C.A. Phillips – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – Keep Your Eye on the Prize

C.A. Phillips on October 31, 2025

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own…

Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

We’ve covered a lot of ground this week. We began by discussing what it looks like to sit with ourselves and evaluate our lives from a spiritual perspective. We then unpacked how to eliminate the things that prevent us from living the life God desires for us—and how to replace them with better things. Yesterday, we looked at Paul’s life and ministry as an example of what it means to persevere through trials.

So, as we close out the week, I want you to ponder an important question. It’s the one that brings everything together: Why?

Why do I need to reflect on what’s happening in my mind and heart?
Why do I need to say “no” to some things and eliminate those that hold me back?
Why do I need to listen to new voices and tune out others?
Why do I need to press on when life is so difficult?

The most concise answer I can offer is this: As a child of God, He is refining you into His likeness so that you can represent Him to a lost world.

In short, you and I might be the first—and perhaps only—glimpse anyone ever gets of who Jesus Christ is. Therefore, it’s imperative that we do all we can to allow our lives to be transformed through the process of sanctification. That’s a theological word that simply means this: as believers, we are set apart for God’s purposes, and the Holy Spirit continually transforms us into the likeness of Christ.

This process takes a lifetime. Remember, we’re all a work in progress—from the moment we invite Jesus to take up residence in our hearts and become our personal Lord and Savior, until the day we take our final breath and meet Him face to face.

In the meantime, keep your eyes locked on Jesus. He is your ultimate why—and He wants to use you to help a hurting world come to know Him.

C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

Digging Deeper – Press On

C.A. Phillips on October 30, 2025

12 … But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me… 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12, 14 (NLT)

PRESS ON

Paul was as tough as nails. But his resolve wasn’t developed in an instant. Throughout his ministry, he faced what seemed like unyielding adversity. He summarizes some of the physical suffering he endured in his second letter to the church at Corinth:

“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.
Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers.
I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.
And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.
I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.
I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (NLT)

Additionally, Paul faced other difficulties. He was persecuted, arrested, and imprisoned multiple times for preaching the Gospel. He was given a “thorn in the flesh,” which he describes in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10. He dealt with false teachers, opposition from idolaters, and the loneliness which resulted from the betrayal of former companions.

If you focused solely on the brutal circumstances Paul endured—particularly in his final years—you might assume he developed a bitter, callous heart. Quite the opposite.

Paul’s letters to the early churches are filled with words of encouragement, perseverance, and the call to embrace the freedom found in Christ. Though a literal prisoner for much of his ministry, he urged believers not to become prisoners of legalism (the law), but instead to live “through faith expressing itself in love” (Galatians 5:6).

If there’s a phrase Paul left for you, for me, and for all believers since his time on earth, it would be this: press on.
It’s a call to perseverance—steadfast determination to endure, no matter the circumstances—and to keep our eyes on the ultimate finish line, the “heavenly prize” he references in Philippians 3:14.

When your world seems to relentlessly oppose you, to kick you while you’re down, and to heap discouragement on you again and again—remember Paul.
Read these words and take heart from a man who had every reason to fold his tent and give up, but never did:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)

Digging Deeper – Swapping Out, Not Cramming In

C.A. Phillips on October 29, 2025

But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Philippians 3:12b-13 (NLT)

SWAPPING OUT, NOT CRAMMING IN

We all have plenty to do. In fact, I’d wager you have more than your fair share of places to be, tasks to complete, calls to return, and appointments to make. When you begin to think about adding things to your schedule, discouragement can easily set in.

Yesterday, we talked about tuning out certain voices in our lives in order to become the men and women God has called us to be. That’s no easy task—but adding things in is often even more challenging than eliminating what’s already there.

So, let’s take a different approach. Instead of thinking about how you can cram more into your schedule—even really good things like reading your Bible or joining a small group—approach it with the mindset that you’re replacing something of lesser value with something of far greater value.

I remember when I was thirty years old and a young dad, realizing that something had to give. I had started a new job at NorthStar and had two young boys—one four years old and one still an infant. For many years I had coordinated and played on a men’s softball team. I had friends, former co-workers, and family members who played with me, and we enjoyed it immensely for several seasons. But my older son was about to turn five and start playing baseball. I had to make a tough decision: would I continue to play and lead the softball team while also trying to coach my son’s baseball team?

As much as my wife and I both loved our time at the softball field, I knew the better choice was to devote that time to my son rather than try to pack in too much. I’ve never regretted that decision. Was there a sacrifice? Yes—but it was for something better.

For you, it might be a club, a hobby, or maybe spending your free time with friends. All good things, most likely. But what are you forfeiting by giving your time, energy, and money to them? Is there something God has waiting for you that you just can’t seem to make time for?

Once again, as we close, I’m asking you to devote ten minutes of your time today to pray and ask the Lord to speak to you about this. You might already have a desire to serve your community, go on a mission trip, connect in a small group, or start reading a devotional each day. It could even be something as simple as spending more quality time with your family. But perhaps you’ve met resistance—or you simply can’t figure out how to take the next step.

What’s one way you can begin to lock eyes with Jesus on a more consistent basis? He’s ready to make it happen. Are you?

Digging Deeper – Cut it Out

C.A. Phillips on October 28, 2025

Philippians 3:12b-13 (NLT)

CUT IT OUT

I absolutely love a good (and clean) stand-up comic. A few of my favorites are Brian Regan, Nate Bargatze, and Leanne Morgan. But there’s another, lesser-known, yet equally hilarious comedian I’ve had the privilege of seeing numerous times: Tim Hawkins.

Tim performed at NorthStar Church for three consecutive years back in the late 2000s. I had the opportunity to see him up close and even had a conversation or two with him before and after his shows. As zany as Tim is on stage, he is rather introverted and tends to keep to himself when he isn’t making people bowl over in laughter. He often listens to his previous performances and takes notes to ensure he doesn’t repeat a bit for the same audience or venue.

I remember talking to his brother Todd (who is also Tim’s manager) about bringing Tim back a fourth time. By this point, Tim was in high demand and had begun to trim his schedule significantly. During our conversation, Todd said something I’ve never forgotten. I’m paraphrasing, but he said, “In the beginning, Tim said ‘yes’ to everything so that one day he could say ‘yes’ only to the things he wanted to say ‘yes’ to.”

I got it. He had reached a point where he could be selective and intentional with how and where he spent his time. Instead of doing 340 shows each year, he was now doing about half that many — and he could pick and choose where he traveled. He had earned that privilege.

Similarly, we work from our early twenties into our forties or early fifties to build a career — often squeezing out the most important voices in favor of the ones we believe will get us further along and closer to our goals. But what about the goal of becoming like Christ? If that is the goal (and it should be), what are we eliminating in order to develop a character like His?

Brian Bloye, Senior Pastor at Westridge Church in Dallas, Georgia, once shared that, like a radio dial, we need to “tune in” to the right voices and “tune out” the wrong ones. The places we go, the people we spend time with, and the things we devote our attention to will shape us – for better or for worse.

As we close, I’d ask you to set aside some time today — just ten minutes — to pray and seek God’s wisdom in this area. Then, jot down at least two “voices” you can begin to tune out to help you become the spiritual leader, spouse, parent, co-worker, or neighbor you desire to be.

Tomorrow, we’ll address the voices we need to tune in to.

Digging Deeper – Sitting with Myself

C.A. Phillips on October 27, 2025

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us…16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

Philippians 3:12-14, 16 (NLT)

SITTING WITH MYSELF

I turn on the radio in the car. I search for the latest podcast episode. I flip on the TV as soon as I walk into the living room or bedroom. I scroll on my phone intermittently throughout the day between tasks—or perhaps I complete tasks intermittently between scrolls. Sound familiar?

Life is noisy. It has become increasingly difficult to find spaces and places where we can step away from distractions and into an oasis of solitude. But – at least for me – this is primarily because I’ve chosen this path.

I don’t often choose silence, even when a fleeting moment is available to me. Because of this proclivity to opt for noise and distraction, I have no doubt that the Lord has introduced seasons of difficulty to lead me to carve out more time with Him. After all, He desires nothing more.

Another reason I might not choose to cancel the noise is that I’m afraid I might not like what the Holy Spirit has to say to me. It isn’t because I’m living in sin; it may simply be that I don’t want to disrupt the status quo. What if He asks me to make a life change—or to do something out of the norm—that means I no longer “have control”?

There are also times in life when I’ve experienced failure and pain—sometimes self-imposed, sometimes the consequences of others’ poor choices. In either case, the Lord’s aim is to be close to me, to comfort me, and to mold me into His likeness. Does this happen naturally? Not a chance.

You may have heard the phrase, “Failure is life’s greatest teacher.” This is, quite simply, incorrect. A more accurate statement would be, “Focused reflection on failure is one of life’s greatest teachers.” If I don’t sit with myself, I don’t grow. I don’t learn. Instead, I’m bound to repeat history—no matter how messy or painful my life may become as a result.

Focused reflection is another term for evaluation. It requires time, discipline, and a desire to truly become all that God has created you to be.

