SPORTMOM E-votional

PURSUE PEACE

7/4/2018

Our first Wednesday of each month SUMMER SCHEDULE focuses on our word for the year – PURSUE.

Peace is a commonly sought after outcome and is often sealed with a handshake. It can follow a struggle, disagreement or fight if those involved come to an understanding. Our country’s foreign affairs diplomats are given the job of seeking peaceful relationships with other nations. The desire for peace is in the hearts of mankind. How we get there is the burning question.

Shaking hands following a competition is considered a sign of peace. It is an outward display of acceptance between athletes. Coaches are often seen giving the handshake after a hard-fought game. Although not always an easy thing to do, it is done in the pursuit of peace.

Our lives are filled with opportunities to PURSUE PEACE. It may not come naturally but in doing it we live out God’s intentions...

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:15 NIV

To PURSUE PEACE we must take the first step toward it. This requires turning away from selfishness, pride, anger, resentment and hatred we may have targeted at others.

Then replace these old responses with good actions and thoughts toward and about the person with whom you are in conflict...

Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building. Romans 14:19 NRSV

REMINDER: There is always something good to find in others.

PRAYER: Dear Father, I want to turn away from the evil found in my soul so your goodness can grow and flourish in me. Please help me as I seek peace and pursue it. Thank you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THE HANDSHAKE OF PEACE IS IN THE PURSUING OF IT!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PURSUE: GLORIOUS GROANINGS

6/6/2018

As June 6th rolls around, my husband and I find ourselves with unspoken yet deeply throbbing heart responses. It was on this date 26 years ago that we received the call of loss that no parent wants to get. “Jayme was in a car accident and she didn’t make it,” her older sister sobbed with groaning that were from the depths of despair. To speak any words was at best extremely difficult . Our daughter had gone from a horizontal relationship with us to one that was now vertical. The only glory for those tough days was in the knowledge of where she is and who she is with...in heaven with her Creator.

“Ugh” is the word that comes to mind after a close loss for sport teams. This sense of weakness is spawned by having no control over the situation and is naturally felt by sportmoms. Often our groaning is greater than that of our athlete child. It provides both empathy and the motivation for caring encouragement.

God’s Word speaks to us about calling out to our Creator in GLORIOUS GROANINGS.

...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 NIV

These expressions of an anguished or questioning heart are beyond words.

“We may not know what to say when we pray or even what to ask for, but when we belong to Christ, His Spirit within intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
James Banks

As the Holy Spirit intercedes for us we can be sure that agreement with God’s will is the result. What a GLORIOUS GROANING!

PRAYER: Without words I lay my heart’s groaning before you. Thank you that your Spirit intercedes for me in accordance with your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MOVE FROM HORIZONTAL TO VERTICAL...
IN WORDLESS PRAYER!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

THINK ABOUT IT!

5/30/2018

One of the two letters my father wrote to me while I was in college included this affirming reminder: “I always know that you will do what is right after you THINK ABOUT IT.” Through the years they have echoed in my mind whenever a choice of what to do comes my way.

During my husband’s coaching career he has often been seen putting his index finger to his temple and tapping. This gesture is a sign to his players that they need to quit reacting to the game and THINK ABOUT IT instead!

We have a clear directive in God’s Word about our thoughts. First, we are called by Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church to bring our thoughts captive...

...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5b NIV

Then, Paul writes these words to the church at Philippi mapping out how to bring our thoughts captive...

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true (reality), whatever is noble (respect), whatever is right (fair), whatever is pure (not sin-polluted), whatever is lovely (expressed love), whatever is admirable (positive character)—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things Philippians 4:8 NIV with Dennis Fisher add in parenthasis)

Taking our thoughts captive and measuring them with these ‘whatevers’ is God’s way...a vital protection from damaging decisions and ruined relationships.

QUESTION: What thought do you need to bring captive and re-route today?

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, your thoughts are higher than mine. Today I submit my thoughts to you in obedience to your Word and yield myself to practicing the ‘whatevers’. I pray this In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THINK ABOUT THE WHATEVERS...
THEY ARE VITAL SOUL FOOD!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

BE WHAT?

5/23/2018

What do you want to be when you grow up? This question is universally asked of young children...and sometimes of much older ones. The answers for my generation were things like a policeman, a nurse, a teacher and so on. This generation may offer these answers: an attorney, a doctor, a professor, an illustrator, a software developer, a social worker etc. Our culture has upped the bar of possibilities.

In the world of sports there are numerous heroes of the game. These athletes are looked upon by the younger generation as something they can become - a basketball, baseball, football or any sport star. The chances are few but the dreams are big.

As committed followers of Christ and children of God we are called to BE WHAT?

