Over The Hump – NorthStar Church Blog

Ships are Sinking

C.A. Phillips on May 1, 2024

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

Proverbs 29:20 (CEV)

SHIPS ARE SINKING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No one can tame the tongue. No one!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Value of Hard Work

C.A. Phillips on April 24, 2024

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

Proverbs 14:23 (CEV)

THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Couldn’t Have Planned it Better Myself

C.A. Phillips on April 10, 2024

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

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now, about those Masters tickets…

Failure Can Be Your Friend – If You Take This Step

C.A. Phillips on April 3, 2024

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

Proverbs 26:11 (NLT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hope Beyond Adversity

Kevin Burrell on March 20, 2024

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

HOPE BEYOND ADVERSITY

A young man was hired to work in a wood sawing workshop where he spent many years of his life. When he reached the age of 40, he became very significant in the workshop where he had been employed for many years. Then one day he was shocked when his boss informed him that due to cut backs he was being terminated. At that moment the man left his place of employment with no intent, no plan, and no hope. He closed the door to the only occupation he knew and had no idea what he would do for work.

That afternoon, he went home and told his wife what happened. After discussing it over with her and receiving her blessing, he decided to mortgage their home and take out a small loan to begin a career in home building. His first project was to build two small houses. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years. After dedication, effort, patience and hard work, five years later the man became a millionaire. His name? Wallace Johnson, who went on to start and build the Holiday Inn hotel brand, and countless hospitals around the world.

In his diary, Wallace Johnson wrote: “If I knew where the man lived who terminated me, I would visit him and thank him deeply for what he did. When this difficult adversity happened in my life, I was hurt and did not understand why; however, now I understand that God wanted to close that door, to open a better path for me and my family.”

Listen Closely: Adversity can come as the result of choices we make, but it can also come in the form of hardships that happen to us. What kind of adversity have you been going through? Maybe you lost a job, a child, a loved one, a marriage. Maybe a health crisis. Maybe you’re starting a new job or career, raising a child, committing to marriage. Maybe you don’t have enough money to pay your bills, or you found out that you can’t bear children. Whatever it may be, remember, adversity will try its best to take you out. However, if you allow God to lead you ‘through’ your adversity, you will emerge on the other side a more resilient person. Never think that any adversity or failure in your life as the end. It isn’t! God is sovereign. There are no “oops” with God. Trust Him! Never forget: When you’re looking in the ‘right’ direction, you won’t take the wrong turn. Fix your eyes on Jesus, and allow Him to direct your path. There is hope beyond adversity.

Just ask Wallace Johnson.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.

Everyone Has a Role They’re Designed to Play

C.A. Phillips on March 13, 2024

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

Romans 12:6-8 (TLB)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Avoiding a Life of Erosion

Kevin Burrell on March 6, 2024

“An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control.”

Proverbs 5:22-23

AVOIDING A LIFE OF EROSION

I don’t remember very much about high school. It’s been a minute. However, one thing I remember very distinctly was an experiment my science teacher performed. I watched the slow death of a frog in an oversized beaker of cool water. Below the beaker he moved a Bunsen burner with a low flame so that the water heated very slowly. In fact, the temperature rose so gradually that the frog was never aware of the change. After a period of time the frog was dead . . . boiled to death. The change occurred so slowly that the frog never tried to jump out of the water. Little did I know I learned a profound principle that day in class. What principle you ask?

Erosion!

What causes this spiritual stagnation and erosion? The answer is often conformity to the world’s methods and values, and compromise with sin. The process of erosion begins in the mind when we allow our thoughts, attitudes, and desires be shaped by our culture. Before long, we begin to conform to the godless and sinful behaviors around us. Slowly, one rationalization leads to another, which leads to another, which triggers a series of equally damaging alterations in a life that was once stable, strong, committed and reliable. No one ever wakes up in the morning and says, “I think I’ll commit adultery today” or “I think I will abuse my child this morning.” It never happens that way. It happens ever so slowly. One compromise after another after another after another—and before you know it, you’re living a life of erosion and in a spiritual far country that you never intended living in.

Listen Closely: God’s word says that sin is enjoyable for a season. Then payment is due!

Never forget: Sin will take you father than you want to go and keep you longer than you want to stay. And, it’ll charge you more than you are willing to pay. Say “No!” Flee evil and the very appearance of it. Stay in God’s Word daily. Keep yourself surrounded with a godly accountability partner that will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Stay out of spiritually unhealthy environments. Lock eyes with Jesus every day and walk towards Him. You’ll be glad where you wind up at the end of the day.

Avoid a life of erosion.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

When the Brook Dries Up

Kevin Burrell on February 28, 2024

“But it happened after a while that the brook dried up”…

1 Kings 17:7

WHEN THE BROOK DRIES UP

Many years ago I was sitting along side a small brook watching the water gently flow over the rocks, down stream. The brook had a steady flow of water with no end in sight. Then it happened, some weeks later that same flowing brook had no water at all. What once was a thriving brook was now parched, dry and barren.

In a similar way, that same experience happened to the Prophet Elijah. God told him to go east to the Brook of Cherith and wait for instructions. God would provide for his physical nourishment morning and evening, while Elijah could drink water from the brook. Then one day it happened: the brook dried up! It became dry, parched and barren. No more water to drink. What now?

Have you ever been there in life? Things are clicking along well, you’re cruising through life, everything trending in the right direction—then your brook dries up—a job loss, furlough, health test, divorce, death of a spouse or death of a child. What do you do? How do you respond? What is important to remember during these dry and barren times of life?

When “the brook dries up” it is important to remember:

1) God has not forgotten you! When your Brook dries up, rest assured that God has not forgotten about you. He knows exactly what you’re facing and He knows what you’re enduring. As His child, nothing touches your life unless it is sifted through His hands first.

Read what God said through the Prophet Isaiah: “I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed your name on the palms of My hands.”— Isaiah 49:15-16

God loves His children and He has not forgotten you. You are forever on His mind and His eye is continually on you. Rest in that truth.

2) Wait for God to show you the next step! “Waiting and America” don’t go hand in hand. We live in a culture where everything is instant. We don’t like to wait for anything. We have instant coffee, milk, breakfast, grits, oatmeal, etc…the list is endless of things that bring instant gratification. Listen closely: God doesn’t work like a microwave; rather, He works like a crockpot. He works in His timing and on His calendar, not ours. And it generally requires waiting. Easy to say, hard to do.

Yes, when the Brook dries up we must wait. Don’t run ahead of God. Don’t do it your own way. Patience is vital. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and wait for His direction as you take the necessary action steps, plans and preparations.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us of this.

“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 your paths straight.”

I’m not sure where you are in life or if your brook has dried up. However, I do know that God hasn’t forgotten you and He desires that you wait patiently on Him as He moves pieces into place—for your good and for His glory.

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

Your Job is Part of Your Faith Journey

C.A. Phillips on February 21, 2024

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

Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read the Book

C.A. Phillips on February 14, 2024

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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