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The most recent articles, videos, blog entries, and more that have been added to ChristianUnion.org.
Day Twenty-four - Morning Devotional
Apologies that I am going to focus on good food in this devotional on fasting…
My wife’s very animated Brooklyn Italian family has truly blessed me over the years, a family culture very different from my Irish New England one. Italian family culture revolves beautifully around the kitchen and food. It brings the family together. My first meal with them was unforgettable. The pasta, homemade manicotti, was brought first thing out to the table, and I proceeded to eat four or five plates of it. I thought that was the meal. That’s how it worked in my house – one dish and that was it. I didn’t realize that was only the first course, and there was plenty more to come. Course after course of all sorts of dishes with names unfamiliar to me, but smells that were impossible to resist. I ate and ate out of the abundance of all the food. I ate so much that I could barely leave the chair to make it to the couch to enter into a food-induced nap (I’m sure I’m the only one to experience this phenomenon). Frankly I was grateful and content but a little overwhelmed by all the food.
My wife’s very animated Brooklyn Italian family has truly blessed me over the years, a family culture very different from my Irish New England one. Italian family culture revolves beautifully around the kitchen and food. It brings the family together. My first meal with them was unforgettable. The pasta, homemade manicotti, was brought first thing out to the table, and I proceeded to eat four or five plates of it. I thought that was the meal. That’s how it worked in my house – one dish and that was it. I didn’t realize that was only the first course, and there was plenty more to come. Course after course of all sorts of dishes with names unfamiliar to me, but smells that were impossible to resist. I ate and ate out of the abundance of all the food. I ate so much that I could barely leave the chair to make it to the couch to enter into a food-induced nap (I’m sure I’m the only one to experience this phenomenon). Frankly I was grateful and content but a little overwhelmed by all the food.
Day Twenty-three - Morning Devotional
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
- Psalm 90:1-2
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
- Psalm 90:1-2
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Obedience can be difficult sometimes. Whether our desire for food lends itself to a short temper, or the idea of extending grace to someone who has hurt us seems irrational, walking in the ways that God has called us to sometimes competes with the fleeting reality of our desire.
In Ephesians 5, Paul speaks to his brothers and sisters in the church about walking in holiness. In the first six verses, Paul describes what it looks like for this local body to walk in holiness; he calls them imitators of God. Paul goes on to say that “immorality and all impurity or covetousness” (verse 3) should have no part in the lives of those who call themselves followers of Christ. In verses 7 and 8, he warns the church at Ephesus, “Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
In Ephesians 5, Paul speaks to his brothers and sisters in the church about walking in holiness. In the first six verses, Paul describes what it looks like for this local body to walk in holiness; he calls them imitators of God. Paul goes on to say that “immorality and all impurity or covetousness” (verse 3) should have no part in the lives of those who call themselves followers of Christ. In verses 7 and 8, he warns the church at Ephesus, “Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." —Colossians 4:2
Frequent and fervent prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. It is the natural product of genuine faith in God and His promise that He will hear and answer us. Though the practice of prayer is simple enough for a child to perform, prayer is also a complex discipline in which every Christian continues to grow and develop throughout life.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." —Colossians 4:2
Frequent and fervent prayer is an essential part of our relationship with God. It is the natural product of genuine faith in God and His promise that He will hear and answer us. Though the practice of prayer is simple enough for a child to perform, prayer is also a complex discipline in which every Christian continues to grow and develop throughout life.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz
the Temanite: ‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends,
for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
the Temanite: ‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends,
for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Christian Union Commissions Leadership Team
By Tom Campisi, Managing EditorEarly this summer, Christian Union introduced the faculty for its new leadership development ministry at Brown University.
Christian Union's strategic focus on high-achieving students at universities like Brown requires a curriculum and faculty suitable for men and women of exceptional intellectual caliber. And Matt Woodard (pictured, left) and Justin Doyle—with seminary degrees and real-world work experience—exemplify this high standard for ministry faculty.Christian Union Commissions Leadership Team
By Tom Campisi, Managing EditorEarly this summer, Christian Union introduced the faculty for its new leadership development ministry at Brown University.
Christian Union's strategic focus on high-achieving students at universities like Brown requires a curriculum and faculty suitable for men and women of exceptional intellectual caliber. And Matt Woodard (pictured, left) and Justin Doyle—with seminary degrees and real-world work experience—exemplify this high standard for ministry faculty.Nicole Mensa, Cornell '17, Founder of Non Profit in Ghana
by Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
From Africa to Ithaca, Nicole Mensa, Cornell '17, is serving people and sharing the message of God's love and compassion.
A native of Ghana, Nicole came to Cornell for a top-flight education and to experience another culture; because of her participation with Christian Union's leadership development ministry at Cornell, she is also growing in her knowledge of the Bible and passion for the Lord.
