Lee Wilson – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: Thankful for What’s to Come

Lee Wilson on October 10, 2025

“I thank my God in all my remeberance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of you partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ…And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,”

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)

THANKFUL FOR WHAT’S TO COME

As I began to grow more deeply curious about the things of faith and sought a deeper understanding of Scripture and its meaning in my life, I turned to pastors of note who could help simplify the complex things of God and make them digestible for my mind.

Recently, two of the men I grew to admire deeply have gone home to be with the Lord: John MacArthur and Voddie Baucham. My heart ached each time I read the news of their passing, but I immediately thought of how neither would want lament at such news—for they have gone to the very place we all seek to be!

Baucham even said exactly how he wanted people to respond to the news of his death in a message he once delivered:
“You are going to hear a rumor one day that Voddie Baucham is no more. Don’t you believe it! Don’t you believe it! Don’t you believe it—because though I die, I will rise with Christ. It will not be the end of me, because Christ is raised, and I too will be raised with Christ.”

I am thankful for the ministry and lives of these men. I am also thankful for NorthStar. For while men like Baucham and MacArthur helped guide a curious mind, it has been people like Mike Linch who have walked with me in other ways.

This past Friday, October 3, would’ve been my daughter Roselyn’s 12th birthday. Our firstborn, she was diagnosed late in the pregnancy with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia and lived for 22 days, all under the care of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The night she passed was the hardest day of my life. As Deanna and I left the hospital, my phone rang—it was Mike Linch. We spoke briefly, but the phrase he said that I will never forget was: “You aren’t going to go through this alone.”

Those words proved true. As a grateful member of this congregation, I can say they have helped shape the last 12 years in so many positive ways for us. Today we have two healthy boys, and both are so excited about the future opportunities that await with the changes on our church campus.

So let us give thanks for all the new and exciting opportunities ahead, and pray for our church leaders as they aim to grow our influence in the community. We are thankful for all God has done, and we wait in eager anticipation for all He will do!

Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

Digging Deeper: Disappointments Have to Be

Lee Wilson on October 9, 2025

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)

DISAPPOINTMENTS HAVE TO BE

I have a wide range of musical interests. I originally started playing the bass guitar when I was 15 years old because my buddies and I were going to be rock stars. I still have a penchant for loud and fast music, but over time I developed an array of other interests including folk, country, jazz, funk—you name it.

I love to listen to the music itself, always gauging how I might approach playing the bass to a song, often paying less attention to the lyrics. In the early 2000s, I discovered a band called The Avett Brothers that writes beautiful music—but even better lyrics. Their down-to-earth yet poetic approach forced me to truly hear the words.

They have one song called “Living of Love” where they sing about all aspects of love, and even about the importance of love in the uncertainties of life. One of the verses goes like this:

Say, yes, we live uncertainty, and disappointments have to be
And every day, we might be facing more
And, yes, we live in desperate times, with faded words and shaky rhymes
There’s only one thing worth hoping for
With Lucifer beneath you, and God above, if either one of them asks you what you’re living of,
Say Love. Say, for me, Love.

We all experience disappointments in life, and in those moments it is harder to be grateful for the things we do have. Sometimes we get unpleasant or scary news from a doctor, or we find out our position has been eliminated, or we face any number of trials in a given day. Perhaps in those moments we can shift our thoughts toward love and gratitude, remembering the things we have before us because of God.

We read the beginning of Philippians this past Sunday, where the apostle Paul demonstrates how to be gracious from a prison cell, facing tremendous uncertainty about his earthly future. In chapter 4, Paul famously says:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:4–7)

The key for the Christian is the persistent discipline of remembering our loving Creator and seeking His guidance above all else. Paul exemplifies courageous faith in the face of danger, writing: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)

So yes, disappointments have to be. But don’t forget where your help comes from in your times of need.

Digging Deeper: Letter 310

Lee Wilson on October 8, 2025

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)

LETTER 310

Rayner Unwin was an English publisher, serving as the chairman of the publishing company George Allen & Unwin, founded by his father, Sir Stanley Unwin.

