2023 - 2024 Quotes

Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.

From the Sermon “The Seven Laws”

• "Newton taught us that ‘For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction’.  Scripture says, “You reap what you sow.”  This is spiritual law that is unavoidable.
• "Energy—action—karma—has a way of balancing things out."
• "The other side of vigor is lethargy, so we must rest and recharge to get back to homeostasis." This is how the universe and we balance things out and this can be applied to everything."
• "All religion comes from the earth and sky."
• "The ancients knew something bigger was at play in nature and the cosmos—something that was AWE-FULL. Not awful but awe-filled, things full of awe, things that resonated with their soul."
•  "All living organisms exist within the mind of ‘The ALL’.  Emerson called it the Oversoul."
• "We are expressions of the ALL. We are 8-billion human expressions of this collective consciousness."
• "This MIND we exist inside of is beyond names and forms."
• "The Tao Te Ching states that ‘The name that can be named is not the eternal name’…  ‘The Tao that can be told is NOT the eternal Tao.’”
• “The ALL is inside you and outside of you; we are ALL captured in its web of thought and creativity.”
• "The Law of Correspondence says that the micro and macro are interrelated. 'As above, so below; as below, so above.'"
• "To understand the cosmos or solar system, understand the flow and cycles in your own life."
• “Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.'"
• “Heraclitus said, ‘Change alone is unchanging’. Nothing is permanent except change."
• "Master change, master life."
• "Like a galaxy you are cyclical matter moving through many revolutions of time and space seeking to find balance around your equilibrium point."
• “Law Four is Polarity. Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites.  Taoism teaches this truth.”
• “The Kybalion says that ‘Opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet.’  When you look at those on the far, far left and far, far right you find the same kind of personality—you find fundamentalism, extremism, and dogmatism."  Both meet each other on those far edges.  As it is said, ‘Opposites attract’. Or ‘There’s a thin line between love and hate.’  Seek the middle way.”
• "Be in the middle—but if you do step out on the edges, know that what you put out comes back to you in full measure."
• “The Kybalion says that ‘everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything.’  ‘What goes around comes around.’”
• “Your tides go in and out like the ocean…like a heartbeat.”
• "The measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates."
• “The Law of Cause and Effect says that every cause has its effect, and every effect has its cause.”
• "The Law of Gender states that there are masculine and feminine energies in all things."
• "The ancients wanted us to find ways to bring these masculine and feminine energies into harmony because when they are out of sync, we become too passive or too destructive."
• "Much of humanity does not live by spiritual principles otherwise we’d have a very different world."
• "You cannot play with these laws. They will bring to you what you put out in equal measure."
• "Love will win in the end because the ALL is love."
• “No matter what we do, for better or worse, the universe will find balance even when there seems to be none.  Trust this!”
• “Thomas Carlyle wrote that ‘No lie lives forever’.  Willam Bryant whose daddy was a Unitarian said, ‘Truth crushed to earth rises again.’  The Unitarian Transcendentalist Theodore Parker said in a sermon in 1852 titled ‘Justice and the Conscience’ that you see a ‘continual and progressive triumph of the right. I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc is a long one, and my eye reaches but little ways. I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. But from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice.’  Dr. Marting Luther King would quote these great men.  He too knew these laws.  Know these laws and let them guide your life.  May it be so.”  

From the sermon:  “This Church Year”

• "The Beloved Community is REAL. It already exists as moments and for periods of time. It is an inspiration we can experience daily and an aspiration we seek."
• "Living boldly for us means we are responsible for the harm we do, and sometimes that happens when we use BOLD words; which is why compassion is so important."
• "WE ARE OUR WORDS, PHRASES, AND CLAUSES–conjunctions that can embrace or erase. Words cast spells. Words manifest actions, and actions have consequences."
• "Love is a human being's or group's highest expression of good or God. Love is a community’s highest expression of good or God."
• "If love is at the center of our community, we can ask--are my words and actions virtuous, ethical, beneficial, or moral? Or are they harmful, mean-spirited, immoral, or just for my own gain?"
• "Let’s talk about love and how it flowers when it is held in the heart. When we understand how to love each other, then we can truly trust each other and create amazing things together."
• "We must recommit to being an 8th principle anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural community because that’s what real humans do!”
• "Rupture in relationships is inevitable. But the key to our love is REPAIR. How do we repair; how do we come back together after the rupture—that’s the key."
• "It is time for us to take another step to become an example of a modern 21st-century UU congregation."
• "Congregational life is remarkably simple. You come for a good word from the pulpit, inspiring music, to build quality relationships, to faithfully serve others, and to grow your soul."

