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!

Life is Good. Life is Fun.

It's an awesome Sunday when you start with a spectacular view of The Olympic Mts to the West, Mt Rainier to the South and then having an amazing time of praising and worshipping God, seeing over 15 people baptized at The City Church in Kirkland, WA -- home church for many of the Seattle Seahawks' players.  

In fact, Pastor Judah Smith is the Chaplain for the team and directs the chapel service every Saturday night for the players. So, of course, seeing a sea of "the faithful" wearing Seahawks jerseys is a norm at City Church. And, it's quite common to hear prayers for the Seahawks to win their next game.

I read an ESPN interview of Russell Wilson from December 24th, 2015 that said "On off-game Sundays, Russell Wilson (Seahawks' quarterback) is at the Kirkland campus on Sunday mornings -- he doesn't live far from the church. He stands in the front row, sings and raises his hands to the heavens. He doesn't stand out too much, because even though he's a quarterback with great gifts, he's short. Wilson was drafted in 2012, 12th in the third round, part of a Seahawks class that one analyst scored a C and another an F. This was fine with Wilson. He doesn't mind that no one saw him coming. It plays well into his narrative that he was chosen for this, that God sent the world a diminutive man at 5-foot-10, that he was sent with an undeniable cannon of an arm to make the world take notice."

I love that. And, I love the testimonies of other players who have given their lives to Christ and are passionate about being His witness. Of course, I'm a fan of anyone who proclaims Christ and lives an exemplary life of Him, but to see high profile athletes making a statement of faith as role models that our world so needs, is a bonus. In a city that passionately loves their home team, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and fanfare.  

The Seahawks have been my kids' team since they moved here eight years ago. And, I might add, it's been a great ride for them -- year before last, as the Super Bowl champs and last year defending champs but lost to the New England Patriots.

How fun it was yesterday to host our own Seahawks Party. Great friends, great pizza, yummy snacks, but best of all.....great game (they won big time)!

So what's the big deal? It's just a team, it's just a season, it's just a time for letting off some pent-up energy to cheer, celebrate and be passionate about something that really doesn't matter -- in the light of eternity. But even so, I believe God enjoys seeing His kids enjoy LIFE. Some folks think that being a Christian is the same as saying the party's over, that to be spiritual is to be miserable. Unfortunately, there are many people who don't want to let God into their lives because they fear God will make them give up anything that is fun. The truth is God doesn't want us to live without fun. The apostle Matthew spent three years with Jesus and he wrote, "Jesus came, enjoying life" (Matthew 11:19).

As Christians, we can enjoy life because our conscious is clear. We can enjoy life because we are secure within God's love. We can have fun, laughing in church and laughing at ourselves.

God "richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17).

God wants us to enjoy life.....after all "Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly!" John 10:10