Blog Archives

EXCELLENT POWER

1/31/2014

For me, purchasing a car is all about the right color and adequate comfort. For my husband, however, it is all about the drivability it has and the gas mileage it gets. Although the power is unseen, it is the engine that will bring a long and satisfying driving experience.

As our sport teams take the fields and courts of play, it is not the color of their new uniforms, the type of facility where the game is held or even how tenaciously they may play that determines the outcome. What does count, however, is the power of the unseen motivation within that is displayed when the team excellently performs the task before them…a completely satisfying experience for players, coaches and fans!

Although God Himself is unseen with our naked eye, it is His EXCELLENT POWER displayed before us that announces His presence and awakens our senses. This happens regularly through the natural elements of weather – pounding rain, scorching sun, bone-piercing thunder or blinding bolts of lightning.

In the book of Job we find these references to God’s EXCELLENT POWER…

“God thunders marvelously with His voice” (37:5).
“He covers His hands with lightning, and commands it to strike” (36:32).
“Indeed, God is excellent in power” (37:23).

God’s EXCELLENT POWER is not only displayed in nature, but it is also evident in the daily “coincidences” of life. His unseen hand is there as we go about our routines of daily living. When we find ourselves making statements like, “I just happen to…” or “I didn’t plan it that way but…” or “I don’t know how this came about but…” it can often indicate a powerful display of God’s unseen presence.  God spoke to the king of Egypt about displayed His power with these words…

“I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Romans 9:17 NIV

His power is unmistakable; His excellence is undeniable…without end and completely satisfying!

PRAYER: Just as I experience your power through nature, Lord, help me to recognize your EXCELLENT POWER in my life today. Thank you for your purpose and presence in me … I want to proclaim it. In Jesus Name, Amen.

                        GOD’S EXCELLENT POWER IS IN YOUR LIFE TODAY… WATCH FOR IT!

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©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

BEAUTIFUL FEET

1/28/2014

Can feet be beautiful? They look pretty and feel nice after a much-needed pedicure. However, the most beautiful thing about feet is what they do, who they bring across my path and where they take me. From crossing mall-paths with a long-time acquaintance to walking the streets of London, Paris and Frankfurt, feet have brought beautiful people and experiences into my life.

The squeaking sound of player’s feet moving up and down a basketball court is music to a coach’s ears. It signals strong and quick movement as the ball is dribbled and passed from player to player. It also indicates important defensive stances being carried out that deny the competitor’s possibility to score. It takes BEAUTIFUL FEET to accomplish these tasks.

The most BEAUTIFUL FEET, however, are those that carry the message of God’s goodness into their world. The Apostle Paul expresses it this way…

"How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!" Romans 10:15b NLT

As a team of God’s messengers, we have the opportunity to carry His peace, joy and love out into the world. It is…

"A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!” Romans 10:15b in The Message

What an exhilarating privilege it is to be part of the “grand procession” of BEAUTIFUL FEET as we take God's life-changing message to a hurting world.

PRAYER: I commit my feet to you today, Lord. May they carry your message into my world. Let them be beautiful for You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

MANY BEAUTIFUL FEET MAKE A GRAND PARADE OF GOD’S GOODNESS!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PERFECTLY HUMBLE

1/24/2014

There is a song lyric that my 89-year-old father sings quite regularly with a wry smile… ”Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble – perfect in every way.” Although he enjoys this little tune, he knows that the art of humility is one that is easily admired and much more difficult to attain.

Good athletes are those with fine skills while great athletes possess both fine skills and the knowledge that they can be better. A well-balanced athlete recognizes their strengths, limitations and dependency which altogether allows humility to flourish.

Humility happens when we recognize our dependency on God's mighty hand…Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

PERFECTLY HUMBLE living means working on our weaknesses rather than flaunting our strengths.
"A proud and avaricious person never rests, whereas one who is poor and humble of heart lives in a world of peace." Thomas à Kempis

“When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6 NLT

Today let’s place our good deeds in the RAG bag of humility by…

Recognizing our weakness…our righteousness is only half of the story.

Admitting our need…be vulnerable before God and others.

Getting help…from the One who cares most – and He will lift you up!

TO BE PERFECTLY HUMBLE USE THE "RAG" BAG!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

TINY PEBBLES

1/21/2014

It was a simple act of service as the TINY PEBBLE of a ride home was tossed into the pond of my life. It has resulted a life-time of ripples forever changing me. That tiny pebble was thrown by my future, servant-hearted husband marking the beginning of endless ripples of love.

The on-going service of a coach is to throw TINY PEBBLES of sport knowledge into a sea of players. Ripples of solid team efforts and lasting memories are the result … a great legacy for any coach.

Jesus spoke of the TINY PEBBLES among us… they are those who serve others.

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.” Mark 10:43

Sometimes the TINY PEBBLES of service that we do seem unnoticed or ineffective. This scripture reminds us that those who serve others are the greatest among us.

