Digging Deeper – Heaven Loves a Party

Avatar photo 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!

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.

Read the Book

Avatar photo 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.

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.

Digging Deeper – God Even Chases After the Hard-Hearted

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on February 13, 2024

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:1-7 (NLT)

 

GOD EVEN CHASES AFTER THE HARD-HEARTED

 

Many times, we read Jesus’ parables and think of the “lost” as being those who do not yet know the Lord. While that is certainly appropriate in many scenarios, I can’t help but believe that in this case, Jesus’ words are aimed directly at the men and women who claim to know God, but whose hearts have strayed far from Him.

Consider verse 2 above: “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”

We see this pattern of behavior throughout Jesus’ ministry: outcasts being drawn to Jesus juxtaposed with the religious leaders’ contempt for Jesus’ willingness to spend time with those outcasts.

  • It happened when Matthew (Levi) held a banquet in Jesus’ honor:

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with such scum?” (Luke 5:29-30)

  • It happened when Jesus healed a man with a deformity on the Sabbath:

At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him. (Luke 6:11)

  • It happened when an immoral woman anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears and expensive perfume:

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39)

Many more times during his ministry we see Jesus’ compassion for the hurting drawing the ire of the self-righteous. But Jesus is imploring sinners – especially the hypocritical Pharisees – to see that their hard hearts can find the peace that eludes them, through repentance. Alas, these religious leaders are so focused on snuffing the threat Jesus poses to their power that they are blinded and deafened to the true message behind Jesus’ actions and words.

So, how about you? Where do you find yourself in this story? Are you hurting and feeling like an outcast? Or, has your heart hardened over time, and you now find yourself far from the Lord? The good news is that Jesus provides the healing in either scenario – simply by turning your mind and heart to 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 – God Always Pursues Us

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on February 12, 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)

 

GOD ALWAYS PURSUES US

Panic began to set in. I had looked everywhere – and even places beyond the reasonable locations to find one of the rare material possessions on earth that I treasured: my University of Georgia class ring. I emptied nearly every drawer in the house, then began frantically looking through boxes in the basement, but nothing. Then, I started going through every piece of luggage – suitcases and duffel bags. Perhaps I had put it in there when we had moved into our new home just a few weeks prior. Nope.

After a week of scouring every nook and cranny, I finally gave up my search. It hurt to surrender any hope of finding the ring. I remembered that I had taken a photo of it and posted it on Instagram just a few months prior. So, I could at least remember it fondly as I scrolled through my iPhone photos from time to time.

If you’ve ever lost or misplaced something of value – personal or material – you know the feelings that come over you: exasperation, fear, anger, regret, fleeting hope, then sadness if you don’t recover it. I am not a guy who gets caught up in “things.” But with my ring, it was a special gift my parents gave me after earning my degree. It meant so much to me – and it had the Power G in gold, set in a red stone! I loved looking at it when it was on my finger.

In the passage above, Jesus is talking about lost treasure of a different type: a lost soul. Far more valuable than the shepherd’s missing sheep – or a class ring – this lost man or woman is being pursued by the Lord, and the search will never be called off. And aren’t you glad! If you have a son, daughter, parent, friend, or neighbor who is spiritually lost, there is hope!

The Story contained in scripture is one of a loving Heavenly Father who relentlessly chases after his children. He pursued Adam and Eve, even after their tragic and fatal error in judgment. He pursued Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. He chased down Moses, David, and Elijah. And in the New Testament, Jesus sought out prostitutes, tax collectors, murderers, and thieves. Why? Because every soul matters!

He does the same today. It might look different than it did thousands of years ago, as He chooses to use His children to share His message with the hopeless, to serve and to give to those in need. But make no mistake: He is forever on the move, while the saints plan the heavenly celebration for the one who turns to 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: The Gift and the Giver

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on December 27, 2023

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God”

John 3:17-18 (ESV)

 


THE GIFT AND THE GIVER

 

During this Christmas season we celebrate the birth of our savior the Lord Jesus Christ. As verse 17 notes, Jesus was sent into the world not to condemn but to save. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10, ESV). The word save has many synonyms, including: rescue, free, liberate, deliver, ransom, and unchain. What then does Jesus rescue us from? He frees us from the chains of sin, and liberates us from the power that sin has over us (see Galatians 3:23). Of course, we all still commit sin, and according to a just God, deserve to be punished. However, Jesus came as a ransom for all who believe – the ultimate example of a sacrificial, servant heart (see Mark 10:45).

