NorthStar Stories

God had a reason for everything

I am 16 years of age and have gone through trials in my life that many wouldn't believe.  As a normal American family these days (I hate that it is this way) my parents divorce when my brother was two and I was four years old, although this really didn't effect us much.  My mother remarried as did my father and both divorced again.  Though these things also didn't really effect us either. 

When I was in sixth grade we had moved out on our own (mom, brother, and I) and things began to go down hill from there.  My mom began to drink and smoke.  When I went into the seventh grade she met a man that she would be with for the next few years, he was also an alcoholic.

Things in my life began to spiral out of control, I held a smile on the outside while I begged for help on the inside,  God my only friend.  By eight grade around Christmas time I had come to decide it wasn't worth living, I actually didn't realize that I had (I know that sounds weird but I was crying so hard one day and I began to write and in that letter I had written my suicide not).  Then I remember that I didn't need anyone, but God and he was all I had.

Freshman year I saved at least who lives because of what I had gone through the previous year.    I knew why I had gone through those things.

Things in my life were still spiraling but I was now in control.  My mom had finally got rid of that man this year, but more problems came along after that.  Mom went from job to job, many of them that were to much and then she would come home and fight.  I was her release, I heard things that a child should never hear but I took them and I stayed strong.

This past year was probably the worst, actually the previous few months.  The drinking got worse and my mom also had to have pills just to go to sleep and for other problems.  She then lost her job and thats when it happened. She wanted to kill herself.

That night will forever been in me I had to call the police and being just a teenager they didn't believe me, she was drunk and took pills.  I am not going to tell the things I was because it is just to hard but that night I was afraid for her life and mine, she tried to fight me and I had to fight her to get the pills out of her hand... only to fail. 

Although these aren't all I have been through I am sure you get what I am saying. And even though these things are hard during the summer I realized that there is a reason I am going through all of this.  I am suppose to help those who are going through the things I went through because I know that God gave me the knowledge to do it.  I have already began helping one girl and I know there are many more.  I know that I am blessed and I wouldn't change anything that I have been through, it has made me strong and who I am .

God had a reason for everything, I was once told that he didn't and these were just things that happened.  To say the least I have had God tell me in his own way that that isn't true.

I know God on such a great level and I know that no matter what I have him, even when I only see one foot print in the sand. -- anonymous

My life has changed so drastically

I can't even begin to say how long ago I joined NorthStar. It seems like I have been here for forever, but I can estimate it has been about 4 to 5 years. My life has changed so drastically since I started attending. I went from a married mother of two to a single mother of three and without this church and the support, not only from friends within the church but from the staff as well, I don't know if I would be where I am today.

I came from a marriage ruled by addiction, anger and mistrust. I started attending church with a good friend of mine and I instantly felt at home. After a while, I became a member and got involved with the children's ministry. I had found my niche. Then, while sitting in service one day, something was said that struck me. I reaized that my marriage was the exact opposite of what it should be. And while that situation was unhealthy for my children and me, I held those words in my mind and heart. Every time I started to doubt, I would remember his words, and that helped me to hold strong. While all that was going on, I found that my yearning for a deeper relationship with Christ was growing stronger. I couldn't help but fall in love all over again with Him. I had lost that feeling of love, peace and worth in His eyes during my marriage.  When I started attending NorthStar, it came back. First as a trickle, then it began pouring out!!! I love who I am again and I know that if were not for His love and for the love of the staff and my friends at NorthStar, I would not be who I am today: A proud Christian single mother who is raising her family with strength, love and determination, all possible through the love of Jesus Christ!!!! Thank you, NorthStar. You helped to bring me back to life. -- Sara

Thank You Northstar

My story is one of pure child faith. I contribute this to all of the fine people that worship and work at Northstar and I thank you everyday. It is short but I feel very, very sweet. It starts out with me putting my twin girls to bed one night. I'm divorced so this was one of my week nights to enjoy my children. As I was tucking in my little seven year old Sabrina I noticed a note pad with a letter on it. Now let me bring you up to date as of this far. Sabrinas grandfather had passed away a little over a year ago just before Christmas. Then some very good friends of ours (Chuck & Wendy) just had a great loss of their father/grandpa (Pops) which we considered him as our own too. Well, to continue with the story I asked Sabrina if I could read her letter. Of coarse she said yes and went about getting comforable for bed. The letter read exactlly like this and left me in tears. "Hi grampa do you miss me i hope you do becus some great things have ben hapining like i went to diziny world what are some things that you really like so you ben haging with pops o so when i get up to heven."  Thank You Northstar -- Scott Zink

God willing we will plant a church

My wife and I started attending NorthStar back in 2003.  I knew about NorthStar through the camp Impact but was involved in another church at that time.  The college students and the youth pastor Russ Butcher was incredible.  Jennifer decided to finish her degree at Kennesaw State and I told her about the church.  We both came and visited and loved it.  The church is what I personally was looking for.  We were teachers of the 7th & 8th grade boys and girls and loved it.  Nick and the leaders were amazing.  God wanted us to leave NorthStar and Georgia six months after we got married in 2005.  We moved here to Louisville, Kentucky where I attend Boyce College on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  We have been here in KY for lttle over 2 yrs and still feel at home with NorthStar.  We listen to the messages and I keep Mike Linch up to date on what is going on in our lives.  This past summer I had the opportunity to come down and hang with some of the staff to get an idea of what they do on a daily basis.  I had a blast.  Thank you for allowing me that experience.  Marlon suggested that I read Holy Discontent by Bill Hybels.  I have been reading it this week and love it.  The same Holy Discontent he had is what I have.  God has placed us in a struggling church but with a pastor that loves the congregation and wants to mentor me and other young men like myself. God willing we will plant a church once I am finish with school.  But until then, we will be learning and growing and allowing God to shape and mold us into the husband and wife He wants us to be.  Being away from home and the church we love is hard and is a struggle at times, but it is nice to have the internet to listen to the wonderful messages and read the blogs of what is happening 2 states away.  We love yall and hope to see yall soon. -- Jeremy

Welcome to NorthStar Stories

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