• SPORTMOMS & MORE HOME
  • SPORTMOM E-votional
  • "BEHIND THE BENCH" BLOG
  • COACH'S CORNER
  • MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR

REST-ORATION

1/29/2013

 
Today we are considering the importance of REST and the revitalization that it brings.  Since rest is the opposite of motion perhaps these moments together will bring a measure of restoration to your otherwise motion-filled day.

Sleep is one part of the resting process. Getting too much sleep is just as problematic as not getting enough. Too much makes one lethargic at the least and at the most over-sleeping is known to cause headaches, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.  

On the other hand, along with the obvious chronic fatigue and daytime sleepiness that the lack of sleep causes, a sleep restricted state can also cause clumsiness, weight loss, weight gain, and slowed responses to outside stimuli.  But it doesn’t stop there…a sleep-deprived person can also face premature aging or weakened immune system to everything from the common cold to terminal cancer.

 “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”  Vince Lombardi

An adequate amount of sleep is a necessity in our lives and in the lives of our athletes in order to avoid loss of confidence and purpose.

For my husband, his 47 years of coaching have been augmented by a daily nap.  Whether it’s a break in the day when he grabs a quick 20-minute wink at home or on a secluded cot at school, it is key to getting him through the day.  On game days he hopes for a bit more time on the pillow…like 40 minutes.  Then, with his strength is renewed, he’s ready to face the second half the day that the Lord has given him. He knows that the competence of his work is dependent upon the rest he takes.


"I’m sometimes tempted to believe that the work I do when I’m awake is more important than the work God does while I sleep.”  Julie Ackerman Link

…He gives His beloved sleep.  Psalm 127:2b

It is while we are at rest, devoid of motion and experiencing the restoration of sleep, that God renews our energy, re-vitalizes our bodies and resets our brains.

If we do not come apart and rest awhile, we may just plain come apart. Havner

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.

God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow – peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,
REST FOR THE WEARY- light for the way;

Grace for each trial – help from above…
Unfailing kindness – undying love
(Original Hymn words by Annie Johnson Flint)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you REST.” 
Matthew 11:28 NIV

Blessings…as you apply today’s written “oration” and rest with the life-giving sleep that God promises!

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224  

THE ASSIST

1/25/2013

 
One of the most under-rated yet necessary skills in the game of basketball is the ability to assist.  Passing the ball in a timely manner to another player that leads to a scoring basket is an assist.  It allows a teammate to drive in for a lay-up, put up an outside shot, or sink a 3-pointer.  Were it not for the keen eye and sound rhythm of players who are proficient in assisting many scoring opportunities would be lost.  The next time you watch any sport, observe those who is feed the ball to the intended scorer.  Without the assist, many shots could not be taken.

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won’t be worth a dime. Babe Ruth

Some players, even though they aspire to be great shooters, may find themselves in the assist position.  When a player becomes outstanding in this aspect of the game it can make the pivotal difference that takes a team to new heights.

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.  John Wooden

Life is like that too.  It is the willingness to come alongside of others in order that they can flourish that brings good things to this world.  Whether we are the giver of that opportunity or the receiver of a great assist, we are certainly reliant upon others. 

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Carrying the burden of sacrifice for our sins to the cross was the ASSIST.  In response to this life-giving assist, we in turn help one another.  The result is a compelling togetherness...a team effort both between each other and between us and God.

In the New International Version of the Bible the word “together” is used 387 times.  That is a lot of focus on oneness, unity, collectivity and cooperation – all words used in the definition of together and all words that characterize THE ASSIST.
 
 

"Finally, the Proverbs 31 woman mastered THE ASSIST…
 
"She’s quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor."
 

Blessings… as you find fulfillment in assisting those around you and applauding those who assist you.

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224  

UNDER CONTROL?

1/22/2013

 
Picture
Renowned X-Ducks football coach, Chip Kelley, is known for his mind-setting saying, “Win the day!” His successful philosophy includes such simple daily life disciplines as making your bed when you get up each day. These small habits translate into a player’s overall self control on the field.

The idea of wearing the same socks for the next game as were worn during the last winning game is the kind of thinking that easily besets many-a coach – my husband included!  Even though this ritual and others like it have little or no impact on a game outcome, it is the desire to bring things UNDER CONTROL by self discipline that is the overriding motive. This inbred and God-given desire is good…how it is accomplished, however, can be questionable.

You have no control over what the other guy does. You only have control over what you do. A J Kitt

The wise words of Solomon affirm the importance of self control.  He begins his book of wisdom called Proverbs with this statement about the words he will write:

They teach wisdom and self-control; they will help you understand wise words. They will teach you how to be wise and self-controlled and will teach you to do what is honest and fair and right. Proverbs 1:2-3 NCV

The Proverbs are a great place to gain wisdom about bringing our lives UNDER CONTROL.  Reading one of the 31 chapters each day for a month offers new insight to the goal at hand.

