NorthStar Church Blog

I Saw, I Thought, I Felt

Kevin Burrell on June 3, 2026

“When I saw that the men were scattering… I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me’… So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

1 Samuel 13:11-12

I SAW, I THOUGHT, I FELT

Have you ever felt the weight of mounting pressure while facing an important life decision—knowing that one wrong choice could have devastating consequences?

In moments like these, fear can cloud our judgment, urgency can overpower wisdom, and emotions can push us to act before seeking God’s counsel and direction.

Like Saul in 1 Samuel 13, we often find ourselves caught between panic and patience, struggling to trust God when circumstances seem to be falling apart around us. Yet it is in these critical moments that our faith is truly tested—not by what we see, think, or feel, but by whether we will remain obedient to God despite the pressure.

Saul’s downfall did not begin with rebellion. It began with fear.

The pressure was mounting. His army was leaving. The enemy was advancing. Samuel had not yet arrived. In Saul’s mind, delay felt dangerous. Silence felt threatening. Waiting felt irresponsible.

So Saul acted.

His explanation reveals the dangerous progression that often leads us away from obedience:

1) Fear of Urgency

“I Saw”

Saul said, “I saw that the men were scattering.”

What he saw around him became louder than what God had spoken to him.

Fear thrives in what we see:

Shrinking numbers
Limited resources
Unanswered prayers
Delayed promises
Uncertain outcomes

Faith says:

“Even if things are falling apart around me, I will not abandon the promises of God or what He has told me.”

Sometimes the greatest act of obedience is simply refusing to panic.

2) Impulsive Actions

“I Thought”

Saul continued, “I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me.'”

What began in his eyes moved into his mind.

Fear, when left unchecked, fuels imagination. And imagination, when left unchecked, leads to impulsive decision-making.

When emotions become our counselor, wisdom is usually dismissed.

Impulsive actions are often born from assumptions rather than surrender.

Just because something makes sense logically does not mean it is aligned spiritually.

3) Consequences of Disobedience

“I Felt”

Finally, Saul said, “I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”

His feelings became permission.

Not every action done “for God” is approved by God.

Poor decisions can carry deep consequences. What seems like a small compromise in the moment can become a turning point in your life, influence, and leadership.

Believers are not called to be led by fear, assumptions, or emotions. We are called to be led by God.

Listen closely: In every season of pressure, remember that fear distorts what you see, impulsive thinking corrupts what you believe, and unchecked emotions can lead you into disobedience.

Saul’s mistake was not simply offering a sacrifice—it was allowing urgency to replace his trust in God. When life feels overwhelming and decisions carry heavy consequences, God is not asking you to panic; He is asking you to remain faithful.

True faith is revealed when you choose obedience under pressure.

“I Saw. I Thought. I Felt.”

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 45 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Digging Deeper – Idols of the Mind

David Griffith on June 3, 2026

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”

Exodus 20:4-6

IDOLS OF THE MIND

So where does the sin of idol worship begin?

That is correct: it begins in the mind! What we think about, who we think about, and how we think all matter.

And how do we combat sinful or evil thoughts? Right again, by renewing our minds with God’s Word!

Romans 12:1-3 is, to me, one of the most complete battle plans for facing the Idols of the Mind. It says:

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to THINK more highly of himself than he ought to THINK, but to THINK so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”

A complete study of Psalm 119 will also shore up our mental defenses, as all but four of its 176 verses speak of God’s Law, God’s precepts, or God’s Word. But verse 11 is particularly helpful as it reminds us, “Thy Word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.”

How did the enemy attack Eve in the garden? By putting doubt in her mind concerning the goodness and reliability of God.

And what did Satan use against Jesus when he tested Him in the wilderness? He used half-truths and twisted Scripture in an attempt to tempt Jesus to sin. But God the Son used His Word to combat the enemy and cast him away.

Our minds are the most brilliant computers ever created. And like computers, they can be used for both good and evil. Our minds themselves can become idols when we place intelligence and knowledge on the pedestal of our lives.

