C.A. Phillips – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – Help My Unbelief!

C.A. Phillips on September 4, 2026

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Mark 9:23-24 (NLT)

HELP MY UNBELIEF!

Let’s just keep it real. We’ve ALL had circumstances – MANY circumstances – when we struggled in our ability to trust that God was going to come through for us. Or maybe you trusted that He would come through but were despondent and anxious in a season of waiting. You do your best to will yourself to believe, but deep down, you just aren’t sure things will work out.

That’s why I’m so thankful this story in Mark 9 was included in the Bible. This dad is wrestling with his unbelief in the very presence of Jesus.

This man’s son has been possessed by a spirit that would make the boy deaf and mute. From a very young age, the spirit would throw him down – sometimes in fire, sometimes in water – and would also make him foam at the mouth and grind his teeth. Like any father, this man is distraught and desperate to find healing for his son. He’s already asked Jesus’ disciples to cast out the spirit, to no avail. The man is perhaps a bit reluctant to press in on Jesus. So, he softens his request by saying, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

In his apparent exasperation, Jesus responds, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Feeling somewhat ashamed, the father replies, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Never has there been a more honest expression of the tension between faith and doubt! I am right there with this dad – I DO believe, and yet part of me wonders if Jesus will choose to do something to help me in my present circumstance.

Some have referred to me as a pessimist. I like to say I am a realist. A friend recently told me, “That’s what all pessimists say.” In any event, the political pundit George Will once uttered one of my favorite quotes of all time: “The great thing about pessimism is that you’re either constantly proving yourself right, or you’re pleasantly surprised.”

When it comes to faith and doubt, it’s really easy for pessimism to rear its ugly head. However, we don’t see any examples in Scripture where pessimism is lauded or when it has been an effective strategy for coping with the unknown. Instead, we’re told to seek God’s Kingdom and to live righteously – and that God will provide all we need (Matthew 6:33).

Like so many things in life, it’s simple but not easy. But, as Mike Linch says, when we continue to lock eyes with Jesus daily, the Spirit ministers to our minds and hearts to give us wisdom and direction for what lies ahead, even when we can’t see what’s coming.

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.

Digging Deeper – Feeling Stuck

C.A. Phillips on September 3, 2026

And we are sure of this, that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we really know he is listening when we talk to him and make our requests, then we can be sure that he will answer us.

1 John 4:14-15 (TLB)

FEELING STUCK

This has been a year fraught with difficulty for our family. It began quite literally on January 1, when we had to take my mom to urgent care. She had been under the weather – likely a nasty virus of some sort – when she found herself on the floor two consecutive mornings. Because she suffered from vascular dementia, she couldn’t even tell us what happened. She was extremely weak from dehydration and lacked the strength to get on her bed or to climb back up in her recliner.

She got some IV fluids, which perked her up some. But, for the next few months, things simply weren’t the same. She would barely eat, and her existence was just that – sitting in a recliner daily from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. She kept saying, “I just wish I would feel like myself again.” Unfortunately, she never would.

Meanwhile, I was burning up the roads from Kennesaw to Cartersville several days each week to check on her, help her, force-feed her, clean her house, walk with her, and encourage her to use her mind in various ways. I was exhausted, frustrated, and distraught. Each day I would begin my day with the same prayer: “Lord I need your help. Please give me the strength and attitude to help Mom.” At the same time, I was pleading with God on another level. “I pray for mercy and compassion for Mom. She is your child. Show your lovingkindness to her.”

Mom was ready to meet Jesus long before she would be taken home. She would get frustrated with her cognitive decline and say, “I wish I’d go to bed and not wake up.” Other days, she’d state it more plainly: “I wish I would just die.” I don’t have to tell you how disheartening it is to be faced with those sentiments day in and day out.

What I learned in those dark days was something Mike Linch covered in his message this past Sunday: Hold onto Jesus’ promises, even when I can’t see the evidence. Even in those challenging months – a season I genuinely thought might never end – I clung to what I knew to be true about my Savior. That he would never leave me or forsake me – or Mom (Deuteronomy 31:8); that He loves His children (1 John 3:1); that He has my best in mind (Romans 8:28); and that His thoughts and plans are far greater than mine (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Jesus called Mom home on May 6, 2026, less than two weeks before her 86th birthday. There was sadness at her leaving us, but mostly there was a profound peace that she is whole once more and in the place she always longed to be. I now see those months of anguish as a blessing; God gave me many hours with my mom that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Amid all of this, my wife, Amy, accepted a new position in February, and we now face another season of uncertainty. We’ve had our house for sale since the spring but have not yet sold it. Amy has a 3-hour-plus daily commute, and she is weary. We’re ready to begin the next chapter in a new home, in a new community. But just like with my mom, it’s all in God’s timing. We’ll keep holding onto His promises, despite our inability to see the evidence of His work behind the scenes. That’s what you do when you feel stuck. You hold onto the hope you have in God’s Word. One of Mom’s life verses comes to mind:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Digging Deeper – Authority Over All Things, Even from a Distance

C.A. Phillips on September 2, 2026

…just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.”

Luke 7:6b-8 (NLT)

AUTHORITY OVER ALL THINGS – EVEN FROM A DISTANCE

Jesus had already agreed to come to the home of the Roman officer to heal his slave. Remember, the Jewish people had begged Jesus to do so because the Roman had treated them so well. But what we see here is even more remarkable: the officer – knowing Jesus is coming – sends others to him with a message that surprises even Jesus!

In essence, the officer has such utter confidence in who Jesus is and what power he has that he requests that Jesus heal the slave from where he is. The officer understands that proximity does not matter when it comes to Jesus’ healing abilities.

There are 37 distinct miracles of Jesus that we can read about in Scripture. Of those, only two of them involve Jesus not being physically present: this encounter captured in Luke 7 and another captured in John 4:46-54. A royal official’s son was extremely sick and near death. When he heard that Jesus was in Galilee, he found him and begged him to come with him to heal his son. But Jesus simply told the man, “Go back home. Your son will live!” On his way home, some of his servants met him and told him that his son was alive and well.

We know that word about Jesus’ miracles spread far and wide. Chronologically, the miracle we read about in John 4 happened well before the one in Luke 7, when Jesus heals the slave. While we cannot be certain, there is a chance that word of Jesus’ healing powers – even from a distance – had reached this Roman officer. Either way, the officer understood that when it comes to true authority, distance isn’t an inhibiting factor.

What’s the lesson in this for us today? Do you believe who Jesus says he is? Do you believe he has the power and authority to do what only God can? Does distance limit his ability to move mountains even today?

It all comes down to faith. When we push all our chips to the center of the table on Jesus’ ability – and not the circumstances we face – that’s when he does his most profound work in our lives.

While I give the Roman officer mad props for his faith and humility, there’s one thing I’d change if it was me in the story: even knowing full well that Jesus can heal from anywhere, I’d still want him to come to my house!

Digging Deeper – My Faith is Strengthened Knowing Jesus is One of Us

C.A. Phillips on September 1, 2026

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

MY FAITH IS STRENGTHENED KNOWING JESUS IS ONE OF US

A couple of years ago, I began my foray into the world of travel – as an advisor with a large agency. I must admit it was rather intimidating entering an arena I had very little knowledge about. As I began to share with others that I had completed training and was now certified as a travel advisor, I started receiving inquiries. The problem was that, while I had traveled some, I had not traveled extensively – especially outside of the United States.

This is when I learned a valuable lesson: lean on those who know far more than I do, have traveled further than I’ve been, and have been doing this for much longer than I have. And the more I sent emails, texts, and Facebook messages to fellow advisors, the more trust developed. They had been where I hadn’t and had experienced and achieved what I had yet to.

Eventually, I learned that the Founder and President of the agency and I had some common ground: we each began knowing nothing. Nearly 15 years later, after taking his first step towards a dream he couldn’t imagine, Adam Duckworth (a former student pastor from Michigan) leads a world-renowned travel agency with more than 2,700 advisors – and growing! But what’s so reassuring about hearing Adam share his passion with others is this bottom-line truth: he is one of us.

As I read stories in Scripture like the one in Luke 7, I’m always encouraged – not only because I relate to the soldier’s initial feeling of inadequacy in approaching Jesus with his plea, but also in knowing that Jesus cares deeply – because he, too, is one of us.

