Blog Archives

WORK TOGETHER

1/25/2017

Coach and I enjoy making what we call “kitchen sink soup”… especially on cold winter days. One of our favorites begins with broth boiled down from a roasted or fresh chicken. By adding fresh veggies (whatever is in the refrigerator), the leftover chicken meat, some rice, spices to taste and simmering it over low heat all the flavors WORK TOGETHER offering us a delicious meal or two.

Players on sport teams are called to the same process. By practicing and preparing as a team they create a loving respect for one another, precise rhythm and are in sync…it’s all about how they WORK TOGETHER.

"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Rome about how things WORK TOGETHER…

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 NLT

As life takes its twists and turns, it is a great comfort to know that our Heavenly Father is using each one to bring about His purpose. As we submit ourselves to Him we can be confident that He is working out His purpose in and through us.

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 NRSV

PRAYER: I submit all things to you today. Thank you for working in and through my life. May your will and purpose be accomplished . In Jesus’ Name, Amen

WORK TOGETHER WITH GOD…
AS HE WORKS ALL THINGS FOR YOUR GOOD - A MASTERPIECE!!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

AT LEAST ONE

1/18/2017

It takes two to make a team. The effort put forth by a “two-gether” approach to an activity or project is more than doubled. Doing something with others whether in a marriage, in the workplace or in our “playtime” adds to our experience…but it takes AT LEAST TWO!

Without AT LEAST TWO there is no team! Team sports require a certain number of players to compete. In 11-man football it is 11. In basketball it is 5 and so on. In competitive games like tennis, wrestling matches and other one-on-one sports it takes two to have a match or competition.

Although she was not into sport teams like her family, Stephanie Lynn wrote about the ultimate kind of teamwork. She penned a poem when she was 18 years old…about a year before God took her to be with Him following a tragic car accident: Here are some excerpts...

Life’s short, don’t take it for granted; And hopefully it will be enchanted. Live life to the fullest or it will be the dullest;

You know where you’re coming from, And He knows where you’re going. So when you feel lost, call on the Lord of all knowing.
When you’re feeling bad, or feeling down – He’ll pick you up and carry you on. And we’ll all rejoice with joyful song.
‘Cause God will always be there whether life’s short or long. I love the Lord, and pray you do too... For every team, you need AT LEAST TWO.

As we team up with Christ daily, God becomes our other half walking through the game of life with us...it's a team of two!

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8 NIV

PRAYER: Lord of my life. we are a team of two. Thank you for instructing me when I step out of bounds and guiding me in the way I should go. Your watchful care is ever around me and I praise you. In Jesus' Name, Amen

WITH GOD…THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

A GREAT COMEBACK

1/11/2017

Taking our new baby girl in for her 8-week check-up seemed safe and hopefully uneventful. Laying her gently on the pediatrician’s examining table, I removed her clothing as directed by the nurse. Then, turning to lay her clothing aside, I caught a glimpse of her first roll over…right off the edge of the table! Instinctively I put my arms under her fall and caught her. It was a close call but A GREAT COMEBACK from a potentially disastrous situation.

When the scoreboard shows your team behind with very little time is left in the game, disaster seems eminent unless there is A GREAT COMEBACK. Knowing they are behind and by how much is a catalyst for extra effort in order to catch up. This can pay off nicely especially when the end result is a win…fans cheer and a sense of relief is in the air. When loss does result, the extra effort is recognized and admired by coaches and fans alike.

Our spiritual development sometimes requires A GREAT COMEBACK. Getting off track or stuck in the quick sands of sin can be disastrous. Recognizing that we’re losing ground is the first step in successful recovery. The next is this…

If we confess our sins, (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV

Next the extra effort kicks in when we choose to think and live right.

…right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 1:30 The Message

Just as sport fans squeal with delight over a team’s extra effort, the halls of heaven ring with joy in response to our recognition of sin and confession of it – keys to a healthy recovery. In response, God reaches out his faithful arms to catch us, forgive us, and turn us in the direction we should go…A GREAT COMEBACK!

PRAYER: I come before you today, LORD, admitting my need for your forgiveness. Please make both my heart and mind right before you. Thank you for offering me a fresh start and the opportunity for A GREAT COMEBACK. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

TAKE THE NEXT EXIT…GO TO THE AUTHOR OF GREAT COMEBACKS!

©2017 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

CONSIDER ... our 2017 WORD FOR THE YEAR

1/4/2017

Learning how to CONSIDER is a life-long process. Using logic and information to come to a conclusion is part of daily living. It is a verb which denotes action with these definitions:

To think carefully about something or someone, typically before making a decision.
The process of being drawn toward a course of action.
To contemplate, reflect, examine, review
To regard as having a specified quality

Coaches constantly CONSIDER their options knowing that their decisions can determine the outcome of a season of play. Athletes examine their skill-set in order to strengthen their performance and referees spend the game in quick consideration of team play.

God’s Word offers us a timely reminder to CONSIDER in our verse for the year…

“…be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV

Take a moment to review the great things God placed in your life this past year…

PRAYER: As I consider all you have done in and for me, your constant presence is evident. It is with a grateful heart that I commit this year to serving you more faithfully and with my whole heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER…

“All of life is peaks and valleys. Don't let the peaks get too high and the valleys too low.” John Wooden

©2017 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.

WORK TOGETHER

AT LEAST ONE

A GREAT COMEBACK

CONSIDER ... our 2017 WORD FOR THE YEAR

About the Author... JANET BROWN

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About the Author...
JANET BROWN