SPORTMOM E-votional

SHINE LIKE STARS

6/5/2019

The first Wednesday of each month your SPORTMOM E-votional focuses on our word for 2019 “SHINE”...

To be a star athlete requires significant contributions to the sport or team effort. They brighten up the court or field with outstanding performance which causes those watching them compete to hoot and holler with enjoyment...they SHINE LIKE STARS!

Unlike these athletes, my younger sister has found herself in a serious and life-changing place where to SHINE LIKE STARS is not usually found. A drunk driver going 100 miles per hour hit her parked car at the driver’s side and she was in it. Her fight for life began the evening of this past Mother’s Day. After 23 days in ICU, two major surgeries (including a complete hip replacement) she lays in her hospital bed with many broken bones and internal injuries, completely restrained lower body movement and extreme pain to be controlled. So what does she do in her weakest hours? In a soft voice with few words she prays for her grandchildren, tells her attendants that she is praying for them, thanks the Lord for taking her through this, listens to worship music and praises Jesus...she shines like a star leading all those who come in contact with her to Christ!

Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. Daniel 12:3 NLT

It is well-known that what is inside of us comes out at our weakest moments. To SHINE LIKE STARS we need Jesus at the center of our being.

PRAYER: May your light shine through me today, Lord, no matter my circumstances. Thank you for being the light of the world. Thank you for making your home in my heart ...I want to SHINE LIKE STARS for you always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TO FOREVER SHINE LIKE STARS MAKE JESUS YOUR LIGHT AND LIFE!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

MOMMY CURVE

5/8/2019

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we may find ourselves nostalgically reflecting on the past, dutifully handling the present and even day dreaming about the future. The stages of our Mommy-hood become more and more evident as our children grow up. The MOMMY CURVE looks like this...

Our spiritual journey is similar to the MOMMY CURVE. As we process through a challenge our prayers may look like this…

Phase 1 - “Jesus, I know you are there." Phase 2 - “I’ll try, Lord.” Phase 3 - “This is really hard!” Phase 4 - “I can’t do this.” Phase 5 - “Help me, Lord!” Phase 6 - “I can only do it with you.” Phase 7 - “Don’t ever leave me." Phase 8 - “I surrender it all to you.”

“…surrender your pride and power… Change your hearts before the Lord…” Jeremiah 4:4 NLT
THE CURVE BALLS OF LIFE REQUIRE SWEET SURRENDER.

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD

5/1/2019

2019 WORD FOR THE YEAR...SHINE!

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT

“This little light of mine – I’m gonna let it shine!” These words are from a song I sang as a small child in Sunday School....perhaps you did too. Holding my pointing finger high in the air along with the other children, we would belt out these words at the top of our lungs. Interestingly, I had no clue as to what ‘letting that light shine’ really meant or why it even needed to shine...now I know!

We began today with our verse for 2019. It quotes God’s 1st proclamation as He created all things...

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3 NIV

Just as our Heavenly Father spoke light into a yet dark world at creation, Jesus speaks light into our lives today when he said...

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:14-15 NLT

And there will be light – His light – to shine through us as we do His work here on this earth. But there is one thing we must do - we must LET it shine through!

In the same way, LET your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16 NIV

PRAYER: Father, God, creator of all light, thank you for your light. Just as you spoke it into this world in the beginning, you long to speak light into my life today. I surrender my own light to you and choose to LET your light shine through me. In all I do and say, may you be praised. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

LET IT SHINE – LET IT SHINE...ALL THE TIME!

2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

KNOW AND DO

4/24/2019

“I know you know...now do it!” This is how my grandmother raised her 11 children. As I grew up I knew she existed but it was in the going to her house, spending vacations with her, watching her crochet, learning how to cook (including churning butter), and becoming familiar with her ways that allowed me to really know her. I was enriched and grew into myself by being in her presence. Thank you, Gram...although you are gone from this earth, you remain an ever-present source of strength.

The Bible tells is that the Apostle Paul dealt with the issue of knowing and doing in his first letter to the church in Rome...

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him...their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

It is not enough to just know there is a God...that He exists. We must move to the do by becoming familiar with His ways. This happens as we live in a day to day, moment by moment relationship with Him. Continually thanking Him for all we have, doing what we have to do as if it were being done just for Him and giving Him the kudos for it all brings us into His amazing presence and adds deep enrichment to our lives.

Try a day filled with constant acknowledgement, praise or thanks to God for each thing that comes your way. In it you will discover an enhanced relationship with Him while growing into the person He has designed you to be...that is enough!