In 1936, the company was considering a manuscript written for a youthful audience. The senior Unwin believed in allowing children to read manuscripts before agreeing to publish them, as a way to gauge their potential for success. In this instance, he decided that his 10-year-old son Rayner was the man for the job and asked him to read it.

This manuscript in particular was from an unknown author, but Rayner immediately fell in love with it. In his written review to his father, Rayner highlighted the mythical landscape built by the author—featuring goblins, dragons, and wizards—saying, “With the help of maps, this book needs no illustrations and should appeal to all children aged 5 to 9.”

So, with the encouragement of his son, Stanley published the book, titled The Hobbit, which became a success and brought author J. R. R. Tolkien his first major recognition. Tolkien and the younger Unwin went on to develop a unique friendship, with Rayner eventually becoming a primary source of feedback for Tolkien’s later series, The Lord of the Rings.

Years later, Rayner, now the chairman of the company, had a daughter named Camilla who came home with an interesting school assignment. She ended up writing a letter to her father’s friend, Tolkien, seeking an answer to the question: “What is the purpose of life?”

A weighty question for anyone to answer, Tolkien took his time to respond to young Camilla but ultimately produced a beautifully written letter, known as “Letter 310” in the published Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, which highlights his correspondence with various people over the years. In that response, Tolkien posed deeply rich philosophical ideas around God and expressed his belief that true purpose can only exist through faith in Him.

Tolkien then wrote:
“So it may be said that the chief purpose of life, for any one of us, is to increase, according to our capacity, our knowledge of God by all means we have, and to be moved by it to praise and thanks.”

We discussed thankfulness on different levels this past Sunday, and according to the famed author, our purpose for living is to be in constant praise and worship of our Creator, devoting everything we have to showing praise and thanks. What a beautifully humbling sentiment!

We each have much to be thankful for, so let us show it in praise to the only One worthy of it—making it our chief purpose today.

Digging Deeper: Intentional Thanks

Lee Wilson on October 7, 2025

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)

INTENTIONAL THANKS

You might not know it from the persistent Southern heat, but fall is upon us—college football, pumpkin-spiced everything, chili—all the things that come with it. It also means Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

Thanksgiving is a day in modern times when Americans come together to celebrate the majesty of football and turkey, two things you probably immediately thought of when considering the holiday. It also gives us an opportunity to settle down and intentionally reposition our thoughts to be grateful for the blessings we have, and to reflect on them with thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving has its roots in colonial feasts in Plymouth, and it is mentioned by George Washington, yet it did not become an official U.S. holiday until 1863, in the throes of the Civil War.

In addition to the emotional and political tumult of the war, it robbed our nation of over 620,000 souls. Those lives were lost on battlefields all over our country, including some just down the road from our church at Kennesaw Mountain.

President Abraham Lincoln was known for his oratory prowess and ability to remain thoughtful and humble even amidst the most dire of circumstances. It was Lincoln, at the urging of editor and author Sarah Josepha Hale, who sought to make the day a permanent mainstay for the country. He did so hoping to encourage a measure of unity in a war-torn nation ravaged by battle.

In the middle of a relentlessly bloody war, our 16th president believed that intentional thankfulness could be a unifying force.

This past Sunday, we discussed Philippians and focused on different aspects of thankfulness. The letter was written by the apostle Paul, a man who—like Lincoln—was intimately familiar with pain and suffering. In fact, the letter was written while he was in a Roman jail cell.

The apostle expresses thanks to the people of Philippi amidst his suffering, setting a clear example for us to follow. If our focus is on Jesus Christ and we have a gracious heart, then we can be nothing short of thankful for every breath that fills our lungs.

Paul goes on to say in verses 12–13:
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.”

In the midst of great trial, Paul helps us refocus on what matters most—doing all we do for Christ, even when imprisoned. So, whether today you face joyous sunshine or a perilous storm, do so with a grateful heart, remembering that all we do is for Christ!

Digging Deeper: Gratefully Looking Ahead

Lee Wilson on October 6, 2025

Philippians 1:3-6, 9 (NLT)

GRATEFULLY LOOKING AHEAD

Truly great athletes often have an aspirational drive that is baffling to regular people. People like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and Kobe Bryant all had an insatiable drive to be the best.

