Can These Bones Live?"

06/24/2024

HOPE IN A PIG PEN
Trapped. Hopeless. Despair. All by his own doing.
That was the Lost Son, commonly known as the Prodigal. You may know the story from Luke 15:11-32.
The youngest son decided he wanted his share of his father’s inheritance now and did not want to wait for his father to pass on the inheritance to he and his brother. He wanted it NOW. So he took his money and headed off to the big city. The Bible says “he squandered his money on wild living”. You can use your imagination – parties, drinking, women, gluttony, you name it. So with his money spent, the son sunk to feeding pigs. Hopeless. In despair, with no one to blame but himself. Have you ever been in a circumstance of despair and it was all your fault?
So in the midst of despair and hopelessness, the son caught a slight glimmer of Hope. A very slight “what if?”, but it was all that he had. He thought about his father’s servants, how they had food to eat and a place to lay their heads. What if he became a servant? – returning as a son was out of the question. Surely that would be better than wallowing in filth with unclean animals.
Sometimes we have to hang on to the slightest bit of Hope, but it is still Hope. As the story goes, the father welcomed him back not as a servant, but as a forgiven, fully-restored son. Hold on to the Hope you have even if it is little. The Father is waiting.
Father God, I pray for the reader today. If they happen to be in a circumstance with only a glimmer of Hope, I pray that the glimmer shines brighter and brighter. Help them hold on tightly and receive what they are hoping for. Amen

09/09/2022

I am so excited about these! September is su***de awareness month and it is a HUGE deal to me! I have walked the journey of wanting to end my life multiple times and honestly sometimes I think about the fact that I’m still here! But God needed me to fulfill a plan and whatever that may be, I plan to do just that!

I will have
4- ribbon sets
2- of the style to the right
4- of the style to the left

They will be $10 each and a percentage will be going to an organization called Christopher’s Hope Foundation!!!

09/02/2022

“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭91:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

09/01/2022

Florida parents Cheryl and Hunter Brown are spreading awareness about depression and bullying after their teen daughter McKenna committed su***de one day before starting her senior year of high school.

08/01/2022

UNCRUSHABLE HOPE
“ A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not s***f out,
till He has brought justice through to victory.
In His Name the nations will put their Hope. “ (Matthew 12:20-21)
I like how the New Living Translation puts it:
“He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle” (NLT)
I believe that a “weakest reed” and a “flickering candle” represent those who are most vulnerable, at risk, in need, those barely hanging on, seemingly even without Hope.
Here, Jesus himself is quoting from Isaiah 42:1-4. He had just healed a man with a leprous hand, and the Pharisees were out to kill him. The life of a l***r was one of shame, isolation, begging, and Hopelessness. By healing him, Jesus reversed the direction of his life from despair, to one of Hope for the future.
If you feel you are weak, bruised, barely hanging or like a flickering candle, God does not want to crush you, He wants to give you Hope and the expectation of a pleasant future. How do we know this? God is the God of HOPE! As He gave Hope to the man with leprosy, He will bring Hope to you if you ask Him.
Make this your declaration today: God, thank you for the Hope I have in Christ. You will not crush the weakest reed, nor put out a flickering candle. You are for me, not against me. My future is good because of your goodness. Thank you Lord for the Hope that is coming my way today. Amen

