Over The Hump – Page 4 – NorthStar Church Blog

The Potter and the Clay

Kevin Burrell on July 3, 2024

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as the Lord told me and found the potter working at his wheel.

Jeremiah 18:1-3

THE POTTER AND THE CLAY

Most people today have never heard of Adelaide Pollard. However, in 1902, at the age of 40, Adelaide Pollard contemplated her situation. She felt, as many do at times in life, that she had reached a point where she was passionate about doing something yet was frustrated by the hurdle in her way. Adelaide sensed a call by God to begin missionary work in Africa; however, she became bitterly disappointed in her drive to raise funds for the needed trip. Through a series of events, Ms. Pollard attended a prayer meeting at a random church one evening, and it was there that an anonymous elderly woman prayed a prayer that germinated deep within Adelaide’s heart and soul, changing her life.

She went home and began writing out a prayer that went on to become a famous gospel hymn. Still today, in 2024, churches all across the world continue singing the hymn Adelaide Pollard wrote:

“Have Thine Own Way.”

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Jeremiah the prophet watched as the potter patiently formed the clay on the wheel. Obviously, he had a goal and purpose in mind for that piece of clay. But some of the clay was resistant and inflexible in the potter’s hands. Therefore, he cast it aside for a lesser purpose.

In a similar way, we are the clay, and God is the potter. He has a plan for each of our lives that is better than anything we have planned for ourselves. We have a choice as to whether we will yield to the will of God for our lives or resist it and become inflexible. Of course, we will have setbacks in life. We will face hardship and tragedy. We will encounter unexpected problems and heartache. However, we have a choice to become bitter or better.

Listen closely: Life is full of surprises. We all know people who had great promise but never reached their potential. Then there are others who did not seem to have much promise, yet God is powerfully using them today. What will you do with the life that God has given you? Will you conform to the will of God, or will you resist Him? Will you surrender to God’s plan and purpose for your life, or will you reject it? Will you say, “God, I want my own way,” or will you say, “God, have Thine own way”? I encourage you, do not be resistant and inflexible.

The choice is yours.

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.

The Danger of Empty Promises

C.A. Phillips on June 26, 2024

Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
that don’t bring rain.

Proverbs 25:14 (CEV)

THE DANGER OF EMPTY PROMISES

We were in the quarterfinals of the 13U tournament and on the verge of a major upset victory over a team who were favorites to win the whole thing. Our team was smaller, but we were gritty. We had threatened to take the lead earlier in the game, when the oppsing coach brought in the team’s closer to fend off our rally.

But, the rally continued, and we started thumping their hard-throwing righty. Seriously, the kid was throwing in the 80’s – which looked like 100 from only 54 feet away! Our guys didn’t flinch, and we started smoking singles and doubles in the gaps. Before we knew it, we had a one-run lead!

We were the visiting team, and with only a few minutes left in the game, it was looking like we’d pull off the upset if we could hold them on defense. We got the first out quickly on a weak grounder to third. The next batter struck out. Two down! The next batter hit a hard grounder up the middle, but our second baseman was shaded in that direction, and made the stop. I could taste victory as he made the throw to first base. But, instead of taking his time, he rushed the throw and didn’t shuffle his feet and step towards the target. The result was a tough in-between hop that handcuffed the first baseman, who was unable to hang on to it. Safe.

Instead of a huge win, the inning continued. To make a long story short, that runner stole second, then scored on a single to tie the game. We managed to get out of the inning without any further damage, and we were headed for extra innings. I was hot.

As the second baseman came off the field, I got in his face and said, “You’re sitting next inning!”

“But Coach,” he replied, “you have always said that you’d never take us out of a game if we made a physical error. Only if we kept making mental mistakes!”

I was stopped cold. He was right, and I had a choice to make. I could allow my emotions to get the best of me and remove him from the game. Or, I could do the right thing and own up to what I had always told my players.

Honestly, I believe the Holy Spirit intervened here. It was like I completely came to my senses and realized what could happen if I chose to take him out of the game.

So, instead of using my authority to put him in his place, I swallowed hard and said, “You’re right. I did say that, and I’m sorry. You’re still in the game.”

We ended up losing 7-6 in extra innings. It hurt to lose, especially when we had the opportunity to claim the victory. But, the hurt could have been far worse if I had followed through with taking the player out of the game. I would have broken my word – not only to him, but to the entire team! The damage would have been far more catastrophic than a painful and disappointing loss.

I’m so glad Alex (the second baseman) was bold enough to speak out! It would have been easy to just accept the punishment of making an error and not confronting the coach and his broken promise.

Coaches (and parents) – please heed this warning! Eyes are on you, and ears are listening! Treat your words seriously, and have the integrity to live up to the promises you make. It’s much more than a baseball game that is at stake!

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.

What Does that Cross Mean, Really?

C.A. Phillips on May 22, 2024

⁷People 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. ⁹Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

James 3:7-10 (NLT)

WHAT DOES THAT CROSS MEAN, REALLY?

I was umpiring a Championship game for the 18U Division at a local park last week, when I noticed that several players on one of the teams had drawn crosses on their cheeks in eye black. I often see eye black used for a variety of facial graphics, including one kid they called “Robin,” who had so much of it painted on around his eyes that it looked like he was wearing a mask. Most of the time with these teens, it’s intended to make them look fierce and intimidating – like war paint. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see the crosses.

That is, until it became evident that the team was not going to win the game after unraveling on the mound and in the field late in the game. It was then that I heard these same kids – ones wearing the cross of Christ on their cheeks – begin to deride teammates with profanity that would make a sailor blush. One player screamed, “You’re so (bleeping) awful!” to his left fielder after that player booted a ball. A different player with the cross-cheeks exclaimed an F-bomb after grounding out to lead off the next inning.

Honestly, I’d be upset at the kids for talking this way whether or not they had crosses painted on. But, the cross made it worse. I actually felt a bit of sadness for the other kids who didn’t have crosses painted on. Who knows, they could know Jesus. But, for those who don’t – what do you think their collective impression of these self-proclaimed “Christians” was?

Whether you paint eye black on your face, have a Jesus fish on your car, have a WWJD bracelet on your wrist, or wear a necklace with a cross pendant, you should know that people do pay attention! I’m not saying you won’t mess up – we all will. But, we’ve got to stop wearing the cross as a fashion statement or just as a label that we’re “saved.” When we identify with Christ, we need to try to reflect his image in ALL areas of our lives: our speech, our attitude, our behavior, our work ethic, and especially our heart for lost people who need Jesus!

Otherwise, just leave the eye black in your bag.

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.

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

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