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The Difference Between Sadness and Depression
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Fernando Cabrera has proudly served as the NYC Council Member representing the 14th district in the Bronx since January 2010. He is also senior pastor of New Life Outreach International in the Bronx. He is a former program director for the Mental Health and Counseling program at Mercy College, where he also taught for 12 years. Council Member Cabrera earned a B.A. in Religion from Southern California College, M.A. in Counseling from Liberty University and a Doctorate in Counseling from Argosy University. He is married to Elvia Cabrera, and is a father of two and grandfather of five.
Self Indulgence
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Matt Bennett is founder and CEO of Christian Union, a Christian leadership development organization. A native of Houston, Texas, Matt earned B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Cornell University and holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He resides in New York City.
Run to Christ in the Darkness
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Samuel Rodriguez is President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC). He earned his Masters Degree from Lehigh University and received Honorary Doctorates from Northwest, William Jessup and Baptist University of the Americas. He serves as Senior Pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center in Sacramento, California, where he resides with his wife, Eva, and their three children.
Fear of God
Monday, April 13, 2020
Matt Bennett is founder and CEO of Christian Union, a Christian leadership development organization. A native of Houston, Texas, Matt earned B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Cornell University and holds a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He resides in New York City.
A Webinar with Dr. Lydia Dugdale
Guest speaker, Dr. Lydia Dugdale spoke to the changes in our perception of death throughout art and history in CU New York’s first virtual forum on Monday, April 13, 2020. This webinar hosted more than 100 guests from across the nation - a unique opportunity for CU New York supporters, friends, and CU Alumni to commune together at this challenging time.
With reference to her forthcoming book The Lost Art of Dying, Prof. Dugdale began her presentation with an examination of the Triumph of Death, a work of art completed by Dutch painter Peter Bruegel (the Elder) in 1562. The work depicts the struggle of society to logistically handle the dead and escape death itself during the Black Death plague of the 14th century. The images in this painting - piles of bodies, skeletal-like figures, a man begging for mercy from a skeleton with his sword raised - are strikingly morbid to our modern eyes. She used this piece to reference the sharp contrast between the modern perception of death and the prominent reality of death throughout history.
A Greater Threat than the Coronavirus
Monday, April 13, 2020The Heart Committed to Jesus
Sunday, April 12, 2020The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. - Revelation 9:20-21 (ESV)
The above passage teaches us that even in extreme situations, a large populace will harden its heart to God in a time when they should repent. John the Beloved apprises his readers that days will come when people will have stubborn hearts set on sin no matter what its aftereffect. Many will “think they are wise when they are not” (Proverbs 26:12) and will suffer sanctions for their decisions. The compassion of Jesus offers a way of refuge in times of extreme woe. Unfortunately, scripture teaches us that it will be rejected.
Revive Your Work and Remember Mercy
Saturday, April 11, 2020O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
- Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV)
Habakkuk’s prayer for mercy in the opening of chapter 3 follows the back and forth dialogue between the prophet and God in the first two chapters. Much of this dialogue revolves around some of the questions that have haunted us throughout history, especially in times of difficulty: Why is there so much oppression? Why do evil people prosper while the righteous suffer? Why doesn’t God enter into these tragic places and clean them up? Habakkuk, and a battered Judah, is in desperate need of perspective.
Repent of Loving Money
Friday, April 10, 2020
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. - 1 Timothy 6:6-10, ESV
“It is for our own good that we are warned,” a friend of mine quipped in response to my question, “What is it about the love of money that is so dangerous?”
God’s Promise: I Am with You!
Thursday, April 9, 2020God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. Be still, and know that I am God. The Lord of hosts is with us. - Psalm 46: 1-2, 4-5, 10-11 (ESV)
It might seem like our whole world is falling apart around us. We are facing uncertain times; a pandemic, an uncertain market, isolation from friends and family, a shortage of medical supplies, to name a few. These realities cause real fear. It was in the middle of a similar upheaval that the psalmist wrote the words of Psalm 46. In the midst of disaster, the psalmist reminds the people that they do not have to fear because God promises to be present. When our world seems to be collapsing, we are offered the hope of turning our eyes to the God who promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
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