In addition to winning countless games and championships, players like this also eventually get selected to the Hall of Fame in their respective sports. I used to love watching the videos of former NFL Hall of Fame CEO David Baker when he would “knock on the door” of former players over Super Bowl weekend. That knock would set off an eruption of joy from those inside as they knew good news was coming.

Baker would address the players in an interesting way—by thanking them not only for all they had done for the game but also for all they were going to do—before officially welcoming them to the Hall of Fame. I always liked the idea behind this: while your achievements up to this point led you here, there is still work to be done now that you are here.

This past Sunday, we got to celebrate as a church family our renovations. The upgrades to the Compass building and the new additions are an answered prayer for many and provide us as a church family with an incredible opportunity to grow NorthStar’s impact and reach in the community.

It would, of course, be appropriate to overflow with gratitude and joy, marveling at what God has done for us! Famed pastor and theologian Charles Spurgeon once put it like this:

“Has the Lord been gracious to you and inclined His ear to the voice of your prayer? Then thank Him as long as you live. Let the ripe fruit fall upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Do not fail to sing in praise of Him who has answered your prayer and has given you the desire of your heart.”

So yes, we should be glad! But in the spirit of David Baker, we have reached a wonderful moment—with more work yet to do. So, absorb this welcome-home party and be grateful for how far the Lord has brought us and all He has accomplished. But as you think and pray about this new physical footprint, be hopeful and intentional about asking the Lord to increase and grow His spiritual footprint in our community!

Digging Deeper: Be Different

Lee Wilson on August 29, 2025

³²This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. ³³Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

³⁷Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

BE DIFFERENT

We have examined the passage from last Sunday in Acts, where the Holy Spirit descends and Peter addresses the group at Pentecost. What followed was the rapid growth of the first church as the group of believers began to multiply.

Answering the call to follow Jesus means setting every other desire aside and prioritizing Him. A tall order, to be sure—but a life-changing decision that can have a meaningful impact on us and everyone we come into contact with. Sometimes, our obedience is the very method through which God accomplishes incredible things.

The point is this: following Jesus makes you different.

In December of 1944, the world was at war. In the midst of it was a small town called Sommocolonia, Italy. It was a hilltop village overlooking the Serchio Valley. Its location was strategic, offering wide views of the surrounding terrain and enemy positions.

Army First Lieutenant John R. Fox served in the 92nd Infantry Division, a segregated unit known as the Buffalo Soldiers. They were assigned to support the 366th Infantry Regiment and were sent to Sommocolonia to maintain U.S. control of the town.

On Christmas night, German troops infiltrated the town in civilian disguise and launched a surprise attack the following morning. They overwhelmed Allied forces and pushed the Americans to retreat.

Fox and several others volunteered to stay behind in the face of danger to serve as a forward observer party. From the second floor of a house on the hilltop, Fox began calling in defensive artillery fire, aiming to deter the Germans. But the enemy did not relent. As they continued their attack, Fox made the unthinkable decision: he called in an artillery barrage on his own exact coordinates.

The soldier on the other end of the call was Fox’s close friend, Lieutenant Otis Zachary. Stunned at the order, he hesitated, knowing his friend would have little to no chance of survival. Sensing his reluctance, Fox shouted, “FIRE IT! There’s more of them than there are of us! Give ’em hell!”

The barrage was called in. Fox and his team perished, but over 100 German soldiers were killed in the strike. His selfless sacrifice allowed U.S. forces to regroup and counterattack, and five days later they retook control of the village.

Lt. Zachary had to answer an impossible call, knowing it would cost his friend’s life, but failure to do so would have resulted in devastating enemy gains. Zachary later recalled that the entire group wept for three minutes after the strike, mourning the fate of Fox. One author reflected, “God let him become the great man that he was, that he might save many.”

We may not face situations as dramatic as this—at least, I hope not—but there is a common link. If we fail to answer God’s call, it can result in enemy gains. We have a real enemy in this world, and our Lord uses willing hearts to advance His Kingdom and thwart the enemy.

In 1997, Lt. Fox and six other men were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their selfless bravery. In addition, the Italian government commemorated the soldiers who died at Sommocolonia and erected a statue honoring Fox in the village.

