NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper – Spiritual Restlessness

Ryan Hoffer on September 5, 2025

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:29

SPIRITUAL RESTLESSNESS

I’ve always been an admirer of great music. Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s—a time when grunge and alternative music were roaring with nihilistic undertones—my father pointed me toward music from his era: artists like Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, James Taylor, and America. That’s where I planted my musical roots and, as a result, that’s the style that has stuck with me most over the years.

However, I’ll never forget being a kid and hearing U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For for the first time. Against a backdrop of sparkling guitar lines, lead singer Bono bleakly confesses:

I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

His statement is so emblematic of our culture at large: always seeking, never finding; obsessed with meaning, and yet bereft of it; possessed with restlessness—that ineffable ailment that arose as a condition of Adam’s sin. The world seems puzzled by it, but the Scriptures have always clearly indicated its origin. Moses, cautioning the Israelites not to turn from the Word of the Lord, spoke of the spiritual disquiet that would result: “In the morning you shall say, ‘If only it were evening!’ and at evening you shall say, ‘If only it were morning!’ because of the dread that your heart shall feel…” (Deut. 28:67).

Augustine, that great theologian of the fourth century, rightly noted in his Confessions: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” We can only find rest, fulfillment, joy, peace, and purpose in the One we were created for—Jesus. He alone is capable of putting at ease the fatigue of our souls. As He said in Matthew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Take a moment today to thank God that you’ve found what you were looking for in Jesus.

Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper – Spiritual Rest

Ryan Hoffer on September 4, 2025

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”

Matthew 11:28

SPIRITUAL REST

In Matthew 11, Jesus gives a gracious invitation to the crowd, saying, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (v. 28). This rest is not simply a reprieve or deferment from labor, but rather “rest for your souls” (v. 29). But who could do such a thing? What a mighty claim! Indeed, the appeal underscores the divinity of Christ—for no one else could provide a remedy that touches beyond the natural. It is one thing to offer a man refreshment; it is another to refresh his very existence—an act that the Old Testament frequently ascribes to God alone.

And yet, Jesus’ invitation is reminiscent of remarks made about this very work. A brief survey of some Old Testament passages shows the similarities between the words of Jesus and those of God in the OT, underscoring that Jesus is, indeed, God:

Isaiah 14:3 — When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve.
Jeremiah 6:16 — Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”
Jeremiah 31:25 — For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.
Psalm 23:3 — He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 116:7 — Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

It is not difficult to see, then, how Jesus’ claim to restore the souls of men is something that God alone could accomplish. Many of His hearers—Jews likely familiar with the language of the Scriptures—would have made this connection. Similarly, when we hear Jesus’ words in light of similar promises made in the Old Testament, we better understand how He is divinely qualified to be the Savior of our souls.

Be encouraged today by the fact that the One who made you and knows you is also the One who invites you to come to Him, that your soul may be refreshed.

Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper – The Good Portion

Ryan Hoffer on September 3, 2025

“Mary has chosen the good portion…”

Luke 10:42

THE GOOD PORTION

In the Mary–Martha pericope of Luke 10, Jesus contrasts Martha’s many distractions with Mary’s singular devotion by stating that she has chosen “the good portion.” The concept is easily understood—time and affection given to the Lord are greater than busyness spent elsewhere—but the turn of phrase is of particular interest. Frequently throughout the Bible, the word portion is used to describe our inheritance as a people who belong to God. A quick survey of its use elsewhere in Scripture helps us gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ words about Mary’s “good portion.”

In Psalm 16, David wrote about the LORD being his portion—his source of blessing, counsel, happiness, and protection: “The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot” (Psalm 16:5). This is contrasted with the sorrow of “those who run after another god” (v. 4)—in other words, those who have not chosen the Lord as their portion.

In Psalm 73, Asaph echoes David’s sentiment by declaring, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” The force of this statement is increased by the preceding verse: “There is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (v. 25).

Reflecting on the righteous statutes and precepts of God, the author of Psalm 119 likewise proclaims, “The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words” (v. 57). For this reason, he is able to say, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” (v. 50).

Elsewhere in the Old Testament, the LORD is described as the portion of those who follow Him:

Lamentations 3:24 — “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Deuteronomy 10:9 — “Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God said to him.”