The Apostle Paul stated it perfectly in his letter to the Philippians:

Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men.
Phil. 2:5-7 (TLB)

As a human – like you and me – Jesus experienced the same emotional and physical highs and lows we do. He certainly felt joy and elation – but we tend to focus on the persecution and torture he endured. This, not surprisingly, is when we lean on him most – in our seasons of discouragement, sorrow, and pain. However, as Hebrews 4:14-16 states, we can confidently approach Jesus, knowing he has been where we’ve been – and to the extreme.

Because of his firsthand familiarity with humanness, Jesus advocates for us to our Heavenly Father! He can say, “Yeah, I remember how it felt to be disregarded. I know what it’s like when Satan is after you. I’m with you.” How incredible!

The next time you hesitate to take that load you’re carrying and lay it at his feet, remember he’s been there. He knows your pain. In fact, he wore it. And he wants nothing more than to offer you the grace and mercy you need to keep running your race.

Digging Deeper – My Faith is Strengthened by Intercessors

C.A. Phillips on August 31, 2026

At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death. When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some respected Jewish elders to ask him to come and heal his slave. So they earnestly begged Jesus to help the man. “If anyone deserves your help, he does,” they said, “for he loves the Jewish people and even built a synagogue for us.”

Luke 7:2-5 (NLT)

MY FAITH IS STRENGTHENED BY INTERCESSORS

The relationship between Roman soldiers and Jews in Jesus’ time was tenuous at best. Essentially, it was the Roman Way or the highway. The Jewish people didn’t get warm fuzzies in their dealings with the men who heavily taxed them, forced physical labor, and punished and executed them when they took exception to the constant oppression they endured.

But here, in Luke 7, we find something rather unusual. A Roman soldier owns a slave – one who was a productive and valuable asset – who is on the verge of death. Initially, we read that the soldier has “sent some respected Jewish elders” to find Jesus and ask him to come heal the slave. It sounds as if he might have ordered them to do it. But we quickly learn this is not your normal Roman-Jew relationship. These Jewish men plead with Jesus on the soldier’s behalf.

We don’t know the history of the soldier’s love and appreciation of the Jewish people, but somewhere along the way, his heart was captured by them. Perhaps the Jews showed the man or his family undeserved kindness. Maybe the soldier simply witnessed the unselfish lifestyle of God’s chosen people loving and serving one another. Who knows? But the Jews tell Jesus that the soldier loves them and has built a place of worship for them. No small thing!

The Roman soldier doesn’t know Jesus personally (yet). But he knows someone who knows him. And through the interaction with the Jewish people, he has come to understand that Jesus has the power to heal! However this relationship developed over time, it illustrates perfectly that we need others in our corner – especially in dire circumstances.

These Jewish men are advocating for the man and interceding on his behalf – directly with Jesus! They implore Jesus to come with them to heal the slave. The soldier needed others to plead with Jesus – just like you and I do when our backs are against the wall.

Building community with other believers is critical for our journey – and incredibly helpful. When we’re reminded that we cannot carry heavy burdens, these brothers and sisters in Christ carry it for us – and carry it TO the one who is equipped to handle it.

Who are your intercessors? If you don’t have a tribe of people who can pray for you, what might be a step you can take to find community with other Christians?

Digging Deeper – The Power of His Name

C.A. Phillips on June 12, 2026

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 (ESV)

THE POWER OF HIS NAME

The term “God” is used by many religions and denominations, but when God Himself was asked what His name was, He responded, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).

In the original Hebrew Bible, however, God’s name appears more than 7,000 times as YHWH (Hebrew was originally written without vowels). Some scholars suggest the name YHWH may have origins in Midian and may be derived from an Arabic root associated with love, desire, or passion. Later, out of reverence for God, the Jewish people substituted Adonai (translated “Lord”) because they felt YHWH was too sacred to pronounce aloud. In most English translations, whenever you see the word LORD in all capital letters, it is referring to God’s covenant name, YHWH.

As we wrap up our week-long examination of the Third Commandment—”Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (KJV)—we need to revisit the notion that this all boils down to one thing: relationship.

If we are in a right relationship with the Lord, His name carries weight. If we don’t know God, or if our relationship with Him is broken, His name will lose significance to us (though never to Him!).

Modern Bible scholar Dr. Bob Utley once exclaimed, “There’s no power in God’s name until you know Him!” But let’s not stop there. You could also say, “There’s no power in Jesus’ name until you know Him!”

The Apostle Paul was convinced of this—especially after his life-changing encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Consider what he wrote in his letter to the Philippians:

“Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor
and gave Him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11 NLT)

As we conclude this week, I’d encourage you to reflect on your personal relationship with Jesus. If you know Him and walk with Him, you have access to the power of His name through the Holy Spirit. If you know Him but have drifted far from Him, you can still call on His name and restore that relationship through confession and repentance.

And if you don’t yet know Him, He is actively pursuing you and desires nothing more than to show you the power—and peace—that are available through a relationship with Him.

Digging Deeper – More Than Words

C.A. Phillips on June 11, 2026

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

MORE THAN WORDS

Several years ago, I read an article that discussed the topic of biblical knowledge among today’s Christians. In essence, the majority of believers interviewed by the author candidly shared that they didn’t feel they knew enough of the Bible. That’s actually quite common. Shoot, I’ve been a Christian for more than 45 years, and I still don’t come anywhere close to knowing enough!

But the article didn’t stop there. Interestingly, through more in-depth conversations with these men and women, the author discovered that the largest gap didn’t exist between what they knew and didn’t know about the Bible. The widest chasm was between what they knew and how they lived. Let that sink in for a moment.

For instance, let’s say I know only a couple of Bible verses and can perhaps paraphrase one or two of Jesus’ parables. My biblical knowledge may be limited, but it’s still enough to point my moral and spiritual compass toward Christ. The problem is that I don’t apply the little knowledge I have. My feet don’t move in the direction my knowledge is trying to guide me.

Likewise, when we read the Third Commandment—where the Lord tells us not to take His name in vain—we discover that it’s more of a lifestyle issue than a knowledge issue. We can get caught up in legalism and think to ourselves, “Well, I didn’t curse using God’s name, and I didn’t say His name in a flippant way,” and assume we’re doing fine. Meanwhile, we flipped someone off on the way to work, spoke harshly to an umpire at our child’s game, and left a $3 tip on a $50 dinner bill.

Some have said, “You’re the only ‘Jesus’ some people may ever see.” That’s true, and it should sober us to realize that a lost world is watching Christians closely.

Dr. Bob Utley, one of the most respected Bible teachers of our time, shared some valuable insight regarding the Third Commandment. Utley says that taking the Lord’s name in vain is akin to “cheapening His name by godless living.” In his commentary on the subject, he goes on to ask, “Have you impugned the name of God by your life?”

The truth is, we all have at one time or another. This is where repentance (turning away from sin and turning toward God) and a contrite (soft, humble, and remorseful) heart become critical to keeping us in step with the Lord.

When we honor Him—with both our words and our lifestyle—He blesses us.

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 (NLT)

Digging Deeper – What’s On Your Mind?

C.A. Phillips on June 10, 2026

“These people praise me with their words,
but they never really think about me.
They worship me by repeating
rules made up by humans.”

Isaiah 29:13 (CEV)

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

We wrapped up yesterday’s devotional with the realization that our hearts typically determine our lifestyle—how we act, how we spend our time, and with whom we spend it. And all of that certainly bleeds over into how we speak.

I remember a time very early in my tenure on staff at NorthStar Church. I was talking with a volunteer one Sunday morning when, out of the blue, I was lambasted. This man—who was a well-liked, highly esteemed volunteer and church leader—suddenly went on a tirade and made me feel small. I was so taken aback and discouraged that I sought counsel from one of our staff leaders that very day. I remember his advice well.

“This isn’t about that,” he said.

In other words, whatever this man was getting on me about wasn’t really the issue. There was something deeper going on beneath the surface that erupted in that moment, and I had the misfortune of being the recipient of his angst.

Jesus spoke openly about this issue:

“Good people do good things because of the good in their hearts, but bad people do bad things because of the evil in their hearts. Your words show what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45 (CEV)

So, if my heart determines my words and actions, how do I align it with Jesus? Great question. It begins with rewiring another part of our anatomy: our minds.

