Category Archives: Live Differently

Posted on

It’s Worth It

A guest blog by Naml Lewis

Have you ever wondered why certain pieces of art sell for prices the average person (myself included) would undeniably consider outrageous? I’m not talking about the classic “Dogs Playing Poker” paintings you find at your local garage sales, but the kind you hear about at the fancy auction houses. The extravagant pieces that make the evening news because they sold for an obscene amount that could be used to support a small country, in some cases a few.

I’m not questioning the merits of the price paid (although I could) just simply exploring the decision making process behind determining the price. Ultimately, the person holding the paddle thought the item was worth it and committed to pay the full price no matter how crazy it seemed to the average person.

Which leads me to the question –  how do we actually determine what something is worth, aka its value? Sure, there are man-made formulas to assess the value of worldly items, but what about your relationship with Jesus. What mechanism do you use to assess its value? More importantly, are you willing to pay the full price when you discover its true worth?

Matthew 13:44 says, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

4086871

3 things the “Parable of the Hidden Treasure” teaches us about discovering the Kingdom’s value in our life…

1. Seek the Kingdom – Only if we could all be so lucky to find a hidden treasure. One thing is for sure though, you will never find it unless you look for it. Matt 6:33 says “seek first the kingdom of God and all its righteousness”. God promises to open the door if you knock, but we must make the effort to pursue Him passionately to find what he has for us. Make your search for the treasures of the Kingdom a priority in your life.

2. Find Your Treasure – God assures us if we seek then we will find. What’s so cool is that what we find is specifically for us. The man didn’t own the land, but the treasure was destined to be his nonetheless.  What God has for you…is for you! No one can take claim to it.

3. Joyfully Sell Out – When you discover the value of the treasure that God has for you through following Jesus it produces unspeakable joy. So much so that you are willing to sacrifice whatever you have because what God has for you is so much more valuable.

The Kingdom of God is not for sale, but there is a price that we must all pay. Joyfully pay your price regardless of what the average person says because IT’S WORTH IT!

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00.  Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us.  Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here.

Posted on

What To Do When You Blow It

Yesterday was an incredibly perfect day.  Probably one of the best days of the year for me, no joke.  I came back from the sunny beach after hanging out with my family, watching the kids play in the waves, soaking up the sun, playing catch, it doesn’t get much better than this, right?  We came back to the house and I thought I would take a dip in the pool so I jumped in and man it was AWESOME!  Then 20-30 minutes later I realized I had been swimming with my phone in my pocket!  Oops, bye, bye, phone.

Bad decisions are bound to happen but it is more about how you react than the decision itself. 

iphoneinrice

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”   2 Timothy 1:7

It happens to all of us.  We make boneheaded decisions, fail, forget and sometimes these decision happen on accident.  There are a ton of different reasons we make these decision, self preservation, selfish ambition, forgetfulness, but what should we do when we make these decisions?

6 Things To Do When You Absolutely BLOW IT!

#1 Calm Down –  Overreacting is perhaps the silliest thing you can do.  When I realized I had been swimming with my phone, I got out, looked at Summer and said, “whoops, I forgot to take my phone out of my pocket.”  Then, she laughed at me, and I laughed at myself.  Can you imagine me, FREAKING OUT, losing my mind?  (Ok, maybe you can) but that didn’t happen.  You can’t get to step one until you control your emotions.

#2 Ask For Help – Immediately, after she laughed I asked her if she knew what to do, of course she did.  Power off the phone, Get some rice, put the phone in a plastic bag with the rice and do nothing for 36-48 hours.  So many people make bad decisions and then try to go it on their own.  Pride and unwillingness to be wrong cause so much hurt.  Who do you need to accept help from today?  So I immediately jumped in the car, drove to the store and got a bag of rice and some ziplock bags.

#3 Act Quickly – Now is the time for action.  Time is of the essence.  Don’t wait for someone else to solve your problem or to take a step for you.  You are responsible for you and your own actions.  Your character is at stake.  It’s time to act.  Don’t wait for others to do what you can do for yourself.

#4 Get Rid of Guilt –  Moping around the house will do me no good, THE – PHONE – IS – DEAD.  Only the rice and a miracle act of God will save the phone now.  Guilt is okay for a few moments.  I felt pretty stupid, but hey, who can fault me for jumping in the pool, Summer was in there 🙂  It happened, Its over, let’s move on from the guilt.

#5 Don’t Blame – We spend way too much time blaming other people for our circumstances.  Even if they were at fault for where you are now, the question is, “What are you going to do?”  It’s over!  Move On!  I know it may not seem that simple, but no matter what the current reality it’s time to forgive and move on.  Its a hard thing to do, but it’s worth it.  Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.

#6 Be Patient – There comes a time when you realized you have done all you can.  If that is the case, take the pressure off, rest.  You have done everything you know to do so you have to let go and just wait.  Take it one day at a time and control what you can control, your actions.

I think I’ll go for a swim.

Josh

By the way…since the writing of this blog, Phone didn’t make it 🙁

Join us at 217church this week for our message… “Total Dependence on God.”

 

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.  Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11

Posted on

Four Prayers I Am Praying For You

Yesterday I went to my mailbox and there was a birthday card from a dear friend of mine named Lorin.  Lorin is a man in his 80’s who wakes up at 4:30 am EVERY MORNING to pray.  During that time, he prays for me EVERY DAY.  He prays for my marriage, my health, he even prays for my church family and my ministry!  There are days when I wake up and sense the strength of his prayers from 3,000 miles away calling out to the heavens incterceding for me.  I am convinced there is nothing more important I can do than pray for you, church.  Here is how I pray for you. Here is what you need to know…

Praying Hands 5-23-14

“The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective ” James 5:16

God is not done with you.  No matter what you face it is for a season.  But when all else fails, you can absolutely depend on God.  It’s time to pray.

Four Prayers I am Praying For You…

#1 Your Faith – Jesus takes convicts and turns them in to converts.  That is right, this is what we are all about, restoring people in their relationship with Jesus.  He came that we would have faith and that He would die and be the ultimate sacrifice so we would have eternal life and know and follow HIM.  RESTORED!  This is our word.  Jesus rose from the DEAD and while pointing to Jesus, My prayer is your belief would increase that you would be able to take your eyes off the worldly results and call out in the heavenly reality

#2 Your Finances  – What we invest in we value.  I have talked to so many people these last two weeks who are hurting financially.  When you can’t provide for your family there is uncertainty, fear, confusion and even insecurity.  We need to continue to pray for God’s provision for the people of our community.  Especially the elderly, the disabled, the widows and the single moms.  When we begin praying these prayers God will move us to realize that we are to be generous and help one another through difficult times.  I love being a part of a church and community that believes in taking care of those who are going through rough times.  We do this because it is an example of the Gospel of Jesus in action.  Giving is not about a legalistic percentage, but a heart that is transformed as a reflection of the Gospel. A FAMILY takes care of one another and advances the Gospel with its finances. My prayer is you would have enough to live but not so much that you would depend on your riches.

#3 Your Focus – Be more afraid of missing an opportunity than failing.  Distractions will derail your life.  Jesus and the Gospel are what matters.  We are to be pursuing Him as our FIRST priority.  We are to serve others and love them.  Who has Jesus sent you to?  Take your eyes off yourself and you will begin to gain the right focus. The church is at it’s best serving the community, loving people, taking care of one another, pursuing the common good, sharing meals together and speaking out as a peaceful voice of reason.  My prayer is you would focus on the right things. 

#4 Favor of the People – We are HIS children – Let me say that again.  You have a seat at the table with Jesus and he calls you, “brother, sister and friend.”  I tell my children they bear my last name and they need to act like it!  When you realize whose family you are in and that the Father has lavished the greatest gift of love and favor on your life, it changes how you PRAY.  Through forgiveness of sins, repentance, privilege and honor to be called the church and a life in heaven with HIM, he has given us favor.  This changes our perspective.  We need to pray for the favor of God that he would be merciful and gracious, especially with those who don’t know Him yet.  My prayer is he would INCREASE HIS FAVOR upon you.

You refresh my heart and it is a privilege to pray for you.

Which of these areas are you desperate in now?  Comment below, I would love to pray for you.

Josh

 

Josh is the lead pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ planted in 2010.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

 

 

 

Posted on

What I Hate About My Body

Most of us have thought something demeaning about our body.  We look at our face that has a nose that is too big, skin tone that we want a little darker, a belly that we can’t seem to get rid of, hips that just won’t quit!  What I hate about my body is my perspective.  Most guys look in the mirror just like the girls do.  Our hair is falling out, our pecks aren’t manly enough and the dude on the cover of the men’s health magazine, well, he is too fabulous for me.  I have struggled with hating certain attributes about my body, but there are certain things I have to accept about me.  There are some things I can change and some things I just have to live with.

Will power is exhausting, His power is exhilarating! 
weights 5-18-14

 

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? ”   1 Corinthians 6:19

Trying harder to reach a goal with our physical health is EXHAUSTING.  I’m not saying be a “quitter”, but the motivation matters.  Whenever I choose to set a goal now, whether it is running a marathon or strengthening my upper body (I weigh a buck forty-five). I first choose to do it by HIS POWER.  I run the marathon first to GLORIFY GOD with my body, after all, it’s HIS exclusively.  But I told you before, what I hate is my perspective so here is how to go about changing your view…

Four Ways To Change Perspective About Your Body –

#1 Release The Guilt –  Ok, so you are overweight, there I said it.  So what?  Why are you letting the world’s standards of beauty and desire define you.  What if you stopped beating yourself up and held your hands up to the heavens and made your physical health a spiritual issue.  Your body matters to God.  He cares what you eat and he has forgiven, empowered, strengthened and loves you.  Fasting is a great way to release the guilt.  Struggling with guilt?  Skip ONE meal and take the time you would ordinarily eat and pray to God for the whole time.  Proclaim that your body is His body.  Let Him give you the grace you need.  Receive from HIM.

#2 Stop Comparing –  This is difficult because the culture has programmed us to compare everything we are to others.  We have been corrupted!  Our faces, stomachs, legs, how big this is or small that is, it’s destructive.  Whenever you proclaim dissatisfaction with your genetic make up, you demean God.  Here is a truth, there will always be somebody better, faster, and stronger.  Comparison will kill your motivation.  Be content with who God created you to be.  That face is a one of a kind.  If they don’t like it so what? Stop letting others own you!

#3 Start Reading –   You need to concentrate on what God says about you!  Yes read the BIBLE!  Many issues of physical health have roots in other spiritual things like depression, anger, abuse, and low self esteem.  You may just be listening to the wrong voices.  You may need to seek professional counseling, but once you wrap your heart around who God says you are, your identity becomes clear and you have a starting point.  It is the Gospel of Jesus that should motivate and guide us, not the magazine cover girl!  He created you and has redeemed you.  Here is a start… Colossians 1:2-3 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  YOUR LIFE IS IN GOD!  GOOD NEWS!

#4 Take Responsibility – The first three are easier but the last one is hard.  It’s time for us to stop blaming everyone else for our circumstances, including those parts of our physical health we can control.  The three ways you can become more healthy that almost everyone accepts are:  Eat more things that are green, Exercise on a plan, and set goals that are attainable.  This means we need to be focused and disciplined.  Ask God what he wants for your body.  Maybe He will tell you to lose those 30 pounds so you have energy to bounce those grandkids around another 5 years?  Whatever it is, stop blaming and start changing. 

My final thought is this, find someone to help!  You are always better with a coach!  This Sunday we will have time to pray for those of you who need specific physical healing.  I can’t wait.

Now go work that body…

Josh

 

Join us at 217church for the final week of our series Live Differently.

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.  Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11.

 

 

 

Posted on

What Summer Really Thinks About Marriage

Today is a post by my wife Summer.  She is a pretty big deal, so you should read this…

Josh and I have been married for 18 years, 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days.  That’s 6,719 days, 1.84 decades and 129 dog years.  Now matter how you look at it, that’s a long time!  (Unless you’ve been married for 18 years, 5 months or longer, to you, we are rookies.)  Please don’t ask me what our secret is.  I don’t believe in formulas.  I loathe conferences.  Self-help books make me angry.  I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to relationships.  But, if you were to twist my arm and demand that I tell you what works in our marriage, I would say something about maintaining the friendship, keeping a sense of humor, discovering new things together, making date night a priority, blah, blah, blah…

The Family is the backbone of our culture and it’s time for an adjustment. 

josh & Summer 2011

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”   Matthew 19:6

But, lately I’ve been asking myself that question.  What does make our marriage work?  When I look a bit deeper it seems that a theme emerges.  We live our life by a couple of cliches.  You may have heard them.  The older cliche is, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”  The newer one is, “Happy wife, happy life!”  My husband likes to say, “I married up.”  My husband is my best friend.  My husband likes to take care of me.  He encourages me in my dreams.  He listens to me when I’m down.  He knows when I need some space, or when I need a hug.  He’s not perfect.  Sometimes he gives me a hug when I need to be left alone, and leaves me alone when I need a hug.  But, we work through it.

I can already hear the internet ask, “What do you mean he ‘takes care of you’?  Are you talking about ‘traditional roles’?  I don’t need a man to take care of me!”  I’ll tell you what I mean.  My husband loves to serve me.  He likes to surprise me with gifts and flowers when I’m not expecting it.  He does housework and enjoys spending time with the kids.  He likes to plan date night and the occasional weekend away.  He brings a cup of coffee to my bedside table every morning.  Lucky me!

I believe there are a lot of good men out there who love their women and want to see them happy.  I also believe it’s very easy for us, as women, to take advantage of that.  It’s easy for me to demand my way and be selfish.  If I really wanted something, I know he would do everything he could to try to get that thing I wanted.

But, there’s another cliche I’d like to address.  “Behind every successful man stands a strong, hardworking and wise woman.”  We live in an age where we want to empower women.  I’m all for women empowerment.  But, I hate to see men being pushed down under that same umbrella.  I see too many men lose sight of their unique contribution to this planet because their wives decide they want something different in life.

Marriage is a partnership and requires sacrifice.  This is not a new thought.  It can oftentimes clash with “I deserve to be happy.”  What is your husband’s dream?  Are you encouraging it, or discouraging it?  Are you lifting him up, or belittling him?  Are you pushing the brake pedal when he feels he needs to step on the gas?

Imagine all the sacrifices made by the First Ladies of the U.S. before they were able to call themselves that.  It takes a strong woman to support her husband in the risks he takes to put himself out there as a candidate.  It takes a hardworking woman to take care of the family while the husband has his focus on other things.  It takes a wise woman to overlook the massive criticism about her husband and the open window into their private lives.

Who was your husband when he first caught your eye?  Was he an adventurous thrill-seeker?  One who was willing to take risks?  One who had big dreams?  Did he have a desire to help others?  Who is he now?  Is he different?  Those qualities don’t go away, but they can become squelched.  He can be easily discouraged from taking a risk on a new business venture.  He can be tamed from his adventure seeking.  His dreams can become squelched.  We women have that power.  That’s the ugly side of women empowerment.

I once had a woman ask of me, “Please pray for us.  My husband needs a new job.  It needs to be within (this specific line of work), near (this specific side of town), with (this specific amount) of pay.  Because we need to be near family, and I don’t want to sell the house, and blah, blah, blah…”  Are you kidding me?  I never want to be that woman.  I never want to limit God.  I never want to justify my wants with excuses.  I never want to limit my husband.  Do you want to know what I prayed for this girl?  I prayed that God would open her heart to any possibility He might have for their family.  I prayed that God wouldn’t allow their limitations to stifle His possibilities. I prayed that I would always be open to God’s leading in our life…no matter what.  Does God want to move us across the country from Oregon to New Jersey?  Ok.  Does God want us to step out in faith and plant a church? Alright.  Does God want us to open our homes to an orphan?  I’m open.  Does God always ask me to make minor adjustments, or does He challenge me with situations that I think are outside my realm of comfort?  When I read the Bible I see a theme.  I see people being challenged beyond what they think are comfortable. I see people who have to rely completely on God, because only He could make a bad situation good.  I see people that have to depend on only Him…anticipating that only He can predict the outcome?

Don’t limit God…and don’t limit your husband.  I strongly believe that when we try to control situations, that we miss out on possibilities beyond our imaginations.

My Husband Likes 3 points, so Here’s my attempt at the three point marriage advice –

#1 Encourage Him –  Choose to focus on his strengths, and not his weaknesses.  Give him permission to be who he was created to be.  Let him know you appreciate him and value him as your life partner. 

#2 Trust Him – Don’t try to control him, but trust that he’s going to do what he feels is right.  He will fail, just like you fail.  Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.  Never throw his failures back in his face, but encourage him to keep moving forward.

#3 Pray For Him –  Every day.  Right now.  Pray for his health.  Pray for his mind.  Pray for your relationship.  Figure it out and make it happen.

I could probably come up with 12 more points, but I’ll just stick to three at this moment.  Just remember, in the end this is your love story.  In the end, I want to know that I married a man who lived exactly how he was suppose to live.  Every marriage is different and has its own unique set of challenges.  Embrace yours.

Summer

 

Join us at 217church for our series Live Differently…

May 11- Family Health (Mother’s Day)

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.  Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11.

 

 

 

Posted on

4 Things Mom Taught Me About Financial Health

Yesterday I was preparing my 2 younger kids for school and they asked if they could buy lunch.  I had 4 singles in my wallet so I said, “sure, why not”  Lunch is $2.50, so I figured I could scrounge up some change from somewhere not knowing where that extra dollar was coming from.  20 seconds later, I picked up some clothes off the bathroom floor that should have been in a laundry basket somewhere and what do you know, I heard the clanging of four quarters falling out of jeans from the pile of clothes.  Exactly what I needed.  Sure this wasn’t a life defining moment, but I immediately got a subtle reminder that God has all my financial stuff covered.

Are you holding on to your money, or is it holding on to you? 

Financial LD

“But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”   1 Timothy 6:9

Ok, let’s all get over the fact that finances are a sensitive subject.  Most of us want to be RICH.  Many of us are already!  But the bible says it’s harder to follow Jesus when you’re rich.  We are sick people. I have money, you have money, if you have access to this article you will have SOME money.  But it’s not how much you have but what you do with what you have.  So how should we handle money?  Here are the four things my mom taught me about financial health.  She’s not perfect, I’m not either, but here is what I learned.

Four Things Mom Taught Me About Financial Health –

#1 Work – with ALL your strength –  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)  Your job is from GOD and He owns Everything!  We didn’t grow up with much, but there was one thing mom taught us, How – To – Work.  It wasn’t like we grew up in a child labor camp but we did our own laundry, dishes, cleared our own plates, and learned the simple art of work.  We pulled our own weight around the house.  Heck there were even times when we did have jobs as teenagers and we contributed to the family finances.  And by the way, mom didn’t pay us to do chores, she empowered us to think of how we were contributing to the family.  The bible says if you don’t work, well then you don’t eat.  No job should be below you, if you choose to mooch off the government, family, friends or others instead of work, well, that’s not biblical.  If you want to be financially sound then learn how to WORK.  But remember your work does not define your worth. 

#2 Give – up your control – (10%)  “Bring the whole tithe…Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing.”  Every Sunday was an opportunity to thank God for the week’s provisions.  I remember times at church watching my mom write a check for $30.  YES THAT WAS A FULL 10% TITHE FOR US AT TIMES.  One thing my mom always did was tithe, and through it all we NEVER went hungry.  All us 4 boys now have cultivated giving hearts.  It’s not just about the 10%, but tithe is training wheels to your giving.  It is IMPOSSIBLE to be financially healthy and not give.  It just doesn’t add up.  ALWAYS GIVE First not off what is leftover.

#3 Save – for the future – (10%)  “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but the fool devours all he has.” (Proverbs 21:20)  Most of us are terrible at saving.  We save virtually nothing and spend everything we get AND then some.  The average house has $8K in credit card debt, not good.  The reason why is most of us want more.  I didn’t say hoard, but save.  SAVE SOMETHING.

#4 Live – with no regrets – (80%)  “Put your hope in God who richly provides everything for our enjoyment”  (1 Timothy 6:17)  Did you catch that last part?  ENJOYMENT, not stress, worry, despair, all consuming planning, stock market investment obsession, but JOY.  There is NO JOY IN DEBT!  If you have debt you have a new mission in life, eliminate all of it as fast as you can.  STEP #1 is to CUT the CREDIT CARDS UP!  You cannot give, save, and live a financially healthy life in debt.  Next week I will be writing a post solely dedicated to this one topic.  Eat, drink, live, be content.

Looking for some financial wisdom?  Go pick up a pile of laundry, God has you covered.

Which one of these is hardest for you?  comment below and let’s start the conversation!

Josh

 

Join us at 217church for our new series Live Differently…

May 4 – Financial Health

May 11- Family Health

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.  Celebrate mother’s day with us Sunday May 11.

 

 

 

Posted on

5 Strategies To Increase Spiritual Health

So how is your Spiritual Health, really?  I remember a time not to long ago when I sensed I was getting sick.  Not physically sick, spiritually sick.  I had a bad attitude, was doubting God’s call on my life and I was tired.  I was working seven days a week and I didn’t even want to go to church for a season because everything just seemed empty.  I – WAS – SICK.

Salvation is free but discipleship will cost you EVERYTHING. 

Spiritual LD

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”  Philippians 2:12

Whenever I ask people how there spiritual health is, it is usually a very ambiguous answer.  One of the reasons for this is because we really don’t know how to measure spiritual health. Let me give you five strategies to increase and measure your spiritual health.  I know there aren’t any perfect formulas, but following Jesus is supposed to be joyful, not a chore.  The whole theme of the book of Philippians is JOY.

Five Strategies to Increase Spiritual Health –

#1 Sabbath – Do you take a sabbath?  If God rested on the seventh day, what makes you think you can work 28 straight days and then get away with it?  Your body was not created to work seven days a week.  You were designed with a whole day of rest in mind.  Jesus redefined the sabbath and worship.  Heck, it is even a commandment:  Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, TAKE A SABBATH!  This must be important to God. #REST

#2 Listen – Do you know how to listen and hear the voice of God?  This happens many different ways for many different people, but the principle is sound.  If you aren’t LISTENING to God you will get sick, discouraged, troubled, confused.  A great question to increase spiritual health, What was the last thing God told you to do?  Did you do it?

#3 Prayer – How is your time where you talk to God?  Here is a three prong strategy to learn to pray.  Divert daily, Withdraw weekly, Abandon annually.  This means you are going to set aside focused time every day, week and year to talk to God.  The priority of prayer = progress

#4 Community – Are you faithful to your friends who are Christ followers?  Are you living as a family as the body of Christ.  This means you have to be committed to the church in your local community being inspired, shaped and encouraged by others.  Don’t get duped by angry, hurt Christians, The church matters to Jesus, engage in it 100%!

#5 Serving – Some people try and limit spiritual health to learning, reading and consuming God.  It just doesn’t work that way.  Do you have a constant output and passion for serving those whom you come in contact with?  Serving might just be the thing you need to kick that nasty spiritual virus you have been carrying around.

Our small groups are kicking off and these next four weeks will be teaching us to totally DEPEND on God.  The Gospel is worth it.

Leave a comment below of what is ONE Action STEP you will take to increase your Spiritual Health? 

Josh

 

Join us at 217church for our new series Live Differently…

April 27 – Spiritual Health

May 4 – Financial Health

May 11- Family Health

May 18 – Physical Health

Join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

 

 

 

Posted on

5 Ways To Become A Person of Action

I have a confession to make.  Yesterday I had an idea to bring my wife flowers.  What a guy! But did I do it?  Brace yourselves, NO.  Therefore, the idea, although a noble one and one that would bring joy to my beautiful bride of almost 18 years, DIDN’T EVEN MATTER.  (As a matter of fact when she reads this, it might work against me). We have all been in situations when we wanted to implement a GREAT, sometimes world changing idea.  But if we don’t do it, the idea is worthless.  Our best intentions without ACTION equal frustration.

How do we become people that ACT and LIVE our best intentions?

Start button

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  James 1:22

Initiating IS NOT easy.  We have many things to overcome in our lives: Fear, laziness, poor planning and doubt can keep us from starting something.  But we are to be people of ACTION!  If you fail to start, you have already failed.

5 Ways To Become A Person of Action

#1 Believe in Your Idea – Many of us second guess our ideas way too much.  Someone needs to feel and sense the outcome of your initiation.  Many of us have had a GOOD idea for way too long but we don’t believe in the idea because of perfectionism, some a lack of confidence and others just are insecure about what others will think.  NEVER LET FEAR OWN YOUR FUTURE!  I’d rather get it wrong then passively sit on the sidelines.

#2 Plan it Out – The best idea that doesn’t show up in your calendar probably won’t happen.  The reason the flowers didn’t make it to the table yesterday?  I had no plan to get them so it just didn’t happen.  The bigger the idea, the longer you need.  Write it down, plan it out, and stick to your guns/schedule and make it happen.

#3 See The Outcome – This is the fun part.  If your actions are motivated out of love, it will MOTIVATE you to get busy.  When I teach, I often visualize the way someone might feel when hearing the material, this encourages me to act in boldness and say what I need to say.  Imagine how people will feel and the value you will have added once the task is complete.

#4 Share Your Idea – Nothing is quite as powerful as someone encouraging you in your idea.  I spend a lot of time bouncing my ideas off my co-workers family and it actually lets me know if my idea is any good! In addition, they make my ideas better.  Once I tell someone I am going to do something, it helps me initiate.

