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By Dr. Craig S. Keener
Some kinds of church bodies accept only particular kinds of gifts, hence they amputate certain kinds of members. Other kinds of churches pile together the amputated members and celebrate that they are an ideal body. Yet ideally, a body that is whole welcomes all its members.
Some value teaching but disregard prophecy (1 Thess 5:20); some exalt tongues but resent teaching; and so forth. We need to appreciate all the gifts. By definition, gifts given by God’s grace are good. We just need to make sure that we use them in the right ways!
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
— 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
It is hard to believe how much of this semester has gone by already. We have had a very productive year so far, as our new ministry team has settled into their positions. Bible courses are going very well, and we have had far more freshmen men involved this year than in previous classes, which has been an immense blessing for our ministry. As students get busier leading up to finals, we pray that they would stay focused and continue to be involved in Bible courses even as it becomes more difficult with time constraints.
Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6-7)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As our Bible Courses study Paul’s letter to the Colossians this fall, we are reminded again and again of Paul’s joy in the Church. He loves God’s people! This is reflected in all of his letters, even to the Corinthians! His letter to the Philippians is often called the “Joy Letter,” because of his deep love for the recipients reflected in his joyful, hopeful epistle.
Dear Prayer Partners,
I hope this update finds you well! Thank you for praying for our requests last month — God has been answering student’s requests on the prayer board, our alumni panel was a big hit, and students have been taking next steps of faith since the fall retreat, particularly in the areas of seeking God.
A common refrain that we hear about this point in the fall quarter is, “Sorry, I’m too busy this week!” or, “I don’t know if I can meet with everything I need to do.” And it’s true, the weeks prior to the end of the fall quarter are rough, and the students—especially the new freshmen—struggle to keep above the waters. Sometimes I’m tempted to break it to them that life doesn’t slow down after college either! But part of our calling as ministers on these campuses is not to compound the issue with more events and more obligation. Our calling is to point them to the One who sustains them, the One who is our very peace in the midst of the storm:
What a privilege to know a God who enters into our storms and reaches out to us with a strong hand! Join us in prayer this season for the work on this campus:
- Pray for strength and endurance as the students head into the final stretch of fall.
- Pray for the upcoming Thanksgiving break, that they are refreshed and reconnect with family.
- Pray for our ongoing Bible Courses, for community and fellowship to flourish through them.
- Pray for our CU team at Stanford: Abigail, Garrett, Jim, Justin, and Susan.
- Pray for Jesus to be lifted up throughout this campus through the words and loving actions of his many followers in Palo Alto!
We remain grateful for your prayers and your partnership.
In Christ,
Garrett Brown
Ministry Director
Christian Union Caritas
Please note: if you would like to receive regular updates on how to pray for Christian Union's work, please email prayer@christianunion.org.
Richmond ’18 is a 1L at Harvard Law School
By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
A Harvard College and Christian Union alumna plans to integrate her passions for faith and justice by pursuing a career in law. In August, Molly Richmond ’18 entered Harvard Law School with a sense of a calling to become a public interest lawyer.
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