Minda Seagraves – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: Linger

Minda Seagraves on January 31, 2025

⁴Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

⁵“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:4-5 (NLT)

LINGER

If you haven’t already guessed, I’m a “word” person. I love digging into a word’s original meaning, tracing it back to how it was used in its original context, and discovering the richness behind what the writer was trying to convey.

Because of that, it might not surprise you that every year, instead of setting resolutions or goals, I choose a word. Well, actually, I don’t choose the word—I let the Lord do that. Around September or October each year, I start praying and listening, asking God to reveal what He wants me to focus on for the upcoming year.

For 2025, the word He gave me is linger.

At first, I thought, That’s an odd word. I even waited, thinking maybe something else would rise to the surface. But He kept pressing this idea into my heart: staying with Him, abiding in Him, and spending unrushed, intentional time at His feet.

It all clicked when this verse came up in our small group. It was one of those sacred moments where the world around you fades away, and it feels like God is speaking directly to your heart. I knew, without a doubt, that linger was my word for 2025.

So, naturally, I did what I always do—I dove into Scripture, searching for verses about lingering. I found plenty of cross-references about abiding, but nothing that used the word linger itself. That was a first for me. Usually, I have a handful of anchor verses to guide me, but this year felt different.

It’s almost as if, by giving me a word that’s not commonly found in Scripture, God is inviting me to lean in closer—to press into Him and His Word in a deeper, more personal way so He can reveal what linger truly means for my heart. It feels like He’s calling me into a season of tender submission, where I sit with Him longer and let Him shape me in the stillness.

Whether you’re a “word” person, a resolutions person, or a goals person, I believe God is calling all of us to linger with Him. And it’s not just important—it’s vital.

Lingering with the Lord is how we make it through the heavy, hard days. It’s how we find strength for tough conversations and challenging situations. It’s how we remember where our power comes from.

As we step into 2025, I pray for God’s blessings over you. But more than that, I pray you’ll take time to pause, to sit with Him, and to linger just a little longer.

Minda Seagraves has been married to her best friend, Russell, for 17 years and is mom to Carson and Maddie. She is also a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, serving as a chaplain to local female high school teams and supports 380 staff across four states in the U.S. and 20 countries in East Africa as the Regional Director of Talent Advancement with FCA. Minda and her family live in Acworth and have been attending NorthStar Church since 2020.

Digging Deeper: Serve Like Crazy

Minda Seagraves on January 30, 2025

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for
us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

SERVE LIKE CRAZY

I’ll admit it—I like to take credit for the good things I do. Maybe it’s because I naturally drift toward selfishness or pride, but when I go out of my way to help someone or do something kind, it feels pretty great.

And honestly, I think it’s supposed to feel that way. There’s joy in serving others because God’s Word tells us we reflect Him most clearly when we serve. When our actions align with Christ, there’s a deep, soul-level happiness that comes from knowing we’re walking in step with Him.

But here’s the humbling part: whenever I stop to think about it, any good I do has far less to do with me and everything to do with Him.

In Ephesians, Paul tells us we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. But he doesn’t stop there—he adds that these good works were prepared in advance for us. Every time I want to pat myself on the back for helping someone, I’m reminded of this verse. Yes, I feel joy and pride because I’m aligned with Christ in serving His creation, but even that opportunity, that desire to serve, comes from God.

It’s a mind-bender, really—any good we do is something God gave us so we could give it back to Him. It’s all about Him. Period.

So when we serve, let’s serve with our whole hearts. When we give, let’s give abundantly, knowing that every effort we make, every gift we offer, comes from the wellspring of God’s love and grace. Whether it’s something small or something monumental, God doesn’t measure our service by size. He only asks that we do it.

And here’s the catch: He calls us to serve everyone. Not just those who look like us, talk like us, or believe like us—but everyone. He calls us to love and serve with the same lavish, reckless abandon that He loves us with.

We’ll never be able to match the degree to which Christ served and loved us, but what if that was our aim? What if we woke up every day determined to serve others so radically that people around us thought we were absolutely crazy?

You know what? I’ll take it. I’ll gladly be called crazy for the way I love and serve others because isn’t that what they said about Jesus? Didn’t people judge and criticize Him for the way He lavishly loved and served?

That’s our example. That’s our goal—not to serve when it’s convenient or easy, but to step into the good works God prepared for us, even when they stretch us beyond our limits. And when that happens, we can tap into the Holy Spirit’s power to do what God has called us to do.

When we serve and love others like that, we’ll find ourselves waking up the next day ready to do it all over again—and the day after that, and the day after that.

Digging Deeper: Fall and Get Back Up

Minda Seagraves on January 29, 2025

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

FALL AND GET BACK UP

I recently read John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way, and there’s a part that really stuck with me. He shares a conversation with some monks who were asked what they do all day in the monastery. Their reply? “Fall and get back up, fall and get back up, fall and get back up.”

What a beautiful picture of what it means to be apprentices of Jesus!

I love the mental image this creates—someone praying, serving, and seeking God daily, even though they don’t always get it right. It’s a reminder that even the most devoted people stumble. But here’s the thing: we tend to be so much harder on ourselves than God ever is. When we fail to measure up, we need to ask: who set the standard? Spoiler alert—it’s probably not God.

The Lord’s standard for us is simple: turn to Him daily and seek His will. He knows we’re going to mess up. He knows we’ll fall short. He knows we’ll fail—again and again—and yet, He loves us. He loved us before we messed up, and He loves us no matter how big or small the mess.

As Psalm 73:26 reminds us: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” That’s not just a feel-good phrase or a motivational quote for a coffee mug. It’s a promise we can rely on. Yes, we’re going to fall, but our strength doesn’t come from us—it comes from God. He’s the one who gives us what we need to get back up, dust ourselves off, and keep going.

When failure happens (and it will), it’s not the time to throw in the towel. It’s the time to take a deep breath, learn from the mistake, and press forward. The scraped knees we get along the way? They’re not wasted. God uses even those to teach us, shape us, and remind us that He’s walking with us every step of the journey.

So, when you stumble, remember: fall and get back up, fall and get back up, fall and get back up. And keep moving forward with Him.

Digging Deeper: Great Passion

Minda Seagraves on January 28, 2025

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12:11

GREAT PASSION

The Oxford Dictionary defines passion as a “strong and barely controllable emotion.” You don’t have to look far to see passionate people. Whether it’s a sports team, a political movement, or even strong opinions about how people should drive in a roundabout, passion is everywhere. If there’s one thing we’re not short on, it’s enthusiasm.

But here’s the kicker: while we can easily get fired up about all kinds of things, many of us struggle to channel that same level of passion into our faith—the kind of passion Paul describes in Romans 12. We know what passion looks like in everyday life, but what does it mean to be passionate in following Jesus? Let’s break it down using Paul’s words.

First, Paul tells us to “never be lacking in zeal.” What’s zeal, exactly? Back to the Oxford Dictionary: it’s “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.”
Next, he says to “keep your spiritual fervor.” Fervor? That’s defined as “an intense and passionate feeling.”
Finally, Paul connects these ideas to serving the Lord.

When you put it all together, it sounds a little like that guy at the football game in subzero weather, completely decked out in body paint and screaming at the top of his lungs. That’s a visual, right? But it’s actually a great picture of what passion in pursuit of a cause can look like.

Now, imagine if we, as believers, harnessed that same energy and enthusiasm—not to be the person on the street corner with a megaphone, but to live out our faith with that level of excitement and commitment. What if we approached being an apprentice of Jesus with the same intensity as body paint guy does for his team?

Too often, we make faith look like a list of rules: the do’s, the don’ts, and the have-nots. Sure, there are boundaries to follow, but we don’t spend enough time highlighting the good that comes from them—the freedom those guardrails provide and the joy we get to experience as followers of Christ.

What if we shared the full picture of faith? The passion. The joy. The freedom. The incredible adventure of following Jesus. Because when we do, faith becomes irresistible—not just for us, but for everyone around us.

Digging Deeper: When Plans Change

Minda Seagraves on January 27, 2025

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans
to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

WHEN PLANS CHANGE

According to Google’s AI overview, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of the most well-known scriptures about God’s plans for us—and honestly, I have to agree. But let’s be real: when life feels hard, disappointing, or just far from what we imagined it should be, it can be tough to hold on to the promise in these words. And yet, those moments are precisely when we need to cling to them—not because it feels easy, logical, or even natural, but because we know deep down they are true.

Looking back on my own life, I can think of plenty of times when my plans didn’t pan out. One that stands out, for whatever reason, is my early college experience. I was certain I was going to pharmacy school. I thought, This is the plan. All I need to do is work hard, and it’ll happen. In high school, I didn’t have to try too hard to get good grades, so I assumed college would be the same. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

College required more than just showing up and glancing over my notes. Before the drop/add period ended in my first semester, I found myself sitting in the registrar’s office, withdrawing from every single class. With that decision, my dreams, hopes, and vision for the future seemed to evaporate. It felt like failure on every level.

