Blog Archives

YET TO ARRIVE

2/28/2012

Heading for the State Basketball Tournament is something Coach hopes for each year. This year he gets to do it again! The grueling yet satisfying trek through pre-season and league play has brought us this far…but we are YET TO ARRIVE.

A team fighting its way through injuries, losses and inexperience has been the path sometimes taking them to places they didn't desire…thankfully they were YET TO ARRIVE.

                                     WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S OVER, IT’S NOT OVER.

Tomorrow we will spend 5 hours of travel time to get to the tournamen.t site. Packing, finishing up details, having the last home practice must all take place before we leave … and we are YET TO ARRIVE.

The scouting, breaking down film, and even the edginess of Coach will soon be over…but the team is YET TO ARRIVE.

After the opening game of the tournament is complete we are still in process. Win it and our name is placed on one side of the bracket…lose and it is on the other...still we are YET TO ARRIVE.

The forward progress toward the intended goal of completing a season at the top of our game keeps us in the yet-to-arrive category until we play the final game of the year. Then the outcome will be established ... and WE HAVE ARRIVED.

Our walk with Christ is mirrors the progression of a sport season. Although we move forward to complete each day of our lives in full relationship with our Creator…still, we’ve YET TO ARRIVE.

It isn't so much about how far down the road we are on our Christian journey as it is that we continue to make forward progress. Living by the power of the Holy Spirit we move toward the intended goal. It is the wind of God's Spirit that breathes life into our imperfect existence making it possible for progress…the presence of God within us

“Just as breathing on grey embers brings them back to life, so the Holy Spirit stirs within us and moves us forward.” Pastor Ron Woods

The Israelites were given this encouragement while they were YET TO ARRIVE in their promised land. While still in the desert Moses and the people sang this song…

“The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him."  Exodus 15:2

We might sing "the joy of the Lord is my strength" or "Jesus, you're my sweet, sweet song"…while we too are YET TO ARRIVE.

Until that day when we complete our season here on earth, we will always be in this process…we are YET TO ARRIVE.

Blessings…as you experience the joy of the Lord on your YET TO ARRIVE journey through life.

For more CLICK ON the music video below...

WORN OUT?

2/24/2012

This amusing story recently came across my desk…

A grandson was visiting his Grandma one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?"
While mentally polishing her halo, the Grandmother responded, "Now then, how are we alike?"
"You're both old," the grandson replied.

It’s no fun to be old and seemingly WORN OUT. Writer Max Lucado describes it this way:

“Whether from being left untended or from constant use, things will always be inclined to grow old and deplete. Knees will start to ache and catch. Tires will wear thin. Gaskets will leak. Organization will trend toward chaos. The deodorant stick will shrink smaller and smaller. Clothes will wrinkle. Dust will accumulate. It’s the nature of life. Downhill. Showing age.”

Even young athletes experience a wearing out of their bodies. Both professional and high school players find themselves with malfunctioning rotator cuffs, knee problems or simply strained and tired muscles. Becoming worn out can certainly compromise both individual and team efforts.

God’s Word to us is that He wants to pour new strength into our worn out bodies. He offers us a new perspective in place of an old one when we call ourselves His people....

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31 NLT

And although He may not provide that "new face", He puts a smile on it when He gives us a new perspective in place of the old one ....

If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV

Belonging to Christ means we can turn in our old and wrinkled past for a new future. Trusting God means that our worn-out bodies can be filled with new strength.

Blessings…as you EXCHANGE THE WORN OUT FOR REBORN FROM WITHIN!

For more CLICK on the BEHIND THE BENCH BLOG tab above for USED UP!

©2011 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

A BRIGHT SPOT

2/21/2012

A BRIGHT SPOT

2/21/2012

It’s a bright day whenever a goal that we are trying to reach falls into our laps. As a sportmom it is always a rush when the basketball unexpectedly comes a players way, they catch it and then make a basket! The crowd roars, the points are added to the scoreboard, and the team is rejuvenated!

There is a little story Jesus tells that speaks of an unexpected moment … a bright spot in a life that was not going so well…the life of a gone-missing son’s return.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

The father’s response to his prodigal son’s return mirrors the heart of our Heavenly Father toward us.

Take a moment …turn toward God.

“Brighten your day by envisioning God running toward you.” Max Lucado

At the slightest mention of His name, our Lord responds to us with open arms of love…truly
A BRIGHT SPOT in the day!

Blessings…as you turn toward God ... and He runs toward you.

For more...CLICK ON the BEHIND THE BENCH tab above for SUN BREAK.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

WHATEVER HAPPENS...

2/17/2012

When stuff happens I easily find myself getting an “it’s-not-fair” attitude, fussing and fuming around while whining that things need to be different. One look at happenings reported on the news can send me into this tail-spin – my day compromised!

Sport competitions can do this too. Getting off on the wrong foot can seem like virus infecting a whole team. In basketball, which is our personal focus, there are games when making a basket seems particularly difficult for several of the usually spot-on players. The result can be a devastating loss or a “we-squeaked-by” win! Either way it is a nail-biter for those of us in stands. Whether a participant or an observer, this kind of play is challenging.

Fans have reactions to tough moments during games. Sometimes they “cop an attitude” against the refs, verbally and loudly express their dissatisfaction and continue to fuss and fume about the call 4 baskets or even 4 games later.

                FOCUS ON THE ONE THAT WENT IN NOT THE ONE THAT DIDN’T

The apostle Paul speaks to this dilemma. His words come from a position of both hardship and excess – they give us the roadmap to maneuvering through WHATEVER HAPPENS.

“Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks – whatever happens. That’s what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16

No matter what life brings, developing these three WHATEVER HAPPENS responses will prove to save both time and energy …

          POSITION your attitude….prepare for the worst while expecting the best.

          PRAY your way through…constant communication with the Lord leaves no time for
                                                      fussing or fuming.

          PAUSE to give thanks…thank the Lord for the opportunity as well as the outcome.

Blessings…as you become a WHATEVER HAPPENS follower of Christ.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

"SWEAT"HEARTS

2/14/2012

This is the day we celebrate love! It’s a day for sweethearts and one for “sweathearts"...that is sweethearts that enjoy participating together in an athletic event or workout! Together they share the love of sports activity.

“What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!” Victor Hugo

When Coach and I were first dating, he had one important piece of information that he was anxious to make sure that I knew…it was that he loves coaching basketball! It was not just a ‘like’ or just for a season, it was a deep connection with the coaching profession day in and day out! Perhaps he thought this would remain his #1 ‘love’ but after a few athletic events he made a discovery… we were becoming sweethearts and “sweat”hearts! His #1 “love” was being challenged…and I was winning!

But there was something besides me that challenged Coach’s #1 “love”. He began to know the grandest love of all … the agape love of Jesus. This total unconditional love is the grandest form of love – the one we all long for.

“We love because he first loved us.” I John 4:19 NIV

When agape love is in place, the other “loves” in our lives take their proper place. Our lives become balanced, deeply meaningful and grand!

Here is what Agape love looks like…

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." I Corinthians13:4-8

In my 45 years of loving Coach, he has lived out this scripture. Selflessly he offers this deepest and grandest form of love to me, to his family, to our friends, to the students and to his players. It is a privilege to be his “sweat”heart!

Blessings…as you love grandly just as Christ unconditionally loves you!

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

LOVE IN MOTION

2/10/2012

Our focus has been on the camera’s that are rolling all around us. Today we consider another question that was posed regarding the first way to be camera-ready which was…

                                      SHOW LOVE … to both teammates and competitors.

THE QUESTION…
How are athletes to show love when being taunted, banged up and beaten up under the boards?