Are you willing to be a TINY PEBBLE thrown into the vast sea of mankind’s needs? If so, the result will be an endless reflection of the One who was the greatest servant of all...Jesus.

TINY PEBBLES CAUSE INFINITE RIPPLES!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

SO PROUD

1/17/2014

As a team takes the field or floor to compete, a sense of hope sweeps over the ever-present coach. Preparing the players for their role in this game has been done and now it is time to witness the results of the hard work. Still there to guide, the coach watches as the team plays out the practiced plan – a crowning moment for a SO PROUD coach.

The apostle Paul was ”coach” to many investing endless time and effort to nurture and grow churches. He expresses a SO PROUD moment in his letter to the church at Thessalonica by painting a beautiful word picture to let them know how proud he was of them.

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. I Thessalonians 2:19-20

Investing in others paves the way to SO PROUD moments. As sportmoms we find ourselves in this mode much of the time as we nurture and care for our off-spring. The hand of God then moulds them into His creation increasing the work of our hands. They become our glory and joy ... filling our hearts with many SO PROUD moments.

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV

Paul not only took joy in the Thessalonian Christians, he also told them about it. Telling our children that they are the crown in which we will glory as we stand in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is the ultimate in SO PROUD moments.

PRAYER: Today, Lord, I am SO PROUD of my children…they are my glory and joy! Thank you for letting me invest in their lives. Teach me to express my deep pride and affection for them in ways that bring us closer to each other and to You. I give my efforts to you for the increase. In Jesus Name, Amen.

MAY YOUR “SO PROUD” MOMENTS BE MANY, EXPRESSED and INCREASED!

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

EVERY EFFORT

1/14/2014

“Try really hard,” my mother would say to me as a child when faced with new and seemingly difficult tasks. “Stretch” was the theme of a Pastor’s sermon that greatly impacted me when I was a young mother. These promptings and many others have encouraged me to make EVERY EFFORT in life.

On the fields and courts of sports the goal is always to make EVERY EFFORT. The coach is present to guide and direct the players toward this goal. A team that performs at the top of its skills and abilities is a winner no matter what the scoreboard says.

God’s Word encourages us to try really hard and to stretch ourselves…

“…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

“Growing spiritually is a lifelong process—not a one-time event.” Cindy Hess Kasper

As followers of Christ, our effectiveness is not dependent on the scoreboard of conversions but on how we live out the game of life. We are promised that the Holy Spirit is there to enable us as we make EVERY EFFORT to “add to”. The result?

“…if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…you will never stumble and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8, 10, 11 NIV

To make every effort is the ultimate sacrifice and greatest achievement.

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

PUT OFF - PUT ON

1/10/2014

Discarding our not needed or unwanted items can be not only a chore for all of us but an extremely difficult task for some. My goal for many years has been to discard an item from my closet when I get something new to wear. Although the intention is good, it doesn’t always happen that way. If I procrastinate and “PUT OFF” doing it immediately, somehow it doesn’t get done. Soon the closet is so full of unused clothes that it is difficult to access the ones I need to “PUT ON”.

“Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never PUT OFF till tomorrow what you can do today.” Lord Chesterfield

Coaches deal with the discarding ritual when new athletes come into their program. In order for the system of play to work and for the player to excel, old patterns and habits must be PUT OFF. The delicate process of re-directing or re-establishing their skills takes the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon. As they “PUT ON” their necessary roles, the team works skillfully and cooperatively together.

What will we PUT OFF and PUT ON in 2014? Ridding ourselves of unwanted habits or unlovely attitudes is a noble desire. However, to discard them without a replacement is futile. God’s Word gives us the formula for the PUT OFF-PUT ON lifestyle.

STEP ONE: Regularly DISCARD un-healthy habits or unwanted attitudes need to be discarded.
PUT OFF, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt.
Ephesians 4:22 NIV

STEP TWO: Replace them DILIGENTLY with God-honoring habits and attitudes.
…PUT ON the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24 NIV

STEP THREE: Remember to DEDICATE this process to the Lord trusting the prompting of the Holy Spirit as it is completed it in you.
…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NIV

Blessings as you PUT OFF old tainted garments and PUT ON new robes of holiness.

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

FF

2014 WORD FOR THE YEAR..."ADORE"

1/7/2014

The music of Christmas 2013 faded as the new year approached and with it the familiar invitation “Oh come let us adore Him” no longer lingered in the air. But it would not be left behind...not this year. Our 2014 word-for-the-year is ADORE...

FOR WHO HE IS!
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this kingdom. We ADORE you as the One who is over all things. I Chronicles 29:11 NLT

FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE!
Shout Hallelujah...ADORE Him...He has never let you down, never looked the other way...He has been right there, listening. Psalm 22:22-24 TM (portions)

We worship our LORD this year with awe and praise - the One who loves us most...our Creator, the One who gave His life for us...Jesus Christ, and the One who daily guides us...the Holy Spirit.

                                    OH COME LET US ADORE HIM!

Note: The first SPORTMOM E-votional of each month is dedicated to our word-for-the-year.

©2014 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

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.

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN