I grinned widely as I sat by the campfire, soaking wet in drizzling rain, and looked up at the gray sky. Despite the cold and wet, I felt anything but miserable. Instead, a deep sense of peace and contentment washed over me, proving that nature's embrace can be a balm for the soul even in less-than-ideal conditions. I knew it would rain most of the weekend, yet I decided to go camping anyway.
Read More“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."
I do not know if you had previously heard the news about the fox and the dog, but this is a sentence I learned as a young child. Now I have heard and read lots of sentences in my lifetime, of course, but there is a reason that I have remembered this one when so many others have, as poet laureate Billy Collins once put it, "retired to that little fishing village in my brain" to be remembered no more.
Read MoreWhen I was in high school . . .
I realize that I was in high school over 25 years ago and starting an article in this way feels like I’m trying to relate to your experience when in truth the world has vastly changed since I was in high school. However, some things do not change, like our God-designed need for friendship, and that is what I want to focus on today.
Read MoreDuring the month of October, a group of NSA students and staff traveled to Panama for a week of missions and ministry. This week would prove to be life-changing for many, including the people we served and the team members themselves.
Read MoreFor the last couple of months, I have been focusing on Psalm 16, specifically verses 2 and 11. I want to share what God has been impressing upon my heart. I love that when God wants to teach us something, He often does so in multiple ways. Does it excite you when God connects ideas, people, and themes in your life? Jesus seems to be weaving a theme of “abundant joy” in my life. True and unexplainable joy comes from a relationship with Jesus.
Read MoreI haven’t heard any actual sleigh bells yet, but all around me the signs are clear that the Christmas holiday season is upon us. Trees are up, houses are strewn with decorative lights, and Santa is hanging out at the local shopping mall. And while it may look different elsewhere, folks in over 160 countries around the world are engaging in whatever their local Christmas holiday traditions are.
Read MoreWhen I was a senior in high school back in 1995, home internet access was brand new. I remember standing in awe at my dad’s computer as I waited 10 minutes to try to access a document from a library in Israel concerning the Seige of Masada for a research project. I was thrilled to think about how I could access so much information from around the world from my little town in rural Arkansas.
Read MoreMy oldest son loves studying about the solar system. He continually shares facts and figures about space. Did you know that Saturn has 82 moons? I now know that thanks to my son Gabe. God has used Gabe to open my eyes to see His creation. And… if I’m ever on Jeopardy, I am going to crush any category connected to space!
Read MoreThis year, I turned 50. That might seem ancient to some of you, but it was actually pretty exciting for me! Let me explain why…
Read MoreWhen was the last time you were disappointed? Felt defeated or even hopeless? In Psalm 13—David expressed it well. He did not understand many of the situations God called him to, yet he wasn’t afraid to express it to his God or to question God.
Read MoreDecember is already upon us and Christmas is quickly approaching! This is such a special time of year. It is a time of great joy and celebration of the birth of Christ our Savior as well as a time to show love to those around us. One of our favorite Christmas traditions here at NorthStar is our Christmas fundraiser. At the end of every year, we come together to worship through giving. NSA students host a fundraiser that highlights different cultures or organizations. This year, we are changing the name to The Blessing Project. Our focus is Afghanistan and we have three unique opportunities to bless and be blessed.
Read MoreI am excited about all that this year has in store for us here at NorthStar Academy. This will once again be an incredible year full of excitement and community, for which God has created us. It is your faculty and staff’s desire to be known by you and for you in turn to know God and each other.
Read MoreHave you ever been afraid to step out of your comfort zone and venture into something new? Have you ever felt the Lord nudging you in a direction you have never gone before? Maybe He is calling you to join a club/organization, start a Bible study, reach out to a new friend or neighbor, or apply to a certain university.
At NorthStar, I felt the Lord moving us to start a podcast. Fear began welling up inside me, and I began thinking through the “what if” questions. However, I truly believed this was the path we were supposed to walk down, and I deeply desired to be obedient. We took the leap!
Read MoreFor many of us, 2020 was full of challenges, hardships and unfortunate surprises. In 2021, let’s turn off the “noise,” and fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us abide completely in our Savior and find true joy and unwavering hope in Him.
Read MoreIt is hard to believe that 2020 is almost over, and Christmas is literally right around the corner. During a season of so much uncertainty, it is imperative to stay focused on Christ, seek His face, and pay attention to the needs of others around us.
Read MoreThis is our 23rd year providing online education for students all over the world. It has been so fun serving with NSA for 12 of those 23 school years. It is my joy to serve as Director this year.
Read MoreWow. It is hard to believe that this will be my last article from the Director’s desk here at NorthStar Academy. My last day in this role will be May 22 after six years!
Read MoreGreetings from the Director’s desk. As I sit here this morning, there are now more than 100 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the US across multiple states, along with many thousands world-wide. While there is certainly no need for panic, it is great to know that here at NorthStar, our student’s education can continue uninterrupted throughout this current situation.
Read MoreI hope that you had a wonderful Christmas as you celebrated the birth of our savior! I hope that amidst the presents and the food, you were able to see the light of Christ clearly shining. As the new year starts, we have the opportunity to reflect on the past year and look forward to how the Lord will work in our hearts and lives in 2020. It is hard to believe that 2020 is here.
Read MoreIt is hard to believe that we are well into the first semester of the school year here at NorthStar. The temperatures are cooling down and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. If you have been around NorthStar for a while you have noticed a few user-friendly changes that have come along this year, most notably the move away from First Class and to Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
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