THE "HOW TO"…
Love is shown by not taunting back, banging back or beating them up in return in unacceptable ways.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me ..."   Phil. 3:13-14

THE POINT…
As soon as the infraction happens we are to forget about it and relentlessly move on toward the next play, the next pass, the next opportunity to take control of the ball and make a basket. Does this mean compromising clean,tough play? No! It simply means...

                                   NOT LINGERING ON ANOTHER’S BAD BEHAVIOR

Rather, keep moving toward the "prize" which, in this case, is getting the most points while maintaining integrity…the high calling of God in Christ Jesus even in basketball!

If life taunts you, bangs you around or beats you up, leave those things behind and look toward the next play. Letting go of what has been is a requirement for what will be…this pleases God for it shows His love in motion.

Blessings… as you relentlessly put love in motion.

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

CAMERA-READY

2/7/2012

As a follow-up to the last SPORTMOM E-votional titled LET THE CAMERAS ROLL, today we take a look at ten ways to be found honorable before the cameras of life. Whether it’s a ho-hum day or an unusually challenging one, having “how-to” guidelines is always helpful and sometimes necessary.

READER QUESTION:   “If indeed God's camera is always on, for an athlete, what are the top ten ways you think God would find most pleasing to Him?

ANSWER: Here are ten ways an athlete can please God...

SHOW LOVE … to both teammates and competitors.

EXUDE JOY … in your win and in an opponent's win.

PROMOTE PEACE … when the ref's call is in question.

PRACTICE PATIENCE … on and off the bench.

BE KIND … even when others are rude.

PRACTICE GOODNESS … in the face of temptation to get back.

BE FAITHFUL … through the ups and downs of the game.

BE GENTLE … especially when helping a teammate to improve.

POSSESS SELF CONTROL … when you want to explode.

ALWAYS AVOID … being proud - making trouble with each other - being jealous of one another.

Can we possibly do and be these on our own? No, so here is the key...these ten qualities are known as the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT! As we live in the light of the Spirit of God, these qualities become evident ...the fruit that pleases Him (see Galatians 5:22-26) .

“We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 NCV

                           A SPIRIT-CONTROLLED LIFE IS A CAMERA-READY LIFE

Watch for the next issue of SPORTMOM E-votional when another question is asked concerning these TOP TEN FRUITS!

Blessings…as you become CAMERA-READY!

©2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224

LET THE CAMERAS ROLL

2/3/2012

It seems there are cameras rolling nearly everywhere we go…in the store, outside of the store, at the intersection, in a parked police car, at large gatherings/events and in our homes as we celebrate life with cell phone videos. What an amazing world we live in to be able to record real time life when we want to…and even when we don’t!

“Breaking down film” is a favorite past time as well as a necessity for many of today’s coaches. Intensely focused teams study videos of their up-coming opponents in preparation for the challenge ahead to get the needed edge.

The local news carries “clips” of winning teams filling sportmoms with pride when their athlete or team is highlighted. National sport games fill our DVRs and living rooms with people giving us reason for chip and dip, popcorn, and chicken wings.

Because the cameras are always rolling, we are wise to be at our best…

“We're a watched society… that keeps us accountable. It keeps us honest, keeps us careful of our actions. In fact, it's sort of a reminder that God's cameras are always rolling… that he sees it all, even when no one else is looking.” COACH JOE GIBBS

"For a man's ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths." Proverbs 5:21

Even when we wish the cameras weren’t rolling, God is still watches over us. Is He a surveillance camera waiting to catch us doing something wrong in order to convict us? No. Rather He provides protection - a safe harbor – a guiding eye that brings comfort and when coupled with the nudge of our conscience, keeps us on track.

As the cameras of this world roll across your life, may God’s camera be an ever-present comfort and guide…

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you shall go, I will guide you with my eye.” Psalm 32:8

TO AVOID A BREAK DOWN - BREAK DOWN GOD’S FILM

Blessings…as you confidently let the cameras roll!

©2012 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