Peter’s story reminds me that I’m not alone in this. From what we know of his life, he had more than a few plans that didn’t go the way he expected. As a boy, he probably dreamed of becoming a rabbi but ended up taking on the family fishing business instead. Later, he followed Jesus, believing Him to be the Messiah, only to have that hope seemingly shattered at the crucifixion. And then, just as his world had turned upside down, the resurrected Jesus appeared to him, changing everything once again.

I imagine Peter often felt like he couldn’t figure out which way was up. He had plans—good plans, noble plans, exciting plans—but that’s the thing about plans: they rarely turn out how we expect.

There’s a saying I’ve always liked: Plan like it depends on you, and pray like it depends on God. It’s good advice because we’re not called to sit idly by, waiting for things to fall into place. God invites us to dream, plan, and act. The key, though, is making sure our plans align with His will—and being willing to let Him take the lead, even if it means abandoning our carefully laid-out path.

Like He did for Peter—and like He’s done for me—God often gives us a new course to follow. What feels like a detour or a derailment to us is never a surprise to Him. And in the way only He can, He takes those moments and turns them into something more beautiful and amazing than we could have ever imagined.

Digging Deeper: A Royal Priesthood

Minda Seagraves on September 27, 2024

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

Last year, I watched the Netflix drama series The Crown, which tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II. Although I’m not usually fascinated by the royal family, this series gave me a newfound respect for them. It illuminated the intentionality and discipline that Queen Elizabeth adhered to in her daily life. She took her role not just as the Queen very seriously; she understood that her actions and demeanor were a reflection of the crown and what it represented. She set a standard by embodying what was considered good, proper, and acceptable.

Just as Queen Elizabeth took her earthly role of royalty seriously, we, too, have a significant role as a “royal priesthood” in God’s kingdom. Others are observing us to see what is good and right. We might be the only representation of Jesus that some people will ever encounter.

The description of believers as a “royal priesthood” and a “holy nation” highlights our unique role and identity. As priests, we have the privilege of representing God to others and offering spiritual sacrifices. This identity calls us to live with integrity and purpose, reflecting God’s holiness and engaging in His mission.

Lord, I am grateful for my identity as part of Your royal priesthood. Help me to live up to this responsibility by representing You well and offering my life as a spiritual sacrifice. Guide me to serve others with love and to reflect Your holiness in all that I do.

Consider what it means to be part of a royal priesthood. How does this identity influence your actions and relationships?

Digging Deeper: Called Out of Darkness

Minda Seagraves on September 26, 2024

…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS

A few years ago, a friend introduced me to the world of backpacking. She had just begun section-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and her plan didn’t involve camping out, but rather hiking to different cabins each night. Intrigued and excited, I decided to join her. It was far more challenging than I had anticipated, but I loved it so much that I soon invested in all the necessary gear to continue on my own.

Day hiking, where you return to a cabin with running water and electricity, is quite different from backpacking. Backpacking means carrying everything you need, including your sleeping arrangements, on your back. I thought I was well-prepared for my first overnight trip on the trail. Common sense told me it would be dark at night, but nothing could have prepared me for the sheer depth of darkness. Out there, with only a headlamp or a few stars to light the way, the darkness is profound.

During those first hours on the trail, I could think only of the moment when dawn would break. There’s a precious hour in the morning when the first hints of light begin to emerge over the landscape. It’s in those moments that fear subsides and hope is renewed.

We are naturally drawn to the light.

This verse reminds us of the profound transformation that comes with God’s call. We have been called out of spiritual darkness into His marvelous light, signifying a radical change in our lives. Our new position in this light brings with it the responsibility to declare God’s praises and share the hope we’ve found in Him with others.

Father, thank You for calling me out of darkness and into Your light. Help me to live in a way that reflects Your light and to boldly share the story of Your grace and salvation with those around me. May my life stand as a testimony to Your goodness.

Reflect on your personal journey from darkness to light. How can you be a beacon of light to others? In what ways can you share the transformative power of God’s grace in your daily interactions?

Digging Deeper: Living Stones in God’s House

Minda Seagraves on September 25, 2024

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house…

1 Peter 2:5 (NIV)

LIVING STONES IN GOD’S HOUSE

Building a house from the ground up is a significant task. We’ve done it twice, and each time taught me valuable lessons. During our first build, I made plenty of mistakes—mostly with picking colors, tiles, and countertops. The options were overwhelming, and my choices reflected that. The second time, I enlisted help from a brilliant designer friend. I created a few Pinterest boards to share my vision, and she transformed those ideas into a beautifully designed home. Despite the differences in style and size between the two homes, one thing remained consistent: neither could truly take shape until the foundation was laid.

Christ is our firm foundation. Peter describes us as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house, highlighting our role within God’s community. Just as a house needs a strong foundation, the Church needs each of us to contribute to its structure. Every living stone plays a vital role, adding to the strength and beauty of this spiritual house. Our actions and lives impact the collective witness of the Church. By living out our faith, we help build and strengthen God’s spiritual house.

Lord, help me recognize my role as a living stone in Your spiritual house. Guide me to use my gifts and talents to contribute positively to Your Church. May my life reflect Your glory and strengthen the community of believers.

Reflect on how you can actively contribute to the spiritual growth and unity of your church community. What unique qualities or gifts has God given you that you can offer to build up His house?

Digging Deeper: The Living Stone and Our Identity

Minda Seagraves on September 24, 2024

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him…

1 Peter 2:4 (NIV)

THE LIVING STONE AND OUR IDENTITY

Nobody likes rejection. I vividly remember my own experience with it from when I was a young girl. I was awkward and desperately wanted to fit in. Unfortunately, my stature and style did me no favors. Add a bad perm and braces to the mix, and you get a clearer picture of my struggles. Despite my efforts, I never quite made it into the “in crowd” throughout elementary and middle school.

Raised outside the church, I didn’t understand then what I know now: that my worth, value, and acceptance come not from others but from the Lord. A wise life coach once told me that no one else gets to determine my worth—and neither do I. Only Christ has the authority to define it. Those words were a sweet reminder that, despite what the world or even I might think or say about myself, there is One who created me and considers me amazing. He loves me not for what I do, have done, or could do in the future, but simply because I am His creation.

Jesus is described as the “living Stone”—foundational and essential to our faith, even though He was rejected by the world. Our identity is deeply connected to this living Stone. Just as Jesus is chosen and precious to God, we too are chosen and valued. Our true meaning and stability come from our relationship with Christ, the cornerstone of our faith.

Jesus, thank You for being the living Stone upon which my faith is built. Help me to remember my worth and identity in You, even in the face of rejection or challenges. May I find my strength and stability in You alone.

Reflect on how your identity is shaped by your relationship with Jesus. How does being built on the living Stone influence the way you see yourself and understand your life’s purpose?

Digging Deeper: Desiring Pure Spiritual Milk

Minda Seagraves on September 23, 2024

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation…

1 Peter 2:2 (NIV)

DESIRING PURE SPIRITUAL MILK

Last month, I had the joy of visiting my sister just a week after the birth of my precious baby niece, Elliana. I spent the entire weekend marveling at her tiny, sleeping face, holding her close, and watching the regular routine of feeding. Every two hours, little Ellie, weighing just 5.5 pounds, would remind us it was time for her next meal. This brought back memories of when my own son was a newborn. I recalled those long days and nights of feeding him every two hours, with each feeding sometimes taking over an hour to get just a few small ounces of milk.

Watching Ellie, I was struck by how a newborn’s needs are so small yet so frequent. She would eagerly drink her milk, and despite consuming just two ounces, she was completely satisfied. Now, a month later, she’s drinking much more as she grows, which contrasts sharply with my teenage son. Starting from those same small beginnings, he now has an insatiable appetite, consuming more calories in a day than I do in a week!

Peter uses the imagery of a newborn’s craving for milk to illustrate our need for spiritual nourishment. Just as infants depend on milk for their growth, we need the Word of God for our spiritual development. Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and worship is crucial for our growth and maturity in Christ. Just as my son’s appetite grew from those early feedings to a voracious hunger, our desire for God’s Word should also deepen as we mature in our faith.

In our early days as believers, we might find it challenging to consume and fully understand large portions of Scripture. But as we grow, our spiritual appetite should expand, allowing us to digest more of God’s Word and find greater nourishment for our souls.

May our hunger for God’s Word continue to grow as we are daily fed by Him!

Lord, cultivate in me a deep hunger for Your Word and a thirst for spiritual nourishment. Help me to crave the truth of Scripture with the same eagerness as a newborn craves milk. May Your Word guide and sustain me as I grow in my relationship with You.

Reflect on your current spiritual habits. How can you develop a deeper desire for God’s Word? What steps can you take to ensure that you are regularly feeding on the spiritual milk that sustains your faith?