Who am I? Where am I going? How does God fit into my life? How can my relationship with God help me through tough times?  These are a few of the questions we’ll be exploring at Cornerstone United Methodist Church in a new worship series called “VOICES OF LENT.”   Shared during worship February 25-March 24, we’ll explore some of the spiritual themes of the Christian season of “Lent,” and how these can sustain and empower us in our lives today. February 25 -- The Voice of Belonging (Mark 1:9-11) Discovering our identity in Christ March 3 – The Voice of Invitation (Matthew 14 ..read more

 "I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness." (Psalm 17:15) What's in a face? A face can tell much about us: our hopes, joys, cares and concerns.  Join Pastor Brian each Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve this holiday season in the worship series “Faces at the Manger”, exploring what these faces can teach us about life and our relationship with God today.  Experience powerful, relevant messages, inspiring music, and a warm sense of community.  Best of all, experience how the face of Jesus can touch your heart!&n ..read more

 “For the sake of the Lord submit to every human institution. Do this whether it means submitting to the emperor as supreme ruler, or to governors as those sent by the emperor. They are sent to punish those doing evil and to praise those doing good” (1 Peter 2:13-17) In a few weeks, America will face another Presidential election.  While these seasons are always stressful and contentious, it seems that the heated rhetoric on both sides have led to this year’s campaigns being especially divisive and challenging.   With that in mind, let me share three excellent pieces o ..read more

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4) “The art of thanksgiving is thanksLIVING. It is gratitude in action. It is thanking God for the gift of life by living it triumphantly. It is thanking God for all that men and women have done for you by doing things for others. It is thanking God for happiness by striving to make others happy. It is thanking God for beauty by helping to make the world more beautiful. It is thanking God for inspiration by trying to be an inspiration to others. It is thanking God for he ..read more

How do we reach our fullest potential as people of faith? It’s not by staying in our comfort zones, supporting the status quo, or remaining who we already are. Instead, we achieve it by intentionally stretching ourselves in new ways, allowing us to become and accomplish what God created us to be and do! Join us this October 6-20 for an inspiring worship series where we will explore three key areas that can help us grow and thrive: Christian Community Sharing Our Faith and Serving Others Generosity Each of these provides unique opportunities for us to grow beyond our current selves, em ..read more

 "Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) There are many things in life that cause frustration. Whether it’s problems at work, school, with a spouse, other family members, or even at church or in our community, our difficulties and challenges can be so overwhelming that at times we may feel that we just want to quit! A few years ago, a ministry colleague sent me the following story that reminded me of the value of never giving up.  I pass it on in the hopes that you’ll find it valuable, as well:   ..read more

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) Some of you may have seen the following article that made the “email rounds” a number of years ago, but I find it particularly pertinent and timely in our task and calling as Christians in light of the hosting and playing of the XXXIIIrd Olympiad in Paris, France: “If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, then the world would be compromised of... 57 Asians 21 Europeans 8 Africans 14 from the Western Hemisph ..read more

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord….” (Psalm 33:12) As we celebrate America’s birth, I invite us to remember that for most of its history, our nation was and has been distinctly “Christian” in spirit (even if not always in practice).  This is the source of the popular phrase “Christian America.” It does not mean that every American was, or is (or needs to be) a Christian in either belief or practice.  Nor does it mean that those who are/were are from immune from hypocrisy, misuse, and misappropriation of the gospel in their practice of faith. Nor does it mean that people ..read more

“Fathers, don’t exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. [Instead,] take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.” (Ephesians 6:4, The Message) When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. A female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.” And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child-size, who w ..read more

  “By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God -- not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) In the Bible, the number seven is often used as a symbol of perfection.  I will leave to your interpretation whether or not you feel that’s applicable to what I’m writing here.  However, as a life-long United Methodist Christian, I can honestly say that the tradition in which I was raised, found Christ, and have -- ever since – grown in my faith is as close to this as humanly possible.   Yes, it a ..read more