A recent video interview provides information that enables us to speak directly to CU president Gerson Moreno-Riaño’s self-understanding and how it has led to the tumultuous events that have hurt so many CU personnel—administrators, faculty, staff, and students alike. GMR speaks of himself as a courageous and fearless leader, just like Joshua (Joshua 1:9). There is a vicious smear campaign against him, yet he responds to his enemies like King David did in the Psalms, by praying for protection. He even goes so far as to compare himself to Jesus, who was silent before his accusers during his passion. Really? Does the CU Board of Trustees support this narrative?
Giving Thanks with Daniel
Scripture often tells us that thanksgiving should be constant, that our gratitude shouldn’t rise and fall with our circumstances and preferences. Saint Paul taught us to pray and give thanks in every circumstance (Eph 5:20; 1 Thess 5:17), and he practiced what he preached (Acts 16:25; 1 Cor 1:4). This means we base our prayers on the promises of God. The prophet Daniel is a powerful model of promise-based prayers that transcend circumstances and preferences. Remember how Daniel turned away from sumptuous food fit for a king to eat only vegetables? Remember how Daniel prayed and gave thanks with his window open even though he knew it could lead to his execution? Let’s learn how to give thanks with Daniel!
Sola Gratia: Do you believe in grace after grace?
As All Hallow’s Eve and Reformation Day arrive, we remind ourselves again that our salvation comes totally and only from the Lord (Jonah 2:9). This post focuses on Sola Gratia as we speak of the grace-journey of my friend and former GRTS colleague, Dr. Jeremy Grinnell. We’ve heard many wonderful stories that show us grace saves. Jeremy’s story shows us that grace keeps on saving—it restores! Do you believe in grace after grace?
Sign on to a Pastoral Letter to the Cornerstone University Board of Trustees
It’s business as usual at Cornerstone University. Fall has arrived. New students have come; old students have returned. People whizzing by campus on the East Beltline don’t notice anything different. They don’t know about the eight faculty members who were summoned to video conferences and summarily fired last summer, despite having signed contracts in their hands. They don’t know that this was only the most recent and egregious example of administrative malpractice that values pragmatic program makeovers more than people made in the image of God.
We’re told to pray for the school, and of course we should. But it’s time to do more than pray.
Cancelled by Cornerstone (and other news from the East Beltline)
I have well-meaning Christian friends from outside the Cornerstone orbit who advise me to get off this negative topic. I’m inclined to take their advice, but then I meet a Cornerstone person at a church event, or at the grocery store, or I get an email from an alumnus/a. It’s uncanny how they all say the same thing, “Keep on writing about the school, someone has to tell the sad story.” So here I go again.
Discover the Word: Prophecy, Prophets, and Jesus
What comes to mind when you hear the words “prophet” and “prophecy?” Often we think of someone who is a spiritual meteorologist who forecasts history and writes it down before it happens. But bottom line, prophets and prophetesses in the Bible delivered a message from God that many people weren’t very excited to hear. Jesus was Israel’s last prophet. How will we respond to his message?