Category: Over The Hump

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 16:9

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The Priority of Planning

Planning in life is vitally important. Those who go through life “winging it” will run into many challenges, disappointments, discouragements and defeats. Wars are planned, weddings are planned, funerals are planned, retirements are planned, vacations are planned, meal plans are planned, careers are planned, conferences are planned, meetings are planned, flight plans are planned, graduations are planned, births are planned, etc… You get the idea. The list could be endless.

 

Benjamin Franklin once said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

 

John Maxwell said: “If you fail to plan, then plan to fail.” However you want to say it, it’s important to plan!

 

While it’s important to plan as we go through life, it is even more important to understand that it is God who determines the steps of your plans through life. It is God who connects the dots. It is God who is writing your story and it is God who will establish your plans. All He asks of us is to “plan” and then trust Him for the results. God sees from beginning to end, and it is God that will guide you step by step. Don’t rush ahead.

 

I’m not sure where you are in life at this moment—however, I do know that God is holding you right in the palm of His mighty hand, writing your story, and establishing His will for your life. Lean into the Lord. Obey Him. Trust Him. Make wise choices and decisions. Don’t quit! Don’t throw in the towel because your plan hasn’t worked out in your time! Don’t give up! And don’t stop planning!

 

Because when you can’t trace God’s Hand—Trust His heart as He determines your steps.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

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

Romans 13:7b (TLB)

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
Luke 6:40

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What is Your “PCR” Report?

For nearly eight years our son, Zach, has been a licensed Paramedic in the State of Georgia and is also a Nationally Certified Paramedic.  One of his important job responsibilities is to write and maintain accurate, high-quality and detailed documentation regarding the patients he cares for on his EMS calls.  These are referred to as “PCR” reports (patient care reports).  At a minimum, there are seven marks or key elements that are identified as essentials for documenting a well written and complete “PCR” narrative:

• Dispatch and Response Summery
• Scene Summary
• Patient Physical Exam Summary
• Interventions Summary
• Status Change Summary
• Safety Summary
• Disposition Summary

Yes, Paramedics (and all Healthcare Providers) have a responsibility to provide high-quality, accurate and detailed summaries of all patient encounters.  These components and indicators are vital in evaluating a quality “PCR” report.

In a similar way, there are seven vital key components or indicators of a “Fully Trained” disciple of Christ who is replicating the “Conduct” of Christ in their daily life.  Observe closely:

• Member – Do I belong to a local church by being in a large group weekend environment and prioritizing a small group environment?
• Magnifier – Am I spending time worshipping God in private when I’m alone, and in public in my local church?
• Minister – Am I meeting the needs of people in my local community, in my occupation, and in my local church?
• Maturing – Am I spending time alone with God, growing in my Fellowship and Faith with Him through reading, studying His Word, and prayer?
• Manager – Am I managing my time, my calendar, my talents, my relationships, my treasure and my body in a God honoring way?
• Messenger – Am I actively seeking out opportunities to share God’s message of love and salvation with others, inviting someone to church, small group, or discipleship group?
• Multiplier – Am I leveraging my influence by reproducing and multiplying more disciples with the life and time I’ve been given here on earth, am I making disciples that make disciples?

Listen closely:  If your target is to become a fully trained disciple, then all seven marks of Christ should be present in your life.  These seven marks may not be all the marks of a fully trained disciple, however all seven marks are evident in Jesus’s life, evident in the disciples’ lives, and evident in the life of the Church.  Not one time in the past 2000 years has being a disciple not included these seven marks of Christ’s life.  That should give you the motivation to want those marks present in your life.

What does your “PCR” report indicate about your life as a “Fully Trained” disciple?

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”
John 14:27

 

We live in a culture and society today that has everything – except “Peace.”  Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older every year.  People with anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.  It’s not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

One of my good friends, Gary Dickinson is a pilot and flight simulator instructor for Delta Airlines. I asked Gary the following question: “What avionics instrument would be the worst to lose and go out during the flight?” His answer was the “Artificial Horizon Indicator.”  Gary said: “Without it we would be unable to keep our wings level if we entered weather—clouds or anything which obscured the horizon.”  You see, the Artificial Horizon Indicator is an extremely important cockpit instrument gauge. It gives you an instant, truthful indication as to whether your aircraft is turning, climbing or descending, and should be trusted over all other senses if you are disorientated or lost. When this instrument is working properly, it provides a great sense of “Peace” to the pilot flying through poor visibility or disorientation.

In a similar way, the “Peace of God” that only He can give is the instrument gauge that will navigate you through the storms of life when you can’t seem to find your way. Without it, our lives become disoriented. We are instead controlled by anxiety, depression, troubles, worry, doubt and fear, which inevitably will lead us to crash. However, Jesus reminds us in the verse above about the “Peace” that only He can provide. It transcends all earthly understanding. Read it again closely . . .

“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be anxious, troubled, or fearful.”