I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:45 NIV

To ‘BE HOLY’ means remembering what God has done in our lives and then responding with reverent living before Him.

…let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy. Revelation 22:11 NLT

To “BE HOLY” also requires a daily decision to live by God's rules.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; I Peter 12:15 NLT

To "BE HOLY” means continually checking ourselves for pure and God-honoring thoughts, deeds and direction.

REMINDER: “There is no eternal value in doing something well that you shouldn’t be doing at all.” Unknown

PRAYER: Check my heart, my motives, and my intentions, Lord, as I strive to walk in holiness before you. I want only to BE WHAT you want me to be. Thank you for your ever-present direction and correction. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GROW INTO THE SHOES GOD HAS FOR YOU!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

RESET BUTTON

5/16/2018

Have you ever wanted the opportunity to make something right by simply pushing a RESET BUTTON? I have…so many times! I ask myself questions like: Why did I say that? What was I thinking? When will I get it right?

Coaches often have to push the RESET BUTTON when a team or player has gone away from the fundamentals of the game. Whether a game plan has been botched or a player simply forgets, going back to the basics will activate the return to productive play.

So how do I get to the RESET BUTTON to undo what I have said or done? First, I must acknowledge my incompetence and admit my weakness…
…suppose you make a foolish vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or for bad. When you realize its foolishness, you must admit your guilt. Leviticus 5:4 NLT

If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—he (God) won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. 1 John 1:8-10 The Message

Now the RESET BUTTON can be pushed which is trusting God’s grace…
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”   2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

God’s power in us activates self-control... The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I admit my weakness and accept your grace. I pray that by the power of your Holy Spirit in that both gentleness and self control will come. Thank you for your powerful RESET BUTTON. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

     RESET WITH THE GRACE BUTTON …
GO AHEAD - PUSH IT!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

WAITING, WAITING, WAITING...NOW!

5/9/2018

Tapping fingers, rolling eyes, fidgeting feet, sighs of disgust... waiting. It is both wonderful and frightening - a tapestry of countdowns, sorrow, anticipation, and fear. We see it in the eyes of children, in the anxious voices of teens, in concerning doctor’s reports, on the faces of drivers at red light intersections and even the growling of hungry stomachs reminds us that our body is waiting.

Before beginning a game or competition a sport team anxiously awaits the starting buzzer. As the clock ticks down teams use it to warm-up – get ready – set their minds – orient themselves to the surroundings etc. These are positive responses while waiting for the anticipated go!

Waiting for what’s next can be difficult and grueling just as it was for David, a man after God’s own heart, who cried out…

But as for me, I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord, do not delay. Psalm 70:5 NLT

It is in the throes of waiting that hope and trust in our God is birthed. So wait... not with “fists-clenched resignation” but with wide-eyed expectation and childlike trust in the One who loves you most!

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6 NIV

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I hear your voice saying, “Wait awhile and see what I will do.” So I wait….expectantly, patiently, and trusting you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

MY SOUL WAITS ON THE LORD!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PURSUE RIGHT LIVING

5/2/2018

The first SPORTMOM E-votional issue of each month is dedicated to our Word for the Year... PURSUE!

A movie titled “The Right Stuff” is a fictional account of Navy, Marine and Air Force test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research. It relates the dangers and frustrations facing the astronauts whose personal lives were fraught with various crisis and temptations. The film exposes the heart-wrenching struggle between right living (which was expected by the public) and personal life-altering choices that were anything but squeaky-clean.

Athletes are also in the public eye and expected to hold certain standards of conduct. Most sport programs include certain expectations that spell out the do’s and don’ts for participants. Purposely following the “rules of engagement” is pursuing right living.

WE ARE DESIGNED TO BE IN PURSUIT OF RIGHT LIVING...
(The Lord) loves those who pursue righteousness. Proverbs 15:9 NLT

LOOK TO JESUS AS OUR EXAMPLE...
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the Rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;” Isaiah 51:1 NIV

TAKE THOUGHTS CAPTIVE...
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT

THEN DO IT...
“The right! The right! Pursue only what’s right! It’s the only way you can really live and possess the land that God, your God, is giving you.” Deut. 16:20 The Message

AND JESUS SAID...
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6 NIV

PRAYER: I will pursue right living, Lord – not just desire it, hope for it and pray for it but also pursue it! It is your power within that drives me toward right decisions, actions and attitudes. Thank you for making me in your image ... please teach me to live in it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

CHOOSE RIGHT AND BE FILLED!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

SCURRIED HURRY

4/25/2018

The world we live in constantly pushes us toward hurry. “Do it now!” “Your last chance.” “Don’t miss out!” and “Hurry up!” are voices that permeate our mail, inbox, social media, television, etc. The ‘time is a-wastin’ voice of encouragement has turned into a “do-it-or-else” command. The result is running in a SCURRIED HURRY!

