Receive Your King: The Kingdom at Christmas
Every year, we celebrate Holy Week—Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter—months prior to Christmas. It’s just how the calendar works out, but it is kind of backwards. We observe the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry before we ever commemorate his birth! But this hindsight view of Christmas-after-Easter gives us an interesting and illuminating perspective on the coming of Jesus Christ into our world. It allows us to notice signposts in the Christmas account; events pointing ahead to the new reality that Jesus would usher into the world through his life, ministry, death, and resurrection. We start to feel the first ripples of coming revolution that would change the world forever. When we filter the events of Christmas through the lens of Jesus’ inauguration of the Kingdom of God at Easter, the story of Christmas becomes more wonderful than we could ever imagine.
I Want THAT kind of faith
Scripture is loaded with inspiring story after inspiring story. The pages are full of ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. So what’s the common denominator between all of them? Their faith. The way they sidestepped temptation, they forgave like Jesus, they trusted in God’s plan...it’s awe-inspiring. And for many of us, when we read their stories of hope and trust in God, it leaves us saying: “I want that kind of faith!” One such example is Joseph, a man of God, whose story is recorded in the book of Genesis. He lived a life that was built on an immovable faith and confidence in God. And the best news of all? The kind of faith Joseph had is the kind of faith available to everyone who seeks after it.
How to (always) survive a horror movie
It’s October and at Cornerstone that means one thing: It’s “How to Survive a Horror Movie” time once again! But this isn’t simply another sequel. No—we’re dealing with the concluding chapter of a trilogy. And as Randy Meeks, the horror film fanatic from the “Scream” franchise, stated, “Trilogies are a rarity in the horror field, but they do exist, and they’re a force to be reckoned with.” We couldn’t agree more. So we’re tying up this terrifying trilogy in style, as we take one last look at what to do when the movie of our life becomes a horror flick. Are you ready for a frightfully good time? Then lock your doors, grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and join us as we find out how following Jesus always helps us survive the deadly mistakes and wrong turns in life.
Discussion with the devil
Do you ever talk to yourself? If so, don’t worry! It’s totally normal. In fact, a recent poll found that 97% of people admitted to self-talk. We talk to ourselves to debate a decision, to think through ideas, to give ourselves a pep talk. Some people actually engage in self-talk to create a “presence” around them—something that makes them feel like they aren’t alone. But...what if we’re not alone? What if there is a “presence” around us, but not one that we created? You see, sometimes the voice that we hear isn’t “self”, but something more sinister. Scripture tells us that our Enemy is the Father of Lies—and he is not an idle opponent. He is an active force, feeding us falsehood after falsehood to disrupt God’s work in our lives. But we’re not helpless in our discussion with the Devil. We can answer every lie that the Enemy throws our way with timeless truth from God. We can combat the fear, shame, and hopelessness at every turn. And we can make sure that the Devil never gets the last word.
Banner Year Weekend
It’s August 1980 in South Akron. A small-but-growing group of Jesus-followers, led by a young husband and wife pastoral team, call themselves “Cornerstone Church.” They rally behind the mission of helping people find the Father, a family, and a fulfilling future. And that’s exactly what they do...day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. But as Cornerstone advanced the Kingdom of God, a perfect storm of opposition sought to snuff it out, culminating in the COVID-19 pandemic that brought the world—and many churches—to a halt. In fact, the average lifespan of a church is 40 years. In many ways, August 2020 should’ve been to be our swan song. But that’s not where our story ends; it’s where our story begins again. August 2020 now marks the beginning of renewed ministry at Cornerstone Church, and a reestablishment of our mission to help people find the Father, a family, and a fulfilling future. It marks the start of what we believe will be banner year after banner year, seeing God move mightily in our midst. As we celebrate Year Two of fresh ministry at Cornerstone, it’s a brand new day - but it’s a lot like our first day.
Come & See
Have you ever experienced something that left you speechless? Something so incredible and so amazing that you didn’t know what to say? In those rare moments—when words fail—the most apt description of what we experienced often isn’t an explanation, but an invitation: “You gotta see it for yourself.” Now what if I told you those rare, speechless moments don’t have to be so rare? Consider this your invitation. Your invitation to come and see the move of God happening every week at Cornerstone. We’re seeing mindsets renewed, addictions broken, relationships restored—people once far from God finding the Father, a family, and a fulfilling future. We’re seeing miracles. But don’t take our word for it. You gotta see it for yourself.
summer mixtape: a playlist of the psalms
The Early Church regularly used the Book of Psalms as an unending source of insight for the Christian life—to inspire faith, to praise God, and to encourage one another. This summer, we’re going to do the same thing at Cornerstone. We’re making a playlist of some of the Psalms greatest hits, compiling a mixtape that we believe will help inspire you and motivate you during the dog days of summer.
Talking Elephants & Tipping Cows
You know those topics that are taboo? The topics that polite conversations avoid? The topics that we’re all thinking about it, but we’re not talking about—especially at church? Yeah...we’re going there. Politics, sex, alcohol, suicide, hell, suffering. We’re talking about all of these “Elephants in the Room” and we might even tip some “Sacred Cows” that have been built up in the process. Now you might be thinking: “This is going to be uncomfortable.” You’re right. It’s going to be uncomfortable...and eye-opening, healing, necessary. There is no better, safer place to discuss these topics than church. So with that in mind...can we talk?
Help! I’m Losing My Religion! A Discussion on Deconstruction
In a world where things change minute by minute, one thing is consistent—we’re losing our faith. Every year, the percentage of people identifying as “Christian” drops lower and lower. People just aren’t buying what the Christian faith is selling...maybe you aren’t buying it. Maybe it’s the Church’s treatment of people groups. Maybe it’s your own past trauma. Maybe it’s the injection of politics into the pulpit. Whatever the reason, the Christianity you knew began to crumble, and so did you. But if you’re walking this difficult path, there’s good news—God is not afraid of your deconstruction. In fact, your deconstructing faith could be the doorway to a deeper faith. One richer, stronger, and more profound than you could ever imagine.
How God Became King
Are you ready for a bold statement? Here goes: Our God, Jesus Christ, is the King of the World. And no—not in some spiritual, theoretical, or “far off future” sense. He is currently enthroned, ruling the world with grace and truth. That’s the truth. And that truth should change everything for us. Which brings us to a second bold statement: Most Christians don’t know or don’t live like this is the case. You see, when we realize the full weight of the fact that Jesus is King—how it happened and what it means—we will never see our faith the same way again.
Here & Now: Building Our Future in the Present
“The best is yet to come!” This statement has often been a popular rallying cry, especially for the Church. It’s a declaration rooted in the belief that God has great things in store for his people just beyond the horizon. And it’s a sentiment we’ve shared and stated here at Cornerstone...but, not anymore. Of course, we still believe the future is bright. But who has time for what’s to come when we’re too busy being blessed by what is? You see, the best isn’t “yet to come”—it’s here and now! God is on the move, and he is doing a new thing now, in the midst of our present circumstances. Instead of focusing on the future, we’re determined to follow God’s lead, right here and right now.
Permission Slips: Starting Your Year with Confidence
The last couple of years have been anything but easy. A worldwide pandemic, tumultuous elections, racial and social tensions…it’s been quite a ride. Now generally, January is a time of optimism—people are hopeful, believing the best about the future. But all of that craziness we’ve endured has led to an understandable unease about the upcoming year. You may be one of the millions who are wondering: “Will 2022 really be any different? How can I be confident about my future in the middle of so much uncertainty?” The good news? You don't have to limp into the new year with anxiety. God has given you permission—permission to hope, dream, and believe in the new year. No matter what comes…this year will be your year!
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