Category Archives: Fellowship

Fellowship

Northwood – Great Place Because Of Great People!

Great People, At A Great Place, Serving A Great God!

 

 

The Church Is People Not A Building! This morning we had two things going on at the same time.  We had a group doing a fund-raiser for our Ladies Banquet and another group cleaning up and helping to get our Recreation Center ready for Basketball Season!  It’s events like these that always help to remind me of what a very special fellowship we have at Northwood.  It reminds me of a reality that I know, but often get distracted from.   That reality is simply this:  The church is not a building, it is people, and God has blessed Northwood with some very special people!

Church People Really Like Each Other? We actually like each other and we have fun doing things together!  Getting up early on a Saturday morning is a big deal for a lot of people, but it is not near as big a deal, when you are getting up to do life with people, who you love and appreciate!  Doing something that in no way serves you on a Saturday is not always easy, because most people live for Saturdays, so that it can be all about them, but it’s made a lot easier when you know it’s going to be fun because of the people who you get to do it with!

SHOUT OUT! I just want to give a shout out to the Lord and my spiritual family.  To the Lord, for His awesome idea of church and to my spiritual family for being so very special.  I love the community that He allows me to be a part of and I pray that He helps me not to mess it up, but build it up for His glory and everyone’s blessing!

Hope to see everyone tomorrow for a great day of blessing at the place we know as Northwood with the people that we know as Northwood!  G3!

Fellowship, Friendship

A New Lesson In Friendships!

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A few months ago, I started a series of messages on Friendship!  We focused on friendship with God and friendship with others!  I love and appreciate all of my friends, but realize that I have not and I do not always show this in the way that I should.  It’s not that I don’t care or that I am not interested.  It’s just that, if I am your friend, then I am your friend and nothing is going to change that on my part.  (This is how I think in my head and heart and feel that if you know me, then you should know this about me!)  What I am learning is that while I may have an expectation that my friends accept and believe that, some of my friends need continuing reassurance.  (They may know it, but not believe it or understand it!)

When I first began to realize this need that some of my friends had, my first thought was that they are not much of a friend if they don’t know me and believe me as I am.  (I have other friends that get it and it’s not a problem for them!)  And then I slowly began to realize that everybody has their on perception.  I should be able to expect that they would work to give me the benefit of the doubt, but if they don’t or won’t, then I still have the responsibility and obligation as a friend to try to help my friend see, know and experience the real me.  Some would say:  “They are not really your friend, if they have that attitude!”  But the issue is not their being my friend.  The issue is my being their friend.  I am not responsible for their actions or reactions!  I am responsible for my own.  And even when people who say they are friends are not friendly, I have a responsibility and obligation to continue to be friendly, because that’s what friends do!  (Many times all of us think we are being or doing, but we are fooling ourselves and that is why someone in the friendship has to be willing to go the extra mile or the friendship will die!)

God is our friend and we don’t always treat God the way that He should be treated, but He patiently gives us time, space, knowledge and wisdom to figure it out!  He does this because He is our friend and wants us to be a friend back!  So, before you write somebody off, make sure that you are doing your part as a friend.  It’s a blessing for you, them and everybody.  And the best part is that it brings glory to God when we get this right!  And it is really cool, when you get to travel that extra mile together!

Thank you for being my friend and for reading this blog!  I hope it challenges, encourages and blesses you!

Church, Fellowship, Uncategorized

Sunday Rewind!

Today was a great day!  It should not amaze me, but it does!  Each Sunday God continues to show up at Northwood and do an amazing work!  I am excited about what God has done, but even more excited about what He is doing and I almost can’t wait to see what He is going to do in our future!  Below are a few of the highlights from this weeks new beginning!

-Kid’s Ministry had a great weekend during their “Overnighter!” and it was great seeing them sitting together this morning is worship!  Thanks to Sammy & Tyler for coming and sharing with them.  And thanks to Mr. David and all of our volunteers who helped to look out for them and helped them to have a great and memorable time!

-The Worship Team and choir did a great job leading us in worship and reminding us of the Power Of The Cross!  They plan at least a month ahead, but the music is spot-on week after week.  Thankful to have a team that listens to and obeys the leadership of the Holy Spirit!

-The message flowed freely as I had hoped and prayed for!  God continues to teach us some amazing things.  If we are getting it, then get ready, because God is going to do some incredible and amazing things through our lives!

-We really have a great opportunity to get this thing called church right.  Every now and then, I catch a glimpse of how God is building and growing this community of faith, so that we can work together to really make a difference and have an impact on this world!

-It was great seeing all of the new faces!  New people keep showing up!  Thanks to everyone who invites family, friends and co-workers.  Glad that God is bringing these folks and allowing them to experience what is so special to each one of us – a community of faith, a church called Northwood!

-I love you all and I am thankful that I get to be your Pastor!  Thanks for helping the dream that God has given us to become a reality!