On the fields and courts of competition hurry is often important to reach a goal. Being quick and purposeful is necessary to wins. However, unbridled and untimely haste can easily bring unwanted losses if players give in to SCURRIED HURRY!

"Be quick...but don't hurry!" One of Coach John Wooden's on-the-floor coaching tips.

There is a way to avoid SCURRIED HURRY. The prophet Isaiah reveals the secret in this prayer...

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Success does not depend on how much and how fast we matriculate through life. Rather It is through constant and continual trust in our Heavenly Father which brings about purpose-filled routines and profound peace rather than SCURRIED HURRY!

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 NIV

RUN FROM HURRY AND INTO STEADFAST PURPOSE!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

SEEING CLEARLY

4/18/2018

“Uh-oh, I can’t find my glasses!” is an exclamation quite common in my daily routine... and the search begins. First is the denial that they are anywhere other than where they belong. Next is the blame that someone else moved them. Finally the hunt begins and sure enough...they are always found exactly where I left them. Discovering where that is takes time, effort and persistence but it pays off in SEEING CLEARLY.

SEEING CLEARLY what a team may be capable of doing is basic to coaching. It requires a search of individual skill-sets...both strengths and weaknesses. Next, the players must submit themselves to the process of being scrutinized. Finally, a solid game plan emerges which will sustain the team through hours and hours of season competition.

Living our lives in synch with God’s plan also requires the on-going process of SEEING CLEARLY. In Psalm 139 we find King David putting himself before the Lord in his desire to clearly see himself.

First came THE SEARCH - allowing God to reveal his weaknesses and sensitizing him to his weaknesses...
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23a NIV

Next was THE SURRENDER – David opened his heart to change in order to move closer in relationship to his Heavenly Father and forward on his life path ...
...test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me... Psalm 139:23b-24a NIV

Finally, THE SALVATION came – David was sustained and overcame weakness as he trusted in the power of his Creator to lead him forward with insight and influence.
...and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24b

PRAYER: Dear Lord, today I open my heart to your search of both my strengths and weaknesses. I want to see clearly who I am through your eyes. Thank you for examples like David that show me how to persistently remain transparent before you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TO SEE YOURSELF CLEARLY...
LOOK THROUGH GOD’S EYES!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

INTERCESSION INTERRUPTED

4/11/2018

To intercede on behalf of another can mean the difference between success and failure, hope and despair or even life and death. “Going to bat” for someone when they are caught in an impossible situation is not only a much-needed help but also a distinct privilege. Sometimes this process is interrupted by a positive turn of events. It is a welcomed outcome accompanied by surprise and ecstatic joy!

Members of a sport team can be powerful intercessors. By consistently speaking positively to the coach or others about a valued team member can make a huge impact particularly when that person is experiencing inadequacy. This intercession is happily interrupted when the player returns to the game with the same vigorous play he or she is known to possess.

Prayer for one another is called “intercession”. Holding someone before the Lord when that person cannot hold themselves up calls for a true intercessor. Fellow believers did that for Peter, a disciple of Christ. While he was in jail and about to be put to death they were holding him up in prayer…

Constant prayer was offered to God for him (Peter) by the church... Acts 12:5

These earnest prayers of intercession were suddenly set aside when Peter walked through the doors of the room where they were praying…INTERCESSION INTERRUPTED! A violent earthquake had loosened his chains and an angel of God had escorted Peter from the jail…unharmed and free. Next he went to be with his intercessors.

(Peter) went to the house...where many people had gathered and were praying... when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter...described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. Acts 12:12,16,17 NIV

Oh, that we would intercede on behalf of one another and experience divine intervention. What do you need to hold before the Lord on behalf of another? Have you been held before the Lord by a fellow believer?

PRAYER: Today, Lord, I intercede on behalf of (fill in the blank). Please provide them with (fill in the blank). Thank you for the privilege of being an intercessor and for those who have held me before you in times of great need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

DIVINE INTERVENTION = ECSTATIC JOY!

©2018 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

<<Previous

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.

PURSUE PEACE

PURSUE: GLORIOUS GROANINGS

THINK ABOUT IT!

BE WHAT?

RESET BUTTON

WAITING, WAITING, WAITING...NOW!

PURSUE RIGHT LIVING

SCURRIED HURRY

SEEING CLEARLY

INTERCESSION INTERRUPTED

About the Author...
JANET BROWN

Archives

Categories

About the Author... JANET BROWN

Archives

Categories

About the Author...
JANET BROWN