From the Sermon: YOU ARE THE EARTH: Transforming Our Thinking About Nature

On Humanity's Relationship with Nature: 

"Our stories tell us we are the best, brightest, greatest, most enlightened, smartest in all creation. This myth is deeply embedded in Western civilization given to us through Greco-Roman domination. And the BIG 3 religions all cling to this story as the essence of their authority in the world.” 

“We have to stop telling this story. We have to stop giving it authority. It’s not helpful. It is outmoded and will not help us solve big environmental problems we face today. We must tell a new story."

On Embracing Oneness with Nature: 

"The world needs a divine experience with nature so we can know that we are not separate from nature but that we, in fact, are nature. When we truly know this, like the Buddhists, we seek to do no harm. When we know this, it’s hard to hold grudges. When we know this, we are always forgiving and letting go. When we know this, we know that every animal, tree, plant, and human being are sacred. And you know, you just can’t bomb that which is sacred. You can’t subjugate, or oppress that which is sacred."

On Changing Religious Narratives:

"The destruction of our environment we see with global warming comes from the narratives we follow. The paradigm must change. As we abuse the earth, we abuse ourselves. You see this all over the planet—we are being so mean to each other. We are not honest with each other. We are dog-eat-dog and disconnected from our common humanity.  So, the destruction of our environment is inevitable with this mentality. Our religions have to change their stories. Adapt or die."

On the Native American Approach to Nature: 

"Our Native American kin had it right with their reverence with nature. They lived 25,000 years here in America with relative peace. There was some violence but not like today.”

The Native American relationship with nature can help us discover our true essence as nature. Getting out into the natural world can help us. Rejecting the old religious narratives that are wired deep in the subconscious is required. It will take some radical work in the name of love."

From the Sermon:  Be Invictus--Unconquerable!"

1. On the Nature of Darkness and Growth: 

1. "Dark nights of the soul help us see reality without distortions. We come to see ourselves more in all other human beings. We see that all humans feel, at times, vulnerable, weak, needy, wanting."

2. On Shadow Work and Self-Acceptance: 

1. "The shadow allows us to do a deep analysis of who and what I am. And as we do this work, we begin to emerge anew, renewed, and with a new sense of the self as a mature human being."

3. On Responsibility and Mastery of Life: 

1. "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. I am responsible for my life, my choices, my hopes, my dreams, my relationships, my life, my love."

4. On Embracing Life's Challenges: 

1. "When I am in the dark, I am closer to the light. Therefore, I will not give in to fear and despair. I will live with courage and faith."

5. On the Importance of Self-Reflection: 

1. "Choosing to do shadow work means we are willing to find those blind spots in our relationships or in our worldview. When the shadow teacher comes—it is not evil. It is a teacher."

6. On Acceptance and Gratitude: 

1. "I accept what life is for better or worse... There is a kind of joy, gratitude, and love in acceptance.  That is the goal."