Self control is the result of God's Spirit working in us.  In partnership with him we can…


 “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

                                         AS WE THINK …SO WE ARE!
                                                             (see Proverbs 23:7)

Blessings…as you harness your thoughts and make your bed!


©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224  

JOYFUL MESS

1/18/2013

 
JOYFUL MESS?  Isn’t that somewhat of an oxymoron?  Messes aren’t joyful and joy doesn’t usually bring on messes. Today we will consider how to experience joy in the middle of a mess.

Sitting through many basketball games in my tenure as a coach’s wife, I have witnessed some messy situations.  There are the star shooters that are having a cold streak which in turn makes scoring extremely unlikely.  There are the referees who seem to turn a blind eye to the fouls of the other team.  There is sickness that overcomes a team causing weak play or for some players, no play.  These difficult messes, however, often make way for other less-used players to begin scoring, opportunities to learn self control when the call is against our team, or bring heightened awareness of remaining strong with adequate sleep and healthy food. In the long run, the joy of added strength and character can come from messy circumstances.


#1 - DECIDE

As we walk through the messes of life, begin by making an on-purpose decision. After battling many forms of messy depression, Pastor Rick Warren’s wife shares this bit of advice:

“I just decided to live in joy.”  Kay Warren

Deciding to live in joy is the opportunity we all have.  We can live in the mess with all of it’s limiting outcomes and bitter responses.  Or, as Kay Warren did, we can choose to look for the joy that awaits us beneath the surface of all circumstances.  In the face of much danger David, the Psalmist, boldly chooses joy by declaring…

“… my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.” Psalm 35:9 KJV

#2 - PRAY

"Drag your thoughts away from your troubles by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it." Mark Twain

The best way to manage our mess is through prayer which Mr. Twain does not specifically mention.  Recorded in the Psalms, David – a man after God’s own heart -  not only chose joy but he also cried out to the Lord in prayer in times of troublesome messes.

“Do not hide from me, your servant. I am in trouble. Hurry to help me!”  Psalm 69:17 NCV

MAKE IT A MATTER OF PRAYER AND IT WILL NO LONGER BE A MATTER OF CARE

Then, like David,  we can echo these words of petition and prayer:

“Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord…You snatched me from the brink of disaster!”  Psalm 86:12-13 The Message

We too can experience JOYFUL MESSES just as David did by DECIDING FOR JOY and PRAYING for help.

Blessings…as your messes become joyful!


©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224  

INCREASE AND ABOUND

1/15/2013

 
The goal of any aspiring athlete is to INCREASE AND ABOUND in their chosen sport. The unrestrained drive to increase by developing their skills, their endurance, and their knowledge of a sport originates from a deep love for that sport.  This process, then, allows their performance to abound. Teams with this type of players find themselves at the top of their game.

As sportmoms our role includes a constant effort to INCREASE AND ABOUND. More and more food, more and more laundry, more and more money, more and more time are some of the pre-requisites to an abounding household. Holding this standard can be at the least frustrating and at the most devastating but we strive to do it out of deep love and care. Thankfully...

               OUR LIMITED ABILITY DOES NOT CHANGE GOD'S LIMITLESS POWER

God himself pours His strength into our spirits as we increasingly open ourselves to Him.  It is by and through the power of his Holy Spirit enabling us to meet the daily demands. The result is that we abound in all we do.  

There is an old hymn with words written by Annie Johnson Flint that expresses the limitlessness of God's love and power poured into us. With some update from old English, here are her inspiring words…


His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He gives, and gives, and gives again.

To INCREASE AND ABOUND within our own power is limited. Approaching our tasks with the power of Jesus Christ opens the door to His limitless and abounding power in us and love for us.

That kind of ever-increasing love is possible only because it comes from God’s limitless resources, not from our own dwindling supply. David McCasland

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you…1 Thessalonians 3:12 KJV

Just love one another! You’re already good at it...Keep it up; get better and better at it.
I Thessalonians 4:10 The Message

Blessings...as you INCREASE AND ABOUND in God’s power and strength!

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 EleMar - Portland, OR 97224

CLEARLY SEE

1/11/2013

 
One day Blue Eyes posted on his facebook status:
 
It seems it has been about all this retro non-sense with people posting old photos of themselves, 90's movies, and different things from the past. Will someone please post a picture of my life before this family I was born into turned to (expletive).  One when my mom wasn't living with an unknown person. One
when my family house isn't a halfway house. One when things were how they should be.

Blue Eyes’ Aunt saw it and responded by posting a family picture of the 21-year-old Blue Eyes when he was 6 years old captioning it with these words:
Here is a photo of your family displaying a glimmer of sunshine...there were smiling faces and happy moments! Lord, let him remember those moments and learn from the rest. Love you, blue eyes!