Although Jesus was not sent into this world to condemn, those who do not believe in the “name of the only Son of God” are already condemned (v. 18). They have heard the name of Jesus (and many saw him and witnessed his works during his lifetime), but they have refused to believe. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is free, but many choose to remain in their sin. By rejecting this free gift, they will be paid according to their choice (see Romans 6:23).

Think of a gift that you received that had special meaning to you. Was it the fanciness and/or expense of the gift that made it special, or did the special meaning come from the story behind the gift/giver? Was it a gift given in love, and not just a mere token? Did it cost the giver more than just the expense? Now think about the saving gift that God sent us with the birth of his Son. Try to remember, especially at this time of the year, what a special gift that was. Go and reach out to those around you and share the story behind the gift and the giver!

 

Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.

 

Merry Christmas – You’re Outta Here!

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on December 20, 2023


…obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.

Romans 13:7b (TLB)

 

It was a crisp late October evening. The 12u season-ending fall rec tournament was underway. I had the honor of working behind the plate in our two-man umpire team. The first two batters were retired in uneventful fashion in the top of the first, bringing up the three-hole hitter. He was the team’s best player: No. 13. With the count even at 2-2, the pitcher painted the outside corner with a thigh-high fastball, and the hitter just watched it go by, leaving his Demarini bat on his shoulder.

“Strike three!” I exclaimed, ending the top of the first.

The batter two two steps out of the box, then stopped suddenly and turned back to me.

“You’ve GOT to be kidding me!!” he objected, before resuming his walk back to the dugout.

I stood there stunned for a moment, then said to myself, “Nope. He’s not getting away with that.”

I followed the batter for a few steps, and as I approached the dugout, I announced in front of the families in the visiting stands, “Number 13 is out of this ball game! Number 1-3 is out of the game and will not return!”

Gasps were audible from the parents and siblings, and several immediately questioned: “Why?!?!” I said, “Because he was disrespectful – that’s why!”

About an inning later, the opposing coach came over to me between innings. He said, “You know, I’m okay with it if you want to allow him back in the game.”

I said, “Well, you might be OK with it, but I’m not! If I let him back into the game, he won’t learn a thing! I’m thinking about this young man’s future. If he comes back in the game, then nothing will change.”

I don’t know of another umpire in my organization who has ejected an 11 year old kid. Perhaps I am the only one who has – but I stand behind my decision! It seems with each passing day society’s collective respect for authority diminishes. People (even kids) project an air of superiority and entitlement, as opposed to what scripture teaches regarding honoring others and showing them respect – even when we feel it’s not deserved.

The Apostle Paul continues in Chapter 13 by writing, All ten [Commandments] are wrapped up in this one, to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Love does no wrong to anyone. That’s why it fully satisfies all of God’s requirements. It is the only law you need. Romans 13:9b-10

Respecting authority – including umpires – is a way to “love your neighbor.” It’s tough to think in those terms, especially when we are certain that we were wronged. And, let’s face it – umpires do get it wrong (even me sometimes). But, let’s remember that when we’re respectful, we honor the Lord, and he rewards us for it.

Loving God means doing what he tells us to do, and really, that isn’t hard at all; for every child of God can obey him, defeating sin and evil pleasure by trusting Christ to help him. 1 John 5:3 

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.

Digging Deeper – November 17, 2023

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on November 17, 2023

You have spent your years here on earth having fun, satisfying your every whim, and now your fat hearts are ready for the slaughter.

James 5:5 (TLB)

THE GOD POCKET

In a video sermon series I watched years ago, the speaker talked about how we are put on this earth to be a conduit of God’s love for other people. Instead of me trying to manufacture human feelings towards others, God wants to love my wife, children, friends, co-workers – through me! And he wants to love ME through THEM! This notion raises the bar and re-frames our purpose for existence! The problem is, I’m not very good at it.

I’m sure you can’t relate, but most of my time is spent thinking about how I can make life easier for myself, not how I can bless others. James had some tough words for people like me. Just re-read the verse for today, James 5:5. Ouch.

The good news is I have consistently placed other people around me to wrestle with these harsh realities. They are known as my men’s small group. Not long ago, we went through a book by pastor and author Bruce Wilkinson entitled, You Were Born for This. In a nutshell, Dr. Wilkinson reemphasized the same idea I touched on earlier: we were put here to be a blessing to others. Some of the stories he shares are modern-day miracles that will give you chills. He also shares some practical ways you and I can begin to open our hearts to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to lead us in this area. Enter the “God Pocket.”

For those of you who still carry a wallet (think: George Costanza), the God Pocket is the hidden compartment deep within the folds, where only Blockbuster Video membership cards and voter precinct cards can be found. Dr. Wilkinson encourages us to pray to the Lord and ask for guidance on a certain dollar amount we can place in the God Pocket. Then, we wait.

What are we waiting on, exactly? For the Holy Spirit to nudge us and guide us in how we should bless someone with the money in the God Pocket! And, while we need to be patient to hear from the Lord, once we get that “gut feeling,” we’d better act! The moment is often fleeting!

What do we do when the God Pocket is empty? We start again – pray and obey!

I wouldn’t mind having a “Fat Heart.” But not fat from self-indulgence. I want my fat heart to be overly stuffed with the things of God, and ready to bless another when I have the chance.

  • Pray this week how God can love someone through you!
  • Ask God to help you find your “God Pocket” and seek His guidance on an amount that could bless someone in need.

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 – November 16, 2023

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on November 16, 2023

And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 18:18-25 (ESV)

MISPLACED HOPE

It’s so easy to read the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18 with an air of superiority and self-righteousness. I’ve caught myself judging this Pharisee, wondering how he can be so blind to what Jesus has to offer. And, then I come to a harsh and painful realization: I am just like him.

Most of us would likely agree that Jesus offers more than we could ever hope for, and infinitely more than we deserve. Yet, we are still lured by worldly treasures and prefer to engage in perception management (fooling others into believing something about us) rather than being ALL IN on God’s agenda.

This man was all about “checking the box.” He was so confident that he had followed the Ten Commandments to a tee; ironically, he was oblivious to the fact he hadn’t made it past the First one: “You shall have no other gods before me.” And yet, something still prompted him to ask Jesus how he could find eternal life.

Jesus shares with him the key to finding true joy: by removing the barrier to discovering True Life – i.e., selling all his possessions, giving them to the poor, and following Him! The man walks away dejected, hoping there would be a way he could hold onto all he had – all that had a hold on him – and still find salvation. But Jesus says it’s not possible:

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:24-26 (ESV)

How about you? What are you holding onto that has its talons gripping you even more firmly? What do you need to surrender to discover God’s best? When heaven becomes your focus, earthly riches will loosen their grip on your heart!

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 – November 15, 2023

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on November 15, 2023

“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:15 (NLT)

THE FOOL’S AMBITION

On Tuesday, I shared some sobering statistics about the self-storage industry in the United States. What you may not have realized is that the self-storage industry has existed for more than 2,000 years!

On one occasion, the crowds had begun pressing in as Jesus was teaching. A man in the crowd implored Jesus to tell his brother to divide his inheritance with him. Jesus responded as he often did – with a parable. He shared the story of a wealthy man whose land had produced an incredible harvest. The man wondered what he should do because he didn’t have the space to store all his crops. So, he devised a plan:

“Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ Luke 12:18-19 (NLT)

What a novel idea! I’ll build bigger storehouses for all my stuff! I’ll have it made, and I can party like it’s 1999!”

How did the Lord respond to this man’s plan?

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (v. 20-21 ESV)

This is a warning you and I need to heed! God always provides enough for us, but we often desire more. And there are times when God blesses us far above even our desires – and it is in these moments our hearts are put to the test! Will we look for ways to bless others, or will we search for ways to stockpile our riches?

I don’t ever want God to call me a fool! Let’s keep our hearts tender and be on the lookout for ways we keep our focus on building a firm foundation on Christ.

 

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 – November 14, 2023

Avatar photo C.A. Phillips on November 14, 2023

Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.

James 5:2-3 (NLT)

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

There have been a couple times during our marriage when Amy and I rented a temporary self-storage unit. Both times, we had put our home on the market, and we needed to stage it to make a more positive impression upon potential buyers. In other words, we needed to de-clutter and “open it up” a bit more.

What you may not realize is how vast the self-storage industry has become in the U.S. These numbers are astonishing:

  • There are now more than 1.7 billion square feet of self-storage space in the U.S. (as of 2022)
  • Another 53 million square feet of self-storage space is being added to that figure in 2023
  • 1 in 5 Americans currently use self-storage

Yesterday, we talked about contentment. Well, this is a further indictment on this same subject. We think more will satisfy, but it simply doesn’t.

Even 2,000 years ago, long before Beverly Hills, Lamborghini, and Rolex – Jesus knew the pitfalls of accumulating worldly riches:

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21

Even if we’re not bound to be featured on an upcoming episode of Hoarders, you and I can likely do better at heeding Jesus’ sage advice. Here are some questions for us to ponder today, as we wrestle with the tension we create in our own minds of “Not Having Enough vs. Having More Than Enough.”

  • What do you think Jesus means by “Treasure in Heaven”?
  • What’s one step you can take personally to begin to build up treasure in heaven?

 

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.