PRAYER: I want to know you, Lord, and give you glory and thanks in all I do and say. Being in your presence each and every moment is my heart’s desire...then it will be enough. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

WHAT IS ENOUGH? KNOWING GOD'S WAYS AND DOING THEM!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

ABOUT THE CROSS

4/17/2019

God came to us through the birth of Christ - we come to Him through the cross. This holy week is ABOUT THE CROSS and Christ’s death and resurrection. By it we are bought back together and into full relationship with our Creator.

A coach carefully puts a team together while mentoring each player into the best they can be. He prepares a team for play guiding them through the game and making necessary corrections to ensure the most effective play. He is there. He knows each player and develops their skill for the team’s sake. His sacrifices make it possible for a team to win.

God does the same for us. He carefully teaches us how to be the best we can be by preparing us and guiding us through life. He is there. Sacrificing His only Son, Jesus Christ, on a cross turned out to be the great and final substitution for my sin and yours. It wasn’t the nails that held Jesus on that cross, it was God’s love for us. As a once-and-for-all pure sacrifice He carried our sins to the grave. The cross made it possible for us to be on the winning team…God’s!

“...God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

PRAYER: Thank you for the power of the cross. It brought me to you, allows me to know you and makes it possible for me to live my life for You. Help me to carry your cross into the lives of others. In your Son’s name, Amen.

THE ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL CROSS...ONLY THE BEGINNING!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

PSALM OF PSALMS

4/10/2019

In life there are certain pinnacles that we are privileged to reach. Whether it is a family goal, a job goal, a personal goal, a long-time-coming goal or an unexpected surprise event or circumstance, these carry us to a mountaintop of thrill and satisfaction.

There is a passage of scripture that brings me to that pinnacle as I read and absorb its message. It is the 23rd Psalm....the PSALM OF PSALMS!

As our 17-year-old granddaughter and I were driving along one day, we began to discuss the words of Psalm 23. We explored what it means to us and this responsive prayer was the result...

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...You watch over me and meet all my needs.
He leads me beside still waters...You take me to quietly refreshing places and speak to me there.

He restores my soul...You re-ignite my life with your purpose.

He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake...You guide me into right decisions for which I give you glory.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil...when tough times come, even those accompanied by great loss, I will face them with strength and courage as I trust you.

Your rod and your staff they comfort me...You will protect me and fight for me which brings me much-needed reassurance.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...Your table of blessings is spread out before me even when I’m with my adversaries.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over...I am covered with your favor from head to toe as you fill me with your spirit.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...Because of you, Lord, both good reports and overwhelming mercy will be my legacy.

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever...When I move out of this body, I will move into your presence and live with you in timeless wonder.

MAY THIS PSALM OF PSALMS TAKE YOU TO LIFE’S GREATEST PINNACLE!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

SHINE IN OUR HEARTS

4/3/2019

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT

Our heart is the center of control for our physical function. If it is interrupted all physical systems are affected and at risk. If it stops it ceases to provide life-giving blood to the body. A functioning heart allows us to SHINE in effervescent splendor – bright eyes to see the world around us, a viable voice to encourage others, strong arms to hold infants and sturdy legs to take us where we need to go.

God shines His light of knowledge and wisdom into our hearts...the very soul of our being. He wants us to know Him, be in relationship with Him and be the face of Jesus on this earth. As His very essence shines into and through us, darkness becomes light.

Isaiah, a prophet of God, spoke these words over the city of Jerusalem and I speak them over you today...

Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Isaiah 60:1 NLT

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for shining your light into my heart. Today I allow it to penetrate my soul. May the face of Jesus shine through me. In your Son’s Name I pray, Amen
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE, I’M GONNA LET IT SHINE!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

RIPPLES IN LIFE

3/27/2019

The glassy stillness of a pond can be disturbed by a flying rock or falling tree. Although the picture changes it carries with it astounding beauty. The perfectly round ripples form and make their way to the shore becoming less and less and soon the pond returns to the peaceful mirror image of the surrounding trees and sky

Through the disturbances of life, we can watch for the perfectly formed ripples that form as a result of them. As we pray through them, we look for the lessons learned and take hold of the assurance that this too will pass.

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 The Message

There will be ripples of hope dancing in the sunlight of God’s love as we respond to our RIPPLES IN LIFE as God’s perfect plan for our lives.

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NRSV

This poem about was penned by my 92-year-old mother as her March 2019 poem-of-the-month...
RIPPLES
Ripples in the sunlight sparkle up the shore Of the muddy river, swollen by rains galore.
Refreshing, pleasant view for the passers-by...

Those splashing drops of water enhanced by sunny sky.
Think about God’s Son-shine rippling through our hearts. Pointing up to heaven...the Source where glory starts. ... DelRe..
.
OUR RIPPLES IN LIFE ARE GOD’S SPARKLING GEMS!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

POWER DOWN

3/20/2019

Learning to drive a “stick shift” car was difficult. It involved the motion of both feet and both hands in order even get going. Then it required shifting to higher gears in order to run smoothly down the road. Speeding along was great but when a steep grade approached it was time to gear down allowing more control of the vehicle.

When we come to the “steep grades” of life we need more power infused and less speedy activity.

Running from his enemy, the prophet Elijah strove hard to get away encountering wind, rain, and fire. But God was not in the wind, rain or fire. Then came the still small voice of God saying, “Why are you here...POWER DOWN and know me!” (See I Kings 19:9-13)

Jesus invites us to stop our constant striving and abide in Him...to power ourselves down in stillness before Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46.10

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 NIV

Just as Jesus called the churning sea to be still, He calls out to us, “Quiet, be still before me.” We can POWER DOWN in undistracted stillness by putting our winds and waves in His hands.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him... Psalm 37:7a NIV

PRAYER: Today I choose to exchange my constant striving for undistracted stillness before you, Lord. Quietly and confidently I POWER DOWN, for I know you are my source and deliverer. It is in your Son's name I pray, Amen.

ALLOW GOD’S POWER TO INVADE YOUR STILLNESS!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

FAILURE ERASED!

3/13/2019

Have you ever had a failed attempt at something and felt like giving up? I have. ..many times!

One very impacting experience was learning to snow ski when I was 32 years old. Part of the process included multiple falls even on the easy Jack and Jill- type runs. There were times when I was convinced that becoming a confident, upright skier like those swooshing past me would never happen. Not only did I feel defeated but every muscle in my body screamed by the end of the day.

On the third day of grueling failures and after completing the beginner’s skiing class, someone on the hill was once again helping me up. The simple directive given to me by this person was this: When you begin to fall, go with it…then get your skis under you again and go again. I learned a lesson that day, the sooner I was unafraid of failure the less falls I would take. Great advice and it worked!

Following a game or competition, coaches spend hours “reviewing tape”. Often the players are also shown clips of game plays that were outstanding as well as those that need some work. The successful plays are exhilarating and enjoyable to review. But it is the failed attempts that become teaching tools and motivation for future success.

"It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure." Bill Gates

As followers of Christ, we bear His name even in our failed attempts. He will pick us up and teach us how to handle life struggles. ERASING FAILURE is His goal. . .

…God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Our response must be to learn through failure. When we are face down on the hills of life, remember to go with the fall for in the end our Savior is there to pick us up. He sends us forward in life with new understanding, new motivation, new confidence...FAILURE ERASED!

ERASED FAILURES ARE GEMS IN THE CROWN OF LIFE!

©2019 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 1514 Segovia Circle – Vero Beach, FL 32966

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN

As a veteran coach's wife, Janet invites you to join her in "Changing the world for Christ...one athlete at a time".Through the language of sports and life experiences, Janet uniquely exposes the character of God and His desire for "sportmoms" to WIN BIG in life. Her behind-the-bench view invites us into a world of triumphant wins and tragic personal loss.

LIFE EXPERIENCE

From being a mother of 2 to a spiritual mom to many, the road of life for Janet includes these hallmarks:

- Gave her "heart to Jesus" at 6 years old
.
- Studied Education/ Psychology at a Christian College

- Enjoyed earning her wings and flying as a Flight Attendant

- Is the wife of Coach Dave Brown since 1967.

- Involved in ministry to women for 30+ years including: Retreat Facilitator and speaker, Bible Study leader, National Women's Ministry Leader

- Held an executive position in the corporate world for 35 years.

- Developed and taught Pre-married and Marriage classes with her husband for 12 years.

Currently is a writer, grandmother to 4 and a coach's wife.

SHINE LIKE STARS

MOMMY CURVE

LIGHT UP YOUR WORLD

KNOW AND DO

ABOUT THE CROSS

PSALM OF PSALMS

SHINE IN OUR HEARTS

RIPPLES IN LIFE

POWER DOWN

FAILURE ERASED!

About the Author...
JANET BROWN

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About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN