyed a front-row view of the powerful roles of Christian purpose and dedication. “This idea of serving and sacrificing was always shown in a clear and humble way,” said Cooper Bryan. Bryan ’19 highlighted the significance of spiritual fervor when he shared his testimony with students involved in Christian Union’s ministry at Harvard.August 15, 2018
Scripture Keeps Hegefeld ’20 Rooted
Haley Hegefeld made a bold decision at the beginning of 2018. A leader with Christian Union’s ministry at Yale, she proclaimed that this would be “The Year of No Fear.” By God’s grace, Hegefeld ’20 has indeed been walking more in faith, and less in fear. She recently reflected on an academic year of spiritual growth that included being a key member of Christian Union’s Rooted leadership lecture series and culminated with being baptized this spring. “For many years, I struggled with anxiety; not debilitating fears, but annoying ones,” she said. “Nonetheless, I found that I avoided many activities, from playing sports and telling people when they were upsetting me, to getting a new haircut. I felt convicted at the beginning of this year to try and remove fear’s grip on my life. I was tired of it telling me what I could and could not do.”August 15, 2018
Fellowship Will Enable Lind ’18 to Record Album
A Princeton University senior recently landed a prestigious fellowship that will allow the musician to record an album of songs inspired by his service to hospice patients. In April, David Lind ’18 received a Martin A. Dale ’53 Fellowship for a yearlong project that includes a recording session in Nashville. “I’ve always loved music,” said Lind, who was active in Christian Union’s ministry at Princeton.August 15, 2018
Camille Zimmerman ’18 Enjoys WNBA Tryout
Camille Zimmerman recently experienced a taste of basketball stardom when the Columbia University forward participated in pre-season training camp with the Minnesota Lynx, the reigning champions of the Women’s National Basketball Association.“I was lucky even to get an invite,” Zimmerman said. Though the Lynx, a team with a deep roster of very talented players, waived Zimmerman in the twilight of training camp, Columbia’s sensation described her stint in pre-season as “a really cool experience.”When Zimmerman signed on with the Lynx as an unrestricted free agent on April 17, she kept an even perspective.August 15, 2018
Movement Inspires Believers Nationwide to Seek the Lord
In May, Christian Union Day and Night hosted The Great Experiment for over 2,000 Christians across the nation. This experiment was built on a hypothesis proven in revivals and awakenings past—that when Christians seek God in extraordinary ways, sweeping transformation is possible. Matt Bennett, founder and CEO of Christian Union, was encouraged to see a great response and hear testimonies of how believers went deeper in their prayer lives, were strengthened spiritually, and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ.August 15, 2018
Christian Union New York Hosts Conference for Professionals
Christian Union New York encouraged professionals and graduate students to serve as catalysts for cultural shifts and share Christ’s reconciling Gospel with lost peers when it hosted the Cities Conference in Manhattan this summer. On June 22-23, approximately 100 attendees, including many young adults, gathered at The Union League Club and Nyack College for the two-day event, which featured acclaimed speakers, seminars, dynamic worship, and networking opportunities. The theme was “Turn the World Upside Down,” based on Acts 17:6.August 15, 2018
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
The Artist's WorkSo God created man in his own image… Genesis 1:27 (ESV)See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. Exodus 31:2-5 (ESV)As we open the treasure trove of God's revelation to us in the Scriptures, we find, in the first place, God creates. Through and in and for His beloved and eternal Son, He creates/has created all things, in heaven and on the earth, visible and invisible. What can it mean, then, that we are made in God's image, if not at least that our inventive imaginations and the irrepressible desire to make things are fundamental to our human nature? In addition to our clever minds and immortal souls, God has blessed us above the animals with two key features: hands capable of the most intricate manipulation of objects and tools, so as to work out our designs in the physical world, and voices capable of the most diverse and subtle articulations of sounds, whereby we can speak and sing our minds to whomever has ears to hear.August 14, 2018
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Unavoidable Echos of The StoryFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20 (ESV)August 13, 2018
Monday, August 13, 2018
Telling a Better StorySo Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. Acts 17:22-23 (ESV)Every day, thousands of Americans enter into a temple of sorts to take part in ritual and storytelling that have echoes of a religious encounter. The movie theater, in many ways, provides a similar experience to a church: an ornate building in the center of town where the community gathers for an experience that transcends their day-to-day. And in these hushed assemblies stories are told—some to inspire, others to challenge, some to make us cheer, others to frighten.August 2, 2018
Faithful in the Little Things; Your Gift to Freshman Outreach Matched Today — Up to $25,000; Please Join Us in a 21 Day Fast; Solzhenitsyn's Prophecy; Go Forward in What God is Calling You to Do in Life and more, in this issue of Christian Union's bi-monthly email brief.
“I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”— Nehemiah 1:4
July 18, 2018
Turning the World Upside Down; Trials and Integrity; Winsome, But Firm; Exile: A Roadmap for Resident Aliens; 3 Things Your Calling is Not and more, in this issue of Christian Union's bi-monthly email brief.
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.— 1 Peter 2:17
July 16, 2018
by Geoff SackettTrials have the unmistakable quality of being difficult. Just ask Job, or Jeremiah, or Naomi, or Joseph. And yet they are not without purpose. It is not as if they show Satan has gained the upper hand. Or that God is wantonly cruel. Trials do not show that the Enemy has won or that God is vindictive. Listen to how James describes trials:“. . . when you meet trials of various kinds . . . the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (1:2, ESV).Conspicuously absent from this verse is any mention of God’s providential, loving hand over trials. But though not explicit, God’s hand is clearly present.
July 10, 2018
by Scott Ely ’18 and Molly Richmond ’18 As the former co-presidents of Harvard College Faith and Action, the ministry resourced by Christian Union on Harvard’s campus, we write first to thank you for all of your prayers over the years and especially in this most recent season of tension on Harvard’s campus. Throughout the past year, we have been amazed by God’s faithfulness, touched by the extraordinary students who take part in our ministry, and challenged to seek out what faithful, Gospel-centered ministry looks like at a pluralistic university.
July 9, 2018
The Lord set Alanna Staffin on the fast-track to spiritual growth since joining Cornell Christian Union the second semester of her freshman year. Now as she begins her senior year, she intends to give back in the ways she knows how: dairy and mentorship.When you first meet Alanna Staffin, you will likely notice 3 things about her. First, she appears really happy. Yet as you carefully observe and listen to her, you wonder whether the word happiness can adequately define her cheerful, refreshing energy. Alanna is also enthusiastic about dairy. One question from you and you have launched her into a passionate and stimulating explanation of the subject, prompting you to nod your head, inspired. Your final, most resounding takeaway from conversing with Alanna is Jesus. Alanna loves Jesus.
July 5, 2018
Os Guinness Explains Implications of the Reformation; The Genius of Phillis Wheatley; The Sermon that Helped Push the Colonies Toward Independence; What is Love; Princeton Takes a Stand for Free Speech on Campus and more, in this issue of Christian Union's bi-monthly email brief.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.— Psalm 145:13
July 2, 2018
by Tucker ElseA question that is probably as timely now than it has ever been is this: “What is love?”Bob Marley asked that question back in the 70s. The band Foreigner was at least honest enough to admit “I want to know what love is! I want you to show me!” (although the “you” is never really identified). I find it interesting that much of our popular music in the last 70 years (going back to the days of Frank Sinatra) asks that question, or laments its lack, or celebrates its being requited. But the question still stands, even if it is a question implied by a couple of bobble-headed club-goers played by Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan on SNL circa 1994 with their pervasive sound-track of “What is love? Baby don’t hurt me!”So, what is love? Is it sex? Romance? Warm feelings? Maybe.