01/20/2022

FACING THE IMPOSSIBLE WITH HOPE
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27
On June 23, 2018, 12 members of the “Wild Boars” soccer team, and their coach, finished practice, and raced off on their bikes to a popular spot to explore in Thailand - the Tham Luang cave. It was the rainy season, but the cave seemed dry. The coach had explored the cave many times, and wanted his team to share the experience. The boys and coach ventured inside equipped with a rope and flashlights. They planned to explore for one hour, then go to their homes. In fact, it was one of the boys’ 17th birthday, and a cake and presents awaited him.
However, before they could make their way back out, a flashflood hit, filling the cave with water, trapping the boys inside. To escape the flood, they went farther and farther into the cave seeking higher ground, and wound up 2.5 miles away from the mouth, on a small ledge of dry ground.
It was two full weeks before anyone knew where they were, and that they were alive. Their bicycles left outside the cave was the only clue of their whereabouts. By now water was rushing into the mouth of the cave like a river, the water level inside rising higher and higher. Several divers attempted to swim through the narrow tunnels in the cave to locate the boys, but were turned back due to lack of visibility, oxygen or fear.
Many had already given up on finding them, and even if found, how were they going to get them out? Underwater cave explorers from all over the world heard about the trapped boys, and came to Thailand to help. They came alongside The Thailand Navy Seals, and formed a team.
Finally, one diver navigated the 2.5 treacherous miles and miraculously found the boys. They were huddled up on the muddy shelf, shivering, frightened and starving. Once it was known the boys were alive, it seemed to fill the divers with HOPE. Miraculously they were alive! People all over the world began praying for a good outcome; I myself remember praying for their safe rescue.
After much discussion, the divers settled on a plan; the boys would be brought out one by one over a three day period. The diver would go into the water-filled cave with an extra scuba suit and oxygen tanks. When they arrived to where the boys were, they would outfit the boy with the suit. They then gave him a strong sedative so he would not become terrified, and hyperventilate, or worse. When they arrived at the mouth of the cave, a stretcher and an ambulance awaited. Finally, the coach and all 12 boys were pulled out safely, and are doing well today.
I’ve said all that to say this: God specializes in the impossible. We cannot predict all outcomes, but with God, all things are possible. Even in the face of impossible situations, Hope can still arise in our hearts, and sustain us through any circumstance.

Father, I pray for the reader that, in the face of an impossible situation, let them experience life-sustaining Hope. Let Hope fill their hearts through faith. God you specialize in the impossible, so let them know that ALL THINGS are possible to those who believe. And no matter the outcome, let them keep their Hope, faith and trust in you. Amen

10/05/2021

HOPE THAT DOES NOT GIVE UP
“God will give swift justice to those who don’t give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, in the same way as the widow.” Luke 17:8 (The Passion Translation)

You may have heard the story in the Bible of what is known as “The Persistent Widow”. She needed justice, so she petitioned the judge relentlessly until he finally gave in, and answered her request. Even though he was not a righteous man, because of her persistence, he gave her what she asked for. She had Hope, which is the anticipation of a pleasant, good, expected end.
The point of this story Jesus told was that if an unrighteous judge finally relented and gave the widow what she was asking for, how much more will our loving heavenly Father give us what we ask if we pray persistently and with expectancy?
What are you believing God for? What are you Hoping for? Are you willing to P.U.S.H.? - Pray Until Something Happens? Sometimes God answers our prayers immediately, but more often than not, he answers persistent prayer in His timing, not ours. So, we cannot give up Hope in believing God for what we are asking.
Let’s pray this prayer together: Heavenly Father, you are good, righteous and holy. Hear our prayer today (insert what you are believing God for). God, we petition the throne of grace, and will NOT give up until we hear from you. Thank you in advance for fulfilling our request. We put our Hope and trust in you, Amen.

11/27/2020

You can bring HOPE to families by helping prevent teen su***de. Please donate to ChristophersHope.org.

https://www.wbtw.com/health-2/trend-of-concern-su***de-rates-rapidly-rising-for-10-to-14-year-olds-in-south-carolina/

We are the Lawrences – Larry, Cathy and Jordan. Our son and little brother, Christopher Nolan Michael Lawrence took his own life on January 22, 2019. He was a 14-year-old 8th grader at Boiling Springs Middle School. In Boiling Springs, SC. He was loved and cherished by his parents, big brother,.....

10/07/2020

AGAINST ALL HOPE
Against all Hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be”. Romans 4:18 (NIV)
Abraham is known as the Father of our Faith. Since Faith and Hope are so intertwined and connected, I would say he is also the Father of our Hope.
When God spoke to him and said he would become the Father of many nations, he had a lot of things going against him in the natural. For one, he was old - about 100 years old! In Romans 4:19, it says “he faced the fact that “his body was as good as dead”. Sarah was also old, and “her womb was dead”. On top of this, they were to travel from the land of Ur in Chaldea, and relocate in Canaan, about 500 miles west. And, when Abraham and Sarah did have the child promised to them, God tested him, to see if he was willing to give up his son.
Against all Hope. Everything was stacked up against Abraham - age, time, distance, reality. But the one thing Abraham had going for him was most important - he believed God! No matter what, Abraham believed God, and kept his Faith in Him. There was NOTHING in the natural that would give him Hope. Nothing.
But here it is: Abraham accepted the Natural, without denying the Supernatural! Just because you face the facts, doesn’t mean you don’t have faith. Faith is not living in denial, but trusting God in spite of the facts. Are you in a place or situation where it seems there is no Hope? Does everything in the Natural seem to be stacked against you? It’s time to rely on the Supernatural! When it SEEMS Hope is lost, it may be that all we can do is believe God.
If this is you, please make this confession today, and say it out loud:
Father God, my situation seems hopeless. In the Natural, it doesn’t look good. But you are Supernatural - not limited to the natural. So today, no matter what, I BELIEVE in You! I trust in You! As the song says, “Do what you are famous for!” And I thank you in advance, for the Hope that is coming my way, that lets me know you hear me, and will answer me. Amen

