Dear Friends, 

We are in a crisis, ecologically, politically, economically, you name it-- our world is in crisis. Perhaps you are in personal crisis as well, and are being persecuted at work or are overwhelmed with grief because of the death of a loved one. Whatever our crisis, individually or collectively, the invitation in the midst of crisis is always to grow, to change, to learn, to spiritually transform, to go beyond the rational mind and to commune with the God of love.  We will reflect and explore some of Jesus's most profound teachings called the  Beatitudes during the month of August. 

Matthew Chapter 5:1-12
Aug. 14,  Matthew Chapter 5:1-4
Aug. 21, Matthew Chapter 5:5-8 (third Sunday movie night Resurrection after pot luck)
Aug. 29 Matthew Chapter 5: 9-12 (last Sunday "Healing and Anointing" 

Jesus came to teach us to love and to be awakened to God's love.  Loving ourselves unconditionally is very difficult but it is the teachings of Jesus. The beatitudes invite us to explore our inner life and our souls. During worship this month we will intentionally consider becoming merciful to our own selves. To be whole and to be present means we have domesticated our violent self -hatred. This does not mean that we do not change or take our own inventory, but it does mean we will try to love ourselves as God loves us. We must die to the negative narcissistic self that is preoccupied with our faults and give birth to a new self of mercy.

Marcos Borg gave us the insight that the Greek verb "metanoeo" has too often been mistranslated to mean repent when it more accurately means to go beyond the mind.  The way of Jesus is about going beyond the mind.   "In these eight familiar sayings we can now see that Jesus is talking about a radical transformation of consciousness, embraced through an attitude of inner receptively; a willingness to enter the flow; a commitment to domesticate those violent animal programs within us; and above all, a passionate desire to unify the heart." Cynthia Bourgeault,  The Wisdom Jesus. 

Most of us have an internal  voice that criticizes ourselves unmercifully. Sometimes of course this is a good voice that serves a life saving function. But if you are like me, very often my critical voice is just telling me that I am no good and a failure. Feeling like a failure is an ego problem. Join us as we embrace these beautiful teachings of Jesus. 

Matthew 5:1-12 
The Message You're Blessed
1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
"You're blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12 "Not only that-count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens-give a cheer, even!-for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
We particularly invite and welcome Spanish speaking friends to join us  in Church for Our Common Home. 
1 Y VIENDO las gentes, subió al monte; y sentándose, se llegaron á él sus discípulo s. 
2  Y abriendo su boca, les enseñaba, diciendo: 
3  Bienaventurados los pobres en espíritu: porque de ellos es el reino de l
os cielos. 
4  Bienaventurados los que lloran: porque ellos recibirán consolación. 
5  Bienaventurados los mansos: porque ellos recibirán la tierra por heredad. 
6  Bienaventurados los que tienen hambre y sed de justicia: por
que ellos serán hartos. 
7  Bienaventurados los misericordiosos: porque ellos alcanzarán misericordia. 
8  Bienaventurados los de limpio corazón: porque ellos verán á Dios. 
9  Bienaventurados los pacificadores: porque ellos serán llamados hijos de Dios. 
10  Bienaventurados los que padecen persecución por causa de la justicia: porque de ellos es el reino de los cielos. 
11  Bienaventurados sois cuando os vituperaren y os persiguieren, y dijeren de vosotros todo mal por mi causa, mintiendo. 
12  Gozaos y alegraos; porque vuestra merced es grande en los cielos: que así persiguieron á los profetas que fueron antes de vosotros. 


Please contact us, (858) 248-5123, churchforourcommonhome@gmail.com and join us for regular services every Sunday at 5 pm at 13014 Calle de Las Rosas, SD, CA 92129 f ollowed by a soup pot luck, (salad pot luck while our vegetable garden is full of lettuce) bonfire and star gazing and dancing weather permitting. A new kind of home/internet/radio blog church that does not follow the traditions of the Christian church but teaches the teachings of Jesus. A safe place to share of ourselves, our feelings, our dreams, do art work, sing lively non church music, DANCE, enjoy bonfires and soup dinners. A place where everyone is safe and welcome. 
Mission Statement 
Encouraging awe of creation and the cosmos, we explore the visual and performing arts, dreams, wisdom teachings of Christ-Sophia in the Bible and newly found gospels, prayer, social activism, and relationships as we work to care for our common home Mother Earth, in a new kind of local and global community. We are a home church  with people around the world via the Internet,  exploring a new religious story for our time.
Vision
Our vision is to spiritually awaken and raise our consciousness about the sacred nature of all life and our interconnectedness in order to come together as a human family and care  for our common home and love God/dess with all our hearts, souls and minds and creation as ourselves. 
Sending love and blessings to our friends of Church for our Common Home,
Bonnie
Weekly Thursday Dream Sharing Group 7-9 pm
in person or on Skype, bonnie.tarwater
Come drink tea and share a dream. 
"Many wonders are manifest in sleep; in sleep the heart becomes a window, One that is awake and dreams beautiful dreams, he is the knower of God. Receive the dust of his eyes." Rumi
Every Mondays join us for Lectio Divina 7-8 pm,

 We contemplate the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-12 the month of August.
How does this scripture relate to my life and 
how is God calling me to change?  
Centering Prayer every Wednesday 10 am -10:30 am  ish 
13014 Calle de Las Rosas, San Diego, CA 92129
call for more information (858) 248-5123
New O ur Common Home Counseling Center 
with individual and group therapy services, both innovative and traditional therapy, they offer  Art Therapy, premarital and marriage counseling, individual dream sessions, Spiritual Direction, pastoral counseling and more. 
Join Dr. Walter Rutherford and 
Bonnie  for Tuesday night group therapy. Other groups that are forming.   
Walt and Bonnie are also certified and teach OWL, Our Whole Lives, a faith based human sexuality course.   www.churchforourcommonhome.com

Church for our Common Home | Minister Rev. Bonnie Tarwater | revtarwater@yaho.com 
(858) 248-5123
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