Let us return to the story of Mary and Martha attending to Jesus with these things in mind. Recall that Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (v. 39), and for this reason Jesus described her as having chosen the good portion. Echoes of the Psalms come to mind—David and Asaph declaring that God alone is their source of being, their portion. Mary hadn’t merely chosen resting over working or listening over commanding—she had chosen the Lord. He was her portion, and that would never be taken from her.

Sit at the feet of Jesus today, and understand what it means to choose Him as your portion.

Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Redeeming a Rebel

Kevin Burrell on September 3, 2025

“Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce My judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord.”

Jonah 1:2-3

REDEEMING A REBEL

One early Sunday morning, a mother went in to wake her son and tell him it was time to get up and get ready for church. He replied, “I’m not going.”

“Why not?” she asked.

“I’ll give you two good reasons,” he said. “One, the people in the church don’t like me, and two, I don’t like them.”

His mother replied, “I’ll give you two good reasons why you should go to church. Number one, you’re 45 years old, and number two, you’re the pastor.”

All humor aside, reluctance in life will lead to:

Missed opportunities
Stagnation
Strained relationships
Increased anxiety

For the prophet Jonah, his reluctance to obey God’s call led to the following:

Storm at Sea: Jonah’s attempt to flee from God’s command caused a violent storm that endangered not only his life, but also the lives of the sailors.
Being Swallowed by a Great Fish: As a direct result of his disobedience, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and spent three days and nights in its belly, experiencing the consequences of his choices.
Delays in God’s Message: His disobedience delayed the delivery of God’s dire warning to the people of Nineveh, potentially risking their destruction.
Personal Suffering and Humbling: Jonah experienced fear, isolation, and deep reflection, which ultimately humbled him and brought him back to obedience.

Jonah was a rebel on the run:

In Jonah chapter 1, we see Jonah running away from God (Disobedience).
In Jonah chapter 2, we see Jonah running toward God (Repentance).
In Jonah chapter 3, we see Jonah running with God (Grace).

Listen Closely:

Make no mistake! Please do not miss the following point:

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go—keep you longer than you want to stay—and charge you more than you’re willing to pay.”

Sin and disobedience always produce consequences.

Reflection

I encourage you to ponder the following questions in your own life:

Are you running away from something God is calling you to do?
Are you living in willful sin and disobedience toward God?
Are you showing compassion to others, even when you think they don’t deserve it?
Are you willing to obey God even when the task is outside your comfort zone or feels too difficult?

Never forget: The pain of discipline is always less than the pain of regret. God redeemed Jonah, the running rebel, with His amazing grace—and He will do the same for you.

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 44 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.

Digging Deeper – When Jesus Calls You By Name (Twice)

Ryan Hoffer on September 2, 2025

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things

Luke 10:41

WHEN JESUS CALLS YOU BY NAME (TWICE)

This week, while studying the sermon passage in Luke 10:38–42, I also decided to read some ancient commentary to familiarize myself with the history of interpretation on the famous Mary and Martha story (hence the earlier devotion on John Wesley). In doing so, I came across one of Augustine’s sermons on the passage (Sermon 53), written sometime in the fourth or fifth century. In the great Church Father’s commentary, he pointed out a detail that I had never even considered, simple as it may seem:

Therefore, the Lord answered, who was in no difficulty for words, in that He was the Word. What then did He say? “Martha, Martha.” The repetition of the name is a token of love, or perhaps of exciting attention; she is named twice, that she might give the more attentive heed.

Jesus, in His reply to Martha, calls her name twice. Augustine considers this a “token of love.” Indeed, it seems to soften His reproof. There is something endearing about the moment—almost as if the Savior overpowers the nervousness of her own heart by addressing her in a twofold manner.

Six other times in the Bible God calls someone’s name twice when addressing them: Abraham (Gen. 22:11); Jacob (Gen. 46:2); Moses (Ex. 3:4); Samuel (1 Sam. 3:10); Simon Peter (Luke 22:31); and Paul (Acts 9:4). What can be greater than to be known by the Creator of the universe and, what’s more, to be sought after in fellowship by Him?

But therein lies the astonishing fact of Christianity: that God is deeply relational. After all, it was He who said to Moses, “I know you by name.”

Take a moment today to look at some of the aforementioned biblical accounts where God calls someone by name, and reflect on the fact that He knows your name, too. Indeed, He gave you these very examples so that you would be sure of it.

Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper – John Wesley’s Journal

Ryan Hoffer on September 1, 2025

“…but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion…”

Luke 10:42

JOHN WESLEY’S JOURNAL

On Sunday, October 24, 1790, the eighty-eight-year-old founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, recorded his last journal entry:

I explained to a numerous congregation in Spitalfields Church “the whole armor of God.” St. Paul’s, Shadwell, was still more crowded in the afternoon while I enforced that important truth, “one thing is needful”; and I hope many, even then, resolved to choose the better part.

Of course, the “one thing” is a reference to the words of Jesus in Luke 10:42, when He reproves Martha for her worry about many things in contrast to the one thing of importance—an audience with Him. That Wesley’s last sermon would touch on such a text is no surprise; few men in the history of Christianity have been so thoroughly devoted to the priority of evangelism.

As the founder of Methodism and a leading figure in the Great Awakening of the 18th century, Wesley is said to have traveled over 250,000 miles on horseback (the equivalent of ten trips around the earth!), often preaching three or four sermons a day. He was wont to preach on Luke 10:42 frequently, as there are at least fifty references to it throughout his journal (which is freely available online and documents his travels from 1735–1790). It is fitting, therefore, that he ended his ministry in like manner—focused on “the good portion,” in the words of the Savior.

The matter is as important to us as it was to Wesley (and to Mary, of whom it was originally said): are we anxious and troubled about many things, or have we chosen the one necessary thing—spending time with Jesus?

Ryan Hoffer serves as NextGen Production Director at NorthStar. He holds an M.Div in Church History and enjoys playing the harp. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Acworth and have three children.

Digging Deeper: Be Different

Lee Wilson on August 29, 2025

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

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

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

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

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

BE DIFFERENT

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

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

The point is this: following Jesus makes you different.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Digging Deeper: Playing with Fire

Lee Wilson on August 28, 2025

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

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

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

PLAYING WITH FIRE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Servant Leadership

Kevin Burrell on August 27, 2025

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

In the Texas Hill Country, heavy rains have turned roads into rivers, destroyed homes, cut off entire communities, and changed families forever. Emergency crews continue working nonstop, using boats and helicopters to reach people still trapped by the flood. Among those helping and serving is Jonathan McComb from Corpus Christi, TX. He is part of Texas Search and Rescue, a volunteer group that responds to disasters across the state.

Jonathan’s mission with “TEXSAR” is deeply personal. Ten years ago, he and his family were swept away by a flash flood on the Blanco River in Wimberley, TX. He survived after being carried more than 10 miles downstream, though badly injured. However, his wife Laura and their two children, Leighton and Andrew, did not survive. Thirteen people were killed in that 2015 disaster, but Jonathan McComb was the lone survivor.

In that same flood, his 4-year-old daughter, Leighton, was never found—a fact that continues to drive him today. Now, ten years later, McComb has remarried and has a 5-year-old daughter who knows his story. Before leaving for this latest search, he explained to her why he needed to go: “That was a tough, tough hug when I left her on July 4th to come out here to help and serve others who are in desperate need, but she understood.” For McComb, his work is not just about rescue—it’s about serving, helping, and redemption.

Listen Closely: The story of Jonathan McComb is a reminder that true leadership, grounded in service, is marked by humility, empathy, compassion, and a deep commitment to the well-being of others. Great leaders understand that true influence is not about authority, power, position, or personal gain, but about lifting others up, meeting their needs, and creating environments where people can thrive through having a heart to serve.

They prioritize service to others before self. They inspire trust. They foster loyalty. They bring hope. They build stronger teams. A “servant-first” mindset transforms leadership from a position of power into a calling of purpose. Don’t miss this principle: Your success in life will be measured not by personal accolades, but by the growth, empowerment, and success of those you are leading, influencing, and serving.

Don’t believe it?

Just ask Jonathan McComb.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Be Worth Being.

Kevin

Digging Deeper: Lost (and Found) in Space

Lee Wilson on August 27, 2025

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

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

Acts 2:32-38 (NLT)

LOST (AND FOUND) IN SPACE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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