Our minds are only good when we use them for God’s glory, not our own!

Do you think of yourself as smarter than those around you? Worse yet, do you sometimes think of yourself as smarter than God Himself? Do you KNOWingly sin against Him? Do you THINK about the sin and then do it anyway?

Then your mind has become an idol that you worship instead of Jesus.

On your knees before the Lord, ask the Holy Spirit to help renew your mind. Make a promise to Jesus that you will spend time in His Word every day so that renewal can happen. Repent of the pride of Bible knowledge for knowledge’s sake instead of pursuing a relationship with the Son.

Tomorrow we will look at Idols of Strength!

Quite simply, Dave Griffith loves getting to know Jesus better by studying His Word daily and is passionate about teaching his siblings in Christ how to study His Word as well. He is passionately in love and like with his helpmate, Jackie; and is most fulfilled when he is hanging with his 10 kids (3 of his, 2 of Jackie’s, 3 are married, 2 more spiritually adopted) and 9 grandkids. He is a small group leader and a men’s group leader. He is a serial entrepreneur owning or having owned numerous businesses. He also enjoys naps!

Digging Deeper – Idols of the Soul

David Griffith on June 2, 2026

Exodus 20:4-6

IDOLS OF THE SOUL

I believe Scripture is very clear that the SOUL speaks to the essence of who we are eternally. Our soul is what the enemy wants to destroy and what Jesus came to redeem. The soul is who God created in eternity past to serve Him now and for all eternity future. The soul is our BEing. It is what we BE.

In Mark 8:34-37, Jesus summoned the multitude with His disciples and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his SOUL? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

The word translated LIFE and SOUL is the same word: psyche. It is where we get the word psychology. Our life, our soul, our very who-ness is described in this word.

So how do we make our soul an idol?

Based upon this passage in Mark, I believe we idolize our souls when we idolize ourselves.

Here is the question I believe God is asking us: “What do you think is so special about your life apart from Me? Your life was lost until I found you. Only then did I make you alive in Christ and give you a purpose” (Ephesians 2:1-10). “So why do you strive in every area of your being as if you do not have an Advocate, even My Son?”

The idol of the soul is, I believe, the most all-encompassing idol. It permeates everything we do and everything we are because we fear losing it. Jesus assured us that we never will so that we could finally rest in His grace and lose our lives in Christ (1 John 5:11-12).

Worshipping the idol of the soul is the ever-present death grip on all that is important to us.

Let go.

And by doing so, find that Jesus is holding all things together according to the counsel of His will.

Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

Most people do not know that the Greek word for ALL actually translates to… ALL!

There is nothing in my life or yours that is outside of God’s sovereign control.

So this idol of the soul is really the idol of unbelief; a lack of faith, a lack of trust in the God of the universe who sent His Son to hold on to US through ALL of life.

Are you ready to let go completely and fall into His nail-pierced hands?

Go to Him in prayer and ask God to reveal where you have blisters and callouses of the soul. Ask the Holy Spirit to gently help you release your grip on this life He paid the price for.

Tomorrow we will look at idols of the mind!

Digging Deeper – Idols of the Heart

David Griffith on June 1, 2026

Exodus 20:4-6

IDOLS OF THE HEART

Jesus was asked this question in Matthew 22:36: “Teacher, which is the great (or greatest) commandment in the Law?”

Why did this Pharisee lawyer ask Jesus this question? Because the religious leaders of the day had just heard that Jesus had totally humiliated the Sadducees, and they wanted a crack at the untrained, uneducated Rabbi who was challenging the law they held so dear. So they got a lawyer to ask the question.

And Jesus did not disappoint.

He said to them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your HEART, and with all your SOUL, and with all your MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (See also Luke 10:25-27 where ‘Strength’ is added).

This answer stated that the Ten Commandments could not be separated, but they could be condensed. The first four commandments are summed up by loving God; the next six are summed up by loving our neighbor.

With this answer, Jesus exposed the idol worship of the Pharisees. Over the centuries, the religious elite had replaced the freedom of a relationship with their Father with the prison of a relationship to laws. The law had become what they worshipped. The Law of Moses had become their IDOL.

But in Jesus’ answer, He revealed, I believe, the five categories of idol worship that all of us struggle with to some extent, and we will study them this week!

First, idols of the heart.
Second, idols of the soul.
Third, idols of the mind.
Fourth, idols of our strength.
Fifth, idols of relationships.

An idol is anything that takes glory away from the Father.

Idols of the Heart!

What do we love more than Jesus? It is easy to determine. All we have to do is look at our calendar, our online banking account, or our scrolling summary to see what we love more than spending time with our Redeemer, our Savior, and our Friend.

What moves us emotionally? When we are in church or at a worship service, does our heart burn for Jesus? Do our eyes fill with tears when we are reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice? Does our sin wreck us in the presence of His glory? Do we love Him more than we love our spouses, children, parents, or friends?

Have we made these relationships of the heart into idols that have replaced our Lord?

In Luke 14:26, Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.”

A little clarity here: Jesus is not advocating actually hating these people. He is making a comparison between how we should love HIM and how we love our family. Our love should be so immersive in Him that our great love for our family pales in His great light.

So, are our hearts completely His, or has an idol taken His place?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal who or what has crept onto the throne that we worship before Him. Spend time in prayer today repenting of this sin and returning Jesus to His rightful place in your heart!

Tomorrow we will look at idols of the soul!

Digging Deeper: No One Will Ever Love You Like This

Kelly Skelton on May 29, 2026

NO ONE WILL EVER LOVE YOU LIKE THIS

By the end of Exodus 14, Israel stood safely on the other side of the sea while their enemies were defeated behind them. God’s rescue was complete. His people were fully protected by His power and care. This chapter reveals why God calls us to have no other gods before Him. It is not because He wants control for selfish reasons. It is because nothing else can truly love, protect, sustain, or save us the way He can. So many things compete for our hearts. We are tempted to seek worth in relationships, appearance, accomplishments, attention, money, or the approval of others. But eventually, every false god disappoints us. People change. Circumstances shift. Feelings fade. Earthly things cannot carry the weight of our deepest needs, but God remains faithful. Exodus 14 shows us a God who sees His people terrified and trapped, and instead of abandoning them, He moves toward them with protection, patience, and deliverance. That same God still cares for us today. He sees every hidden hurt and every silent longing. He knows exactly what you need before you even ask. When we truly understand how deeply God cares for us, the blind idols we may have never realized existed, begin to lose their hold on our hearts. We stop searching for ultimate security in temporary things because we realize we already belong to the One who faithfully carries us through every storm.

Prayer:
I pray as you close out your work week that you are reminded that you have a Father that loves you so much. Lord, forgive us when we seek security and worth in things other than You. Help us remember that nothing can care for us the way You do. Just as You delivered Israel through the Red Sea, remind us daily that Your love, protection, and presence are more than enough for our lives.

Kelly Skelton is a Georgia native, raised in the south on Jesus, Georgia football and sweet tea. She is her husbands’ biggest fan and her two daughters’ loudest cheerleaders. She recently published her first children’s book titled, But God Had a Plan. She stays active in the Dallas area as a photographer, videographer, writer, and middle school teacher.

Digging Deeper: He Makes a Way Through Impossible Spaces

Kelly Skelton on May 28, 2026

HE MAKES A WAY THROUGH IMPOSSIBLE SPACES

Israel stood trapped between the sea and an approaching army. From a human perspective, there was no way forward. Yet God created a path where none existed.

There are moments in life when we feel emotionally trapped too. We may feel stuck in grief, anxiety, disappointment, heartbreak, or uncertainty. Sometimes we pray and still cannot see how things could possibly improve. In those moments, the world offers many false saviors — success, relationships, entertainment, or distractions that temporarily numb the pain. But none of those things can truly rescue the soul.

The parting of the Red Sea was not only about escape; it was about showing Israel that no other god could care for them the way the Lord could. No idol could hold back the waters. No earthly comfort could protect them from Pharaoh. Only God could make a road through the impossible.

Sometimes God allows us to stand in impossible places so we can experience His faithfulness more deeply than we ever have before. Often, it is in our weakest moments that we finally realize how completely we need Him. Those moments become the very testimonies our children, families, and neighbors remember most — not our perfection, but God’s faithfulness.

When we trust Him fully, our lives quietly teach that God alone is enough. And the beautiful thing is that He never fails to make a way.

Prayer:
God, when we feel trapped by fear, pain, or uncertainty, remind us that You are the God who makes a way through impossible situations. Forgive us for turning to temporary comforts instead of trusting Your love and power. Open our eyes to the ways You are already working in our lives, even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

Fan or Follower?

Kevin Burrell on May 27, 2026

“So why do you keep calling me “Lord, Lord!” when you don’t do what I say?”

Luke 6:46

FAN OR FOLLOWER?

There’s a big difference between being a baseball “fan” and being a true “follower” of a team.

A fan wears the jersey on game days. They know the stats, discuss trades, celebrate victories, and post highlights online. But when the season gets hard, when the team starts losing, or when following them becomes inconvenient, many fans quietly fade away. Their loyalty is emotional, casual, and comfortable.

But true followers are different.

True followers stay committed through losing streaks and rebuilding seasons. They follow the draft. They know the minor league prospects. They show up and post up when it’s cold, inconvenient, expensive, or disappointing. Their loyalty changes how they spend their time, money, energy, and attention. They don’t just admire the team from the stadium seats; they are invested. They are all in!

Jesus confronts us with that same distinction in Luke 6:46.

Many people are fans of Jesus. They like His teachings. They admire His compassion. They may wear the label “Christian.” They attend church when it’s convenient, quote Scripture on social media, or speak positively of Him in conversation.

But admiration is not discipleship.

A fan of Jesus wants inspiration.

A follower of Jesus wants transformation.

A fan knows about Jesus.

A follower obeys Jesus.

Jesus is not looking for spectators in the weekend church crowd, cheering occasionally while living however they please the other six days of the week. He calls disciples onto the playing field, people willing to trust Him, surrender to Him, lock eyes with Him, walk with Him, and follow Him even when it’s inconvenient or costs something.

That’s why this verse is so piercing.

Jesus says, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ if you refuse to do what I say?”

The title “Lord” means master, authority, leader. And He said it twice. Our obedience reveals whether those words are genuine or merely religious language.

Following Jesus means loving our enemies when it’s hard.

Forgiving when we’d rather hold a grudge.

Serving instead of demanding.

Giving instead of clinging.

Trusting Jesus when the storms of life are relentlessly blowing.

Fans applaud Jesus when it’s convenient.

Followers obey Jesus because they belong to Him.

Listen closely: In the kingdom of God, there are no bleachers for fans. Jesus never called you to simply wear the jersey or cheer from the crowd. He called you to lock eyes with Him, take up your cross daily, and follow Him.

What would it look like for you to let His words actually lead in the area you’ve been holding back?

This verse isn’t about calling you out. It’s about bringing you into an intimate relationship with Him, where “Lord” isn’t just something you say. It’s something you live under every day.

So be honest with yourself. When it matters most, who is actually leading your decisions?

The encouraging truth is that Jesus never asked for perfection, but He does ask for surrender.

Real followers stumble, fumble, and struggle, but they continue pursuing obedience because their hearts are committed to Him.

Today is a good day to ask yourself: Am I simply a “fan” of Jesus… or am I truly “following” Him?

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Digging Deeper: He Never Said to Carry it Alone

Kelly Skelton on May 27, 2026

HE NEVER SAID TO CARRY IT ALONE

Moses told the people, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Those words can feel difficult for someone who is used to carrying heavy emotional loads. I think sometimes we feel responsible for holding everything together — fixing problems, managing emotions, helping others, and keeping life moving forward.

Without realizing it, self-reliance can become a false god. We begin believing that if we just work harder, think harder, or try harder, we can hold our lives together on our own. But God never asked us to save ourselves.

The Israelites were trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army. There was nothing they could do to rescue themselves. God allowed them to reach the end of their own strength so they could finally see His power clearly.

There is something deeply comforting about knowing God fights for His children. While we lie awake overthinking situations, replaying conversations, or carrying emotional pain, God is already at work. He sees the battles no one else knows about. He understands the silent struggles hidden behind smiles.

Because God fights for us, we do not need to struggle to control everything, chase perfection, or be completely self-sufficient. We can rest in the arms of a faithful Father who is strong enough to carry what we cannot.

Prayer:
God, I am certain that we are all tired of trying to carry burdens You never intended for us to hold alone. Forgive us when we rely on our own strength instead of trusting You. Teach us to be still and remember that You are fighting for us. Help us rest in Your care and believe that You are enough for every battle we will ever face.

Digging Deeper: Don’t Let Fear Make You Forget His Faithfulness

Kelly Skelton on May 26, 2026

DON’T LET FEAR MAKE YOU FORGET HIS FAITHFULNESS

When the Israelites saw Pharaoh approaching, fear overwhelmed them. In their panic, they forgot everything God had already done for them. Fear has a way of making us lose sight of God’s faithfulness.

Fear can quietly take over our hearts. We fear rejection, failure, abandonment, insecurity, uncertainty, and loss. Sometimes we fear not being enough. And when fear grows louder than faith, we begin turning to other things for comfort — constant busyness, perfectionism, distractions, or the opinions of others.

The Israelites forgot that the same God who delivered them from slavery was still standing with them at the edge of the sea. How often do we do the same? God has carried us through painful seasons before, yet when new difficulties arise, we question whether He can take care of us again.

What is beautiful about this passage is that God did not walk away from His fearful people. He remained faithful even while they doubted Him. That same grace is available to us today. Even when our emotions are messy and our faith feels weak, God stays near. Our faith may feel like a struggle sometimes, but His love never is.

Prayer:
I pray, as you walk through your day, that God would calm every fear in your heart and remind you of His goodness. Lord, forgive us when we unintentionally place our trust in temporary comforts instead of in You. Help us remember Your faithfulness in every season of life. Just as You stayed with Israel in their fear, stay close to us and remind us that Your love is steady and unchanging.

Digging Deeper: Uncomfortable Places

Kelly Skelton on May 25, 2026

UNCOMFORTABLE PLACES

There are seasons in life when it feels like God has led us straight into uncertainty. We pray for direction, ask Him to guide our steps, and then suddenly find ourselves standing in situations that feel overwhelming — heartbreak, loneliness, disappointment, anxiety about the future, or exhaustion from carrying invisible emotional burdens. The Israelites must have wondered why God led them to the edge of the sea with danger closing in behind them.

Because we are human, we often search for security in things other than God. Sometimes we cling to relationships, achievements, appearance, success, or the approval of others to make us feel safe or valued. Sometimes we try to control every outcome so we can avoid the pain of disappointment. But Exodus 14 reminds us that God allowed His people to stand in a place where only He could rescue them. He wanted them to see that He was enough.

The truth is, God already knew what was ahead for Israel. Pharaoh’s army did not surprise Him. In the same way, your struggles, fears, and disappointments have not escaped His notice. He sees every tear, every silent prayer, and every ache you carry. I think sometimes God leads us into uncomfortable places so we can learn that He is more dependable than anything else we lean on. He does not abandon you in hard places — He reveals Himself there.

In this world, we will constantly be reminded of how little control we truly have, but that is not meant to drive us into fear. It is meant to drive us closer to the One who lovingly leads us. The God who guided Israel with purpose is still guiding you today.

Prayer:
I pray, as you start your week, that you remember to trust God for your security and safety. When you feel overwhelmed or uncertain, remember that He is already aware of every detail of your life. Just as He carefully led Israel in Exodus 14, let’s pray that He would lead us with His wisdom and love. Lord, help us trust that You are always enough.