C.A. Phillips – NorthStar Church Blog

Ships are Sinking

C.A. Phillips on May 1, 2024

There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who speaks
without thinking.

Proverbs 29:20 (CEV)

SHIPS ARE SINKING

I’m sure you’ve been there: you’re uttering words, and while they are escaping from your lips, you realize it’s too late – you can’t un-say them.

Sometimes, this can just be a simple slip of the tongue – a goof. Everyone makes mistakes, after all. Other times, it can be a tad more painful – both for you and the recipient. In fact, I vividly recall a time in my more ignorant days in my early 30’s. I was at church and was greeting at a door outside the main building. I noticed a woman walking towards me, and made eye contact with her. I said hello, then uttered the dumbest, most dangerous question a man could ever ask a woman: “Are you expecting?” (I know, I know – I can’t believe it either).

And, then, nearly the worst reply fathomable followed: “No. I had a baby a few weeks ago.”

So, there WAS a baby…but that was little solace to my crushed psyche.

I don’t believe the kind woman held it against me, but it’s something I’ve never forgotten – and I was able to learn a powerful lesson that day: don’t ever ask women questions! Or perhaps a greater lesson: Just smile and keep your mouth closed!

There’s a famous saying: Loose Lips Sink Ships. And, if this was literal, ships would be sinking all around us.

About 2000 years ago, James (Jesus’ step-brother) stated it plainly:

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NLT)

No one can tame the tongue. No one!

As a youth baseball umpire, I can attest to this. I spend much of my week hearing coaches, parents, and players saying some of the most spiteful, senseless, inconsiderate words you can imagine. And, only part of the time those are directed at me!

So, if this is a universal struggle, what’s the antidote? In short, we have to get our hearts right.

Read what the Apostle Luke had to say on the subject:

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45 (NLT)

If you’re heart is set on the things of this world, you’re likely to talk like the world. Like they say, “Trash in, trash out.”

But, if you set your heart on Jesus, it will be far more difficult to follow the pattern set by society. When you follow his lead, you’ll look AND sound different.

And, that will be a breath of fresh air for anyone near you. People are desperate for love and encouragement. Let’s choose our words wisely. And, if all else fails, choose silence and a smile.

C.A. Phillips has served on staff at NorthStar Church since 2004, and has more than 35 years of baseball experience as a player, coach, and umpire. He and his wife, Amy, have two adult sons and live in Kennesaw with their German Shepherd, Abby.

The Value of Hard Work

C.A. Phillips on April 24, 2024

Hard work is worthwhile,
but empty talk will make you poor.

Proverbs 14:23 (CEV)

THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

I spend a fair amount of my spare time on the baseball field as an umpire these days. In now my sixth year as “Blue,” I have called nearly 700 games, the vast majority of them for boys between ages 9-18. In having played the game for 15 years, coaching it for another 15 years, and now umpiring for six more, it is easy to determine during pre-game warm-ups who has been preparing for the game, and who hasn’t.

With travel baseball now being so prevalent – and especially at the younger age groups, it’s rare to see “good baseball” at the recreational level. By age 9, nearly all the kids with talent have moved away from the rec level. With the better players moving on, that also means their parents – and subsequently, the better coaches – are not there to help kids improve their skills. After all, improving in anything takes TIME. And, from what I am seeing most evenings, youth baseball players are not devoting extra time to becoming the best they could be.

I was working a 14U game last week at a local park. I told my partner, who was working behind the plate, that the Home team was likely to get run-ruled based on seeing them just walking out onto the field. Players had no pep in their step, the coach was disorganized, and several of their jerseys were untucked and hats were askew. It was evident these kids hat little confidence, and it showed. Further, it was clear they had not put much time into improving their skills on the field. Often times, our outward appearance is a reflection of how we see ourselves – and this was no exception.

The visiting team scored seven runs in the top of the first inning. They scored another six runs in the second inning. As we began the third inning, the score was 13-7. Thirty minutes into the top of the third, the score was 20-7, and the Home team had failed to record an out! They had changed pitchers twice, and my partner expanded his strike zone in hopes of helping “move the game along.” To no avail. Exasperated, he called timeout, and walked out to confer with me.