Blue Eyes’ reply:
Thank you so much for that picture, Auntie, I have not seen it in awhile. It’s hard to believe that we were a family like that…just seems so long ago for me. I guess I needed more insight…thank you for giving it to me.

As Blue Eyes’ Aunt reviewed the exchange her eyes fell on the banner Blue Eyes had chosen for the top of his Timeline page. Her heart filled with hope and she quickly messaged him again:

Blue Eyes – while reviewing our conversation on your page, I took an extra long look at your banner photo - the one with the snowy highway...
Picture
...it looks so very cold and treacherous, bleak and un-ending, frozen in stillness and hopeless in fruitfulness. BUT THEN, on closer observation, I noticed the patches of blue sky waiting to shed the sun's warmth on the earth's barrenness...to bring life and beauty. And so it is when we find ourselves in the cold, barren times of life. God is there and His light will come to our seemingly hopeless times bringing the calm of understanding, the warmth of His purpose and the strength of a new season.

Blue Eyes replied:

Wow, I didn't ever notice that until I retrieved my prescription glasses and now I CLEARLY SEE it…you are really right. There is a lot that is making it seem dreary but God is still shining his light and I am probably choosing not to see what I have that God is placing in my life for me to actually enjoy…I need to cherish what I do have.

His Aunt responded:
My Dear Blue Eyes, with your spiritual prescription glasses on you will always clearly see where the SON is shining in your life.

“…do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But anyone who does not have these things cannot SEE CLEARLY. He is blind and has forgotten that he was made clean from his past sins. “
  2 Peter 2:5-9 NLT     

Open my eyes that I may see...glimpses of truth you have for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key, that shall unlock and set me free!  Clara H. Scott

Blessings…as you CLEARLY SEE where the Son is shining.

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

#KINDNESS

1/8/2013

 
The words “kill them with kindness” rings in my ears whenever a wrong has been done to me. It is certainly more easily said than done.  The disappointment or hurt that was inflicted can take me to a place of wanting to retaliate with an equally hurtful response. Thankfully, the train-up-your-child discipline my parents used kicks in and an effort to “be kind anyway” prevails.

“Kindness makes a fellow feel good, whether it's being done to him or by him.”
  Frank A. Clark

How kindness plays out on the fields and courts of sports can be a challenge. A retaliating sort of revenge is a natural part of most games but doing it with respect is the needed component. The response of players to this challenge largely depends on what has been modeled or taught followed by their choice to dominate with dignity. Becoming spineless wonders pushed around at another’s will is just as damaging as throwing a punch…neither of these show good natured grace aka kindness.

“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you BE KIND. Luke 6:35-36 The Message

The kindness of our Heavenly Father as recorded by David the Psalmist is our aim. David’s life choices could have disappointed and angered God but instead He continued to offer kindness…

I will love him and be kind to him forever; my covenant with him will never end. Psalm 89:28 N

As sportmoms, we face the kindness challenge daily. Whether before, during, or after our athlete’s games, we are called to kindness.

                                             … to instruct with kindness. Proverbs 31:6

                                             … to be kind, even when angry. Habakkuk 3:2

                                             … to answer with kind words. Colosians 4:6

                                             … to gain honor by remaining kindhearted. Proverbs 11:16

Blessings…as you smother your world in the kindness of Christ.

©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224  

WORD FOR THE YEAR...REACH!

1/4/2013

 
Picture
Welcome to the year of our Lord, 2013…a year to REACH higher heights and greater depths of understanding.

Reach out and experience the breadth!  Test its length!  Plumb the depths!  Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 The Message

For some of us this time of year means setting new goals and planning how we will meet them…aka New Year’s resolutions.  For others, life goes on either because new goals are constantly being set and accomplished or perhaps because they are never met so why even make them! 

 Whatever your take, God’s Word gives us this perspective to keep in mind…

“…we plan our course but the Lord determines our steps.” (see Proverbs 16:9 - paraphrased)

May your plans be REACHed.  While remembering that God’s way is sometimes different than ours, we can be sure that He delights in bringing us closer to himself.

“…the good life is drawing close to the One who loves us like no other.”  David Roper

As we enter this new year let's REACH out...testing, plumbing, rising, and living in the fullness of the One who loves us the most.  The first SPORTMOM E-votional of each month in 2013 will be dedicated to focusing on this year’s word...be sure to watch for it! 

May this year be filled with reaching the breadth, length, depth, and height of God’s purpose for you as He orders your steps.

Blessings…as you REACH beyond yourself and into God’s fullness.


©2013 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224  

    Picture

    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.


    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All
    SPORTMOMS & MORE
    Your Comments

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly