Who is Trevor Lawrence, Anyway?

My son texted me on Tuesday: “Good morning! I love you! Wow, did Alabama get stomped!” My reply, without looking at the score of the Clemson/Alabama championship game, was “They sure did. I’m sure they were humbled.” Actually, I didn't see the game. Once Oklahoma was out, so was I.

But, subsequently I did check out the score, and yes, Clemson pulled off a big upset for #1 Alabama. Apparently, Clemson’s quarterback was the star of the show because he was named MVP. Trevor Lawrence, the 19-year-old freshman, has already received accolades for his talents and ESPN said that “the legend of Trevor Lawrence has only begun.”

I enjoy following Dr. Jim Denison’s review of daily news and this is what he said, “The best part of the story isn’t the part that’s making headlines today. When Lawrence was named Clemson’s starting quarterback last September, reporters asked how he stays so calm during games. “That’s just always my personality,” he explained. “Football’s important to me, but it’s not my life. It’s not the biggest thing in my life. I would say my faith is.” He added: “I put my identity in what Christ says, who He thinks I am and who I know that He says I am.” “Share a nanosecond of celebration!” says Dr. Denison.

I love stories like that – especially the ones when God is given the credit. You know, those “But, God…..” stories. Some people believe God set the world in motion, and then sat back in His holy recliner just to watch it spin without intervening in the lives of men. There many "But God..." stories in the Bible:
Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, BUT GOD intended it for good….”
Acts 2:24, “Jesus was put to death, BUT GOD raised him from the dead.”
Romans 5:8, “We were sinners, BUT GOD demonstrates His love for us that while we were yet sinners, He died for us"

How awesome! God was involved in the lives of men back then and He is still involved now, intervening, guiding, and restoring. I heard these one-liners from men and women this last year:
"I thought my family would never change, but God…"
"My life was spiraling out of control, but God…"
"I thought I'd messed everything up, but God…"
“I was homeless and couldn’t take care of my family, but God….”
“I was diagnosed with cancer, but God….”
“I was abused and tormented, but God….”
“I was in prison with no hope, but God….”
“I couldn’t find a job, but God….”
Each one of those “But, God” stories have a happy ending AND new beginning. "But God" is the moment when God intervenes. Life is going one way and things seem hopeless and then all of a sudden a holy God steps in and everything changes.

What is your “But God....” story? No matter where you are right now or what you've been through, if you'll let God in, He'll bring complete restoration to your life. I know because He did it for me. God loves you so much and has a good plan for your life. Even if you are in the middle of a disaster right now, don't give up hope. Trust Him. Your "BUT GOD" story is on its way!

God's Not Dead -- He's ALIVE!

The tomb is empty! The tomb wasn't for the dead after all. It was a Delivery Room for our LIVING Savior! This day is April 1st aka April Fool’s Day! SURPRISE, Satan! God’s NOT dead – He’s fully ALIVE!!!

The Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:24 "God raised Jesus up, loosing the PANGS of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it." That word, "pangs", is associated with labor and childbirth, so on that early "3rd Day" morning (probably 12:00 am because God just could not allow His Son to be in that tomb one minute longer), He must have said "It's time to get the SON up!" Indeed, the tomb became the Delivery Room for the Son of God. Can we even imagine that the tomb that held our Lord's cold, dead body was about to explode because of the POWER that was getting ready to burst forth life?. Notice that scripture again "because IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE for Him to be held by it." I remember Johnny Cash singing "Ain't no grave gonna' hold my body down!" And that song is not only true about the Son of God, it will also be true for you and me!

Our Lord LIVES, and so do we. Everyday is a new, bright resurrection morning, because of Christ's death, burial and rising to live forevermore. Only God can bring life out of a season of death. God just can't leave death well enough alone, can He? Up to this point, death was final. But while those He lived with, laughed with, and cried with, were in their deepest sorrow – the greatest of all miracles was taking place. Jesus was conquering death, hell and the grave, and that tomb they thought held Him, became empty. And that crown of thorns he wore became the crown of royalty He deserved. Dumb devil! He thought he had won. And, from that point to today.....we continue to give that dumb devil the reminder that "We know the rest of the story, and the end of the BOOK, and WE WIN!"

Perhaps, today, you are still living in the ashes of remorse, brokenness, depression, unforgiveness and a tomb is holding you back. You are still alive. Go ahead and put your hand over your heart. If it's beating, God has a destiny and mission for you to fulfill. You're here right now, so the resurrection power of Jesus Christ lives big in you. Let Him turn your tomb into a Delivery Room to new life today!

Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you!"

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh What a Beautiful Day!

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oh What a Beautiful Day!
Joy, Hope, Peace, Comfort, Life Everlasting Came This Morning! Jesus' tomb wasn't for the dead. It was a birthing roomfor new life. That tomb became a Delivery Room.

The Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:24 "God raised Jesus up, loosing the PANGS of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it." That word, "pangs", is associated with labor and childbirth, so on that early "3rd Day" morning (probably 12:00 am -- God just could not allow His Son to be in that tomb one minute longer), so He must have said "It's time to get the SON up!" That tomb became the Delivery Room for the Son of God. Can you imagine that tomb was about to explode because of the POWER that was getting ready to burst forth. Notice that scripture again "because IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE for Him to be held by it." I remember Johnny Cash singing "Ain't no grave gonna' hold my body down!" And that song is not only true about the Son of God, but also you and me!

Our Lord LIVES, and SO DO I. Everyday is a new, bright resurrection morning, because of Christ's death, burial and rising to live forevermore. Only God can bring life out of a season of death. God just can't leave death well enough alone, can He?

Perhaps, today, you are still living in the ashes of remorse, brokenness, depression, and a tomb is holding you back. You are still alive. Go ahead and put your hand over your heart. If it's beating, God has a destiny and mission for you to fulfill. You could have been born sometime in history, but you weren't. You're here now, so the resurrection power of Jesus Christ lives big in you. Let Him turn your tomb into a Delivery Room to your new life today! Romans 8:11 "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you!"

Indeed it is a beautiful morning! He LIVES! Christ Jesus lives today. He'll walk with you and talk with you and tell you, ,you are His own! You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart! Happy Resurrection Morning!

His Tomb Became a Delivery Room -- Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Up until his last day on this earth, my Sweetheart and I were uncompromising and unwavering in our faith and belief that he would be healed. But on that day, I had a sense of "knowing", it was time for him to get to go home. So, on that day, I leaned in close to him and said, "Baby, I'll be okay. Why don't you push and go on home? Push, Baby, Push!" I was his Midwife, our bedroom was his Delivery Room and he did push through heaven's birth canal to his healed and whole body and life in his Home Sweet Home in heaven.

I heard a message this week about our Lord's resurrection that brought that memory back to me. The Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:24 "God raised Jesus up, loosing the PANGS of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." That word, "pangs", is associated with labor and childbirth, so on that early "3rd Day" morning (probably 12:00 am -- God could no longer allow His Son to be in that tomb one more minute), so He must have said "It's time to get the SON up!" That tomb became the Delivery Room for the Son of God. Can you imagine that tomb was about to explode because of the POWER that was getting ready to burst forth. Notice that scripture again...."because IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE for Him to be held by it."

My Sweetheart doesn't live on this side of heaven any longer, but because of our Lord's death and resurrection, he LIVES in heaven. Best of all, our Lord LIVES, and SO DO I. I still have breath in my lungs. My heart still beats and God has brought ME back to life. Everyday is a new, bright resurrection morning, because of Christ's death, burial and rising to live forevermore. Only God can bring life out of a season of death. God just can't leave death well enough alone, can He?

Perhaps, today, you are still living in the ashes of remorse, brokenness, depression, and a tomb is holding you back. You are still alive. Go ahead and put your hand over your heart. If it's beating, God has a destiny and mission for you to fulfill. You could have been born sometime in history, but you weren't. You're here and now and the resurrection power of Jesus Christ can live big in you. Let Him turn your tomb into a Delivery Room to your new life today!

#HeLives