08/03/2020

BRINGING HOPE TO TEENS
In a previous post, HOPE DURING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, I shared openly about the loss of our 14 year old to su***de. God has given us Hope, and now we want to respond by bringing Hope to others through teen su***de prevention. We began Christopher’s Hope Foundation, to support a program called “Hope Squads”. You can read more about it on our website, ChristophersHope.org.
Please pray about donating to this worthy cause. You can use Applepay, Googlepay, any kind of card, PayPal, or direct check deposit. Thanks for your support!!.
We are a 501 C (3) non-profit, and can receive tax deductible donations.

We are the Lawrences – Larry, Cathy and Jordan. Our son and little brother, Christopher Nolan Michael Lawrence took his own life on January 22, 2019. He was a 14-year-old 8th grader at Boiling Springs Middle School. In Boiling Springs, SC. He was loved and cherished by his parents, big brother,.....

07/06/2020

KEEPING HOPE IN PERSPECTIVE

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

II Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

A pastor I know, whose father was involved in farming when he was growing up, sometimes uses this story as an illustration in his sermons. He said that when he was learning to plow with a tractor, his dad would say, “Son, if you only look right in front of you, your rows will be crooked. Find you a point off in the distance to focus on, and go straight toward it. Then, you’ll make straight rows every time.”

Sometimes Hope can be like that. What you may be facing right now may look a whole lot different in a few weeks, months, or years. What may seem Hopeless at the moment, may look a whole lot different with rays of hope shining upon it.

Things change, our perspective on life changes. Seasons come and go, and come back around again. Your situation today may not be your situation tomorrow. That is why it is important to see the big picture, to put things in perspective. Look ahead - what do you see coming that may bring you hope? What may change? What you are experiencing or seeing right now is not your entire life. Young people, in particular, have a tendency to only see what is happening at the moment. They can’t seem to see past their current depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness. If they could only see what’s just around the corner, or further down the road, their whole perspective on life may change. I realize this isn’t everyone’s situation right now, but for some, it may be helpful.

05/17/2020

HOPE DURING A PANDEMIC
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me; Psalm 23:4

At this time, the USA and much of the world is experiencing a pandemic (an epidemic, or disease, that affects many countries all over the world). As a result, many are experiencing isolation, loneliness, income loss, indebtedness, depression, and even death of a family member. Many feel they are walking “through the Valley of the Shadow of Death”. Unfair. Unjust.
David experienced something similar. I Samuel 22-23 tells of the time he was hiding from Saul in the Cave of Adullam. Even though David had been anointed King, and rightfully should have been on the throne in Jerusalem, he was fleeing for his life, hiding out in a cave. Unfair. Unjust.
I Samuel 22:2 tells us that everyone who was in Debt, in Distress and Discontented, came to him, and he became captain over them. Those who are quarantined or isolated during this pandemic might also add Disinfected and Distanced.
So where is Hope during this pandemic? First, a valley has an entrance and an exit. There will come a time when we will exit this pandemic. Second, from Psalm 23:4, we have God’s promise that He is with us through the Valley. God also promised in Hebrews 13:5, “I will Never leave you nor forsake you”. Even though what you may be going through seems unjust, and unfair, God is righteous, and will turn what may have been intended for harm, into good. God is with you through this. He is holding your hand, and will never let it go.
Let me pray over you:
Father in Heaven, bless the reader today, and all are experiencing loneliness, isolation, depression, debt or disease. Let Hope arise! Sustain them by your mighty hand during this time. We thank you in advance for the coming conclusion of this pandemic, and that we will be stronger, as we learn to trust completely and totally in you. Amen