Tag Archives: northwood

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A Great Example!

Early Morning Light!

Good Day! We had a great day yesterday at Northwood.  The band did an incredible job and even though the enemy was attacking – we did not let Him win!  Thanks to all of you that help us each week to help people get into the presence of our Creator!

The Challenge! Yesterday – we challenged everyone to begin their day for the next 21 Days with God!  I want to thank each of you for making the committment to practice a small discipline that will produce big results in your life.  I am so excited about the challenge and change that can take place in our lives during the next 21 days!

QT Training! Yesterday we gave every one a QT Training Guide that can walk you through a daily time with God.  It only takes about 7 – 10 minutes and allows you the begin your day with your Creator.  If you did not get a copy – drop by the office and we will be glad to give you one.  Also we are putting the daily info on the Northwood Group Page on Facebook!

God’s Word! Today we began with a simple and powerful verse found in Mark 1:35!  It says:  “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.”

Let’s break it down: First we see that it was in the early morning, before the busyness of the day began.  Jesus escaped, got away to a private place to spend time with the Creator.  Beginning our day with the Creator allows our fist steps of the day to be steps in the right direction!

Next we see that Jesus left the house and went to a secluded place!  We need to get away from all of the distractions of life.  We all need a little time in every day to escape the distractions, so that we can get focused on what really matters.  Walk away from the distractions, they will be there when you get back, but won’t be near as destructive if you have invested valuable time with the Master!

Why did Jesus get up early and go to a private place?  So that he could pray!  So that he could spend time with his Creator!  What did he do during this time?  He talked – shared what was on his heart and mind with God.  And He listened – opened his life to receive what was on the heart and mind of God.

God loves you and has an amazing plan for your life.  We get in on that plan by spending some of our precious time with Him at the very beginning of our day.  Jesus did it and I figure if it was important to him, then it should be important to us!  God Bless, Press On And Keep It Real!

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Don’t Be Afraid!

It's Just Me!

I Like To Think Of Myself As An Ordinary Guy! I like meat and taters, sweet tea, fast motors, a pony tail on a good-looking girl, riding with the windows down, a cool evening after a hot day,  a good joke and laughing with my friends!  I think if you were to meet me and not know anything about me, that you would probably like and enjoy my company.

I Am Not The Judge! I am very careful in the living of my life, to try to not judge a book by its cover, because I have met a lot of people and have quiet a few friends that look like one thing, but in reality are another.  I have noticed lately that when people find out that I am a pastor – the walls go up.  It’s like they are afraid that I am going to whip out a 1611 King James Version Bible and start whopping them upside the head.  That’s not me and that’s not how I roll!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Me Because I Am A Pastor! I am really just a normal guy that believes in the power of a spiritual connection that makes all the difference in my life and has the potential to make the difference in the lives of others! It’s not about rules and regulations, it’s about relationship! It’s about relationship with the One who created and sustains me.  I am not wierd, I am not out to steal your children, I am not here to beat you up, I believe the world does enough of that!

Just Here To Help! I am here to grow and help others to grow in a spiritual connection that really matters and really makes a difference!  If you will take a chance and get to know me, I think you’ll be glad you did!  If you will take a chance to get to know me, I think you will discover that sometimes preacher/pastors get a bad rap!  I hope to see you on the road and I hope that when I do, we will have a chance to be friends.  You really have nothing to be afraid of!

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Chase Or Be Chased!

Chase Or Be Chased!

You have a choice to make!  Are you going to chase or be chased?  Everyday, you get to make the decision – will you chase the devil away or will you allow him to chase you away from the blessings and growth that God has for you?

It really is simple!  You are chasing him or he is chasing you and you get to decide which it is going to be.  James 4:7 says: “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

If we will submit to God and resist the devil, then he will have to flee – run away from us.   When you get up in the morning, you have a choice to make:  Are you going to be the one chasing the devil or will you be the one running away from the devil?” The choice is yours!  You make the decision for you!

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A Few More Photos!

Hope you enjoy this weeks installment of photos and that you find some blessing that you can share with others!

Life!