May we all act with such boldness—standing out, living differently, and answering the call as believers in Christ. We serve the God who sent His Son to earth to be punished for sins He did not commit, so that He might be the one to die in order to save many.

Digging Deeper: Playing with Fire

Lee Wilson on August 28, 2025

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

PLAYING WITH FIRE

Over the last couple of years, wildfires have become a very real danger for certain locations in our country. Wildfires are characterized by their uncontrollable nature and ability to spread rapidly across vegetation and combustible materials. They can be devastating and present numerous challenges for firefighters in their attempts to contain and extinguish them.

A controlled burn, or prescribed burn, on the other hand, has quite the opposite effect. It is a specific and strategically managed fire aimed at controlling vegetation and minimizing the risk of wildfire. It can restore ecosystems and, in that sense, be life-giving. For any fire to burn, there must be three things, known as the “fire triangle”: fuel (something to burn), heat (an ignition source), and oxygen.

When Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost and passionately explains the preceding events and their significance in this week’s passage, he provides the divine nudge for many listening to accept Jesus and become the first Christians.

It did not stop there. The chapter continues to describe how this new group of believers were selling their possessions to care for one another’s needs, attending the temple together daily, breaking bread, and praising God (Acts 2:42–46).

The Holy Spirit had made a dwelling place among these new believers, just as Jesus had promised (Acts 1:4–5). The fruits of the Spirit were already evident in this group of believers. They were living selflessly and generously, and they were continually praising God.

When we heed God’s call on our lives, we can live with this kind of irrevocable joy because our joy rests in something we cannot lose—Jesus. The ultimate source of joy resides in all who believe in Him.

The Spirit took hold in this early church and, just like a fire, it began to spread. The believers were so convicted and passionate that they were selling possessions and attending the temple daily. The unbridled joy they had in Jesus surpassed any other aspect of life they had known before Him.

In their fervor, they created their own version of the fire triangle: they had fuel (the call to the cross), an ignition source (Jesus), and oxygen (the very breath in their lungs!). As long as they were living on this side of heaven, they were focused on serving Jesus. And through them, it says, “The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

What an incredible testimony to the commitment of the early church. Let us all find such unshakable joy in Jesus!

Digging Deeper: Lost (and Found) in Space

Lee Wilson on August 27, 2025

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

LOST (AND FOUND) IN SPACE

When we find Peter and the disciples this week, they are speaking on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has just arrived in the form of “tongues as of fire” (Acts 2:3), and those on whom it rested began to speak in tongues.

The behavior was alarming and unusual, causing those present to ponder its meaning. Was it something of significance, or were they just filled with “new wine”? (v. 13). It is in this moment that Peter takes hold and addresses the crowd, citing prophecies about this event and pointing everything back to Jesus.

Those present knew they were witnessing something incredible, and perhaps even frightening. Those feelings of trepidation and amazement helped convict their hearts and point them to Jesus. Sometimes we also encounter things that have a profound impact on us.

In the 1960s, the United States was in the throes of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. One element of that conflict was the “space race,” as each nation sought to assert dominance among the stars. After successfully landing on the moon in 1969, the U.S. had a significant interest in learning as much as possible about the lunar surface—quite literally at ground level.

On July 26, 1971, Apollo 15 launched. It was the first mission to feature the lunar roving vehicle (LRV), which allowed for longer excursions than had previously been possible. Among the crew was Colonel Jim Irwin, who helped collect over 170 pounds of moon rock samples with the LRV.

While on the lunar surface, Col. Irwin had a unique, deeply spiritual encounter—described in a documentary about the moon landings as a “Damascus road” type of experience. In his book To Rule the Night, Irwin reflected on what happened:

“I felt an overwhelming sense of the presence of God on the moon. The ultimate effect was to deepen and strengthen all the religious insight I ever had. It remade my faith. I had become a skeptic about getting guidance from God, and I know I had lost the feeling of His nearness. On the moon the total picture of the power of God and His Son Jesus Christ became abundantly clear to me. I felt His Spirit more closely than I have ever felt it on earth, right there beside me…it was amazing.”

Far from the routines and worries of everyday life, Col. Irwin was standing where few had ever ventured before. Out among the stars, he observed the vastness of creation and felt closer to God than ever. After his experience, Irwin often said, “I believe Jesus Christ walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon.”

