Living at the NEXT Level

What does it even mean to LIVE AT THE NEXT LEVEL?  Is this just "pie-in-the-sky" thinking, or is it available to the average, every-day person?  Let me first explain what NEXT Level Living is really about, then I'll share a personal example.  NEXT Level Living...

1. It's a PATHWAY:  When most people think of the "Next Level" they think to themselves... "If only I could reach that Next Level, then I'll be content, or accomplished.  However, the Next Level is not a destination, but a Pathway you walk on.  It is a Journey of New Steps. 
2. It's an ATTITUDE:  I have always loved what John Maxwell says, "Attitude Determines your Altitude."  He's so right. Our attitudes will either lift us above our circumstances, or chains us to our fears.  A positive attitude is a NO-QUIT attitude.  It is believing that the pathway you are on is taking you to a preferable future.
3. It's a FOCUS:  We can't choose what happens in our lives, but we can choose what we focus upon.  We can focus on our failures or focus on what we learned.  We can focus on our faults, or we can focus on our blessings.  We can focus on strengthens, or on weaknesses.  FOCUS IS A CHOICE!  We find what we are looking for!  What are you looking for?

Yesterday my son had a baseball game while I was at church with a Discipleship Group.  My wife took him to the game.  As I returned home, my wife told me to ask him about the game.  So I went to his 3rd floor bedroom, sat on his bed, and asked him how his game went.  His response was classic, "Alright, I guess!"

My son is actually a very good baseball player, but he had been in quite a hitting slump recently.  He's a perfectionist and is very hard on himself.  Our coach is a great guy and knows how to work with young boys to bring out the best.  He continued to stay positive and provided the practice time for all the boys to continue to develop.

As I continued probing to get more than "alright, I guess", he finally shared that the coach had presented him with the game ball.  He had a critical hit toward the end of the game that drove in 2 runs and secured the win. 

You see, the NEXT Level for my son was not the hit, it was the ability to persevere, not give, and to keep his focus.  That hit was simply the fruit of him living at the NEXT Level.  Don't get confused with the fruit/reward being the NEXT Level.  Hits come and go, awards are here one day and gone the next.  Living at the NEXT Level keeps you on the right Pathway, keeps the winning Attitude, and keeps the correct Focus.  Know that the rewards will come, but don't chase them.  The reward never fully satisfies, but Living at the NEXT Level brings joy to you and all those you impact.

Rivers of Living Water

John 7:37-39 ³⁷ On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! ³⁸ Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” ³⁹ (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

This picture of Living Water is a dynamic depiction of the Indwelling and Empowering work of God's Spirit.   This moves our faith past Dead Religion, to a Vibrant Experience of the Grace of Christ through His Spirit.  

If you have been feeling dry, weak, and internally barren... IT IS TIME TO EXPERIENCE THE "RIVERS OF LIVING WATER" FLOWING IN YOU. 

Join us this Sunday @ 10am to discover the reality of Jesus Words in your life!

Cornerstone; 1501 Ferndale Ave., Abington, PA 19001

www.CCF-AG.org

Preparing for Pentecost

This week is about Preparing for God's work in our lives. 

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.

(Andrew Murray)

Sunday, May 27th is Pentecost Sunday.  We see the significance of this day in Acts chapter #2.  Not only does it mark the beginning of the Church, but also ushers in the Empowerment of God's Spirit.  

In preparation we are taking this week to Pray and Fast.  You can either take 1-day committed to prayer and fasting, or you can skip 1 meal a day and replace it with prayer.   

Let's Prepare and Believe!

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls Official Trailer

If you have ever wonder what's wrong with our world today, or you ask that question after watching this clip, read ROMANS 1, it explains everything!

Why Church on Mother's Day?

Why go to church on Mother's Day?

A Mom's Job is the hardest assignment in the world. Jane Sellman said "The phrase 'working mother' is redundant."  Because of this, our whole day is designed to encourage, strengthen and appreciate our moms.  

1-Appreciate:  In order to show appreciation to all moms present, we will be having some free-prize give-away through a lottery style drawing.  They include a Free 1-hr Massage from Massage Envy, free Manicure from Abington Nails and much more.  

2-Stregnthen:  Moms will have a chance to connect with other moms.  These relationships will be a chance to strengthen your role as a mom, as well as strengthen another mom.  

3-Encourage:  From the pastries before service, to the message that will inspire you in your important role as a mom.  You will hear how Great Moms:

• Release Greatness
• Clothe in Confidence
• Encourage Flight

We hope to see you at Cornerstone THIS SUNDAY @ 10:00am.  At 9:30am there will be some pastries Mother's Day.

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

1501 Ferndale Ave., Abington, PA 19001

(215) 659-4054;  www.CCF-AG.org