The “Peace” that Jesus gives is the very instrument gauge that will guide you through the loss of a job, parents, child or spouse. It is the instrument gauge that will guide you through overwhelming challenges, difficulties and the storms of life.  Because it’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll encounter the deep valleys of life—and it is then that you must rely on the greatest spiritual instrument gauge:

“The Peace of God.”

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

On that very day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And a great storm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.
Mark 4:35, 37

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It was July 12, 1977. I woke up that morning excited, getting ready for my all-star pony league baseball practice later in the day. I remember it was a beautiful morning. The sun was shining. Not a cloud in the sky. My dad left for work. My mom was at home working around the house. My 4-year old brother was attending Vacation Bible School that morning.

The day was going great—and then it happened. Later (that very same day) a storm hit our family. My little brother, back home from VBS, accidentally slipped into a friend’s pool and was lifeless, floating on the top of the water. He was rushed to children’s hospital in San Diego, where, later in the evening, he was gone and went to heaven to be with the Lord.

In the verses above the disciples experienced a storm as well. Read it for yourself again. Their morning started out well. Great ministry was going on. Exciting things were happening all around, and then, “on that very same day” when evening had come they were in the middle of a fierce storm, battling for their lives.

Here is the reality: we do not know what a day will bring. A beautiful morning—only to end with a storm-filled evening. Our life is like a vapor. Life is precious and life is short. However, what we do know or should know is that Jesus is in the middle of the storm. It never catches Him by surprise. He allowed it to happen to the disciples and He allows it to happen in our lives as well. He reminds us: “In this world you will have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world.”

He is holding on to your hand. He doesn’t promise to keep us from the storms of life; however, He will guide us through the storm. Abide with Him. Trust Him. Allow your soul to anchor in Him. Every storm runs out of rain, just like every dark night turns into day. However painful, storms draw something out of us that calm seas never will.

Hang in there. Be strong. Be courageous. Do not fear. Do not quit. Keep making progress. Trust in the One who has you right in the palm of His Mighty hand.

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20

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There is an old legend that speaks of a conversation between Jesus and the angel Gabriel, after Christ’s ascension back to heaven:

Gabriel: “How bad was it on earth for the 33 years you were there?”

Jesus: “Oh Gabriel, it was awful.”

Gabriel: “How bad was it going to the cross? We stood ready, your legion of angels stood watch in the garden of Gethsemane, waiting for your call, while watching you in agony praying to The Father while all your disciples were asleep.”

Jesus: “Yes Gabriel, the pain and suffering was awful, and separation from The Father was agonizing. It was horrendous.”

Gabriel: “What plan did you make for completing God’s mission of telling everyone throughout all of time about how much God loves them?”

Jesus: “I asked Peter, James and John, and a handful more in the region to make it their life’s mission to tell others. And then those are to tell others, and the others still others, until every person has heard the Good News and their life becomes transformed by it.”

Gabriel stood in deep thought and meditation as though he saw a flaw in Jesus’ plan.

Gabriel: “Yes, but Master, suppose after a while Peter forgets and goes back to fishing and John loses his enthusiasm.  And what if their successors, down in the 21st century get so busy or so timid that they do not make the time or have the courage to tell others? What will you do then?”

The voice of Jesus answered quietly and confidently—

Jesus: “I haven’t made any other plans Gabriel. I am counting on them. There is no plan B.”

May I remind you as well that there is no plan B. Plan B is plan A!

As you are going through life—Go, And Make Disciples!

Be who God created you to be. Never forget, If Satan can’t make you bad—he will just make you busy. Be busy about the right things. The things that truly matter in this life. Go and tell the message. Work His plan—and His plan will work!

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields.

Matthew 9:36, 38

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Recently my wife and I were in a restaurant enjoying a date night out. While talking with the young lady who was our server, we learned she was struggling to make ends meet at home because her husband was out of work and they had young children to feed and care for. We saw a lady who was doing her best while walking through a dark valley in her life. We felt compassion for her. Sadly, it stopped there, until the Spirit of God said “That is not enough, Kevin.”

I have learned through the years in my walk with the Lord that Kindness = Seeing + Feeling + Action. All three steps are required. Needless to say my wife and I acted. We saw a need, felt compassion for the need, and took action to fill the need.

In the passage above Jesus was no different. Look at the progression. Jesus saw the crowds. He had a feeling of compassion for the crowds. However, He didn’t stop there. He took action by “Sending Out More Workers” into the crowds.

 I heard it said long ago, “The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm.” There is no truer statement!

We must first see a need > It must touch our heart to feel compassion for the need > And it must drive us to action by showing God’s love in a practical way to fill the need.

See a need …. fill a need!

 

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
James 4:13-14

It happens daily, weekly, monthly and yearly. We plan. We schedule events, meetings or vacations in our computer or on our calendar. We say we will do this or that tomorrow, we will go here or there next week or next month. All the while assuming we have unlimited time.