The harsh cold of winter has passed and life begins to spring forth.  It is an amazing time of the year and it is an amazing time in our lives.  Winter is a reality and so is spring, so enjoy the life that God has given you and do your best to make everyday count!

Power!

Lights are on, the television is playing and the refrigerator is chilling the sweet tea.  Something that we cannot see is causing all of these things to run and do what they were created to do.  That “something” is power!  Come to think of it, there is something that flows into and through each one of us, enabling us to do what we’ve been created to do.  That “something” is power!  Thank God for His power flowing into and through your life and enabling you to be the something special that you are for Him and His Kingdom!

Chrome!

I have some friends that call this their favorite color!  This is a picture of my 08 Heritage Softail.  I have told people that I was crazy to buy it, but probably would have went crazier if I had not.  Words on paper cannot express the therapy I receive when I straddle this baby and grab some highway.  God blesses all of us with different gifts.  Allowing me to enjoy His creation in the seat of a motorcycle, with the wind in my face and my troubles behind me is a gift that keeps on giving!

Time!

We seem to never have enough, yet we have all been given the same amount.  One of the biggest challenges of life is not wasting what you have been given.  I have always hoped that as I preach, teach and write that it might encourage, challenge and motivate others to get the most out of their time here on this earth!

Tracks!

I grew up on a set of these!  One of my favorite places that I ever lived was in a trailer right next to the tracks in a little town called Williamston.  Tracks are a lot like people – wherever you encounter them, they are coming from some place and going to  somewhere.  Life is a journey – and we are all on it together so let’s enjoy it – together!

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Got Any Problems?

"All God's Children Got Problems!"Problems! Do you ever have any problems?  I know that’s a crazy question.  Of course, we all have problems!  God has been showing me some things about problems as I have been working through some of my own problems.  I hope my thinking out loud in this blog might help you with any problems that you might have!

Here are a few of the things that I have learned about problems:

I have learned that problems are everywhere! There is no place that you and I can go on this earth to escape problems.  The lesson to learn:  You can’ t run away from a problem, because as you run out of one, you will run into another!

I have learned that everyone has problems! It does not matter how much money you have or don’t have.  It does not matter how smart or dumb you may happen to be.  It does not matter which side of the tracks you live on.  No one is immune!  ”I got problems, you got problems, all God’s children got problems!”

I have learned that problems don’t just go away! We have to work on them and through them!  A problem worked through can make us better, stronger and more effective.  A problem ignored can make us bitter, weaker and render us ineffective!  Don’t ignore your problem – deal with it!

I have learned that all problems have a solution! Some solutions come quickly and easily, while others take time and hard work.  If we will work for the solution, then God will use our problems to take us to a place of growth and blessing.

Here are a few steps to help you work on and through your problems! 1.) Talk To God! I am not talking about just going through the motions.  I am talking about really having a conversation with your Creator and Sustainer.  God loves you and He has an amazing plan for your life.  You will be amazed at how taking a little time to talk with Him can reveal solutions to so many things that you are facing!  2.) Don’t Give Up! As I look back on my life, I can see many times where I was just one decision away from break-through, but because I gave up and gave in – my problem got the best of me, instead of me getting the best of it!  Stay with it, work through – you will be glad that you did!  3.) Stay Focused! One of the biggest challenges to my working on and through my problems is all of the distractions that life seems to want to throw my way.  Know your problem and do whatever it takes to get through it!

You Can Do This! You can do this, because you are God’s special Creation.  Your life matters and you can make more of a difference than you know or realize.  So when your problem smacks you up side the head today – take it on, take it out and grow on to the next thing!

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Did You Say Free Easter Egg Hunt???

Free Easter Egg Hunt!

Easter is just around the corner and that means that it is time for Northwood’s Annual Family Easter Egg Hunt.  This hunt started years ago as a small get together for our church family and has grown into a full-blown outreach event to the community.  Last year we had well over a thousand people who attended and we are expecting an even bigger crowd this year.  It’s going to be a whole lot of fun and I hope that you will bring all of your family and friends!

Love In Action! Someone ask me:  ”Why does Northwood do these big events for the community and for free?”  The answer is very simple:  “We love Jesus and we love you!” This is just one more way that we can share the love of Jesus with the community that God has allowed us the opportunity and priviledge to minister in.

Hard Work – But Worth It! It is a lot of work that takes a lot of people and a fair amount of money to provide the free food, prizes, eggs, candy, inflatables, games and a lot of surprises, but it is worth all of the time and every penny to know that we are planting a seed to help people find the right direction in life!

Working Together For God’s Glory! We are very honored this year to have Ridgeview Church in Taylors partnering with us for our annual Easter Egg and Candy Grab at the Lake Cunningham Picnic Shelter in Greer!  The Easter Egg Hunt is this Saturday, March 27 from 2:00-4:00 pm!  It brings God greater glory when congregations work together to share His love!

For More Info! If you need more information, then please visit us at www.rightdirections.org. or give us a call at 864-877-5417!

Directions to the picnic shelter:  From Hwy, 29 (Wade Hampton Blvd), take Hwy. 101 to McElhaney Road.  Turn right on McElhaney Rd, just past the Lake Cunningham Fire Department.  The Picnic Shelter is on the right.

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So You Had A Bad Day!

So You Had A Bad Day?

What do you do when the phone rings and the person on the other side of the line gives you bad news?  It may be a call from a family member sharing with you the news of a loved one that has passed.  It could be the scary call from the Doctor with the results from the test that don’t look very promising.  Or it could be any number of different scenarios giving you the news that you have always dreaded to hear!  If you live long enough you will experience some of these dark times of life.  Times where the bad news of circumstances seem to be bigger and heavier than the good news of daily living.

Dark Times! During the dark times of life it is very important that we take the time to remind ourselves of some very important truths.  These truths will shine as a light in the darkness and guide us through to the other side, where we will find blessing for having made it through the challenge.

Remind Yourself That God Loves You! That’s right!  We know it, but we take it for granted and we often forget about it!  It is somewhere in there, but not where it needs to be.  Put right up in the front of your mind and heart the reminder that “GOD LOVES ME!”  God does love you – more than you can dream or imagine!

Remind Yourself That All Things Work Together For The Good Of Those That Love God And Who Are Called According To His Purpose! God is always at work.  And God is always working for our blessing.  When we love God and live in obedience to Him and His calling, then His blessings are able to flow to and through our lives.  God can use even the bad for our good, if we will love, trust and obey Him!

Remind Yourself That God Has A Plan And It Is Better Than Any Plan That You Can Come Up With! Look around you – everything that God has created has a purpose!  God has a plan and purpose for your life and if He has allowed some challenge to come into your life, then you can bank on the fact that He is going to use it to grow you and use you for His glory!

Remind Yourself To Deal With Any Sin That Might Get In Between You And God! We don’t like to admit it, but the truth is:  WE ARE SINNERS AND OUR SIN GETS IN THE WAY!  Don’t beat up on yourself for being a sinner.  Just admit it, asked for God’s forgiveness and strength to overcome!  Don’t allow sin to block the flow of God’s blessing to and through you!

Remind Yourself Of The Reality That God Has Been With Me, Is With Me Now And Will Be With Me For Always! God has been with you always and will be with you always.  He was with you before you were born and desires to be with you after you die.  There may be times that you feel like you are all alone, but God is always just one prayer away.  Take some time to talk with Him today and thank Him for what you’ve been reminded of!

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Unscrewing A Screwed Up Life!

Unscrewing A Screwed Up Life!

God Can Use Bad For Good! I know that there are a lot of people out there that are going through some very tough stuff!  Trials, frustrations, challenges and disappointments are never easy, but it is very important for us to understand that God can use the bad stuff for our good, if we will continue to love and trust Him.

In James 1:2-8 we read: “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends! It is through the tough and hard circumstances of life that our heart is purified and our faith is strengthened!  I need for my heart to be cleaned up, because living in this world causes it to get dirty and polluted pretty quickly!  I need for my faith to be strengthened, because I know that I cannot make it through without some help from my friends!  (Father, Son And Holy Spirit!)

The Wisdom Challenge! What I don’t always have and what I often need most is WISDOM!  Challenges and tough circumstances are a reality and there are times that they cannot be avoided, so I need to learn how to best respond to these challenges that the world throws my way – whenever they may come!  The last part of the above Scripture tells us what to ask for and exactly how to do it!

What And How! We are to ask for Wisdom – this is the what!  We are to ask “in faith without any doubting” – this is the how!  God created all things and so we know that God created wisdom.  Wisdom is what we need, so we should go to God and ask Him for it.  God created wisdom, so that He could give us wisdom, so there should be no doubt on our part about Him providing what we need.  We ask, we believe and we receive! It is often our lack of faith, our wavering in belief that keep us from getting the great stuff that God has for us!

You Need Wisdom! God made wisdom and He wants to give it to you!  Ask Him for wisdom and believe that you have it!  Now use that wisdom to go through your trials and troubles to the greater place of blessing that God has for you!

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15 Questions!

Questions And Answers!

In the message yesterday, I challenged everyone with the scripture from 2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” To help you do this I shared 15 Questions! Several of you have asked for a copy of the questions.  These questions grew out of my reading “Crazy Love!”  by Francis Chan.  Specifically out of chapters 4 and 5.  I hope the questions help you to do some self-examination and that the examination helps you to focus on and grow your love for God, His Church and others!

The Questions:

1.  Have you convinced yourself that attending church is enough?

2.  Are you willing to give money as long as it does not mess with your standard of living?

3.  Do you choose what is popular over what is right when in conflict?

4.  Do you want to be saved from your sin or from the penalty of your sin?

5.  Are you watching others do things for God, but never joining in?

6.  Do you share your faith?

7.  Are you comparing yourself to the world to find spiritual satisfaction?

8.  Do you allow Jesus to have all of your life or do you just give Him a part?

9.  Is there a limit to your service?  (Time, money, energy!)

10.  What do you spend most of your time thinking about:  Life here on earth or life there in Heaven?

11.  Do you allow guilt to move you closer to God or farther away?

12.  Are you more interested in how far you can go and it not be sin?

13.  Do you play it safe and fail to take risks for the Kingdom?

14.  Can you see that there is room for growth and improvement in your life?

15.  Are you willing to take the steps?

Take some time to really think through these questions.  I know that I have a lot of work to do.  I am looking forward to what God can do with me and through me as I work on some of this stuff.  I am praying for you and I ask you to please pray for me.  Remember:  We can do this for God’s glory and everyone’s blessing!

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Don’t Give Up!

I had a hard time getting online this morning!  I kept getting an error message and nothing that I tried seemed to work in solving the problem, but I did not give up – I kept on trying.  So many times as we try to live our lives, we will get thrown a curve ball and things will not work out the way that we planned.  I am not talking about the easy stuff like trying to get online.  I am talking about the tough stuff – like life just sometimes being rough and not working out the way we had hoped and planned!

Don’t Give Up! On a good day – life is hard, and on a hard day – life seems impossible!  When times get like this, we are tempted to give in and give up, but don’t you dare do it!  Keep after it!  Here are some steps to make sure that you are doing the right thing!

First, make sure that you are in communication with God. Talk to God about your situation.  He already knows all about it, but loves to hear it from your perspective.  Sometimes, just taking the time to talk it over with Him will lead you to a moment of clarity that helps you to get everything headed in the right direction!

Second, check to make sure that you are not the cause of the problem. We always want to shift the blame, but ultimately – we all bear responsibility for ourselves.  I am responsible for my actions and reactions to life!  It is very easy for us to get out of God’s plan and focused on our very own and very limited agenda.  Make sure that you are where God wants you to be and doing what God created you to do!

Third, enjoy the journey! Life here on this earth is way to short to not enjoy every moment of it.  Don’t let anything or anybody rob you of the special experiences that God has for you in the failures and the victories!

I hope this encourages you today and helps you to get more out of this very special day that God has given you!