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” At night, we can gaze up at the vast, star-scattered canopy that stretches overhead. When we notice the beauty and the miracles in the creation that surrounds us, perhaps we too can glimpse what compelled those believers at Pentecost all those years ago.

Digging Deeper: Answering the Call

Lee Wilson on August 26, 2025

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

ANSWERING THE CALL

This past Sunday, we discussed Peter speaking to the first church after the ascension of Christ into Heaven. In the awestruck wonder of the moment, dozens of souls surrendered to Christ. Compelled by the miracles they had just witnessed, they answered the call to come home.

For the last decade, I have worked at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. I handle all of the HR functions for the restaurant and spend much of my time interviewing, hiring, and onboarding new talent. Given the reputation of the brand, we are often fortunate enough to attract high-performing young people, most of them between 17 and 20 years old.

The most common theme I hear when I spend time with them is this: “What am I going to do when I finish school?” We are overflowing with straight-A students who are searching for a purpose.

Our work is indeed purposeful and can be fulfilling, but our ultimate purpose lies beyond our career or means of paying bills. When Peter spoke to these people and “pierced their hearts,” he was revealing our true purpose in this life—to answer the call to follow Jesus and to serve Him above all else.

Reverend Billy Graham was once asked why he chose the profession he did. The questioner implied that Graham might have made a successful politician and almost certainly possessed the skills to become a successful businessman. Graham responded by saying, “The only thing I can tell you is that God called me to be an evangelist, and I could do nothing else but respond to His call.”

Answering Jesus’ call on our hearts and our lives is more important than any other call we receive. Moreover, it is not only important—it is ultimately our true path to fulfillment and purpose. According to Graham:

“The question I would ask you, however, is this: What is your priority in life? Is it money, or prestige, or security, or comfort? Or is it Christ and His will? Don’t settle for anything less…Make sure of your commitment to Christ. Only He can give you the satisfaction and fulfillment we all seek. Then ask God to help you live for Christ in all you do. The Bible says, ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters’ (Colossians 3:23).”

We have many responsibilities in this life. Each of us is uniquely filled with aspirations, hopes, and dreams, and many of those are good things. Let us, however, always remember to pursue God above all of them.

Digging Deeper: Joyful and Obedient

Lee Wilson on August 25, 2025

“‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.”’

³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

JOYFUL AND OBEDIENT

This week, as we finished up our Training Camp series, we focused on the second chapter of Acts in a powerful passage. We hear a proclamation of who Jesus is and a very convicting series of descriptors of the events that had preceded this.

It says, “We are all witnesses” in verse 32, meaning the audience had the incredible experience of witnessing Jesus ascend to heaven. After that miraculous series of events, we have Peter proclaiming his Savior to the crowd—who were likely still in awe—and then we get a very honest response in verse 37: “Brothers, what shall we do?”

What do we do now? Peter’s words had “cut to the heart” of his audience (v. 37), and they were sincerely asking for guidance on what to do next. Peter responds very directly, saying, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit” (v. 38).

The Holy Spirit is a unique and personal connection directly to our Creator, and that connection changes us forever. Pastor and author John Piper mentions two things in particular that mark the experience of being baptized in the Holy Spirit:

A heart of praise: In Acts 10:46, the disciples knew the Holy Spirit had fallen because “they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling (or magnifying) God.” Speaking in tongues is one particular way of releasing the heart of praise. It may be present or may not. But one thing is sure: the heart in which the Holy Spirit has been poured out will stop magnifying self and start magnifying God. Heartfelt praise and worship are the marks of a real experience of the Holy Spirit.
Obedience: The other mark is obedience. In Acts 5:29, Peter and the apostles say to the Sadducees who had arrested them, “We must obey God rather than men.” Then, in verse 32, he says, “We are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God gave to those who are obeying him.” (“Gave” is past tense; “obey” is present, ongoing tense.)

Let us never forget what it felt like when His words first cut to our hearts. In those moments, we were touched by an eternal joy from our Creator. That feeling of awe and wonder, followed by the humble question “What shall we do?” serves as a great motivation to obey His commands. May we forever be joyful and obedient in Him!