Cornerstone Community

"How we communicate with each other is important. A lack of communication or a miscommunication can have consequences that we don’t expect... Prayer is the way we communicate with God. Like all forms of communication, prayer changes our behavior and forms our identity. It bends our feelings, desires and thoughts. What we talk to God about is important. So what should we pray about? “Teach us to pray” said the disciples to Jesus."

"We gain strength from the time spent with God in prayer, and reading the Bible and in worship. This time we spend sitting and listening gives us the power and the motivation for the acts of mercy. We may love those who are easy to love, but without Christ firmly in the center of our lives we will not find the strength to risk our comfort to love those who are less easy to love."

"Our navigation instructions for every step of our expedition are to love the Lord our God all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. There are no limits to those we can call our neighbors; we are invited to open our eyes and look around us, to have open hearts, open minds and open doors. We will know that we are navigating using God’s Positioning System when we are the ones showing mercy to others."

"Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are all invited, called, and sent by Jesus. We don’t need to spend a lot of time packing, and in fact, there is much we are better off leaving behind."

" People need to know that they are accepted, loved, cherished. It is all about grace. Don’t forget that. In the end – only kindness matters. It’s all about grace. "

"Paul’s life was radically transformed by the idea that the religious life was not about a rigid keeping of rules but that no matter who you are or what you’ve done, God wants you and loves you unconditionally. "

"Why is it hard for us even to remember to stop and praise? We get so caught up in the details of daily life – and we think it is so important – our perspective is so small. The act of praise lifts us out of ourselves to the --- God of wonders beyond our galaxy – you are holy, holy --- the universe declares your majesty – you are holy, holy. "

"When something powerful, gentle, holy, unexplainable happens here – we have been caught up in the fresh wind of God’s spirit. When our lives are enriched and community is built – God’s spirit is on the move. "

"A young teenager fights for freedom from his or her parents --- only to find himself or herself enslaved to every wish and whim of the peer group. What is freedom? What is enslavement? "

"And how does the Spirit direct your path --- and mine? Do you hear a voice? Receive dreams and visions? Have an inner conviction? How do you become aware of the presence of God directing or guiding you? "

"Here is the truth that I believe God would have for us today --- True religion will not act as a dividing wedge in God’s created community of humanity. True religion holds the vision that we are all created by God’s goodness and mercy and that it is God’s will that we are united together in Christ."

"Tell us plainly. I am annoyed these days by the desire of people to want plain simple answers to complex questions. For instance, some of our most popular politicians gain their popularity by reducing complex issues to easy – simplistic answers – cute answers. Not only that, but they attack people who give educated answers that deal with the complexities of hard issues."

"There is nothing wrong with the object of our striving --- what’s wrong is necessarily believing that the striving will produce what we want."

"We can look at the Creation and all the beauty that surrounds us and we can say --- God was… We can look at the end and say somehow God will be… It is trickier when you are in the middle of it and can’t see a way out. "

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? …. It seems to me that we human beings have a tendency to look for life, love, meaning, fulfillment, freedom, in all the wrong places. We search in places that don’t have much more to offer than a empty tomb. "

"Jesus said – The greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. And Paul is telling his readers what the Christian mindset, attitude, or orientation is. He says there is an approach to life, to others, to self, to God, which characterizes those who live in Christ. "

"The movement of God’s spirit was not just a yesterday thing. God is active in our lives doing new things. Oh my – I am a believer in that these days. "

"Here lies the message --- It is not only the outcasts who have a choice about whether or not they will accept God’s welcome. The dutiful – like the privileged elder, or the Pharisees and scribes --- or good church folk --- listening to the story --- also have a choice. They can stubbornly hold on to their own understanding of true righteousness and refuse to join God’s banquet, or they can choose to accept God’s welcoming, overturning, and inclusive love. "

"What would you do if you had only one year left to live – only a short time in which to make up for wrongs done and opportunities missed? How important that year might be. "

"The gospel writer, Luke, saw a persistent intent on the part of Jesus to bring in those cast out, to raise up those beaten down, to bring those on the extremities of the social order close to the heart of God. Luke sees this at the heart of Jesus’ message. "

"Love is all you need. It’s easy.. Yes – it’s that easy and that difficult or downright impossible ---as most of us here know – from our own failings and shortcomings. None of us reach the heights of love that Paul describes. All of us have room to grow. If we are lucky or blessed, we have moments and experiences and even days where we witness or experience the profound nature of love that the great apostle spoke of when he said ---"

"But whether you are a fisherman or a therapist – lawyer – nurse – business person – teacher – student -- computer programmer -- retired --- or whatever --- this story affirms that the skills, training, and gifts of each of us can be put to work for God’s reign. God makes a claim on our time and energy. "

"Facing new things in life is hard. We avoid them. We avoid change. . . it's work . . . it can be scary -- even when we know it's needed. We like what we know, even when we're wrong, or our knowledge is incomplete . . . still it's comforting"

"We are reminded of God’s presence and love when we otherwise might feel alone and abandoned. We are pierced with words of confrontation when we might otherwise be puffed up with arrogance and self-satisfaction."

"Has the shortage ever been filled in your life? Has the ordinary ever become exquisite? God’s glory is revealed! It is the shortage that provides the context for the manifestation… It used to be said that the age of miracles was past… "

"You are Beloved. I am well pleased with you. Think about the power of experiencing this kind of honest affirmation from a parent or other significant person in our lives. We are strengthened in identity, will, and the ability to act from that secure identity. Without it, most persons will struggle with low self-esteem. The good news is that in Christ we are all the Beloved. "

"Those who follow Jesus are called to shine! This is important to remember in the season of Epiphany. We are the ones through whom the light shines forth."

"If you have parented adolescents you know something of this innocent obliviousness of youth who have no idea how their actions impact the ones who have given them life and feel responsible for helping them reach adulthood. It is quite a journey. "

"Here is the wonder and mystery of the incarnation --- the rational principal of the universe ---- the underlying pattern of the cosmic fabric --- that which causes things to make sense --- that which called all of creation --- all of life into being -- took up residence in the flesh. "

"Brothers and sisters in Christ --- if I could give you this gift I would --- that as you enter into this last week of Advent --- you might see beyond the glitz and glitter of our material consumer holiday --- and the meaning of this season might suddenly come into focus --- enlarged --- expanded --- made clear --- revealed.."

"Important for all of us who claim to love and follow him. Am I pointing to Jesus? Are we doing what’s necessary to get the message across? Are we removing barriers to getting the message out?--- straightened paths, valleys and mountains made into plains, rocky ways made even."

"Jesus is the sign and embodiment of God’s new age. We wait and watch and see the world through hopeful eyes at Advent --- because there is more to come."

"Think of it --- born out back – to homeless parents – an iterant teacher – hung out with low life – had no use for imperial power – when he entered Jerusalem --- it was not on a chariot – but a jackass. "

"For instance – I don’t think we are seeing any of the thousands of Americans who cannot afford health insurance for themselves or their loved ones, screaming about the dangers of a public option. On the other hand how much money are the insurance companies spending to try to stop huge changes in the way our country delivers health care?"

"Is your giving casual and what’s left over or is it intentional and sacrificial? Extravagant! How we use our material resources either honors or dishonors our relationship to God. Generosity aligns one’s life with God’s purposes. It changes the life and spirit of the giver."

"Risk-taking pushes us out of our comfort zone, stretching us beyond service to people we already know, exposing us to people, situations, and needs that we would never ordinarily encounter apart from our deliberate intention to serve Christ."

"Brothers and sisters, it is very easy to get squeezed into the worlds mold. We have to get ourselves on a different path to allow the Divine mystery to remold our thoughts and minds from within. This is what intentional faith development is all about. It takes intention. How are you growing in your relationship with God? Your spiritual life? Your walk with Jesus? "

"Maybe here lies the difference between passionless worship and passionate worship. Are you going through the motions because you think it is something you “should” do? Or are you pouring your spirit into it with honesty and integrity in hopes of uniting your spirit with God’s spirit?"

"And hospitality as we are speaking of it is the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and experience the richness of life in God’s love through Christ. Hospitality is foundational to the spiritual life. "

"“Life is this simple. We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. This is not just a fable or nice story. It is true. If we abandon ourselves to God and forget ourselves, we see it sometimes, and we see it maybe frequently. God shows Himself everywhere, in everything – in people and in things and in nature and in events. It becomes very obvious that God is everywhere and in everything and we cannot be without Him. It’s impossible. The only thing is that we don’t see it.” "

"In the midst of the bickering of the disciples over position and power, Jesus dropped everything to hold a child in his lap. Now here is wisdom --- to make the image of welcoming a child operative in our lives, to give ourselves permission to scoop a little one into our arms as Jesus did, requires letting go of whatever we’re holding onto at the moment"

"As we move ever further into the information age, we also move ever further into the disinformation age. Error, miscommunication, deception, slander, and libel have become so common that we expect them from reputable sources and all but insist on them from sources we think of as disreputable. Always powerful, language now reaches farther and faster."

"The result of this today should be a hospitality that welcomes newcomers, retirees, immigrants, Goth teenagers, bikers, liberals, children, convicts --- we call ourselves to a open hearts – open minds – open doors style of spiritual practice. "

"St. Francis put it this way – At all times preach the gospel – when necessary, use words. "

"For me, the Dude that abides --- and teaches us how to --- is Jesus. I got to noticing --- that in John’s gospel --- the term abide repeats itself over and over again throughout the gospel. In comes from the Greek, “meno” and it seems to be about relationship --- participation in Jesus’ life – to live in – to dwell it – to stay with.."

"You may be asking, why is this church work? What business does the church have getting involved in these controversial and potentially explosive social issues? This leads to the question --- what is the church’s role in the world? "

"You know --- the further down the road I progress on this journey of faith --- the less the traditional titles mean to me.. Jesus is not that easy to make out --- difficult to see and understand. Some of the old titles like – Messiah (which mean some sort of political official) – Savior of the World – Son of God – third person of the trinity (which means a member of the unified Godhead ---- these just don’t speak to me much. "

"If what I say and what I think matters, then I can change the world. Or at least my little piece of it."

"Then when times are hard and we are having trouble knowing what the next step is we will hear that promise from Isaiah – Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. "

"You know --- by just plain hard work --- I really had in mind that by the time I was 50 years old, I would be psychologically and spiritually self-actualized… enlightened… holy… How disappointing… But I have heard the word of God and it is good news indeed!! My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. "

"Jesus is calling each one of us to “stay healthy” --- to “to stay whole.” But what does wholeness mean? To be healthy and whole means to have body, mind, and soul in sync. Wholeness means that our emotional needs are just as important as our intellectual needs. And our spiritual or soul needs are just as important as our physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. All these are connected. "

"“When we reach our limits, when our ordered worlds collapse, when we cannot enact our moral ideals, when we are disenchanted, we often enter into the awareness of mystery… In this situation and with this awareness we do a distinctively human thing. We gather together to tell stories of God to calm our terror and hold our hope on high.”"

"Jesus shows us here that God looks at things very differently than we look at them. Surprise! What we think of as common, small, of little significance, God regards as miraculous, wonderful, the essence of the Kingdom of God. "

"Are we too casual about worship sometimes? I am not talking about the way we dress. I’m talking more about our expectations. Think about what it is we are doing. It is completely counter-cultural. We gather to commune with the very Source of life itself. The Ground of our Being --- the Holy Mystery. What does it mean to be in the presence of God?"

"Today I want to celebrate the spirit that breathes new life into us when we are without hope --- defeated people --- depressed --- fatalistic --- I want to celebrate the spirit that brings us out of our self-imposed graves."

"It is not about giving in order to get the goodies --- but it is about living an abundant life that can make for peace and happiness. It is about living a life of gratitude to the God of grace that gives us life and entrusts us with all we have."

"Give thanks for what you have. When you are tempted feel bad about your old car or the carpet in your home --- stop --- give thanks for your transportation and the roof over your head. Practice giving thanks --- see the glass as half full --- rather than focusing on the small minority that are incredibly wealthy --- remember the multitudes who go without the basics. Give thanks for what you have. This is how we develop an attitude of gratitude."

"Most of all my mother has taught me acceptance and tolerance and a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. I have been loved by her unconditionally --- as much as is humanly possible."

"If there is anything redemptive about this crisis, it is the possibility it offers to learn again the virtues we may have forgotten – modesty, frugality, responsibility, community --- and to learn again who we are."

"What is all this about? We have already said that it is much more than a financial or social issue --- this at its core is a spiritual issue. "

"Things have to change. Our patterns of consuming have not increased our happiness or joy in life --- and actually have increased our levels of stress"

"Brothers and sisters, tell your stories of resurrection. Share your experience, strength and hope. He is risen! He is risen indeed!"

"Jesus is about to go one on one with the principalities and powers --- the disciples are all busy trying to get some glory – asking among themselves – “hey, when we get him elected Messiah, and God’s reign has come – who will get to sit on his cabinet?” Just about then – the two biggest jackasses get to go rent a donkey. "

"The presence of God cannot be contained – controlled – and dispensed in certain places and by certain people. Jesus turned that over. "

"The cross that Jesus talks about here is that which results from our following Jesus --- the cross is the result of walking the path. "

"The closer we come to living with an awareness that we are in the presence of God --- the more obvious our imperfections become to us. As we embrace greater complexity and creativity – we also experience greater challenge and temptation. It is not that God is directly testing our character as much as it is the natural result of our personal growth and our openness to growing into our calling. "

"Most churches have a preferred way of doing ministry, but if that way is no longer effective in reaching others, then it is time for new ways of doing ministry. Churches that practice a centuries-old or decades-old way of being church in a fast-changing and rapidly secularizing world have probably veiled the gospel, however unintentionally. "

"I want to challenge all of us to look at our spiritual practice. I feel that if we are going to take the steps for change and transformation it will involve practicing the means of grace. "

"Called by God toward wholeness. What does that mean. What does it mean to be a whole person? We hear talk about holistic medicine. There has been a great deal of study and research into how connected body – mind – emotion and spirit are. They are intricately interwoven. To neglect any one aspect brings dis-ease to the whole."

"I've found it to be so very true. Even when situations in my life seem to me very new, different, or troubling, if I look behind me just a bit, I can invariably find others who have gone through something fairly similar. And they have wisdom for my own path, and advice for my actions, my decisions, and my pondering. It's true: "The more things change, the more they remain the same . . ." "

"We do not presume to tell people what to think or believe. Ours is a community of free inquiry. We explore together our faith document, the Bible, and the Tradition that has been handed down to us, using our Reason along with personal Experience to determine what we believe and how we will act. There is room within this spiritual community for a wide variety of viewpoints on faith and life. Indeed, we believe that we are enriched by this variety."

"My prayer is that President Obama will hear God calling through those who are almost invisible and voiceless. The most vulnerable – children – homeless – poverty stricken – discriminated against – hopeless – diseased – hungry—those who are excluded – war ravaged – threatened by extinction. I hope President Obama helps these to find their voices. Because, after all, A person’s a person, no matter how small. "

"A thin place is anywhere our hearts are opened and we catch a glimpse of the almost unbearable preciousness and mystery of life. It can happen while on a walk – reading a book – sipping coffee – in the arms of your partner – witnessing birth or death – witnessing a baptism or being baptized – receiving the bread and cup of holy communion – you name it. "

"When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and the week shall be strong, and none shall be afraid. "

"If Jesus were born today, to teen parents in American urban poverty, would he be better off now than he was 2,000 years ago? Will we answer the call to create a global community that makes sure all mothers and fathers have adequate health care, food, education, clothing, and shelter? Do we have an obligation to the poor beyond offering them verbal blessings?"

"I think that if we are honest and spiritually sincere people, we will probably admit that the reason we come to church is that we know that God has created us for more and we hope and pray for insight and the inspiration to turn our lives around for God’s sake. "

"In other words, the prophet gave the King his building permit. But that night after the Prophet was home and probably asleep in bed, God had a word with Nathan the Prophet – and withdrew the building permit."

"I think that if we are honest and spiritually sincere people, we will probably admit that the reason we come to church is that we know that God has created us for more and we hope and pray for insight and the inspiration to turn our lives around for God’s sake. This is the preparation that John called for. "

"It is customary for us to have a special Thanksgiving offering and to designate it to a particular ministry or outreach project -- often to the most vulnerable members of our society...."

"It is customary for us to have a special Thanksgiving offering and to designate it to a particular ministry or outreach project -- often to the most vulnerable members of our society. One of the assigned readings today shows us that we encounter the hidden Christ in those who are in need...."

"Here's a great story Jesus told --- The Parable of the Talents. Before I read it --- let me just say that a talent is both a sum of money and a description of someone's ability. Everyone of us is endowed with certain abilities (talents) to be put to use. They are a gift and a responsibility...."

"The faith that keeps our lamps burning is not a passive intellectual thing, it is choosing to live in a relationship of trust...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."

"...this is All Saints Sunday - a good day to remember those who have died -friends, neighbors, family. And it is a good day to celebrate the God who loves us at birth - loves us in life - loves us in death and loves us beyond death - eternally...."