The truth is that we do not know what our life will be like tomorrow! In a tangible way we have seen how our lives have been abruptly altered and even halted do to a pandemic in 2020-2021. Our life is compared to the morning fog or mist. Each of us have seen what that looks like—it is there for a short time, the sun rises and it soon disappears. The fog or mist vanishes quickly.

So is your life! Take today. Live in today. You were awakened today. Breath was breathed into your body for another morning. However, you do not know what this evening will bring in your life. Some will wake up with a spouse and go to bed this evening alone. Some will wake up playing with their child and go to bed this evening childless. Some will wake up with a parent and go to bed that evening without a parent. Some will wake up with their life and go out into eternity by this evening.

Life is like a vapor, a fog or a mist. It is short. It is fragile. It is brief in the span of your eternity. It’s been said: “Life on earth will soon pass—only what counts for Christ will last.” Think about and live your life in the span of eternity. Live your life with the end in mind and leave a legacy that will far out live you.

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

Follow me, as I follow the example of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

As a child I use to play a game called “Simon Says.” It was a “follow the leader” type of game. I’m sure many of you played this game as well. The idea of the game was that you had to follow the example of who was leading. You had to imitate what the leader was doing. If you missed a command you were disqualified from playing the game.

The Apostle Paul essentially was saying the same thing. Although we don’t get disqualified, he was reminding us as a Christ follower, that our walk should line up with our talk. We should be an example to those we are leading and influencing. We should be imitators of the character and conduct of Christ. Our life should replicate His life. Our character and conduct should be an example to those who are watching us.

The Apostle Paul said it this way: “Follow me—as I follow the example of Christ.” I am not sure I could say it any better. To be clear, the standard is not “perfection;” however, it is a life that seeks to “obey, follow and make consistent progress” following the example of Christ.

BE the example. Guard your character and guard your conduct. Because you never know who is watching your life.

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.

“I have brought You glory on the earth, by completing the work which You have given Me to do.”

John 17:4

Never underestimate an ordinary life. One who isn’t successful in the world’s eye—A shoe salesmen, a homemaker, a barber, a restaurant server, a grocery store clerk—God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary work in this world. Take for instance the following story of Edward Kimball. Quite possibly, you’re asking yourself at this moment, who in the heck is Edward Kimball? Allow me to explain.

Edward Kimball was a dry goods salesman in Boston. A simple ordinary man. However, every Sunday morning at church, Kimball taught a Sunday School class to a group of young teenage boys. He had a particular burden for one of these young men. So one day, Kimball mustered up the courage to reach the young man at his work. He was nervous and scared. He paced back and forth before entering the store where the young man worked. Placing his hand on the young mans shoulder, Kimball shared the gospel message of Jesus Christ with the young man. However, Kimball left the young man’s work thinking he botched his mission.

Little did Kimball know, later that night, this young boy would personally invite Christ into his life, and went on to become one of the greatest evangelists. His name was D.L. Moody. On June 17, 1873 D.L. Moody arrived in Liverpool, England to conduct a series of evangelistic crusades. A struggling young minister who was in the audience was so influenced by Moody’s message that his life and ministry was impacted and transformed. His name was J. Wilbur Chapman.

J. Wilbur Chapman went on to become a powerful traveling evangelist in the early 1900’s. He came in contact with a retired professional baseball player, and under Chapman’s mentoring, Billy Sunday went on to become one of the greatest evangelists of his time in American history.

Over time, Billy Sunday’s travels led him to Charlotte, NC where he held a campaign speaking to thousands. A group of businessmen who were in the audience became followers of Jesus Christ and began a prayer group that would impact not only their life, but their local community in Charlotte, N.C. In October 1934, this group of local businessmen invited an evangelist who’s name was Mordecai Ham to hold a crusade in the local area. On October 8, Mordecai Ham was discouraged, and he wrote a prayer to God on the stationery at his Charlotte, N.C. hotel: “Lord, give us a revival here. … Pour out thy Spirit tomorrow. ”

On October 9, 1934 his prayer was answered as a young teenage boy from Central high school went to hear Mordecai Ham. That night, he gave his life to become a follower of Jesus Christ. That young boy’s name was Billy Graham!—who went on to become the greatest evangelist in American history and around the world.

The faithful obedience of Edward Kimball, a simple ordinary dry foods salesman in Boston led to countless lives being impacted and changed for eternity all around the world. One life touching another. Edward Kimball > D.L. Moody > J. Wilbur Chapman > Billy Sunday > Local business leaders in Charlotte, NC > Mordecai Ham > Billy Graham.

God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things in them and through them. He doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. I encourage you today to never underestimate God’s ability to use you in the life of others. All He is looking for is willing heart to say “I have brought You glory on the earth by completing the work which You have given me to do.”

Live your life with the end in mind. You won’t regret it!

Love God, Love People, Live Sent!

Be Worth Being,

Kevin

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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.