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!

Servant Leadership is Spelled L-O-V-E

Day 8 of the LOVE MONTH -- Servant Leadership is spelled L-O-V-E
I'm on the Host Team at Life.Church on Sunday nights. Since it was Super Bowl weekend, instead of our usual Host Team shirts, we could wear our favorite sports team shirt. Of course, I pulled out my1992 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl shirt (with #8 Troy Aikman on the front). Yes, I know my shirt was older than most of those who attended service this weekend. LOL! The Cowboys have had my heart since they first became a franchise -- back in the day when my husband would be on the roof of our home in Dallas, spinning the huge attenna trying to pull in the game. Back in those days, if it was a home game, they wouldn't show it locally, so we had to rig our attenna to make magic happen. LOL!

MY team wasn't playing the big game but the Broncos and Panthers were. I really wanted to see Peyton Manning pull this one off. And, indeed he and the Broncos did. I couldn't resist sharing this article by Dr. Jim Denison that I read yesterday. Lots of records made, but Peyton Manning's servant leadership reveals he is a role model and leader worth following.
BRONCOS WIN SUPER BOWL 50: WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW
Last night the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers to win Super Bowl 50. Here are some facts about the teams and the game that you might not know:
• Peyton Manning became the oldest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl.
• He is the first quarterback to reach the game with two different teams.
• For the first time, two quarterbacks who were number-one picks in the NFL draft, competed against each other in a Super Bowl.
• The age gap between Manning (39) and Carolina quarterback Cam Newton (26) was the largest in Super Bowl history.
• John Elway, Denver's general manager, became the first to win a championship as a player and as a GM.
• Over the last 15 championship games, the favorites won only three times.
• A thirty-second Super Bowl ad cost at least $5 million.
• Around 170 million people worldwide watched the game from 180 different countries.
I admire the way Peyton Manning prepared for the game and handled victory afterwards. In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, he consistently deferred attention from himself and focused on his team. After last night's win, he refused to answer questions about his possible retirement, lest his story overshadow his team's victory.

Max DePree, a former CEO and bestselling author, defines leadership this way: "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor."

Oswald Sanders, in his now-classic Spiritual Leadership, claims that "true greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you." To discover if you're truly a servant, see how you respond the next time someone treats you like one.

In our consumer-centric, self-promotional culture, selfless humility makes a lasting impression. Jesus "came not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). Now he invites us to follow his example. The world will not always remember who won Super Bowl 50, but the next person you serve will not forget your sacrificial compassion.

Nor will your Lord.