#5 Get off The Couch – Okay, I know this is obvious, but the only way to do it is to, well, DO IT!  This means you have to do whatever it takes to start!  Eat a big breakfast, run a mile, go to sleep early.  In short, No one can make you do the idea, but you know it needs to happen!

Don’t beat yourself up, we have ALL talked too much about what we were GOING to do. Forgive yourself!

Alright, better get the flowers!  What do you KNOW you need to do?  COMMENT BELOW… I’m interested to know some things that we have all been procrastinating.

 

Josh is the lead pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

 

 

 

Posted on

How To Optimize Your Total Health

If you want to Optimize your health you must ask this question, How do I define success?  Not a new question, but a relevant one.  For some it is an amount of money earned and others it is a position obtained.  Yet others it is one simple word, happiness.  But even of you are happy, make a ton of money, and arrive at your dream job, you could be missing the point, and look back with a ton of regret.  What if you could OPTIMIZE 4 key areas of your life and live with no regrets?

If you don’t OPTIMIZE these 4 key areas, you will miss out on opportunity.  How Jesus defines success will surely elude you.  Optimizing your health has a new meaning in two simple words:  LIVE DIFFERENTLY.

Live-Differently-2014 FB

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,” Romans 12:2

But something has to happen before we see all the results we want to see.  We must first be transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus.  It is more about dependance on Him and less about performing for others and pleasing ourselves.  The story is simple, God created man, there was a great deception of sin, Jesus provided redemption and then He gave us His presence to live a full life.  An OPTIMIZED life with no reservations.

4 Areas that MUST be Optimized –

#1 Spiritual Health – What if you and Jesus were like PB & J? What if you prayed constantly and felt the presence of the Jesus?  What if the words of the Bible started leaping off the pages at you?  What if you were living on mission through your local church?  What if you practiced sabbath and experienced true REST with Jesus?  It’s time to Optimize.

#2 Family Health – What if everyone in your family never doubted love?  The church can get another pastor but my wife only has one husband and my kids only have one person who can fulfill the role of Dad!  Man is that sobering.  What if your family got top priority in your schedule?  What if you forgive and serve your spouse?  What if you created a memory with your kids this week?    It’s time to Optimize.

#3 Financial Health – What if you actually lived financially like God owned all your possessions?  What if you gave at least 10% of your income away?  What if you were 100% debt free?  What if you only purchased what you absolutely NEEDED?  It’s time to Optimize.

#4 Physical Health – What if you lost all that weight and got control of your eating habits?  What if you lived to see your grandchildren graduate from high school?  What if eating became and meaningful act of worship?  What if you were confident in your physical appearance?  It’s time to Optimize.

Jesus has already given you success, you don’t have to “try harder”.  Each one of these areas of your life needs to be transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus.  He is the only path to optimization.  This Easter at 217church we start a 5 week series  “LIVE DIFFERENTLY” Optimize Your Health. Here is the schedule:

April 20 – Easter – A Life Transformed

April 27 – Spiritual Health

May 4 – Family Health

May 11- Financial Health

May 18 – Physical Health

Anticipating His transformation…

Josh

 

This Easter Sunday April 20th join us at 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.

 

 

 

Posted on

Why I Am A Pastor

I could give you 100 reasons why I am a pastor.  But instead I’ll just tell you one short story.  In one short paragraph it sums it up:  Life Transformation Through the Gospel.

impossible

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26

I received this short e-mail this week:

“I just want to tell you all that my daughter and I appreciate so much being included in 217church.  When we started coming to 217 (exactly 1 year ago, today), I never expected we would find this much comfort in a church family.  It truly began by getting involved with a team & showing up to as many events as we could.  God’s grace began the TRANSFORMATION in my life, BUT it is through serving others that cuts through the PRIDE (just like the sermon said yesterday). God has saved me and given me a fresh start in life, and doesn’t give me any reason to boast – I did NOTHING, it is all God’s grace.  I just wanted to thank you so much as God has grown us so much through this past year & through this experience!!  We are both looking forward to what 2014 will bring to all of our lives & to the lives of others through 217 church.”

 

It happens one life at a time!  Let’s rebuild together!

Josh

 

Josh is the lead pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ planted in 2010.  217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 9:30 & 11am and Grace Rogers School in East Windsor, NJ at 10:15.  Our new East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday.  If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information.