The next time you have a moment—in the car, in the bathroom, in your office, or in the coffee shop, consider leaving your phone in your pocket and tuning out the noise. Open your mind and heart to what your Lord and Savior might have in store!

Digging Deeper – All of Us Giving All of Us

C.A. Phillips on August 8, 2025

42 All the believers devoted themselves…

Acts 2:42a (NLT)

ALL OF US GIVING ALL OF US

Have you ever played tug-of-war? You know, where two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, trying to drag the other team across a marked center line. I’ve been on some winning teams, as well as some losing teams. Do you know what the one common denominator has been on those winning occasions? It wasn’t because we had one incredibly strong ox on the team; it was because every team member was pulling the rope with all his or her might.

So it was in the early church, as each man and woman was “all in” when it came to learning about Jesus, worship, fellowship, prayer, serving others, and giving as much as was needed to support those who couldn’t support themselves. Not only that, but Luke also makes a point to say they experienced joy as a result!

For 25 years I have watched the reality show Survivor (it debuted in 2000—crazy, I know). The goal of the game is to Outwit, Outplay, and Outlast all your fellow competitors to be the last one standing and win the $1 million prize. It’s always so interesting to see how certain tribes respond when they face adversity. In the earlier years of the show, tribes would almost always eliminate the weakest players early—the ones who didn’t contribute, couldn’t pull their weight, or were social liabilities.

This was truly a Darwinian mindset—“survival of the fittest.” Couldn’t solve the puzzle? Didn’t help build the shelter? Didn’t catch a fish? Didn’t swallow that disgusting bug in the challenge? You’re gone. The tribe recognized that, at least for a time, they were only as strong as their weakest members. And winning challenges was key to advancing in the game and avoiding Tribal Council!

Strangely, this is almost the antithesis of the early church. They showed compassion for the weak. They provided for those who had nothing to eat. They shared everything and looked for ways to help others. They also understood they could only be as strong as their weakest link. But instead of voting them off the island, they built them up, strengthened them, and encouraged them.

But it took ALL of them—not just the strongest, wealthiest, or most influential. ALL.

When we all begin to pull the rope, it’s amazing what we can accomplish, and who we can reach with the love of Jesus.

Digging Deeper – Why You Matter

C.A. Phillips on August 7, 2025

¹⁸But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

²²In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

²⁷All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:18-27 (NLT)

WHY YOU MATTER

If you attend a local church, this Scripture in 1 Corinthians applies to you: you are a part of the body. And Paul takes it a step further—he says you and I are integral parts of this body, whether we realize it or not.

Can you imagine arriving at church on a Sunday morning and finding no volunteers? No one directing traffic in the parking lots. No one opening doors for guests. No one teaching children about Jesus. No musicians on stage using their talents to lead worship.

If you’re a parent, you know just how meaningful it is to have those special people who serve in classrooms on Sunday mornings, pouring into young lives. Both of my sons came to know Jesus at age seven. Sure, they were being raised by a mom and dad who love Jesus, but they also learned Bible stories, made crafts, sang songs, and attended VBS and countless other events—where adults made it a priority to give their time to invest in their spiritual growth.

In fact, two volunteers—Miss Lynn and Miss Camellia—served in the first-grade classroom and continued to follow my boys’ lives even through high school graduation. They each sent them cards and a gift! They understood the meaning of influence, and they took it seriously.

Another volunteer, Mr. Rick, taught both of my boys in third grade at NorthStar. Many years later, his company generously sponsored their youth baseball teams. And Mr. Daniel was a mentor and group leader for one of my sons in high school. Every time I see him at church, he still asks how Chandler is doing. That’s influence.

You probably have your own examples—men and women who made a lasting impression on your life, or your kids’ lives. They’re precious. And we couldn’t “do church” without them.

How about you? Have you found your place? Whether it’s at NorthStar Church or another local church, there’s someone who needs you.

Maybe you’ve never considered yourself valuable enough to positively influence another life. But that’s not God’s voice telling you that. He wants you to know that just like Miss Lynn, Miss Camellia, Mr. Rick, and Mr. Daniel—you have something incredible to offer… if you’re willing to give it a try.

Digging Deeper – Giving to God What’s Already His

C.A. Phillips on August 6, 2025

They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
Acts 2:45 (NLT)

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 6:21 (NLT)

GIVING TO GOD WHAT’S ALREADY HIS

There are many people who call themselves Christians and attend Sunday worship services, yet their relationship with Jesus—and engagement with their church family—stops there. They don’t serve. They don’t give. I used to be one of them.

Yesterday, I shared that I had attended NorthStar Church for nearly five years before I began volunteering. Well, it was almost seven years before my wife and I began tithing (you’ll be glad to know this was before I joined the staff). Serving and giving of your time is one thing. But handing over your hard-earned money? That’s another level of investment—one that kept us from experiencing even more joy and more of God’s blessings early in our marriage.

The early church went to far greater lengths than simply tithing to care for their brothers and sisters—their community, their neighbors. They literally sold whatever was necessary, even their own possessions, to ensure that those less fortunate had food, clothing, and shelter. This was the purest expression of love and generosity.

If we don’t give at all, why not start by giving something? If we give a little, why not give more? Ultimately, it comes down to three reasons:

We haven’t structured our financial lives in a way that allows us to give generously.
We struggle with trust—we don’t fully believe God will provide for us if we give “X” amount.
We think of “our money” as ours and fail to recognize that everything we have comes from the Lord.

If the desire of your heart is to “give back to the Lord what is already His,” let Him know—and then begin somewhere. Whether it’s $10 a week or $500, you’ll find yourself looking forward to the opportunity to invest in the mission of the Church: introducing people to Jesus, making disciples, and living SENT.

There’s no better investment you can make.

Digging Deeper – From Sidelines to Between the Lines

C.A. Phillips on August 5, 2025

¹⁰God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ¹¹Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)

FROM SIDELINES TO BETWEEN THE LINES

My wife, Amy, and I began attending NorthStar Church in March 1997, just three months after we were married and two months after the church’s launch. We officially joined in June of that year, but during our first five years at NorthStar, we knew only a handful of people and weren’t plugged in anywhere.

Sometime around 2002, an announcement was made from the stage one Sunday morning—a moment that would change my life. Someone shared that there would be a meeting later that week for people interested in serving on the Hospitality Team (ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, etc.). I had been looking for a way to get involved, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I went to the meeting with one thought: find the lowest-hanging fruit. In other words, look for a role that required the least commitment—maybe serving once or twice a month. I wasn’t planning to go all in; I just wanted to dip my toe in the shallow end. But God had different plans.

That night, I remember hearing from DeWitt James and Brian Dodd, two men I would grow to love and serve alongside in the years to come. Brian shared an illustration that has stuck with me for more than 20 years. It was the week of the Super Bowl, and he talked about the thousands of fans who would fill the stands, paying top dollar to attend.

“But they’re just spectators,” he said. “The ones who reap the rewards are the players on the field—between the lines—in the game.”

Then, almost as if he had read my mind, he added, “Some of you came here tonight planning to do the bare minimum—to serve here and there. But, just like those football players, you’ll only experience the true rewards when you give your all and get in the game.”

That evening changed the trajectory of my life. I started serving as a door greeter at the 9:00 a.m. service, and over the next two years, I missed only two or three Sundays. I loved serving, and I loved getting to know the people on my team. It was a game-changer.

Are you on the fence about serving? Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Jump in and see what God has in store for you—and for the people He will place in your path.

Digging Deeper – Missing Out on the Joy of Community

C.A. Phillips on August 4, 2025

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:42 (NLT)

MISSING OUT ON THE JOY OF COMMUNITY

Years ago, there was a guy in my couples’ small group who invited me to his house to talk, saying he had some questions about “church.” However, I quickly realized he wasn’t really interested in asking questions—he wanted to challenge me.

This young man, as it turned out, was trying to justify not attending church on Sunday mornings or being part of the body of believers. He said something along the lines of, “I’ve got most of it figured out. I can watch church services online (not NorthStar’s, but another church in the South). I’m in a small group. I can serve others. I’ve got prayer covered. I’m just kind of hung up on baptism. I’m not sure how I could do baptism on my own.”

I spent the next two hours passionately explaining why his approach was flawed, but he simply couldn’t see it. He was missing the point—and the power—of being part of the local church the way Jesus intended. Faith in Jesus isn’t meant to be a solo endeavor; it’s meant to be lived out in partnership with others.

A Gallup Poll released in 2024 revealed that roughly 44 percent of Christians attend services regularly—though today “regular attendance” is defined as once or twice per month. Honestly, that number was higher than I expected, but it still raises the question: what about the other 56 percent? Why are they disengaged from the life of a local church?

There are countless reasons, but most can likely be summed up this way: they don’t fully understand the true purpose of the Church, nor have they experienced the joy of serving others.

Rick Warren opens his best-selling book The Purpose-Driven Life with these four simple words: “It’s not about you.”

When we accept that truth—and begin to embrace it—we start to see both our lives and the lives of others differently. Not only that, we begin to crave community with those who share the same longing to worship the Lord and serve others in His name.