“What’s going on here?!?!” he lamented. “How much time is left in the game?”

“Time expired ten minutes ago,” I replied. “I’m not sure why we’re still out here. The Home team clearly doesn’t want to be here, and they can’t get anybody out.”

“Let’s talk to the coaches and see what they want to do,” he said.

So, we called the coach for each team over, bluntly shared what our feelings were about the game, and asked if they wanted to continue. I explained that there was a “drop dead” time when the game would have to end – and that was 12 minutes away.

“Well, let’s play it out,” the Home coach said – much to our dismay, as well as every other spectator!

Whether it’s your sport, your career, your academics, your yard work, or your relationships – HARD WORK is important! Not only that, it is an obvious reflection of your character to others who are watching. There are numerous examples in scripture of people who failed to work hard, who ended up regretting their slothfulness.

Don’t be lazy. Prioritize hard work, and reap the rewards!

I Couldn’t Have Planned it Better Myself

C.A. Phillips on April 10, 2024

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)

I read a fascinating article by David Owen a while back in Golf Digest. Through some thorough research, and a little bit of speculation, Owen shares how the world’s most famous golf course would have differed if things had panned out the way its founders planned from the very beginning. I’m referring to Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters (A Tradition Like No Other – only uttered in Jim Nance’s silky smooth voice). However, as Owen points out, the very name of the club – and the tournament it hosts – almost certainly wouldn’t be what we know and have the privilege of experiencing today.

Here are just a few highlights from Owen’s story:

Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts, the founders of the club, originally wanted to call it Georgia National, not Augusta National.
They wanted two 18-hole golf courses, one for men and one for women.
There were lots earmarked throughout the development for residences overlooking the course.
Course designer Alister MacKenzie wanted a 90-yard 19^th hole to be located between the 18^th green and the No. 1 tee – primarily to give the loser of a golf match an opportunity to win his money back.

We’d all agree that Augusta National Golf Club has done quite well for itself over the last century. In fact, you could say it has far surpassed what the original founders envisioned, despite some very early setbacks which threatened its viability. What it has become could never have been designed or planned for. As Garth Brooks sings, “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.”

Sometimes we get so upset when our plans don’t work out the way we foresee them materializing. This leads us to question God, question ourselves, get frustrated, and give up. But God’s will is not something to be trifled with. His plans will be carried out, and they are always for our benefit. You and I are His children if we have put our faith in Him. Because we belong to Him, we are told He will take care of us. As Matthew wrote,

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So, if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 (NLT)

In the moment, we don’t see the detour as a gift. We see it as “less than” whatever we had in mind. But thankfully, God knows more than we do. And sometimes the “Georgia National” we spent all those years preparing for, God disrupts and redesigns into our own “Augusta National.”

Now, about those Masters tickets…

Failure Can Be Your Friend – If You Take This Step

C.A. Phillips on April 3, 2024

As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his foolishness.

Proverbs 26:11 (NLT)

If you’ve every failed at anything in life, you’ve likely heard the old adages “Failure is life’s greatest teacher,” or “Every failure is a stepping stone to success.” Don’t get me wrong – these sound like fantastic quotes that lead the one failing to a bright future. But, they are incomplete statements.

What happens when a team is down at halftime? A team with a good coach will make adjustments, causing the opponent to find other ways to create havoc. The best teams will almost always respond to adversity and tighten the gap. They might not always win the game, but by studying the film and changing the game plan or scheme, they put themselves in a far better situation to overcome the deficit.

Failure certainly paves the way for learning opportunities, but not everyone takes advantage of the chances failure affords to grow and improve. We’ve all witnessed others who repeatedly make the same mistakes – whether it’s in a sport, or perhaps in life. Maybe you’ve been there yourself. If you find history repeating itself in a certain area of failure, it’s almost certainly because you haven’t taken the time to truly learn from your mistakes.

Failure alone teaches nothing – it only demonstrates that we’re prone to failure as humans. That can be a sobering reality if you’ve never failed before. But, it’s focused reflection on failure that will open our minds and allow us to learn and grow from it. When we take the time to analyze what went wrong and why it went wrong, we can then change our actions and behaviors and set ourselves up for future victories.

Otherwise, we’ll be just like the dog mentioned in Proverbs 26:11, looking for a choice meal, but ultimately returning to its own vomit.

While failure is painful, it’s not final – unless you allow it to be. Embrace it, reflect on it, and learn from it. And, that’s when you’ll be better for it.

Everyone Has a Role They’re Designed to Play

C.A. Phillips on March 13, 2024

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, then prophesy whenever you can—as often as your faith is strong enough to receive a message from God. ⁷If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. ⁸If you are a preacher, see to it that your sermons are strong and helpful. If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it. If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. Those who offer comfort to the sorrowing should do so with Christian cheer.

Romans 12:6-8 (TLB)

I stood in utter dismay as the scene unfolded before me. The home team – who was up at one point in the game 4-0, was now trailing 7-4. Why was I so crestfallen, you might ask. It was at this point the pitcher had completely lost any ability to throw a strike. In fact, he had already hit two batters and walked a couple more. I was in the field as an umpire, witnessing this monumental collapse. Unfortunately, the party had just begun.

The runners were moving from station-to-station with each base-on-balls awarded. The game had slowed down to a snail’s pace – and it was getting cold! Instead of rescuing the pitcher (as well as all the on-lookers subjected to this catastrophe) the pitching coach instead barked out at the poor kid on the hill, “You need to find a way to get an out, because nobody else is coming out there. You’re it!”

And, 10 runs later, the coach had kept his word. Mercifully, at 17-4, the final out in the top of the third inning was recorded. The bad news was that the home team still had an at-bat, and the game would continue for another 25 minutes. For curious minds, after three complete innings and 2 hours, 22 minutes, the final score was 17-7.

I’m all for giving kids opportunities – to pitch, catch, play a different position. But, there’s a time and a place – and a window of opportunity – that is appropriate for this. While a coach might be teaching a player to develop fortitude and perseverance, he might be doing it at the expense of his entire team losing heart – and the game! For instance, if the coach had pulled the pitcher when the score was 7-4, he could have taken that opportunity to encourage him and keep him motivated to go out there again the next time with an idea of how to overcome some of his mental and mechanical deficiencies. And, he could have kept the rest of the team in the game. Instead, that pitcher is going to remember giving up 13 runs that inning, and the team is not likely to forget it either!

In Romans 6, Paul isn’t writing about baseball, but his words can apply to practically anything that involves a team setting where each person has skills in certain areas. We each have different abilities, passions, and interests. We all have strengths and weaknesses. If you put an accountant in the role of Communications Director, you might have a problem. Likewise, if you put someone in Operations on your Sales team, you might find they’d prefer to work behind the scenes and not talk to people all day long.

The beauty of any effective team is that it can work together as a unit while individuals contribute in ways they were designed and educated to help! Leaving someone in a role they struggle in causes the entire organization to suffer.

So, the next time you allow someone to sit in a different seat on the bus, you should plan to sit nearby. First, you can be an encourager to that person; but, you can also shift things around to ensure that person – and the team – are at their very best!

Your Job is Part of Your Faith Journey

C.A. Phillips on February 21, 2024

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ²⁴Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

Earlier this week Anthony Rendon, third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels, made some waves with an exchange he had with a member of the media. In the interview, Rendon is asked if the game of baseball is a top priority in his life.

“It’s never been a top priority for me,” he replied. “This is a job. So, I do this to make a living. My faith, my family, come first before this job. So, if those things (job) come before it (faith and family), I’m leaving.”

The same member of the media then asks Rendon if baseball is a priority. Rendon answers, “Oh, it’s a priority for sure. It’s my job. I’m here, aren’t I? I don’t want to talk to you guys at 7 in the morning, or whatever time it is.”

Reporter: “So, do you, like, want to be here playing baseball?”

Rendon: “I have answered your question. So, why do you want to keep picking at it?”

As you can see (and hear) in watching the exchange, it becomes a bit uncomfortable. And, as much as I appreciate Rendon’s answers to the questions, I don’t blame the reporter for pushing in on him a bit.

Several hours after this video aired on TikTok, the MLB Network show, MLB Tonight, showed this exchange and then began to analyze it from a number of angles. They discussed the fact that Rendon has only played in 128 games over the past three seasons (approx. 26 percent of all games). Additionally, Rendon has batted only .235 over that stretch, nearly 50 points lower than his career average. Compounding those abysmal numbers is the fact the Angels are paying him $38M/ year as a part of his 7-year/ $245M contract.

One of the analysts on the show, Dan O’Dowd, former General Manager for the Colorado Rockies for 15 years, commented that if faith and family are the priorities for someone, then all the more reason those same priorities should be reflected in how that person should approach their job, and the amount of heart and passion they put into it.

Essentially, if faith is central to who you are, then that same faith should drive all you do – how you treat others, your personal integrity, your language, your attitude, and yes – how you approach your job. Even if you hate your job, you should work in such a way that people can see you have joy in your life, and that you do it for a much greater reason than a paycheck.

I’m sure Rendon does have his priorities in order, and it’s not my place to question them. But, it does provide a great reminder for each of us, when it comes to making sure our faith and our work ethic are in alignment. Just as Paul wrote in Colossians, let’s be sure to work as if unto the Lord – not men – because it is Christ we are serving!

Digging Deeper – Land of the Lost

C.A. Phillips on February 16, 2024

Luke 15:3-4 (NLT)

LAND OF THE LOST

While Jesus is doing his best to teach the crowd where his priorities lie in this parable, we can’t miss the central figure in this story: the lost sheep. There are any number of reasons the sheep could have been lost: injury is the most likely, but in any event the sheep is weak and falls behind.

One rather interesting characteristic of sheep is that they are not only highly dependent creatures, but they are sensitive. In fact, if a sheep is rejected by its mother – or is not accepted by the flock – it is known as a “bummer lamb.” Like human beings who are rejected, sheep grieve if they are not welcomed into community with others. And, unless the shepherd intervenes, the sheep very well may die.

With that in mind, is it any surprise that we see Jesus consistently seeking out those who are considered outcasts? As we wrap up this week, I pray our eyes are opened anew to those around us who are hurting, feeling “less than,” or have simply been left behind. You and I have an opportunity – like Jesus – to let these men and women know they are valued and loved!

Find ways to engage others who might be looking for community. Speak a word of encouragement to someone – co-worker, neighbor, friend. And always remember that Jesus once came searching for you – because the Good Shepherd always accepts his children.

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 – He Carries Us Home

C.A. Phillips on February 15, 2024

Luke 15:3-5 (NLT)

HE CARRIES US HOME

When Jim Redmond walked into Olympic Stadium that summer day in Barcelona, Spain, in 1992, little did he know he would make history. After all, he was simply there to support his son, Derek, who earlier had qualified for the semifinals in the 400M race.

Derek was quick off the starting line and was in great position as he rounded the first bend. He had made the conscious decision at that moment to conserve his energy for a late surge at the finish line. Three strides later, however – roughly 19 seconds into the race – he felt a pop in his hamstring, and his Olympic dreams were dashed. Derek initially collapsed to the ground in agony and disappointment. But after American Steve Lewis crossed the finish line as the winner, the cameras turned their focus back on Derek, who was up again – hobbling his way around the track!

In watching the video of this inspirational moment, you can see the determination – and pain – on Derek’s face as he approaches the home stretch. The crowd takes notice, and what begins as a smattering of applause transitions into a standing ovation as the 65,000 people in attendance encourage Derek to cross the finish line! Then an unknown man enters the frame. He runs up and alongside Derek, wrapping his right arm around his waist, and takes hold of Derek’s left wrist in his left hand. It’s Jim Redmond – Derek’s dad – who has rushed out onto the track to help his son!

Derek breaks down at this moment, overcome with emotion and heartache. But Jim continues to walk alongside him, becoming a human crutch for Derek.

Jim recounted later, “It was a father’s instinct, I had to stop him, to prevent him doing any more damage to his leg. When I got there, he insisted on finishing the race, so I said to him, ‘We started your career together and we will finish it together.’”

Our Heavenly Father also wants us to finish the race, and He will do whatever it takes to bring us back home to him. It’s a minor detail in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, but when the shepherd searches for – and ultimately finds – the missing sheep, he carries it back home on his shoulders. Why? Because the sheep is too weak to come home on its own!

Throughout scripture, the narrative of shepherds and sheep is used to mirror the relationship between us and Jesus – our Good Shepherd! There are many parallels, but one worth noting is that, like spiritually, emotionally, and physically wounded humans, sheep cannot get up without help. In fact, if a sheep is “cast down” (on its back, with legs in the air), it will die, as it is totally defenseless to its prey.

Isaiah 40:11 says, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Our Good Shepherd cares for you, and He’ll search high and low if you go missing. And, like Jim Redmond, He’ll carry you back home when you’re too weak to continue on your own.

Digging Deeper – Heaven Loves a Party

C.A. Phillips on February 14, 2024

3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Luke 15:3-7 (NLT)

HEAVEN LOVES A PARTY

When I was growing up in church as a kid, I really didn’t hear a whole lot about heaven. I mean sure, it was a place much preferred over the alternative; but, about the only notion of heaven ever conveyed to me left me with the image of floating in the clouds and singing a bunch of songs for eternity while the angels play harps. That’s a grossly incomplete picture of the place our Creator has crafted for his children to spend with Him!

It wasn’t until much later in life that I began to look more into what heaven will truly be like. I don’t know if George Burns or Morgan Freeman will be there, but it’s going to be infinitely greater than anything we can comprehend – and certainly more incredible than what has been depicted in the movies!

According to scripture, heaven will be a tangible place where we’ll know people, and where we will still have a purpose. For an in-depth look at what the Bible has to say about it, I highly recommend the book by the same name: Heaven, by Randy Alcorn.

But another aspect I didn’t grasp until more recently is the amount of celebrating happening in heaven! Not only for those new arrivals – but perhaps more so for those on earth who have made eternal decisions and will reside there one day!

In verse 7 in the above passage, Jesus tells his audience that “there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.” We’d all agree that there’s joy in heaven; but it’s important for us to be aware that heaven is paying close attention to what’s happening here, and they have streamers and a DJ on standby 24/7!

So, let that be the wind in your sails when it comes to doing “whatever it takes” to serve as an ambassador for Christ to a hurting world. We may not witness someone’s salvation here, but when we plant seeds, water the soil, and trust the Lord to do His part, there’s a harvest coming in due time. And, without question, there’ll be a heavenly bash to follow!

Read the Book

C.A. Phillips on February 14, 2024

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

One thing I learned early in my “second career” as a youth baseball umpire was that I needed to study the rules of the game. First, I want to avoid looking foolish. Second, I want to be a step ahead of the coaches who come out to challenge a call on the field.

Most of the time – believe it or not – youth baseball coaches simply do not know the rules. From time to time, they will run out onto the field, flailing their arms and expressing their dismay at something that didn’t go their way. First, they should always ask for “time” before coming onto the field. And, once they are granted “time,” they should handle themselves respectfully. But, this doesn’t always happen, of course.

When a coach starts to disagree and tell me what he thinks, I will often reply by saying, “Do you have a question for me? Because if you just want to disagree with me, you just need to go back to the dugout. But, if you have a question, I will do my best to answer it.”

Normally, they come to their senses and see that I am actually trying to help them. Then they’ll ask a question, often about the rules of the game. The majority of the time, when I explain the rule, they’ll humbly state, “Oh. I didn’t know that was the rule” (I don’t know EVERY rule – but I try to learn as much as I can – there’s some crazy things that happen in a baseball game from time to time).

I’ve learned that I can approach the game of baseball – as an umpire – with more confidence, because I have read the Official Rule Book. Reading the book gives clarity and a ton of insight as to why and how certain rules have been written through the years.

Similarly, when we read God’s Book, we can experience clarity, direction, and peace of mind as we encounter the stuff of this life. Conversely, if I don’t consistently dive into God’s Word, I am depriving myself of heavenly insights from our loving Father. How can I possibly navigate my marriage, job, relationships, finances, temptations – if I don’t have Biblical wisdom tucked away in my heart?

Do yourself a huge favor and make time daily – even if for 5-10 minutes – to soak in Scripture as a part of your faith journey. You’ll never know how much you – and others – can benefit from you syncing up your heart with God’s until you make it your first priority each day.