How we think, what we think about, and whom we think about all work in concert to propel us forward—or backward. As you’ve heard before, “Junk in, junk out.” So if we replace the junk with good things—truly good things—nearly every area of our lives will be enriched. Paul says as much in his letter to the Romans:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the power of our thoughts:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

This doesn’t happen naturally. It takes effort, discipline, and a deep desire to honor the Lord with our lives – which includes the words we use. Transform your thought life, then your heart, hands & feet, and mouth will follow!

Digging Deeper – What Does ‘In Vain’ Mean, Anyway?

C.A. Phillips on June 9, 2026

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

WHAT DOES ‘IN VAIN’ MEAN, ANYWAY?

For those of us who grew up reading and hearing the King James Version of the Bible, we are familiar with the commandment not to “take the Lord’s name in vain.” For the longest time, I thought this referred only to the misuse of His name through expressions such as:

• “Oh my God” (I still say, “Oh my goodness” or “Oh my gosh.”)

• “Jesus Christ” (or any variation thereof)

• “G.D.” (not “gosh darn”)

Even today, when I hear someone use one of these phrases, it bothers me. However, the Third Commandment is far more far-reaching than simply avoiding certain words or expressions of exasperation.

Let’s look at some wisdom from the writer of Ecclesiastes to gain a clearer understanding of what “in vain” encompasses:

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 ESV)

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 12:8 ESV)

“So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:9–11 ESV)

There are many more examples throughout Ecclesiastes, as the writer wrestles with the purpose and meaning of life. “All is vanity,” he concludes, even after pursuing pleasure, comfort, success, and riches.

When we look at the New Living Translation, the word “vanity” is often translated as “meaningless.” This brings the Third Commandment into sharper focus. Not only should we avoid misusing the Lord’s name; we should also avoid using it in a meaningless, careless, trivial, or insignificant way.

Again, the Lord is speaking to believers here. He expects more from His children. He calls us to be different from the world.

Go back and read Exodus 20:7, and don’t miss this: “The Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

If you are a Christian and you use God’s name in a flippant manner, that is serious business.

Consider Isaiah 29:13:

“And so the Lord says,

‘These people say they are Mine.
They honor Me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from Me.
And their worship of Me
is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.'” (NLT)

Ultimately, this is a heart issue. Tomorrow, we’ll dive a little deeper into how we can align our hearts with His.

Digging Deeper – Treasure His Name

C.A. Phillips on June 8, 2026

“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”

Exodus 20:7 (NLT)

TREASURE HIS NAME

Have you ever given much thought to the significance of your name? Your parents likely spent a great deal of time, prayer, and debate coming up with the two or three words that precede your surname.

While you know me as C.A., my full name is Charles Alfred Phillips III. I was named after my dad, who was named after his dad—a man he never met because his father passed away in a chemical explosion two months before he was born. It was my grandmother who suggested to my parents that I be called “C.A.” And what do you know? It stuck!

Names tend to carry emotional weight for us—but only if we have a relationship with the person who bears that name. When you hear the name David, you likely know a David, and images and feelings enter your mind. If you have a close friend or relative named David, the name means even more to you. Names aren’t just words—they create deep connections.

Now think about how you would feel if someone cursed the name of your child or a loved one. Perhaps they spoke with contempt or falsely accused them. That’s not something we can quickly move past. It lingers. It stings. Our defenses rise. Not because of the name itself, but because of our love and affection for that person.

In the Third Commandment, God is not talking about a loved one. He’s talking about Himself. It’s important to understand that God isn’t addressing these commandments to all people. He’s directing them to His children—the ones with whom He has the most intimate relationship.

Thousands of years later, Jesus echoed this sentiment when He taught His disciples how to pray. In Matthew 6:9, He said:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.”

This is how Jesus began the prayer—by emphasizing the holiness of His Father’s name.

We only treasure a name when we have a close bond with the person. If there’s a lesson for us today, it’s that we need to cultivate our relationship with our Heavenly Father by spending time with Him, reading His Word, and listening as He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

When we do this consistently, we develop a deep and meaningful relationship, one that cannot be broken and one that we will honor through our words and actions.