From the Sermon:  Why I am a Unitarian Universalist

• "Unitarian Universalism didn’t just find me, it rocked my world. It wasn’t just a religion—it was a home for my beliefs; a place that nourished my soul and gave me purpose."
• "I never wanted to be a minister, but I was called. But not by a booming voice from the heavens, but by a chorus of friends, family, and life's challenges, guiding me to where I was meant to be."
• "I didn’t know I was searching for Unitarian Universalism, but when I found it, I realized I had been lost. That day, I was reborn—not just as a believer in our values, but as a minister with a cause!”
• "’To whom much is given, much is required’. This faith saved my life, and I am compelled to give back—to help manifest its greatness in the world."
• "’With great freedom comes great responsibility.’ As stewards of this living tradition, we are called to embody radical acceptance and manifest love in all its forms."
• "We are not just a church; we are a community of shared values that mourns together, laughs together, and supports one another through life’s trials and triumphs."
• "I give not because I have to, but because this community has given me so much—through raising my children, facing cancer, and experiencing loss, it has never left me feeling forsaken.”
• "We are not in the business of saving souls, but we are in the business of saving lives—bringing hope, inspiration, and light to the world through our time, talent, and treasure."

From the Sermon: The 4th UU Principle

• "We live in a time of endless voices and perspectives, yet freedom without responsibility is chaos. The Fourth Principle calls us to a search for truth that is grounded in accountability to ourselves, to our communities, and to humanity."
• "Freedom of speech is vital, but when that freedom is wielded as a weapon of oppression, it becomes a distortion of what we believe as Unitarian Universalists. The search for truth must come with a commitment to justice, love, and compassion."
• "The 4th Principle isn’t just about the freedom to explore our beliefs—it’s about the responsibility to do so in a way that uplifts rather than harms. True freedom is accountable to the worth and dignity of all people."
• "As we brace for the changes ahead, we are called not to fear but to resilience. The shadow forces of anti-democracy, anti-equality have emerged; but our faith and our principles can be the light that guides us through this period in history."
• "The loudest voices may not always be the most truthful. In our pursuit of meaning, let us remember that discernment and reflection are key. We are called to filter out the noise and hold fast to what is life-giving and just--our deepest values."
• "We cannot ignore the toxic reality that unfiltered, hateful language creates. Freedom of speech must be balanced with moral responsibility, because what we say—and what we allow to be said—shapes the world around us."
• "Searching for truth and meaning is not easy, especially in a world full of distractions, distortions, and deceptions. But our commitment to the 4th principle demands that we navigate these challenges with both courage and compassion."
• "To be truly free in our search for truth, we must also be responsible for the impact our words and beliefs have on others. True freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want but what is necessary so that ALL people’s dignity is honored.” 

From the Sermon:  The Tower of Babel

• "The Tower of Babel myth is about bad communication and bad intent, and what happens when human relationships break down."
• "We blame God or life or call it bad luck when things go wrong. But often, it is our pride and hubris that causes things to crumble or fall apart."
• "When strong winds blow from people’s mouths, full of gossip, secrets, or harsh words, relationships get blown over, and creating Beloved Community gets put on hold."
• “Pride and hubris break relationships, start wars, and make intimacy impossible. It tears families apart."
• "The Tower of Babel story shows that when human relationships break down, the work of building good things together also breaks down."

The 6th Principle:  

The Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All

• "It does seem quite improbable that we can create a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all—especially considering all that we are experiencing today. But we must try."
• "We are witnessing a clash of realities—a clash of civilizations on what the American Dream is. So, what do we do as progressive people? We must keep dreaming of the world we want and acting on that dream."
• "If we want a world community, then we have to imagine that world—the whole world—not just America, Europe or Asia, but Africa too!"
• "We cannot create a world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all if we cannot be honest with ourselves and with those in our spheres of influence."
• "We are addicted to behaviors and beliefs that keep this world separate and unequal. Until we are all willing to do the personal inventory, we cannot create a beloved community."
• "The UU 6th Principle reads 'the goal of world community.' It is saying we are all a work in process and progress. And you cannot progress until you process."
• "The post-election polls are showing us something interesting… Our side is winning. The side of love is winning, even if only a little."
• "Justice is love in action. To create justice for all, we have to do something. It’s not just thinking it into being."
• "What drives me is my insatiable urge to balance the aesthetic—what I see, feel, and experience in the world—with the ethical--my internal dream for myself and our world."
• "The cosmos pushes us to grow our souls each and every day, and I am thankful for this pull. The long arc of history will prove that peace, liberty, and justice are possible."