All during the month of December at Northwood, we have been studying Philippians 2:5-11 in an effort to get a better understanding of INCARNATION – Divinity wrapping Itself in humanity, God becoming flesh and dwelling among us!

Listen to what these verses say:  “5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!  9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

There is a phrase in verse 8 that really caught me!  “8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Did you catch it?  “HE HUMBLED HIMSELF!”  Humility is a choice that we make!  Humility is the choice that Jesus made for us and the choice that we can make for each other!

Over the next several days, you and I are going to have an abundance of opportunities to choose humility!  I have to keep reminding myself that it is my choice and I want to choose following the example of how my Savior chose for me!  I hope this helps us all to live a little better in step with Him and His plans for our lives!  Be blessed and G3!

We still have one more Sunday in this incredible last month of one of the most amazing years of ministry that I have been blessed with the privilege of being a part of.  It really has been a very special gift to see how God has worked in the life and ministry of our church during the past six months.

While there has been more than enough challenges, there has also been an abundance of blessings and growth.  And while there has been some tough, hard pruning and some loss that we have had to endure, there has also been some sweet, miraculous spiritual growth and blessing that we continue to experience on an ongoing basis!

Here are a few highlights from my day as a pastor of such a great church!

*Excellent time in Bible Fellowship today! Walked in a little late and prayer request time had already begun.  As usual God had already started preparing us for the lesson He had in store!  Love my BF Group and really do enjoy our time of learning and growing from each other!  May it be as God has said!

*Worship is always special and with the Christmas music – had a little extra sweetness to it today! Thankful for the team of so many people who are willing to work hard to share their God-given talents to make each week special and meaningful!  Great music + challenging Word = Changed Lives And God’s Glory!

*Grace Place Team Blessed Me! Was blessed by the team that stayed at the Grace Place Campus to support me in sharing the Word, even though there was the temptation of fried turkey and smoked ham waiting for most of them at the NW Campus!  Really means a lot to me (more than you can know) when you support me!  Also thankful that I have people who I can call on that can help me, so that I can be in two places at one time!  Thanks David & Tonya for helping out at GP with the shoppers today!

*Yummo Lunch! Great time of fellowship with Pathfinders Bible Fellowship Group at their Christmas lunch.  Amazed and thankful for the spiritual family feel that we all get to share with each other.  Let’s not ever take for granted this great gift God has given us!  (All the food was great!)

*Powerful performance tonight by Northwood Worship Choir And Drama Team! Serving God is fun and I am glad that so many in the NW family have had the opportunity to experience that fun tonight and over the past several weeks.  Proof that our hard work will pay off in more ways than one!

I know I say it a lot, but I really do mean it!  I love each of you and I am thankful that we get to do life and ministry together!  God Bless, G3!, 24/7!