Blog Archives

IMMEASURABLY MORE

1/27/2016

We are measured throughout our lives. It begins with a simple recording of our weight and length at birth. As the days turn into months and the months into years our physical development is measured and compared with the “norm”.

Our mental capacity is also measured through school testing and as parental expectations set a bar to be reached. The overall goal is to function at our highest capability in every stage of life…to push forward and accomplish more.

Our athlete’s capabilities are constantly measured on the fields and courts of play. Along with those who they compete against, the ever-present “personal best” is an in-built trigger to accomplish more.

Performing at the “top of our game” is noble and honorable. But it is God’s desire to provide IMMEASURABLY MORE than any of our lofty imaginations, goals and human expectations that can be measured. Accessing His life-enhancing and unending abundance takes us far beyond our meager human capacity and into His IMMEASURABLY MORE plan for our lives.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

PRAYER: Awesome God, thank you for your immense abundance as you pour IMMEASURABLY MORE of yourself into my life. Increase my faith to believe beyond myself and to trust your power at work within me. May I reflect You to my world. In Jesus Name, Amen.

EXCEED EXPECTATIONS… ACCESS GOD’S IMMEASURABLE MORE!

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

OPEN OR SHUT?

1/20/2016

Life has a way of opening doors of opportunity and shutting them as well. I am always thrilled at the prospect of an open door offering new experiences or impacting current ones. But sometimes the door slams in my face resulting in feelings of failure, disappointment or discouragement causing me to wish I had shut the door in the first place.

Sport team efforts offer doors of opportunity as a new season of play begins. Their W-L record will either open the door to a coveted state championship or shut it protecting the team from unnecessary humiliation. Whether further opportunities to compete are OPEN OR SHUT the outcome is for the best.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller

As Christ-ones we have the hope of happiness whether the doors in life are OPEN OR SHUT. In the book of Revelation, the writer records these profound words…

What (God) opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Rev.3:7 NIV

Knowing that God has ordained our steps is an unobstructed formula for hope and contentment. Our scripture passage in Revelation continues with encouragement to walk through the open doors in life…

I know your deeds… I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:8 &11 NIV

Our win-loss record for life is already recorded in the eternal plan God has set out for us. He opens the door to crowns of accomplishment and He shuts the door to that which will defeat us. Either way, OPEN OR SHUT, He is in it crowning us with His love, mercy, goodness and beauty!

He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal. Psalm 103:4 The Message

OPEN OR SHUT … GO FOR THE CROWN!

©2016 SPORTMOMS & MORE 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

FOLLOW-THROUGH

1/13/2016

“If you say you’ll do it, then do it!” My mother would often say this to us as we promised to clean up our rooms. Sometimes the job was completed and sometimes it wasn’t. It was a lesson that needed to be learned but one that took a little growing up in order to produce the fruit of FOLLOW-THROUGH.

“Buds and blossoms are not fruit.” Matthew Henry

Athletes learn the value of FOLLOW-THROUGH as they hone their sport. Whether it is throwing a pass in football, nailing a free throw attempt in basketball, kicking the ball in soccer, finishing a serve in volleyball or delivering a pitch in baseball, the result is in the appropriate completion of the attempt. This, in turn, produces the fruit of a successful down, a through-the-net basket, a successful march toward the goal, a served ball sailing over the net or a baseball pitch that eludes a batter.

In Matthew chapter 21 Jesus tells us this parable about FOLLOW-THROUGH…

There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.”
“I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go.
Which of the two did what his father wanted? The first,” they answered. Matthew 21:28-31 NIV

What is God requesting of you today? Have you been answering, ‘I will!’ and then not doing it? Choosing to follow through with the directives God gives us produces His desired fruit in our lives. We learn to trust His leading and He can trust us to do it!

PRAYER: Today I will FOLLOW THROUGH with the request you have made of me, Loving Father. Thank you for being patient with me. I now say, “I will do it” and I will. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

TRUST IS THE FRUIT OF FOLLOW-THROUGH!

©2016 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

2016 WORD FOR THE YEAR - ABOUND

1/6/2016

…abound in everything - in faith, in words, in knowledge, in diligence, in love toward one another - also remembering to abound in grace. 2 Corinthians 8:7

To abound means “to be overflowing with” or “to be packed with”. Webster defines this action word as to be present in large numbers or in great quantity. And the Bible uses these phrases to describe the abounding process: to be abundant, to have an abundance of, to be richly blessed, to prevail, and to obtain. This brings us to our first "ABOUND IN..." of the year.

ABOUND IN…FRUIT-FILLED FAITH

Faith is...the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. Hebrews 11:1 The Message

Or, as the Complete Jewish Bible puts it -

Faith is…being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see! Hebrews 11:1 CJB

Athletes are known for their confidence as well as their coaches. They are able to come off of a severe loss and expect the greatest win ever in the next game. My husband said today as he left for a game following some a heart-wrenching tournament losses, “Tonight we’re gonna have the best game of our season yet!” This faith-filled confidence in something yet to be seen coupled with preparation, commitment, and persistence is what paves the way for his team to ABOUND in blessings!

"You can't have confidence unless you are prepared. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail." Coach John Wooden, UCLA

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Proverbs 28:20 KJV

Or, as The Message puts it – Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.

PRAYER: Just as your ever-abounding purpose is poured upon me, I will ABOUND in my faith and trust in you and do what you have called me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TO BE PACKED WITH FRUIT-FILLED FAITH…BE CONFIDENTLY PERSISTENT!

©2016 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.

﻿IMMEASURABLY MORE

OPEN OR SHUT?

FOLLOW-THROUGH

2016 WORD FOR THE YEAR - ABOUND

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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IMMEASURABLY MORE

About the Author...
JANET BROWN